Hammya settled into an elegant black armchair, and the young men came forward to make their introductions. The first to speak was Hector.
Hector had white hair, including his eyebrows, and deep brown eyes. His bangs were combed at a subtle slant to the left. He wore a formal white suit, which he matched with a black tie and shirt, plus a vest of the same shade of white. His bearing was serious but he also radiated charisma.
As for his powers, Hector wielded poker cards as if they were both a strong shield and swift arrows. He had the ability to pass through solid objects and to release a sinister black vapor from his mouth to escape from adverse situations.
In addition, he was noted for his skills in mathematics, as well as his mastery of computers and technology. It was said that, if he wanted to, he could make China and the United States go dark with his knowledge.
Next to introduce himself was Lucas, although he has already been discussed. Then it was Anzor's turn.
Anzor: Originally from Moscow, Russia, Anzor has a Russian accent due to his arrival in Argentina at the age of nine. His hair is light blond and his eyes, of an intense light blue tone, reflect his personality. He was wearing a white shirt and an elegant jacket of a deep dark blue. He also wore a red scarf around his neck, refined black pants and a blue trench coat that almost reached his ankles. He is known for his charisma, his sparkling sense of humor and his rare seriousness, which emerges on rare occasions.
As for his powers, Anzor wields a medieval-style sword that allows him to shatter iron gates and create tornadoes up to two meters long. He also possesses the ability to fly for one hour and forty-eight minutes. His speed is astonishing; he can travel the distance between Chaco and Uruguay in the blink of an eye.
Anzor also stands out for its mastery of the art of hide-and-seek. He uses the environment to his advantage to hide and has an exceptional memory that allows him to remember everything without forgetting any detail. He is also extremely cautious with phone calls.
Matlotsky: Surprising as it may seem, he was born in Tierra del Fuego. His hair is black, and his eyes have a captivating shade of green. He wears a long-sleeved orange shirt, rolled up to the forearm, along with an elegant black vest and a tie of the same shade. He complements his attire with refined pants in a dark brown and elegant sneakers in a light brown shade, featuring a green line. In addition, he wears a green pencil in his left ear and a workman's glove on his right hand. A tool belt accompanies him, in which are a hammer, a nail gun and a tool box that, despite looking strange, has the capacity to store up to two hundred million objects. Matlotsky is known to be the somewhat comical member of the group, but he is equally kind and trustworthy. He would never betray his friends, and greatly enjoys playing pranks and teasing his team.
Unlike some of his teammates, Matlotsky does not possess any powers.
However, his skill lies in an almost inhuman ability: he can build things with impressive speed in as little as thirteen minutes. This ranges from houses and buildings to scaffolding, protective shields, wall ladders (of exclusive use to Candado) and nail turrets, the latter for manual use.
Ana: With long, flowing blonde hair and piercing green eyes, Ana Maria has a mole just below her right eye. She wears a long-sleeved white shirt with a light blue ribbon bow around her neck. She wears a bracelet that reads "I AM WHAT I AM," as well as a gold-plated chain that hangs with a crescent-shaped ornament. Her outfit is completed with a blue skirt that reaches her knees and white stockings that reach the same height. Her polished black shoes complement her appearance. Ana María is an extremely energetic person, although she also has traits of stubbornness, stubbornness, mockery and mischievousness.
As for her abilities, Ana Maria possesses incredible superhuman strength that allows her to lift a truck with one hand. In addition, she has the ability to breathe underwater and become stealthy when she needs to. She is also capable of shooting red laser beams from her eyes.
As for her abilities, her amazing strength allows her to jump a hundred times higher than a human without powers. She masters cooking proficiently, being able to prepare at least six different dishes. His performance in school is excellent and, as if that weren't enough, he has the ability to carry heavy objects.
The sixth to introduce herself was Declan, who approached Hammya and, with an angry expression on his face, pronounced, "I'll keep an eye on you."
Declan: Originally from Dublin, Ireland, he spent his childhood in Fingal, specifically in the village of Howth. His Irish accent lingers in his speech due to his arrival in Argentina at the age of nine. With light red hair and blue eyes, he wears a light blue shirt with black dress pants. He complements his attire with an elegant trench coat of the same color, a blue tie and a silver chain around his neck with a cross of Jesus Christ as an ornament.
As for his powers, Declan possesses a sword that allows him to triple his attack strength at an astonishing speed of 777 kilometers per hour. Like Anzor, he can generate a tornado, although this time it is fire instead of wind or sand. In addition, he has the ability to summon swords from the ground or air, is a proficient swordsman (although he does not reach Anzor's level), and can see in the dark. His character is serious and distrustful, though he reserves his confidence for his friends and family, which is occasionally reflected in a laugh.
In terms of his abilities, Declan shares with Candado his ability to observe, although he is guided more by intuition rather than deduction. Although he may be somewhat slow to understand certain situations, he shows great insight depending on the context. In addition, he is an expert in making clothes and stuffed animals. Curiously, he possesses the peculiar ability to perceive the contents of a book simply by looking at its cover, which raises the question of how he can know its contents without even reading it.
Next to make his presentation was Germán, who approached Hammya and spoke in a calm, comforting voice: - "Don't pay attention to Declan. He is distrustful by nature, but since you are new, he is simply looking out for himself. If you make an effort to gain his trust, I'm sure you'll eventually get along."
German: With black hair and gray eyes, German sports a scar in the shape of the number four on his right cheek. He wears a white shirt and a black suit, complemented by a tie of the same shade. His appearance might evoke the image of the "men in black", were it not for the lack of dark glasses. Despite the initial impression, he is a kind and friendly person. Although many may perceive him as rude, he is actually sympathetic and always carries a smile with him (Psycho).
As for his powers, Germán is the seventh son of the Benítez family, which makes him a wolf-wolf. He possesses impressive strength, almost equal to that of Ana Maria. Unlike other lobizons who only transform during the full moon and lose consciousness, Germán can convert at will and maintain full awareness of his actions. He can speak and interact normally in this form. He is agile and quick through forests, and can scale large walls with his sharp claws. In addition, it is capable of cutting wood and trees with its super-sharp nails. When he transforms into a werewolf, he increases his height by three meters, which makes him even faster and more agile. His clothes adapt by stretching when he transforms.
As for his abilities, Germán has chosen to be Candado's personal bodyguard, a choice he made of his own free will. He always follows Candado everywhere, as if he were his shadow. He possesses exceptional vision that allows him to see at a distance of thirty-five kilometers. He is a genius in mathematics and literature, able to think clearly even under great pressure. Finally, he has the ability to get along with all animals.
A distinctive trait of Germán is his constant cheerfulness. It is rare to see him angry, sad or serious, as he always wears a smile on his face, similar to how Candado usually maintains his seriousness.
The eighth and ninth were sisters Erika and Lucía.
Erika: A redhead with long hair and dark eyes, Erika usually wears formal red pants, accompanied by a black shirt with a red bow and a formal vest in the same tone. She stands out for being kind, intelligent, innocent and shy. She aspires to be like Candado, showing herself to be as strong and fearless before her enemies.
As for her powers, Erika possesses the power of platinum, which allows her to create non-lethal liquid platinum. She has control over temperature, being able to make it hot or cold at will. She uses this power as a shield and her high-pitched scream can stun those nearby. He generates spheres of platinum and electricity that explode upon contact with someone. She wears a silver ring that, when joined with her sister's ring, generates a gaseous sphere of gold and silver, a curious and powerful combination capable of destroying even a building.
As for her abilities, Erika is ambidextrous and has the ability to glimpse the future for eight hundred seconds. She can transmit knowledge through her blood, although this ability does not please Candado. She is skilled in constructing credible and logical lies, i.e. she is a good liar. In addition, she can drive a car, although this ability is not useful for Candado due to her short stature.
Second sister.
Lucia: She is the opposite of her sister in some aspects. She has the same eyes as her and dresses identically, with only one difference in her attire: she adds a red tie and wears glasses. Her hair, like her sister's, is long. Unlike Erika, Lucia presents a wild and extremely competitive behavior. She enjoys teasing Hector and Declan, and tends to always be around her sister. She does not approve of Hector and Lucas's exaggerated way of dressing. Despite her appearance, she cares deeply for all her friends. Lucia idolizes Candado and Ana Maria to a great extent.
As for her power, Lucia shares the same power characteristics as Erika, but with gold. She can launch icy winds from her nose, mouth and ears, and her roar is more powerful than that of a lion. She feels no physical pain, although she is vulnerable to mental and emotional pain. It has the ability to lose limbs and regenerate them quickly, with the exception of its head, as this process is slower. She can become invisible to a person's field of vision, although to achieve this she must undress (although this last power was forbidden by Candado, so she rarely uses it).
As for her ability, Lucia can spy on people without them noticing. She has the ability to walk or run on water. Her quickness of speech allows her to hide messages effectively. She maintains excellent balance in various situations. She has a great interest in biology and world history.
When everyone had introduced themselves, Hector proposed something to Candado:
-How about if "he" also introduces himself? -said Hector to Candado.
-You're crazy, do you remember what happened to you the first time you saw "him"?
-Yes, I remember, Candado, but at that time I was very little," answered Hector with his hands on his hips.
-Who is "he"?
-It's none of your business.
-Come on, don't be like that, Candadito. If you're going to join us, you must know him," said Ana María in a mocking tone.
-JOIN US? We hardly know her. How is a stranger going to join us? -Declan exclaimed angrily.
-She's no longer a stranger, because we've introduced ourselves, and she's also introduced herself," said Germán in a jovial voice.
-I like her, her green hair attracts my attention," added Ana, tapping her fingers on the table.
-Just because she wears that hair color doesn't mean she's legit! In the midst of the shouting and fighting over whether or not Hammya should join them, Lucas, who was sitting down, got up very upset and slammed his flaming hand on the table.
-SILENCE! And let's let Candado decide. He is our leader, after all. They all fell silent and looked at Candado. He looked at them all and, raising his finger, spoke.
-Well, on the one hand it is true that we do not know her and it is possible that she will betray us at some point, but on the other hand, she hid her presence and her power from me. Besides, Tínbari told me that he doesn't know her, which makes her very interesting.
-Who is Tínbari? -Hammya asked. At that moment, an elegant and haughty voice rang out.
-You are all boring. I don't know about you, but I like the little one.
-You're stupid. You should have waited for my orders," said Candado, looking in all directions.
-I'm bored of watching you fight," the voice replied mockingly.
-You're a... bah, it doesn't matter anymore. You can show yourself," said Candado, holding his right hand to his face.
Hector looked at Hammya and said:
-Take care not to be frightened if you see him. It may look a little scary and evil, but it's not bad," added Hector.
At that moment, a wave of black smoke began to appear and formed a human figure. When it ended and the smoke dispersed, the individual was left on display. You could say he was horror personified, and he stood in front of Hammya.
He looked at her and smiled, approaching her and holding out his hand. At that instant, Hammya realized that he should also introduce himself.
Tynbari: His skin was red and his eyes were black, as if he had never seen the sun, but with white dots in them. He had two short white horns and a green helmet between them. Triangle-shaped scars crossed his forehead, from near his horn through the center, near the opening of his helmet, and ending at the other horn. The arrangement on the other forehead was similar, but in reverse. Threads ran through his lips, as if his mouth had been sewn shut. On his left hand he had three red fingers with sharp claws; on the other, a normal hand with five fingers and a tight black glove. It had no ears, but small holes instead. It lacked a nose, presenting two holes instead. He also had no eyebrows or eyelashes. He wore a red shirt with a light green tie, a knee-length blue trench coat, black dress pants with a belt of the same color, and highly polished black dress shoes. He was quiet and outgoing, enjoying scaring people with his appearance. He is a Bari (in his language it means "Father", in ours it means god), protector of Candado. He likes the food that Candado's mother cooks. In his past, he was human, one of the disappeared of the last military dictatorship. He participated in the Malvinas war. His appearance is due to the people he killed for revenge after his death.
Power: He is the Father of Death (God of Death), a demon capable of collecting and destroying human souls. He controls the earthly elements and possesses other powers. He is immortal.
Ability: He possesses none (he is a ghost, demon and god of death; his nature is enough ability).
Hammya was not at all startled at the sight of him, nor did he show astonishment, sadness or joy; his gaze was expressionless. This caught everyone's attention, including Tínbari. Of course, anyone would be surprised that someone would not feel fear towards a dark and ugly god of death. This aroused suspicions, especially in Declan, as to why Hammya did not react frightened or surprised.
-What expression is that? -Hector asked, one hand on his chin and the other in his pocket.
-What expression? -Hammya asked.
-Yes, that expression," said Luca, surprised.
-You saw Tínbari in person and you didn't show any expression. Anyone would have been frightened to see him, even Candado," said Anzor, his arms folded.
Hammya had no idea what was going on, he looked around waiting for someone to explain the situation.
-Have you seen Tínbari before, child? -asked Candado, very close to Hammya.
-No, not at all. It's the first time I've seen someone like that," said Hammya, looking into his eyes with a worried expression.
Candado turned his back to Hammya, arms crossed, and declared, "Understood. In that case, I will try something with you.
At that moment, Candado quickly pulled out his facon and positioned it over Hammya's throat.
. -What are you doing? -asked Hammya, with a trembling voice, fear in his eyes and a major sweat.
Everyone looked at Candado with concern, as he held a super-sharp weapon to the girl's neck.
-Well, you're not a robot and no one is controlling you," said Candado as he kept his facon in the belt on his back.
-WHY DID YOU DO THAT TO ME, CANDADO? TELL ME WHY! -shouted Hammya, hysterical.
Candado put his hand on Hammya's forehead.
-Mmm, you have no palpitations or pain. I think you're fine; apparently, you're not hiding it for yourself. Well done," said Candado.
The Hammya girl had no idea what was going on. The mystery was such that she quickly searched for a logical answer to the situation. However, the more she thought, the more confused she became and new questions arose.
-"Given the circumstances to which I have subjected you, I apologize and also officially, you have entered the brotherhood," said Candado with a cold and expressionless expression, as he placed his right hand on Hammya's shoulder.
Candado's companions looked at him and exclaimed:
-WHAT THE HELL!
-What a rudimentary way to apologize," commented Tínbari with a smile.
Everyone, except Ana, who was the only one who said "yay!", reacted with surprise. Lucas approached Candado, clearly dissatisfied with the decision.
-Dude, what was it that caught your attention to get her to join us? I mean, we don't even know her. How will we know she's on our side?
Lucas' words were enough to make everyone look at him like he was crazy. (In those days, questioning Candado's authority was tantamount to earning a tombstone and a cheap tombstone if you said so). But Lucas was quick to respond.
-It's a hunch. In time, you'll understand what I'm talking about," said Candado, without even looking at him.
Those three words hardly answered Lucas' question, if at all. No one understood why Hammya had been admitted to the group. The change in Candado's attitude from suspicion to ambition was unclear. As Candado headed for the exit door, he turned and said:
-Oh, and also the news today was that Esteban and his henchmen acquired a new combat technique that seems to be more dangerous than the previous one. Try not to confront him while I am not present," he said as he closed the door behind him.
-Hey, wait," said Anzor.
Candado closed the door violently; it was obvious that he did not want to hear any more. The house fell into an unusual silence. Hammya stopped looking at the door through which Candado had left and focused on Tínbari, who was staring at the same door with a smile on his face.
-You surprised Candadito and me. Great, but now it's your turn to gain everyone's trust," said Tínbari, looking at the door.
-Hey, but I have no idea what's going on.
-Relax, everything will become clear if someone informs you about what's going on. However, it won't be me," said Tínbari as he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.
Hammya was totally bewildered; it was as if they were speaking to her in Chinese or German. As she was about to get up from her chair, a hand rested on her shoulder. When she turned around, she found Ana.
-Don't worry, I trust you and I'm sure everyone else will too," said Ana with a smile.
-Hello, could you explain to me what's going on?
-Sure, no problem. She sat down next to Hammya and started talking.
-Well, I'll tell you the main thing. This guild you belong to is called "The Roobolean Brotherhood". It was created by Jack Barret when he was twelve years old, but then his son, Alfred Barret, took over.
-Who is Alfred Barret?
-He's Candado's grandfather, well, he was. He was killed two months ago," Anne said with her head down.
-I'm sorry.
-Don't apologize. You should have known him; he was very kind and always gave me candy.
-Why did they do it? Why did they kill him? -Hammya asked worriedly.
-We don't know, nobody knows, not even Candado. But the problems started before that.
-What do you mean?
-You see, Candado's grandfather already had problems with someone years ago. One example is the disaster of ninety-nine.
-Disaster? What happened on that date? -Hammya asked in surprise.
You don't know about the disaster of ninety-nine? Well, here's the story. Alfred had a lot of money and, like Candado, a Bari (Father in the Roobolean language) appeared in his life when he was a child. He told him that he came from a planet called Cotorium. Since then, Alfred had the ambition to build a very fast transport to reach Cotorium. But it was a long process. In 1967, Alfred created plans for a teleportation machine to take him to that planet, but he lacked the necessary resources. He then came up with the idea of creating a subway laboratory that would extend from Resistance to our town, which would give him total freedom to build it. The project was a success and was inaugurated in 1990, but nine years later, an incident occurred....
-What happened? -Hammya asked more intrigued.
-I'm sorry, I can't tell you exactly what happened. No one knows, not even Candado. His grandfather never revealed it, neither to him nor to his family. The survivors kept silent and there were no reports about the event. I only know that it was news in all the newspapers: "Institution of the province of Chaco caught fire on Thursday morning". That is all that was said.
-I understand. So that explains Candado's behavior, right? -No, it has nothing to do with it. He was always like that; this situation only aggravated it," said Ana gesturing with her fingers.
Then Ana left with the twins and Declan. Gradually, the house began to empty until Hammya was left alone. At that moment, he began to reflect on what had happened and what Ana had told him. For some unknown reason, Candado had allowed Hammya to join the guild. It involved a freak accident in 1999, the murder of Candado's grandfather, a feud with a boy named Esteban, and the existence of alien life on a planet. Hammya didn't know if they were crazy or if she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The experiences of the day flitted through her mind as she searched for some explanation, at least one that was a little clearer. She got up and walked over to the window. He watched the woods move in the wind. Then, he looked at the clock and saw that it was 3:36 pm. "Wow, time flies when you're having fun," he thought.
Then, with a firm and determined look, he declared:
-Well, I know what I have to do," he said with his fist outstretched towards the window.
Meanwhile, Candado walked through the empty streets of the town in the rain, with his hands in his pockets. He was deep in thought (which he enjoyed very much) about what had happened that day.
-What's the matter, my friend, did the girl get on your nerves? -asked Tínbari as he flew over his head.
-Shut up, you idiot. I'm tired because of everything that happened today, and I don't feel like listening to your taunts, "DEMONTO" (demon and fool). Besides, why didn't you let me ask him the question when he sat next to me at school?
-It could be an omen from me, but she's not like you humans. No, sir. That Hammya girl emanates something different that I don't know. Moreover, her power and soul are more extraordinary than one would expect in an ordinary human. I can almost assure you that she is much stronger than she appears.
-You too? Well, yes, I guessed as much. But that she's not human, I already knew that," Candado replied arrogantly.
-Oh, you knew that too. Good for you. By the way, I'd like to know why you admitted her to your guild?
-Well, just as you have your "omens", I had a hunch," said Candado with a crooked laugh and his eyes closed.
-Don't tell me he reminded you of her, did he? -said Tínbari in a soft tone. Hearing this, Candado brought his right hand to his gold-plated chain, which had a sun on it, and said:
-She was unique and irreplaceable. I could never do such a thing. I would give anything to go back in time," he added in a half-sad tone.
-It wouldn't do you any good to go back in time. Besides it's impossible, you couldn't help her anyway, since she was sick.
-I know, but I would like to see her one more time. Tínbari stopped behind Candado and, mockingly and insensitively, said:
-Well, I got bored talking about your deceased sister. She's where she belongs anyway. After all, all humans have that comfortable wooden box waiting for them, which is useless to have. And a few worms are waiting for them underground too. If you have anything else to tell me, we'll talk later. I've got work to do at the Pennsylvania. See you, my friend
-said Tínbari as he faded away. Hearing this, Candado did not get angry or upset. Rather, he began to laugh at what Tínbari had said. The laughter allowed him to forget his sorrows and sadness over the death of his sister. After laughing for quite a while, Candado wiped the tears from his eyes with his red handkerchief.
-Thank you, Tínbari. I needed it.
After uttering these words, Tínbari vanished into thin air, and the small breeze blowing on the back of Candado's neck carried with it a laughter that gradually faded away as the wind died down. Now, Candado was left alone in the quiet streets of the village, where the only inhabitants were birds, cats, dogs and some annoying mosquitoes.
He looked at his hands and shoes for a moment and then set out on his way home. The afternoon was advancing, and he walked for a long time, contemplating the scenery of the village streets and forests. Finally, he reached his neighborhood. It was 3:49 p.m., and he could already see people everywhere: adults chatting, old people sweeping their houses, and others drinking mate or tereré. Children between 6 and 8 years old were playing with a ball in the mud, while young people between 18 and 20 years old were clowning on the walls of the houses.
Candado arrived at his house, which resembled a German-style chalet built mostly of bricks and cement. The facade was a light blue color, giving it a distinctive look. On top of the house, there was a small stable with a wooden roof. The dwelling consisted of two stories, in addition to the stable on top.
After observing his home for a minute and a half, Candado entered through the front door. He closed it behind him and locked it. Sunlight streaming in through the windows of the dining room, kitchen and living room illuminated the house.
He climbed the stairs in front of the front door and came to a hallway with four doors. Three of them led to bedrooms, and the last led only to a staircase leading up to the stable above.
He approached the second door, a green wooden door with a yellow heart in the center, and opened it with extreme care. She found her grandmother Andrea sleeping in an armchair, a book of fairy tales in her lap. In front of her, little Karen, only two years old, was playing with a stuffed frog. Karen had green eyes, short blond hair, and wore yellow overalls with a breast pocket. She wore pink tights with teddy bears and a bright green T-shirt. Although she had no special powers, Karen stood out for her calmness and cunning despite her young age.
Seeing that everything was in order, Candado closed the door gently and quietly, so as not to wake the baby. Karen continued to play oblivious to her brother's presence.
When he checked that everything was in order, Candado closed the door delicately and quietly, so carefully that even the baby did not notice her brother's presence.
After making sure his sister was happy and healthy, Candado made his way to his own room. The door to his room was made of white wood and on it was a sign with the Latin inscription "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). Upon entering, he found a large space containing two windows adorned with curtains. The walls were painted white concrete and stood out in contrast to the rest of the decor.
The furnishings in the room were varied and practical. A bed of ideal size for two people was located under one of the windows, with a blue blanket and an orange pillow. Next to the door was a cherry red wooden closet with a mirror in the door. Beside the bed, about three or four inches away, was a black desk under the other window, accompanied by a wooden chair of the same color. The floor was covered by a gray carpet.
The room had modern conveniences, such as an air conditioner, a ceiling fan, and a small stove in the desk drawer. The wall decor consisted of five paintings and three picture frames. The paintings depicted historical figures such as Hipólito Yrigoyen, Juan Domingo Perón and Eva Duarte, Ernesto Guevara, Nicolás Avellaneda and Roque Sáenz Peña.
The photo frames were placed in a cabinet next to the closet. One of the frames contained a photograph of Candado's family, including his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and his two sisters. One of his sisters was Karen, who was just six weeks old in the photo. In another photo, Candado was smiling next to his cousin and sister, sitting in the front. Another photo showed Candado with his friends: Hector, Lucas, Ana Maria, German, Matlotsky, Lucia, Erika, Anzor, Declan, Viki, and his pet Sio and Clementina. There was also a photo of Candado and his cousins holding a soccer trophy aloft.
Candado took off his beret and placed it in his closet using a hanger. He then took a different beret and hung it on a hook on the door. He sat down at his desk and took a book out of his drawer. At that moment, however, he heard a barely perceptible noise, which did not seem normal to him at all. The next room belonged to his late sister, and no one went in there except to clean on weekends. Filled with suspicion and intrigue, he closed the book carefully and set it down on the table. He stood up, grabbed his facon and cautiously left his room, heading for the next room.
As he arrived, he put his ear to the door and began to hear small noises, like the sound of a lock and footsteps.
-Burglars? Esteban has come a long way," Candado whispered to himself.
Without wasting time, he grabbed the doorknob and quickly opened the door. He then lunged at the suspicious figure, pinning him down and placing his facon on his neck to prevent him from screaming. But to his surprise, he found a frightened Hammya, trembling and with tears in her eyes.
-What the hell, why are you here, you piece of wild tree? -asked Candado, holding the knife to Hammya's neck.
-Seriously, Candado, I think you should calm down, please," said Hammya, hesitating.
-I don't know where you come from or what your habits are, but HERE PEOPLE ENTER THROUGH THE DOOR AND NOT THROUGH THE WINDOW! -shouted Candado, furious.
-I'll tell you everything, just take that knife away from my neck," said Hammya, on the verge of tears. Candado stood up, put away his facon and helped Hammya to get up.
-Well, what are you doing here? -asked Candado, with his arms crossed and his eyebrow raised. Hammya took a letter out of his pocket and said:
-My father, before he died, told me to give you this letter. I was going to tell you at school, but I forgot. Then at that house, but I forgot again," he said as he held out his hand with a letter in it. -Idiot.
-Sorry, I got distracted. Candado took the letter and opened it, it said:
My dear friend, I know this may seem far-fetched and strange to you, but you told me that you were indebted to me and that if I ever needed help I would not hesitate to come to you and your father. I regret to inform you that I have terminal cancer and am in a lot of pain as a result of this. It is very difficult for me to move and also to breathe, I have almost no strength. The chemotherapy is no longer working for me and I have asked for a dignified death so as not to suffer any more.
That is why I want to ask you a favor. I want you to take care of my little girl, Hammya Saillim, because I will not be able to do it. I do not want her to end up in an orphanage and since I have no family or trusted friends, I entrust her care to you. You have proven yourself to be a person worthy of merit and trust. So please take care of her. I am sorry I cannot explain more in this letter, but Hammya will tell you everything in due time.
Yours, Ricardo Miranda "El Rueda".
Reading this, Candado felt a mixture of sadness and sorrow for his friend "El Rueda", who could not see him in his last moments. He looked at Hammya and thought that maybe he could stay if he asked his parents. However, how could he do that? It was a sudden situation and she was not an abandoned dog or cat; no, she was a little girl who had nowhere to go. Candado took a breath and, somewhat coldly, said:
-I don't know. Maybe if I talk to my parents, you could stay.
Hammya smiled and was about to hug Candado, but he quickly put his hand on her forehead to keep her at a distance.
-Don't even think about it. Look at your clothes, they're dirty. I'm sure you had to go through the mud in the garden. First take a bath and change your clothes.
-Just that?
-I still hate you. And if you're going to live here, don't bother me at all. I can make your life very miserable, whether you're Miranda's daughter or not. The letter says to take care of you, but nowhere does it specify how.
-Well," said Hammya, visibly frightened.
-I'm glad you understood, emerald.
-Stop teasing. I tried to dye my hair, but every time I did, the color changed.
-You get depressed so easily. How clumsy.
-Well, I think that's enough. -Well, I think that's enough. Now, where is the bathroom?
Candado motioned for me to follow him. However, as he headed for the entrance, the door mysteriously opened and hit Candado in the face, causing him to fall to the floor, groaning in pain. At that moment, a girl of about 12 years old appeared in the doorway.
-Hi. I came to inspect the strange noises in this room.
-Aaay! My nose hurts. Why didn't you knock on the door, Clementina? -complained Candado, while touching his sore nose.
-Young boss, I didn't know you were behind the door. My sincerest apologies. Besides, why would I knock on the door in an empty room? Do you want the air to open it? -said Clementina, with her left hand on her chest.
-Ha ha ha ha. Don't try to reason logically with me, you piece of Nokia. And you better be careful next time," warned Candado, pointing his index finger at Clementina's forehead.
Hammya approached them both and asked:
-Candado, who is she?
-Oh, you barely know each other and already you hate her. Oh, with you, child. Her name is Clementina V02 (Version 02).
-Why do you have that last name? -Hammya asked.
-Because it's a robot, made by my grandfather, with surviving parts from the Clementina computer.
-How do you do, Miss Alien," greeted Clementina with a smile.
-Oh, you too?
Clementina is white-skinned and has long black hair in a ponytail. Her eyes are totally dark, as if she has never seen sunlight, but they have bright green circles in them. His eyebrows are made of unbreakable glass, painted in a chestnut shade. On his neck he wears a tattoo with the number 02. He wears light green dress pants, along with shoes of the same color. His shirt is black and he wears a green vest. He complements his attire with pink formal gloves and a strong green tie. His personality is extremely peculiar: he is kind and obedient to the Barret family. Occasionally, he tries to imitate Candado's seriousness, but it rarely works out well. Sometimes he even annoys him by calling him "young boss". Rather, she tends to be energetic, with a hint of cold seriousness. She acts as a sort of sister to Candado.
As for her abilities and powers, Clementina, being an android created by Alfred, is a defensive weapon. She has hands that can transform into machine guns or knives, and her chest has the ability to launch fire. In addition, her right arm has an energy cannon that can destroy an entire wall or house. Despite her childlike appearance, Clementina acts with the maturity of an adult woman on certain occasions. She contributes to household chores and takes care of Candado's sister and grandmother. The latter is peculiar, as you don't usually see a child taking care of an older person. Clementina is extremely loyal to Candado, largely because he provided her with fur to make her appearance more human-like. In addition, she is responsible for running the house, taking care of the doors, windows, security systems and more. In other words, she has a central role in the running of the house and Candado's activities, including meetings.
The beginning of the relationship between Hammya and Clementina was somewhat awkward, but eventually they began to hit it off. However, Candado noticed something peculiar about Hammya's hair, and with his right hand he touched his chin before approaching her.
-You know, I've been thinking, now that I have time, about your hair. What is your power, child? -I'm not sure, to this day. I only know it happens when I'm unconscious, but I don't know if I really have any kind of power," Hammya answered.
-You are wrong, child. Ninety-seven percent of the world has powers. I don't think you are the exception," said Candado.
-How do you know that? Candado signaled Clementina with a snap of his fingers, and she began to speak.
-100 years ago, in Resistencia Chaco, a meteor the size of a house fell in the woods of the city. Some locals and policemen went to investigate what had happened. One of the witnesses approached and touched the stone that had fallen from space. As he did so, the meteor released a violet energy into the sky, causing the sun to go completely dark. This energy left the meteor and concentrated in the sky for several minutes. The people who witnessed this phenomenon believed it was the end of the world and began to pray to the purple energy sphere in the sky. However, something strange happened. The sphere began to compress excessively until it finally exploded into fragments that were dispersed all over the world. These fragments generated various events around the world, granting human beings magic and powers whose origin is still unknown.
-In other words, superhumans," Candado commented as he showed his left hand wrapped in a violet flame. Hammya did not fully understand what was going on and whether what Candado said was true or a trick. He decided to play along and slyly implied that he believed them.
-Well, that explains everything. You have incredible power," said Hammya in amazement.
Candado did not believe a word Hammya told him. He knew that the power she had was by no means extraordinary and he didn't know how to control it properly either. However, he could not brand her as a liar, for that might trigger in her a dangerous and deadly ambition to prove him wrong. If Hammya tried to show her power without knowing how to control it, it could endanger her home. Candado had already learned this lesson from experience, when he underestimated an 18-year-old who had no idea how to handle his power and ended up wrecking the school. So, in order not to damage his self-esteem, Candado came up with a plan.
-Okay, how about showing me a little demonstration outside? -proposed Candado, pointing out the window of his room to the courtyard.
-Why outside? -asked Hammya and Clementina in unison.
-For safety, girls, for safety," answered Candado.
So Candado and his companions went silently to the garden so that Hammya could show her "great power". Once in the courtyard, Candado sat on a wooden and goatskin bench, Hammya stood under the only large tree in the garden, and Clementina positioned herself next to Candado as if she were his bodyguard.
-Well, show me your power," said Candado, raising his arm as if he were a general.
-Okay," Hammya replied nervously.
He took a stance, but he really had no idea what he should do. She searched for ways to calm herself down little by little, until she finally managed to do so. She raised her left hand pointing at Candado and closed her eyes. After a few minutes of tense waiting, something began to happen: the wind began to blow stronger than before. Leaves from the trees, both inside and outside the house, began to fall and instead of going to the ground, they approached Hammya and surrounded her in a kind of X-shaped pattern, as if they were bees and she the hive, or insects guided by the light in the darkness of the night. But that was not all. Hammya's green hair began to glow brightly, and her feet stopped touching the ground; she was floating.
Candado, with folded arms and an impassive expression, watched everything that happened. Clementina, the only one surprised at the scene, took four steps forward.
-It's amazing. Her power has a strong connection with nature.
-On what basis do you say that? -asked Candado wryly.
After a while, Hammya's power began to gradually lose control, something that Candado quickly noticed. He tried to warn Clementina to step back, but before he could do so, she took a step forward. Somehow, Hammya, eyes closed, seemed to become enraged, as if she felt threatened. The roots of the tree behind her sprouted from the ground and rushed toward Clementina with surprising speed. It seemed likely that the huge root would hit her and tear her completely apart. Candado realized the situation in an instant.
Quickly, he got up from his seat, ran and pushed Clementina aside, preventing the roots from reaching her. In the process, he himself received the impact of the roots in his chest. The blow was so strong that it threw him into the air and sent him flying towards the entrance of the house, breaking the iron gate connecting the courtyard to the house with his back. As Hammya opened his eyes and saw Clementina and Candado on the ground, the roots returned to their original state.
Hammya hurried to run to Candado, while Clementina, once she was on her feet, also went to help. When they both reached him, they found him lying on the ground, badly injured but without an expression of pain on his face or a tear in his eye. Instead, he maintained a serious expression with an arched eyebrow.
-Well, let's just say I've had more terrible situations than this. It's not every day that a root from the tree you've cared for for five years brutally attacks you and leaves you half dead," said Candado from the ground calmly.
-Are you all right, young master? -asked Clementina as she shook the dirt off her clothes.
-How you love to make me angry," he continued with shouts, "I WAS HIT BY A DAMN TREE AND IT MADE MY BACK BREAK THE TITANIUM REINFORCED IRON DOOR, SO NO, I'M NOT OK!
-I'm sorry to my soul, Candado," said Hammya kneeling down beside him. Of course, Candado was also more sorry than she was.
Emotional damage was no match for extreme physical damage; if it had been someone else, that blow would have been fatal. Changing the subject a bit, in a corner was Tínbari, sitting in an armchair with a cup of coffee and his legs crossed.
-Well, well, well, well, what a wonderful mess the house has become.
-Hey, Demonto, do you think I'm going to die? I think something happened to my organs. In fact, I can't feel my back.
-I don't think you're going to die. After all, you're a humabius (a play on words between human and haughty, improvised for the occasion), and those are the ones who are tough," said Tínbari. Hammya approached Candado, put her hands on his back and helped him up, but he frowned and arched an eyebrow in pain.
-Look, I thank you for the help, but in doing so you caused me even more intense pain by touching my back. As you'll see, I'm a gentlemanly person and I'm not going to show all the anger and insults I have in mind, so if you'll allow me.
Candado then proceeded to pull his left ear.
-I deserved it," said Hammya with a pained expression. Just then, footsteps were heard upstairs and a voice said:
-Son, what's all the fuss about? Those words caused some nervousness in those present. The garden gate and the living room were completely destroyed. As for Tínbari, he disappeared without a trace, as he had always done with all those who, according to him, were impure and had no right to see him. In reality, he was hiding from the humans so as not to attract attention. Descending the stairs was none other than Candado's grandmother, Andrea Batef Gomez Barret (she was the wife of the late Alfred). She looked at everyone and asked.
Grandmother Andrea: She has reddish hair, with small gray hair, short and gathered in a ponytail. She has brown eyes, a mole on her upper right cheek and almost no wrinkles on her face, but she has wrinkles on her hands. He has white skin.
-What happened here?
-It's nothing to worry about, Grandma. The door can be repaired and the room too," said Candado as he fixed his shirt.
Grandma looked at Hammya and asked.
-What a pretty girl. Who is she?
-Oh, her name is Hammya. Don't let her beauty fool you, because she's a damn hungry jaguar," said Candado angrily.
-I see. So your name is Hammya, your father was Ricardo Miranda, known as the "Rueda", and because of his death you will stay in this house because Candado was friends with that sharp individual. Also, you don't seem to know how to handle your powers, do you, how did you know all those things?
Do you know me? -Hammya asked in surprise, "Come on, it's nothing to be surprised about. After all, that's his power," said Candado.
-What was all that about "Not surprising"? She knows all about my father.
-Girl, girl, girl, girl, your naivety is as funny as the color of your hair. Didn't you hear what I told you just now? On this planet, 97% of humans have powers. In this case, my grandmother is one of them.
-Exactly, it's like my child says. I've had powers since I was a child, just like you. What kind of powers do you have, ma'am?
-Well, I have some, like reading minds, creating a protective barrier, healing wounds and some diseases, I can fade like ashes, etc.
-Great, I have a power, something different from yours. I think it's from nature.
-Really? That's great, little girl.
-Well, to be honest, what she experienced was momentary," said Candado.
-Why do you say that? -Hammya asked.
-What you did outside simply awakened your power. Nothing more than that. For now, your spirit cannot control your power.
-Can it be fixed?
-Yes, it can be fixed. But for that, you'll have to train.
Grandma watched the boys' conversation with despair. It was like watching two old men talking about their childhood, in other words, boring. Tired of listening to them, she raised her hand and spoke in a calm voice.
-Excuse me, I don't want to interrupt, but the patio door is destroyed and if you don't mind, I'd like to have it fixed.
-Of course, don't worry about it, boss," said Clementina.
With both hands, she lifted the metal door and put it in place. Then, using her index finger as a tool, she took out a blowtorch and began to repair the hinges.
-Well, now that the door is fixed, I'm going to prepare lunch....
-Wait, don't you think we should talk about this? I mean, what would my parents think if I told them that a "girl" was going to stay at home because of a debt she owed to a friend?
-Don't worry, everything will work out when they get here. In the meantime, show her her room. Remember that the debt is your father's too.
-Yes, I know. I just hope they get here in time to talk.
-Well, let's forget all that and take her to her room. -Well, what room?
-Which room?
-Je, how absent-minded.
-I'm sorry, but where is she staying?
-HEY! -Hammya shouted.
-How about if he stays in Gabriela's room. After all, that room has been abandoned for more than 3 years.
-All right, I'll turn a blind eye," said Candado in disgust.
While grandma went to the kitchen, Candado took Hammya to the room, the same room they were in before, but now instead of being an intruder, she was a guest.
-Well, from today on, this will be your room," said Candado, showing the room.
-Thank you," she continued, "and by the way, I want to apologize for the blow and the damage I caused.
-Don't worry, I've met people who hit much harder than you.
-Although your back hurt anyway," whispered Hammya.
Then Candado walked towards the door and left, closing it behind him without another word. As he walked away, his footsteps became quieter and quieter. Hammya began to unpack her clothes and a few items, lay down carefully on the bed and looked up at the ceiling, where curiously it was written in blue: "You have homework to do." Intrigued by those words that seemed to have a hidden meaning, Hammya knew they would not be revealed that day.
-I'm sure tomorrow will be a good day," Hammya whispered to herself.
But just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard light knocking at the door and a faint voice saying:
-Miss, would you be so kind as to open the door?
Those words were enough for Hammya to get out of bed and go to the door. With her right hand, she carefully opened it and peeked her head in to see who was there, but saw no one. Confused, she opened the door all the way and stepped out into the hallway. She looked both ways, but there was no one in sight. Resigned and bewildered, she walked back into the room and closed the door behind her. However, when she turned around, she was startled to see that Tínbari was lying on the bed.
-Ah, you're just now getting scared. You really surprise me in many ways, baby," said Tínbari in a mocking voice.
-I'm sorry, but anyone would have been scared in that situation.
-No, not anyone. Candado is living proof of that. He makes everyone look like useless fools," said Tínbari in a mocking tone.
What does the "so-called demon" want from an "idiot"?
-Nothing in particular. I just came to draw my own conclusions about you, "walking tree"," said Tínbari seriously.
-Conclusions about me? Why...?
-Look, my duty in this vast and boring world is to take care of Candado from the daily fights he faces with the nasty humans and their stupid society. But today, something unusual happened.
-What happened today?
Tínbari abruptly brought his head close to Hammya's height, coming face to face with her.
-Your presence.
Those words frightened Hammya so much that she tried to conceal her fear with a trembling smile, though to no avail. His hands were shaking rapidly, so much so that he hid them behind his back.
-What is it about my presence? -Hammya asked in a trembling voice.
-Oh, I smell your fear, child. No need to hide it from me. It's strange, though, because when you should have been afraid, you weren't. But now you are. But now you are. I really don't understand you, child. Anyway, it doesn't matter. The truth is that your presence before Candado has aroused my suspicions.
-Why?
-You don't know what that boy has been through. You don't smell human and you don't look like one.
-What do you mean? I was born in Entre Rios.
-Wow, it seems the term "wimp" doesn't fit you. -I think you're rather clumsy. I think you're rather clumsy. Didn't you understand what I said? You're not human. I don't care what you think. The point is, I've never seen anyone like you in my life, and if someone like you is here, then Pullbarey must not be far away.
-Who's Pullbarey? -Hammya, Hammya.
-Hammya, Hammya, yes, Hammya. A name I've never heard on Earth, but I've heard elsewhere.
-You're confusing me.
-I don't care. Just stay away from Candado. I have three rules for you," he said as he showed his sharp, threatening fingers less than an inch from her, which frightened her.
Hammya gulped and asked.
-Rules?
-First rule: don't make Candado suffer.
-What?
-Don't befriend him. He has enough friends already. Your friendship will lead you to know his innermost secrets. You can't, don't... I stand corrected, don't ever try.
Hammya was disappointed and lowered her head.
-And the next one?
-Don't ask him anything, absolutely nothing, neither him nor his relatives. And the third, don't make me angry under any circumstances.
-Why are you doing this?
-To protect him. He's like a son. A son who has already been hurt by the miserable life around him. Everyone is fragile.
Hammya raised his head and replied.
-I'm sorry, but it looks like I'm going to break some of those rules. If I am going to live here, I want to get to know all the residents, including him.
Tínbari smiled and let out a terrible laugh, which confused Hammya even more.
-It's the funniest thing I've ever seen.
-What? -she asked fearfully.
-Your eyes," then she continued laughing.
-I don't understand.
Tínbari, laughing, said:
-You are so naive. There is nothing... nothing suspicious in your eyes. I only see a girl. A girl who is...
-Stop laughing and speak clearly.
Tínbari stopped laughing and continued.
-You can forget about the rules, child. I just saw your secrets. I thought you were an undercover assassin, or a stakeholder, or a tramp. But I still can't figure out your identity on this planet. For now, there is nothing that represents a danger to Candado. So forget it, for now.
-I don't understand. -What's wrong with you?
-It doesn't matter. I'll tell you if you're a threat or not. I thought you were going for the prize.
-What? Prize? -What are you talking about? Explain yourself, you mocking demon," Hammya demanded.
-Well, my naive child, that is something I cannot reveal. You will have the answer when Candado trusts you completely. In any case, you must not stick your nose where it's not wanted. Because if you do, he will gut you with his knife and I will eat your entrails in front of your eyes," said Tínbari, bringing his demonic finger close to Hammya's nose.
After that conversation, Tínbari vanished in smoke, as he always did. After all that had happened in the day, that conversation left Hammya pale with fear. Everything Tínbari had said could be true or not. From what she had heard, this was a very serious matter, and perhaps her life was at stake.
On the verge of exploding, Hammya inhaled and exhaled repeatedly until she calmed down. He shrugged his shoulders, sat down on the bed and rubbed his eyes with his left hand out of exhaustion. Then she gently lay back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. As sleep gradually overcame her, she spoke in a faint, quiet voice.
Hammya swallowed and asked.
-Rules?
-First rule, don't make Candado suffer.
-What?
-Don't befriend him, he has enough friends already. Your friendship will lead you to know his deepest secrets. You can't, don't... I stand corrected, don't ever try.
Hammya was disappointed and lowered her head.
-And what else?
-Don't ask him anything, absolutely nothing, neither him nor his relatives. And third, don't make me angry in any way.
-Why are you doing this?
-To protect him. He is like a son, a son who has already been hurt by the miserable life around him. Everyone is fragile.
Hammya raised his head and replied.
-I'm sorry, but it looks like I'm going to break some of those rules. If I'm going to live here, I want to meet all the residents, including him.
Tínbari smiled and let out a terrible laugh, which puzzled Hammya even more.
-That's the funniest thing I've ever seen.
-What?" she asked fearfully.
-Then she laughed again.
-I don't get it.
Tínbari, laughing, said:
-How silly, how silly... There is nothing of... Nothing of... Suspicious in your eyes... I only see a girl... A girl who is....
-Stop laughing and speak clearly.
Tínbari stopped and continued.
-You can forget about the rules, child. I just saw your secrets. I thought you were an undercover assassin or a stakeholder or a drifter, but I still don't rule out your identity on this planet. For now, there's nothing that's harmful to Candado, so forget it, for now.
-I don't understand, what's wrong with you?
-Whatever, I'll say whether you're a threat or not. I thought you were going for the prize.
-What? Prize? -What are you talking about? Explain yourself, you mocking demon," Hammya demanded.
-Well, my naive child, that is something I cannot reveal. You will have the answer when Candado trusts you completely. However, you must not poke your nose into other people's business, because if you do, he will disembowel you with his knife and I will eat your entrails in front of your eyes," said Tínbari, putting his demonic finger close to Hammya's nose.
After that conversation, Tínbari vanished in smoke, as he was wont to do. After everything that had happened that day, that conversation left Hammya pale with fear. Everything Tínbari had said might or might not be true. From what she had heard, this was a very serious matter and perhaps her life was at stake.
On the verge of exploding, Hammya inhaled and exhaled repeatedly until she finally managed to calm down. He shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the bed, rubbing his eye with his left hand due to exhaustion. Then she gently lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. As she was gradually overcome by sleep, she said in a faint, quiet voice.
-If today was a hectic day, what will tomorrow be like? -Then she closed her eyes. It was 7:00 p.m. when she finally fell asleep. For her, it was the end of the day and the beginning of the next.
Just then, Candado came into the bedroom to say that the food was already served. However, seeing that Hammya was asleep, he fell silent. He approached her carefully, took off her shoes and put a blanket over her to keep her warm.
-Child, don't you know that in this village it gets cold in the afternoon? -said Candado in a low voice.
Then he took Hammya's shoes to clean and mend them, as they were quite worn out. He left the bedroom in a more serious mood than before and looked at Hammya's shoes and then at the door.
-"What kind of a father was "The Rueda" to you, Hammya Saillim? -he murmured as he looked at the door.
For Candado, the day was not over, but just beginning. He felt that certain situations were not mere coincidences, but rather everything happened for a reason. If this situation was not a coincidence, then it was a crucial moment to act and show his cunning.
Candado was convinced that there was more behind what was written in the letter from his friend "El Rueda". Something was not right in this whole affair. For him, one thing was certain: he would solve this mystery.