Bill led me to where the proud standing wardrobe stood closer to the main door. He waved his hand and the wardrobe slid to the side, revealing an oddly plain door with a triangle carved into the wooden surface.
He led me past the plain door and into a library, or so it looked with the rows and rows of bookshelves that nearly reached the ridiculously high ceiling. The only thing that parted this room from a library was the objects and pictures that were on placed on pedestals or hanging on the walls like numerous shrines.

Immediately on my left I saw a large frame on the wall with a big blue pine tree in it with two more smaller framed photos on both sides of it. Bill didn't stop me from walking over to the space. On the left side of the large frame was a photo of how I used to be, human, it was one of the first days I was in the Fearamid, the photo on the right side of the frame was another of me after I was blooded. I knew what I looked like before seeing this, red eyes, taller, scrawny but still bulky, fangs and claws.

"W-what i-is this place?" I questioned turning my attention to the empty pedestal beneath the photos.

"My memory room." Bill answered, directly behind me. I swallowed down a startled growl in favor of tensed form. "Everything I want to remember and rummage through at some point is cataloged and stored in here." He placed a hand on my shoulder and gently turned me around, pointing with his free hand to a hardcover book floating in midair while a quill scribbled away at it's pages.

After a moment of observing the quill's automatic scribbling, Bill guided me back to the hall that parted the book shelves and led me farther into the room. "It's filled with the ones of, erm, people that were important to me of their respected times."

"Lives?" I asked in speculation.

He nodded casually. "A few, yes, but none that I ended... Intentionally." He muttered the last part as if he didn't want me to hear it but I did nonetheless. "Most were from poor backgrounds, slavery, human trafficking, and so on." Bill continued to talk while I glanced at another shrine-like display. I was surprised at the photos I saw, I wanted to stop and look closer but Bill tightened his grip on my shoulder and kept walking. It was me, in the photo. It wasn't clearly me but it was someone that looked like me, almost exactly. I whipped my head around to look at another shrine, another person like me in the photos.

My nerves started picking up with a new kind of intensity I wasn't familiar with nor very fond of. Bill fell silent finally, his grip on my shoulder unrelenting as if anticipating me to run from the room. History. What did he mean by history?

I glanced at another shrine, there was only a pedestal with a Greek pot on it. A man painted on the pot's surface in black while in white, on the man's left shoulder, were the dots I was well familiar with. The dots in the shape of the big dipper.

"The young scholar." Bill spoke in monotone as we passed the small area.

I looked at another on the other side of Bill. The pedestal held a small pyramid model while on the wall hung a stone slab of yellow limestone with people engraved into it's surface. More accurately a man worshipping a god.

"A priest." Bill clarified as he stared onward.

We finally stopped walking. I didn't want to look at the last wall but I did. Like the limestone slab it hung on the wall, plain stone, bigger than the limestone, with it's own carvings. There was a man standing, his hair filled in with gold, his headdress with red clay and jewels, the rest of his clothing was painted except the cuffs on his forearms which were filled in with gold like his hair; in one hand was a staff, it was like a symbol to his authority, beneath his other hand was another man.
The second man was sitting beneath the first's hand calmly, almost pleasantly, the one thing that attracted attention of this man was the ambers used for his eyes, otherwise it was the many colors of blue clay used for his clothing. The second man was only shown on his side, his chin tilted upward to look at the first man, almost as if he was worshipping the other.
I took notice of the four pedestals before the stone slab, each on possessing a book.

"Most of my life," Bill spoke again. "My... Human life, from the day I met him and so on." He released my shoulder finally, chills running up my arm from the sudden change. I almost thought I'd collapse right there if I took one step but the moment I lifted my right foot I didn't stop. Not until I was standing in front of the far left pedestal staring at the book with insatiable curiosity of what was written in it's pages.
I looked back at Bill for permission.

The demon was only staring at the slab of stone on the wall. I turned back to the book, picking it up ever so carefully as if it would just blow away into pieces through my fingers. I didn't hear Bill make a sound in objection, or any sound at all.
I pulled back the front cover and the whole scene played before me, like I was standing there as it happened. A little kid with blonde hair, no more than fourteen, was following a sour-faced woman asking her innocent questions and only being snapped at in return. I guess she was his mother. After she stormed off with out him, he was called for by a big man with an equally big smile.

Ah Kin. Sounds like an abbreviated name.

The boy followed the man to a grand temple and met with who I guessed would be the high priestess and her maids.
The man and the boy followed the priestess to the inner sanctum of the temple, the boy asked a question and was given a grievous answer.
The priestess stopped at a door, spoke a few words, then knocked on the door and opened it, letting the man and boy inside.
Inside was another boy that looked to be at least ten, judging by his small size, drawing on scraps of cloth with charcoal. The new boy looked up and the blonde boy froze as if he was staring down the edge of a weapon.

Citlali...

I closed the book and placed it back on it's pedestal before moving over to the next one and viewing the scenes that played there. I recognized that Bill was called Ah Kin when he was human and Citlali was the other person that was close to him during that time. Citlali looked like me, or more rather I looked like him, only no scene in these...journals showed the dipper constellation on his skin. I closed the second book and opened the third, Bill stayed silent behind me making no move to stop me from looking further into his memories. I watched the scene play out, feeling the pages in the book slip from my fingers as they turned themselves over.
Citlali's confession had me stunned for a moment like it had stunned Ah Kin. But when Ah Kin took Citlali into his arms I felt something in me choke up then that something burned angrily. I closed the book before I gave myself time to look into that something.

Putting the book back in it's place with shaking hands, I forced myself to not tear it up in inexplicable anger. I looked over at the next and final book. Stepping toward it, I didn't even raise my hand to touch it when Bill hissed suddenly right behind me.

I cautiously looked back at him. He looked like when I tried to stop him from killing Norman. Red eyed and on the brink of his insanity.
But he wasn't looking at me, he was staring at the book.

"I've never once opened that book." Bill spoke. "Not in it's entire existence did I want to remember the content of those pages."

I looked back at the book again, then up at the stone on the wall. What did he not want to remember?
I lowered my gaze back to the hardcover memory and slowly picked it up. I could feel Bill pressing ever closer against my back, hiding as if in fear of what lays inside it's cover.

I opened it and the scene played out.

(Lets play the memory in Bill's view)

It has been only a year since Citlali said those words, only seven moons since I said them back. We've exchanged many loving touches and private kisses since then, we have even laid together.
The servant, Anu, who first walked in on the first kiss kept silent about our affairs and even helped us in tight situations. He kept loyal to keeping others in the dark.

But that lasted only so long before the High Priest started to become suspicious. The old man pried all of my personal servants, Anu included, but none gave an answer of my business with Citlali.

I caught him trying to bribe one if my uncle's servants into spying on me.
"Get out!" I had bellowed in fury. "How dare you spy for petty reasons! Get out before I tell Uncle of your treason!"

The servant had run off but the High Priest stood his ground. "You're affairs with that brat is a disgrace!" He roared.

"My business with my brother is not of your concern." I returned.

"It is if the gods threaten their wrath!" The man raised a finger and aimed it at me. "Heed my warning boy, if you continue this with that wayward outsider our way of living with be destroyed." Then and only then, did the High Priest leave.

A shock of fear stabbed itself through me when his back was turned. Could what he said be true? Could my love for Citlali destroy my people?

The thoughts plagued me as I walked to meet Citlali in the gardens. My worries were instantly noticed.

"What troubles you?" He asked in a kind voice. His hand cupped my face softly.

"The High Priest of Tonatiuh's temple has become aware of our secret." I answered solemnly. "He threatens the god's wrath upon the city if we continue." I touched my hand to his that remained on my face.

Citlali frowned, to my surprise, with anger. "That old fool knows not the words of his own god. He accuses of what he, himself, has done."

I stared down at my sweet Citlali in silence, wondering how he knew.
"My goddess sent a dream, warning that this would happen." He explained softly. "She said the gods show no wrath to a strong love of any two." He smiled at me with assurance. "Fear not Ah Kin. The city will prosper."

I smiled back at him before looking around us too see if anyone was watching. When I noted that there was no one watching, I looked back to the young priest and laid a soft peck on his lips.

"Where a god smites a goddess soothes." I whispered to him, quoting one of my tutors.

Citlali smiled again, his cheeks glowing a light pink, before he nodded in agreement.

I love my Citlali. Forcing me away won't ever change that.

I helped him gather what he needed from the gardens and bring it to Metztli's temple. After handing the filled baskets to the priestesses that offered to take them, I shooed away the lazy men that lounged on the temple steps demanding for things they should go work to earn, even rescuing one of the younger priestesses from having one force himself on her.

"Lazy, the lot of them." I grumbled to myself as I kept guard at the main steps. "Disgraceful."

"Oh, good the steps are clear." I heard the High Priestess chirp. "And one of my students thank you for saving her, my Lord."

I bowed my respectful greeting to her, she returned the gesture. "It was not an issue. Could you not ask for help keeping your sisters safe?"

Her old eyes held a sparkle in them as she looked at me. "I have thought it." She answered. "But even women have their pride to uphold. Men see us as weak and expendable, we try to keep our independence but try as we may women are not taught the way if the blades and spears."
She turned her stare out to the city, I followed her gaze as I thought about her words.

"Please, then," I began, looking at her again. "Allow me to help you save face."

The High Priestess gave me a curious look.

"I ask your permission to place guards at all entrances of the temple to protect you, your sisters, your brother, and the peace of our goddess."

She smiled at me, respect and relief in her old eyes. "You have my permission to place the guards, young chief."

That evening I brought the idea to my uncle with plenty of reason. He agreed to it and by morning there will a select guard awaiting orders at the temple.

We all forgot the raging priest that would throw a fit about it at the same time.

With the guards in place and rules to not address a priestess unless she addresses him first were understood, along with assuring Citlali I didn't put them there for his sake, the day went perfectly.

But the next day...
The next day I studied the walls that scholars carved important discoveries into and taught their successors remembering what my tutors taught me from them.
I looked away from the walls to a ruckus around the corridor, a mixture of sobbing and screams there were others, more calmer voices, but nothing soothed the voice that sobbed and screamed. Anu appeared around the corner with wide eyes, guiding a distraught priestess toward me.

"He's dead! I-I found him dead!" she was crying without halt.

She stumbled at my feet. I kneeled before her. "Who's dead? Who?" I questioned urgently.

"Citlali!" She cried. "I found him dead! He lays before our goddess!" She gripped the sleeves of my robes as she said this. "I found him...." She kept murmuring but her voice was fading from my ears.
I quickly found myself forcing through a crowd into the temple. Children were crying in confusion, the priestesses outside the prayer chamber speaking in whispers. I pushed through and finally my presence was made aware and they all parted, allowing me through.

The older priestesses and the High Priest herself had tears in their eyes. I looked at her hoping it wasn't the truth, but her gaze fell to the sight, my gaze fell too.

Citlali, my Citlali, laid on the cold, smooth stone floor on his back, one hand was reaching out the other laid across his stomach. His eyes, his amber eyes, they stared open and glazed in the sightless gaze of the dead.

"There was no blood." The High Priestess whispered as if she would disturb the spirits if she spoke louder.

I fell to my knees beside his body, picking up his stiff extended arm and easing it over the other, then, I gently slid his eyelids shut.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was bigger than a woman's but no one would dare touch me, unless it was my uncle.

"I want to know who the murderer is and have him brought before me." He ordered to the guards. "I want to know how they got in with this many guards protecting this sacred temple!"

I didn't hear my uncle's orders as I lift Citlali's head gently as if he would fall into ash just from a wrong touch. I pressed my lips to his ear, murmuring words I didn't understand, before picking him up off the ground.
The High Priestess and her sisters made way as I approached the alter beneath the cold statue of our goddess and laid him their.

I looked up at the idol that my love worshipped. Why didn't she protect him? Why did she just watch as he was murdered before her very eyes?

I reached out and touched the statue's ankle, cold, lifeless, only shaped metal to look a part of life. I brought my hand back and took a hold of Citlali's hand, it too was cold and lifeless.
Rage boiled within me at the thought.

"Gods don't exist!!" I bellowed, silencing all sound. "Only mortals and their demons!"
I fell before the alter and sobbed, I lost my brother, my love, my Citlali.

No one spoke to me nor touched me the whole day. No one dared to pull me away.
Night fell bringing in a chill. I knelt stroking Citlali's hair, watching helplessly as he grew colder and stiffer, his essence going further and further from where it belongs.

"Touching." a strange voice startled me.

I looked around the expanse of the prayer chamber for the source but found no one.

"Behind you, boy." the voice spoke again.

I whipped my head around to the statue and looked up. Lounging in the arms of the goddess was a strange looking man in robes that ranged from light purple to deep indigo.
He looked down at me with a strange look in his eyes.

"You humans never fail to amuse." The stranger sighed, a smile curling on his face.

"Who... Who are you?" I asked. "The goddess' messenger?"

The man barked a laugh at me. "Oh that's rich! Goddess' messenger!" He exclaimed. He sighed as he calmed down, his stare penetrating mine as if he could see my soul. "I thought gods don't exist." The man said. "Only humans and their demons."

I was taken aback by my own words thrown at me.
Then I blinked and he was gone.

"I am not a god of any sort either." the stranger spoke behind me. "Call me Tad."

I spun around to face him. My eyes focused on his hand that extended toward me. I stared at it, unsure of what to do.
Eventually his hand dropped, as did the stranger's odd grin.

"You want to make a bargain?" He asked suddenly.

I eyed him suspiciously. "Bargain?"

He grinned again, his eyes glowing with an animalistic natural. "Yes, you know, like a trade."

I reached behind me to touch Citlali.

I saw his eyes flicker at the motion. "Did anyone tell you that the souls of the dead take three days to leave their body?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"It's true," He continued. "They go through three levels of memories to forget before they are released from their worldly cage."

My brow knit themselves together. "They forget?"

"Or they are trapped forever." The stranger sighed in pity. "A day has already gone but I can hold on to his," The stranger nodded his head to Citlali's body. "Soul for two more days to give you time to decide."

That's right, he wanted to make a bargain.
"What is the trade you offer?" I asked.

His grin seemed to split his face in two. "I give you chances to reunite with your love," He answered. "Only if you become my little brother."

"That's all?" I questioned him with a raised brow. It seem too simple.

He nodded, reaching under his robes and pulling out a very familiar blade.
My eyes widened at it's shudder worthy glory.

"Good you remember this knife." The stranger chuckled. "This was mine some decades ago, given to the first priest of this glorious temple." He raised his arms gesturing to the chamber we stand in. "I offered him a trade too and told him to break this blade when he was ready." He rested the knife in both his palms, a frown adorning his features. "He was killed with this very blade by his brothers of another temple. I can still feel his energy in it."

I listened quietly. He wasn't a god but he was worshiped as one?

The stranger held out the knife to me. "Now I present this blade to you, child, when you've come to a decision, break the blade to call for me." A dark smog seemed to emanate from him. "Chances to reunite with your love for you to become my brother. Four days."

I took the knife from him. He gave a low growl-like sound then he was gone. I searched around the chamber before turning to the alter.

Citlali was gone.

I sat at the foot of the alter the rest of the night, staring at the knife.
I was only interrupted by the High Priestess at daybreak, she carried a tray of food. When she notice the knife in my hand the tray was dropped.
"My Lord!" She cried. "Please don't hurt yourself more."

I didn't look at her. "It was presented to me, High Priestess." I replied. "Not by a god nor by a demon and truly not a human. He took Citlali with him after offering a trade."

I heard her gasp as I spoke. I lifted the blade to give her a better view and she almost fainted.

"That belongs to the temple of Tonatiuh!" She wailed.

"No, it was stolen long ago from the temple of Metztli." I said. "It was used to kill it's owner and hidden in the temple if Tonatiuh by the priests."
I stood up holding the knife out. "This knife is the call of a stranger that could bring back Citlali. I have already made my choice but there is something I must see to first." I hid the knife in my belt and tucked my robes over it. Looking to the frightened woman before me, "Be silent of what has been said here and there will never again be trouble for you and your sisters."
I left without hearing her answer.

Uncle and Aunt were pleased that I joined them for the morning meal. Aunt spoke of being excited to hear the tales the children were to tell her in the noon hours. Uncle spoke about finding the murderer and that the person was bribed. I stayed silent and eventually they fell silent too.

When I finished my meal I surprised them more by giving each a hug before I left them to there activities. I went straight to the temple of Tonatiuh.

The High Priest greeted me with inexplicable joy on his face.
"Good day to you my Lord."

"You seem happy for having lost a brother worshiper of the gods." I noted lowly, eyeing him closely.

The old man nodded seemingly somber. "Yes, the ladies lost a fine young priest. A very bold young man, he was, I won't lie, worshiping the goddess." He spoke. "He would have made an excellent High Priest if they allowed that had the time come."

I was angry, beyond angry. I knew he would be the only one to want this to happen and maybe pull this off if not pay someone to do it for him. He had the respect, he had the wealth as well.

"But as the gods give, they can take as well." The High Priest added.

I inhaled heavily before putting on a forced smile. "High Priest, sir, Citlali told me something interesting about a vision the goddess gave to him before his demise." I said. "Would you care to hear it?"

The man looked bewildered but gave a cough to clear his throat. "I don't think you realize that the priests of our god doesn't do dream interpretation but if you care to tell then speak." He answered.

My smile grew less forced and I folded my hands behind my back. "He said the goddess told him not to fear you, High Priest, that you only accuse us of what you have done yourself."

His eyes widened, his thin lips grew ever thinner. "Even in death that brat mocks me. Bah!" The High Priest's raging attitude returned, he threw his hands in the air and stormed away.

I watched him go with mild satisfaction. "Anu." I called quietly to my special servant that hasn't stopped following my shadow since I returned to the palace. I heard his bare feet pat the stone floor as he approached.

"Yes, my lord?"

"I know the High Priest himself is too prideful to kill a man with his own hands. Find whoever he asked to do it and bring them to me." I ordered before turning to face him. "I do not intend to make my trade without seeing this fulfilled." I walked past him.

"Of course, my lord."

I didn't see him again for two days until he dragged a beaten priest into my chambers on the second evening.

"Anu, I was getting worried." I addressed my servant, who kneeled before me.

"My apologies, my lord. It was hard to be silent of your orders without being questioned." He answered standing. "This priest has information of Citlali's murderer."

I turned my stare of the beaten man and knelt to where he sat whimpering. "Did Anu beat you?" I asked the man.

He shook his head furiously.

I gently tilted his head upward to look at me. He left eye was swollen shut, his nose horribly crooked as blood dripped from it and a gash on his forehead. "Who did this?"

"H-he would kill me if-if I t-told you." The priest whispered.

I pet the side of his head softly. "You are safe here, priest, tell me who hurt you and why?" I demanded quietly.

"Your... Your s-servant was as-asking t-too many questions. H-He got angry and a-anxious. H-He told me t-to kill the... The Metztli priest."

"Who?" I demanded more harshly. "Who told you to kill him?"

The priest shook his head. "Bring me b-before the chief." He ordered. "A-and the priests and p-priestesses. Th-they all m-m-must know."

I balled my hands into fists but kept them close to my being.
"Anu." I looked to my servant. "Tell my uncle to meet me in the center chamber have the others gather the priests and priestesses and bring them there as well."

"Yes my Lord." He answered before running off to fill out his orders.

I helped the priest to his feet, then I realized how small he was beneath his robes and just picked him up in my arms. I carried him to the main chambers where we waited.

"Ah Kin, why have you called for me?" Uncle asked when he walked in with Aunt and Anu behind him. He took notice of the priest in my arms. "What happened?"

The priest trembled in my grip. "He wouldn't say Uncle, he said to gather you, the priests, and the priestesses before he would say anything else." I answered. "Anu, bring a pillow for the priest."

The manservant went right to it and brought forward a soft cushion. I set the priest on the cushion and stood beside him as we waited for the others to arrive.
When they did the chamber was almost filled to past it's ability with honored men and women of the city's temples.

"Quiet now." Uncle ordered silencing the confused chatter. "We all were brought here under Ah Kin's wishes for this beaten priest." He brought their eyes to the man beside me. "Say your name young priest."

The man lift his head to look at my uncle at the same time revealing his injuries. My aunt covered her mouth in shock.
"I-I am called Zexinti." He answered.

"Who did this to you?" Uncle asked.

The priest tightened his robes around himself in fear. "H-he claims loyalty to th-the right o-of the gods. H-he o-ordered me to k-kill the Metztli priest."

I hear the High Priestess and her sisters gasp in horror.

"Who is he, Zexinti?" Uncle demanded. "Tell us his name."

"He is right hand to the High Priest of Tonatiuh!" The priest cried. "Ocano!"

I found my own shock in the name and followed the stares to the priests of Tonatiuh. The High Priest was staring in bewilderment at his most loyal helper. I recognized him as the one who held the knife and wrapped my hand.

"Lies!" The accused man bellowed. "He lies!"

"Guards!" Uncle shouted over his bellowing.

My anger returned full force along with joy for an open target. I marched away from the crying priest and reached under my robes for the knife.

"Ah Kin!" Uncle shouted after me but I had not the patience anymore to wait. This man ordered the death of Citlali and he will pay.

I ripped the knife from my belt and swiftly lodge it in his chest. His shouts ceased as did Uncle's and all the other voices in the room.

"Sweet vengeance." I murmured in the man's ear as he gasped. The room began to fill with his blood choked gasps. I yanked the blade from his chest and backed away letting him fall.

I could feel all eyes on me, no one moved as the dying priest choked on his blood. Then Anu came forward with one if his sleeves torn from his robe and began wiping the knife in my hand clean of blood.
The High Priest made a strangled noise as he recognized the blade but he said nothing.

"Throw him in a pit." Uncle ordered to some other servants. "And tend to the wounded priest."

Everyone took motion to leave, the High Priest aside. I met his stare, he looked as if he had something to say. But he said nothing, only looked me over before following after his brothers.
I turned, meeting gazes with the High Priestess who was smiling brightly at me, tears streaming and soaking into her skin. She gave me a nod before leading her sisters out.

Uncle looked tired as he left with Aunt back to their private chambers.

I returned to my own chambers.

"Sir," Anu spoke up finally. "I hope you would forgive me but before I found the priest I went into Citlali's room at the temple."

I turned my head to somewhat look at him.

Anu stepped to my side, one of his hands clenched into a fist. "Two priestesses were preparing to rid his belongings since they couldn't send off his body. I asked to take something for your memory of him." He explained before opening his hand revealing a cloth with charcoal lines on it.

I picked it from his hand and held it delicately in both of my own. I remember this pattern, it resembled a soup ladle of some sort. I never understood but Citlali called it a bear, it was his favorite gather of stars.
I smiled at the piece of cloth. "Thank you Anu." I murmured. "Before you leave to the servants chambers I want you to know that you have been a great friend of mine."

He seemed to glow at my words. "I am pleased to hear you say such kind things, sir."

"Also, Anu, I'd like for you to find someone to have a family with, continue tending to my own." I added gently.

He nodded as his happy glow dimmed into confusion. "Sir, if I may question. What are you planning to do?" He asked.

I pulled the blade from my belt again, staring into my reflection. I recognized anger, sadness, peace, but still something more that I didn't know.
"I'm making my trade." I answered him at last.

"Right, sir." He spoke with notable concern. Anu stayed for a long while before blowing out a heavy load of air. "Rest well, Ah Kin." He said finally before leaving.

The corners of my mouth quirked upward at my name. It will be the last time I hear it from a friend.
I raised the blade in my hand and brought it down on the stone half wall. It shattered into many large and many more tiny pieces.

In the instant, the pieces collected together again and the handle flew from my grasp, the newly reformed knife glowed with a blinding light. I covered my eyes from it's light until it dimmed into nothing again.

"I was beginning to wonder when you would call." The stranger spoke with authority in his voice.

I dropped the arm that sheltered my eyes to see the man standing before me with Citlali in his arms. I almost ran to take my beloved's body from him.

"Have you made a choice?" The stranger asked.

I was silent, thinking of the trade. "If I become your brother, you will bring back my Citlali?" I asked in need that these were the terms of the trade.

"I can't bring the dead back to life, child." He spoke with an up turn if disgust in his lips. "But I can direct the dead's souls to an uninhabited shell for you to claim. If you chose to accept the trade that is."

I looked from him to Citlali. His soul to be in someone else's body, would he still be the same? Would he look the same? Would he remember me?
I looked back to the stranger. "How will I know which body his soul is in?" I questioned.

His eyes narrowed on me with clear annoyance, then, they flickered to the cloth in my hand. "The symbol on that cloth with be your sign." He declared. "Do we have a deal?" A third hand stretched from his being.

I stepped back from the new limb in shock. This certainly was no man but still is no god.
But this is for my brother, my Citlali. I took a hold of his open hand firmly. "It's a deal."

A wide grin split the man's face again, showing a sharp toothed mouth. "Good."

I never felt the pain until a heartbeat later. The knife that made me bleed for a statue for my people, that gave me revenge for an unjust death, was lodged in my chest, my blood staining the fabric around it's tended blade. I felt my chest seize causing me to cough, something wet and warm dripped from my lips after my cough. Shakily bringing a hand up to touch the substance, I found blood staining my fingertips.
My knees buckled beneath me. I expected to land face first to the ground, burying the knife deeper into my chest but I was caught before I touched the ground.
The stranger laid me on my back with his second pair of arms and laid Citlali's body beside mine.

"I'll see you soon, Brother." I heard the man promise as blackness invaded my sight.

I rolled my head to face Citlali. He looked so peaceful, like that night we shared as he slept. I wonder if he will remember me when I find him.
I fought to keep my eyes open but in the end the darkness won.