Fire, the result of a physical reaction between an oxidizing material and a fuel, which reacts exothermically with a temperature above 100 degrees Celsius. In the past it was said that fire was a purifying element, that it took all the impurities from an object and consumed them to renew it. Far from that idealistic concept, the rubble of the church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro still smoked with shades of embers among the remains of charred corpses.
Homicide detectives tiptoed around the evidence, holding bandanas to their faces to cover their noses against the pungent aroma of burning meat. Bodies that in some cases were unrecognizable, had their rictus with an expression of agony that was seen mainly with the corpses that were piling up at the side doors. Which had visible signs of scratches, as crude testimony of the struggle to survive before that fateful encounter.
- "Detective Aurora, come see this!" – An officer in a black jacket with the forensic legend written on the back, raised his hand signaling to the detective about a discovery that required her intervention.
- "What did you find?"
- "As you may have noticed, all the bodies inside the vault were scattered in all directions. The most logical thing in a fire is to seek to get away from the flames and find a way out just as they did. But…"
- "But what?"
- "If you look carefully at the soot marks on the floor and those that were close to the wall, you will be able to realize that this person was at the starting point of the conflagration."
- "Are you telling me that she started the fire?" – Approaching the corpse pointing her flashlight on the body, the detective noticed a strange element that protruded from the mouth of that woman's body. Grasping it with tweezers by the edge, he moved his jaw slightly, releasing what appeared to be a piece of parchment made of cowhide, bearing a Latin inscription written in gold ink.
- "Quo vadis dominee, where are you going my lord?"
- "Doesn't it seem strange to you, detective. At first I thought that this person had acted voluntarily from the way he was holding the oil lamp in his hands. If it had been an accident, I would have thrown it open, but she clung so tightly that the heat melted her skin with the metal" - While they were examining the body for more evidence, a slight sound that came from under their feet alerted the officers , who drew their weapons following the trail.
Heading into the back of the temple where the main forum was located, the detective led the way as she reached what appeared to be a slightly gaping cast-iron trapdoor in the floor.
- "Officer, go for Lieutenant Trevor and show him the way to get to me"
- "Are you planning to go down alone?" – With a worried expression, the forensic officer had her eyes like those of a deer in the middle of the road when she sees the lights of a truck. That boy was barely two years old after having entered by force, lacking a lot of experience in dealing with a murderer.
- "Child, I am going to be clear with you. Whatever is down there, it won't hesitate to shoot you in the head or bash you in the skull with whatever comes to hand. If you come with me, I'm going to have to shoot the fucking bastard and I need to get a confession out of him. Unless you have a Ouija board, I don't think the dead talk" - Smiling sarcastically, Aurora pointed the light of her lamp surprisingly at the officer, who by mere reflex put his hands to his face to avoid being blinded by that light .
- " Bang . You see, if I were the killer you'd already be wearing a body bag along with the smoking logs from the vault. Do what I told you and stop wasting time."
- "Yes, Detective!" – Leaving the inexperienced boy behind, the detective went down the stairs from the trapdoor holding her lamp with her mouth. Trying to make as little noise as possible given the fragility of the creaking metal of the stair railings.
Following the path of a tunnel covered in gloom, Aurora lightly covered her lamp to prevent the light from alerting the perpetrator who was taking refuge in that hiding place. As her footsteps brought her closer to what appeared to be a wooden door, the sound of a muttering voice recited a prayer in a language that was unintelligible to her ears.
It was not Latin, ancient Greek or Aramaic, from the years of her childhood that she was interested in ancient cultures, the detective had never had the opportunity to learn that strange language that was suddenly interrupted by the moans of what seemed to be a woman .
- "NYPD, drop the gun and put your hands where I can see them!" – Kicking the door open, the detective pointed her gun at a middle-aged man who was holding a woman prisoner. Gagged and with her hands tied to the wall, on her chest she had a symbolic pattern drawn in blood that she recognized just by looking at it.
- "Against the wall! You are under arrest on suspicion of multiple homicide, arson, kidnapping and attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you. You have the right to a lawyer, in case you do not have the means, the state will provide you with one" – Reading him his rights while handcuffing him according to protocol, the detective saw how Lieutenant Trevor entered the underground room with his breath agitated by his race in the hall
- "Detective Aurora, why go down without support?"
- "Lieutenant, the only officer who was with me at the time we detected suspicious activity, does not have enough field experience. I am not going to bring a child who continues to wet his diaper to what could become a borderline situation "
- "But still!"
- "Trevor, don't worry. Can't you see that I'm fine?"
- "Yes, this time. But how about the next one? You can't be so impulsive, Aurora, you're not bulletproof" – Lowering her face a little, Aurora hesitated for a moment and then apologized to the lieutenant, who approached the woman imprisoned in the room. Untying her hands and releasing the gag from her lips.
- "Very good jerk, move" - Pushing the suspect into custody, the detective walked holding his neck while keeping his left hand on the weapon in the face of any possible escape attempt or resistance.
- "Quo vadis domine" - When the prisoner recited that same phrase in Latin that was found on the corpse on the upper level, the woman who until a few moments ago was in Trevor's arms came out of her trance, launching herself like an animal snapping her arms. teeth against Aurora. Who fell on the ground on top of the suspect, while pushing the woman who had lost her mind with her arms.
His eyes were completely blank, as if the iris were covered by a veil of flesh. With her face disfigured as if she were a demon, that woman seemed possessed by a strange force that little by little was defeating the detective. Who at times felt a stench coming from the skin of his attacker, as if it were a corpse that had just been revived.
- "Stop your actions and get down on the ground!" – Pointing his gun at the woman, Trevor hesitated to shoot because he had no clear point where the bullet would not accidentally hit the detective.
- "Lieutenant, damn it, don't shoot! She is a witness, we need her alive."
- "Aurora, lift her up a bit."
- "Fuck you, Trevor! Put down your weapon" – With the teeth almost about to bite off the carotid artery, the sound of a detonation resounded on the walls of the room while blood spattered Aurora's face, who felt like that body that until recently for a few moments he struggled with her with the impetus of a beast, he collapsed inert at her side.
- "You are well?" - Extending his hand to help her sit up, Trevor's face was bathed in sweat that reflected on his skin the dim light of the candles that illuminated the room. With a look of relief in his eyes, the lieutenant hugged Aurora, who suddenly pushed him away in anger.
- "Because you did?"
- "What are you talking about woman? I had you seconds away from ripping your neck off with one bite! I did what I have to do"
- "I needed her alive, Trevor! Did you not see the symbols inscribed on his body? This damn bastard surely kidnapped her just like they did with my sister" – Holding the lieutenant by the collar of his shirt, Aurora burst a couple of buttons in the struggle while Trevor slapped her to make her see reason.
- "The duty of an officer is to cover his partner in the face of a threat against his life. If I were in your place and you in mine, I would expect you to do the same" – Fixing his shirt, the lieutenant took the prisoner from the floor and forcefully carried him down the hall. While Aurora remained for a moment next to the body of the dejected woman, closing her eyes as she lowered her face crying.
Feeling a rocking movement in her body, Aurora woke up from her dream, opening her eyes contemplating what seemed to be the roof of a sleigh that was propelled over the sands. As she came to her senses, the warm touch of a thick hand gripped hers, feeling her heartbeat through the blood vessels in her skin.
- "Gideon, how much longer to reach the limits of Kalifuto ?" – The imposing figure of Prince Remius directed his gaze to the driver who led the sleigh, with a tone of voice that denoted his anxiety.
- "My lord, we are only a few hours away from reaching our forces. The soldiers will march as soon as we arrive at the meeting point. Just wait a little longer, it's not a long time."
- "How easy to say, a few hours. Fifteen days have passed since we left Theseus, our men cannot wait any longer."
- "Fifteen days?" – The prince turned his face to Aurora, looking directly into her eyes, placing the palm of his hand on her forehead.
- "I see that you have already regained consciousness. For a moment I thought you would never wake up after falling that night."
- "That night? My husband! Where is Max? – Disturbed by the memories that came to her head, Aurora got up forcefully from the floor of the wagon being stopped by Remius in his arms.
- "Calm down woman, I can't handle the situation again if you lose consciousness again. Think about the creature you carry in your womb" – Taking her hands to her bulging abdomen, Aurora lowered her face crying while Remius consoled her by leaning her face against his chest. Letting her vent for all that time that she had repressed her tears for that love that she thought was lost.
Meanwhile, in the inner confines of Kalifuto Palace , King Ambrose walked with his arms behind his back through the halls of his majestic castle. Silently accompanied by a young woman in her early twenties, who had her eyes on the monarch with a sad expression.
- "If the walls of this palace could talk, what could they say about me? Was I a good sovereign? Did I lead my people wisely? If the history books talked about me, I think they would say that I was a foolish and stubborn man."
- "Father, please don't say that! Your people have witnessed your exploits and faithfully believe in you; rest assured, don't doubt it. If it were not so, then whose souls are outside the palace walls waiting for you to lead them" – Holding his arm hugging him, Princess Suthi , the last living descendant of the royal lineage, felt her heart languish with each minute that the moment of truth approached.
His obsidian-black eyes were framed by the smooth brown skin of his face that bore the tattoos that served as a sign of his position within the royal family. With abundant hair curling like the waves of the ocean, true to his blood lineage, he stood by the king even when all the cabinet members had left the palace with their families.
- "Every time I see you, I can't help but see myself with that iron character of yours and at the same time, feel that I'm talking to your mother when I see that beautiful face" - Placing his hands on his daughter's cheeks, the The king placed a kiss on the forehead of the princess, who trembled in tears while the lookouts blew their horns giving the signal of sighting the enemy on the horizon.
- "I have to go"
- "Father, let me go with you!"
- " Suthi , as king I must go alone to face my adversary. And as a father, with what face could I see your mother in the afterlife if I don't restrain you at this moment? – Giving him a blow to the neck, Ambrosio took his unconscious daughter in his arms, walking for the last time down the corridor that led to his room. Leaving him on the bed, the king drew a long breath as he covered his eyes with his hand. Hitting the edge of the wall, to then continue his journey to the gates of the palace.
- "My lord, we have arrived." – Stopping the momentum of the beasts that pulled the sled, Gideon descended from the mount in search of the officer in charge of the legion detachments in the prince's service.
- "Woman, it is time for me to introduce myself to my men. I will leave one of my soldiers as an escort to watch over your safety. No matter what, don't step foot off this sled. Are we clear?"
- "Dawn"
- "Forgiveness?"
- "I have said that my name is not a woman, but Aurora."
- "Seeing the way you answer me, I can leave calmly knowing that you feel better. Just do what I told you and don't get into trouble, Aurora" – Abandoning the sleigh, the prince walked to his men who were already waiting for him in column formation. Raising his arms in the air, Remius gave a speech to the soldiers inspiring them to have courage in the face of the adversary.
- "Sirs! All of you have marched with me through these inhospitable lands, facing the cruel scorching sun and the sting of the monsters ready to devour your flesh. Look at your partner on the left, then the one on your right, they're not just soldiers under the banner of Aspirtenian glory , no. They are brothers and sisters in arms who have shared the same bitter cup of war.
Tonight that we raise our swords, let us not be like the barbarians who wound without distinction the combatant and the unarmed. No, we will not be like beasts that crawl on the ground, but we will firmly plant our feet on the sand, proving that we are better than them.
That's why I ask you to lend me your sword; all in one being, under the authentic glory of a soldier and not the maelstrom of an animal" - At the end of his speech, the members of the legion raised their voices with their swords in hand in the air, crying out the name of Remius above all name.
- "Hail the only king! Glory to Melina's favorite son!" – The thunderous echo of those screams could be heard inside the sleigh, making Aurora shudder in a way other than fear.
Who is this man who can inspire the masses with such conviction? It was what she thought to herself, while trying to peek behind the veil at the entrance to the sleigh cabin. That overflowing crowd of enthusiasm was reflected in Aurora's pupils, who felt an almost magnetic and inexplicable attraction to the silhouette of Prince Remius .
- "It is the prince's lineage ability, colloquially known as the king's charisma. But his real name is quo vadis domine"
- "What have you said?" – Holding the soldier by the shoulder, Aurora was surprised to hear the name of Remius ' ability . Those words that she knew as the Latin language, in that distant world were the name given to one of the bloodline abilities within the Aspirtenes race .
- "Wait a moment! They gave me the order to keep her safe until the prince returns. Please return to the cabin." – Pushing Aurora's face inside, the soldier seemed a little annoyed by the impetus of the woman, who saw no alternative but to obey him to wait for Remius 's return .
- "Mr! A man is riding towards us! Shall we start the attack?"
- "Wait! No one makes a single move until I give the order" – With his sight pointing to the horizon with the spyglass, the prince saw with the clarity of the rays of the full moon the silhouette of the man who rode alone among the desert sands.
the reins of a camelus , Remius mounted with a thud of the bridle and raced to meet him face to face.
- "Long time no see, Prince Remius . Seeing that he has grown into a man, I cannot imagine conceiving the memory of that brat whose arms trembled as we crossed swords on the battlefield" – Dressed in his combat armor, King Ambrosio wore on his head the crown symbol of his position with all pride.
- "I see that you are still the same imposing man as some time ago, I am glad that the years are generous with you. But just the same, I know he's still the same wise man you know when a battle is unwinnable. Surrender now and I give you my word that the lives of your men will be spared."
- "Enough of unnecessary verbiage Remius . You know very well that men like us can only understand each other by clashing our swords. On the battlefield, it is the only language that really matters" – Descending from his mount, Ambrosio drew his sword from the scabbard strapped to his back, sticking the point into the ground while leaning with both hands on the handle.
- "I know that you speak to me with the truth, my dear friend. But you must understand that, like Lupus, it is an affront to pride to surrender to the enemy and we would rather die than go through the shame of tucking our tails between our legs."
- "Ambrosio, stop being stubborn! There are not only soldiers inside the city walls, there are women and children as well. Isn't even your daughter inside?"
- "How do you know my daughter is in town?" – Brandishing his heavy sword against the prince's body, Remius barely managed to dodge the attack by rolling across the sands while giving the order to his men to hold their positions.
- "Ambrosio should know better than anyone, a king who prides himself on being one must see a step forward to guide his own"
- "Ha, ha, ha, ha. Sly brat. You are definitely still the same as the first day we met." – Laughing out loud, King Ambrosio felt relieved for a moment in front of his opponent, seeing him in his eyes with the reflection of past years. When he was just a teenager who was disowned by the nobles of his kingdom.
- "Okay Remius , I believe in you. But as I already told you, we Lupus do not surrender to the enemy without fighting in which we put our lives at stake" - Transforming into his lycanthropic form, Ambrosio raised his jaws to the sky and released a powerful howl that was heard until the end of the day. inside the city walls of Kalifuto . Receiving as a response moments later, thousands of howls that came loaded with a feeling of sadness and resignation.
- "You have already heard it, Prince Remius . My people have accepted my terms."
- "What are you talking about?" – Before the prince's incredulous gaze, King Ambrosio stripped off his armor, exposing his muscular back covered in white fur. That little by little, it was turning crimson while his eyes turned completely into a dark ocean.
- "I, Ambrosio Kali of Sidelia , challenge you Prince Remius Astarothe of Melina to beat us in Ansuteph " – Dating back thousands of years, the tradition of the Ansuteph was a duel to the death that was intended as a means of coercion in the face of family disputes over the succession of rights.
As a race that had a strong family bond, the Lupus used this duel for extreme cases where the life of an entire family was put at stake due to inheritance issues.
- "Are you crazy Ambrosio? The Ansuteph can only be fought between representative members of the same family. How do you think this duel will make sense to your people?"
- "Truly, you are slow to understand things Remius , you still have a long way to go to reach the full wisdom of a monarch. Even your idiot brother, that creeping viper, knows very well how to establish a man's legitimacy over his subjects."
- "I refuse! Have you considered your own daughter's opinion?"
- "She is like me, even if I don't ask her directly. She is capable of sacrificing herself for the good of her governed." – With a tone of voice loaded with deep regret, Ambrosio was aware of Remius 's words . As a father, his heart sank in shame for forcing his daughter into a contract marriage. But putting his duty as king first, he bit his lip as he let out a second howl against the moon. Turning his fur from carmine red, to a black tone that blended with the night sky.
- "I only have a few seconds before I lose my mind. Afterwards, I'll turn into a beast that can't be stopped unless you kill it. So don't hesitate brat, I know you have your second awakening. Come with all against me, let us be kings fighting in the arenas" – Finally plunging into a trance leaving his conscience behind, the once glorious King Ambrose turned into a bloodthirsty wild beast, swinging his sword furiously raising with his force a sandstorm that pushed back Remius 's body .
- "So be it, my friend!" Removing his cloak to release his second form, Remius 's body was covered in scales releasing fiery steam that turned the metal plates of his armor red hot. Putting the palms of his hands together placing them on the sands, the ground shook completely under the feet of the soldiers even reaching the walls of the capital.
Giving way to a beast that emerged from the sands endowed with six heads with serpentine fangs and the shape of dragons. That mythical being was known as the Basilisk, an extension of the bloodline ability of Melina's royal family. Unlike his brother Romulos , Prince Remius had inherited the purity of his father's skill line. Gaining legitimacy in the eyes of the nobles, but still meeting resistance from others.
Bathed in the moon that served as indolent witness, the two warriors threw themselves against each other, causing an explosion with the clash of their powers that shook the tense calm of the Goba desert.