Legends of the Night" chronicles of the guardian of the hill"

After remembering that, my mind returns to the present and I continue looking at the photo we had taken that day, my trembling fingers caressing the worn photo I held in my hands. The image of that day, so full of life and laughter, now seemed to fade under the weight of the years, then I see my grandchildren who looked at me in amazement after hearing the story I just told them, although for them I omitted some details of the story, because of their age.

Gabriel: Grandpa, so you fought against a goblin? That was incredible!

Ana: Yes! Does that mean that goblins exist?

They both looked at me with eyes full of admiration, which awakened in me a lot of joy, I also felt nostalgic remembering those old stories from my younger years.

Juan: No kids, goblins don't exist, it's just a story, don't take it seriously (he said that while looking at me as if I was a crazy person saying nonsense and that made me angry)

Edgar: It's easy for those who weren't there to say that it's all a lie! (he said angrily and staring at my son)

Julia: We have to calm down a little, honey, your dad is just telling the kids some stories, let them listen (she said while taking my son out and taking him to another corner of the house, leaving me with my grandchildren)

Ana: Grandpa, are you going to tell us another story?

Gabriel: Yes, I want to know what happened next!

Edgar: Haha, okay little ones, I'll tell you tomorrow, it's time for you to sleep

Julia: It's true kids, tomorrow your grandfather will continue telling you stories (this made my grandchildren happy and they happily went to the guest house to rest)

The next day everyone wakes up, but Edgar is the first to get up to do the daily cleaning duties, when Julia sees him she tries to ask him to rest.

Edgar: You don't need to help me, you are guests and I can still do tasks like this (I said while continuing with the cleaning, I notice that my son is also awake and he stared at the scene without saying anything).

Hey ungrateful, are you just going to stay there, watching without saying anything?

Juan: Ungrateful? (he responded with an annoyed expression)

Edgar: That's right! I worked hard to be able to give you a better life and a good education in the capital and you never thanked me, you didn't even visit me. If it weren't for this visit, I wouldn't even know you were married or that I had grandchildren!

Our discussion is interrupted by the arrival of my grandchildren. We leave things there and the day continues, until nightfall. The wind blew hard that night. Edgar's house creaked as if the wood was complaining about the passing of time. Sitting by the stove, he watched the embers slowly die down. His hands, rough and stained by the years, trembled slightly. Outside, the crickets were chirping, but among their sounds, something else crept in: a faint murmur, a strange whisper that the old man pretended not to hear. He was interrupted by both grandchildren asking him to continue the story from where he had left off.

Edgar: Okay, kids, pay attention (I approach the wall and see a small glass jar on a shelf that contained a dark substance inside), after the battle against the Muki, a few weeks passed and everything in the town remained normal, until one day...

The memories take me back to that night of patrols with my friends. Despite having defeated the Muki, we still felt its presence in our minds. The night was calm, too calm. The sky was clear, the stars shone like diamonds and the moon illuminated the path with a silver light. We walked through the town, my friends and I, feeling a peace that we had not experienced in a long time. But that calm was deceptive....

Victorico: This night is calm, don't you think?

Luis: Yes, nights like this are nice

Pedro: Be careful, it may be the calm before the storm, we can't let our guard down

Chusku: The last words of the Muki are still in your head, right?

Manuel: Only you five lived through that, you're the only ones who aren't completely calm, but if something happens... this time you can count on all of us!

Emiliano: Of course! We are brothers in arms, you can always count on us

Edgar: Thanks friends, although to tell the truth, I should take advantage and enjoy the quiet nights like this (I look at the beautiful night sky)

Luis: Nothing bad is happening in the village either.

Lucho: Well, just a few sick people.

Alejo: True, Carmen's husband, my neighbor, suddenly got sick and has been in bed all day and the same thing happened to Condori.

Manuel: And they are not the only ones, there are at least five sick people.

Pedro: And is it known what they got sick from?

Lucho: A doctor examined them but did not find the cause, but he continues treating them.

Chusku: What if we look for the Shaman and have him examine them?

Luis: Oh yes, you mentioned the Shaman who lives in a cave, the last time, I never saw him, but is it true?

Chusku: I heard that he is genuine, he practices the shamanic magic of our ancestors.

Edgar: After what happened with Muki... I believe it (I said while scratching my head, trying to understand everything)

Juan: But then do you think the shaman can cure the sick?

Chusku: We have nothing to lose by trying.

Pedro: Well, I suppose we can take advantage of the quiet of the night to visit that shaman.

Chusku: Although he will only allow one of us to enter the cave to see him.

Juan: Only one? Why?

Chusku: I don't know, that's what I heard.

Edgar: Well, I'll go, unless you prefer to go, Pedro

Pedro: No, it's okay, it seems that you are curious to see if it is genuine

Edgar: Thank you, the truth is yes, I am very curious

After what happened with the Muki, despite experiencing it firsthand, my mind still refuses to accept that the stories my ancestors told are real, perhaps my mind only wants to protect me from reality, but I need to know the truth no matter how difficult it is to accept. I always knew that these lands were magical, I didn't know how real that statement was and if this shaman can clarify everything, then I will see.

Chusku: Now we must be careful, we don't want to make noise near his home (he told us while we headed to the shaman's cave)

Juan: So, this is it (he looked at the cave which was large and had a wooden door)

Lucho: It is... somewhat dangerous to live so far away, don't you think?

Pedro: Whatever his motives are, we'll find out, Edgar, it's your turn (he put his hand on my shoulder and I knew I had to knock on the door of that cave)

Something inside me felt strange when I approached his door, it wasn't a threatening feeling, it was more like there was someone really important inside that cave. I knocked on the door and a voice that sounded like an old man answered

"Come in, but only you can enter"

Pedro: Go ahead Edgar, go and then tell us how it went.

Edgar: Good (I opened the door and entered the cave. The interior had a strong smell of all kinds of herbs and infusions, on the walls there were paintings, looms, also some ornaments with a figure that seemed familiar to me, but I did not remember what it was and in front of it sat, in front of an ornate table with candles, the shaman)

Shaman: Come in and sit down Edgar (he said to me with an aged but strong voice)

Edgar: How... do you know my name? It's the first time I've seen you

Shaman: I knew you would come to see me, the spirits told me (he said while still keeping his eyes closed), and they also told me that you and your companions took care of the Muki of the abandoned mine.

Edgar: Yes, it seems hard to believe, but if you know all this I suppose you are a genuine shaman (suddenly the shaman opened his eyes and looked at me seriously)

Shaman: Of course! I am not a charlatan like others who call themselves shamans! (I express angrily)

Edgar: Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you

Shaman: Anyway, I guess you didn't come here just to appreciate the decorations on my walls, right?

Edgar: Did you notice that, even with your eyes closed? (I thought in my mind)

Now that you mention it, these... decorations, the figure they have seems familiar to me.

Shaman: It's possible that you've heard some related story, the figure you see is the Amaru, "The dragon of the Peruvian Andes"

Edgar: Amaru? (the name of that creature sounds familiar to me from some story my grandfather told me, but I don't remember it well at that moment)

Shaman: The story goes that the ancient inhabitants stopped paying tribute and thanking the gods and they were punished with a drought and an embraced sun. In those days monsters roamed the world and many of these took advantage to devour the people of the villages, until the god of the rainbow created "the Amaru" a divine dragon of enormous size, he had the head of a llama, condor wings, and the body of a snake, he could spit hail from his mouth, with his powerful wings he could control the winds, and according to his temperament he could make the days sunny and calm or bring the storm. He was a being of incredible power, he finished off most of the monsters that besieged the villages, with his power he brought the rain and saved the villages attacked by the drought. However, peace did not last long since the attitude of the Amaru was as changeable as the moon, when he got angry he spat ice and hail, ruining the crops forever, without the inhabitants being able to do anything.

The god Wiracocha took pity on the humans and sent his children, the gods Illapa (lightning) and Wayra (wind), to defeat the Amaru. Illapa, who was known for his strength and ferocity in combat, was able to manipulate lightning as if they were whips, while Wayra, who was more strategic, dealt precise blows with his Champi, which generated hurricane-force winds and tornadoes when he waved it while hitting.

That was a legendary fight, both brothers against the Amaru Dragon who would not be easily defeated, spitting out icy blizzards and avoiding blows by twisting his body while flying, but Wayra already had a strategy to fight him. Illapa used lightning as if they were whips to immobilize the Amaru's wings, while Wayra using Champi delivered a powerful blow that threw the dragon deep into the lake, to finish they made a seal in the lake to keep it inside and prevent it from coming out again.

Edgar: Yes, now I remember the story, so... are you telling me it was true? Did such a creature really exist?

Shaman: It still exists, only the seal keeps it asleep

Edgar: How can it be alive after so much time?

Shaman: The Muki they faced is also a being that has been alive for hundreds of years

Edgar: Yes, but we managed to kill him (when he says that the shaman just laughs), do you find the end of that creature funny?

Shaman: No, what I find funny is that you think they killed him

Edgar: What... are you saying? I myself saw when his body caught fire and disappeared in a cloud of sulfur (I express scared by the shaman's answer)

Shaman: What they destroyed was his physical form, but the essence of the Muki is different

Edgar: Does that mean... that he will return? (I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest from fear)

Shaman: No, without physical form, his soul is linked to the Ukhu Pacha, where he comes from (his answer calmed my heart), although I appreciate that you will listen to my story about my favorite creature, you did not come to see me just for that, right?

Edgar: No, it is true (I calmed down and remembered the main topic that made me go see him), a strange disease is affecting some people in the town and although they are being treated by doctors, they cannot find out what causes this disease.

Shaman: Mmm ... I fear that the spirits tell me that this evil that spreads in the town is not something that can be treated with modern medicine, it is of supernatural origin.

Edgar: Supernatural ....? What does it mean? What is happening? (Before we could get an answer we were interrupted by a sudden scream coming from outside the cave, it was one of my friends, so I ran out to see what had happened)

When I went out I didn't find my friends, so I looked for them, while I looked I called them and waited for an answer. Suddenly Juan's voice came from afar to help locate them, I went and they were all there, each one behind a tree.

Edgar: What happened? Who screamed? (My mouth was covered by Juan, who quickly ducked me to hide in some bushes)

Juan: Don't make noise... (He whispers while he was sweating in fear)

I didn't know what was happening, I peeked out a little to see what we were hiding from and what I saw was a creature that looked like a feline similar to a large cat, its black and bristly fur shone under the moonlight, with strong and sharp claws and fangs, its red eyes seemed to burn with an infernal fire. Its fiery tail left marks on the ground, as if hell itself followed it wherever it went. The air smelled of sulfur and burnt flesh, and each meow it emitted resonated in my bones. I didn't know what to do, but judging by the reaction of my companions it was better to keep a low profile for the moment, the creature gave a heartbreaking meow and then disappeared into the shadows of the night.

Edgar: What was that?!

Juan: You see...when you went to talk to the shaman, we waited outside, but then Alejo saw a light like a torch coming up the hill and went to investigate, then we heard his scream and we went to see what had happened to him. We found him lying on the ground, there were no signs of having been hit or having slipped, then Chusku saw that thing and told us to hide quietly, then you arrived.

Pedro: Yes, but now that everything calmed down...what was that Chusku? It seems that you know something about it, otherwise you wouldn't have reacted like that (I look at Chusku seriously while he and Lucho carried Alejo who still didn't react)

Chusku: I don't know much about it, but when I saw that thing I remembered a story that my grandfather told me, about "the antahualla"

Victorico: That name sounds familiar, I think they also told me about that creature

All the others, including me, had a vague notion of having heard about the antahualla, a good black feline with a fiery tail, that comes down from the hill and attacks pregnant women and unbaptized newborns. A being that we believed only existed in the legends of our ancestors.

Luis: Do you think that the antahualla is responsible for the mysterious illness?

Manuel: It's possible, Alejo saw it going up the hill, that means it came from our town.

Emiliano: So, she must have attacked someone, it would be better to go down and find out.

Pedro: Yes, and we should also leave Alejo at home and call the doctor to check him.

We all went down to the town together, and when we got there we found out that those infected by the mysterious virus had died. We couldn't believe it and the worst thing was that some more residents were also infected by the antahualla, this time there were more affected. At that moment fear took over me and I ran home, while I ran I could only pray to God that it was all a dream, that nothing of what was happening was real and that for the most sacred thing... nothing happens to her.

Edgar: (I got home and opened the door quickly), Ana?... where are you?... Ana! (I looked for her all over the house but I couldn't find her)

I went out to look for her, never until that moment did I feel as afraid as I felt when I couldn't find her that day. After much searching, I began to think about where my wife could be, when I suddenly remembered that she used to fetch water from the well at night before I returned. I ran to the well and found her lying on the ground, I felt as if my heart stopped seeing her in that state. When I went to check on her, I could breathe a sigh of relief, as she was alive and had not been hurt.

However, this could only mean that it was the work of the antahualla and if I did not do something to solve it... my wife would die just like those who were infected the first time. There was only one person who could help with this, the same person who knew that this disease was of a supernatural nature and that is the old shaman.

I picked up my wife and took her home, then laid her down on the bed, I did not want to get away from her, but I knew that I could not solve anything if I stayed there, I had to go with my companions to find the shaman and take care of the antahualla once and for all. I left my wife in the care of a neighbor friend of ours and went to meet my companions, who were already ready to go back up the hill in search of that damn animal.

Pedro: Edgar! What happened to you? You ran away as soon as we got to the town.

Edgar: My wife... was infected by this evil, I'm going to find the antahualla... and I'll eliminate it from this world! (He expressed himself with great anger and frustration)

Chusku: Wait Edgar, I understand that you want revenge, but we all saw how he vanished, he won't be back until tomorrow night.

Juan: Are you sure?

Chusku: Yes, he has a pattern of behavior, he comes at night and goes down to the town, infects some and then goes back up, then disappears.

Manuel: Then we have to wait until tomorrow, but... what will happen to the infected?

Chusku: We have to ask the shaman if there is any way to save them.

Edgar: Sure! I'll go right now (I started to go up)

Pedro: Wait, we'll all go with you.

We went up to the shaman's cave and then I went in to ask him if there was any way to save my neighbors from this strange disease, I prayed with all my being that there was some way to save them, especially for my wife.

Shaman: You finally arrived (he said it calmly, as if he really knew I was going to see him)

Edgar: What can I do to cure my wife and my neighbors of the disease caused by the antahualla?

Shaman: There is only one antidote, the fecal waste of the antahualla, mixed with some herbs and positions that I have, along with the correct ritual chants, can save infected people. But they only have time until tomorrow, on the third day they will die if the antidote is not applied.

Edgar: I understand... (fear took hold of me knowing that I had little time)

Shaman: But they have hope, I have everything ready, I just need them to get the waste from the antahualla to finish the antidote.

Edgar: (upon hearing that I calmed down a bit), and where can I find its waste?

Shaman: It is a cunning creature, it hides its waste, but it always deposits it in the same place, just like a cat.

Edgar: On this great hill, it will be almost impossible to find something hidden... (frustration makes me angry)

Shaman: Don't despair! The clue to locate its waste is in its smell, the closer you are, the stronger the smell of sulfur and burning.

Edgar: If that is the case then I will search with my companions. But I also want to eliminate that thing, so that no one else suffers from it again.

Shaman: It will not die completely, just like the Muki, you would only destroy its physical form.

Do you know what kind of creature it is?

Edgar: Not really

Shaman: Knowing your enemy is vital to be able to face him, if you fight blindly with an unknown enemy, you will die

Edgar: (I think for a few moments and calm down), I want to know everything you can tell me about the antahualla, please.

Shaman: Well, I'll tell you (I say with a smile) the antahualla is what is commonly called the "familiar" of the ukhu pacha or hell. Just as in our world there are animals in the Ukhu Pacha there are beings like the antahualla, and humans who practice black magic can invoke these "familiars" to do work for them.

Edgar: You mean someone summoned it?

Shaman: It's very likely that they did, since the antahualla hasn't been heard of for over 100 years.

Edgar: But who could do something like that?

Shaman: For the moment, concentrate on the current problem. You should know that you can't attack the antahualla directly. It can spread its evil to the people it looks in the eyes. As your friend has already discovered, it is very agile and can change its size.

Edgar: It will be difficult to avoid looking it in the eyes... (comments worriedly)

Shaman: Maybe this will help (he takes a jar with a strange liquid from a shelf and throws its contents on my clothes)

Edgar: Ahh! What is this? I bet!

Shaman: It's the urine of a rabid dog.

Edgar: Damn old man! Why do you throw filth on me?

Shaman: The antahualla attacks when it feels cornered, however it feels a certain repulsion for rabid dogs and their fluids. Although it is not entirely certain, it is likely that this will prevent it from attacking you directly.

Edgar: I understand... but I would like you to let me know when you are going to throw something like this at me again!

Shaman: Hehe... now go and meet up with your friends, get the antahualla's waste before it is too late.

Edgar: Wait... although you said that you will take care of the antidote, what will you ask for in return? I suppose it is not a charity job.

Shaman: You are right young man (he smiled), for this job I am going to ask for a payment from each house that I help, I want a lot of food and salt. Money does not interest me, I live in a cave, but food and salt are very important.

Edgar: I understand, we will have your payment ready when this is over (after answering I left to meet with my companions)

My companions were waiting for me outside the cave and in addition to explaining the bad smell I had, I explained everything the Shaman told me, including the payment for their services.

Pedro: Okay, this time we will also have to split up to find the antahualla's waste.

Edgar: That's right, but some of us also have to stay and wait for the antahualla to kill it before it comes down for more victims.

Chusku: Now we are nine, four of us will be in charge of looking for the waste for the antidote and the rest will go hunt the antahualla.

Pedro: Good... Edgar, Chusku, Emiliano, Victorico and Manuel, you will take care of the antahualla, the rest of us will go look for the waste. Remember that the lives of the people of our town, our friend and companion Alejo, as well as Edgar's wife, depend on our success...we cannot fail! (After those words full of conviction, we were ready to fulfill our missions)

While Pedro's group would focus on the tireless search, my group had to go home and try to rest to have energy for the battle we would have when the sun goes down, although I couldn't sleep seeing my wife in the state that that damn creature left her in. Anger and frustration consumed me, but I tried to save all the energy I could. And the time came, my group climbed the hill to wait for the arrival of the antahualla, before it came down.

Chusku: We are now close to the area where we saw it for the first time.

Manuel: Do you know if the blessed weapons will work?

Edgar: They worked well the first time, believe me

Emiliano: Anyway, we have to be very careful, you said we should avoid looking into his eyes

Victorico: Wait!....(we all stopped and looked around) It's too quiet, you can't even hear the sound of crickets

We all noticed that indeed, no sound of nature could be heard, the sky had also darkened, obscuring the stars. We had only seen such events once, when we approached the Muki mine. Which means that we were already close to the Antahualla, while the tension in the environment increased, we all saw a light, similar to the fire of a torch coming down the hill and we knew it was time to get ready for combat.

Chusku: Here it comes, we have to corner it before it comes down to the town.

Edgar: I won't let him do it! I'll attack him directly, you attack from the sides, preventing him from escaping and avoiding looking him in the eyes (with this said, everyone agreed and I went ahead to intercept him)

At that moment I tried not to look at him directly and focused my sight on his paws and the fiery tail he had, while I heard his heartbreaking meows, I approached him holding my machete, the antahualla seemed to prepare to jump on me, but then he sneezed as he approached me and backed away, I knew it was because of my clothes, which were impregnated by the urine of a rabid dog, that bothered the antahualla, enough for him not to attack me directly, while my companions surrounded him waving their ropes to stop him and finish him off without him escaping.

Edgar: That's it... a little closer and... (I got closer and closer to him, while he backed away, at the same time my companions also came closer to surround him)

The antahualla noticed the presence of my companions, that made him angry, then he meowed again, but now louder and more heartbreaking than before, then he increased in size. They were as big as a puma and he jumped to attack my companions.

Edgar: Shit! Watch out! (The antahualla jumped on Victorico, knocking him down)

Victorico: Help me! (He tries to cover himself from the antahualla's bite with his machete, but it breaks with the beast's sharp teeth, even so it hurt him)

Chusku: This way, beast! (He throws his lasso at the antahualla's neck and then pulls it to get it off of Victorico)

Edgar: Well done! (I ran to attack the beast, but before it got there, I used my claws to break the lasso)

Manuel: I hope this really works! (He ran towards the beast and broke a bottle of holy water on its head, that made it roar in pain and a smoke similar to that produced when you burn something, came out of its head)

Emiliano: It worked! We must continue throwing holy water at it! (throws the bottle with holy water, which breaks on the back of the antahualla, managing to hurt it, but also infuriating it)

The antahualla's hair stood up even more, its claws and fangs protruded, preparing to attack. At that moment anger and revenge blinded me, I could not help but throw myself towards it to end its life with a blow from my machete aimed at its head. But the beast anticipated my attack and stood on two legs avoiding my attack, then with a single swipe it threw me towards a nearby tree

Chusku: Edgar! (He ran to help me, when he arrived, he saw the mark of the antahualla's claws on my chest, he tried to cover the wounds by tearing his shirt to use them as bandages, while my other companions distracted the beast)

Victorico: Hey monster! Over here! (He had lost his machete, so he used his blessed whip to get the attention of the antahualla and prevent it from attacking me and Chusku)

The antahualla seemed to be affected by the whip blows that Victorico was giving it, but it also made it angry. Emiliano helped Victorico by quickly approaching the beast and with a blow of his machete he managed to blind one of the antahualla's eyes, the beast made a noise of pain and anger, then using his other eye he looked Emiliano in the eyes, causing him to fall to the ground and convulse. Manuel ran to help Emiliano, while Victorico, using a blessed lasso, lassoed the beast by the neck and pulled it away from Emiliano.

Edgar: Chusku....they won't be able to entertain that beast any longer... (I explained with difficulty, due to my wound)

Chusku: What are you going to do?

Edgar: In my backpack I have... a long knife, which was blessed too... I need you to tie the knife to one of the branches to use as a spear

Chusku: I understand, with that you can keep your distance and cause more damage than the whips

Edgar: That's right, use one of the ropes I have in my backpack to tie the knife to the branch.

Chusku: (after tying the knife to the branch) But in your condition I don't think it's the best idea.

Edgar: I... can... do it (I stood up, enduring the pain)

Chusku: Then I'll help you so you have the chance (he held his machete and took mine to use one in each hand)

Edgar: Wait, don't go!

Chusku ran to attack the beast, taking advantage of its blind spot he landed a couple of fierce blows on Antahualla's body, but far from being defeated, the beast bites Chusku's left arm causing him to drop the machete from that hand. Chusku prepares another blow, but this time on the beast's other eye, his plan was to completely blind its sight, so that it cannot use its cursed eyes, now that he had her bra between his fangs, he was close enough not to miss. The Antahualla reacts and looks Chusku in the eyes, but too late, before Chusku faints, his attack pierces the beast's other eye, leaving it blind, Chusku falls to the ground due to the curse. Thanks to his sacrifice he now had a chance.

Edgar: I will not let your sacrifice be in vain, my friend... (I held my spear tightly and landed a fatal blow on its neck, the beast screamed but still had the strength to continue)

Damn monster! It's time for you to return to the hell from which you came!

I prepared to attack again, the antahualla made a cut with its claws on my leg, making me kneel. The damage caused by the cut with its claws feels like an almost unbearable burning, as if lemons were being squeezed on my wounds, I try with all my strength to endure the pain and not scream. The antahualla was wounded but not defeated, it prepared to jump on me, guided only by its sense of smell, this was my last chance, if I missed it, I would die without remedy.

The beast screamed furiously, then it launched itself against me with all its strength, I still couldn't stand up, I used my spear

and we both attacked each other with everything we had. I felt its claws pierce my shoulders, I felt the burning in my wounds and I also felt the breath of the antahualla near me, its fangs were centimeters from my neck, the battle was already decided. Victory was mine, when the antahualla launched itself with all its strength against me, it was what sealed its destiny, I pointed my spear towards its heart and used its strength against it, even so it was a very risky move.

Edgar: That... was for my wife... (I exclaimed while I let go of the spear to let the antahualla fall, which began to be completely consumed by an unknown fire and disappeared in a cloud of sulfur, similar to how the Muki died)

Manuel and Victorico helped me to stand up, then each one carried Chusku and Emiliano on their shoulders, together we went down to the town. Back at home I met up with my other companions, who had been successful in finding the remains of the Antahualla, with the help of some dogs. Hope returned to me, I went home as quickly as I could in my situation and found the Shaman using a transparent jar with a black substance inside, he applied the substance on my wife's forehead, my heart raced and I wished with all my being that it would work, I couldn't lose my beloved. After a few minutes my beloved Ana woke up, her skin returned to its natural tone and the dark circles under her eyes disappeared, she was as radiant as before again, I approached her and hugged her, tears did not stop flowing from my eyes.

Edgar: Ana! Thank God you're okay, I couldn't lose you... (He kept hugging her, smiling and crying with emotion)

Ana: I don't remember what happened... I was... bringing water and then... (He said while rubbing his head trying to remember)

Edgar: It doesn't matter, don't worry about it, everything is solved now (I said without letting go of my hug)

Ana: (She smiles when she sees me and hugs me) I don't know what happened, but I feel like I should thank you. (She saw my wounds and got scared), For God's sake, Edgar, what happened to you? You're covered in wounds!

Edgar: They're just scratches, don't worry, it's nothing that can't be fixed with rest (I told her to calm her down)

Shaman: Don't be brave, here (he hands me the bottle with the black substance) spread that on the wounds, it won't cure them, but it will stop the burning you feel, otherwise the burning won't go away even if the wounds heal.

Edgar: Thank you, for everything, I really owe you (I stood up and shook his hand)

Ana: Who is he? (he asks looking at the shaman)

Edgar: He's a shaman, he helped save the town, by the way (I try to give him the bottle with the black ointment) my friends were also affected, please can you help them?

Shaman: Don't worry, I have more black ointment, I'll go heal your friends, when I'm done I want you to meet your friends outside the town, I want to talk to you about something (he gives me the bottle back and leaves my house)

After that, Chusku, Emiliano and Alejo also recovered, the antahualla had died, but the damage he caused to the town remains, he caused the death of ten people and a newborn baby who was not baptized in time. Of all those we lost, the death of that baby is what weighs on me the most, right now the person who suffers the most is Carmen, she lost both her husband and her baby. When everything calmed down and after paying the shaman, we met him alone on the outskirts of the town.

Pedro: First of all, I wanted to thank you again on behalf of the entire town. Without your help, many people would have died without a solution.

Edgar: Yes, thank you for saving my wife.

Emiliano: And also thank you for curing Alejo, Chusku and me.

Shaman: It's okay, but the reason I asked to see you is to tell you something very important.

Chusku: What is it about?

Shaman: As I told Edgar at the time, it is not a coincidence that the antahualla has reappeared, it was something provoked. Something else is behind all this and if it is not stopped, this town and the neighboring towns may be doomed.

Edgar: So, what Muki said was true, he was not just the beginning, we will never find peace...

Shaman: Don't believe everything a demon tells you, he only told you part of the truth, there is still hope for the town and its inhabitants

Lucho: What is that hope?

Shaman: You, together, are the guardians of the hill, only together can you save everyone, but not without paying a price

After those words, we all remained silent for a few moments, it was too much information to process at that moment. We knew that we would have to risk our lives or even sacrifice ourselves if the situation warranted it, each one was willing to do it, but now more than ever we knew that it was something that was more than certain to happen. Pedro was the one who broke the silence, showing more maturity and leadership.

Pedro: What or who is the cause of all this? He is responsible for the bad things that happen and will happen, we must find the source of everything.

Shaman: I feel a very powerful black magic, but for some reason the spirits did not want to tell me more, if I get more information I will let you know.

After telling us everything the shaman returned to his house inside the cave on the hill, we were all still nervous and did not know what to do or say, until Juan broke the ice.

Juan: So we are the "guardians of the hill" ha ha (with his comment he managed to calm the tension that was in the group, we all laughed at that comment)

Pedro: No matter what is coming, as long as we are united nothing will stop us from ending whatever threatens our people.

I looked at him and knew he meant it. We all did. Each of us had a reason to fight, to defend our home, our people, our families.

Maybe it was fate, maybe it was just coincidence… but we were the guardians of the hill.

And although the future looked uncertain and scary, one thing was certain:

Together, we would face whatever came.