Xōchiyāōyōtl

Or that Mictlān's going to be destroyed regardless of what Daybit or ORT do...

...I'm so sorry. I kept that from you on purpose.

Admittedly in part because it has nothing to do with Proper Human History...

...but, I also didn't want you simply seeing us as a species doomed to imminent extinction.

You don't have to apologize, Tepeu. What you did let us interact with you and other deinos much more normally than we would've if we'd known your time was limited.

In fact, to be honest, I feel like you've got us Proper Human History folks beat hands down.

You deinos really are both incredibly intelligent and ethical.

I can't imagine another intelligent species that could be so calm knowing their sun was about to explode. None of you have so much as raised your voices, to say nothing of rioting or looting.

(...I don't like this.)

(If they can't possibly save themselves, shouldn't they be spending their last days checking stuff off their bucket lists or something?)

...

...

Anyway, now that we know what Daybit's up to and how he plans to do it, there was no point in sticking around Metztitlán any longer.

We need to hurry back to Chichén Itzá and ask the King of Dinosaurs for help.

Whether we capture Daybit while he's still in México City, or whether we set up a dragnet for him in the third underworld during his pilgrimage...

...we're going to need the deinos' help.

Right. Not to mention, we should be able to see Olga Marie again at Chichén Itzá, too.

Whatever business she had that took her back to the first stratum is bound to be done by now!

？！

Kyrielight! Fujimaru! Do you read me!? I know you're on the fifth stratum! Are you guys okay!?

Oh! Yes, Kadoc, the Metztitlán field team is fine. We're on our way back to Chichén Itzá now.

Is something wrong? I'm not sensing any hostiles in our vicinity...

Not there! Here! A huge ocelotl army has Chichén Itzá surrounded!

Somehow, they made it past the warrior deinos guarding the plains and now they're infiltrating the city proper!

It'll be all-out war soon! Get back to the Border, ASAP! We can't hold out long on our own!

What!? Don't be ridiculous, you fools! You're not fighters, you're basically just porters who can lift a lot!

You can't be serious about going out to defend the BorWait! Stop! The Border's armor will hold out for a while!

You don't have to go out and fight! Wait for Fujimaru to get back!

Go on, Seventh, stop them! You're their brother, they'll listen toNot you too!!!

There you go! We can last maybe half a day. We need you guys back as fast as you can get here! Over and out!

Master!

？！

...Tch. Even with the latest weaponry, it takes thirty of us to take down one deinos. I can't believe this.

No matter. We have control of the entrance now. Squads four through eight, go clear the southern area.

Squads nine through seventeen, focus on the warrior deinos returning from the plains.

Kill every single one you see! Tezcatlipoca, our lord, requires as many hearts as we can bring him!

Remember, we're doing this all for our sun, and to make México City our eternal home and capital!

!

Nice work, Izcalli. I came along 'cause I care about you, but I guess you didn't need me watching, did you?

Please, Tezcatlipoca, your presence is a tremendous boost to our warriors' morale.

Their joy, their fear, the pain they suffer in death... It's all an offering to you and your greatness.

We will kill them all. Women, children, those who defy us, those who don't... All of them.

This is our holy Xochiyaoyotlour final flower war to eradicate the deinos.

Ha! Did you say Xochiyaoyotl!? That takes me back to the good old Aztec days of capturing slaves!

Who taught you that word? Tlāloc? If so, she did a damn fine job raising you.

Or maybe...it just popped out without you knowing what it means? Without you realizing what destiny it's given you?

Lord Tezcatlipoca?

Don't worry about that. Just something I'm personally looking forward to. You just need to stick to your role.

But let me kill the lizards on the main street. I was going to just keep being an arms dealer until everything was said and done...

...but seeing all these ocelomeh die has got my blood pumping. Consider this my payment for all their wasted lives.

I'm going to show you all how a true jaguar warriora true ocelotl fights.

Huh? What the...? Why did the ocelomeh all just suddenly drop dead? Did my hidden powers finally awaken?

That's a lovely thought, but I believe you would be better off leaving them hidden.

We may only have briefly done business, but you're still valued clients, and NFF Services doesn't abandon its customers lightly.

Now, I suggest you take this chance to escape from the city. I'll deal with the ocelomeh coming down the main street.

Oh, it's you! The immoral Servant who's embezzled fully a third of the supplies we've brought to repair the Border!

I appreciate you saving my life, but doesn't this go against your usual MO?

Fujimaru once told us you're a rabbit who'll die if she ever does something that's not solely for her benefit...

...so we should probably just let anything bad we see you doing slide. Are you going to be okay?

Oh my♡ He really does understand me♡

Now that I know that, I can abandon Chaldea whenever it becomes convenient for me. And you, of course.

Yikes. You're really scary. Anyway, we should be safe if we make it out of the city, right?

You should. And do what you can to help as many other uninjured deinos escape as possible.

Yeah, good point. Helping other deinos who can still be saved would be the logical thing to do.

Thanks, friend of Chaldea. And be careful.

Amazing. Even after seeing so many of their own killed, they stay calm, and still don't forget to say thank you.

What a sad state of affairs. If the deinos were actually willing to fight back, the ocelomeh would be no match for them.

Apparently even robbing them blind isn't enough to get them angry.

, ! Don't let deinos escape! Kill, kill!

As for you people, this is a war for survival.

I won't say which side is in the right, but I can't help both.

Unfortunately for you, I've decided to help the other side this time. Goodbye.

My tanks never had these features. The ocelomeh are making remarkable progress with their technology.

All within expected parameters, though! Okay, twenty squads left and I should be able to handle almost half of them myse

What's this about not helping both sides? Don't tell me you've actually retired, Beast.

For people like us, the longer and bloodier the war, the better.

I thought NFF Services was a charitable organization out to give people what they want, and that you were just a warmonger who provides people with as many weapons as they want.

You're essentially a merchant of death, just like me. Isn't that right, Tōchtli?

You think devoting yourself to helping people makes you a good merchant? Forget it. That's just going to get you killed.

Black...Tezcatlipoca...

This war is between the deinos and the ocelomeh.

If an animal like you insists on butting in, I'll just have to skin you and serve you up for dinner.

(Huff, huff, huff...!) Oh man, this is bad! This is really, really bad!

And I don't feel that way, but there's still something I really don't like about all thiiiiiis!

Where'd all the other warriors go!? I can't defend the deinos of the city without help!

Dammit. My focus is drifting. I've gotta hurry!

That's bad. Real bad. Really, really, really bad!

Get out of here! Begone, vile invaders! And don't bother voting for me!

Oh, thank you. Thank you!

These little ones have only just been born. They know nothing of the world. They can't even open their eyes yet.

You saved them from dying having known only pain and darkness!

...I see. Good for you. But don't thank me. I didn't come here to save them or anything.

...Besides, I hate lizards.

I just hate anyone who would kill innocent bystanders even more.

I just happened to be around and decided to help. Purely on a whim. Won't ever happen again.

Get away from the shrine. Head into the jungle. I don't want to see any more screaming colors.

...So...

...my (hopefully future) wife is so coooooooool!

...

The ramparts have all been destroyed! There are no ocelomeh outside the walls anymore!

They must all be inside the city already!

I've got a fix on the hostiles inside Chichén Itzá! There are twelve hundredno, one thousand eighty ocelomeh!

Their numbers are decreasing... The deinos must be fighting back!

We need to prioritize protecting the Border, and making sure the King of Dinosaurs is safe!

What's the call, Fujimaru!?

？！

Got it! Nitocris and I are on our way to the Border, then! You, Mash, and Kukulcan, make for the shrine!

Take care of Fujimaru and Mash for us, Habetrot!

I know it'll be an urban battle, but you may have to use the Black Barrel!

If you're certain doing so won't result in any civilian casualties, then use it if you have to!

So, basically only use it on a real big baddie, yeah? Okay, got it!

Preparing to enter the city! Please get ready for battle, Master!

I've taken care of the ocelomeh on the main road! Let's keep heading to the altar, Master!

Well damn, guess you didn't need me around after all. You're really fired up, Mash.

Maybe we should send Kukulcan to the Border too andHuh?

？！

!

...

Koyanskaya!?

Oh, so you came this way. I guess this means you care more about people's lives than your ship, boy.

Then I'll take what you value most. See, in my world, those who desire life most must offer their own.

？！

Direct hit on our port side! Shields down another five percent! That Servant coming after us means business!

We're not going to last another thirty minutes against attacks like this! And after all the repair work we did!

Enough whining! Analyze her attacks and shunt power to the barriers where she's most likely to strike next. That should help conserve some of our energy overall.

Whoa, are you sure about that, Captain!? If we divert power to the wrong spot, she'll tear all our armor off in one hit!

If that happens, every Marine will have to run out to fix it! And you know what that means...right?

It means if we're wrong, we're gonna have to go out there to die!? Okay, we'll analyze like our lives depend on it!

Good. Professor, how's the Anti-Divine Spirit warhead coming along!?

Almost there. Sion and I are working as fast as we can.

We are coating it with a recreation of Quetzalcoatl's Authority taken from Chaldea's Spirit Origin graph.

In Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl killed Tlāloc once before...

...so it should pierce her Spirit Core no matter how tough she is!

Got it. Focus on finishing up. We'll focus on giving you an opportunity to use it.

Kadoc! I want to lure that Servant to the Border's starboard bow! Your specialty is Anti-Beast magecraft, right!?

Then you should know how to corner difficult quarry! If you have any advice, now's the time!

I see. So you want to hit her with a torpedo, huh? And this right here is its firing arc... Okay, got it.

Get the hangar open as quickly as you can. I'm gonna head outside and get Tlāloc's attention.

Bwa!? Are you insane!? Did you not see that Divine Spirit wielding a whip made out of FREAKING LIGHTNING!?

She'll burn you to a crisp the moment you step outside! Can't you just taunt her over the speaker!?

Would if I could, but we're dealing with a god. She's not gonna care what mortals have to say.

Besides, I've got a lightning ward. I should be able to take one or two hits.

Still, I'll need a Servant who can hold their own against Tlāloc to come with me.

I know this is a lot to ask, but would you do it, Nemo?

Of course. As long as we're near the Storm Border, the strain won't be as bad as it was in México City.

Goredolf, I'm counting on you to give the order to fire. Meunière, you've got the controls to launch the warhead. If either of you mess up, you'll have me to answer to.

A-aye, aye, Captain!

Let's go, Kadoc.

...I'm not about to let the bravery of the deinos who went out ahead of us go to waste.

Until Da Vinci and the others get baWait.

Marine, open a line! Da Vinci's calling us!

Hey guys! It's Da Vinci the beautiful girl genius and Pharaoh Nitocris! We just made it back!

We're hiding in the shadows not far off, but we have eyes on Tlāloc and the Border!

Do you guys have a plan for how to handle her? If not, I can suggest one.

Heh. That won't be necessary. We have a plan to defeat Tlāloc.

But we're going to need several Servants to pull it off. Nitocris, Technical Advisor.

In one minute, Nemo and Kadoc will be heading out. I'd like you two to attack Tlāloc to help keep them safe.

From there, I want you two, Nemo, and Kadoc to team up and drive her into firing range!

Remember, the Border's safety, and my own, hinges on this battle!

...They've put something on top of the armor. Cheeky bastards.

I can't believe the materials themselves aren't tough enough to take a beating. This is the whole problem with modern engineeri

That's far enough, Tlāloc! Put that vulgar whip of yours away right now! It's pure insolence!

Did...you just say my whip is vulgar? How...?

Are you really incapable of seeing the beauty of its construction, its graceful movement, its sensual, serpentine flexibility?

Were you truly a queen? Be honest. You clearly have no artistic sensibilities whatsoever.

What was that!?

(Nitocris only said that to get her attention, but I definitely can't bring that up now!)

Why are you here, then? Did you come back just to die?

This is the same as before, when you were nearly killed fighting to protect this big hunk of iron.

Is this thing really so important to you? It looks like a heap of scrap metal to me.

I'd take one of your country's giant pyramid graves over this trash any day of the week.

I have to at least give Egypt the respect it deserves for those. Of course, Mayans had them as well.

...I sensed this before, but now I'm certain. You're proud of Proper Human History.

You're a Heroic Spirit of Proper Human History. You're meant to protect humanity...but you still oppose Chaldea.

...What are you trying to say? That it's in a Heroic Spirit's nature to protect humanity?

That's right. On our way here, I saw the corpses of countless deinos who had been mercilessly slaughtered.

They know nothing of war, or of battle.

If all the ocelomeh wanted to do was claim Chichén Itzá for themselves, the deinos would have just GIVEN it to you.

You knew that, I'm sure. But you, a Heroic Spirit of Proper Human History, still sullied your name by letting the ocelomeh kill so many so pointlessly.

Tlāloc, you're not like Tezcatlipoca. You have no desire for wanton bloodshed. You know this war is meaningless.

If you're only here because you're obeying Tezcatlipoca's orders, rest assured that we'll hold him accountable.

There is no reason for you to protect this Lostbelt. No reason for you to fight for Mictlān.

It's still not too late. Join us now, and

Shut up. You, who drowned your own treacherous retainers, are going to preach to me about the virtues of humanity? Please.

Th-that was

I asked the Crypter about you, you know. I was curious. You abandoned your entire nation because your brothers were killed.

You're the queen who deceived and killed those who violated your laws and governed your country.

You're a weakling who took your own life because you couldn't live with the weight of your own sins.

Not that it matters.

You and I are a lot alike. We both care more about our personal interests than we do humanity or order.

México City may be a fantastical place built in a Lostbelt, but people are living their lives there.

As a species, the ocelomeh may be hopelessly barbaric, shortsighted, and immature...

...but they live in my city, so they are my people. And it IS in a god's nature to shed blood for their people.

That's why I'm going to kill all of you threatening to take this Lostbelt away, and why I'm going to destroy this eyesore of a ship.

I was told to leave the ship intact for insurance, but there's no point keeping this useless pile of garbage around.

Ugh, I can't stand BrotherTezcatlipoca's idea of fairness!

(Way to go, Nitocris! Tlāloc's completely focused on us now!)

(Don't worry about defeating her! We just have to hold out until the Border's ready!)

You shed blood...for your people...?

Ugh. I just do not understand. What is it with you people?

This is exactly how things went before.

And here I was, expecting some new weapon or something really shocking after all that big talk.

(Oh, we've got something for you. Forget shocking. This is going to blow you away in every possible sense!)

Commander, she's in position! Now's our chance!

Right! We're all locked and loaded! Fire at well, Meunière!

Er, don't you mean "fire at will," Commander!?

Huh!? (It opens!?)

Direct hit! Nice! Knocked her all the way into the jungle!

Command room, status of the enemy Servant? Is her Spirit Core intact? How much damage did we do to her Spirit Origin?

That was a direct hit from a custom-modified Anti-Divine Spirit Spiritron warhead which can even be used in Void Space.

Even if she does still have her Spirit Core, she'll definitely be incapacitated. If we're lucky, we might even be able to take her priso

Captain, you and Da Vinci have no idea what you're talking about! She's fine! Repeat, target is still active!

She's already getting back up! And her Spirit Origin readings are...really, really weird! (Sad cry)

What IS this!? How many Spirit Origins does she have layered over her core, anyway!?

(Huff... Huff...) ...Okay. That one hurt.

So that's a warhead, huh? Nice trick. I have to give you that one.

What the hell!? Not only is she not fatally wounded, she actually has MORE magical energy now!?

So not even an Anti-Divine Spirit warhead worked on her!? What the hell kind of defenses is she packing!?

And just how freakin' strong is Kukulcan if she could one-shot THAT!

No, that's not it. Tlāloc isn't a Divine Spirit.

...but they live in my city, so they are my people. And it IS in a god's nature to shed blood for their people.

That's not right. Gods do not shed blood for humanity.

She's something else. Something that, in some cases, may even be more powerful than a Divine Spirit...

(If we don't find a way to stop her, she's going to destroy the Border. We don't have any time to spare.)

(But, there's still a way we can fight back. The four Servants Trismegistus II chose all have ties to the underworld.)

(They were all able to make the underworlds in this subterranean world real.)

(That same choice is open to me. Xquic taught me the ritual to become an underworld guardian.)

(It would be a terrible sin, but if I went through Alterization, I could turn this around!)

...Da Vinci, Nemo, Kadoc, get back inside the Border! I'll deal with her!

Even if this brings my role here to an end, I'll still

Kee. Eeah. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

So insolent... I know that voice!

Huh!? Y-you...! Why did you come after me!?

Khh! Let go of me, you filthy thing! Don't taint my path with your muddyAaaaaah!

Tlāloc's signal has vanished! It looks like she was...shredded to pieces!

, !!!

Holy shit! That thing killed Tlāloc!? Or did it just help her get away!?

Whatever just happened...I have no idea what that monster is, but I think I'd rather have taken our chances with Tlāloc!

It couldn't be more obvious what that thing is! What's the meaning of this, Camazotz!?

Was rescuing us another of your malicious pranks!?

Huh? Me, rescue you?

You're not an idiot, so don't talk like one! It's confusing!

What possible reason could I, the ruler of the underworld, have to rescue you people!?

You know what? Take some time to think it over. I'll wait.

You have to know there's something else going on here. I'm sure you can think of any number of reasons for what I did.

Th-that's true... Then, did you really come here to rescue us?

Not because it was a good opportunity to go after Tlāloc, or something like that?

...

Not even close. Not even in the same xokta shrine. I just dropped something back where it belonged.

She was about to reveal her true identity. If she had, you would've all ended up as sacrifices on her altars.

I don't want that. It'd be a waste of good human and Heroic Spirit blood.

After all we've been through, are you just going to throw everything away?

You're practically my old friends by now. You're the most special guests I've had in...ages!

So if you're going to die, it might as well be at my hands! That's my reason! Pretty clever, isn't it!?

Haha. Hahaha. Hahahahahahaha! Yes, I like that plan! In fact, I LOVE IT!!!

Soon, it'll be underworld pilgrimage time! Soon, the way to the eighth stratum will open!

So come on down to the very bottom of Mictlān! Come on down to the bosom of the withered space tree!

I'll welcome you all to the fourth underworld, or my name isn't Camazotz!

Is that...the Tezcatlipoca from México City!?

But, that Spirit Origin... It's

？！

Oh! You're right, Master! In Aztec mythology's creation myth, there are four Tezcatlipocas, one for each of the cardinal directions.

They're distinguished by color: red, blue, black, and white.

The first to be born, Red Tezcatlipoca, is the god of death, rebirth, and grain.

The second, Black Tezcatlipoca, is the god of war and night who represents a different sun.

That's the Tezcatlipoca we know; he is a god of darkness who demands sacrifice.

So then, this Tezcatlipoca must be

Yeah, you're on the right track. I go where my whims take me. And each time, I change my principles and my alignment.

I'll never be White, though. That would make me Quetzalcoatl.

I'll have to kill her myself one of these days. Can't have her going around telling people we're the same being.

Forget Quetzalcoatl! Where's Kukulcan!? I didn't even see her leave!

Did she run away on us!? After all that talk about wanting to punch Tezcatlipoca in the face!?

？！

Of course she's not here. This battle is between Mictlān's tribes. She's not going to interfere with that.

The battle in México City was between you and meMictlān outsiders. That's why she stepped in.

She also helped you in the underworld to ensure outsiders like yourselves would be safe.

Mictlānno, the Malla would be deeply ashamed if they allowed guests to get hurt, after all.

That's just what she's like. Much crueler, more cold-blooded, and far more inhuman than me.

Think about it. Has the sun ever once lent a hand in any of Proper Human History's wars?

Has it ever sided with a given tribe, even once? No, right? It's the same here in Mictlān.

She's a mechanism that just exists to watch over Mictlān's fate. Her only job is to bestow blessings upon the survivors.

Me, I'm nobody's enemy. I'm just the god of those trying to survive, and a trial in my own right.

But when all's said and done, that woman will be your enemyan enemy of Proper Human History.

You knew that, though. Didn't you? You've always known she wasn't human.

B-but...are you sure you can trust me like that?

I mean, I'm the god of a Lostbelt...and you're a human, and one from Proper Human History at that.

Wouldn't it be way more likely that I'm just pretending to be kind to you to get an opportunity to kill you?

？！

Whatever. You humans can believe in whatever god you like. It's one of the most entertaining things about you.

But...

Now that you've let your calavera go, I don't have any more reason to give you a pass. Your trial's over, mage.

Meeting Black Tezcatlipoca on the battlefield means you die here and now.

The magical energy emanating from the enemy Divine Spirit's right leg is increasing rapidly! Master, please summon the most powerful Servants you can!

Well, it's your lucky day, Fujimaru! I just happened to be out for a little float-walk nearby and stumbled across you fighting this guy!

？！

You again. First in México City, now this. What the hell are you thinking?

Uh, revenge? Obviously.

I don't remember how you did it, but you killed me once before.

So of course I'm gonna give you a plasma shower whenever I see you. It's the least you deserve for killing me.

And, uh, that's...the only reason. Yep. Nothing else matters.

Director Olga Marie!

...I thought there was something funny about this.

I just want to make sure, but you DO understand you're Chaldea's enemy, right?

Saving these humans will get you nothing. Besides, you're the one who bleached Proper Human History in the first place.

How completely insane do you have to be to help the surviving members of the species you wiped out? Honestly, that's creepy even by my standards.

Sh-shut up! I won't stand for your slander!

FIRST OF ALL, I have amnesia! I don't remember anything about myself besides my name and objective!

Bullshit. You must have remembered back when you saw my face in México City.

Along with your real name, your powers, your position, and the fact that Chaldea's your biggest enemy.

That... Okay, that might be true... But it might also be, um, some kind of mistake...

A mistake? Once you declare yourself a god, you don't get to lie to yourself.

Ugh, I've never been so angry. I can't even stand the thought of wearing my warrior's mask right now!

And you two! You're no better! You knew who she was and you didn't say a damn thing!

You just strung her along, lied to her so you could use her for your own ends. Or did you actually believe you were being kind to her somehow?

... You...knew?

You knew I was the Foreign God...all along?

？！

...

Sure, you can build a great, trusting relationship with an amnesiac enemy. Long as you keep the truth from them.

But it won't last forever. It can't. And the more trust you build, the harder it all comes crashing down.

If you never build anything from the start, then there's nothing to come crashing down.

It's the same with civilization. The more it prospers, the more daunting it becomes to clean up after it.

Is that...a siren? It's coming from the altar...

The sun's orbit has changed. It means Izcalli killed the king.

This Xochiyaoyotl is over. All that's left now is to wake up ORT.

I look forward to seeing whether you or Daybit gets to it first.

？！

I've lost Tezcatlipoca's signal. And U-Olga Marie's...

Senpai... What have we done? Can we come back from this?

That was fast. I'm impressed you made it this far.

How'd you get past the soldiers defending the plains? Did you gas them or something?

Solid idea. Deinos can repel physical attacks with their bio-waves, so targeting their lungs is a smart approach.

Gas is a very effective way to kill deinos. If you want proof, look no further than their inability to get past the toxic gas in the eighth stratum.

But I would never use a weapon like that. It pollutes the jungle and tarnishes our soldiers' pride.

That's the kind of ugliness you get from Proper Human History. No, the ocelomeh prefer to fight themselves, with iron and lead.

Really, now? Guns pollute the jungle too. The napalm you use certainly isn't doing it any favors either.

Enough of this. Where is the king of Chichén Itzá?

Lead us to the King of Dinosaurs, and we'll spare your life.

Ha... Hahahaha! Right! Of course you'd think that!

I look just like a human of Proper Human History! It's no wonder you couldn't tell at a glance!

All that aside, he really doesn't trust you, does he, Izcalli!? Or did he say this was one of those "you'll know it when you see it" things?

You're just a horrible judge of character, aren't you? I guess Black Tezcatlipoca just put too much stock in you!

What's so funny? How dare you say I have I'm not a good judge of cha

You still don't get it!? It's me! I'M the King of Dinosaurs!

While we're on the subject, let me give you my name. It's Tezcatlipoca. Blue Tezcatlipoca.

The very same god as the one who made you from the flesh of the godscorn!

...Huh?

...? , !

, Tezcatlipoca! , Tezcatlipoca!

Huh!? What the hell do you think you're all doing!? Get off your knees! Pick up your guns! This is enemy territory!

Pathetic. The ocelomeh figured it out much faster than you. This is why he doesn't trust you, brat.

This is the price you pay for focusing too much on your intellect. Some jaguar warrior you are with a nose that useless.

Or should I call you by your other name?

The name you were born with? The one only you and Tezcatlipoca know?

This...this can't be right! Are you actually Tezcatlipoca!?

No... No, that's impossible! Why would our god help the deinos!?

You kidding me? Don't blow a gasket at ME just because YOU were a poor student.

We're the god of war worshipped by all warriors in all tribes! You think there's any chance we'd only help one side? Hah!

We're giving the ocelomeh, the deinos, Proper Human History, and this Lostbelt a fair shot.

Then, they take the shot we've given them, and use it to try to kill their enemies. That's how Tezcatlipoca does things.

You spent all that time with Black and still never got that, huh? Just...wow.

He's the worst of all of us, you know.

I mean, what kind of god says, "If you're going to war, give everyone the same weapons. Parents, children, lovers, everyone," and acts like it's the coolest shit ever?

I swear, that god's got both too much and not nearly enough heart.

Anyway, you're his specially chosen pet project, right? The "one year Tezcatlipoca"?

In Proper Human History, the Aztecs would choose a young man to embody Tezcatlipoca as a component of their worship.

This exceptionally wise, brave, and handsome young man would then be given a divine proclamation to become a vessel for Tezcatlipoca.

For one full year, the man would be made to grow stronger and more beautiful than anyone...

...while also being treated to banquets and entertainment that even kings and nobles could only dream of.

If he did this for a full year, he would be accepted as a vessel and considered the incarnation of Tezcatlipoca.

...That's right. And the finishing touch is the Xochiyaoyotlthe war of flowers where I kill the deinos' king.

Once I do that, I'll be the same as Tezcatlipoca himself.

That's why he was kind enough to come along for this battle and lend me his support.

And what'd Tlāloc say about all this? She give you her blessing?

...

Here, I'll give you a divine proclamation. I'm not even gonna ask which of those two gods you believe in.

I'm not gonna try to change your mind, either. I'm just gonna say what should be blindingly obvious.

"Trust the words of the god you believe in." Especially if your two gods are each saying something different.

...Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up!

Tezcatlipoca ordered me to kill the King of Dinosaurs! The word of god is absolute. I can't refuse him.

But I also can't kill a god! That would be an unforgiveable sin!

So why would Tezcatlipoca order me to do this!? It doesn't make sense!

He's testing you. Not as part of the Tezcatlipoca trial, but to see whether you've got what it takes to be a vessel.

Can you kill a godan entire worldin pursuit of your goal? That's the important question here.

I'm not going to fight this either way. It's your choice. If you decide to kill Tezcatlipoca, you'll have my forgiveness.

Now come on! Time's a wasting! You should hurry up before Chaldea gets here!

Go on! Let's see the fruits of your year of training!

V-very well then, let me ask you this, Tezcatlipoca! Which side are you on!?

You mean as far as the whole deinos and ocelomeh thing?

No! I mean are you a god of Proper Human History, or this Lostbelt!?

If you're a god of Proper Human History, you're my enemy and I'll kill you. If you're a god of this Lostbelt, you're my ally and I'll spare you.

Yes, that works. That lets me obey Tezcatlipoca's orders and still kill another Tezcatlipoca!

So it's okay for me to shoot you!

Now, answer me, Blue Tezcatlipoca! Not that I even need to hear you say it!

Since you're aiding Chaldea, you must be a god of Proper Human History!

What did you say!? How DARE you!

I'm a god of this Lostbeltthe Tezcatlipoca who's on this Lostbelt's side!

You think I'd even give those Proper Human History idiots the time of day!?

No! No, don't you dare turn away from the truth, Izcalli! Your god is the one on Proper Human History's side!

Why else would he bring in guns, of all things!? Why else would he build freaking México City!?

Listen! Black Tezcatlipoca never had any intention of protecting Mictlān! Not for one damn second!

...Ah. Ahh. Aaaaaaaaah!

(Huff... Huff... Huff...)

...This is right. ...It has to be right.

...The King of Dinosaurs is dead.

As soon as we've collected the Solar Sojourn, sound our victory siren and have the warriors withdraw.

And don't you dare tell anyone else what you heard On second thought, never mind.

I don't have to silence you. None of you can understand human speech, anyway.

That's right! I led the ocelomeh into our city while all of you were cowering before the King of Dinosaurs!

Did Kukulcan protect us? No!

Could the King of Dinosaurs, with his feeble body, offer us any protection? No!

Neither had any business attempting to guide Mictlān, or any of you, for that matter!

Look at all those dead apes!

Do you lot know why they went this far? Do you know what they were fighting for!?

Their goal is to prolong our world's life. They challenged us for supremacy so they could give the sun new vitality!

Up until now, we've only treated these creatures as lower life-forms; we have never seen them as genuine rivals.

But they are the ones trying to save Mictlān from its fifth destruction! They are the ones fighting to stop Proper Human History from pruning us away!

I did nothing wrong!

There is no room in Mictlān for either a spineless king or cowardly deinos!

I had no idea Priest Vucub was so dissatisfied with things.

I wonder what could have happened to make him help the ocelomeh, even knowing how dangerous they are?

The very act of flying across Mictlān's skies was always disrespectful to the sun. It's no wonder he lost his mind.

What a shame. There's just no understanding pterosaurs.

I still can't believe the ocelomeh were actually animals all this time.

I thought they were from Proper Human History, but it turns out they're from Mictlān.

I knew them before they became ocelomeh. They were just dumb animals. In fact, they could only survive in groups.

It's incredible how much they developed in such a short time, even with Tezcatlipoca's help.

They have survival instincts we don't have and a purpose we lack.

I know our strategy for survival is right. But...

I guess that also means we can't understand how they think.

...

The deinos are showing signs of altered thought patterns. It appears to be degradation. But it has nothing to do with extinction.

The Tree of Emptiness on the ninth stratum has resumed activity. This has resulted in a decline in the cosmic ray leakage produced by the tree's bark regrowth.

Preserving the Tree of Emptiness is the top priority. We forbid anyone from entering the ninth stratum.

I see. So the consensus I heard in Metztitlán wasn't just me imagining things...

I guess that means I'm supposed to kill all the visitors from Proper Human History, no questions asked...

...(Sigh) I'd hoped I was just mistaken, since the Malla's direction almost never changes...

Oh well, guess I'll just go kill them then!

I'm a god, so it's not as if I had anything like compassion or mercy anyway. It'll be just like squashing bugs!