The Serpent Passage

Yet before looking too far ahead, William recognized that his next priority was to assist Betty in her return home-on the day of the winter solstice. But more than helping Betty, he felt the need for closure on his old life, and he sensed that sending Betty home would provide that.

Chapter Nineteen

The following weeks passed like a much needed holiday for William as he waited with the others in Dzibanche for the winter solstice to come-for the day the Serpent Passage would activate again. The time drifted by in a pleasant procession of sunrises and sunsets as he relaxed and replenished his strength.

However, it wasn’t all fun and games during his vacation. The Serpent Priest insisted that William take advantage of his extra time to study things that would be useful to him in his new life there. He learned how to read the patterns in the stars to make predictions-although much of that still went over his head. Priest Quisac also took him on field trips deep in the jungle to teach him about the plants that could be used for medicinal purposes, as well as those that would kill. Meditation exercises became a part of his daily routine, too. The Serpent Priest said it would improve his ability to direct his thoughts, to better control the bloodstone’s skills. At first, he found meditating to be boring, and he had a hard time clearing his head of random thoughts-especially when those distractions were related to his physical desires for Teshna. He couldn’t wait for his lessons to end so he could run off and spend time with her. Eventually, he found a rhythm to meditating, and he could see the benefit in focusing his mind.

The land began to show signs of recovery. Shortly after the curse had been lifted, the great ceiba tree sprouted tiny buds along all its branches. Later, those buds transformed into bright green leaves. Priest Quisac said the ceiba tree was healthy enough to perform another Binding Ritual. This time, however, their purpose was to extract the seed required to make a new Tree of Life in Chichen Itza.

As they prepared for the Binding Ritual, William studied the dull glow emanating from the bloodstone; he worried that it wasn’t healthy enough for the ceremony. “Priest Quisac, even with the curse lifted, the bloodstone still feels weak.”

Priest Quisac nodded as though he already knew. “Although empowered by the gods, at its physical essence, the bloodstone is still a living heart. The hostile energy it experienced in recent months has stressed it in the same way that such trauma would strain anyone’s heart. The Binding Ritual may help it to recover. If not, we must consider other options to fully heal the bloodstone over the months to come.”

The Serpent Priest had already given William a preview of what to expect on his next Binding journey; so he wasn’t worried about it. He understood that it would be a more enjoyable process than his first mission into the spirit world, especially since he wouldn’t have to deal with the demon, Yum Cimil. Teshna waved incense as she chanted the required prayers, while Priest Quisac sliced the tree and William’s palm. He held the bleeding extremities together, pressing his weight against the back of his hand.

A moment later, William relished in the sensation of being the ceiba tree again. He stretched his branches to the sky, aware of the sun feeding him through his leaves. As Priest Quisac had instructed him, William focused all his attention on the sun, feeling it warm his soul, like the pleasure of taking a hot shower on a chilly morning. While bathing in the sun’s comforting warmth, time seemed to accelerate, for trees perceived the passage of time differently. The sun appeared to move across the sky like he was watching it through time- lapse photography. As the sun reached the horizon, he heard music… like a wispy melody from a flute. His body, in the form of the tree, felt hot… but in a sensual way that was difficult to comprehend. Passion surged through his body and soul as the sensation peaked. When the feeling faded, William fell asleep.

He woke up in his bed later that night with a foggy head. Teshna was there beside him, comforting him with her soft touch. She told William that the ritual had succeeded; the seed had been passed on from the Tree of Life. “But go back to sleep,” she said. “We’re leaving tomorrow.” Teshna kissed his shoulder and closed her eyes, sleeping with her head nuzzled against his arm.

The following morning, William wandered through the palace, but he couldn’t find Teshna anywhere. He came across Priest Quisac in the courtyard, and the Serpent Priest said that she had gone to the Temple of the Owl. William trudged over to the ceremonial center to see what she was up to. He met up with her just as she exited the chamber beneath the pyramid. Her face was solemn and tight; the redness in her eyes indicated that she had been crying.

“Are you okay?” William asked.

She pressed her face against his bare chest. “I just wanted to say goodbye to my mother… to leave her with a gift.”

“Did you leave a plate with an owl painting on it?” he asked.

Teshna pulled back, surprised by his question. “Yes, I did. It was the last gift my mother gave me before she died. But how did you know?”

William shrugged. “That plate was found there in the future… in the tomb, by your mom’s body.”

Teshna smiled, seeming to take comfort in that thought. She took William’s hand, and they went to find Priest Quisac and Betty, to make final preparations for their journey to the Sacred Cavern of Jade.

A short time later, they were ready to go. Their packs were stuffed with the necessities they would need for the trip-food, clothing, and supplies. As they were leaving Dzibanche forever, they could only take what they could carry. William and Priest Quisac also lifted a litter between them; it held the improvised dive gear that the grey men had given them.

Before they headed out, William shot a concerned look over to the ceiba tree. “What about the seed?” In their rush to get going that morning, he had forgotten about the Binding Ritual with the tree the day before.

Priest Quisac smiled. “You carry the seed, Balam.”

“I do? Where is it?” he asked, looking in his pack.

The Serpent Priest laughed and pointed at his forehead. “It is inside you… the seed… the essence of the Tree of Life… it’s there, waiting to bind with a new ceiba tree.”

William rolled his eyes. “Okay, whatever.” Before leaving, he approached the great ceiba tree one last time. He noticed that the bloodstone didn’t glow like it used to when he was near the tree, nor did he feel the same connection that he had become accustomed to over recent months. It felt like an ordinary tree. But that was okay too, for the tree could just be a tree… like being able to retire, he mused. William gave the ceiba a final pat goodbye and followed the others out.

William and Betty prepared to make their way into the Sacred Cavern of Jade alone. Priest Quisac and Teshna decided to wait at the entrance, atop the vine-covered hill. The Serpent Priest thought it best to stay outside with bloodstone; he worried that the energy in the cavern could weaken the stone further. Teshna also wanted to remain behind, telling William that he should see Betty off on his own… or at least that was her excuse for not going in. The uneasy look in her eyes indicated that those caves gave her the creeps.

After lowering the alien dive gear down the steep entrance with the guide rope, William paused in a moment of doubt, wondering if sending Betty back was the right decision.

“Is something wrong?” Betty asked William, noticing his look of concern.

“You don’t have to go back just for my sake… to tell my mom. You know you can stay here, if you would rather.”

Betty laughed. “I think I’ve had enough adventure to last me the rest of my life, Will.”

Yet William was still troubled. He feared Betty might also face danger in the future, at the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012. He regarded the Serpent Priest with a serious face. “You spoke of a cataclysm at the end of the Great Cycle. That’s where Betty is going. What will happen to the people in the future, Priest Quisac?”

The Serpent Priest moved in close, his silver eyes scanning between William and Betty as he spoke, “The foretold cataclysm is not something that Man can prevent. For our world to evolve, a cleansing is required, to remove negative energies, and to promote healing. However, if Man can embrace the final underworld-during the last days of the cosmic plan-and evolve to a higher consciousness… this cleansing may be a positive change, and we may finally live in balance with the land. Yet there will be much death and destruction during this transformative time.”