Clouds and rain from the east rose over the Caribbean Sea, swept across the jungles of the coastal lowlands, and gradually advanced toward the central highlands. And the damp easterly wind from the sea had already arrived in the Tlaxcala Valley one step ahead of the clouds.
The mighty warm wind blew past, lifting the young king's forelocks and stirring his tall feathered crown. The crown feathers fluttered lightly; the wind passed without a sound. Xolotl raised his head and looked up into the endless night sky. The night sky over the Mesoamerican highlands held a boundless river of stars rolling across it, held brilliant constellations shining bright! And there was the clear yet profound curtain of heaven, like the ancient, wordless face of a god, gazing deeply down at the mortals who looked up at the firmament.
"In the beginning of ancient time, who passed down the Way? Before above and below had taken form, by what could it be examined?..."
The familiar Chu Ci surged through the king's heart. Yet when the lines reached his lips and he spoke them aloud, they had become an ancient, bloody Nahua myth.
"The Sun God descended to the world and slew his elder sister and four hundred brothers. His elder sister's head rose into the sky and became the bright moon. The four hundred brothers were sacrificed in blood and became the stars that fill the heavens. Among all the divine children, only the Sun God dwells alone on Snake Mountain, seated at the highest place!"
Hearing the king's words, an older warrior in armor and a crown prostrated himself in salute. Only after the great obeisance did he raise his head and praise him with sincerity.
"His Highness! You should dwell alone on Snake Mountain, seated at the highest place,