By Kayla E. Green
“It’s too quiet.” Uchu leaned forward. The stone palace’s open balcony emphasized the unnatural stillness within the Kwaco. “The animals aren’t speaking, Ayara.” She caressed the feathered head of the red macaw perched on her shoulder. “Where is everyone?”
The bird nuzzled her, burying her beak in Uchu’s long braid.
Though the presence of Ayara, her familiar, was always comforting, the absence of her mystical connections to nearby creatures left the empire’s sole Kwaco on edge. Uchu sighed apprehensively. “I can’t even feel the rest of them—just you, Ayara. It’s as if all the other animals of Cuzco have vanished.”
The low thundering of a battle drum erupted, shattering the eerie silence. Uchu jumped to her feet.
Ayara squawked and flapped her wings to hover above Uchu.
“I knew something was wrong.” Uchu summoned vines to provide a slide down the stone building. “Do you think the other villages are rallying against us?”
Uchu stood in the courtyard in front of the emperor’s palace. She scanned the Inca warriors assembled in front of her. Palta, a border guardian, knelt before her. “Kwaco Uchu, we found a spy.”
Uchu snapped her fingers. Two warriors pushed forward a man in strange garments that covered all skin but his face and hands. “Speak,” she ordered.
“My name is Andreas,” he said in heavily accented Quechua. “I bring warnings from another world. Your empire is going to be destroyed—”
Uchu chortled. “The Inca Empire destroyed? You are mistaken.”
“No, you are mistaken!” the stranger persisted. “Unless you let me help you. I have seen this land razed by the conqueror in every timeline.”
“Emperor Atahuallpa and our warriors will never allow that.”
“Listen to me! My calculations were off. I didn’t get here in time. He’ll be here soon. You must act before your empire crumbles.”
She turned away, but motioned Palta forward.
Andreas leaned closer, despite the guards that held him back. “This is why I came—the only solution is to open a portal to another dimension and send the conqueror through it.”
“Portal?” Uchu shook her head. “You speak nonsense.” She snapped again. “Palta, take him to the cliffs. We have no use for a lying spy.”
Wait! Ayara’s voice broke into Uchu’s mind. Listen to the man. I sense no falsehood.
“Stop,” she said with a small step toward the prisoner. The guards halted. “Who would have the audacity to attack our empire? Who—”
Crash!
A giant fireball hurtled into the stone wall of the palace behind the warriors, staggering even the strongest men. Uchu summoned vines to keep her on her feet. Ayara screeched and flew in circles above Uchu’s head.
From the tree line, golden-clad soldiers rushed upon the Inca with weapons glinting in the sunlight. Uchu’s warriors stood their ground with determination, using both spears and fists to counter their foes. Through the chaos marched a formidable man with a black beard.
“Bring Atahuallpa to bend the knee before me, or you all will perish,” he growled. He held his palm to the sky and a flame formed into a glowing ball.
Uchu spoke telepathically to the animals, Please help us. Anyone!
Only Ayara responded. Fight his flames with water!
Inhaling deeply, Uchu called to the water underground. She formed a ball in her own palm to counter her opponent’s flame.
He sneered. “You think your little tricks are a match for me? I am Pizarro, the wielder of fire, the conqueror of empires in all dimensions and timelines. I shall take what is rightfully mine!” The fireball tripled in size and hurtled toward Uchu.
She lunged, hurling water at the flame. Steam filled the space between Uchu and the conqueror, but the red-hot attack continued toward Uchu. As she turned, fire singed her shoulder and she bit back a scream. Ayara shrieked.
“No one stands in my way,” snarled the conqueror. “You all shall burn!”
Uchu summoned more ground water. Yet, try as she might, she could not quench the enemy’s fire. Her strength drained, leaving her limbs heavy. She wavered, placing her weight against the remains of a stone pillar.
Hysterical tears cascaded down Uchu’s sweaty, ash-covered face. “I’m a Kwaco, leader of the Inca warriors, trusted servant and protector of the emperor! I should be able to use nature to defend my people. But I failed. I failed!”
Breathe. Ayara’s sudden voice interrupted Uchu’s breakdown. You are the Kwaco, so you must find a way to save your people. Think!
Uchu exhaled deeply and looked at the chaos around her. She spotted Andreas just as he was knocked backward by one of Pizarro’s soldiers.
“Ayara, I need to talk to Andreas!”
The macaw circled the soldier’s head, distracting him from Andreas.
Uchu knelt beside the traveler. “What can I do to stop this?”
“Pull iron from the earth. I need it to open a portal.”
“Iron? But…”
“Do it. Now!”
Uchu wavered to her feet. Andreas tried to steady her, but she shooed him away. She said a silent prayer for strength, and then focused everything she had on the soil.
Dark particles floated up. Andreas pulled a black box from his pocket.
Uchu fell to her knees, completely exhausted. Her vision blurred. She thought she saw a doorway of blue and purple flames open behind Andreas. She strained to stay awake, but her eyelids closed and refused to open.
Uchu. The macaw nipped at her face. The conqueror and Andreas are gone. But flames still rage. I know you are tired, but Cuzco needs water before everything and everyone is turned to ash.
Without opening her eyes, Uchu called the distant river to rise. Soon, she felt the cool, cleansing pulse of the rising waters rush around her. The welcome sound of its streams encompassed Uchu. A smile touched her lips. It wasn’t just the water humming. The animals’ murmur in her mind had returned. With Ayara nestled on her chest, Uchu let herself relax in peace.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I like this alternate time-line of the Incas! Beautiful descriptions of the fire and water clashes.
Thank you, Arlan! It was really fun to write. 😊
Love this multiverse story! 😍 Uchu’s power and the way you twisted historical events were so fun to read about. Great job, Kayla!! 🥰
Thank you so much, Hannah! 🥹💕 I was so happy to bring my love of ancient civilizations to the forefront of my writing for this month’s theme! And I’m so thankful for you and all your support (and for introducing me to Havok)! 🥰
I like the alternate timeline of the conquest of the Inca. Good to see the heroine pushed to the edge.
I’m so happy you liked it, Alex! I really enjoy the history of the Americas and this was fun to write with the sci-fi twist. 😊
I love the description of the silence and stillness that Uchu felt around her.
Of how with her final strength
and recourses of the earth she defended the enemy and saved her people. As I read each line I could see it happening. In the back of my mind.
I’m glad you enjoyed the story! I love when people can envision the worlds I create in my stories – makes my author heart so happy! 🥰
Kayla makes the area and the characters come alive. Her writing style is vivid and vibrant.
Thank you so much! 🥰
So proud of you my grand daughter! You are so precise and elegant with your writings! I am hooked! I love you!
I’m glad you liked it! I love you more! 🥰
Fun twist on history! Great job!
Thank you! 😊
Hey Kayla! This story makes me want to look into the inspiration for the lore you created. It seems like there are some interesting things about this culture, and you have a great way of blending culture and magic. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you so much for reading! It was definitely fun to write 😊