Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"The beautiful causeway stretches across the lake, the towering Great Temple pierces the clouds... that is the land of prickly pears and stones in the lake, the eternal Tenochtitlan..."

The night settles deeply, and the camp gradually quiets down. The Mayan merchant Tikalo gently whispers, coaxing the children of the two Royal Families to sleep. Then, he comes to the flickering fire pit, rummages in his arms for a while, and takes out the last roll of Mayan Divine Smoke, handing it to the old militia Chiwaco.

"Captain Chi, would you like a roll?"

"Hmm."

The old militia Chiwaco reaches out to take the Divine Smoke, lighting it at the edge of the fire pit. Then, he places the smoke roll among those seated around. Several leaders of the fleet gather forward, their brows relaxed, breathing in the calming aroma.

"Captain Chi, I have a suggestion to discuss with you..."

"Hmm?"

The Mayan merchant Tikalo lowers his head, deeply inhales the smoke, and then sincerely appeals to the old militia.

"Tilan and Tidan are still young... enduring hardships and soon facing a storm... I'm afraid they won't withstand it..."

"They are the last hope of the Mayapan Royalty and the hostages entrusted by the Kokom Family to the Alliance... When the fleet's ship arrives tomorrow, let them leave with the crew..."

"Captain Chi, please believe me... I'll arrange personnel to secretly send them to the kingdom-occupied coast, boarding the fleet's merchant ship..."

Upon hearing Tikalo's words, the old militia Chiwaco raises his head, looking deeply into the other's eyes as if trying to understand his intentions. He then purses his lips, not responding immediately, but asks deeply.

"Tikalo, are you sure you can pass through the Tototanak people's blockade on the coast, evade the vigilant patrol boat groups, and connect with the kingdom's legion?"

At this, the Mayan merchant Tikalo falls silent. He understands the old militia's meaning and knows that the other has seen through him. His proposal was actually about sending the young children to the vicinity of Hidden Serpent City under the fleet's care. There would at least be shelter, clean well water, plenty of food, and fruit, much better than here.

After a moment of silence, Tikalo raises his head and still answers.

"If it's just one or two people... we can try... there's a chance..."

"Praise the Chief Divine! If we can connect with the kingdom's legion and receive support, we can attempt to break through the Tototanak people's blockade!"

Upon hearing their conversation, the Prepecha Warrior Captain Tawalu perks up, speaking excitedly. Since Huitu Puapu stayed on the Cuba Snake Island, he took over as the leader of the kingdom's warriors.

"The storm is coming, and the rainfall will be heavy; visibility won't extend far! We can brave the rain and sail west at dusk and night! Perhaps, the Tototanak patrol fleet won't notice us!..."

"Sailing in the rain at night..."

The old militia Chiwaco thinks for a while and gently shakes his head.

"Too dangerous... if the Tototanak people can't see us, we can't see them either... And once we encounter them closely, there will be no escaping, it will be not to die..."

"Captain Chi, I truly mean it, let the two children go first..."

The Mayan merchant Tikalo grits his teeth and speaks again.

"The fleet's manager is all part of the family. They will protect the two children and connect with the kingdom, even if it costs them their lives!..."

"Actually, there's another way! No need to fight the Tototanak people, though we might face the storm..."

The Divine Revelation Priest Mekate suddenly speaks. He glances at Tikalo indifferently, his eyes are full of obvious distrust. For the kingdom's interest, he did not want the two children of the Mayapan Royalty, such important hostages, to leave the fleet's control.

"Witness the Chief Divine! We're currently at around 18 degrees latitude. The Feathered Serpent Ancient City's latitude is around 20 degrees..."

"The strong wind comes from the sea, blowing from east to west. The fleet can sail into the deep sea, go straight, towards the west coast of the kingdom! This way, we won't be troubled by the complex coastal hydrology, winding coastlines, and the Tototanak patrol fleet. Raise the full sails and use the full wind force to speed westward!"

Saying this, Priest Mekate grips the Sun Amulet on his neck, his eyes are fearless and firm.

"The Chief Divine will protect us! Raise the full sails, head northwest, accelerate into the sea, the ship's speed will be two or three times that of now! If everything goes well, it would take six or seven days, maybe even five or six days to reach the coast!"

"That's too dangerous! Sailing into the deep sea, we may encounter stronger storms and unbearable waves!..."

Upon hearing Mekate's proposal, Tikalo widens his eyes, quickly rebutting.

"What if we veered off course... No, we would certainly veer off course, it's impossible to precisely reach the Feathered Serpent Ancient City!..."

"The west is an extended coastline, not an endless sea! Even if we veer off course, as long as we head west, we will definitely reach the coast!"

Priest Mekate's expression is serious, his tone is certain.

"Even if slightly northward, blown to the Vastec people's coast, there's no problem! It's still an affiliate of the Alliance, a place where we can resupply!"

"But... what if... on our ship... there's still..."

"Praise the Chief Divine! Captain Chiwaco, what do you think?"

Everyone's gaze converges on the old militia, weighing his shoulders down. With Priest Tomate's departure, he has become the fleet's sole leader and the one to make the final decision.

The old militia lowers his head, hunching over, watching the flames before him, not speaking for a long time. The scales of fate repeatedly sway in his heart. The current path is to choose between waiting and taking risks. Either wait, or wait for the opportunity to risk, or take the risk immediately…

"Hoo..."

After a while, Chiwaco takes a deep breath and speaks firmly.

"Wait a little longer!..."

"Tikalo, send out envoys from the fleet to try and connect with the kingdom..."

"Mekate, command the sailors to build a rain-proof hut for the two children to stay..."

"Tawalu, organize the warriors, ready weapons and armor, preparing for battle and adventure..."

"Then the rest is up to fate to decide..."

The old militia made a decision, and everyone accepted the choice. But this time, the unpredictable fate did not seem to favor them. Or perhaps, no matter what they chose, fate had been waiting for a long time!

When the pitch-black night passed, and a new dawn arose, a new day arrived from the coastline. Today was another day for the Mayan merchant ship to deliver food. Everyone eagerly waited all morning but never saw the ship. Not until the sun passed zenith, did the familiar Mayan oar-sail ship appear at the northern river estuary, slowly sailing towards the lagoon upstream.

"After waiting so long, it finally came!..."

Warrior Captain Tawalu beamed with joy, looking at the swaying oar-sail ship, impatiently hopeful.

"Hey! It looks like it's heavily laden... the food this time must be more than last..."

"Chief Divine! What is that?"

At this moment, the scout with the best sight, Mountain Bird, changes his expression. He gazes towards the north, his mouth wide open in surprise, pointing beyond the oar-sail ship. Then his startled voice abruptly turns into a scream of terror.

"Ah! It's ships... canoes! Many canoes!"

"It's the enemy, the Tototanak people!"