Everyone was seated around a table at the hotel, chatting casually.
For them, this journey was something that would end in just a few days.
They were sharing the interesting things they had experienced during the trip.
At that moment, Vincent received a call from Sam.
Sam:
"Mr. Vincent… everything went well, right? Just let me know when you're leaving for the airport. I'll come to see you off."
Vincent's finger accidentally switched the call to speaker mode.
Vincent:
"No, Sam… we missed a place. The Calendria Cave. We never went there."
Sam:
"That place isn't important, sir. There's no evidence that Mayans lived there permanently. Some Mayans stayed there temporarily during the war and later abandoned it. That's all."
Vincent:
"You're right, Sam… but still, let's visit it once and come back."
Sam:
"Okay, sir. No problem. I was just informing you. Get ready—we can go right now."
Vincent:
"Okay, Sam."
As Vincent ended the call, David immediately started speaking.
David:
"That's enough, Vincent. If we stay here any longer, it's just a waste of time. I know how hard you work. I'm not saying don't do this research—I'm saying don't do it here. This place is a dead end."
"I know about the Mayans in Guatemala. Right now, they're suffering under ethnic oppression. A group called the Zapatista National Liberation Army is fighting for them."
"I'm part of their Facebook group. They have all the information about the Mayans. So let's leave for America now, stay home for a few days, and then go to Guatemala. What do you say, Vincent?"
Vincent looked at him sharply.
Vincent:
"They are not the Mayans I'm looking for, David… I'm searching for the Itza Mayans."
David:
"What? You mean the ones who discovered the Mayan Calendar?"
Vincent:
"Yes. Them."
David:
"Are you even being sensible, Vincent? That clan doesn't exist anymore. They're listed as an extinct tribe. You're saying you're going to search for them?"
Vincent:
"I know, David. But there are reports that a few Itza Mayans are still alive."
David:
"That's completely false. The Sakala community wiped out the Itza clan around 10 BC. Now it's AD 2022. We can't even find tribes that disappeared in AD—how are you planning to find one that vanished in BC?"
Vincent:
"All I need is a single clue, David. And I believe I'll get it today."
David sighed deeply.
David:
"Fine. I know I can't change your mind. I'll go your way. Today is your last day here. Research as much as you want today. But tomorrow—not even a minute—we're all leaving. Deal?"
Vincent nodded silently.
Vincent, David, Beulah, Amanda, and Rebecca went back to their rooms to get ready.
Spanish Military Camp
The Spanish military camp was boiling with rage.
Soldier:
"Major… we shouldn't let those savages go free. They dared to attack our commandos. We must show them who we are."
Another Soldier:
"We're waiting for your orders, Major."
Another:
"Our guns are ready. Shall we move now?"
The soldiers expressed their fury loudly.
Cortes:
"I understand your anger, soldiers. So… take your guns."
Soldiers:
"Yes, Major!"
Cortes:
"Now listen carefully. Bring that same anger—but step inside the camp."
Following Cortes, the soldiers entered.
Cortes:
"Soldiers… who do you think we are going to attack?"
Soldiers:
"The Mayans, Major!"
Cortes:
"No. That's not my plan. It never was."
The soldiers were stunned.
Cortes:
"Yes. Our first target is the Aztec Empire, not the Mayan lands. Because of the pressure over Guerrero, I ordered Richard to attack the Mayans without a proper strategy."
"You know what followed. We must not repeat that mistake."
"My friend Jeronimo lived among the Mayans for six months. He's with us now. Once we understand their structure and prepare a perfect strategy, bringing down the Mayan kingdoms will be easy."
Cortes calmed the furious soldiers and began planning a precise strategy to attack the Aztec Empire.
The Next Day – Aztec Territory
The Aztec land looked normal, just like any other day.
It was June—the season of vanilla.
Baskets of vanilla pods were filled and sold everywhere.
Fruit vendors walked through the streets, baskets on their heads, calling out loudly.
"Fresh vanilla… sweet vanilla pods… taste it… the favorite fruit of the Aztec people!"
Among them were some new vendors.
They were not fruit sellers.
They were Spanish soldiers in disguise.
"Vanilla pods… delicious vanilla pods…"
They shouted louder than the Aztec vendors while carefully observing the houses.
An old woman stopped one of them.
"Son… is that vanilla?"
"Yes, grandmother."
"Give me two."
"Come outside, grandmother."
"No, come inside. I'm old. If I don't eat this fruit, I'll die."
The soldier hesitated.
"It's nothing, grandmother. Come in—I'll give you four."
He searched for the knife hidden in his basket.
"What are you looking for? Hurry up."
The soldier placed the fruits on the table.
"That's enough, my dear. I can't eat more. Here—use this knife and cut just one."
"Thank you, grandmother."
"What language is that? Just cut it quickly."
"Okay…"
The moment the grandmother turned her back, the knife was at her throat.
In another street, children were playing together.
"Kids… want some vanilla?"
"We don't have money, uncle."
"No problem. Come inside. It's my house."
He gave each child a vanilla pod.
"Eat well. Ask if you want more."
One child collapsed mid-sentence.
Soon, all the children fell unconscious.
Drugged vanilla pods had done their job.
Fake vendors flooded the market with absurdly low prices.
"For you, sisters… ten vanilla pods for one rupee!"
The market emptied instantly.
Suddenly, the cloth sheets were pulled up.
Spanish soldiers surrounded the Aztec women with guns.
A tent was formed.
The women were dragged inside at gunpoint.
The Aztec King was informed.
King:
"What? Spanish soldiers inside our land? Not a single one should leave alive!"
The Aztec army moved.
What followed was chaos, strategy, sacrifice—and slaughter.
Within hours, all 140 Spanish soldiers who had infiltrated were killed.
The Aztec commander believed this would shock Cortes.
But it was exactly what Cortes wanted.
Those soldiers were never meant to kidnap Aztecs.
They were bait.
As the Aztec army moved inward, Spain surrounded the Aztec palace and military stores through a hidden route.
Cortes smiled.
Cortes:
"Second mate…"
Officer:
"I still can't understand how you play this game of chess, Major."
Cortes smirked.
Cortes:
"Hm… the same checkmate must be played on the Mayans too.
What do you say, Jeronimo?"