As drought and famine ravage the Mayan people, the King struggles with what to do. He decides to marry his only daughter to the son of the High Priest in an attempt to assuage the gods by merging the religious and political sides of the empire into one union.
There are a couple of problems with the King’s plan. First, the princess has fallen in love with the younger brother. Second, the throne has been promised to the king’s nephew, who will not go down without a fight.
As the drought worsens, claiming the Queen’s life, in desperation the King agrees to reinstate the Mayan tradition of human sacrifice. Through the luck of the draw, the brothers are pitted against one another in a game of life and death.
Ultimately, suicide, murder and self-sacrifice leave the civilization in ruin, but the lovers set course for a new life together.