When Hernán Cortés first came to the Aztec city, the emperor Montecuhzoma believed him to be the god Quetzalcoatl and welcomed him. However, the Spanish soon showed their true colors and began a bloodthirsty attack on the Aztecs. Cortés eventually died, and his spirit was placed in his sword. His cursed treasure ended up on Isla de Muerta, where Hector Barbossa and his crew happened upon it. The treasure was finally claimed by the sea following Barbossa's death at the hands of Jack Sparrow.