Zapotec Gold Plot

Vicukli fell in love with the high priest’s daughter and wanted to marry her, but her father was against it. He hated the brave young man so much that he even made a pact with dark spirits, hoping to kill him.

A Loving Couple

In the ancient city of Mukao lived one of the many Zapotec tribes. Among them were skilled warriors, such as the brave Vicukli, who was a master of the spear and the bow. He fell in love with the high priest’s daughter, who returned his affection.

The beautiful maiden agreed to become Vicukli’s wife, but her father opposed such a marriage. Really, who was he – this warrior?! Just a snack for a hungry tiger and nothing more!

A Pact with the Dark Spirit

The high priest appealed to the city’s ruler, asking for Vicukli to be executed, but the ruler only shrugged his shoulders and refused, genuinely not understanding why the brave young man should be killed, since being poor was not a crime. So, the maiden’s father resorted to trickery.

The high priest returned to his temple and summoned the dark spirit Sigu. He offered it generous gifts and asked for a favour – to kill Vicukli , but it had to be done very carefully so that no one would suspect anything. Sigu transformed into a giant jaguar, preparing to carry out the evil deed. By day, the predator prowled around the city, and by night, it wandered around within Mukao’s city walls, looking for Vicukli . Of course, it attacked other people too, even though it wasn’t asked to. What can you say, its an evil spirit, nothing to be done about it!

The Deadly Battle of Good and Evil

Time had passed, but Sigu was unsuccessful, so the high priest decided to help him. He went to the city’s ruler, intending to propose the brave warrior as the best hunter to deal with the predator attacking Mukao’s residents. The ruler thought it over and agreed, finding the high priest’s arguments to be quite convincing.

At night, Vicukli went hunting. Armed with a sharp spear, he looked for the beast near the city walls. He found the predator late into the night and engaged in a fight to the death!

The Price of Life

Sigu never expected such agility and skill with the spear! Receiving severe wounds, the dark spirit realized he might die if he remains in the form of a beast. He would have liked to transform back, but he had little strength left, not enough to cast the required the spell.

The jaguar pleaded in a human voice, which nearly left Vicukli speechless. Sigu told him about the priest’s schemes. The dark spirit promised to leave Mukao’s residents in peace if Vicukli spared his life. Moreover, he intended to lead the warrior to the temple of Pehe-Tao – the supreme god of the Zapotecs, filled with gold. Vicukli agreed to Sigu’s terms.

Good Triumphs Over Evil

Barely alive, the jaguar flicked its tail and created a portal to another reality. With a few steps, Vicukli found himself in the sanctuary of Pehe-Tao, which was literally overflowing with gold. He took as much treasure as he could carry and left the temple of the supreme god.

The now-wealthy Vicukli appeared before the high priest to ask for his beloved’s hand in marriage. Seeing the piles of gold, the priest quickly changed his opinion of the suitor, replacing anger and disdain with favor. The high priest confessed his schemes, begging for forgiveness. Of course, Vicukli thought about placing a poisonous snake in his father in law’s bed while he slept, but then abandoned the idea in a fit of forgiveness. Besides, he didn’t want to upset his fiancée, who loved her father despite everything and did not wish for his death.