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Answering the summons of Poseidon to obtain drops of the elusive Elixir of Life, Herazale set off in search of the fount containing the hallowed waters, suspected to be held deep within the hidden caves of Belize. These sacred cave complexes were believed by the Maya to not only represent the nexus between the world of mortal men and the world of the gods, but also to be the entrance to the underworld - the Kingdom of the Mayan gods - Xibalba.
Herazale was in awe as he entered the enormous city of Xunantunich, replete with colossal pyramids and palaces. Just a day’s walk south, at the foothills of the Maya Mountains, was the equally epic city of Caracol - home of Caana (“sky-palace”), the largest building in the city and in all Belize. It was at the peak of the El Castillo pyramid in Xunantunich that Herazale met a Mayan Shaman by the name of Auron. He warned Herazale that his journey would be difficult and filled with many obstacles. Auron stressed that keys to Herazale’s successful acquisition of drops of the elixir would involve the Full Moon, the Milky Way, the Mayan axis mundi, and the manipulation of things from the natural world.
Herazale carefully listened to Auron and immediately sought the direction provided by the Milky Way, leading him to the area near the Nohoch Che’en cave - the entrance to Xibalba.
However, Herazale met his first challenge as he approached the three rivers leading into Xibalba, the first river was filled with scorpions, the second was filled with blood, and the third river was filled with pus. Remembering Auron’s words, Herazale returned to the river on the night of the full moon. He was surprised to find that the brilliant light from the natural satellite emitted a light so luminous that the night looked like day and tricked the scorpions into a lethargic slumber, allowing Herazale to float down the river without fear of being stung.
Where the three rivers met, Herazale found four trails. As a trap meant to confuse visitors to Xibalba, the beguiling trails spoke. Confused, Herazale again recalled the words of the Mayan Shaman and proceeded down the trail toward a giant ceiba tree, considered the Tree of Life in Maya Mythology. Entering a clearing, Herazale was able to distinguish a black void above the dense terrestrial detritus on a cliff directly below the ceiba tree - the cave’s entrance.
As Herazale walked through the rocky portal, he saw himself in a mystifying and incomprehensible new world. Spectacular formations abounded with awe-filled crystal chambers. Ceremonial fire pits with pottery and relics were all around him. Once through the inner chambers and upon ascending to the upper chambers, Herazale spotted the magnificent gardens of Xibalba, at its center was the fountain bubbling with the Elixir of Life. Being well guarded, Herazale sent leaf cutting ants to retrieve drops of the sacred liquid. The guards did not take notice of the ants and soon Herazale had collected a small vial full for Poseidon. He quickly hid the vial in the stream running through the cave. Suddenly, Herazale found himself surrounded by Xibalban guards. Seeking to destroy Herazale, they constructed a great oven. Herazale allowed himself to be burned, killed, and ground into dust in the oven. The Xibalbans, delighted with the death of the peculiar visitor, threw his ashes into the stream. As part of the plan devised by Herazale, when his ashes sunk to the bottom of the stream, his body was regenerated as a catfish. He quickly swam to the spot where he had hidden the vial, swallowed it, and swam up the stream to safety outside the cave. Having reached the light of the Sun, Herazale was again regenerated to his human form and escaped through the dense jungle with the vial and its precious contents in his hand.
Author’s Note:
The setting of this story was based on a recent Spring Break trip I took to Belize. Curious about the Mayan civilization, I embarked on an adventure excursion through the Lost World Ceremonial Cave on the grounds of Caves Branch in the Cayo District of Belize. I had an incredible mestizo guide. He was a wonderful resource regarding the Mayan culture and told incredible stories pertaining to Mayan mythology. The cave we explored was strewn with pottery, relics, and bones used as human sacrifices. Several archaeological teams have ongoing research projects within the cave. Excited to have my hero, Herazale, experience the cave, I researched and based my story on the Hero Twins that were written about in the Popol Vuh. The Hero Twin story brothers, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, encounter the same rivers, utilize leaf cutter ants to evade guards, and they also turn into catfish. However, their story revolves around avenging their father’s death, an Xibalban ballgame, and the downfall of Xibalba.
Bibliography
Ceiba Tree: Sacred Tree Of Life Of Maya People And Universal ...
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