My Blog List

Friday, July 8, 2022

Monsters in New Spain

 Removing his helmet, he could not believe what he was seeing. Towering above the dense jungles of this new world Columbus discovered back in 1492, stood stone pyramids. Visiting Egypt Conquistador Captain Fernan de Sevilla got to see the ancient pyramids that stood for thousands of years. Yet these Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan appeared similar in structure except they appeared layered. Stairs went as far as the tops of them. Being led by a native guide, some Tarascan, an enemy of the now gone Aztecs made him sick to his stomach. Were these savages worth their god given time? Year 1534 A.D. of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the once mighty Aztec Empire was now part of New Spain. With only a team of thirty-six other Conquistadores Fernan was uncertain of their chances of fighting off natives here. Sure, Cortez managed to take down an Empire, but he had native allies. All Fernan had was thirty-six men led by a clumsy oaf for a guide. Yes, they had armor, swords, halberds, Harquebus's, and horses. To their misfortune this expedition did not have an army of native allies. 

If this expedition fails, more will be sent with a larger force. Something Fernan and his acquaintances could not afford this year. He sighed regretting the decision to push on with this expedition so soon. Yet he was seeing pyramids as tall as mountains. All his focus rested on these structures. Just thinking of all the treasures that lay within took his mind off the woes. He turned around to take a good look at the banner he had placed so they could find their way back to the boats. A decision was made in his mind. Choose one of the nearest pyramids or settlements. Kill everyone that was not Spanish including their guide. Return home wealthy as the King himself. Something rustled in the jungle before them. It drew all their attention from the pyramid sized structures. His men formed up in defensive positions. Ready to face more savages, beasts, or whatever lurked in these lands Fernan put his helmet back on. Now drawing his sword his eyes witnessed something emerging from the jungle. 

A human sized bat with limbs similar to man, but the head, wings, feet of a bat, burst out of the jungle. Letting out a screech like roar the bat monster lunged at one of the Conquistadors. Eight Harquebusiers opened fire on the creature. Their shots took the creature down. Such a horrifying creature gave his men a bit of a startle. It caused their guide to run away from their group. Fernan sent one of his most trusted men, Hidalgo Menendez to cut them down. His Tarascan guide served their purpose up to this moment. He was going to have him killed anyways, the godless heathen. Feeling unfazed like his men were the captain approached the dead creature.  Using his sword, he pierced the corpse several times making sure it was dead. Once he cleaned his blade another came out of the jungle from a different angle. Akin to lizards he saw this monster had an upright posture, arms with claws, thick tail, feathers on its back, and an elongated snout. Like a hound with no nose, but scales in place of fur this creature showed rows of sharp teeth. Fernan cut away at this creature. It snapped at his blade then pounced on him. Knocked to the ground, Fernan dropped his sword. Its jaws attempted to bite his neck and shoulder. His cuirass, and pauldrons spared him. All of his men stabbed this creature as one. Eager to save their Captain the others tore the corpse off Fernan. He allowed them to help him up only to urge them to press forward into the jungle. Monsters of New Spain were not going to stop him from attaining riches of this new world. 

No comments:

Post a Comment