The plane landed promptly according to Grivna's calculations. A radiant sun illuminated the exterior, and Hammya felt relieved knowing they had touched ground. The plane's door opened, and as it did, Hammya was astonished to see the imposing gates of W.O.G.A.B. They were solid iron, with the image of a lion on each gate, their profiles symmetrically repeated. Two enormous pillars flanked the entrance, and tall walls surrounded the area, with only a few scattered trees nearby.
"This is strange. There are guards at the gates. It seems like the administration has changed a lot during my absence in the last few months," Hammya commented, observing the guards.
"Shall we disembark or not?" she asked impatiently.
"Yes, Emerald," Candado responded with determination, addressing everyone. "GET OFF THE SHIP!"
Once Candado gave the order, everyone descended from the plane and approached the majestic gates.
"Look, my dear Emerald, behold 'the pillars of victory.' It's the most glorious and respected symbol among all the guild members," Candado explained, addressing Hammya.
Candado approached the gate and knocked twice. In response, two cameras emerged from the ground, focusing on the attendees before hiding again.
"Mole cameras instead of human security? Seems like a joke," Candado frowned. "I believe W.O.G.A.B. has changed a lot."
After a few minutes of expectant waiting, the huge gates slowly opened, and the grandeur of the W.O.G.A.B. headquarters was revealed to the newcomers. It was a building of imposing whiteness, with the organization's flags waving on every balcony, all bearing the characteristic emblem of the white lion. At its main entrance, an immense sculpture of Harambee, carved in white marble, gazed at the horizon in traditional attire, holding a spear over fifteen meters high. The statue was surrounded by a lush garden of red flowers that enhanced the grandeur of the ensemble.
The main building housed a spacious balcony, where leaders gathered to deliver their speeches. There, the flags of the countries composing the organization, including Germany, France, Kenya, Paraguay, Iran, China, Argentina, Cuba, Venezuela, and Japan, fluttered. The gardens and lawns were impeccably maintained, surrounded by towering trees. An elegant stone-paved walkway led to seats and tables of the same material, while European-style fountains added a touch of serenity and elegance to the atmosphere.
The surroundings were teeming with people from all over the world, dressed in everything from formal attire to traditional and modern clothing. In this vast territory, spanning over two hundred kilometers in length, all languages were spoken, making it a place of unique cultural diversity. To distinguish themselves from the rest of the world, the Semaphore wore distinctive uniforms: they dressed in white with a red stripe crossing from their left shoulder to their right hip, and they wore a band on their right arm with the three colors surrounded by a snake. On some occasions, they wore hats of the same style.
The islanders moved tranquilly through the place, many of them carrying books under their arms. In a red-painted building known as the Red School, people were taught to control and perfect their powers, both those who possessed them and those who did not. Personal defense and combat techniques were also taught. Additionally, a wide range of people could be found, from elderly individuals to young adults, serving roles such as teachers, guards, engineers, councilors, representatives, and former representatives of the organization. Throughout the area, individuals could be seen showcasing their supernatural abilities for entertainment or practicing combat techniques in outdoor training sessions. It was common to see people walking with their pets, whether dogs, cats, or birds of all kinds. Numerous squares adorned the landscape, many of them with fountains at their center, but the most prominent was the "Plaza of the Big Brothers," which housed huge trees, beautiful fountains, and resting areas.
Hammya, overwhelmed by the spectacle around her, couldn't help but be impressed.
"Look, my dear Emerald, welcome to the United Federation of Enclosed Trade Communities," Candado said proudly.
"Wow, it's truly beautiful!" exclaimed Hammya, marveling at the sight.
"And you haven't seen the rest of the town yet," Clementina remarked, adding to Hammya's excitement.
"All right, let's continue. I still have pending matters to attend to."
Candado strode to the central plaza of the place, where the imposing sculpture in honor of Harambee stood tall. He approached the fountain, where thousands of coins rested in its depths. Retrieving a one peso coin from his pocket, he closed his eyes and murmured reverently.
"Lady Harambee, I have returned to fulfill my duty as a guild member."
With a swift motion, he tossed the coin into the water. As he turned around, he noticed a fist approaching at great speed. With his superhuman reflexes and speed, Candado stopped the punch with his open hand.
"What are you doing, Jacqueline?" Candado inquired with his usual cold expression.
"Oh, Cadenas, comment tu vas? Ça faisait longtemps," Jacqueline replied with her distinctive French accent and a mischievous smile on her face.
Jacqueline: with long, blonde hair, wore white leggings with black boots, a white shirt under a red waistcoat, a blue tailcoat, a white scarf knotted at the neck, a black beret, and fine white gloves. She struggled to speak in Spanish, and her French accent was unmistakable. She was known for her carefree attitude and ability to surprise people, except for Candado, whom she welcomed in her own way. She affectionately called her friend "Cadena" (a translation of Candado into French).
Power: Jacqueline had control over water and ice, and her vocal cords were resilient, capable of emitting a scream that could decompose anything or stun her enemies. Additionally, she had the ability to fly and transform into an owl.
Skill: She was a master at getting on people's nerves.
"Yes, I'm fine. And I'd be even better if you withdrew that cursed hand," Candado responded, his expression cold and unperturbed.
Jacqueline immediately complied and lowered her fist with a playful smile on her face.
"I see your reflexes have improved, Cadenas."
"I see your Spanish has improved, although my name is Candado, not Cadenas."
"That's how it's said in French," Jacqueline replied with a playful smile.
"I don't care, I prefer you to call me by my name in Spanish, not in your language," Candado asserted.
"Whatever you say, Candado," Jacqueline accepted, albeit with some difficulty in pronunciation.
"All right, Jacqueline, let me introduce you to my friends, Hammya and Nelson."
"Oh, it seems Hector couldn't come, right? Since you brought a fairy with you," Jacqueline commented with some surprise.
"Yes, for now," Candado replied.
Hammya extended her hand and greeted warmly:
"Greetings and nice to meet you."
"And the old man?" Jacqueline asked.
"He's a tourist. After all, he was also vice president of the W.O.G.A.B. years ago," Candado explained.
"Oh, welcome to our organization," Jacqueline greeted.
Nelson commented appreciatively:
"Wow, it's been a long time since I've been here. This place has changed a lot."
"Yes, it's an honor to have a veteran like you in our organization," Jacqueline said.
"I like that young people nowadays are interested in this kind of thing," Nelson added.
At that moment, someone shouted:
"WOW! LOOKS LIKE THEY'VE ARRIVED!"
Candado turned to see a familiar face approaching.
"Oh, look, here comes Alejandra, the Nazi."
"Ich werde den Schädel zerstören," declared Alejandra as she pressed her forehead against Candado's.
Alejandra: had long, curly red hair, wore black pants, a long-sleeved red shirt, a white wool coat, and a black vest with a yellow ribbon. She was known for her bad temper, and few people tolerated her behavior because they feared her, but Candado was never intimidated by someone like her. Occasionally, they argued with each other. Like Jacqueline, when she spoke Spanish, her German accent was noticeable.
Power: Brute strength and lightning.
Skill: Instilling fear in her enemies.
"Ich will sehen, wie du es versuchst, Idiot," replied Candado with a cold expression.
"All right, enough from both of you, please," Jacqueline intervened, separating them with her hands in between.
"Alejandra, good to see you," greeted Clementina.
"I'm glad to see you too, although it would have been amazing if only you had come and not him," Alejandra replied with some sarcasm.
"You wish, girl."
"I'm going to destroy you and that ridiculous beret you're wearing."
"Come on, I'm right here waiting for you."
Candado ignited both fists with his violet flame and lunged towards Alejandra, but Jacqueline intervened, grabbing him by the chest, and Clementina held Alejandra back to prevent her from getting closer to Candado.
"Please, stop it, you'll be sanctioned again, Cadenas," Jacqueline urged while trying to restrain Candado.
"Filthy rat," Alejandra insulted.
"Please, don't provoke," pleaded Clementina.
"Damn..."
"ENOUGH!" shouted Nelson.
At that moment, they both ceased the fight and stopped. The old man commanded respect from Alejandra, and Candado knew that if he didn't stop, he would be sanctioned again and wouldn't have his help.
Jacqueline released Candado, and as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, she said:
"Apologize to the lady, Cadenas."
Candado didn't refuse to obey Jacqueline and adjusted his beret and tie before apologizing sincerely:
"My apologies for saying that. As I was the one who started it, I humbly ask for your forgiveness."
"Ah, then I'll accept them," replied Alejandra.
"How about we start over?" proposed Candado, extending his hand. "Hello, Alejandra, it's been a long time."
"Hallo, schön dich wieder zu sehen," replied Alejandra.
"Yeah, uh, nice to see you too."
"Shall we talk inside? After all, Yuuta has wanted to talk to you," suggested Jacqueline.
"Is that so? Then let's go, wouldn't want to keep a suspicious face waiting."
With those words, Candado and his companions decided to enter the building. The interior was extremely spacious, with wide corridors and over ten stories high. An immense silence pervaded the place, and all conversations were carried out in hushed tones. At the entrance of the building, majestic sculptures of the first seven presidents of the W.O.G.A.B. stood tall: Jack Barret, Rosa Velázquez, Alex Bernstein, Shen Jun-Li, Iván Crusoe, Chizuru Aikawa, and, in the center, Ndereba Harambee holding his spear. Candado approached the sculpture of his great-grandfather and touched the plaque bearing his name and life dates: "Jack Gervasio del corazón de León Barret (1902—2005)." With reverence, Candado removed his beret and bowed his head.
"I'm here to honor our family and our homeland. I hope you're proud of me."
He then replaced the beret and headed towards the stairs, catching up with his friends, who hadn't even noticed him when he stopped in front of the statue. However, Candado paid it no mind, and they continued towards a hallway leading to a huge door. Candado opened the door with a punch from his right fist, which caused a loud noise, drawing the attention of those inside, as they knew he was the only one capable of opening that door in that way. In the room were seven people, clearly the presidents of the organization. The room was spacious, with large windows and a glass door leading to the balcony from where speeches were made. On one of the walls hung portraits of all the presidents who had preceded them.
"Candado, your loyal comrade, has returned."
Candado's words prompted his companions to rush to embrace him (except for Yuuta). They hadn't seen each other for months, and although he allowed the hugs, Candado showed no happiness or nostalgia on his face, maintaining his impassive expression.
"I'm glad to see you all too."
After a while, they all stepped back. Candado straightened his clothes and looked at Yuuta, who was sitting with his arms crossed, smiling.
"Nankinjo, welcome to the W.O.G.A.B."
"Save me that welcome, Yuuta."
Then, Candado proceeded to shake hands with his comrades. First, he approached Armando Castro.
Armando was a man with black hair, brown skin, and brown eyes. He wore military clothing from his country, with a green cap, and rarely rolled up his military shirt sleeves. He had a deep admiration for Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, which was reflected in his choice of attire. He was the only one wearing the leader's insignia on his waist. Armando considered Candado as a brother.
Powers: No record, Candado never saw him fight.
Abilities: He is skilled in the art of healing, curing his friends with elements he carries in his backpack.
"Welcome, friend."
"Thank you, Armando."
Next, Candado greeted Aurora Solari, whom he shook hands with. Aurora had short black hair, tan skin, and beautiful gray eyes. She wore a dark blue skirt that reached her knees, white stockings, black shoes, a white shirt with a blue ribbon, and a dark blue wool vest. She was a kind person who rarely showed anger towards others, being generally understanding. However, when it came to defending her country and her president, Hugo Chávez, she transformed into a fierce warrior. Aurora got along very well with Candado.
Power: She can transform her arms into swords and can throw minerals as projectiles from her hands.
Abilities: She is very good at deciphering codes.
"Hello, comrade."
Solari gave him a hug and said:
"I missed you, beret boy."
Candado pulled away and patted her head. Then he headed towards the third member, Raúl Rojas, who turned out to be a distant cousin of Candado.
Raúl had short black hair, always well-groomed, a mole on his left cheek, green eyes, and tan skin. He dressed very formally, like a 15th-century businessman, and wore glasses due to his poor eyesight. He was an orderly person and extremely cultured; his colleagues often turned to him for solutions to difficult problems. Many times, even Candado sought his help.
Power: Armed with a notebook and a pencil, he can draw and bring them into the physical world, using a power identical to Candado's, which is white fire and white tattoos.
Ability: None in particular, he is good at everything.
"Candado, it's good to have you back in the work laurels."
"I'm glad to be back, Raúl."
Candado shook hands with his left hand, while igniting his hand with violet flame, and Raúl did the same with his right hand, but his flame was white. When their hands collided, the flames separated from each other.
"Welcome, Candado."
"Thank you."
Then, Candado looked and greeted the fourth member of the group, who happened to be the direct descendant of Ndereba Harambee: Morani Kirinyaga Harambee. Candado approached him and extended a hand.
"Hello, it's an honor to work with you again."
Kirinyaga: He had short, white, well-groomed hair, a descendant of Harambee, and wore traditional clothes from his village. He was a very good person, trying to carry everything he could with his title of leader and representative. He was the most understanding and affectionate person in the group.
Power: He handles the ancient magic of his ancestors.
Ability: He is very good at the Baukúru language (a language used to elaborate attacks).
"The same here, Mr. Kufuli."
"It would be nice if you speak by my name in Spanish, if it's not too much trouble."
"I like to call you that, it's an honor to call you Kufuli."
Candado then turned and saw Banu Fereshteh, a nervous young woman who couldn't stay still for a moment. She was constantly moving, like a bottle that had been shaken several times. It wasn't clear whether her nervousness was due to stress or excitement. Candado approached her, took off his beret, and extended his hand.
"Long time, friend."
Banu, called by everyone (except Candado and Jacqueline) by her last name Fereshteh, was treated like a princess by everyone despite coming from a humble family and without any noble title. She wore her hijab, partially concealing her face and leaving her light gray eyes and nose visible. She wore modern clothes, although she still used her traditional clothes. Candado and Jacqueline were the only ones who could see her true face, with black hair and tan skin. She was a person who had no interest in harming others with her power, even those who were evil, as it was not in her nature. She often got nervous in meetings or when interacting with other people in general, and to avoid stuttering due to her shyness, she sat next to Candado and played with a yellow ball.
"Hello, it's a pleasure to have you back."
Banu placed her hand on Candado's palm, who bowed and kissed the girl's palm.
"I've come back, Banu. I hope to play with you again, madame," he said tenderly.
Despite her nervousness, Banu responded in Persian:
"من خوشحالم، میخواهم دوباره بازی کنم، قفل" (I'm glad, I want to play again, lock).
Candado smiled and gently patted her head, responding in Persian:
"بله، این لذت بخش خواهد بود" (Yes, it will be enjoyable.)
Banu, relieved, showed a timid smile and said:
"Really?"
"Of course, we'll play this afternoon," said Candado, trying to show a friendly smile. "It will be fun to bring back those memories from the past."
Then, Candado put on his beret and approached the fifth person he was going to greet, Yen Shaoran. Shaoran had black hair tied up with a small bell as a bun. He wore a red shirt with tight black pants and white shoes. He was known for his maturity and intelligence in matters related to the W.O.G.A.B., to the extent that many thought he was in charge of the organization.
As for his abilities, Shaoran had the ability to create illusions of any kind, control fire, and deliver powerful blows. His specific abilities were unknown.
Candado welcomed him with a warm smile.
"Hello, Shaoran, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Shaoran nodded, indicating that Candado's words were appreciated.
"Thank you, Candado. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to tell me."
Candado nodded gratefully.
"Of course, it would be an honor."
Then, Candado turned his attention to Yuuta, the person with whom he didn't maintain a good relationship. Despite their enmity, both concealed their mutual disdain. No one knew why they didn't get along well, although it was a well-known fact in the W.O.G.A.B. Candado adjusted his beret and approached the table where Yuuta was sitting without getting up. Yuuta looked him in the eyes while holding a cup with a cross of Jesus Christ. Candado ignored the symbol and focused on Yuuta. He extended his hand towards him.
Yuuta had black hair and wore traditional clothes due to his upbringing in a temple. His eyes were an unusual red color, inherited from his family. Despite the differences with Candado, Yuuta respected him, and vice versa. Yuuta was one year older than the others present and was the same height as Candado. He was considered a sage in the W.O.G.A.B., and although his differences with Candado were notable, they respected each other.
As for his abilities, Yuuta had control over the air and was an expert in logic games.
Candado extended his hand towards Yuuta with a serious expression, ready to talk.
"Well, well, I never thought I'd see you again, Nankinjo."
"Ha, you're lying, otherwise I wouldn't be here."
"Well, now that you're back, I need your help."
"I'll need your help too," he looked around, "everyone's help."
"What do you need from us, brother?" Armando asked.
"Please, sit down in your seats, and I'll tell you everything."
Everyone took their seats. Clementina, Hammya, and Nelson sat on benches in the room, while Candado remained standing to recount everything he had lived and seen in recent months. He spoke about the murder cases, both among the guilds and in the circuits. He told them about the Witnesses and their attack on the Traffic Lights, and he recounted about the deranged Desza and his revenge against the guilds.
"That's my story." Everyone fell silent, trying to process what they had just heard.
They couldn't believe it.
After almost fifty years of his disappearance, he had returned.
"Impossible," Armando murmured aloud.
"That's my story."
Everyone fell silent, trying to assimilate what they had heard. What Candado was narrating seemed like something out of a nightmare, and the gravity of the situation was evident. Decades had passed since Candado had joined the organization, and they knew he wouldn't return just to tell an invented story.
"Impossible," Armando muttered aloud.
"Well?" Candado asked. "Will you help me?"
Yuuta stood up and looked Candado in the eyes before responding.
"I'm afraid not."
Candado's pupils dilated, briefly showing a violet hue.
"How? Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"I've done it, and I'm sorry, but I'm not going to help you," Yuuta said.
"Yuuta, why?" Armando asked. "This is serious."
"Yes, it is, but only for Argentina. It's not a global problem."
"What are you saying!?" Candado shouted.
"I'm saying it's just a minor issue."
"Minor? Are those victims a minor problem?"
"Nankinjo, I know you're angry, and you have every right to be, but the answer is no."
"Why?" Jacqueline asked.
"You see, the Witnesses are a plague that has been eradicated, along with their knowledge, so they are just usurpers, nothing more."
"Usurpers or not, they have attacked the Traffic Lights, and they need to be captured before they harm more people, or worse."
Candado was completely outraged by what Yuuta had said. His teeth clenched in anger, and unleashing all his fury, he said, "How dare you? Didn't you hear me? They took the scroll containing Harambee's dialect. If they were to decipher it..."
"They still need the spear, so it doesn't matter. They will never make it here."
"What makes you think they won't do the same with the W.O.G.A.B.?"
"It's pure logic. It's the culmination of our efforts. Something like that will never happen here."
"Our problem is no longer just the circuits, but now it's the Witnesses. Realize, Yuuta, this is no longer about them."
"Candado, your ideas of making peace with them led you to lie to us like this."
Candado's anger was palpable, but before he could respond, an unexpected shout resonated in the room, leaving everyone surprised. Hammya, with a furrowed brow and clenched fists, had risen from her chair.
"CANDADO IS NOT A LIAR!"
The surprise was evident on everyone's face, including Candado's. Clementina and Nelson also stood up, backing Hammya. Tension filled the meeting room.
The discussion between Candado and Yuuta was reaching a critical point, and the group seemed to be divided on the best way to address the threat of the Witnesses. Candado was determined to protect the organization and Harambee's spear, and he was not willing to let anyone jeopardize his legacy.
"It's true, the kid would never do that," Nelson said.
"He would never lie about something like this," Clementina concluded.
But Hammya walked up to Candado and continued.
"We were there, me, Clementina, Nelson, and Candado. We saw what those lunatics did to those people. We know because we lived it and fought by their side. I saw Candado himself fighting against that crazy man who started it all, so it's not a lie."
"Regardless of whether it's true or not, it's a problem for Argentina only."
"Listen to me, Candado is trying to prevent more innocent people from dying, while you complain from that comfortable seat. Aren't you ashamed? Candado is just trying to get you to lend your help, and you refuse to give it."
"I don't know who you are or what you are, but I'm in charge here."
"That's not true. Candado explained everything to me. You're not the only one in charge; there are ten others with the same power. You're just an employee of the nine who nominated you. The other countries are starting to vote for who should be the supreme president, and it's not you. You're only temporary until Candado could return."
"You, miss, are a commoner. Candado, where did that respect go?"
"Commoner? You are the common one, and don't involve him. Candado only asked for your help, from what I saw, he never came off as arrogant and demanded your position from you. Quite the opposite, he only asked for your assistance, and you are rejecting it."
"You don't have to meddle in this."
"If they mess with Candado, they mess with me. I won't allow someone like you to call him a liar."
"I refuse to accept being treated like this by you, after all, it's only your problem."
"They plan to bring back Thanatos. I think that's a serious problem," Raúl said.
"No, it's not, because they need Harambee's spear, and they will never have it."
"Yuuta, I suggest listening to Candado and mobilizing all the guilds to catch these people."
"Jacqueline, you always defend Candado. I think it's time for you to think for yourself."
"I do. Candado is always right about everything. Just because a mistake was made and someone got hurt doesn't make him someone to be distrusted."
"I don't think that's reason enough for someone like him."
"What are you implying?" Shaoran asked.
"Nothing, I just don't think a group of eleven people can be a threat to us. They won't last long; sooner or later, they will be captured."
"Harambee once said, 'Never underestimate your enemy, even if they are small.' Does that ring a bell?" Alejandra asked.
"Yes, but there are always exceptions."
"This has gone too far. Candado would never dare to ask for our help if it were a minor problem," Solari said.
"No, because it's not our problem. Think for a moment. Mobilizing all the guilds in the world to catch a small group of Witnesses is quite foolish. Our problem is the Circuit."
"If it's a problem for Argentina, it's a problem for everyone. We are part of the W.O.G.A.B., and we don't deny help to a brother. We always help, even if it's a minor problem. Let's not forget that Candado has helped us a lot when he was in charge. I, in particular, feel indebted to Candado, and if I had the chance to help him, I would do so without hesitation. If you are not going to lend him your help, then my country and I will," Banu Fereshteh said, surprising everyone with her clear defense of a position.
"Banu is right. I still owe him a debt, and you have Venezuela on your side."
"France will have your back, and the great Jacqueline will cover for her friend."
"Cuba and the revolution deserve to share their help with you, Candado Barret. You will have my support."
"China will capture anyone who tries to harm you or your homeland."
"Kenya will defend its allies. You have my support. You're my cousin, Candado. I would never allow harm to come to my family. My guilds and I will help you."
"I don't like you, but if I let you fall, I won't be a guild member anymore. Enemy or not, you are part of the guilds. Germany is on your side, and so am I, of course".
Everyone stood up and placed their hands on their chest badges. Yuuta looked frustrated; he couldn't believe Candado still had such strong support at that moment. Honestly, he thought he would be the new leader everyone wanted and respected. With no other options, Yuuta stood up and looked Candado in the eyes.
"You win, Nankinjo. I'll lend you my help, but I still think it's madness to mobilize the guilds for the capture of these people we don't even know."
Candado smiled and reached behind him.
"Clementina, please give me the form."
She took out some documents with a clip from a backpack and handed them to Candado. He opened them and took out the photos of the Testigos members, then slid them into the hands of his comrades.
"These are the enemies we need to hunt down. I'm sure it won't be a challenge for you, right, Yuuta?"
Yuuta, taking one of the photos, said, "Of course not. It will be child's play," he added with a smile.
Candado smiled and reached his hands behind him.
"Clementina, please give me the form."
She took out some documents with a clip from a backpack and handed them to Candado. He opened them and took out the photos of the Testigos members, then slid them into the hands of his comrades.
"These are the enemies we need to hunt down. I'm sure it won't be a challenge for you, right, Yuuta?"
Yuuta, taking one of the photos, said:
"Of course not. It will be child's play," he added with a smile.
"Consider it done, Candado. My team will cover all of Argentina and be on high alert. I won't rest until we catch them."
"Thank you, Jacqueline. Anyway, I'm glad you've accepted my request."
"I have a question for you, Candado."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Who is that devilish lady with green hair?"
Candado put his hand on Hammya's shoulder and said:
"Her name is Hammya Saillim, and she's my vice president."
Hammya was surprised by what she had just heard, so much so that she couldn't contradict him. Clementina and Jacqueline exchanged mischievous smiles at Candado's words.
"Wow, you sure picked the right person, Candado. You finally made your choice," Armando said.
"You're amazing, Hammya. Very few people can speak like you did," Banu expressed.
"Well, I hope you're okay, Candado," Solari said ironically.
"Okay, please, keep quiet."
Yuuta stood up, took a judge's gavel, and said:
"From now on, the assistance to catch the Testigos in Argentina has been declared legal for one year."
Having said these words, Yuuta was about to hit the table with the gavel, but just before touching the table, Raúl put his hand in place, preventing Yuuta from doing so.
"Anything you'd like to add, fellow Raúl?"
"Yes, I suggest that the hunt be indefinite, please."
"Does anyone agree with fellow Raúl?"
Everyone raised their hands, and with an indifferent gesture, Yuuta struck the table twice.
"Done, legalized. You can now spread the word to others."
After saying that, everyone stood up to congratulate the brave Hammya. Never before, apart from Candado, had she been confronted in that way. While everyone surrounded her to bombard her with questions about the issue and about herself, Yuuta scratched his cheek and left the room for the balcony to get some fresh air. Candado, noticing this, broke away from Hammya and decided to follow him. He opened the door and closed it behind him.
"What do you want, Nankinjo?"
"Nothing, I just came to talk."
"Talk?"
"Yes, talk," Candado adjusted his tie and continued, "I want to apologize for the way I acted."
"No, I should apologize. I'm not good at being a leader, even if half the world treats me like the son of a traitor."
"You're different from your father. I know you can clear the dishonor you've been carrying in your family."
"Ah, don't remind me. I wish I could be the direct descendant of my great-grandmother. Instead, Ivan Crusoe decided to marry her, and because of that, Chizuru's brother took her place," he sighed and continued, "I'm known as the mestizo, and worst of all, the son of a traitor. I don't even have the power you have as a leader. I can't achieve it, and it seems I never will."
"Well, Yuuta, I think you should change that way of thinking. You're not your father. You're a person with a unique perspective."
"Ah, I wonder how it would be if someone like you were in my situation."
Candado leaned on the balcony railing and said:
"Yuuta, your father expelled my mother from the W.O.G.A.B. because she wanted to investigate the truth about the GreenBlood. As a result, she was expelled by her own friends and the people she had sworn to protect."
"I..."
"However, she didn't give up and continued investigating from the shadows, with the help of France, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Cuba. Thanks to them, my mother knew the truth, and the corrupt guild was expelled once and for all. I believe you should keep fighting too, but not to clear your past, but to secure a future. The past helps us not to make the same mistakes. That's my advice from me to you," then Candado straightened up, walked to the door, and continued, "It's your decision to change your threads of destiny, so be wise in the answer," Candado said as he left the place.
Yuuta was very pensive after hearing what Candado had told him. He thought about what he could do, and inside he felt grateful that Candado had helped him out of his confusion. When Candado left, Yuuta looked at the sky and let out a smile.
"He's quite good at this. I think Candado would be good in the role of leader."
When Candado left the balcony, he saw that Hammya was praised and loved for her green hair. Candado couldn't help but release a satisfied smile at seeing how quickly she had been accepted. He felt happy with himself knowing that Hammya had started to make new friends. Candado decided to leave the office without his friends noticing his absence. In the room, they were so busy talking to Hammya that they hadn't noticed his absence. Nelson and Clementina were chatting about topics that weren't important to Candado, so he decided to leave the agency and explore the place. After all, he wanted to visit the places he hadn't seen in months.
First, he decided to go to the main square, where the grand sculpture of Harambee stood. The trees were tall, and the flowers were beautiful; it was a clean and beautiful place, with fresh air. Candado felt nostalgic with every step he took. Until he noticed a small sky-blue stone. Surprised, he took his hands out of his pockets and ran to the spot with all his strength. He reached the stone and knelt down to move it. Underneath it, he found a small hole covered in sand. Candado took out his hunting knife and began to dig until he hit something hard. He put his knife aside and continued digging with his hands until he could see the object: a small wooden chest painted and adorned with gemstones. Fortunately, Candado was able to open it easily without having to break it. Inside were two letters, written under the pseudonyms "El gaucho" and "La inspectora." One letter was from him, and the other was from her. It was at that moment that Candado remembered the day they both wrote them.
Back then, Candado was nine years old, and his sister was eighteen. He remembered that she had told him that those who wrote their greatest wishes and buried them under that tree with a sky-blue stone saw those wishes come true. Candado first took his letter, opened it, and read it.
Candado Ernest Barret, June 5th, 2010:
My deepest dream is for Gabriela to recover from her terrible illness. She's a good person, and I pray that God helps me save her. When she's recovered, I'd like to take a trip to Misiones to see the waterfalls again with her, like we used to.
Candado crumpled the letter in immense anger.
"It wasn't true, just a fantasy. Not even something like this could save her."
Then he calmed down a bit and focused his attention on the next letter. He took it carefully, opened it, and read it.
Gabriela Esperanza Barret, June 5th, 2010:
My wish is for my brother, Candado Barret, to be happy, as well as my family and friends, and never have to suffer again. Although I know this illness will end up killing me, I know that Candado will end up hating himself because of me. Maybe this is my last letter, but I want him to always be happy and joyful, never to suffer because of me. I'm proud of him, and I want one last wish: I want to see my brother's 10th birthday. I just want you to give me enough strength to survive five more months to say goodbye to him properly and wish him happiness. Candado, I love you very much, you're the best brother I've ever had.
The words of the letter began to hurt him. It was a great pain. However, like that time on the plane, he couldn't bear the pain anymore. She knew she would die, and yet she only asked for him to be happy and joyful, never to feel responsible for her death. She really was a good person. Candado couldn't tolerate the emotion; once again, she showed kindness toward someone like him. Then the tears appeared in his eyes again.
Then Hammya arrived, who had been looking for him around the place, and among a small crowd that was walking, she managed to see Candado from the side, sitting under a tree and holding a letter, which she could visualize but not read. Still, she ran to meet him. As she approached, she could see that, on the visible part of his face, a tear was falling from that cold and serious face he had while holding the letter with such force that he ended up crumpling the paper. However, Hammya decided to approach and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
Candado didn't respond; he just stayed still as he looked at the letter he held, not feeling Hammya's hand on his rigid shoulder, while tears continued to fall.
"Candado? Answer," Hammya said as she shook his shoulder.
"Hello, emerald. I see you've made new friends around here," Candado said disinterestedly.
"Candado, why are you crying?"
"I remembered something I did a long time ago," he then showed his usual expression, "a wish capsule," Candado said as he composed himself.
"She must have been a very good person," Hammya said as she sat next to Candado.
"Yes, she was a person with a great heart, even with that terrible curse cast upon her, and I couldn't protect her. I'm a lousy person. Not even my parents care about me. Sometimes I think they never wanted a son like me. She must have had the powers of the violet blood, not me. She should have been the leader of the W.O.G.A.B., not me. My existence in this world is..."
Hammya hugged Candado, preventing him from saying anything else bad about himself.
"Hey, calm down, don't keep saying those things about yourself," she said, then she let go of him and took him by the shoulders. "I didn't know your sister, but I know she wouldn't be happy if she heard you say something like that."
"I know, but my parents don't show their love for me. When she left, I was alone and I hated my parents that day, but I forgave them and moved on on my own, alone and without help."
"Candado, your friends were always by your side, Clementina told me. You were never alone."
"But I would have liked my parents to be with me."
Hammya hugged Candado again and managed to calm the bitterness he was suffering.
"Why do you do this? A while ago I wanted to kick you off the plane and now you're here, why?"
"Candado, I'm your friend and your vice president, so I would never leave you alone."
"I appreciate your help."
Candado put his sister's letter in his pocket, put the other one in the chest, buried it, and stood up. Then he extended his hand and helped Hammya to her feet.
"Well, it's time to go in, right?"
"Of course."
"Too bad, it's nice to be outside."
"Hammya."
"Yes? What's up?"
"Thanks for helping me, Hammya."
"Don't worry about it, you can always count on me."
Candado softened his expression and said,
"I also want to thank you for helping me that day when Desza was going to kill me. You showed up and helped me. Then you worried about my wound and healed it. Now you've helped me, and all that without me asking for help. You've always helped me, thank you."
With these words, Candado hugged Hammya, and for the first time showed a genuine smile to her, without cynicism or deceit. Although Hammya was very embarrassed that he had hugged her, she was able to relax when she saw that Candado had smiled for her.
"Well, it's time to go back inside with the others."
"Why? If we're outside, Nankinjo."
At that moment, they both turned and saw their teammates: Yuuta, Jacqueline, Alejandra, Raúl, Armando, Kirinyaga, Banu, Solari, Shaoran, Clementina, and Nelson.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?"
"You see, Chains, when we saw that Hammya went to look for her love, we decided to follow her."
"It's not my love," said Hammya, blushing.
"I see your tongue is still sharp, Jacqueline."
"Do you think so? The truth is, I hadn't noticed."
"I hope you haven't made Miss Hammya cry."
"Do I look like a chauvinist, Clementina?"
"No, of course not."
"Then?"
"Just to remind him, nothing else."
"Candado, I think you made a promise to a lady, am I wrong?"
"What are you implying, Armando?"
"Kid, you made a promise to Fereshteh, you said you were going to play with her."
"Right." Candado walked over to Banu and took her hand. "Come on, it's time to have some fun."
Candado led Banu to a red field, with pillars at the four corners near the square where the statue of Harambee stood, and let out a very loud whistle. Then, he looked at Yuuta and raised his hand. Understanding what he meant, Yuuta took out two rattles from his pockets and tossed them to Candado. He caught them in the air and tied one to his left arm, and with the second one, he tied it to Banu, but on her right shoulder.
"Ready?"
"Yes, you'll see I've been practicing a lot."
Candado patted Banu's head and gave a crooked smile. Then, they both separated twenty paces from each other.
As they moved away, the others approached and took their seats to enjoy the show.
"All right, who are you betting on?" Yuuta asked.
"Me? Let's see... I got it, Candado," said Armando.
"Then I support Fereshteh," said Solari.
"I bet on both," said Raúl as he read a book.
"Interesting, I bet on Chains."
"What are we betting?" asked Hammya.
"Nothing, it's just a saying, we don't have coins," said Alejandra.
"What?"
"It's simple, the root of all human crises is money, but if this nation doesn't have that, then there's no crisis, inflation, devaluation, etc.," said Jacqueline.
"So we pay with material goods," said Shaoran.
"Wow," Hammya was surprised.
"I'm rooting for Fereshteh," said Kirinyaga.
"I think I'll bet on my young patron," said Clementina.
"I heard you!" Candado shouted.
Nelson and Hammya looked at each other for what she had said. As they bet on their favorites, more and more people approached to see what was going on, and before they knew it, it was already a large crowd. Candado and Banu, who were in the field, looked around, and the crowd began to cheer and celebrate.
"Oh, my, we sure are flashy."
Banu smiled at Candado's remark.
"I'm sorry, Banu, I dragged you into this unintentionally."
"No, it's fine, it will help me lose my fear of the public."
"Anyway," Candado got into position, "Let's put on a show."
After saying this, they both remained silent and still, reading each other's situation and waiting for the moment to begin the fight. The crowd, on the other hand, was only shouting and murmuring among themselves.
Candado and Banu stared at each other for a brief moment. He watched her closely, looking for any false move on her part. Although Banu was very intelligent, she covered all the possible vulnerabilities that could help Candado. However, Candado rushed towards her, running with his facón in hand. Banu was about to attack him with her powers when suddenly Candado disappeared from the sight of the public, leaving everyone surprised except Banu, who quickly turned around and threw sand from her hands.
Candado reappeared and avoided the sand, then he approached Banu's rattle. In response, Banu turned into sand and disintegrated. Candado stopped and jumped into the air, avoiding touching the sand on the ground. Then, Banu emerged from the ground and took shape again, while her eyes began to glow blue.
"Not bad, girl," said Candado as he sheathed his facón.
"Thanks, you're not bad yourself."
Candado smiled and lunged again towards Banu. When he was close to her, the sand on the ground violently approached him to stop him, but Candado jumped and propelled himself with his left hand to fly towards her. Banu threw her sand at him in the air, but Candado ignited his hands with violet flame and struck the sand forcefully. Then he landed on the ground and tried to grab Banu's rattle, but she didn't allow it and grabbed Candado's hand, which was ablaze with flame, and threw him away from her. Candado landed on his feet and prepared for the next attack.
When he looked up, Banu was no longer there. Calmly, Candado began to search around until he felt someone behind him. Instinctively, he threw a violet-colored sphere backwards, but Banu intercepted it with her shield of sand, completely nullifying Candado's attack. Although he was surprised by Banu's quick reaction, Candado approached her. Before he could reach her, Banu raised a wall of sand in front of her, and Candado found himself on the other side.
He punched with his violet flame, his hand pierced the wall, but he couldn't reach where Banu was. However, feeling that Candado had buried his fist in the wall, Banu hardened the sand, and Candado was trapped in the girl's defense.
"You shouldn't have done that," Candado said with a smile and continued, "Isí' tumby! (violet light)."
His hands ignited with more power, and a faint violet color could be seen in the cracks of the sand wall that trapped him. The wall exploded, and the sand scattered through the air and the ground. The battle continued. Up to that moment, Banu had only been defending herself, and now it was time to attack, something Candado knew. The audience was thrilled by Banu's intelligence and Candado's strength.
"Well, it looks like we'll be at it for a while."
"Are you having fun, Banu?"
"Yes, a lot. And you?"
"Of course, but I think it's time to get serious," said Candado as he adjusted his tie.
"Yeah, I think that would be best," said Banu as she brushed the black strand of hair falling on her forehead.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Clementina's eyes made a noise that caught Hammya's attention.
"Oh, it seems Candado is going to fight seriously."
"What?"
"You'll see, as Candado releases 18.6% of his power."
"But those times, weren't they serious?"
"No, Miss Hammya, Candado didn't even use 5% of his power."
"That means he's going to fight seriously," Nelson concluded.
"But what about Banu?"
"Banu is also smart, she only fought with 4.9% of her power, while Candado released, for this fight, 3% of his power."
"There's hardly any difference."
"In battle, calculations are entirely random; many times, the one with the advantage ends up losing. I only give theoretical calculations," then she smiled, "This is going to be interesting."
"I just hope they don't get hurt."
"Oh no, Hammya, I assure you that Candado and Banu won't get hurt; both are trying to remove the rattle, not eliminate each other," then she smiled and looked at the rattle in her hand, "It reminds me of me; I'm eager to fight him again."
Candado emitted a glow from his eyes, and their color changed from dark to completely violet. They weren't fiery or anything, just pure violet. In addition, tattoos of the same color appeared on his face and his white gloves, which bore those strange symbols, also shone in that characteristic color.
"You're radiant, Candado."
"Heh, I hope you'll also show me your radiant attacks."
"There's no doubt about that."
Candado's flame extinguished, and in its place, he displayed an electric energy of the same color. He crossed his arms and ran towards her at an incredible speed; he could barely be seen. Banu, aware of his power, took refuge in her sand while Candado appeared and disappeared. However, he wasn't landing any blows; he just kept appearing and disappearing in different locations. Banu was hidden behind a wall of sand and had to think about how to get out of there. She looked around through small holes that allowed her to see where Candado might be. The tension was very high for her, and she kept searching for a way out, even though he wasn't striking her, and her physical performance was still up to par, it was very difficult for her to use the sand as a wall, especially if she had to harden it against possible blows from him.
However, from desperation came the solution. Banu realized that while Candado's movements were unpredictable, there was always one that wasn't. Taking advantage of this, Banu released a kind of sandy arm and struck in the air. Candado stopped it with both hands and stretched it forcefully. Banu did her best to hold it back until it pierced the sand and lunged towards him. But Candado, knowing very well what was about to happen, snapped his fingers and said.
"Asinóh (Dog)."
Out of nowhere, two dogs appeared; they were as large as wolves and of a different color, organic. Their fur was violet, their eyes were solidly green, with sharp pointed teeth that constantly emitted a violet flame from their bodies. They were terrifying to the sight of any human. The crowd in the stands was horrified and surprised to see those fearsome creatures. Banu didn't know what to do, the appearance of those beasts scared her so much that she stopped halfway. When she reacted, the dogs jumped on Banu, and she, trying to avoid them, transformed into sand and disappeared again. Candado leaned down and struck the ground very hard, creating a small crater and a moment of tremor in the stands.
"What tremendous strength!" exclaimed Hammya.
The battle continued, and it seemed that Candado's tactic had paid off. Banu emerged from the ground and transformed back into her normal form. However, she was also ready to show her potential. She created a sandstorm to obscure Candado's vision and summoned earth dolls, dressed in Persian empire attire, to fight against the beasts. But Candado surprised everyone with his reaction. He adjusted his beret and charged into the sandstorm with his eyes closed, using his ears to track Banu. Finally, he reached her and grabbed her arms, preventing her from using more power with the sand covering her. Candado was completely dirty and full of sand, but he couldn't hold on much longer.
The audience couldn't see what was happening as the sand blocked their view. The energy Banu generated kept growing, and Candado perceived it clearly.
"I think I'll call an end to this game," said Candado.
"Oh no, not yet, I still have plenty to give," Banu replied.
Banu tried to remove the rattle from Candado's arm, taking advantage of his immobility and blindness. Every time she heard the noise of Banu's rattle, Candado knew where she was going to strike. He attempted to get closer to her time and time again, but Candado was cunning. When he felt his earth dolls approaching, he called his dogs with a whistle only they could hear.
And as the dogs pounced on Banu, distracting her, Candado seized the opportunity to free himself from the quicksand and prepare to take Banu by surprise. The dogs leaped onto her and disappeared into the air. At that moment, a loud noise erupted, but the raised sand obscured the audience's view, and no one could see what was happening.
The people in the stands were anxious to know who had won, and Jacqueline expressed her frustration by shouting, "DAMN! WHO COULD HAVE WON!?"
When the sand finally dispersed, it revealed Candado kneeling, covered in mud, with his violet tattoos and flames gone. On the other hand, Banu was sitting, her hijab nearly destroyed, revealing part of her left cheek and lip.
Candado had something in his fist; he opened it and revealed Banu's rattle in his possession. Then he turned and showed it to Banu with a cold expression. Banu slowly opened her eyes, smiled, and displayed Candado's rattle held between her index finger and thumb.
Candado was astonished and wondered when he had lost it. He found the answer when he remembered when Banu struck him in the chest with her palm, although at that moment he thought she was trying to push him, she was actually momentarily stopping him and waiting for the opportunity to snatch the rattle.
"Banu, you're good," admitted Candado. "You waited for me to get close to take my rattle. How cunning!"
"TIE! How boring!" said Armando.
Banu smiled and collapsed, but before hitting the ground, Candado caught her. The last thing she could see before losing consciousness was the proud face of her master and friend, Candado.
The stands erupted in cheers, applauding their presidents. Their friends hurried to help Candado to his feet while carrying Banu on a stretcher. Candado held her hand and, with a smile, said:
"Congratulations, you're very good."
Banu, exhausted, could barely speak:
"You... are the best... Candado."
Nelson lifted Candado up and held him high in the air, celebrating. The crowd chanted the names of Candado and Banu. Candado, in his characteristic cool style, raised his hands and exclaimed:
"My brothers and sisters, this victory belongs to both countries!"
After the fight, Banu recovered and changed her hijab, switching from black to white. Candado was cleaned up with Clementina's fan hands and perfumed with cologne borrowed from Jacqueline. Hammya simply gave him water. Everyone else returned to their activities, leaving the presidents alone, as it was time for Candado to go home.
Shaoran commented:
"So, are you leaving already?"
Candado replied:
"Yes, Shaoran, but I'll be back, don't worry."
Banu added:
"It was fun playing with you again, Candado."
Candado stroked Banu's head and said:
"Likewise, Banu. You've made great progress, girl."
Banu asked hopefully:
"You won't stop teaching me, will you?"
Candado assured her:
"Of course not, I'll keep teaching you."
Shaoran added:
"Come back soon, Cadenas."
Candado replied:
"Yes, I will. Goodbye, comrades."
Everyone bid farewell to Candado, and the airplane door closed behind him. Once inside, Candado borrowed Nelson's cell phone and called Hector. After about five minutes, Hector answered:
"Hello?"
Candado conveyed:
"Hello, Hector. I just wanted to tell you two things, okay?"
Hector replied:
"Sure, what are they?"
Candado said:
"The first is that they agreed to help me."
Hector asked excitedly:
"Really? That's awesome! And the second?"
Candado responded with a somewhat annoyed tone:
"You win. Hammya will be my new vice president. She has shown me that she has what it takes for the position."
Hector exclaimed excitedly:
"Really? GREAT! I mean, I'm really happy. I knew you'd choose her."
When he hung up the phone, Candado handed the device to Nelson. On the other end of the line, Hector was jumping for joy while holding Viki in his arms.
"What's going on? Why are you so happy?"
"I won the bet, thank goodness, never betting again in my life, I swear."
While Hector celebrated his victory, Candado sat down in one of the chairs and leaned back, feeling relaxed, then Hammya came and sat beside him.
"Oh, it's you, kid."
"I see you're still the same as always."
"Of course, but I've decided to make a small change."
"What change will you make?"
"I'll keep my promise to you; I'm going to stop treating you like vermin."
"Did you?"
"You're a fool."
"But you said that..."
"Starting tomorrow."
"Ah, you always play dirty."
"Ha, that's what I call, Gaucha cleverness."
The conversations between Hammya and Candado stretched on for about an hour. Often, the girl would talk about topics that didn't interest him, and on more than one occasion, Candado would drop hints in the form of jokes. It was entertaining to watch how Hammya tried to decipher what he was saying. Finally, when the conversations ceased, both fell asleep.
Clementina, who was absorbed in her reading, looked up and noticed that the two had fallen asleep. However, there was an unusual scene between them: Hammya leaned on Candado's shoulder, and their hands touched indirectly. During sleep, Candado's face reflected seriousness, while Hammya's showed a smile and relaxation.
Clementina drew Nelson's attention, who was absorbed in reading a newspaper.
"What do you think, sir?"
"Oh, it seems she's in love with him, her behavior is identical to Andrea's."
Clementina commented:
"Wow, I'd like to play a prank on them, but just seeing them asleep like that, I'm overwhelmed by a sense of tenderness."
"We should take a picture of them, my dear," Nelson suggested.
Clementina pulled out her camera from her backpack and captured that endearing moment.
"The young master, or rather Mr. Candado, carries a wound in his heart. However, I'm sure Miss Hammya will heal it with the love she feels for him."
The old man smiled and remembered his childhood with Alfred and with Andrea, recalling a very similar situation, two young people holding hands sleeping in a seat.