Chap 30 [─⋆ End S1⋆─]

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"How come you're bringing kids where you're going, Zacil? It can be dangerous," Ms. Ruiz's voice was laced with concern, her eyes searching Zacil's for answers.

Zacil, undeterred by the caution, met Ms. Ruiz's gaze with confidence. "Don't worry, ma'am. They are different, and with more eyes, we can have a better chance to look for your husband and his workers," Zacil spoke with a sense of purpose.

Ms. Ruiz, though hesitant, trusted in Zacil's knowledge and nodded in acceptance, her worry dissipating into the Habenes.

They were given a ride by Peta's grandpa whose weathered hands gripped the steering wheel with a blend of excitement and worry.

Eztli and her group had set out on a journey to the mysterious land of Habenes after hearing the chilling tale from Ms. Ruiz. The horizon as they arrived, casting long shadows over the unkempt fields surrounding the land. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, as if the very earth itself held its breath in anticipation of their arrival.

Upon reaching their destination, Peta's Grandpa looked at the group with a serious expression. "I'll stay here in the truck and wait for you. You kids be careful." Peta tone softened as she added, "Grandpa, you probably stay here to take a nap."

Peta's Grandpa chuckled, knowing there was no sleeping to be done for a girl who wore has ambitions like armor. "That isn't true," Peta's grandpa retorted with a playful smirk, but her demeanor quickly shifted.

As they traveled further, Zacil turned to Eztli's group with a solemn expression. ""This is it," she said, her tone cutting through the silence. "You've don't have a couple of hours before you need to head back to your homes, and I can let you to skip school. I can't go with you. I've got my own life here, and I don't have time for teaching," she spoke with a seriousness that hung heavy in the air. I have my own responsibilities. But you... you need to learn this. Transform into your nagual. It's the only way."

Rono, asked, "But what if we need more training?"Zacil's eyes glinted with determination as she replied, "I'm here to help you learn the basics. The rest, you'll discover on your own."

Rono let out a frustrated breath. "That's not helpful. We're not even sure what we're supposed to do."

"You'll know," Zacil said, her voice softening slightly. "When it's time, you'll know."

As they treaded carefully through the overgrown grass, Eztli's group felt a palpable tension in the air. Rono let out a nervous chuckle, his voice echoing through the eerie silence. "I can't believe we're walking into this, Rono," he added, whispered, "I hope it's not as scary as Xacalatl."

With a glint of intrigue in his eyes, Konane leaned forward, prompting Zacil to reveal more about the strange occurrences that lurked in the shadows of the ancient woods. "What else should we be wary of, Zacil?

Rono, leaned in closer, his eyes ablaze with curiosity. "Like ghosts, demons, witches, or something of that sort?"

Zacil nodded, her tone serious. "Exactly. But there's more. My mom once told me that she saw a Cuatlacas or other words Sisimite right here near the woods—a creature many believe is a relative of Bigfoot with a more sinister reputation they say it captures women. It was massive, almost human-like but covered in dark fur. It moved with a grace that belied its size. When she stumbled upon it, she felt an overwhelming sense of both fear and awe."

Konane, his features twisted with concern, leaned closer. "Captures women? That sounds terrifying! But why do you think it didn't approach your mom?" he inquired.

Peta eyes widened as she hung on Zacil's every word. "What happened next?

Zacil added "Not at all. It seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see it. My mom described how it paused, looking straight at her, and then vanished into the shadows of the trees.

Peta, leaned in eagerly. "Maybe it was afraid of her? I mean, if the Sisimite could sense something about her," she offered, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Konane, pondered aloud, "In a way, that makes sense. Animals can sense fear, right? What if it was somehow warned off by her presence?" Is there danger here? Should we be worried?"

Rono shifted uncomfortably, What should we do if we encounter one of them? Should we be afraid?"

Zacil gave Rono a reassuring smile, though her eyes stayed sharp. "Fear is a natural response. But it's what you do with it that matters. If you panic, you make mistakes. If you stay calm, you think clearly."

Peta nodded, her voice soft but steady. "And thinking clearly is how we survive. We've tracked them like animals. This... this isn't so different."

Konane snorted. "Not so different? Peta, this isn't a deer or a wildcat. This is something else. Something we don't understand."

"Exactly," Peta shot back, her tone firm. "Which is why we need to treat it like any other unknown. Observe. Learn. Don't assume this.  I grew up tracking animals with my grandparents. I can do this."

Rono's voice wavered with uncertainty. You never track a other beings before but what if it's not just observing us back? What if it's waiting?"

Zacil stepped forward, her voice low but commanding. "Then we stay together. We watch each other's backs. And we don't let fear make the decisions for us."

Konane brushing dirt off his pants. "Easy for you to say. You've got that calm thing down. Some of us... don't."

Peta gave him a small, knowing smile. "Then follow her lead. And mine. We've got this."

Eztli exhaled slowly, "Alright. But if it comes to it... we fight, right?"

Zacil's gaze hardened. "If it comes to it, we do what we have to. But let's not jump to that. Not yet."

Eztli, observe, noticed a faint glimmer of light reflecting off something nestled in the foliage. Curiosity piqued, she moved closer and uncovered an old, weathered sign hidden among the overgrowth. The words etched on it sent shivers down their spines: "Beware the Watchers of Habenes."

Konane, gazed at the sign with a curiosity "Do you think the sign means something?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Peta's sharp eyes caught sight of those peculiar footprints etched into the earth near the land. They were small, almost delicate in their impression, like tiny dancers leaving behind their fleeting mark. As she crouched down to examine them, a shiver ran through her, a primal instinct warning her of unseen dangers lurking nearby.

"Zacil, look at these!" Eztli's voice cut through the silence of the woods, drawing her attention to the tiny tracks. "These footprints are much smaller than yours or mine. They have to belong to-""The chaneques!" Zacil's voice was a hushed whisper, filled with both awe and dread.

Zacil's thoughts raced as she recalled the stories. People had reported strange happenings in the woods before, but it wasn't until now that she realized the chaneques had a much darker side when provoked.

"What if Antonio and his workers accidentally angered them? Maybe they disturbed something vital on the land," Zacil speculated.

"We need to find Antonio and the workers, and fast," Zacil urgently said, her determination renewed.

Chaneques