Third-person POV, six years ago.
Hunza Village.
This place, located in the northeastern part of the Muisca region, was one of the largest and, in the future, would become one of the capitals of the Muisca confederation, which would fight against the Europeans who came to seize its lands and riches. However, everything would take a turn if a little baby was born.
House of the Chief.
"Dad, will my brother be born healthy?", a boy of almost eight years old asked his father.
"Of course, little Upqua, your brother will be born healthy", the father replied with a calm smile. "Although we don't know yet if it will be a boy", he added kindly.
"The priest mentioned that it will be a boy and that he will lead our people with wisdom to face the challenges of the future", the boy repeated what he had heard from the village priest, Simte.
"Those are just prophecies from our ancestors. The most important thing is that he be born healthy", the father commented with a warm glow, seeing his son's concern.
"You're right", the boy said, smiling. "When he leads our people, I will be his protector", he promised, proud of his brother who had not yet arrived.
"That's right, you must protect him; you are his older brother, after all", the father told him, moved by his son's words.
"Mr. Hyba, Mrs. Za is about to give birth", one of the midwives instructed as she left the room where the woman was expecting the baby.
"Come on", the man told the midwife. "Stay outside, everything will be fine", he assured his son, who seemed anxious.
The next day.
"See, Dad, I told you it would be a boy", Upqua told his father triumphantly. "Besides, the priest was right; my brother seems very intelligent", the boy said, observing the tranquility of his newborn brother.
"You're right, Upqua", his father agreed, admiring his son's satisfied expression.
"What did the priest say my little brother will be called?", the boy asked.
"SuaChie Chuta, that's your brother's name", Hyba replied to her son.
"What a beautiful name", the boy exclaimed in admiration.
"That's right", the man affirmed, nodding his head as he looked proudly at the child his wife was holding.
One year later.
"Chuta, where are you?", Upqua asked as he entered the family home.
"I'm here", a sweet voice replied.
"How was the meeting?", the boy asked impatiently.
"Everything went perfectly. The leaders approved my proposal, and they will begin building new settlements, which will be called cities. There will also be meetings at the beginning of each season with the leaders of the major cities and annual gatherings with all the leaders", Chuta told his brother.
"How wonderful! Will you now be able to make those boats I mentioned?", the boy asked excitedly.
"Unfortunately, not", Chuta replied with a nod. "It will still take a few years to be able to do something like that; the most prudent thing right now is to focus on improving the situation of our community and increasing the amount of food we collect each year", he explained patiently to his brother.
"How sad", Upqua said, discouraged by his brother's response. "By the way, I really enjoyed the popcorn you made", Upqua commented with a smile, saliva dripping from his mouth at the thought of eating it.
"Did you like the sweet or savory ones better?", Chuta asked, watching his brother behave like a child. "He's just a kid after all", he thought, waiting for his answer.
"The sweet ones", he replied energetically after a moment's thought. "The savory ones are very tasty, but I've never tasted anything as good as the sweet ones", Upqua opined.
"I like the sweet ones quite a bit too but remember to brush your teeth and not eat too many, you might get sick", his older brother advised him affectionately.
"I know", he shrugged. "You shouldn't have mentioned that to Mom. Now we can't even make them once a day", the boy complained.
"She's only concerned about our health; even I can't eat them", Chuta replied ironically.
"Do you have any other ideas for a new dish?", Upqua asked curiously.
"Hmmm... I can think of a few alternatives", Chuta mused. "I think we could use the potatoes for…" Chuta continued, his brother giving him his full attention when his mother interrupted him.
"Chuta, it's time to eat", said a female voice from another part of the house.
One year later.
"Brother, I heard from Father that we will unite with the southern and northern peoples. Is that true?", Upqua asked as he entered the family home.
"That's right", Chuta replied proudly.
"But they might be disloyal", he replied, doubting the other ethnic groups. "Those Pijao like to fight a lot. My father mentioned they're always in conflict with the forest people east of the central mountain range", Upqua explained reluctantly.
"Relax, nothing will happen. Even their priests support our union, and like you, they also enjoy good food", Chuta said in a soothing tone.
"I'm not entirely convinced", he said, showing his reservations about the union.
"Are you worried that they're more powerful than us?", Chuta asked with an amused expression. Chuta understood that his brother was easily incited.
"Of course not, we're stronger", Upqua replied, visibly annoyed.
"Look, we're stronger", Chuta commented, noticing his brother's reaction. "However, if you want, I can teach you to be stronger", Chuta suggested. "Can you make us stronger? You mean the weapons and armor you were talking about earlier?", Upqua asked, a little confused.
"That might work, but that's not what I'm talking about", Chuta replied. "I need you to go gather some village warriors and some young men to show you what I'm talking about", he explained to his brother.
"Okay", he said, accepting his brother's proposal. "I'll be right back!", he shouted as he ran off.
----
"Here you are", Upqua said, with a group of men and young men behind him.
"How can we help you, young Chuta?", the others asked.
"Well, my brother asked me for some tips on getting stronger, and I came up with an idea that might help you all", Chuta explained. "First, I need you all to form a line, and the rest of you to line up in front of those already in a line", he added, pointing to a mixed group of men of different ages. "Now I'll teach you some self-defense techniques, and some forms of fighting I call martial arts", Chuta said excitedly, while those present looked confused.
Three years later, Central Mountain Range City
"Chuta, aren't you upset that I want to go to my new home?", Upqua asked when he saw his brother leaving the city hall.
"Of course, not", Chuta denied, not understanding his brother's question. "Why do you ask?", Chuta asked, trying to resolve his doubts.
"Well, I promised to protect you, and now I'm leaving you", he replied, worried.
"Hahaha", Chuta laughed at his brother's response, while Upqua looked at him, confused and a little embarrassed.
"What are you laughing at?", he asked, a little annoyed.
"Hahaha… I think it's very noble of you to worry about me, but you should know that I put you in charge of training the scouts and the new recruits for the specialized attack team because I trust you", Chuta explained to his brother after laughing a little more.
"But now I'll be further away from you", he said, still worried. "How can I take care of you if I'm far away from you?", Upqua asked.
"Believe me, with what you're doing, you're protecting me more than you think", Chuta replied in a firm tone. "The way you're training them, you're practically brainwashing them unconsciously, brother", Chuta thought ironically as he recalled the physical and ideological training his brother conducted with the recruits and scouts.
"You think so?", Upqua asked for confirmation. "Fuuu… That's a relief", he said with a sigh. "You don't have to worry. Besides, your obligations will only increase, so you'll have to find a woman who can handle not being with you all the time", Chuta said, giving him a suggestive look.
"I'm not looking for a partner", he denied, blushing slightly.
"Is that so? So, who's the girl of Pijao descent training with you for so many hours?", Chuta asked with a mysterious smile.
"It's no one", Upqua said, embarrassed.
"I'm told she's not very pretty", Chuta commented casually.
"It's not like that", Upqua denied, annoyed. "She is very pretty", he said, unaware that he had fallen into his brother's trap.
"Hahaha… I caught you", Chuta said, laughing at the embarrassed expression on his brother's face when he realized he had confirmed his feelings for that girl.
One year later.
"Brother is it okay that I participated in these meetings?", Upqua asked Chuta as he left his brother's house.
"Of course it's okay", Chuta affirmed. "I didn't want to warn you just now, but in the future, you will be the general of the entire army", Chuta told him with a confident look.
"I don't think I have enough experience", he said, dismissing his abilities.
"That's true", Chuta confirmed. "That's why I told you it would be in the future. For now, I'll leave you in charge of the conflict zone with the tribal groups in the northeastern forests. You must be careful with them and always remember that we have a duty to improve their lives and help them know the gods", he explained to his older brother.
"I will", he said with renewed confidence. "I will make you proud", he added in a firm tone.
"Believe me, we are all proud of you. Our entire family and our kingdom", he said, showing a warm look.
.
----
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Last story of the tales, at least for now.
Unnecessary fact of the day: The great kingdoms or empires of Mesoamerica were the Aztec Empire, the Tarascan or Purepecha Empire, and the remnants of the Mayan Civilization. The emperors who ruled both at the time of the Spanish arrival were Moctezuma II in the Aztec Empire and Zuangua in the Purepecha Empire.
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]