Awqa Kilay: The Gaucha Warrior

**Awqa Kilay: The Gaucha Warrior** is Episode 1 of the ***Awqa Kilay*** Chronicle.

This story takes place in September 1816, north of the city of Salta, Argentina.

## Part 1

Julieta Solano, later known as Awqa Kilay, was a brave and determined young woman who joined the army of "The Infernals," led by the charismatic General Martín Miguel de Güemes, during the Spanish American Wars of Independence in the vast and mountainous northwest of Argentina.

Her determination stemmed from a deep personal motivation: the tragic death of her beloved father, which occurred years ago at the hands of soldiers loyal to the King of Spain. Her father had been unjustly accused of treason, leaving an indelible mark on Julieta's heart. Soaked in pain and thirst for justice, she decided to take up arms and fight for the freedom of her homeland.

Venturing into the battlefield as a woman was a rarity in those turbulent times. However, with tenacity and after countless pleas, Julieta managed to join the army as a blacksmith, utilizing the knowledge her skilled blacksmith father had lovingly and diligently passed down to her. Although the idea of joining the military ranks as a combatant soldier had initially been rejected, her blacksmithing skills and unwavering determination allowed her to earn a place among the fighters.

With her dream of avenging her father always in mind, Julieta longed to thoroughly understand the battle plans in order to join the fight unexpectedly once the action began, ensuring that no one could send her back home at that crucial moment. It was then that she heard about the plan to ambush a small but strategic royalist troop in the vicinity.

Days before the crucial battle, Julieta witnessed an incident in which a native girl from the enigmatic Asoayi village attempted to escape with a stolen horse from a patriot soldier. Without hesitation, Julieta came to the girl's aid when the horse stumbled and threw her to the ground. The young native introduced herself as "Rosita," although her true name was "Jaríu Mehir." After listening to Rosita's explanation, Julieta decided to lend her horse and from that moment on, they became inseparable friends.

## Part 2

Amidst the tumult of battle, Julieta, armed with the sword she had forged herself, fought with commendable frenzy. Although the rest of the patriot troops quickly sensed her presence, they couldn't recognize her because she was hooded and her carefully crafted armor concealed her feminine features. A few hundred meters away, Rosita, who was attentively observing, identified her despite the adversities. Julieta's audacity had confounded the royalists, who chose to retreat in the face of the unexpected and successful ambush.

However, the fervor for revenge was not quelled in Julieta's heart. In a fit of uncontrolled rage, she pursued an enemy soldier who was retreating on foot, determined to face him in a personal duel. The two became isolated from the rest of their respective factions, and for minutes that seemed like an eternity, they engaged in an epic confrontation.

The soldier, a sturdy and experienced man, did not expect to encounter such an opponent. Being confronted by a young woman momentarily surprised him, granting Julieta a valuable advantage. Seizing that moment of confusion, she displayed astonishing skill and unmatched agility in every movement of her sword. Despite the imbalanced physical strength between them, Julieta demonstrated formidable ability and determination.

The duel was fought with ferocity and elegance, each clash of swords resonating in the air as their hearts beat to the rhythm of the fight. Julieta's passion and thirst for justice manifested in every thrust and parry, while her rival fought to keep up. In a fleeting but crucial moment, her sword found a weakness in the enemy soldier's defense, gravely injuring him.

With her gaze fixed on the recently deceased, Julieta spoke with a firm and determined voice, "This is for my father." However, in an unexpected twist of fate, a sharp pain tore through her abdomen. Lowering her gaze, she discovered a deep wound oozing blood, the result of a final desperate attack by the soldier before meeting his death. Intense pain overwhelmed her, causing her to scream for help until, exhausted, she lost consciousness.

When she woke up, she found herself in an unfamiliar place, away from the battlefield, with Rosita by her side. The young native woman was taking care of her, using strange stones and healing techniques. Rosita explained that they were in the "Secret Valley," a place forbidden to outsiders, but it was the only option to save Julieta's life, who would have otherwise succumbed to her injuries.

Julieta felt overwhelmed by the surprise of being in such a mysterious place, as she believed she knew the region well. Despite her confusion, she felt deep gratitude towards Rosita for saving her and vowed to be indebted to her. However, before they could fully grasp the situation, they were abruptly interrupted by an energetic voice exclaiming, "You let a stranger in!!!"

## Part 3

Awakened by Rosita, Julieta opened her eyes to find herself in a restored state of health. The young native explained to her that they were in the Secret Valley and that it was there where she was able to avoid certain death. Julieta, still surprised by the situation, thanked Rosita for her care and was intrigued by the mysterious healing power of the used stones.

However, their conversation was quickly interrupted by a piercing scream that echoed in the air. Deyigu, another member of the tribe, had discovered Julieta and Rosita's presence and raised the alarm, accusing Rosita of not protecting and betraying her people by allowing a stranger to enter the Secret Valley. Soon, the rest of the tribe, composed of a small group of people, approached the place.

Amagu, the tribe's leader, took control of the situation and demanded explanations from Rosita. She requested that the matter be resolved in the presence of Ayúi's breath, a sacred bonfire that had the power to provide answers and make decisions in important situations for the tribe. To ignite the bonfire, they used a stone of extraterrestrial origin, a meteorite that the natives associated with Ayúi, the God of their religion.

With solemnity, the tribe summoned Julieta, now known as Awqa Kilay, which means "Warrior with Metal," to step forward before the bonfire. Rosita, filled with guilt and anticipating a gloomy fate for both of them, pleaded with the bonfire for forgiveness, explaining that she had only had good intentions when saving Julieta's life.

But what happened next went beyond any expectation. The bonfire unexpectedly separated from the ground and transformed into a ball of fire, emitting a deafening roar. In an instant, the fireball violently descended onto Julieta's body, entering her intensely and powerfully.

The event left everyone present astonished and silent. The tribe watched with reverence and fear, not fully understanding the magnitude of what they had just witnessed. As the fire consumed within Julieta, she felt a new and unfamiliar energy flowing through her being. It was as if she had been touched by a divine force, transforming her into something more than a mere warrior.

## Part 4

After the fire of Ayúi entered Awqa Kilay's (Julieta) body, the young warrior fainted. In her unconsciousness, she found herself in a vivid dream where she was reunited with her deceased mother, who had passed away when Julieta was only 9 years old. With a soft and comforting voice, her mother spoke to her about a transcendental destiny that awaited her.

Her mother revealed that Awqa Kilay was destined to receive the "Most Powerful Gift of the Universe," bestowed by Ayúi himself. This gift would allow her to free her people and make a significant change in their struggle against the invaders. Julieta would be blessed with the ability to heal others and create plasma orbs for protection. However, her mother warned her that she must use these powers wisely and never inflict harm on other beings.

Upon awakening, Julieta found herself surrounded by the astonished eyes of the tribe members. The four "Protectors of the Secret Valley," Rosita, Dexigu, the leader Amagu, and Naigue, accompanied her and led her towards "La Sabia," the most respected and wise elder of the tribe.

The Wise One, with her wrinkled face and eyes filled with wisdom, explained to Julieta that Ayúi had chosen Awqa Kilay as his instrument to expel the invaders and restore harmony in the valley. She informed her that everything she needed to know was written on ancient murals located in the valley, which revealed the secrets of her mission and the destiny of her people.

Julieta listened attentively as The Wise One revealed fragments of the valley's history and its people. She spoke about the ancient guardians who had protected the valley for generations and how Julieta's arrival was prophesied in those murals. The Wise One reminded her of the importance of respecting the balance of nature and the need to understand ancestral teachings to fulfill her role as Awqa Kilay.

With every word, Julieta felt a mixture of overwhelming excitement and responsibility. Her life had taken an unexpected turn, and now she found herself in the midst of a transcendent destiny. As she explored the walls of the valley in search of answers and delved deeper into her training with the Protectors, Julieta prepared herself to embrace the legacy entrusted to her.

The Secret Valley and its ancient teachings would become her guide, and Awqa Kilay would rise as the hope of her people, carrying the most powerful Gift of the Universe.

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