In anticipation of the first dawn, the Sun, and the Morning Star, the tribes hid idols of their gods in safe places. “Now the gods are seated in the forests, in safe places. They are among the air-plants and the mosses. No one will do them harm. Not animal, nor man. We can now await the dawn in peace. Let it appear. Let it come now. Let there be light. Let there be joy, and happiness!” said the tribes.

64 - The tribes hide their idols in the forests and jungles

The Quiché and the other tribes left Tulan to continue the search for their homeland, the Sun, and the Morning Star. They pierced their ears, cried, and wailed. “Our hearts are full of sorrow that we must leave. Where will be our home?” they cried. After many days walking they came at last to a mountain where the Quiché and all the tribes held council. The mountain was called Chi-Pixab, or Snake Mountain. There they came together to await the dawn and the Morning Star. As they had no food they fasted in the darkness and in the night. Their hearts were full of sorrow and grief.

63 - The Quiché arrive at Snake Mountain, Chi-Pixab

A black rain began to fall with more inescapable cold. Again, the tribes approached the Quiché to ask for some fire. “We beg of you, please have mercy on us. We only ask from you a little fire. Were we not from the same land, the same people?” they pleaded. “What will you give us in return?” the Quiché asked. “We will give you money!” they responded. “We do not want money. We will first ask Tohil our god!” the Quiché said. “Oh Tohil, what should they give us in return for our fire?” they asked Tohil. “Ask them if they are willing to give their waists and their armpits as symbols for you to sacrifice them. If they do not agree they will receive no fire!” Tohil responded. The tribes agreed, and as Tohil requested, the Quiché quickly sacrificed the tribes in return for the fire.

62 - The Quiché sacrifice the tribes

Having seen the fire and shivering from the cold the other tribes approached the Quiché begging for warmth from the fire. Their legs and arms shook, and their teeth chattered. “Please, we beg of you, can you share a little of your fire. We are dying from the cold. Please give us a piece of your fire so that we can warm our bodies!” pleaded the other tribes. Camazotz, The Vampire Bat God and messenger of Xibalba spoke to the Quiché saying “God, the Creator and Maker, is with you, and no one else. Your fire is the Lost Fire. It is yours. Do not give your fire to anyone. Ask Tohil what they can give in return! I am sent by your Creator and Maker!” Suddenly, he spread his wings, and disappeared without a sound into the night.

61 - The Lost Fire is given to the Quiché

Men of great variety were made and multiplied rapidly in the darkness. But they did not venerate the gods. There were men of many colors, white men and black men, and men of many classes and tongues. There were so many that we yet to know and see them for they have no home and wander aimlessly through the forests like crazy people. “Have pity on us, Heart of Heaven, Heart of Earth. Show us our sons and daughters. Let it dawn, let the day appear. Let the people have peace, and happiness. Hear us Tepeu and Gucumatz. Hear us Xmucane and Xpiyacoc. Bring us the dawn and bring us light. Let us see the sun and the Morning Star!” they pleaded there in the forests.

59 - The World is filled with Crazy people

Tepeu and Gucumatz, The Forefathers, Creators and Makers of the Universe, came together and said, “It is time for dawn to come. Let the work be finished. Let those who are to venerate us appear. Let humanity appear on earth!” They came together in the darkness of night before there was a sun, moon, or stars, and decided what must be used for the flesh of man. The cougar, the coyote, the parrot, and the crow, brought yellow and white ears of corn. From this they made the legs, arms, flesh, muscle, and bones of men. It was corn, yellow and white, that made the flesh of our first fathers, the first four men on earth. These are the names of the first four men: the first man was Balam-Quitze or jaguar of sweet laughter; the second man was Balam-Acab or jaguar of the night; the third was Mahucatah or unbrushed jaguar; and the fourth man was Iqui-Balam or jaguar of the moon.

56 - Part III - The First Four Men are made from Corn

After the defeat of the Lords of Xibalba the Hero Twins returned to their original selves. “Now hear our names! We are Hunahpu and Xbalanque. Our fathers that you killed are Hun-Hunahpu and Vucub-Hunahpu. We are the avengers of the torture and suffering that you committed upon them. For this, we shall kill you. Not one of you will escape our vengeance. None!” shouted the Hero Twins at all the inhabitants of Xibalba as they cowered in fear. “Please have mercy! Yes, we sinned against your fathers, and cared little for their suffering, but please have pity! We beg of you!” they pleaded. “This will be your punishment. As you no longer have power your position will be lowered. You will be left to make clay pots, and stones to grind corn. The corrupted ones, the evil ones, those exposed to vice and depravity will be the only ones with whom you communicate. Never again will you sacrifice men. Your rank in the world will be forever lowered.”

54 - The Hero Twins punish the inhabitants of Xibalba

The Lords of Xibalba were shocked by what they saw and said, “We are truly impressed by what you can do. Now sacrifice each other!” “Very well, my lords,” said the Old Fishermen, and began immediately to cut up each other. First, they cut off each other’s arms, the left one, then the right. Then their legs, first the left one was sliced off, then the right one. Next came the heads. Off they came one by one. Next came the feet. One by one they came off, first the left ones, then the right ones. Lastly, the most important. The heart. Out they came from each other’s chests, still beating and bright red. Each was held high into the air so that the lords could see them.

51 - The Hero Twins cut up each other upon command from the Lords of Xibalba

On the fifth day the Hero Twins were resurrected as old fishermen with tattered clothes and sorrowful appearances. Despite this, they could dance the puhuy or owl, the cux or weasel, the iboy or armadillo, the utzul or centipede, and the chitic or on stilts. Most incredible of all, they performed miracles: they could burn a house, and bring it back as new, and they could cut people up and bring them back to life. The inhabitants of Xibalba observed all this with amazement. “Their dances are beautiful, and the miracles they perform are extraordinary!” they remarked.

49 - The Hero Twins resurrect themselves as Old Fishermen that perform miracles

The story of the father and uncle of the Hero Twins will now be told. Hun-Hunahpu the father, and Vucub-Hunahpu the uncle, were born of Xpiyacoc, Double-Grandfather, and Xmucane, Double-Grandmother. Hun-Hunahpu had two sons, Hunbatz and Hunchouen who were gifted artists and jewelers. One day Hun-Hunahpu, and Vucub-Hunahpu were playing ball on the road to Xibalba. “What are they doing up there? Who is making all that noise, and making the earth shake and rumble? Have they no respect for us?” screamed Hun-Came, and Vucub-Came, the most venerable of the Lords of Xibalba. “Let them come down here to play ball with us. This way we will overcome them!”

17 - Part II: The Lords of Xibalba request to see Hun-Hunahpu and Vucub-Hunahpu

The Hero Twins must now kill Zipacna, the first son of Vucub Caquix, known as the creator of mountains, a colossal giant who carried mountains on his shoulders. One day while bathing in a river he sees 400 boys building a log house and asks if he can help. “What are you doing? Can I help?” he asks the boys. “It is only this log we need help with as we cannot lift it,” replied the boys. “I will help you!” Zipacna tells the boys. The boys ask him to dig a large hole, and plan to kill him by throwing a large log on top. Knowing of their true intention, Zipacna digs a side hole to escape, and pulls out a tooth, hair, and a fingernail, to give to large ants to take to the surface. Upon seeing this the boys think he has died, that his body has rotted and decayed, and they celebrated by getting drunk on chicha.

13 - The 400 boys try to kill Zipacna

“Cosmic Grandmother, how can we retrieve the arm of Hunahpu, and kill Vucub Caquix,” asked the Hero Twins. “We will go together to the house of Vucub Caquix, and tell him that you are my grandchildren, and orphans in need of alms, and that you know how to relieve the pain by taking out the ‘worm’ from his mouth,” explained Xmucane. When they arrived at his house Vucub Caquix believed the concocted story and allowed them entry. Quickly the Hero Twins blinded him by piercing his pupils with a cactus needle, and pulled out all his beautiful white teeth, replacing them with mere corn kernels. His beauty that he so prized disappeared, and he slowly shriveled up and died. The first cosmic duty requested by the gods was achieved.

12 - Hunahpu and Xbalanque defeat Vucub Caquix

The Hero Twins knew that Vucub Caquix perched every morning on a Nance Tree to eat its fruit. Slowly Hunahpu crept from behind shooting and breaking the jaw of Vucub Caquix with his blow gun. Vucub Caquix, as he falls from the tree, tears off the right arm of Hunahpu, and runs home with it. The Hero Twins must now devise a plan, with the help of Xmucane, Cosmic Grandmother, to enter into his house to retrieve the right arm of Hunahpu and kill Vucub Caquix!

11 - Hunahpu and Xbalanque shoot Vucub Caquix

Again, the gods convened. “It is time that we create two men that will pursue and kill Vucub Caquix, for he is too corrupt, too vain, and too materialistic. We will fashion The Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, from our divine powers. They will be united by blood, and purpose to pursue Vucub Caquix even to the ends of the universe if necessary, to capture and kill him with no mercy, so that he will never return to haunt our sacred lands.” Thus, they were created. “Touch arrows, and vow with no regret, nor remorse, to carry out your cosmic duty: Kill Vucub Caquix!”

10 - Hunahpu and Xbalanque plan to kill Vucub Caquix

There was still no moon, sun, nor stars. There was only darkness. The gods had not yet created the heavens nor the celestial bodies that inhabit them. So it was truly magical, as if crafted from sorcery, that a creature named Vucub Caquix or Seven Macaw was created. He proclaimed to all, “Because there is no moon, no sun, no stars above, I will shine with blinding light. Legions of men, millions, will follow me. I will shimmer and sparkle for my eyes are made of diamonds and my teeth of pearl. I am dripping with rare jade, and I will make you lust for material things far beyond your means. You will leave your family for me and become vain just like me. For I am the moon, the sun, and the stars above! I am Vucub Caquix!”

09 - Then there was Vucub Caquix!

Again, the gods convened and with their sorcery created a third generation of men, Men of Red Bean or Tzite. And like the previous generations of men, they could not speak with their Creator, nor could they think, as they had no mind. The gods were not happy so they made a heavy black resin fall from the sky and called Camazotz, the Bat of Death, to cut off their heads, and break and crumble their bones. All this because they had not revered their mother, their father, nor the Heart of Heaven, Huracan. This was their punishment.

06 - Then there were the Men of Red Bean or Tzite

“Let us come together, and try again,” said the gods. “This time let us create creatures that will venerate us, praise us, and adore us. Let them be beings that are obedient, and respectful. Let them invoke our names here on earth!” Instantly, the gods created the Men of Mud. But the gods were not happy with them because they had no strength and could not move well. Their faces fell to one side, and their sight was blurred. They could not speak and had no minds. When it rained they quickly dissolved and fell apart. They could not multiply, nor could they revere the gods. The gods quickly destroyed them and said “Let us try again. Let us create a being that can worship us and adore us. Let it be done now!”

04 - Then there were the Men of Mud

After a period of time the gods gathered. Sorcerers and wizards came from far beyond. As well as Tepeu/Gucumatz, along with Xmucane, known as Double Grandmother, and Xpiyacoc, known as Double Grandfather. They threw their magic bones, feathers, and dice onto the ground, pierced themselves, burned incense and said, “It is time now to create the small animals, for here on this sacred land there must be creatures to sing and chirp, to roar and bellow, to run and fly, and to multiply in great numbers!” Thus, they were created in one big sweep. But the gods were not happy. “You cannot speak. You cannot invoke nor adore us. Your flesh will be eaten by others. We will create other beings that will say and cherish our names. So will be your destiny!”

03 - Creation of the Small Animals

Tepeu and Gucumatz came together in the darkness, in the night, arranged by the Three Hearts of Heaven known as Huracan. The first was called Caculha Huracan, or flash of the leg or lightning. The second was called Chipi-Caculha, or small flash. The third was called Raxa-Caculha, or the green flash. The void disappeared, the water receded, and sky and light appeared. “Let the emptiness disappear! Let the earth be formed. Let there be light in the sky. Let the dawn appear!” shouted Tepeu Gucumatz. In a large cloud of mist the mountains emerged from the waters, majestic, and immense. Then came the forests, the jungles, and the ravines. This was how the earth was formed, and the Heart of Heaven, and Tepeu Gucumatz were full of joy.

02 - The Three Hearts of Heaven create the Earth

1.	In the beginning there was nothing. There were no fish. No birds. No animals. No sky. No moon. No sun, and no stars. The surface of earth had not appeared. There was only the sea, and the endless sky above. There was nothing that formed, nothing that made sounds, nor nothing that trembled, nor moved in the sky. There were only the two gods, Tepeu and Gucumatz, “Our Prince, our Lord, The Feathered Serpent,” standing in the middle of a large expanse of sea covered with Quetzal feathers and illuminated by a celestial beam of light that emanated from somewhere far above.

01 - In the Beginning there was Nothing…

Al no haber muerto a manos de los señores, ni por tortura, ni animales salvajes, los Héroes Gemelos decidieron planear su propia muerte. Llamaron a dos profetas y adivinos: Xulu, el adivino, y Pacam, el distinguido. Los muchachos les dijeron: “Tenemos el presentimiento de que los Señores de Xibalbá nos matarán quemándonos vivos. Si les preguntan si sería bueno tirar sus huesos en un barranco, Les dicen'no, que volverían a la vida' Si te preguntan si sería bueno colgarnos de los árboles, Les dicen, 'no, porque les verás la cara otra vez'. Y si te preguntan si sería bueno machacar y moler sus huesos como harina de maíz y tirarlos al río para que se los lleven a los cerros, Les dicen, 'sí'”. Los hombres de Xibalbá rápidamente encendieron una enorme fogata. Los Señores se reunieron, bebieron chicha y se burlaron de los muchachos diciéndoles “¡Salten la fogata cuatro veces!” Los muchachos respondieron: “No nos engañen. ¡Sabemos que estás aquí para vernos morir!” y saltaron al fuego. “¡Los hemos vencido por fin! ¡Se han ido para siempre!” gritaron todos en Xibalbá.

48 - Los héroes gemelos se queman vivos en una hoguera

Pensando que el conejo era la pelota, los Señores del Inframundo gritaron "¡Coge la pelota, consigue la pelota!" mientras corrían tras él en lo profundo del arboleda del roble. Conejo escapó. Con ganas de retomar el juego volvieron a la cancha. Sin embargo, era demasiado tarde. Xbalanque ya había cambiado la cabeza por la tortuga y la había vuelto a unir al cuerpo de Hanuphu. "Hey que pasó; ¿qué es esto?" gritaron los señores. De esta manera los Señores del Inframundo fueron vencidos, y los muchachos escaparon ilesos y no murieron.

47 - Se vuelve a unir la cabeza cortada de Hunahpu

Muy pronto Xbalanque llamó a todos los animales que había en los bosques, el jabalí, los conejos, los pájaros y las culebras, todas las criaturas grandes y pequeñas. Durante la noche hizo esto, y cuando amaneció les preguntó: "¿Qué alimentos comen para que yo les dé algo?" Cada uno fue a tomar su comida, algunos tomaron hierba y hojas, otros piedra. Detrás de ellos, una tortuga se adelantó para tomar su alimento. A medida que la tortuga se acercaba al cuerpo de Hunahpu, tomó la forma de su cabeza y rostro. Lentamente, los ojos y el cabello comenzaron a aparecer. La cabeza pudo hablar y Hunahpu comenzó a caminar y hablar como antes.

45 - La Cabeza de Hunahpu es reemplazada por una tortuga

Finalmente tenían que entrar en la Casa de los Murciélagos, o la Casa de Camazotz, el Dios Murciélago Vampiro, conocido como Murciélago de la Muerte. Era la casa más peligrosa, pues todos los que entraban perecían. Los chicos dormían dentro de sus cerbatanas mientras los murciélagos se reunían, decidiendo qué hacer. "¿Ya amaneció?" preguntó Xbalanque a su hermano. "No sé. Déjame ver”, respondió Hunahpu sacando la cabeza. Instantáneamente, Camazotz se abalanzó y sus dientes afilados como navajas le cortaron la cabeza. “¿Aún no ha amanecido, querido hermano?” preguntó Xbalanqué. Hunahpu no respondió. Su cuerpo yacía sin vida. "¿Dónde has ido? ¿No puedes oírme? continuó preguntando. No hubo respuesta. “¡Oh, qué será de nosotros! ¿Hemos encontrado nuestras muertes? imploró Xbalanqué. Rápidamente los murciélagos se llevaron la cabeza de Hunahpu para colgarla sobre el juego de pelota por orden especial de Hun-Came y Vucub-Came. Todo el pueblo y todos los Señores de Xibalbá se regocijaron al ver la cabeza de Hunahpu.

44 - La cabeza de Hunahpú es cortada por Camazotz, el Dios Murciélago Vampiro

Al día siguiente los muchachos jugaron pelota con los Señores de Xibalbá anotando varios empates. Prometieron jugar al día siguiente también, pero primero tenían que entrar en las siguientes casas de tortura: la Casa del Frío a la que sobrevivieron encendiendo un fuego con troncos viejos, la Casa de los Jaguares a la que sobrevivieron arrojándoles huesos y la Casa del Fuego de la que escaparon sin quemaduras. Los señores estaban muy molestos y gritaban "¡Cómo es que estos muchachos no están muertos!"

43 - Los Héroes Gemelos deben sobrevivir a House of Fire, House of Cold y House of Jaguars

Pero cuando llegó la noche, las lechuzas se durmieron, permitiendo que los zompopos cortaran las flores y las juntaran en calabazas. Al amanecer los señores dijeron a los muchachos: “¡Tráigannos las flores que han cortado!” “Muy bien”, dijeron los muchachos, y obsequiaron a los señores calabazas llenas de flores. Enfurecidos, los señores enviaron a buscar a las lechuzas y exigieron: "¿Cómo pudiste dejar que robaran nuestras flores?" "¡No notamos nada en toda la noche, nuestros señores!" Todavía furiosos, golpearon a cada lechuza en la boca y se la abrieron. Por esta razón, los lechuzas hasta este día de hoy tienen la boca dividida. De esta manera los muchachos vencieron a los Señores de Xibalbá.

42 - Los Héroes Gemelos traen flores a los Señores del inframundo

Habiendo perdido el juego de pelota, los Señores de Xibalbá se preguntaron: “¿Qué debemos hacer para vencerlos?” Se volvieron hacia los niños y les dijeron: “¡Vayan a recoger flores y tráigannoslas temprano en la mañana! ¡Si fallas, los sacrificaremos!” “Podemos traerte flores. Pero ¿de qué tipo? preguntaron los chicos. “¡Tráenos flores de chipilín!” ordenó a los señores, confiados en que fracasarían. Pero los niños sabían de hormigas pinchadoras especiales, zompopos, que trabajan de noche para cortar hojas y flores. “Salir todos zompopos; vayan a traer las flores que pidieron los señores. “Sí, muy bien”, respondieron los zompopos. Los señores habían advertido a las lechuzas guardianas que vigilaran sus jardines personales de flores, diciéndoles: “Vigilad toda la noche. ¡Cuida nuestras flores!”

41 - Los Héroes Gemelos envían hormigas a cortar Flores Sagradas para llevárselas a los Señores

Los Señores se preguntaron quiénes podrían ser estos muchachos. “¿Quién los concibió? ¿De dónde vienen? ¿Quién les dio a luz? ¡Sus rostros son extraños, y también lo es su conducta!” declararon. “¿De dónde vienen ustedes, muchachos?” ellos preguntaron. “No sabemos de dónde venimos”, dijeron los chicos extrañados, y nada más. “¡Eh, oh bueno, juguemos a la pelota!” respondieron los Señores. Los Señores insistieron en utilizar su propia pelota, pero a pesar de ello los chicos ganaron. Sin embargo, los Señores sacaron sus cuchillos de sacrificio con la esperanza de sacrificarlos.

40 - Después de que los Héroes Gemelos ganan el Juego de Pelota, los Señores del Inframundo...

Abajo los muchachos descendieron a Xibalbá, primero cruzando un río de sangre, luego llegando a la encrucijada, donde encontraron un mosquito que picó las piernas de los Señores de Xibalbá. Al ser picados, gritaron sus nombres pensando que el señor que estaba a su lado los estaba pellizcando. “¡Ooouuu!, ¿me acabas de pellizcar, Chamiaba? Y tú, Patan, ¿me acabas de pellizcar también? ellos preguntaron. De esta manera revelaron sus nombres y se dieron a conocer de inmediato a los chicos.

39 - Héroes Gemelos envían mosquitos a morder las piernas de los Señores del Inframundo

Cuchumaquic, padre de Xquic, al enterarse de su embarazo ilegítimo proclamó que deshonraba a la familia. “Es cierto que mi hija está encinta”, dijo a Hun-Came y Vucub-Came, principales señores de Xibalbá. Oblígala a decir la verdad. ¡Si se niega, llévatela lejos y sácale el corazón! ellos dijeron. —Muy bien, señores, la voy a interrogar —respondió Cuchumaquic. Al día siguiente se le acercó y le preguntó: “Hija, ¿de quién es el niño que llevas?”. “Padre, no tengo hijo, ya que aún no he conocido a un joven”, respondió ella. “Así que es verdad; realmente eres una puta. ¡Vayan, divinas lechuzas, sáquenle el corazón y tráiganmelo inmediatamente en una calabaza! gritó Cuchumaquic. Fuera las lechuzas se fueron llevando Xquic. “¿De verdad me matarán? Lo que tengo en mi seno no es nada vergonzoso. Es un milagro engendrado por la cabeza de Hun-Hunahpu”, dijo Xquic. “¡No deseamos que mueras! Pero, ¿qué traemos en lugar de tu corazón? respondieron las lechuzas. “Ni mi corazón, ni mi sangre pertenecen a los señores. Tampoco deberían ser forzados a matarme. Derrotaré a Hun-Came y Vucub-Came. Mi corazón no se quemará delante de ellos. Vengan, yo conozco un árbol mágico del cual podemos tomar su jugo”, dijo Xquic.

27 - Las lechuzas de Xibalbá llevan a Xquic al Sacrificio

Del árbol colgaron la cabeza de Hun Hunahpu. El árbol era conocido en todo Xibalbá por dar frutos mágicos que se asemejaban a cabezas humanas. Brillaba y brillaba, y emitía una luz hipnótica y sobrenatural. Xquic, o Pinchazo de Sangre, hija de Cuchumaquic, o Charco Grande de Sangre, señor prominente de Xibalbá, oyó hablar de este árbol mágico, y de la cabeza que habla. Xquic suplicó: “¡Padre, debo ir a ver esta cabeza que habla! ¡Por favor déjame ir!" Él gritó de vuelta, “No te vayas. No te dejes seducir. ¡Nada bueno saldrá de esto!” Sin embargo, tarde en la noche se fue cuando todos dormían, viajando lejos por Xibalbá, llegando exhausta a sus pies del árbol. “Cómo brilla y resplandece el árbol. Estoy en trance, hipnotizado. El fruto que cuelga de sus ramas nunca lo había visto antes. Realmente parecen cabezas humanas”, dijo. De repente, notó uno que comenzó a cambiar, tomando la apariencia de una cara con ojos, nariz y boca. Habló, lento, vacilante al principio, y comenzó a formar palabras. “Jovencita, ahora eres una mujer. Eres valiente y intrépida. Tengo un regalo para ti. Saca la mano”. Cuando ella extendió la mano, él dejó caer en su palma un largo y viscoso hilo de saliva plateada. Sorprendentemente, ella no se sorprendió. ¡Se tocó el pecho con la saliva mágica e inmediatamente quedó embarazada! “Aprecia este regalo, porque dentro de tu pecho ahora llevas a las futuras generaciones de la humanidad. Ve ahora. Tienes un trabajo valioso que hacer”, dijo el jefe de Hun-Hunahpu.

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