The Hero Twins Xbalanque and Hunahpu outwit the Lords of the Underworld all the way until one slip up. Hunahpu’s head is severed by Camazotz, the Death Bat and it rolls straight to the ball court…
Xbalanque summoned his animal friends and sought their help. A coati (a raccoon-like-creature in those parts) brought a squash which they fitted as Hunahpu’s temporary head. A little rabbit was meanwhile, assigned to hide in the ball court.
When the game began, the Lords of Death used Hunahpu’s head as the ball. “This ball proves that we’re the victors already,” they laughed derisively. One of them hit the head towards Xbalanque who deflected it towards the rabbit’s hole. At that moment the rabbit dashed out and the Lords assumed that the flash of fur was the ball and ran all the way behind chasing it!
Hunahpu’s head was fixed (with a little help from the gods above, one must add) and the squash was used as the ball instead. Xbalanque kicked with all his might and the squash split wide scattering the seeds all around. “We’ve won!” shouted the twins in unison.
But the Lords of Death were not finished yet. They challenged the twins to another game. Xbalanque and Hunahpu knew what fate had in store for them and how they would have to fulfil their destiny. Whatever the new game was, it would be a nasty trick for sure.
“Check this oven here? Now you two have to jump right over it,” instructed one of the Lords. The Twins looked at each other. Time to die! Holding hands they jumped right into the fire. The Lords of Death were happy that the boys finally were well and truly finished. But sadly for them, that was not how the story would end. Now it was their turn to make a mistake. Instead of throwing the charred bodies over a cliff or even hanging them across a tree like they did with their father before them, the Lords ground their bones on a grinding stone and sprinkled them on the river.
This was just what the twins were destined for. They became cat fish and later on turned into their old selves again. But now, they hardly looked like themselves. They had become gypsy magicians who could perform amazing tricks.
As travelling magicians, they mesmerised every one. They burned down a huge mansion, which they soon restored to its former glory shortly after. They cut each other up with blades
and soon were back whole, not a scar to show for it.
Soon, the news of these performers reached the ears of the Dark Lords of Xibalba. They sent word to have them come down for a show.
When the twins arrived, the Dark Lords did not recognise them. “Show us what you can do!” commanded the Lords.
Xbalanque beckoned a dog standing nearby, a pet of one of the Lords. “With your permission, let’s cut up this dog,” he said and chopped it into little pieces.
Shortly after, with a whoosh and a flourish, the dog came back good as new. Next, they sacrificed a
human who they also brought back to life.
“Let’s see if you can kill your own selves,” said the Lords. “Sure, if you so wish,” Hunahpu smiled at his brother. Xbalanque walked up to his twin with a shiny blade and cut him up, taking his heart out very carefully. He then began to dance around the room. “Come on, brother! It’s a jolly tune. Why don’t you join me?” asked he. And lo and behold, Hunahpu got up all in one piece, alive and kicking. The Dark Lords applauded. Blood and gore, how they loved the scene!
“Now us, do us!” they cried out in excitement. “Of course, our pleasure,” said Hunahpu and the twins chose two of the most powerful Lords and cut them up. Only, they were not restored to life thereafter. The Lords of Xibalba knew they were defeated.
The twins found their father’s head on the tree where it hung and restored him to life. He stayed on at the ball court of Xibalba in a place of honour. As for the Hero twins, they ascended to the sky and became the sun and the moon.