The Qualaz of Machu Picchu

     Peruvian Jungle Day 3

I took the steps up the Inca road carefully. The stones places almost a thousand years ago by the people of Peru were still transversable albeit somewhat overgrown. I’d been wondering for some time if I’d see any of the abundant wildlife that inhabit the jungle. It has been two whole days already and all I’ve seen are a monkey and a few birds, Today passed much the same, In the end I gave up for the night.

Peruvian Jungle Day 4

            This morning I woke up with the sun. The forest came alive around me and packed up with the rest of the camp. We finished our hike up to the famous Machu Picchu. As we sat down for lunch, I saw an unexpected creature. It was small and sleek like a house cat, yet its eyes shined like gemstones. Of all the exotic wildlife I hoped to find, it really did look like an ordinary black cat. It watched us from one of the upper stone ledges of the ruins. Fascinated, I hurried up the steps to the ledge only to find no trace of it.

            That evening as the camp was being set and I gazed into the fire, I saw a set of those brilliant blue eyes gazing back at me from across the flames. I stood slowly, trying not to startle it, though as I did so, I could tell that there was no fear in the creature’s eyes, only a command. I felt an uncanny urge to follow it. I followed as it led me on soundless feet away from the camp. The moon lit its glossy black fur, showing the contours of its muscles as it moved. I would normally not go into the forest alone, especially at night, but I was so entranced that I had no self-awareness. My fingers brushed against ancient stones. Then, the feline creature paused at a section of wall, It began to glow at the seams between the rocks. A giant stone in the wall fell back, creating an entrance. The creature entered. I followed, realizing two things: 

1. I may never return. 

2. This was so extraordinary that I didn’t care. 

I followed the small animal down worn stone steps. The hall was built with the same stone architecture as all of Machu Picchu. It was lit by a phosphorescent pitch or ooze clinging to the walls and it glowed green and blue. As we descended, there was a warmer light flooding the bottom of the stairs. We had to be deep in the mountain by now. 

            When I reached the bottom of the stairs, the area opened up unto a large cavern filled with stone buildings, Brilliant yellow lights cast by floating orbs flooded the area in a soft glow. Everywhere were these cat-creatures. They all had shiny dark fur of varying colors, some maroon, some a deep blue, and some a smoky sliver. Some of the creatures were as large as dogs while others were the side of a young tabby cat. 

            Most interesting was the hole in the mountain at the center platform where a cat entered a sphere. It directed lights with its eyes to control a hatchway. The sphere levitated and then shot up through a hole in the ceiling. Everywhere they were directing functions with their eyes. Blinking at a panel near a doorway opened the door. Sweeping eyes across another panel lit up the orbs around me. 

            My guide settled next to me. Then she spoke. The sound was like nothing I’d heard before. I did not understand the exact words, but I knew their meaning in my mind. It was the language of the ancients who’d lived here before. They live here now to watch humans. The humans stopped advancing at one point, happy to live idly off the luxury of an advanced civilization. Realizing this would hinder the progress of the human race, the cat creatures (Qualaz) left. 

            Still, every now and again, they invite a human. I was told that they miss the company of humans. 

            Even now I sit here, my journal in hand, recording everything I can remember. I will stay here tonight with the Qualaz as my host, but in the morning, they’ve told me that I must return to my camp. I must never tell anyone of this place. Someday, when we’ve become advanced enough on our own, the Qualaz will return to us and we will have greater knowledge. Until that day, I can only hope that I will see one of these magnificent creatures again. 

            And as it so happens, I believe I do see them from time to time out of the corner of my eye. Have they always been there, or are they keeping a watch on me?