THE PARALLEL

The ripples filled the great tidal pools around the temple.  Amongst the people of the land, a sudden fear gripped their hearts as the earthquake became even more powerful and shattering.  Were the gods abandoning them this day?  Had they come to destroy Chitchen Itza?

Was it the fury of Anul that they felt now? 

Taking Anul by the arm, the other two gods, pulled at his great robes.

"Hurry," the third god spoke to the others as the earthquake intensified.  Roars of unseen thunder filled their ears.

"They're coming through."

Mazza Han rose to his feet.  He listened as they spoke in an unfamiliar tongue.  Their voices seemed a bit discouraged.  Something was wrong.

"Time?"

Looking at his wrist, Anul, the chief deity gazed at the strange mechanism on his arm.  Mazza Han drew near, trying to see for himself the power of their divine creation.

"By my watch its twelve noon."

Watch?  Mazza looked at Anul's strange device.

"We must go now.  The charges are set.  We must go.  Or else we will be unable to seal the gateway.  We can't let them come through."

Who was coming?  Were there other gods perhaps?

"Hurry.  Twelve seconds."

Gazing down upon Mazza Han, Anul and the other two gods gave him a final farewell.

Peering back at the disillusioned people of Chitchen Itza, Anul wondered how they would survive.  He could only imagine the disorder that now overcame them in the frenzy and panic that filled the streets.  The gods had been coming for more than a century, helping the population of Mexico survive.  They had made the journey each year, bearing gifts not of wealth, but of knowledge.  Gifts that they shared not only with the people of Chitchen Itza, but thousands of others across the world.  These people relied upon the gods.

Now these people would be on their own.

The time had come to bid farewell.

"Good-bye Mazza," Anul spoke in the native dialect.

Disappearing into the smoky haze of the pyramid, Anul and the others gazed back one last time at Mazza and the people of Chitchen Itza.  As the ground shook and the skies exploded with thunder, the people were filled with hysteria. 

Watching the three gods take their leave, the massive earthquake struck with fierce power.  The temples and building of the main city swayed under the strength of the earth's force.  Lightning struck at the waters as people ran for shelter.  Chitchen Itza was overwhelmed in chaos.

Mazza Han cowered at the entry of the temple.  He watched as his great gods made their retreat.  Something struck fear in them as well.  What could it be that made the gods afraid? Certainly, they too must be supremely powerful.

Perhaps this is why the gods had come this one last time.  It was a farewell.

"Do not leave us..." Mazza pleaded with them.

As the entry of the pyramid lifted one last time, Mazza Han watched the gods enter the ritual chamber of the inner temple below.  For a moment, Mazza thought he saw through Anul's mask.  As the reflection became clear, he thought for a moment he saw the face of a bearded man.  He saw hair of white and eyes of blue.  It was a strange man, unknown to him. 

But it was a man none-the-less.

It could not be.  He had seen the power of the gods before.  He had witnessed their divine strength.  They had brought great gifts to the people of his world.  This could not be.

Not a man.

Then in a flash of light, he saw the others in the great golden gateway of the gods.  Rushing down the steps of the inner chamber, Anul and the others made their hasty escape.  In the fog that shrouded men's minds,