Outside the great tree of Forest City, two massive floodlights cut through the night—one on the left, one on the right—casting harsh white beams over the basketball court as darkness swallows the rest of the city.
To the right of the court, a large square training arena stands in silence.
Mehiko, with his hands buried deep in the pockets of his jean pants, takes an irritated step forward in front of the arena. A thin trail of cigarette smoke rises past his head, drifting slowly into the cold night air.
Mehiko:
What are you staring at amigos ? Come on—start moving, get your culo in gear. It's already night.
Skav, exhausted, glances at Piu and leans in, whispering under his breath.
Skav:
This guy's got issues… I swear his parents must've beaten him or something.
Mehiko's eyebrows twitch violently, his irritation building.
Piu looks at Mehiko, nodding slightly.
Piu:
Yeah… definitely.
At the center, a vertical wall rises, with a rope hanging down its face. Behind it, a narrow sandy path stretches forward, leading into a pit filled with water and thick mud. At the far end of the pit, another rope hangs, swaying slightly in the night air. Beyond it, a path continues forward—leading to a ladder that climbs up onto a raised platform.
On top of that platform, a tightrope is stretched across the air, connecting it to another platform on the opposite side. A ladder descends from there back to the ground—where a heavy ball rests in the sand, positioned directly in front of a wooden target marked with the shape of a wolf.
To the right, a large rectangular rope net, lined with sharp thorns, is stretched tight just above the muddy ground. It stands suspended on four short metal supports, one at each corner. In front of it, a muddy path leads forward, climbing up into a steep hill of smooth, polished stone—so slick it reflects the light as it slopes downward.
Beyond the hill, two short pillars stand, each supporting a vertical metal rod.
To the left side of the arena, the scene shifts into a more structured training area.
Rows of equipment line the space—
metal bars,
dumbbells,
and various strength machines—
Broom groans, dragging his feet.
Broom:
No way I'm doing all that. I just want to go to sleep.
Mehiko looks at the three of them.
Mehiko:
Get in the arena. Now.
All three begin dragging their feet toward the center of the arena, heading for the wall with the rope.
As Skav passes by Mehiko—
Skav (muttering):
Belly boy.
Mehiko:
Did you say something, hairy bola roja
Skav looks at him angrily, like a grumpy child.
Skav
Po uta pice mirda.
Mehiko
What ?
Broom goes first.
He grabs the rope and starts climbing, planting his feet against the wooden wall behind it for support.
Behind him, Skav follows, gripping the rope and pulling himself up with a tired groan.
Mehiko pulls out a cigarette and lights it.
He takes one slow drag—
then narrows his eyes, looking around strangely.
Mehiko:
Piu… when did that black squirrel climb up?
A beat.
Mehiko:
Wait a second…
His face turns red with anger.
Mehiko:
PIU!
From the side of the arena, Piu is already sprinting past the obstacles, completely ignoring the course and running around everything like a shameless little thief.
Mehiko explodes.
Mehiko:
Get back here, you cheating little cabrón!
Skav and Broom make it past the first obstacle—
then immediately drop down into the dirt.
Both of them turn their heads, glaring furiously at Piu as he keeps running.
Skav / Broom:
Heeey! That's not fair! Get back here!
Piu looks at Mehiko with a confused expression as Mehiko walks along the side of the main arena from the opposite direction, shouting at him to come back.
Piu:
Sorry! I got confused. I thought you were allowed to pass the obstacles from the sides.
Mehiko stops.
He stares at him for a second.
Mehiko:
So you're the smart one of the group, huh?
Piu keeps walking—
and suddenly, Mehiko is right in front of him, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
Piu:
When—how? You were over there!
Mehiko lets out a low, ironic laugh.
Mehiko:
What, you thought just because I've got a belly, I'm slow, black fuzz?
I've still got it, amigo.
He grabs Piu by the back of his shirt like a suitcase—
and with one quick sprint, carries him all the way back behind the wall with the rope.
Mehiko drops him there and points toward the obstacle course, smoke still curling from the cigarette in his mouth.
Mehiko:
Nobody leaves this place unless they pass the obstacles.
He narrows his eyes.
Mehiko:
We'll stay here until tomorrow night if we have to.
He drops Piu onto the ground like he's throwing down a sack.
Piu grabs his head, wincing.
Piu:
My head, you stupid belly-man!
Mehiko:
Don't worry. Bricks don't feel pain.
Skav and Broom burst out laughing.
Mehiko slowly turns his head and looks at them with an ironic glare.
Mehiko:
Something funny, brick-heads?
Piu pushes himself up, still rubbing his head, then walks toward the wall with the rope.
He grabs it—
climbs fast—
and drops down onto the ground on the other side.
Piu jumps happily, throwing both hands into the air.
Piu:
I passed it!
Mehiko looks at him angrily and shouts:
Mehiko:
Perfect. Now the next one.
Mehiko walks casually beside the first obstacle, hands tucked inside his pockets. He looks at Broom, Skav, and Piu with a mocking smile.
He takes one last drag from his cigarette—
then flicks it onto the ground.
From inside his black jacket, he pulls out a small square red plastic object, shaped like a little box, with a tiny glass window in the center.
He holds it in one hand, lifts it to his eye, and presses a small red button on the upper right corner.
A mechanical click comes from the little square box.
Then—
a white image slowly slides out from the side.
Mehiko pulls the photo free, shakes it lightly in his hand, and waits.
Slowly, shapes begin to appear.
Three small figures.
Sleeping side by side.
Their heads pressed close together like little babies.
Mehiko stares at the photo.
Then he starts laughing under his breath, cruel and amused.
Mehiko:
Now I can play with you too…
He lifts the photo slightly, grinning.
Mehiko:
…you big fat culo.