Back inside the cave, with still no sign of water or fire, Rey set about leaving the book in a safe corner, but not before making sure his companion was safe and sound.
Taking small steps, Rey approached the Paradise Guardian cub. Before eyelids heavy with exhaustion on a face marked by enormous dark circles, the small, furry feline slept more peacefully than ever. Despite the time that had passed, the precious creature remained in the exact same position he had left it in. The walls, the floor, and the ceiling of the cave hadn't changed in appearance either. Everything remained exactly the same, including the bones at the entrance and the blood on the ground. It was as if everything surrounding the sleeping being had frozen in time.
Rey wanted to sleep, to rest, and for the night that refused to turn into day to end once and for all. But after Silvia had taught him the new language, it would be a waste not to take a look at the secrets the book held. Besides… who could assure him that Katherine wouldn't kill him the next day? Or that his brothers weren't training with the intention of killing him when they had the chance?
Changing his mind, Rey shook his head as if trying to shake off the sleep invading him.
"I cannot sleep. No, not without finishing another pending matter, besides reading this book." He turned his face toward the cave entrance. "In many of the stories I have read, the remains of an honorable enemy deserve to rest in peace."
The little one touched the soft furs covering him.
"Out of respect on my part, I shall not let others see you in shame. Your bones and memories deserve to rest in peace. I wish I could have realized you were missing a fang, oh great feline," Rey said as he exited the cave and set about digging a hole with his hands in the most appropriate spot he could find nearby.
After arranging the bones in the center of the pit, the little one stripped off the furs covering him and arranged them inside as well. Performing an improvised burial procedure, Rey filled the hole with the dirt he had piled to the side. Once the burial was complete, he shook off his injured hands and, sighing with relief before the grave containing the great feline's remains, spoke a few words.
"Graves in books have names, but I do not know what to call you. Even so, I ask for your forgiveness for having invaded your property and letting myself be controlled by fear, hunger, and desperation. I acknowledge it was not your fault if you were controlled by hunger and rage. After all this time passed, I was able to remember, but it is already too late for both of us. I committed a mistake that cannot be amended. But your death was not in vain: your flesh, your bones, and blood were sacrifices so that the two of us could continue living. In your name, and in your absence, I will continue to look after her. Rest in peace, great nameless beast… rest until I can amend my error and bring you back."
His words finished, Rey left an offering of food upon the rustic grave before immediately returning the way he came. Heading deep into the cave, he observed his companion once more. Lowering his gaze, he thought that if she were to die, she should at least have a name to be remembered by. But a name was a serious thing and could not be taken lightly, for, as his father had said, a name is the path to greatness. For a while, the little one stood there; he didn't know what would be the most appropriate way to call his companion.
"Perhaps I'll find something in this book to help me," he told himself, then curled up next to the small Paradise Guardian cub to escape the cold. There, settled in and with nothing left pending, Rey opened the first page of the book titled Requirement for Resent.
"Interesting. The first pages detail in complexity the function of the twelve fundamental elements plus their influence on tangible and non-tangible planes, magnificent… Perhaps I can finish reading it. Hmm. Then, what would be left to do? Sleep as everyone sleeps. After so much time awake, I wonder if I will be able to sleep. It is time to leave behind this fear of closing my eyes. I must move forward. Face Hero, mother, and father. Maybe they will come too. At least I will be far from Katherine and Miján and the rest of the pack. For now, they represent no problem to me. In the new day, I will learn more, I will try to defeat my master and pass the test so he teaches me sorcery. I will act normal, or however I want to act, without fear of what might happen… I've realized it now. No matter how long I stay awake in this eternal night, no matter how much I prepare, I will never be able to surpass them. But just because they are so distant from me doesn't mean everything I have achieved so far is insignificant. In all this time I have been surpassing myself… Yes, it is not in them, but in me. Having them as a reference, I might get there faster, but by self-improving, I could go further. That is my challenge. To keep moving forward, and when the moment comes, I will worry about the rest."
The little one, sharing warmth with his furry companion, focused his gaze once again on the words of the book. He also began to meditate while, between breaths of air, he explored the distinct sounds his mouth could emit with the intention of not falling asleep. Suddenly, the letters came to life. Each of them ceased to have meanings; they became a film running at more than hundreds of images per second.
"So this was what she referred to as an optical illusion?… The letters captured on these pages, those arranged to represent words and sounds, now join together, levitate in the air, and form colors, images, stories. It is a fascinating privilege to be able to visualize concepts I do not understand and feel feelings I cannot explain. Seeing this with my eyes, here, in front of my face, it is as if another path of knowledge were opening before me… perhaps, in this one, the teachings are less complex. Friendship, sacrifice, companionship, innocence, affection, tenderness, love, worry, exceeding limits, defending, appreciating, regret, pleasure, happiness, helping, giving, winning, losing. The misfortune of many. The happiness of few. Fear, bravery, daring, madness, wickedness, honor, honesty, good, dishonor. But… how could I forget the sage's words. Knowing these things does not mean I can truly understand them. They are not so true, they are only words easy to be said. Now that I think about it, it is not the first time I feel this way…"
"Vaguely, I can remember that the two of them carried a book just like this one. That books hold 'knowledge.' That knowledge is easy to forget. Yes, long ago, when the lights of dawn clarified with his calm voice, he said: 'Are you ready?', when I could see with my eyes a past that was present and learn from that path of knowledge. I cannot allow myself to keep forgetting… Curiosity stung so much in me when I saw the sphere of thoughts materialize in the air, between the old man's hands. I was naive, I barely knew how to speak or listen correctly. 'The gift of knowledge. Create your own memories and draw your own conclusions.' That is what the Great Wise Mage said. Now I wonder if it was truly a gift and not a trick. If what I felt was curiosity and not temptation? Did I truly draw my own conclusions? If the knowledge given to me was intended to make me more manipulable, I must tread carefully. From what I can see in this book related to elemental control, the practices of the twelfth element are lost. The control of time and space exists in theory, and it is said that no one has used it. But, whatever may be said, I do not believe it, because I can see such control before my eyes in this eternal night. If I can somehow learn from this skill, I will reach the 'transcendental' rank. To be able to control time and space is to interrupt the purpose of the destiny that awaits me."
With the turning of the last page, Rey let his hand and the book he held drop, intending to finally surrender to sleep.
Somewhat more content than tired, the little one without a surname began drifting off. The sounds grew distant; the light of the darkness finally darkened once more. The scent of the forest, of the humidity, of the earth, of the book with old and burnt pages, slowly withdrew. In the brief moment before finally falling into the world of dreams, the little one felt two things that brought him tranquility on each side. An inseparable friend and the warmth of a shelter: they were the components of a home. He smiled like one who knew he was where he wanted to be. In the darkness of the dream world, images began to appear. Panoramas accompanied by words. The little one knew he was seeing and listening, for he had already lived and heard it… He was dreaming of what had happened on the first day, before leaving with his master for training.
Traveling to the past, beneath a small tree, green meadows and beautiful landscapes crowded with divine brilliance could be seen. The wind was warm and carried a paradisiacal scent. There, where the Great Wise Mage sat, there were also three little ones. It was the day the parents said goodbye to their children so they could begin the training that would condition them to belong to the pack.
The Great Mage De-Sabios. POV
The Great Wise Mage understood that the little ones, despite their sizes, did not know how to speak, nor did they know of the place or the history of the three planes. But how could he explain entities, concepts, or define sets of situations and variables to those who could neither speak nor ask? Firstly, he had to teach them how to communicate and reason. That was easy; he had up his sleeve the first step to mastering wisdom. The old man formulated a spell and between his hands made a sphere of thoughts appear that materialized in the air, which then entered the minds of the three little ones. The diluted mist that fragmented entered through the center of the children's foreheads, causing their eyes to go white for a moment. After a short time, they began to articulate with their mouths, then to speak, and finally to ask about the basics that needed to be learned.
"What are we?"
"Good question, my little ones, I have an excellent answer. The soul is purpose, which will grant the right to exist in this multiverse. According to the function, the behavior, and the type of energy they possess, existence shall be classified. For example, this rock"—The old man with the long, fluffy beard, wearing a simple orange tunic tightened at the waist by a rope, lifted a simple stone from the ground—"possesses a function to develop; it also has a soul and purpose of a passive character. In the language I taught you so you can communicate, it is named 'rock' or 'object' to be able to conceptualize and, therefore, understand it."
After placing the stone on the ground, he pointed with his fingers.
"Those that walk across the meadow, and many others that can fly, swim, jump, dig, and crawl, are characterized by having the most basic needs of all: to be born, grow, reproduce, and die; although they are named in different ways, they are 'animals' or 'living beings.'"
After lowering his hand and placing it on his chest, he observed the three little ones with his metallic black eyes.
"The third group is chaos, violence, destruction, and construction, mostly influenced by feelings. The non-tangibles are those with no need to survive; feeling no danger, the need to evolve does not exist. And, finally, the fifth group, the consumers, who maintain an insatiable hunger. Among these five main and most notorious forms of existence, a whole infinity of variations can exist if they are combined with each other. And you are a result of those combinations that compose and populate the three planes."
"What other types of variations exist? Mnnnn…" the old man asked himself while rubbing his shaved head from back to front, then fluffing his white beard which reached the pit of his stomach. "We have a good number of kingdoms, both in the earthly plane, inter-planes, and spatial ones. But in the animal kingdom of the earthly plane, there exist succubi, vampires, lycanthropes, fairies, nymphs, cherubs, elementals, elves, orcs, ogres, beast-kin, humanized ones, dullahans, cyclopes, trolls, dwarves, gnomes, giants, minotaurs, changelings, goblins, fauns, satyrs, amazons1, golems, ghouls, harpies, hannyas, and humans are the most prominent high-intelligence mammals among the combination of the five main forms of existence."
"Mammals. Another weird word, is it not? It wasn't in the basic teaching package I gave you. By mammals, I mean they were born from a womb, have four limbs, and warm blood, like you. Although any of those mentioned previously can continue being what they are without being or having been a mammal. Yes, I mean that a vampire can be and exist without necessarily having been born from a womb, having four limbs, or warm blood. Without one of these three characteristics, the species in question ceases to be a mammal, but not what it is known and distinguished for. I will tell you about the events and facts that belong to past time and constitute the development of two species, from their origins to the present moment, so that you can understand."
After making the figure of a white-skinned human with black eyes and brown hair appear in the air, the old man continued.
"Not even humans (who, just because they are last on my list, do not cease to be the first to reign on the earthly plane) were mammals at all times. Yes, just as you are hearing it. The first ones were not necessarily born of a womb, although they did have warm blood and four limbs."
Then, another similar figure with white hair and blue eyes appeared floating next to another body with red eyes and black hair.
"The first vampire was not a mammal either, nor were the first lycanthropes. Are you curious? Indeed, your mother is of the vampire lineage, your father is of the lycanthrope lineage and, like everything, there is also a bit of human lineage. I will tell you…"
Moving his hands, the Great Wise Mage opened the book he carried and made the letters float.
"Long ago, there existed a terrible monster of cold air that wandered aimlessly and without shelter through the nights of the first world. Although it mated with species different from its own, from its womb, it could never create offspring. This existence grew hungry; it could not sate its appetite, even if it devoured all the newborn creatures of a village, drank the blood from the throbbing necks of the residents, and swallowed the nightmares of the surviving children again and again."
"In a night full of mysteries, the stage was set for an abominable act. A human broke tradition and for the first time violated the naked body of a female he had just met. Since she refused to stay beneath him, the man, in a fit of rage, bit her and, under the rising of the stars, became worthy of a singular curse. In the act, the blood that coated his palate tasted to him like fruit. The next day, when the woman was no longer there, he realized his neck was punctured. Later, the beautiful woman, who had dissipated with the morning, left behind laughter in the air, for finally, she had been able to conceive a child."
"The first of the vampires had no choice but to pursue the intoxicating taste of fruit and leave behind the insipid taste of the food he usually ate, realizing he had the power to obtain energy, life force, prolong existence and youth every time he drank of the liquid most fundamental to life. The cursed gift of drinking blood was scattered like seeds among the shadows of the nobility until, one day, between two, a creature of deep blue eyes was formed. Over time, the descendants developed white hair after passing through a considerable amount of time, like you, Jhades."
The old man observed the little one sitting on the far right; he did not have white hair nor protruding teeth, but he did evidence blue eyes and the surname of his mother's lineage.
The old man continued:
"On the other hand, alongside the first primordial spirit of cold wind, another artificial existence of unknown purposes wandered the humid and dark zones of the orb. With a pointed hat full of bells and chimes, it advertised its presence while hiding its eyes injected with red fire and iron skin. The creature abhorred itself and, with even more hatred, viewed those who were prettier than it. Its ferocity grew with great slowness until it decided to devour every pregnant woman that stood in its path."
"One day, the creature in question began to devour the women of a very renowned lover with intense sexual desires. Said subject was on the way to being the first to be able to rule an entire universe and who, relying on his wit, managed to do what not even a whole party of angels could have done. But being a primordial spirit, the creature could not be destroyed, so he kept it with him until he found the perfect opportunity to punish someone else who had the imprudence of wanting to trick the gods of the time."
"The wretched monarch of so many other mortals harbored the primordial spirit of fire in his body. From man to savage beast he transformed, as did his coming generations; all with the abominable nature could triple their physical and athletic conditions, expand their lungs and thoracic cavity. They were named lycanthropes, while they could be recognized by their enraged, glowing red eyes and hard skins, like the metal inherited from the first spirit, which still lives in them, just as it lives in you, Dante."
The old man's eyes moved to the opposite end on the left. The little one present there did not denote in his face or body the characteristic traits of a beast, but he did have glowing red eyes and bore the surname of the father's lineage.
"Leaving the term mammals and the origins of these three species aside, my point is that new combinations of the five main existences can continue to be born in unnatural ways, as you are, Rey without a surname."
The black-skinned old man looked with his eyes at the little one sitting in the middle. The one who had white eyes and black hair, yet showed on his face the expression of someone arrogant.
"You do not share the appearance of a vampire or that of a lycanthrope, but you have within you the characteristics of both. Do not feel bad if you are considered an outcast, mundane, or despicable being by humans. In history, humans became the light responsible for the dark times and drove minorities almost to the brink of extinction, including themselves. Time left a lesson sculpted in stone and, in the logic of the weak, a prevention. With the intention of surviving, the weak will eventually end up becoming the villain."
All the magical world of floating words and knowledge was interrupted by the call of the instructors.
"Rey! Dante! Jahdes!"
The little ones turned their heads. In the distance were three familiar faces. One of them continued and spoke for the other two.
"It is time…"
Almost with a smile from ear to ear, the old man with the shaved head raised his voice and said in a charismatic tone:
"Just a little longer, the day is still long and far from becoming night… I want to finish giving the little ones the gift of knowledge."
Although the three adults present there showed facial gestures indicating they did not agree with the delay, they decided to wait for the eldest of them all to finish what he had started.
"If that is so, teach them about their parents… about what awaits them if they intend to venture to experience life outside this place. Perhaps it will become good motivation so they know what is right, and for what they must train before belonging to the pack," Heroclades said.
Clearing his throat and voice, the old man continued with the shower of rambling stories as soon as the three little ones returned their attention to the floating figures of the book, figures that seemed to advance in time to the perfect moment.
"Of the not-so-distant past we shall speak; I will tell you about your parents' wedding, also of their arrival here. With a little luck, you might be able to imagine a vague idea of what the world out there is like."
Wife and husband were seen standing atop a chapel full of roses, kissing one another.
"This marriage of which we speak was and is considered a forbidden relationship by humans and by many gods. The husband was none other than Wulfgang Lobato, better known as Fang, direct descendant of the first lycanthrope, whose invulnerable body is endowed with destructive skills that can come to surpass those of the first transcendental spirit of fire. And the bride, Maryam Priovan, descendant of the longest-living family lineage in the universe, feared, respected, and rejected in all worlds for her noble ancestry and strength comparable to that of the transcendental spirit of cold air. Adding to your parents, other notorious personalities were also at the event. In conclusion, a very fearsome group of troublemakers."
"As an option and to avoid direct confrontations, the humans decided to reward whoever could eliminate these individuals, as well as their descendants if the case arose. The interested parties recognized themselves by belonging to the unofficial group of 'bounty hunters.' Taking all possible precautions, these individuals waited until they became strong enough. Composed of those interested in achieving said feat, those seeking to earn the reward of the unimaginable, and those who wanted to intervene with the marriage like other vampires and lycanthropes, the team set out to meet your parents and companions."
"On the other hand, not knowing at what moment they were going to lose another member of the group and having something to protect, Wulfgang, Maryam, and the rest of the pack decided to undertake a journey on the road to the only place where no one would dare look for them, not even the 'gods.' Why? Because this is a place where a thousand darknesses reign. Where only the dead and non-tangible bodies can arrive. It is the abode of dangerous consumers that feed on souls in sorrow. The kingdom of the worst demons of creation. Getting here meant fighting against all that aforementioned and passing through countless ordeals."
"But your parents and the others did not fight against said demons or dangers, and yet, they arrived at this place, which is considered the eye of the stormy 'Infernos,' the Heavens. They arrived directly at the entrance. This is because Maryam had with her a manuscript she had inherited from her family, from no one else but her grandfather, that individual who devoured the heart of one of the regents of hell and who was put to judge souls to take them to lower circles by Zeus… Explanation enough?!"
Two of the three little ones had their mouths open and tilted their heads. Rey, while maintaining a fixed and arrogant gaze into the old man's eyes, shook his head at the question.
Heroclades' footsteps were heard approaching until, finally, using an energetic voice, he added his thoughts to the conversation as if he were fixing someone else's mistake.
"I do not know if it was intentional, but you did not explain to them how the marriage was. Nor about the dangers awaiting them out there. A world where everyone fears those who are stronger than them, what they cannot control, and, therefore, seek a way to snuff out."
"Well, well… I could not tell how the wedding was or about the dangers out there. To be honest, the facts that make up these events surpass any attempt to recapitulate them on my part. Perhaps because I was not present there."
The Great Wise Mage half-opened his eyes to look at Heroclades, Rey's formal master, a tall, imposing, strong subject with well-defined musculature, whose body was covered by tunics with gold buttons and threads, as well as other golden accessories. Despite having lived a long time, he had caramel-colored eyes, an extremely handsome face, dark gray hair that reached his shoulder and rested tied in a braid next to a beard of the same color, which seemed well-cared for and always kept trimmed.
"Who better than you to tell them about the subject?" continued the black-skinned old man. "Come on! Tell the little ones, they are curious."
The Great Wise Mage closed the book he held in his hands, narrowed his eyes, and showed a smile in Heroclades' direction, like one who had given a suggestion tempting to fulfill. All the De-Grecias had something in common: a taste for the dissertation of any matter and the search for others' opinions.
Heroclades leaned in even closer and, after reflecting on the old man's words, said to himself: "Before these three pairs of eyes paying so much attention, it is not that I can refuse. Besides, I suppose it was I who started this; now I must finish it. I do not have a book of floating letters. I suppose I will have to keep them entertained with my words. I'll have to get straight to the action." After breathing deeply, he lay down on the ground and gave a heavy look to his two companions he had left behind.
Katherine and Miján understood the tanned subject's expression. They got along well and could make good use of a little time alone before going on the expedition, so they didn't get more uncomfortable than necessary.
Heroclades tuned himself up and began:
"While all places in the outside world are like this place—I refer to a place where at least the trees move by the wind, the surroundings are full of the noise provoked by the growth of vegetation, the bustle of animals, and the constant hum of breathing—we, under the streetlamp of a lonely street whose pavement was stained for amusement, could only hear the beating of our hearts, the hum of our breathing, and the friction of our garments. In the absence of almost total noise, under the dark cloak of night, the dangerous journey of our distinguished group would begin. Me, Wulfgang, Maryam, Miján, Katherine, and Ehimus…"
"With eyes full of tears, Fang, your father, looked at me, just as he also looked determinedly at each of the members of the group and, after putting his hand on my shoulder, told us: 'It is not possible that I can consider you as my friends… In my eyes, you are my family.'"
"And indeed, I have to admit that when we were ignored, rejected, and cast aside like trash by the others, your father always continued with us until the end, without wavering. He gave us his strength without hesitation, his heart, his soul, his hope, and new opportunities, both in battles almost lost and in the daily life of the day-to-day. Thanks to his leadership, we all learned that a family created by loyalty was much stronger than any other tied by mere bonds of blood."
Heroclades paused to act as if he were about to say something painful to admit.
"I realized it too… Thanks to the heavens and the seas that it was not too late for me. Forgive these ramblings of mine. Perhaps they are ailments of old age, wanting to talk so much and knowing I am saying nothing. Returning to the night of departure, in that so moving scene, Katherine was the first to dampen the mood. Besides, from the beginning, she never counted on many emotions to share with us or understand how inconvenient her comment was. When she raised her guard against the enemies, there was no way to continue ignoring that we were surrounded or to enjoy the peaceful silence, nor the so sentimental moment…"
Slapping himself in the face, Heroclades caught himself trying to ramble again. With sorrow and a bit of regret, he looked up, but behind the three little ones, he saw that the other two masters accompanying him were undressing in the place where he had left them. Showing a somewhat tired smile, he thought: "How good it is to be young. In the way Katherine looks at me, it seems she does not want the little ones to see her. I can take revenge on her if I let the little ones see her and go ask her about things."
Heroclades hadn't realized that, by cutting his narration and immersing himself in his thoughts at the moment they were surrounded, he had created very great suspense in the little ones.
The window of curiosity had opened for Dante and Jhades, who did not hesitate to show anger to the point of throwing a tantrum on the ground, and even attempting to assault the narrator with the intention of making him finish the tale he had left halfway.
"I will continue, just leave me in peace. Go on. Return to your places and give me a little space, you undisciplined children," said Heroclades, somewhat tired, averting his eyes from the enjoyment of the vampiress and the light elf on the grass.
The two energetic little ones stopped their movements as soon as they heard Rey's master's words.
Heroclades crossed his arms and puffed out his chest to give a discreet glance at his disciple. Rey was intrigued, but his eyes were not interested in his words; rather, they still looked at the Great Wise Mage, who had not been able to retire due to said situation.
"I must entertain Dante and Jhades; he has no reason to stand up and go where those two indiscreet lovers are and break their moment," he thought. Resuming the initial motivating intonation in his way of speaking and behaving, Heroclades continued with the dialogue:
"I said that Katherine dampened the moment because, despite being surrounded, we had no reasons to be alarmed. The presence of De-Agracia, or some other individual of 'god' rank or higher, came to be felt in the vicinity. Although the situation was not very beneficial for us, precisely because we were together. Without intentions to brag, I and any member of the group could have incinerated all those aggressors with just a backhand of our hands. But the intention of the moment was to protect Maryam, your mother, and not fight alone to avoid wasting energy unnecessarily."
"Our formation was very small and, for the good of all, it was not possible for one to use their powers without limiting themselves. Therefore, your father also raised his guard and, taking a step to the front, took on the task of acting as a shield together with Katherine. As a sorcerer, I cannot create a protection barrier that covers anyone other than myself. So in the group of six, we had two defenders; Miján and I took charge of long-distance attacks, Ehimus of support, and Maryam of backup and healing, remaining in a very efficient circular position."
"One thing was certain: there is no fight better won than that which one manages to avoid. Maryam had in her hands one of the 'Saint' grade legacies of the Priovam family with the intention of avoiding any combat that could expose us to unnecessary dangers. In the moment, with speed and organization, we all took a step forward, but in opposite directions, and your mother, from the shadows of her presence, took out a great scroll full of ancient scriptures."
"When the 'bounty hunters' noticed they had lost the advantage of the surprise factor, they had no choice but to change plans and try to prevent our strategic retreat. In such a silent place, an avalanche of war cries made itself present. Jumping as high as they could, in an improvised movement, the hunters threw themselves against us. I am quite sure the poor things employed the best attacks they knew. And there, when the night turned into day, the cutting edge of countless swords caught fire, the pointed spears thrown vibrated from the speed, the agile daggers thrown rolled like whirlwinds, the bullets fired boomed like cannons, the arrows released traced through the wind, the recited spells twisted and broke the surroundings, the controlled elements doubled in size and much more in our direction; but Maryam had enough time to put her hand on the parchment, which was activated in a flash, and the barrier formed by the writings surrounded us all."
"Inside the barrier, we were safe. No attack could touch us unless it was of a superior grade. Even so, the 'bounty hunters' did not lose hope. They continued the assault they had initiated. It was the moment; they wouldn't get a second chance to execute another such organized attack against us. Not that I can blame them for trying. Well, all except one. Who was it? His name is Árjos, and he is a 'false-god'," said Heroclades with a bitter smile on his face, for he knew many of them and none knew him.
"A god among humans will never be a true god among those who are. In the world where everything is more delicate, any mediocre existence that has basic knowledge of energy can cause effects on a planetary scale."
Scratching his head, Heroclades acknowledged he wasn't giving a good example, besides the fact that he was also obliged to deviate from the topic, so he continued.
"If the world of humans is developed, the world of gods is more so. A god, without needing any tools, can build a house with the same structure and complexity that perhaps a thousand humans cannot, even if they used tools and blueprints. Therefore, following this logic, if ten gods build a house, it will turn out much more wonderful and resistant than the one ten thousand humans built."
"Returning to the topic, this false god is still alive. I know because I saw him. Unlike the other fools, he, with the palm of his hand, created an air barrier to support his arm and jump backward, dodging my attack at the same time. The collision of all the techniques launched against the barrier your mother created ended in a magnificent explosion capable of pulverizing… Well, pulverizing is not the best term, though it looked that way, but one thing is certain: everyone in the vicinity also ended up being teleported along with us, and we found out because the Great Wise Mage said so when welcoming us to the place."
"It seems that both our pursuers and we appeared on the outskirts of the forest that protects this place. Beyond those gigantic trees you see in the distance, under another sky and facing the unknown, we were witnesses to true hell. Horrors and ghastly visions peeked over the horizons of the entire place where darkness did not exist. An endless and permanent scream replaced the silence. A mist of blood floated in the air along with smoke and ashes of burnt flesh. The ground, of dust… and the dust, of bones. From one side to the other, the footsteps of some giant or another could be heard, as well as the flight of strange birds or the rolling of horrendous creatures. But they were far away; even so, the light caused by the teleportation seal awakened the curiosity of those dwelling around us called Paradise Guardians."
Heroclades decided to imitate a high-pitched and shrill voice to speak, mimicking someone.
"'It is not yet time to lower your guard! Hostile beings, full of murderous intentions, want to welcome us'."
The three little ones were able to identify who he had imitated; it was the small green elf of the group. Heroclades continued:
"That was said by the immature Ehimus, almost screaming in desperation. And since she belonged to the pack, she made us all sound as if we were scared or in danger."
Heroclades covered his face with his right hand upon remembering the shameful moment that had been provoked by someone who didn't know how to control the intensity of her emotions.
"In my opinion," continued the bronze-skinned narrator, "it was not a good first impression for those felines studying us. Remember this that I am going to tell you: 'When a predator identifies a weak and defenseless prey, it will not hesitate to attack.' Returning to the topic, anticipating this, your father hastened his movements and intensified the red of his eyes, while transforming his right hand into a gigantic claw. Wulfgang wanted to intimidate all the sharp eyes and shadows of beasts peeking out to look in our direction, succeeding in making them not dare to attack and instead look for an opening first."
"Maryam had been left too weak to fend for herself. Throughout the place, the rattling of Ehimus's bones could be heard. Miján didn't even raise his guard, and Katherine acted as if nothing mattered to her. None of these behaviors went unnoticed by the gaze of the animals, who were grouping in the surroundings and, just when Miján, the 'know-it-all' of the group, with his usual passive-aggressive attitude said: 'At least they are much smarter than the last fools. They recognize their place,' a great feline beast, covered in black, shot out with its huge and voracious mouth open."
Making movements with his hands, Heroclades continued narrating.
"As if desperate, it lunged its entire body toward the rearguard. But Fang played his role as a shield before the green elf could attack and put us all in danger, as she always does… Snap! The teeth, designed to tear flesh and make the difference in any situation, ended up embedded in the lycanthrope's arm, who did not yield or move, even though that huge being used all its weight while shaking, trying to rip off the limb."
Along with Heroclades' words, the astonishment of two little ones wrapped in the plot of a violent tale could also be heard. So much so that the narrator paused briefly to stand on his legs and imitate the stance Wulfgang had taken.
….
The Great Wise Mage took the opportunity to observe and make eye contact with the third boy, who seemed more interested in the instructional aspects than the heroic deeds of the past. "Hmm? My analysis of him says everything is in order. But he doesn't behave like his brothers or the other two who have passed through here before. He is a totally different monster who doesn't even pretend to be normal. His eyes give him away. They changed… Now they have life and burn. They reflect a hungry and insatiable flame. Something that shouldn't exist in a tool moved by strings. It is a pity…" The indifference and coldness of someone who didn't have a heart came out through the ancient gaze.
"In my judgment, you are irremediably broken. Although my analyses say the opposite, I will have to add some extra factors to the formula. I will hasten Edith's arrival. You will experience life and loss, but not death. I will increase the humans' knowledge of you and your whereabouts. I will give you access to knowledge, but not to time or space. Perhaps those factors together will make you someone who cares about surviving, and thus you can serve your purpose. I must be cautious; even if you manage to break the strings that bind you, you will not even be aware of the chains…"
After reaching his conclusion, the black-skinned old man wearing orange tunics closed his eyelids, thus breaking eye contact with Rey, turning around, and leaving in silence.
…
"Master, may I ask the old man something?" Rey cut off the words Heroclades intended to use to continue the story he was telling.
"I am almost done," answered the bronze-skinned one before the determined look of his disciple. "You will miss the best part?"
After giving his clarification, Rey's formal master understood that he wouldn't change his opinion or wasn't even interested in the ending. With some regret in his words, he continued:
"Alright, go and ask the Wise Mage whatever you want. Don't go far, I'm almost done."
Rey nodded, got to his feet, shook off the dust, and marched to where the Wise Mage was walking.
"Great Mage. Why is it that you and my master carry that wherever you go?" Rey asked.
"Oh, you speak of this?" The Great Wise Mage extended his book to the front. "This is a book, and books harbor power; that is why it is good to carry them wherever you go."
"Are power and strength not the same?" asked the intrigued little one.
"In a certain way, no." The Wise Mage let the little one hold his book. "Knowledge is power, but not the kind that makes you physically stronger. Even so, knowing is a weapon and, like all weapons, comes with responsibilities and is useless if you don't know how to understand or use it."
"Then, I want to learn to understand," demanded Rey, who saw blank pages.
"Is that so? Let me tell you that understanding is not something that can be taught. But I sense that, somewhere, within a corner of your mind, you hold the thought that if you become stronger in this world, you will bring relief to others, correct?"
"I am not sure. You carry a book, even though you are a mage and not a sorcerer. Even so, you are much wiser than Heroclades and everyone here, therefore, stronger."
Rey extended his hand with the book to return what had been lent to him, while looking the old man in the eyes and realizing that he would not deny the comment. He continued:
"But no one looks at you the way they look at me."
"Mm-hmm! You are correct, and a slight irregularity has also occurred," the Great Wise Mage said to himself, then continued out loud:
"It seems you are understanding, but what makes you think that?" he asked at the same time he opened his metallic gray eyes and observed the little one. He had a true incongruity in front of him. He was improvising with a situation that for the first time escaped his calculations, and it truly fascinated him.
Rey replied:
"You managed to make the letters float from your book, while my master didn't even bother to use his."
The old man was left more intrigued than he was. He didn't expect such a childish answer. He stopped to think. Looking curiously at the book returned to him, he asked himself some questions like: "How many other explanations do not exist or could he have given me that would have been better founded? What, with how intelligent he is, had it not occurred to him that different books existed? But what if perhaps by wanting to complicate something is why intelligent beings make wrong decisions even though they have the answers right where they see them? It is not worth deciphering the reason why he formulated that particular question," he thought. Without reservations, the old man asked:
"Can I trust you?"
As soon as Rey nodded his head, the Wise Mage made movements with his hands as if he were drawing in the air and continued:
"I have power over occult forces, but, although I teach you how to speak and about history, I cannot give you 'knowledge.' Instead, let me guide you down the path so you find that which you are looking for. This stormy path is nothing more than a test of endurance so you can see how much you want to learn and how much effort you are willing to give."
"Can you not transfer the knowledge and thus save me the work?" asked Rey looking from bottom to top.
The Great Wise Mage continued:
"Oh, little one. You live within a world bound by the laws of balance and equivalent exchange. Desiring knowledge means feeding on something that makes obtaining it possible. The process is necessary… But what better way to demonstrate what I say than by giving you an example?"
"I am listening," said Rey.
"If those around you fear and hate you," said The Great Wise Mage, "those circumstances are perfect and will be fine because the emotions that come with them will teach you to keep moving forward. The body of warriors is condemned to transform into war. Knowledge, power, and strength are just conjugations of mere words that are said easily and don't even manage to describe in their totality true power, or true strength, nor much less true knowledge. People sometimes must become a well and make their bodies a malleable material. The more they grow with the intention of making capacity for more power and more strength, the more cracks will abound and, no matter how much they put inside, they will never manage to fill up. Knowledge, even in the hands of those who never die, is easy to forget and almost impossible to remember. Power in the hands of the humblest ends up dragging him to corruption and self-destruction, as well as that which surrounds him. Strength in the hands of the tyrant will never be wrong and, in front of the weak, will always be right... Rey, could you remember, understand, feel, and respect the feeling of these words at all times?"
"No, just as I cannot understand them or feel them..." claimed the young one as if realizing something real: knowing is not the same as living.
"That is the point," said The Great Wise Mage. "Knowing these sentences does not mean that, in truth, you can understand them because they are my knowledge. There will exist nothing better than accumulating your own memories so you can create your own conclusions, even if those conclusions arrive too late to be used. Even so, and knowing all this, are you ready?"
"What must I do?" asked Rey with willingness.
The Great Wise Mage:
"Traverse the past that once was present. You will walk alongside your parents when they arrived at this place. Feel what they felt. Get close enough to learn from them and accept them, just as they are. Study their opinions. Live their experiences for yourself and then draw your own conclusions," said the old man.
As soon as the creation of a whole small world of letters, images, emotions, and thoughts between his hands was finished, he made everything white turn black and everything black turn white. The colors fused, the sky was swallowed by the earth, and the earth rose into an almost bottomless void. And before the intimidating lycanthrope, in the middle of a completely different setting, Rey became present without anyone seeing him.
It was the past, a place where he could not interfere, only watch. Although it was his first time in the time of before, Rey understood that it was not strange that he could do nothing, that it was normal that he could not speak and that his voice did not work. That no one could see him, speak to him, or even sense him. Not the dust on the ground, nor the leaves of the trees or the wind. Everything around him was static.
Walking around the place, Rey inspected every small detail with his eyes. After thinking for a while, he came to the conclusion that he was inside the story Heroclades had been telling him and his brothers, when his parents and the others escaped from the "bounty hunters." Rey also noticed how his father, Wulfgang, stood like a solid and wild mountain in front of everyone. He wasn't wearing his usual suit with vest, shirt, and tie, nor his short-brimmed hat, but he did maintain his characteristic mole near his left eye, the muscular, solid, robust, arrogant, and brave complexion of someone who had survived countless battles. With red hair, short on the sides but long on top, which he always pulled back, he now wore combat garments, vestments dedicated to protecting the vital organs of the torso without compromising mobility. Rey noticed how time began to resume its course, and with this, the imposing body with the hand held high of his father. Fang didn't even flinch at the bites and shaking of the great black beast that almost doubled his size when it reared up on its two hind legs.
Time ceased to be static to proceed forward. Wulfgang, with his right arm, proceeded to squeeze the aggressor's throat, forcing it to retreat, then lifted it from the ground and projected it flat on its back against the floor, thus exerting even more pressure against the well-protected furry neck.
One on top of the other, the two beings roared at each other, facing off with ferocious war faces, full of teeth and wrinkled facial expressions. Rey thought that if his father was a mountain, in this situation, the great feline was more like a rock. "What damage could a simple stone do against something massive and gigantic?" he asked himself.
Indeed, Rey turned his head and witnessed that, despite being in front of a dangerous situation, none of the members of the group dared to interfere or even show interest, except for Ehimus and Katherine, who suffered more for the animal than for their companion. They were not interested, nor did they feel any danger. Returning his gaze, Rey noticed the sad face of Wulfgang, who continued exerting gradual pressure until, with his arm, he broke one of the animal's upper fangs, causing it to surrender in pain. As soon as the lycanthrope undid his grip, that immense being got back on all fours and, with its head lowered, moved away the way it came.
"Why did you do that? It could have hurt you!"
The female voice seemed to have found an opportunity to complain. A voice that caught the little one's attention, for he recognized it well. It was Maryam, with a very young body and short stature, with long white hair reaching her waist, though at the moment she had it tied back. She wore fine blue earrings, a one-piece dress tight to her body of the same color, which revealed her thighs up to hip height on the sides and her back.
"There is no merit in resolving a complicated situation in a complicated way if a simple solution exists waiting to be employed. Intimidating it with my strength left it alive and also warned the other observers," said the lycanthrope with the shadow of a half-smile on his face.
"It is better to die in battle than in dishonor. Stop being so selfish and think of the others… Fang," said the muscular vampiress, who crossed her arms and still kept her chin well raised.
Katherine did not have an appearance that had changed much from how Rey remembered her. With long, curled white hair, she wore the same combat garments: boots reaching her knees, gauntlets reaching her elbows, both of a solid and resistant metal. On her torso, she relied on two garments very tight to her body, one covering her breasts slightly and another covering very little of the pelvic area. All other areas with defined muscles were left exposed to the air. Not to mention the gigantic sword she carried on her back.
From one moment to the next, Rey noticed how the atmosphere fell submerged before the presence of another being. Someone strong enough to put those present on guard, including the muscular vampiress. With this behavior from the group, the little spectator could draw his conclusions while the tension of the moment prolonged.
Wulfgang said in a low voice:
"I cannot smell his essence." Immediately after, he almost roared from the depths of his chest: "Show yourself! It is inconsiderate for someone like you to send scum to do the dirty work."
Rey circled the place; he couldn't feel the danger the elders felt, so he had no choice but to wait until he saw someone emerge from the darkness who was looking particularly at him.
"It cannot be, his eyes are looking at me in a world where no one can see me," he thought with a racing heart. At this event, the little one also noticed how all the other black shadows slowly retreated as if they had lost interest in the newcomers. Miján whispered to Heroclades and Katherine, who were standing next to each other:
"I believe he was watching us from the beginning. This place feels like a 'Zone,' perhaps that is the reason it has no scent."
Rey could hear the comment coming from the group's light elf. Miján maintained his slender build, but with defined muscles. His hair was somewhat long and unkempt, silver in color, green eyes, just like Ehimus. A one-piece suit tight to the body, a double belt at the waist, and silver shoulder pads matching his boots.
None of those present knew who was approaching, for that reason they appeared so agitated. Rey calmed down when he recognized the unmistakable metallic gray eyes, black skin, and shaved head that were becoming more visible. "It is the Great Wise Mage," he told himself. With this thought, the subject changed the direction of his gaze.
"If you seek to harm my own, you will not have my forgiveness," warned Wulfgang, more as a threat, like a true leader, one who did not fear placing himself at the front of the battle when he knew one of his allies was going to die.
The shadow approached closer to the outskirts of the forest. Calm and unhurried. Step by step, he made all those present wait, raising the tension of the moment, until words in a tongue understandable to those present were heard.
The sage shouted. Rey could understand that the old man was still far away; if he spoke normally perhaps they couldn't hear him, and the faster he lowered the visitors' tension, the better it would be for him to interact with them.
"I am finally full of joy! Welcome, passengers of life! Fragments of the transcendental spirits of heat and cold created in the Heavens, the place to which you are destined to return! You! Entrants of the gates of heaven are the ones who this time will grant three miracles to this sacred point! Fear not, feel privileged to have the right to tread the ground you tread. Before me, in this instant, your most despicable actions will be interpreted as the most noble."
A little closer and the voice was heard less loudly.
"Apologies for the delay, it has been a last-minute change. I did not expect to be the one welcoming you. If Michael had been in this place, the confrontation against the animals he so cares for and appreciates would have been avoided. I am sure that, if you see him, he will have consideration for you, just as you had consideration for the enormous beast."
There he was, a skinny old man almost down to the bones, with a fluffy and long beard, closing his eyes to give a smile and appear friendlier to the visitors. "Hmm! Their gazes are still distrustful," the long-lived old man with the calm face and closed eyes said to himself.
Katherine, cautious, raised her motive:
"The parchment we used was part of a family legacy left by Lord Ambrogio Priovam De-Byron, who is in our family tree and who was supposed to welcome us. Not you, nor this Michael person."
"Ahh. I can understand. It makes sense. You expected Ambrogio to welcome you, or at least someone with blue eyes. Unfortunately, that cannot be the case. He is busy doing his job. Let me introduce myself. I am known as the Great Wise Mage."
He pointed at Ehimus with his finger and quickly said:
"You, do not waste saliva, have some consideration for me now that I speak. On the other hand…"
The green elf hadn't even said anything, and everyone looked at her with confusion, as if she had, for they perfectly believed her capable of it.
It was true: Ehimus, despite being the smallest in stature, did not behave at all like the adults. She had green hair, long enough to be tied in a ponytail on the right side of her head. She wore a large garment with a hood that seemed to serve as a raincoat reaching the ground, over which she tripped if she tried to run. She walked barefoot and all other inner cloths were composed of rose petals and delicate leaves. Rey believed that if green represented life and nature, she was the representation of green, and even if someone tried to kill her, cut her, or burn her, she would resurface with even more strength and experience than before.
But Ehimus hadn't spoken for the Great Wise Mage to shush her. Furthermore: one could say the old man had reprimanded her without reason or motive. Rey, as an outsider, noticed something odd in those words so strangely pronounced by the old man in his reprimand against the elf. Searching his memory, no one ever called the Great Wise Mage by his real name. And now that he was introducing himself, he was using a distraction to avoid saying it. Or perhaps he had said it, only it had to be reconstructed between those words of off-key pronunciation. However it may be, it was too much work trying to deduce someone's name if you can refer to them in another way.
"Michael," continued the Wise Mage, at which everyone returned their attention to him, and Ehimus, the only one in the group who was truly curious to know the old man's name, remained silent only so the others wouldn't look at her the same way again for interrupting, "the one I spoke of before, is the guardian of this circle and it seems he has not yet finished guiding those who have been arriving prior to you."
Katherine articulated her mouth demonstrating distrust:
"What particular work is Lord De-Byron doing that he cannot welcome the most illustrious descendant of the Priovam clan? If one may know."
"One that Zeus personally entrusted to the original user of the body," said The Wise Mage, "if you know what I refer to. But since the mind ceased to be who it was, I asked him to continue the work the condemned body was willing to do as it had been ordered. In exchange, I granted him the opportunity to abandon hell for a brief period of time and to also take with him an express ticket to the interior of the safest place in the three planes."
Although the words sounded convincing enough for the listeners to relax, amidst so many questions circling Ehimus's immature mind, she was able to formulate the two that seemed most important to her.
"So, you know Maryam's grandfather? And was it you who gave him the parchment?"
The Great Wise Mage directed his gaze to the little green one.
"Indeed. When he ceased to be Minos and his vampire heart finally took control of the condemned body, it was I who handed him that seal you used. I can prove it. The parchment was headed by the following scriptures: 'Without sword, but with the palms of the hands and this parchment on the ground, the persecuted who wish to rest in peace shall wage a battle, so as to come to see a new site in the warmth of a dream, inside a sky with no stars to chase,' and many other metaphors that really make no sense. The parchment, itself, is the seal and not the scriptures that come within."
Heroclades nodded at the Great Wise Mage's affirmation.
"Therefore, since I gave the parchment to Ambrogio and suggested he not neglect his work, I also told him I would make myself responsible for you… I hope it does not take you by surprise, but the three blessings of which I spoke are due to the fact that the vampiress carried in the arms of your leader will have multiple children," said the skinny black-skinned man to direct attention back to another topic.
Rey had never seen the elders talking among themselves for so long. They were serious and tense, as if preparing to attack at any moment. Rather, as if preparing to be attacked, except for Wulfgang and Heroclades. Wulfgang was surprised, and on his face were the expressions of someone who didn't know what to say at the revelation. In contrast, Heroclades, who wore the same tunics with buttons and threads of gold, was the one most impressed and concerned. Unable to contain himself, he formulated a discordant question, since the future father could not manage to find a concordant one:
"But the predictions indicate it is one! What do you mean multiple?! It cannot be. What, was it not the incarnation of…?"
Rey noticed that everyone in the group almost took a step backward. They knew that such an ambiguous comment by the bronze-skinned gentleman was not going to be taken well by the lycanthrope. And indeed, the werewolf replaced his emotion of sadness with an explosive, heart-rending rage, product of the emergence of that lacerating comment, which made him shout words of warning with fury:
"So that is what you believe. And I suppose you have a good reason?"
Wulfgang ran his hand over his head and flattened his long hair back so that only a few strands remained peeking over his face.
"What is your reason, son of Metis?! Is it perhaps that you believe my descendant will finish what you gave up on finishing after what happened to your sister?"
Heroclades did not know how to respond. Like a father feeling shame before a son's reproaches, he averted his gaze. With force, he placed his hand on the book hanging from his belt and, despite having lived many years, he could not help but look emotional when his sister was mentioned.
The uncomfortable situation seemed to affect Maryam, who lost the strength to keep standing on her feet. Wulfgang stopped confronting his master and, with speed, held his wife to then examine her with worried eyes and end up carrying her in his arms. Like one carrying something as delicate as a baby, the lycanthrope showed care, making sure to settle his wife well.
"You need not worry so much. I am only a little tired," said the vampiress, almost using the same distraction methods the Great Wise Mage used.
Rey was paying more than close attention to everything. Heroclades did not seem to have somber intentions, but it was the first time he touched the book that carried crystallized counsels. His father seemed to be in pain, but he wasn't wrong either. Ehimus let out air as if she didn't know whom to defend. Miján crossed his arms like someone hiding his discomfort at being so close to the muscular vampiress. Katherine made herself appear in favor of Heroclades, like someone waiting for an opportunity to speak.
"Do not worry… let me be your feet from here on out."
With words, the lycanthrope calmed the vampiress, on whom neither a belly nor tiredness was even noticeable. Then he directed an apologetic look at the older, bronze-skinned gentleman:
"Umm, Hero. I was wrong to have mentioned your sister, knowing how much it hurts you."
Heroclades responded, availing himself of a disguised sadness:
"No hard feelings."
Before the eyes of the fascinated little one whose presence no one noticed, the vampiress gave a discreet smile and, immediately after, closed her eyes there where she felt safe, in the arms of her beloved. It was no wonder that both the master and the pupil, present there, had a whole great past over which they could argue and end up fighting as they had done so many times, but Maryam managed to divert the attention with her almost silent words and weak acts. At the peace between those two, Katherine was the only one to show dissatisfaction.
The Great Wise Mage, after patiently waiting for the group to resolve the internal conflicts, continued speaking:
"If you will excuse the clarification, the bronze-skinned gentleman is not entirely wrong. The life of those who die is prone to follow the natural course of their existence, even after dying. This course can be delayed by unfinished business of parents or acquaintances. Even so, the reincarnated are consecrated to follow the same path. If they failed to fulfill the path in a previous life, be it for good, be it for bad, they will be obliged to reincarnate again and again, regardless of whether they reach spiritual wisdom or manage to finish their mission."
"But, even if they have the need to reincarnate to fulfill a basic function, as basic as revenge, the reincarnated lose the memories of their past experiences. These remain locked away so that the individual may live a new and full life. The possibility that one of the little ones is the reincarnation of someone is present, and even more so in this sanctuary. Which of the three coming is the one chosen to reincarnate? No one knows; it could be all three. It will only be known when they grow and find the path to which their powers and gifts belong," said the old man trying to explain the so delicate situation occurring in the place.
With a firm voice, Katherine, who was waiting for the opportunity, took the chance to expose her doubts:
"Does that mean there also exists the possibility that Hades could reincarnate among one of the babies on the way?"
At the ironic comment of the muscular vampiress, Ehimus spoke for Heroclades as if it were a personal matter. The elf, out of admiration and respect, had not said anything to Wulfgang when he offended Heroclades, but she did not feel the same toward the vampiress.
"And you are going to mention the name of the one who almost permanently ended the life of Hero's so beloved sister? Some do not tire of hurting others' wounds to seek conflict."
Miján, who had not averted his gaze from the Great Wise Mage, seemed to feel how Katherine almost touched him, since she had advanced to stand closer to the elf. Nervous, he added:
"Is it sensible to keep arguing? There must be something better that can be done."
"If you wish, you may follow me to the best circle within hell," said the Great Wise Mage as he turned and walked. "I admit that, if you notice yourselves more irritable than usual, it is due to the effect of the place. I assure you that you will be able to think better when you leave the irritating noise of suffering voices, the smell of burnt flesh, and this mist of blood behind."