Welcome to the realm of hell for the Ancient Aztecs. It is called Mictlan. Congratulations on arriving since it takes four years to get here.
Mictlan is ruled by the “Lord and Lady of the Land of the Dead.” Mictlantecuhtli and his wife Mictecacíhuatl dwell in the ninth level of Mictln which is called “Chicunamictlan.” It is a dark and dusty realm filled with spiders, bats, and owls. Here, all souls who were not saved and sent to Tlalocan, the Aztec paradise reserved for those who parish from only certain violent and honorable deaths, come to finally rest.
The realm is empty of anything because the path to reach it is treacherous for all who make it. All souls travel through eight realms with the help of their Itzcuintli which is a canine companion raised and buried with them to aid them in their journey. The realms include traveling through a mountain pass while the two rock faces crush the individual and swimming through a strong and impossibly wide river. Souls also cross a field with wind that slices their skin and wade through nine rivers in complete darkness. The ultimate promise of peace is the only thing driving souls through their journey.
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