But long had the priest walked in faithful service, and the god’s heart was stirred. He loosed them from his halls and parted the way that leads back to the light.

The father rose in joy, the daughter following in his shadow.
Then, all at once, the sound of splintering bone rang out behind him.

He turned—and saw his daughter’s form break and swell, flesh twisting into the shape of a great crocodile.
Horror bound him fast, and the vast jaws closed over him as one.

Thus a new guardian was set at the Last Gate,
and the laughter of Itzeltek lingered long among the marshes.