Chapter Text
Roughly half a week ago by the Teca calendar, Zatz had done the right thing and returned the weapons of Princess Maya’s brothers to her. And that was the right thing, even though now he was getting married.
This… had not been what he expected. For a wedding, for Lord Mictlan’s reaction to Princess—to Maya, they were getting married after all. Apparently.
For one thing, he had never expected to basically get strong-armed into it by Lord Mictlan, or how tense it would feel overall. (That may have been the glare he could feel from Acat.)
For another, this was… this was rushed. There was no matchmaker, the red feathers decorating her arms and legs were placed as painstakingly as possible, given that Lady Micte was alone here as Maya’s kinswoman, not able to have enough time to call her family. There were no ceremonial gifts, there were no prepared tamales. He was three years away from the average age.
But, none of it seemed to matter, because the smoke from the copal incense floated up around them, and because Lord Mictlan was apparently the matchmaker (match orderer, more like) but refused to kneel, even for this. Lady Micte herself knelt to tie his cloak to her skirt. There. Tied together, forever. Death didn’t come easily to demigods, after all.
Last ehecatl, Zatz had gathered up the titular weapons of Lance, Daggers, and Shield, and followed King Teca’s trail into the deeper jungle. He hadn’t been at the battle, but had rightfully assumed no one else would do it. Imagine his surprise when he had seen Princess Maya there as well, standing protectively (unarmed and unshielded!) in front of her father. He had given her the weapons, because he was there on his own time, not Lord Mictlan’s, and turned to go, when—
“Zatz.” Maya called.
He slowly turned, giving her time to wipe her face and hide her grief. She didn’t, and she didn’t have to, but he felt like he was intruding.
“De nada.” He replied, anticipating a choked thank you and trying to spare her the effort. “It was the right thing to do.”
Maya frowned at him. “It was. I’m not thanking you for decency.”
“Then what are you thanking me for?” Zatz asked, turning around fully.
“I’m going with you.”
Zatz froze.
“Maya!” King Teca cried, trying to get to his feet.
“Next tochtli.” Maya continued.
“What changed your mind?” Zatz asked, trying to regain control of the situation.
Maya’s fingers tightened on the rough cloth he’d taken (it was old, but it was his, and he really had to stop focusing on that, because it was not the matter at hand) to wrap the weapons in. “Papa, you yourself said the prophecy was wrong… our people, my brothers died for me. And they won’t stop coming and…”
“Maya, I’m not going to lose you too!” King Teca said firmly.
Zatz cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’ll see you seven days from now, Princess Maya. I… you don’t… I won’t say anything about this time if you change your mind.”
This earned him another glare. “I’m not going to change my mind, cabrón.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying I won’t blame you if you do.”
“Maya, you’re not going!” King Teca tried again.
“Pick me up at dusk.” Maya continued, which… fair. Zatz was in no mood to meet with the grieving remainders of Teca.
Wait, he was not enabling this. Zatz inhaled sharply. “Princess Maya…”
“Dusk, next tochtli, or I’m going without you.” She said firmly.
“Doesn’t anyone care what I have to say?” King Teca demanded.
Maya sighed. “Papa…” She began softly, which Zatz took as his cue to leave.
“Be well, Princess Maya. I’ll see you soon.” Because he had absolute certainty that he would, and she would keep her promise.
Which meant that he could not in good conscience continue the plan of sacrificing her, something that he tried to tell his father when he returned. Acat, thankfully, was somewhere else, because in retrospect his reasons were somewhat… personally biased.
Because Zatz needed to let his father know immediately, he took his place next to his father in Lord Mictlan’s court. Because Zatz also wasn’t an idiot, he didn’t really lead with why he was mentioning how courageous and loyal and beautiful Maya was. (In his defense, he really didn’t think anyone was listening. Mictlan was still riding the emotional high of crushing the Teca army, and commanding everyone’s attention.)
Camazotz gently squeezed his son’s shoulder. “I’m sure she will be an excellent sacrifice for Lord Mictlan.” This roughly meant, ‘I hear what you’re saying, but if we don’t sacrifice her, he will.’ Zatz was not really that good at speaking politically yet.
“But…” Zatz began.
“Something to say, semidiòsito?” Mictlan growled.
“No, my lord Mictlan.” Zatz said, bowing.
Mictlan cocked his head in interest. “Not even about Maya of the Tecas?”
Zatz felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest, it was beating so hard. He looked down, sketching another bow. “No, Lord Mictlan.” He finally said. He had told her he wasn’t going to tell anyone, just in case she wanted to back out. Even if she wasn’t going to change her mind, he was going to keep his word.
There was a long pause, then Mictlan said, “You wouldn’t lie to me now, would you Zatz?”
Zatz swallowed and looked up. Lord Mictlan was standing over him, and he could just see his father’s worried face in the background.
Lord Mictlan suddenly laughed. “Don’t look so serious. I’m not going to kill you. Not now, at least.”
That… that was not very reassuring. But Zatz was able to stand up straight again when Lord Mictlan turned around and returned to his chair. His father gave him several worried looks, especially as Lord Mictlan seemed to be less exuberant and more thoughtful as the night went on. The next few days were just as bad.
Part of it was that Zatz was scrambling to find a way to bring down Mictlan without sacrificing Princess Maya, and was coming up blank.
To make matters worse, he knew he was not really being fair to Acat. Things had been strenuous for a little while, though he couldn’t really pinpoint why. They had been drifting apart, at the very least, since Xquic was sacrificed in exile. Adding romance to their relationship had helped-- but only for a while. It had jarred them both to see the older goddess banished and killed—Acat had retreated into a more prickly and protective mindset in general, whereas Zatz had focused even further on 'correct’ behavior, knowing that he’d be one of the first to fall if Lord Mictlan decided to start killing off more of the court. Still, she seemed like she still had feelings for him, which he didn’t necessarily return. But he also didn’t really feel like he had a good reason to break up with her, so he stayed, and mostly just ducked into different rooms when he saw her coming. (That had led to a really awkward situation with Skull and Bone, actually. He avoided them too now.)
Finally, finally, it was time to collect Princess Maya. If nothing else, it meant leaving, and seeing her, even if she told him to leave and never return. It meant running under the stars with Colmillo, and not having to dive into the armory, a guestroom, the ball court changing room for when they had ‘guests’, and one memorable occasion where he pivoted entirely back into the room he had just come out of. That had led to a raised eyebrow from his father, but no comments, which Zatz was grateful for as he pressed himself up against the wall in case Acat poked her head in and asked after him.
But that was behind him now—literally, as they turned southward towards Teca. Towards Princess Maya, who represented freedom in a way that he couldn’t quite articulate.
Despite the journey supposedly taking four years for souls, Zatz reached the outskirts of Teca within the day. He arrived at dusk, as promised, and was about to head deeper into the city when he saw a figure move.
He whirled, only to find Princess Maya standing to the side, holding a golden macahuitl. He half-expected her to be dressed in the armor that all the warriors of Teca wore now, covering the face and with animal ears. He had seen, and dodged, a few patrols, assuming that he would be persona non grata after his role in the death of their warriors and princes. But instead she was dressed in a smaller version of her father’s eagle armor, helmet tucked under her arm.
“You’re late, principe de murciélagos.” Princess Maya said, leaning against her macahuitl.
Zatz grinned, and bowed slightly. It still felt more genuine than any respect he’d ever paid Lord Mictlan. “Apologies, princesa. Dusk is a rather vague term, and your parents didn’t seem to want you to leave.”
She put on the helmet. “They don’t, but… they didn’t try to stop me. Eventually.”
“You look more like you’re going to war than as a sacrifice.”
“What, a cuauhtli isn’t good enough?” She smiled behind the mask, but quickly dropped it. “I’m going to kill Lord Mictlan, or die trying.”
Zatz inhaled sharply. “That’s… do you have a plan?”
“Are you going to help me or not?” She challenged.
Zatz reared back, causing Colmillo to step back to keep his balance. “I don’t want to send you to your death, Princess Maya.”
“You didn’t have a problem before.” She huffed. “At least this way I have more of a fighting chance than meekly accepting my death.”
That was true, but he couldn’t really explain how, so instead he offered her a hand to help her climb up behind him on Colmillo. That was a mistake. Even through his gloves, he could feel that her hands were warm. And then she was leaning against him, however slightly, and he could almost feel that warmth between both sets of armor.
His face felt warmer still, and he was glad she couldn’t see. With the exception of his father and occasionally Acat, Zatz wasn’t used to being this close to another person. When he was, they were always so, so much colder than him. “Vamonos, Colmillo.” He was very proud of how his voice didn’t waver.
Colmillo sprung forward, and Maya grabbed at Zatz’ waist, caught off-guard. She was nowhere near his lungs, but his breath still felt knocked out of him.
The ride was over sooner than he would have liked, and he still hadn’t said anything. To be fair, neither had she. By the time Colmillo disappeared to lope off to his preferred grounds (Zatz hadn’t asked, not that he expected an answer) Zatz was starting to feel like he should talk to her. Offer some comfort, maybe.
“I’m sorry.” He said, as they walked down the hallway towards Lord Mictlan’s throne room.
“Hey, you’re not going to kill me, right?” Maya joked, almost distractedly. She tried to bump shoulders with him congenially—which, combined with the ride over had been more physical affection than he had had in a long time, not that he was counting—but it didn’t quite work due to their height difference.
Zatz gave her a smile that he hoped looked less like a rictus grin than it felt. He had forgotten his father’s plan during all of this. “I… you know, you don’t have to go to Lord Mictlan yet—”
“Zatz.” Someone called.
They both looked up to see Xtabay floating towards them.
Maya drew her weapon, and Xtabay raised an eyebrow. “I’m not here to hurt you, girl.”
“Then what are you here for?” Zatz asked. It’s not like they had interacted much before.
“Lord Mictlan wants to see you.” Then she looked at Maya. “And you.”
Maya didn’t sheathe her weapon. If anything, her stance tensed. “I’m ready for him.”
“You’re not.” Xtabay scoffed. “But come on. I’ll make sure neither of you get distracted.”
“What are you implying?” Zatz asked.
Xtabay coolly regarded him for a moment. “I don’t know, Zatz. What am I implying?”
Great, now Maya was looking at him suspiciously as well. How much did Xtabay know?
“I… it wasn’t my idea.” Zatz started.
“What wasn’t your idea?” Maya asked suspiciously.
Xtabay snorted. “Oh, I know it wasn’t your idea. No one really knows what Lord Mictlan is thinking right now, but it does have to do with your lack of subtlety. Either side of me, please.”
It was all Zatz could do not to break into a sprint. Lord Mictlan knew. Lord Mictlan knew, and Zatz’ father was right next to the throne—
“Hey, stop playing mind games with Zatz.” Maya snapped.
“I didn’t know you cared.” Xtabay replied, purposefully placing herself between them.
“I don’t! But he brought me down here, and better the devil I know than the devil I don’t!” Maya raised her macahuitl to Xtabay’s eye level.
Xtabay, from what little Zatz could see of her face, did not look amused. “Alright then. We’re going to take our time and have a little talk.”
Zatz took a step away from them, and Xtabay’s hand shot out. She very much didn’t touch him, instead grabbing him by the pauldron. “We includes you, pendejo.”
“I need to go to my father.” Zatz said.
“No you don’t.” Xtabay replied. “You would know if anything happened to him, and he was fine when Lord Mictlan decided to talk to him privately.”
“That is not helping.” Zatz hissed, unintentionally baring his fangs. Then he remembered Maya, and covered his mouth with his hand.
“Lady Micte is moderating.” Xtabay shook him by the pauldron slightly. “You’re a nice boy, Zatz. Don’t make me hurt you to keep you safe. Besides, do you really want to leave the Teca princess alone with me?”
“Is that a threat?” Maya demanded.
“It’s a statement of fact.” Xtabay replied. “Come along, children. We’re going to walk slowly, not go bursting in where we weren’t invited.”
“You know, we treat our sacrifices less like uninvited guests in Teca.” Maya snapped. “Or do you mean that after all of this, I wasn’t invited?”
“No, you were.” Xtabay flashed a grin. “Interesting you bring up the Teca sacrifices. What’s your favorite? Xochiquetzal’s?”
Maya paled.
“We are not doing that.” Zatz snapped, pulling away from Xtabay to join Maya. “If anything happens, it would be quick.”
Xtabay tilted her head consideringly, then smiled. “Hmm. I wasn’t referring to the flaying, Zatz. I was referring to the part with Tezcatlipoca.”
“What?” Zatz said.
Xtabay shrugged. “What’s a sham marriage for a sacrifice, anyway?”
“What?” Zatz repeated.
“You—no. No no no.” Maya said, raising her macahuitl again. “I’m not just going to sit around for a year and play house—”
Xtabay gently pushed the macahuitl away from her face. “Don’t shoot the messenger. Ah, and please don’t tell Lord Mictlan I spoiled it. I might be wrong anyway. Maybe you’ll both die today instead.”
“My father wouldn’t—”
“What’s one demigod when you could have two?” Xtabay continued, interrupting as if she hadn’t heard. “After all, semidiòsito, you weren’t very quiet when you were talking about your interest in her.”
Maya’s head whipped towards him. “I’m sorry, your what?”
“I…” Zatz swallowed, and looked between them. “I was having a private conversation with my father about your integrity as a warrior.”
Maya looked somewhat disbelieving. “Oh, yeah, my integrity. Mentiroso. After I kill Mictlan, you’re next.”
Zatz made a cutting motion across his neck and motioned to Xtabay.
“Oh, don’t stop on my account.” Xtabay said, clearly enjoying this far too much.
“If I end up in a sham marriage to you, you’re going to tell me exactly what you said.” Maya snapped, ignoring her entirely.
“That’s fair.” Zatz agreed.
“Lover’s spat over?” Xtabay asked, examining her nails.
“We’re not lovers!” Maya immediately replied.
Xtabay, by way of reply, grabbed both of them by the pauldron in either hand, and started dragging them towards Lord Mictlan’s throne room.
“Hey, I can walk!” Maya flailed, while Zatz waited for Xtabay to let down her guard and weaken her grip slightly.
Unfortunately, she more or less tossed them both into an undignified heap immediately after opening the door. They landed together, Zatz sprawled out on his front, Maya at least in a sitting position.
Maya muttered something about her arm potentially having re-dislocated as she rose to her feet, Zatz quickly following her.
His eye quickly searched the room, and there was his father, looking mildly worried and defeated, but no worse for wear. (Besides, Camazotz kind of always looked like that when he was near Lord Mictlan.)
And then Maya hefted the macahuitl, and even Zatz could see her favoring her right arm slightly. “Lord Mictlantecuhtli of Chicunamictlan, I challenge you to a fight to the death!”
“No thanks.” Lord Mictlan said. “I’m not interested in you dying quite yet.”
Maya ground her teeth. “I am not going to have a sham marriage to be a better sacrifice!”
“What? Where did you get that idea?” Lord Mictlan asked.
Zatz and Maya both relaxed for a moment, then Lord Mictlan spoke again. “No, it wouldn’t be a sham. It wouldn’t be you representing someone else. I don’t want the sacrifice to go to them. No, it would be a real marriage.”
“Mi amor, maybe you could explain further?” Lady Micte asked, right before Maya could explode.
“Fine. I was thinking about how, potentially, I could sacrifice Zatz as well. Perhaps there is untapped power there.” Lord Mictlan said far too casually.
Zatz stiffened, and started the process to pull his sword from the ether.
“But, then I started thinking about distillation of power. And how a demigod and a demigod would create another half-human, half-god. By definition, another demigod, but potentially with different power bases than just the one godly parent. And then I realized, there’s not really a limit on how many children a couple can have.” Lord Mictlan continued, still far too casual, and then it was so much worse.
“Wait, so you thought I would just go along with providing you with infinite sacrifices?” Maya demanded, shifting her weight to spring at Lord Mictlan.
“I don’t need you to agree. Your parents already agreed.” Lord Mictlan gestured to Camazotz, who didn’t meet his son’s eye, and Lady Micte.
“She is not my mother.”
“Legally, she is.” Lord Mictlan grinned. “Now, wouldn’t it be better to honor the agreement your parents made, instead of making me kill both of you right here and now?”
“Maya, we need a plan.” Zatz muttered, hand still ready to call his sword if need be.
“We don’t need a plan. The plan is not going along with this.” She replied, just as quietly.
“Zatz.” Camazotz called, causing his son to look up. “It’s… better than the other option.” This meant, ‘Lord Mictlan will kill Maya, and you, and me, because I would try to stop him.’
Zatz’ eye widened with realization, and he stepped back, returning his hand to a more neutral position.
“I knew I couldn’t trust a death god.” Maya snapped.
“Demigod.” Lord Mictlan corrected. “Don’t associate him with us.”
Before she could move to strike however, Lady Micte had her by her injured arm, and was trying to steer her away. Maya screamed in pain, and Lady Micte lessened her grip just slightly, but not enough for Maya to escape.
“We need to prepare you for the wedding.” Lady Micte said, mostly for the room’s benefit it seemed, while Maya thrashed and tried to fight.
That was the last Zatz saw of her before they stood in front of Lord Mictlan, and were officially married. Until death do they part, and they apparently weren’t going to die anytime soon.