We eat ‘em, yeah. They ain’t bad eatin’, either. Tough, but one Deino can feed multiple homes, easy. Nice n’ practical, so long as they save the hearts for me.

[ There’s symbolism in that, and it’s more powerful as a result. The center of a being, the seat of their lifeblood, and Tezcatlipoca is truly nourished by it as only a god could be. Or, well. Was, technically. It no longer applies, but he’ll still eat them raw for the pleasure of it.

But Tezcatlipoca gives Silco a knowing grin as he steps to the closest of the Ocelomeh. ]

But mostly? They do it because I tell ‘em to. This is a war I desire, so they’ll fight until there’s no one left. That’s my demand as the cost of uplifting them. Because—

[ He says a few words and the Ocelomeh bows their head deferentially as they take of the leopard-inspired mask. And underneath… It’s an ape. They’re definitively not human. They’re still very far from it. And that is the gift that Tezcatlipoca had given them. ]

Evolution’s slow. I let ‘em skip the queue, more or less. That’s the kinda god I am, bossman. Like I said—the impossible is possible with me.