Huitzilopochtlism

The Sun Cult, also known as Huitzilopochtlism, is a group of warriors/sun worshippers known for immense faith, benevolence, and honor. A rare part of Gehenna, since the religion requires strict behavior and dedication of an entire lifetime. A myth started after the disappearence of four-hundred men, and the immediate end of The Mirror War.

Despite being scattered through the continent, the followers act as a family, and they all inherit the divine, blessed name of Huitzilopochtli. Erected towers denounce the common place for praying, after all, they always aim to reach the Sun.

War became an important source of both human and material tribute. Human tribute was used for sacrificial purposes because human blood was believed to be extremely important, and thus powerful. According to the mythology, Huitzilopochtli needed blood as sustenance in order to continue to keep the other gods at bay as he chased them through the sky, or destiny would break, changing the outcome of wars, and letting chaos flood Gehenna.

## History

Coatlicue, the goddess of earth, while executing sacred works at the serpent mountain, was graced with a finch feather ball falling upon her. The mysterious plume got her pregnant. Coatlicue's firstborn daughter, Coyolxauhqui, and the other four hundred sons, revolted for such shameful pregnancy, gathering an army to combat the mother. However, Huitzilopochtli took notice of the plan while inside the womb, born already as an adult, completely armed from head to toes, brandishing a blue armor.

The blue color represented the entirety of the warrior, hummingbird feathers covering some of his members, wielding a serpent scepter and a mirror. Against the Great One's presence, the army was said to feel their blood burning, ready to be absorbed by the fighter.

Before attacking, Huitzilopochtli aimed the mirror towards the soldiers, like a shield. The obnoxious weapon reflected their past, revealing the truth of His birth, and how wrong they were for fighting at the moment. Subsequently, the feathered subject defeated them all but Coyolxauhqui.

Unable to withstand the disgraceful intent, the military chose voluntarily to be sacrificed, honoring the muscular man. All of the blood empowered the sun deity, now fighting his sister-- but nothing was changed. She lost, an action planned by fate itself.

Nevertheless, Coyolxauhqui never surrendered. Huitzilopochtli judged her as a true warrior, awarding the woman with the most honorable prize you can receive in war, besides victory.

Death.

A single strike removed her head, the pure man born from no sexual contact caressed the loved sister's skull, despite everything she did against him. So, trying to maintain the bond between the warriors, the sun threw her head to the sky, creating the moon. The bodies became the stars, and they all orbited Huitzilopochtli forever, blessed by his grateful luminescence.

But the sister developed two sides-- one unreached by the sun, the Dark Side of the Moon. Envious feelings permeated the obscure place, why can the stars shine but she's forever stuck, reflecting the Great One's radiance?

And so, Coyolxauhqui comitted the first sin. The Moon replicated the sun's true fire, giving it to humans, unworthy of such power. Huitzilopochtli, saddened by his sister's attitude, didn't waver. He kept illuminating her, following his own beliefs until the very end.

## Culture

Huitzilopochtli is seen as the sun in mythology, while the many other gods are perceived as the stars and the moon. In the cult worldview, this is the reason why the Sun is constantly chasing the Moon and stars.

Since he is the god of war, he was credited with both the victories and defeats that the Gehenna people had on the battlefield. The people have to make sacrifices to him to protect the world from infinite night.

Death is no sin. Once a Sun Follower unsheats his blade, it means he's ready to kill, if there's no option left. After all, the enemies will join the Sun forever, the best outcome.

War was an important source of both human and material tribute. Human tribute was used for sacrificial purposes because human blood was believed to be extremely important, and thus powerful. According to the mythology, Huitzilopochtli needed blood as sustenance in order to continue to keep the other gods at bay as he chased them through the sky.

The warriors that died in battle and women who died in childbirth would go to serve Huitzilopochtli in his palace. Huitzilopochtli was so bright that the warrior souls had to use their shields to protect their eyes. They could only see the god through the arrow holes in their shields, so it was the bravest warrior who could see him best. Warriors were transformed into hummingbirds upon death and went to join Huitzilopochtli.

Since Coyolxauhqui stole the fire from Huitzilopochtli, a common human is not able to attain the true power of the Sun. Utilizing fire magic is a sin, a mere replica of the Sun's might.

The sun deity believes in benevolence, charity and friendship. A follower shall never resent anyone, and follow orders like a perfect soldier. In fact, the cult is known for their capability in war, slaying countless enemies-- this could change, depending to the judgement.

Those soldiers normally have a perfect sense of judgement, acting like a living court. Once the enemy is deemed guilty, he's immediatly killed or captured for sacrifice. If innocent, the sun follower will let them go, or enslave them, depends on the chieftain's orders.

Followers commonly have to undergo a lot of problems throughout their life because of that immense benevolence, but they face them cheerfully. For others it may appear those incidents affect them, but in reality, they learn to be a stable person who walks through all problems with a great self-confidence and determination, not discouraged or affected by third-parties. Only the sun is their savior, and able to change their ideas. They turn every stopping stone as his stepping stone.

Values are more important than material benefits or life. Treason is undoubtedly a sin, however, if ordered to do so, they will follow, acting if the own concept of defiance does not exist. Orders are absolute. They follow the leader of the cult in the region, and the leader serves the chieftain.