A withering flower at devil's mercy

Four Months Later

Four months had passed since the sea storm tore Luciana and her son, Nemesis, away from their former life. The storm had left them stranded on unfamiliar shores, where an elderly Mayan couple discovered them. Exhausted and clinging to life, Luciana awoke to their care, both she and her son nursed back to health in the quiet safety of a straw hut.

Gratitude swelled in Luciana's heart for the couple's kindness. Their world was alien to her; the Mayan language, intricate and elusive, challenged her at first. Yet, with time and persistent effort, she learned to navigate the complexities of their words and embraced their customs.

"You shouldn't wander to the main island, my child," they would often warn her.

The Mayan civilization, an archipelago far removed from the mainland, remained untouched by the wars that plagued other realms. Yet unease crept closer each day, like the tide edging toward the shore.

Luciana found solace in helping the community. She became an apothecary, tending to the nearby villages and learning practical skills like cooking and sewing. The couple, who introduced themselves as Fabio and Dacey, welcomed her as if she were their own.

One morning, Luciana entered the modest hut, its woven straw walls glowing faintly in the sunlight.

"Aunt Dacey, where's Uncle Fabio?" she asked, setting a small clay jar on the table.

"He's gone to the market to sell fish. Did you need something, sweet child?" Dacey replied.

Luciana sighed. "I just missed him. I brewed a tonic for his cough and wanted to give it to him before he left."

Before Dacey could respond, Nemesis burst into the hut, his small face streaked with blue and white paint, a symbol of Mayan tradition. Clutched in his tiny hands was a handful of leaves.

"Mama! Look what I found!" he exclaimed, holding the leaves aloft like a treasure.

Luciana crouched to examine them, worry clouding her features. "Nemesis, what have I told you about picking plants without asking? They might be dangerous."

"But this one looks like the one you pick!" he argued, his excitement undiminished.

Dacey leaned closer, her eyes widening in recognition. "Ah, this is a rare herb, even here. Praise to Itzel!" She clasped her hands and bowed in reverence to the deity.

Luciana smiled at her son's innocent pride but winced as a sharp pain gripped her abdomen. Her hand instinctively moved to her growing belly, and she groaned softly.

"Goddess Akna, help this child," Dacey muttered as she hurried to support Luciana, guiding her to a cushion.

"You must let the village priestess examine you," Dacey insisted, her voice trembling with concern. "It could be a sign of new life within you."

Luciana shook her head, her face pale. "No, Aunt Dacey. I can't… I've told you about my past—about the child I lost."

Tears welled in Dacey's eyes. "Oh, my dear, the pain you've endured… May the gods watch over you."

She disappeared into the kitchen and returned moments later with a bowl of steaming broth and a small cup of herbal tonic. "Eat, child. You too, little one," she said, nodding at Nemesis. "This old woman worries too much for you both."

Later, as they rested by the shore, Dacey shared her own tragedy. "My son, his wife, and their baby girl were taken by the sea god, Ajtzak. It was many years ago. I thought my heart would never heal. But on the anniversary of their deaths, as I prayed by the stormy sea, my husband came running to me. He had found a mother and child washed ashore. When I saw you both, I felt Ajtzak had heard my prayers."

Luciana listened in silence, unable to find words for the profound gratitude and sorrow she felt.

"So, my dear," Dacey said gently, "do not neglect yourself. At least for your son's sake."

Reluctantly, Luciana nodded. Later that evening, Dacey helped prepare her for a visit to the village. She painted Luciana's face with ceremonial white markings and braided her hair before covering it with a cloth.

"Let Fabio return, and we'll take you to the priestess," Dacey said. "She will pray for Akna's blessing and guide you."

When Fabio arrived later that afternoon, Nemesis ran to greet him, his laughter echoing through the hut. Watching the scene, Luciana whispered, "He's never known his grandfather."

Dacey placed a comforting hand on Luciana's shoulder. "Erebus, his father, was an orphan, wasn't he? And your own father is far away…" Her voice trailed off, laden with sympathy. Luciana had told them about him and brief past they shared together.

Luciana's mind wandered to her distant family, to the war that had erupted five months ago. Were they still alive? Had Erebus truly drowned in the storm, or was he lost somewhere beyond her reach? The scars of her past—both visible and hidden—ached with the weight of unanswered questions.

But Dacey's voice pulled her back to the present. "Do you believe the man who told you your child was lost? Or the gods who may have gifted you another?"

Luciana hesitated, her gaze shifting to the horizon. "I don't know," she admitted quietly.

"Believe in miracles, my dear," Dacey said, squeezing her hand. "Sometimes, that's all we have."

The warmth in Dacey's smile was contagious. Luciana managed a small, hopeful smile in return. As Fabio called out to them, the three of them—Luciana, Dacey, and Nemesis—walked together toward the promise of healing and, perhaps, a miracle.

Fabio pushed his fishing boat into the sea. Despite his old age and small stature he was still strong enough to push a boat with three people into the sea.

The stink of the fish was still overwhelming as Luciana was helped onboard.

Fabio gave the basket of herbal tonics to Dacey as she carefully placed it on a wooden plank covering it with a cloth.

They set off to the other side of the island. Nemesis always enjoyed the blue sea and the life that existed in it.

Fabio taught him a lot about the underwater ecosystem as the young boy eagerly absorbed all the knowledge he recieved.

Though Luciana seldom translated what he meant as Nemesis had tough time understanding Mayan language.

"The boy's a fast learner indeed." Dacey complimented Nemesis.

Luciana felt a proud mother hearing others complimenting him often.

She looked at the horizon where they saw land. It was not all that far from where they resided.

It was a part of the main island but partially detached.

When they reached closer to the docks, Fabio stopped rowing and after sometime he jumped in shallow waters and pulled the boat to the shores.

He was greeted my many fishermen. Fabio introduced them to Luciana and Nemesis as his lost daughter.

Luciana was grateful that her identity was well hidden behind the disguise Dacey had made for her.

The four of them began to walk of Sacbeob road that lead to the nearest fishing village.

Fabio told her that he traded fish and her herbal tonics in this village and the trading town a few miles ahead.

She felt satisfied that her medicines were found curable and we're very much in demand. He used to give her all the money he earned from the medicine to her. A sign of honesty that had them earn her trust in them.

She shared some of it a token of gratitude but saved a bigger portion for her journey ahead. Within their hearts they knew they would part away someday from each other. That was a sad reminder for the elderly couple.