【Beginning】
Kukulkan, a traveling merchant, journeyed to various towns, selling his home-village’s specialties as he went. From freezing mountains to scorching deserts, no matter where he traveled, Kukulkan enjoyed every trip. One day, he began to feel his body discernibly deteriorating; simply taking a few steps to quickly would prompt heavy panting. Later, he even started coughing, and regardless of what he did, it did not stop.
However, he did not seek immediate medical assistance and instead, simply continued with his journey. But his condition deteriorated until eventually, he started coughing up blood. Seeing little other options, he had to return home and rest. His family was shocked by his sudden return home, but upon learning what happened, they tenderly cared for him and requested a favor from the village’s doctor.
【Before Battles】
- Doctor: I have never seen such a strange disease; there is no record of this in any of my books. I can only try every herb possible.
- Kukulkan: Doctor, please help me!
【After Battles】
- Kukulkan: These are the herbs the doctor told me to gather...hope they work this time.
【End】
Kukulkan lay unsettled on his bed. Despite the myriad medical trials, nothing alleviated his illness, let alone cured him. The doctor had visited for another inspection today; his family waited for the result in silence. After a while, the doctor sighed and shook his head, his expression somber.
Kukulkan’s family could not accept the devastating news. Some of them pulled at the doctor’s clothes, while others kneeled, hoping the doctor would inspect Kukulkan again and give a different prognosis. Yet, Kukulkan himself was relatively calm. Seeing his family like this, he could not help but say:
- Kukulkan: Maybe this is my fate. I’m meant to die like this.
Kukulkan patted the doctor’s shoulder to express his gratitude, before asking his family to walk the doctor out. Afterwards, his family sought many renowned doctors, but none could treat Kukulkan successfully.
Unable to bear seeing his family suffer because of him and waste a fortune, he sneaked out of the house when he still could. He went to a faraway village in the forest, and awaited death...