Chapter 31

{Huehue are you really going to try to fight the soldiers?}

{It will be child's play. I haven't had a chance to break loose. Don't worry. It will be FUN! }. Huehue's voice is the same in her mind as it is in the real world: playful, imaginative, and fearless.

{But what of the people…? }. I can't stop worrying about the innocent bystanders. The soldiers may see them as enemies, but they are alone and afraid in an unfamiliar place. They are simply trying to find somewhere safe to live and raise their families.

{What of them?}. Huehue can sound blunt and emotionless at times. Her predatory instincts are at play with her personality no doubt.

{Someone might get hurt in the process.}

{So then I must do this fast. Check this out }

Out of thin air, she produces a pair of flintlock pistols.

{What the…?}. I gasp. I'm dumbfounded at the sight of the guns from thin air.

{You like?}. Her smiling eyes reflect off the metal barrels and back to my eyes. She is showing off her looks too.

{You have no ammunition. Are you crazy? }

{Like a coyote…}. Huehue produces two magical rings out of thin air. They appear in front of each pistol's barrel.

{There that should do it. This is the first time I try to replicate human ingenuity with my magic…I am a nagual, remember? Ready?}

She does not give me a chance to answer. She leaps out of the darkness. She begins to fire magical musket ball after magical musket ball. Huehue has no chance of running out of ammunition due to the Nahuatl magic of her pistols and firepower. At first, her shots stray off far and wide.

She leaps, twirls, and bounces around the encampment. She dodges pistol fire just as quickly as she returns it. She aims to disarm the officers but has difficulty aiming as she dodges fire. She may be a god, but it seems she isn't perfect.

One soldier leaps out of the darkness and pulls out a rapier. I recognize her fight stance. It is Lt. Lavina.

{What is she doing here?}. My body tenses at the sight of my old, trusted friend.

{I take it you know this woman?}. Huehue sounds a bit hostile. I don't think I've heard that tone in her voice before. Usually, it's playful.

{We grew up together.}

{So, how familiar…are you with her?}

I'm confused. I detect a hint of jealousy in her voice but I am certain I am mistaken.

{She was also my partner. We used to take care of the village from criminals, burglars, etc. outside of our normal day-to-day lives.}

{So you were peace…soldiers?}

Huehue flips over Lavina and shoots two soldiers in the process. She barely misses innocent bystanders. I can't tell if she killed the men or just wounded them.

{They'll live. If I wanted them dead, I'd…have taken a different…form.}

{Good to know. WATCH OUT!}

{Not to worry.}. She ducks in time. Lavina swipes at her head with her rapier.

{Watch this.}. Her jovial nature returns.

Huehue joins her two pistols into one and creates her own dual daggers. She blocks every swing with ease and produces a few kicks for good measure.

{Please, Huehue. Don't seriously hurt her.}

{She's the enemy, Alvaro.}. Huehue is taking her role as a warrior…hunter…seriously.

If it wasn't for her, I'd have lost my life years ago. Please.}

{Fine. Whatever.}

Huehue dives under another swing, rotates her body, and kicks her feet into Lavina's chest. As Lavina reels from the pain, Huehue smacks her behind the head, knocking her out in the process.

{That will do, no?}

I'm almost afraid to ask. {Um…is she?}

{She'll have a headache when she awakens.}

We look around at the damage. A few indigenous people are caring for injured family members.

{Huehue. This isn't what I wanted. Too many people got hurt.}

{It is what it is.}

Really? She just rolls her shoulders at the situation like it's nothing.

{I'm…I'm sorry. I got carried away Alvaro.}. She is struggling to speak even though the conversation is all within our linked minds. Well, at least she feels bad. I think.

{I'll make sure they get help. I can hear Los Rebeldes approaching on horseback with carriages. I can even…<sniff sniff>…Well, what do you know? Your healer is with them.}

{ Sepúlveda?}. Yes! At least I know that the people will make it.

{You can't be careless with life and in this case human life, Huehue. I am thankful you are all right. Please be mindful of others. We don't want to bring any more suffering into the world if we can help it.}

{Fine…I mean, yes I understand.}

{Come home. Please.} My body relaxes a bit.

{I'll be there soon. And…thank you.}

{For what?}

{For worrying about me.}

{You are important to me, Huehue.}

{I'm…I'm? Important?}

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