# The Story of Ezkali

The first part of the story sets up Ezkali's quest. Ezkali is the son of an elderly chief in the frozen lands of the distant south. Carolias is a wanderer who came to live with the tribe, later becoming Ezkali's boon companion. On the night of the first moon of the new year, the benevolent god Zatulu appeared to them both in a dream in the guise of a wise old man, telling them that they were to destroy the temples of the evil god Chuhukag. The next morning, they discover that they have had the same dream, so they set out with the strongest spears they can find. For a , they go raiding, riding a pair of white bulls sent for them by Zatulu himself. After destroying an evil temple, Carolias loots the bodies of slain priests. Chuhukag sees this destruction and furiously transforms the gold armband of one of his priests into a poisonous . Carolias inadvertently steps on it and is stung. Ezkali kills the venomous creature, but not in time to save his friend. A dying priest tells Ezkali that Chuhukag has taken Carolias' soul with him to the pits of Hell. Ezkali swears to avenge his friend's death and – if possible – to save him from Chuhukag. In the second part of the legend, after taking Carolius' weapons and wandering for four days, Ezkali encounters the great sage Mbale. Mbale tells him that he may recover his friend only by going to Hell and . To reach Hell, Mbale says, he must take his father's boat across the western ocean to an island. Ezkali spends seven weeks in his boat fighting storms and sent against him. At dawn of the first day of the third month, he reaches the shore of the island foretold by Mbale. In the third part of the story, Ezkali finds the black gates of the underworld and ventures into it. He converses with several lost souls who try to get him to turn back: a thief, a , and an unfaithful . They also tell him that the spirit of Carolius is not among them. Chuhukag has taken it to a lower hell, to which they eventually direct him. Finally, he comes to the bridge from the upper circle of Hell to the lower. A gong stands next to it, which he rings times. Then, taking out his spear, he strikes the gong and breaks it in half. Having struck the alarm to formally challenge Chuhukag, he begins to cross the bridge. The fourth part of the story covers the grand battle. No sooner does Ezkali cross the bridge than he is confronted by a fierce horde of demons. He faces ones. Ezkali and the demons, including Chuhukag himself, fight a long battle, shaking the pillars of Hell and causing earthquakes above. Ezkali strikes the evil god in the eyes with his . Blinded and screaming, Chuhukag falls back, and Ezkali rushes past him. Ezkali finds Carolius and breaks his bonds. Together, they return to the surface, bearing many treasures.