Image: Chavin ceremonial textile fragment from Peru, 500-300 BCE

Soundtrack: Zandalar Forever by Sam Cardon and Leo Kaliski for World of Warcraft

***

Skye

"It is surreal, isn't it?" I pull my knees to my chest, leaning into Conall's warm body as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. "Being able to shapeshift."

The two of us are squeezed into one of the comfy armchairs in Quinn's farmhouse. The Lìog Airgid had been hiding out at the dragon's farm ever since our search for the lost spirit, Nwyfre. Aelshen and Quinn herself are seated on the loveseat opposite us, while various Lycans and Yeva'si crowd into the living room, curiosity plastered upon their faces.

"When I was small, I thought my parents and I were special. People who could turn into dragons," Quinn says softly. "But I wish we'd been born human. Then they'd still be alive," she says darkly, a tear trailing down her face. "After they were killed in battle, I sold this place and travelled on the money. Then, two decades later, I met the Lìog and decided this'd make a good hideout. Convinced the owners to sell it back to me."

"Convinced?" Ace asks with a chuckle.

Quinn shrugs, giving the goth Lycan a wink. She tucks her shoulder-length dark hair behind an ear and leans back on the sofa without another word.

"Quinn has her ways," Aelshen whispers, grinning behind his thick beard. He lifts a mug of some kind of alcoholic beverage to his lips but then thinks better of it, offering it to Quinn. She shakes her head with a chuckle.

I turn towards the Loch Ness Monster, meeting her gaze.

"Tell us how you came to be, Nessie," I prompt. "I want to know the story of you and Patercius."

In two short hours, Flint and Nessie will be on their way to Peru to gain the aid of the mountain spirits and the Serpientes – Nessie's horde of river monsters. Together, the spirits of Earth will help Patercius remember that he used to be the Sun God, Inti.

"Well," the Mother of the Water begins, "'twas quite a time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday."

"I love a good story," Aelshen says, shuffling to the edge of his seat and staring at the Loch Ness Monster eagerly.

Ace rolls his eyes and Flint peers at his love interest with a great deal of respect; I wonder if he remembers any of this yet or if Nessie's experiences are like new to him.

Elspeth snorts. "I thought it was jokes ye liked best, considering ye are one."

"Shut yer geggy, Mrs. Andarsen, an' let me speak!" Nessie counters, staring Elspeth down. Her lips quirk up at the edges, however.

To her credit, Elspeth releases a chortle. "Could be me own daughter, eh, Ramsey?"

The elderly dragon doesn't reply; he stares ahead blankly as he rests in the crimson armchair, nude from the waist up. The armchair is Elspeth's favourite – she must really feel for her husband if she's willing to give it up.

Ramsey absentmindedly reaches around to scratch at the bandages that crisscross his torso. They conceal the deep wounds Patercius had inflicted upon the dragon by ridding him of his wings.

"Why tell ye about me beginning when I can show ye?"

Nessie smiles mischievously, and as I gaze into her hazel eyes, they alter to dark, luminous irises. The room around us fizzles out as my mind is transported back in time. The others gasp at the revelation as they experience it, too, but I shut my eyes tightly, welcoming the familiar surge of emotions as we relive the memories of the lady of the Loch.

***

An immense ebony-skinned man with a headdress of exotic feathers and vivid face paint peered down at a small, innocent babe with dusky skin, beautiful chestnut eyes and a strong jaw. I formed a pool of water in me palm and offered it to the child, who lapped at the liquid.

"Yacumama, this child bears the spirit of the Great Ones."

I nodded, peering at Pachacamac with great respect. "He will be a strong Apu."

"Like you," Pachacamac replied with a chuckle that rolled across the sky like deep thunder. "Will you guide him and nurture him, Yacumama, like the mountain spirits did you?"

"I will."

Pachacamac smiled kindly at me and then stared back at baby Inti.

"God of the Light," the Great Spirit whispered, an' though his words were spoken softly, the world shone and twisted and turned with the meaning of life as only Pachacamac himself could convey.

"I will take Inti under my wing and he shall train among the serpents as if he were my own."

I turned towards the child's mother and she declined her head in respect.

"I thank you, Yacumama," she told me. "May Pachacamac watch over you...uh..." The woman turned towards the noble god before her, blinking in embarrassment.

"It is all right," Pachacamac laughed, his spirit growing faint as he prepared to leave this plane and coalesce once again with our great planet. "I already am." His words rang out across the valley as humans and Serpientes converged upon the mountaintop to see what all the fuss was about.

I peered back at the mother of the newest Earth spirit, brought to life by Pachacamac himself during the sun's zenith.

"Bring Inti by the temple each day before sunrise," I instructed, "and I shall teach him all I know. He will be a champion of the Sun as his destiny states."

The woman nodded, smiling graciously as she scooped up the wailing Inti in her arms and carried him down the mountain again.

"What next, Yacumama?" one of the Serpientes inquired, eyes shining with delight at the sight of the new spirit.

"Now, we swim," I told him simply, breaking into a wide grin. "That is if you are ready."

Me loyal followers swarmed around me and howled their content as the sun descended behind the horizon.

I focused on the lake below as me skin transformed to beautiful mossy scales and me teeth sharpened and enlarged to the size of spear points. I bunched up me muscles and launched meself over the cliff, feeling the wind against me face as I sailed headfirst into the liquid of life.

***

I gasp as I'm pulled back into reality, gripping the familiar softness of Quinn's armchair.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Ace demands, breathing heavily and staring wild-eyed at the Loch Ness Monster.

Nessie smiles sadly at the young Lycan and then tears her gaze away, staring at the carpet.

"That spirit we saw – the first one with the headdress," I begin slowly, narrowing my eyes in thought.

"Pachacamac," Nessie tells us. "Translates tae English as 'Creator of the World'. Call Pachacamac what ye like – Mother Earth, Gaia, Terra, God, the Great Spirit – Pachacamac is all of these. He comes to us in many forms."

For a split second, her face grows darker and her coffee locks turn obsidian, a likeness of her first incarnation. And suddenly, she's back to her usual self.

"An' ye'd best not be judgin' me fer past deeds, especially because I had no idea what I was gettin' into."

"What did you do?" Ace demands, standing and peering down at the spirit. "You raised Patty," he breathes.

The Mother of the Water nods sadly and then addresses the rest of the Lycans and Yeva'si in the room.

"Lìog Airgid, I require yer forgiveness. I didn't realize afore the Battle of Conwy, as he's kept it concealed all this time – through no intentions of his own – but when Patercius disappeared in a flash of light energy, I knew there was no mistakin' it. Patercius is an incarnation of Inti, the Incan Sun God. Inti was good. He lived and died for the Incan people just like I did. But somewhere along the way – some later life – he lost himself. He forgot who he was."

"Because of hatred," I supply.

"Anger blinds the soul," Nessie whispers. "I need tae return and gain the aid of the Apukuna. They will know what to do."

"The Apukuna?" Ace raises an eyebrow, causing his dark bangs to shift and fall across his eyes. "I know you mentioned them yesterday, but I forgot already."

"Mountain spirits. I hail from the Amazon rainforest, Lycan," the spirit informs him. "Soy Yacumama, la madre de las serpientes de los Andes," she utters in Spanish.

I glance at her. "Mother of the Serpents of the Andes."

"Aye," she affirms. "The Apukuna and Serpientes may not agree tae help us, but we must try. Enough talk. Flint an' I must take our leave if we are tae make our flight."

***

We wave our goodbyes as the two spirits take to the sky. They're headed for the airport and then straight to Peru.

<You sure you're gonna be okay left alone here with Mac Tíre, Skye?> Flint asks me as his raven form disappears into the foggy dawn.

<Something tells me I'll be fine,> I reply with a smirk, glancing sideways at the Father of Lycans. <And I'm never alone. Sejka made that clear.>

<Ye better fly! I can hear the lot of ye,> Aelshen chuckles.

<Don't murder Matthews while I'm gone,> Flint warns. <I'm watching you! Well, listening, at least.>

Aelshen releases a loud sigh. <That'll be rather difficult, that will. No offence to ye, Skye, but yer father's bloody hard to deal with.>

I nod my head, swallowing. <I know.>

<An' don't get Quinn's home burnt down,> Flint orders.

Aelshen releases a loud sigh into our minds. <Ah, when will ye stop badgerin' me about that? 'Twasn't my fault the ol' pub got burnt down. Nor was it my fault Elspeth's and Ramsey's place did, either.>

<Ye burned down a pub, Mac Tíre?> Nessie chuckles. <Fer shame!>

Turning back towards the farmhouse, I take Conall's hand in mine. We begin the long trudge across the field, and I picture a warm fire and a blank canvas.

Painting will help me sort out my thoughts, and hopefully, it'll help me to reconnect with ancient memories. I intend to make peace with my past lives so I can remember the locations of other Earth Spirits who can help us. Maybe I'd encountered an avatar of Inti somewhere along the way. Knowledge of his nature will help us in finally defeating him.

Not to mention, Pachacamac is out there somewhere. The Great Spirit.

Perhaps, upon gaining Pachacamac's aid, we can help Patercius to finally remember where he came from.

Maybe, someday, he'll remember he is one of the Apukuna.