All along the skyline of an ancient and sacred world, the flashes of dazzling lights heralded the arrival of the war parties. Illuminating the planet's nighttime sky. Shining upon that old world of priests, and their unparalleled guardians, were the lights of the Confederation's war fleet. And it was on that ancient and sacred world, that the System States converged.
It was an unprecedented gathering. Not only in scale, but in intent. For the Confederation of the Uinicob has come together with a singular purpose: War.
Not upon some bumbling lesser state, or wandering flotilla. But upon a power that, while none dare say it aloud, may be the Confederation's betters. Even if only by sheer weight of numbers. What lied ahead was a conflict of unprecedented proportions.
The single largest Mayan Fleet in history was forming. As of the current moment, the fleet contained Six Thousand Atlatl ships, Four Thousand Five Hundred Chimalli, Twelve Nohoch Chempans with just as many Dz'onots in attendance. And this large stellar banner was expected to grow much larger, if not double in size. While such numbers would not be daunting, if not for the size of the craft, such a fleet had never been assembled in the history of the System States.
This astral spectacle was not alone. From the fleets, down to the surface of that sacred planet, poured forth the ceremonial war parties of each attending System State.
Comprised of the greatest of each State's warriors, led through the streets of that sacred city by their Systems Leaders. The scarred troops of veterans paraded in sacred war dances. All were dressed in the most archaic of war attire, and sang timeless hymns of war.
As the warbands marched through the great street that lead to the Temple of Divinity, the priesthood played music in accompaniment to the scene.
There was a great acoustic forming. Between the chants,the rattles, the drums, and the whistles, the temple city came alive with vibrant sounds. And all along the sides of that wide, fateful road, were the Temple Warriors. Painted red, and wielding ornate armaments. Whom looked upon the unprecedented procession with awe, just as those who participated were awed by their presence.
Ahead of each troop were the Pixan Holcanob, the Ghost Warriors, which numbered Twenty per System State. They came not in fancy war attire, nor adorned in war paint, nor wielding exquisite weapons. They wore but the simplest of white loin cloths, wielded barren shields and the most simplest of wooden war clubs. They lacked any jewelry or splendor, and their flesh canvased only in the white-gray ashes of their worldly possessions.
All of their trophies, clothes, armaments, and other material possessions made up the ashes that covered their hard earned scars of war. Everything, from war trophies, to tokens of love and affection from their beloveds. It was all burnt to ash. For the Pixan Holcanob would not need such materials bonds for much longer.
The spiritual energy of the place, the priest, the warriors, and the dead, brought an overwhelming weight to the whole affair. As the Gods themselves abandoned their heavenly amusements, to come and see the spectacle from those parallel and overlapping planes of existence. All across the world, many sacrifices were being made upon the alters... But it was at the Temple of Divinity, at the end of this overbearing path, that the ultimate sacrifice awaited.
Upon reaching that unparalleled mountainous temple. The Pixan Holcanob ascended the steep, knee high steps. The Temple had twelve levels before reaching the final level and temple.
These levels formed bands around the pyramid ascent of the temple, providing level ground, and staging platforms for what was to come. The Pixan Holcanob war parties of the twelve System States attending the parade, each took a level to depart onto. Where they would begin their part of the ritual.
Pixan Holcanob began their brutal melee upon the levels of the great temple. Each troop of twenty broke off into duels, with each victorious warrior moving on to a new partner in this bloody dance of death. The white gray canvases of the Ghost Warrior's skin were quickly stained crimson with the blood of their peers. The violence did not end until, but one man remained from each level.
The lone survivors of each brutal melee made their way to the top thirteenth level, where the High Priest, and leaders of the attending System States had already ascended.
Of the Ajaw, and Noh Ajaw in attendance, were many of the most prominent members of the Confederation. K'inich B'alam, Kan Ek', Siyaj K'ak', Yohl Ik'nal, Tzi-B'alam, B'utz' Chan, Tuun K'ab' Hix, were among the most notable living presences, aside from the Great Priest B'alam Ikal. But these great names were not alone. Indeed, their cosmic presence was dwarfed by the myriad of spiritual presences asserted.
For the bodies of the greatest warriors were taken to Noh Kab Ku, and it was the home of the most elite Temple Warriors whom died on this old world. It was the place where women whom had lost their children, or lovers, did come to sacrifice themselves in the cenotes, marshes, and other bodies of water that dotted the planet. These spirits accompanied the ancient spirits of the first Maya, who lived on the planet before they could take to the stars.
The swirling masses of ghosts and spirits congregated around the temple, in anticipation and curiosity of the unparalleled spectacle, as the Grand Priest began evoking the sacred names of the myriad Gods of the Confederation. It was no short time till the already overwhelming spiritual energy was intensified. For the gods of the Maya stared with intent at the lofty temple's spectacle.
The time drew near, and the victorious Ghost Warriors cast their shields and clubs into the great basin behind the sacrificial alter. After which, they followed in the example of the leaders and priests, who preformed bloodletting upon the altar. Tension, and divine interest peaked, as the great sacrifice came into view, startling the living and dead alike.
It was non other than Noh Ajaw, B'aaknal Chaak the Ninth, of Tonina. K'inich B'alam's father, and ruler of the confederation. A revelation that caught everyone but the most foresighted of the Gods, and the Grand Priest off guard... He was stripped nude, that highest of kings, and covered in the ashes of his worldly possessions. There was a dead silence that fell, and the great king spoke.
"I have earned my rulership with unmatched cunning, spirit, and martial prowess. Under my guiding hand, the Confederation of our great and sacred people has reached unparalleled heights.. There is no man still alive, nor ruler in recent memory, that has gained so much against such odds, as I have done."
B'aaknal took in a deep, and solemn breath before continuing. "It is for this reason, that I, B'aaknal Chaak, am the only being that can make a worthy sacrifice for this monumental cause. And from the other side, I will lead our spiritual warriors into battle alongside our living, with the utmost capability."
Those in attendance became silent in reverence, and humility, as did all those in the Confederation, and likely many abroad in the wider multiverse, as the scene was broadcast throughout the UMS... There need be no more words. The great king was laid out upon the altar, as the humbled lords placed their wooden prayer tablets into the basin.
With a chant, Baaknal listed off the sacred names of all the gods of war, as the Grand Priest brought fire to the basin before returning to the altar.
With a steady hand, B'alam Ikal, Grand Priest of the Confederation, extracted the still beating heart of the great king and placed it in the burning basin. B'aaknal Chaak did not whimper, he not vocalize his pain. Rather, he bit his lips shut, as he died with grace and sanctity... K'inich B'alam dared not cry, nor turn away from the scene. For he knew, as all Maya did, that the physical death... Was not the end.. Not even close.
