A month had passed since everyone witnessed Mitena and Victoriano visiting Valentina, and the situation was still tense. Guillermo and Metztli still hadn't visited her; they were afraid. Metztli believed that Valentina needed her space and would ask for her mother when she was ready. However, Metztli would often wonder if Valentina would ever call for her Mitena; Victoriano was still out of the question. 

Mitena and Victoriano stayed in the same kiche since they needed time for themselves; Guillermo and Esteban shared. Toypurina invited Metztli to stay in her home. She felt awkward, but Metztli had questions, and she knew Toypurina had more to say. The first night was uncomfortable since Toypurina was silent and kept to herself. 

Toypurina remained a respectful host, giving Metztli tea, food, and her own space to sleep.

The first night was difficult to sleep since Valentina was all she could think about, and the future. The second day, Metztli immediately went to visit Mitena and Victoriano, where she couldn't forget the saddening sight of Mitena still lying down with her tear-stricken face. Victoriano couldn't sleep because he was worried that Mitena would try to go to Valentina again and keep watch to see if his daughter would walk out of the kiche.

Metztli remembered Victoriano informing her that when they saw Valentina, she wouldn't face them. She had a shawl that covered her entire being; her hair was in total disarray. Valentina was in the very corner of the kiche; there were many plates everywhere. Victoriano remembered feeling despair when seeing his daughter in a terrible state. Mitena went to her daughter and hugged her. Valentina pushed her mother away; she neither looked at nor spoke to her. Victoriano described that his daughter moved farther away, holding herself. 

It was unimaginable what Mitena and Victoriano felt when seeing their daughter in her state. Mitena tried to visit her again, but either Toypurina or Victoriano stopped her; it was up to Valentina whether she wanted to speak with anyone. 

Metztli wanted to try, but she was afraid.

Afraid that Valentina's broken state would break her. 

Whenever Metztli visited the couple, Victoriano would always ask about Guillermo. Metztil had visited him whenever she could, but he would either stay in his kiche or go out with the other men. Guillermo would speak to her, but always said that he had things to do. He needed time for himself also.

Esteban made sure not to become too well-known in the village. He would usually keep guard outside the village to ensure no other Soldados de Cuera were present. Everyone was still tense since the villagers knew what had happened to Valentina. Esteban's appearance would cause more tension. Whenever visiting him, Metztli would eat and speak with him. She tried not to talk about Esteban's mission, but it would be a matter of time before he had to leave. Metztli wanted to tell him about the future.

No matter what happened, her people would still lose their land. Knowing Esteban, he wouldn't have wanted to give up. Still, it wouldn't hurt to see if the future could change if they could do something regarding the situation. 

Momentarily, Metztli was by the river, washing and combing her hair with herbs with other women and children. It was slowly turning dark, and Metztli decided that it was time to return home. Gathering her belongings, she returned to the village and to her kiche. Toypurina wasn't inside, but a small bonfire was lit in the center. Metztli put her stuff away and sat before the bonfire, letting the fire's warmth dry her hair.

She then gathered her comb and slowly brushed her hair until Toypuring entered. "Piyalli (Hello), Toypurina."

"Piyalli, Metztli." Sitting before the bonfire, Toypurina's attention was on Metztli. "We need to speak."

Metztli stopped combing her hair; she noticed Toypurina's soft expression. Something was wrong. Toypurina usually wore a stern face, but whenever her expression changed, something happened. Putting the comb down, Metztli asked, "What happened to Valentina?" Toypurina was the only one who could visit Valentina and give her food. Toypurina was also a ticitl (medicine woman) who helped heal, served as a midwife, and even performed ceremonies. Metztli felt some relief that Valentina let someone close to her. "Is she eating?"

"She eats once in a while. I have also been doing healing rituals on her body, but her spirit is difficult to heal. What I am about to tell you, I haven't spoken to Mitena and Victoriano."

"What?" It was difficult to believe that Toypurina would not speak to Mitena and Victoriano first. Metztli slowly became nervous. "What's going on?"

Toypurina looked at the fire as if in a trance, then got out and looked at Metztli. "I felt another spirit within Valentina that is slowly forming."

"Another spirit?"

"Valentina is with child."

Metztli's eyes and mouth widened with aghast. The news made her slump. She stuttured but it was difficult for her to speak. "Uh-Uh...pregnant?"

"Yes, I haven't told Valentina since the pregnancy is slowly forming."

"A-Are you sure? I mean, it hadn't been too long since-"

"I know, but as ticitl we have gifts regarding these things. The pregnancy will eventually be noticed. Valentina may not want the pregnancy but it is vital that she does."

"Why? Valentina was raped! She has every right to decide for herself! She-!"

"She is of your mothers."

Metztli stilled, struggling to speak. Shaking her head, she asked, "What do you mean by that? I don't understand."

Toypurina's eyes never wavered, and the soft expression never left. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Remember when I first saw you? I said that you were different from us?" Metztli nodded. "I didn't mean that by appearance but where you came from. You come from a different time, do you not?"

"How did you-!?"

"Tonantzin (Our revered Mother), told me."

"Tonantzin?"

"Mother Earth, mother of all. I have seen you in many of my dreams where you have worn different clothes. You were surrounded by large homes that I have never seen before. You hold things that shed light. I have seen you smile with what looked like your family, who hold our people's cultures in your hands. I have also seen you stand with Valentina, Mitena, and Victoriano." Toypurina put her hands together. "You had your suspicions have you not?"

"Suspicions?"

"That Victoriano and Mitena are your ancestors."

Metztli felt that she was going to hyperventilate, but tried to calm herself. "I-I suspected when Mitena wore the rosary that had belonged to my family. I was told that it had been in my family for generations and whenever I was with them, I felt as if they were family." That was when realization hit her. She slowly trembled. "A-Are you saying that...?"

"Yes, Valentina, is also your ancestor."

The news hit Metztli like a ton of bricks; she held herself, as her mind slowly turned black. Taking deep breaths to soothe her shock and breathing. Metztli's suspicions that Mitena and Victoriano were her ancestors were confirmed, but she didn't think Valentina was either. Guillermo was considered a possibility. With everything that happened, everything made sense. "Then...Pascual is also..."

"Yes."

Metztli scrunched her hair into fistfuls. She didn't want to believe the reality that Pascual, the man who raped Valentina, and other possible women, was her ancestor. "No..."

Toypurina watched as Metztli was trying to process everything. She knew that Metztli had many questions, but there was one in particular that plagued her mind. "Metztli, you wanted to know why you were brought here, correct?" 

Waiting patiently, Toypurina looked as Metztli regained her breathing. "You knew why?"

"Tonantzin spoke to me in a dream before your arrival. It was she who sent the spirits to your mind to show you all of this."

"Wait, you are saying that Mother Earth sent the spirits of our people in my mind? I don't understand what you're trying to say."

"What Tonantzin has spoken to me was that your physical body is still in your time. You are in a deep sleep while your mind is living in this time."

"What!? So this is a realistic dream where I can actually experience eveything!? Why me!? Why am I experiencing everything!?"

Toypurina sighed. "I do not know why Tonantzin did so. She believes that you can represent our people if you knew the truth. Something that perhaps is ignored in your time. Is it not?"

Metztli bit her lower lip, remembering many of her school lessons about her people's history and how the Mission's leaders didn't impart the cruelties the Padres of the Missions had inflicted. She had witnessed their history; their truth. "But what am I to do? People won't believe me. Toypurina, our people will still lose their land. I come from the future and no matter what any of you do, we will lose. You wanted Esteban to spy but it would be pointless."

"It was what my brother wanted; I somewhat wanted though, I still had my concerns regarding the plan. Nicolas Jose hasn't been giving me any peace since he wants war. Since I had the dreams, now I am not so certain anymore. For now, we have pressing matters. You must speak with Valentina and tell her the truth. It is the only way for her to feel better. If she does not have the child then you will cease to exist."

"But I was born in my time. Valentina must have given birth for me and my family to have been born."

"Yes, but something must have happened for her to do so. Valentina would not want to bear her rapist's child. Speak with her, your lineage depends on it."

Metztli looked at the fire and became thoughtful. She was chosen to see the truth; to express it. Chosen to save her family's future. To save Valentina herself. Standing up, Metztli walked around the bonfire and walked out of the kiche. She knew what needed to be done but she couldn't do it alone. There was one other person who could help.