The jungle night draped down like ink, and pinpricks of torchlight flared within the temple. The glazed "Skull of the Ancient Sage" was enshrined upon the golden altar, staring up at the high ceiling and the river of stars. And the two survivors of the Heavenly Snake Divine Descendant line had come to a low side hall, where they sat facing each other in silence by candlelight.
"Akin, light the Divine Smoke..."
The Mayan K'uhul Ajaw Tiakin nodded silently and lit the sacrificial Mayan Divine Smoke in a pottery basin. Soon, thick smoke spread through the stone chamber. Old Fox Tikalo drew in a deep breath, and a few traces of relaxed enjoyment showed on his face, along with a rare, faint confusion. He gently shook his long head, recalling the rootless wandering of his childhood after the fall of Mayapan's royal house, the terrifying attacks of the Xiu clan... and his father, whose face he had long since forgotten, as well as the clan secret his father had told him before dying!
"Uncle?... Uncle?..."
"Oh!..."
"."
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In the stone chamber, the two looked into each other's eyes. Seeing Tiakin's fervent longing and anticipation, Tikalo let out a faint sigh and softly warned him.
"By the blessing of the Heavenly Snake God, and the manifestations of our ancestors through the generations, we have today's chance at revival... Akin, you are the clan chief, and also the king of the Maya! You must remember this: the rule of divine descendants relies on people's hearts and military force, on food and weapons!... Though divine objects are sacred, though they can influence where people's hearts incline... in truth, they decide nothing. Otherwise, the Divine Capital Tikal would never have perished..."
"Yes! Uncle, I understand... Mm... Then the Skull of the Ancient Sage,