He muttered something and an acolyte appeared—a boy of about thirteen. Oscuro drew a ceremonial sword of obsidian black—a macauitl. The acolyte stood stunned, hypnotized by magic. Oscuro swung the sword, making a clean cut through the boy's neck. The boy's head fell to the ground, and blood gushed from the severed neck, spraying the ground with its ichor as the body bent and doubled over.