Two years have passed since Johnny's arrival in this unknown world. He is awakened by his nine-year-old sister's cheerful voice.
"It's time to wake up, little brother! We can't miss breakfast!" She smiles as she gently shakes him.
As the day breaks, Johnny stretches languidly on his rustic straw bed, which he shares with his older sister, the lively Cecilia. While the first rays of sunlight create a golden mosaic on the dirt floor of their modest cottage, Johnny delves into deep reflections about the scant information he has managed to gather.
He was born into a peasant family, immersed in poverty, and due to a complete lack of knowledge about the vast world around him, his understanding was limited to mere assumptions.
In the new world he has come to call home, his name is Alexander, but unlike the nobles and church members, he lacks a surname. His grasp of the complex social structures governing this universe is vague and lacking in details. All he can perceive is that society is divided into three distinct strata: the aristocracy, the devout priests, and the humble peasants.
In this rustic environment, Johnny encounters an intriguing mystery. A small tattoo-like symbol adorns his neck, and it is shared by all the villagers. Intrigued, he has asked his sister about the meaning of this symbol, but she is as clueless as he is about this striking enigma.
A growling stomach impatiently breaks the silence, revealing Johnny's hunger. As the girl lowers her head, a veil of embarrassment spreads across her eyes, and she looks sideways at the dark-haired, brown-eyed boy, whose extreme thinness exposes his prominent bones.
Determined to alleviate the misery that plagues them, Cecilia raises her head and smiles at her brother with tenderness. She encourages him, stating that after this day, hunger will no longer be a tormenting shadow. Today, Johnny has the opportunity to develop a special talent that could serve the lord or even the Holy Church. It is undoubtedly a great day that cannot be squandered.
"Little brother, think that after today, you might discover a special talent that could serve the lord or even the Holy Church. This is your big day, and we can't waste any more time!" the girl says with determination in her eyes.
Johnny nods, and his sister, with a loving expression, runs her hand through his hair, while a deep sigh reveals her concern. This simple gesture, a bond of siblinghood, symbolizes the connection that keeps them strong in a world filled with adversity. Both face the harsh reality of malnutrition, a sad mark of their existence in medieval poverty.
"Will our uncle be coming with us today?" Johnny asks, looking at his sister with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
Their uncle was their supplier of food, someone Johnny theorized to be their father.
"Our uncle has other matters to attend to, but you have a lovely lady to accompany you!" Cecilia says.
The duo of siblings no longer has their mother's presence; unfortunately, she passed away during Johnny's birth. As for their father, a mystery surrounds his identity, as their mother was a poor prostitute. Thus, the responsibility falls on young Cecilia, who with courage and love, took on the role of a motherly figure. She was only seven years old when this happened, but she clearly strived to fulfill this role to the best of her ability.
Johnny feels deep gratitude for his sister's care, recognizing that his life owes much to her dedication. The absence of parents during their childhood forced them to rely on each other, turning them into a survival team. Cecilia, despite her tender age, played an admirable role in protecting and caring for her brother.
What troubles Johnny most in this world is a sense of frustration. He needs to conceal his intelligence, feigning ignorance to avoid the locals of this archaic environment. During those times, brilliance could be easily mistaken for heresies, such as witchcraft or malevolent conspiracies.
Johnny averts his gaze and silently contemplates: "Perhaps I should spare the girl, as long as she doesn't hinder my future plans. Maybe she can be useful as a pawn in my game if needed. At the very least, I should ensure her a quick and painless death!" Johnny is caught in complex reflections about the duality caused by his intelligence and survival in this ruthless world.
The girl notices that Johnny is lost in his thoughts. She finds it endearing to see him so absorbed but also feels a tinge of concern. With affection, she gently pinches the boy's cheek to bring him back to reality.
"Alexander! Come on, it's time to move forward. Let's head to the Holy Church!" she murmurs with a sweet smile, trying to bring her brother back to reality.
Johnny returns his sister's smile and agrees with a nod. Cecilia then quickly dresses in a simple burlap dress and dons a bonnet, resembling the attire of the sans-culottes from the French Revolution. Carefully, she dresses her brother in similar clothing, making sure everything fits correctly.
Once they're ready, they leave their humble abode, a small house on the outskirts of the town. As they step outside, Johnny is immediately immersed in the bustling atmosphere of the streets.
As they weave through the crowd, he observes diligent workers shaping intricately designed wooden bowls and forging swords in the fiery blaze. A nearby blacksmith hammers rhythmically on a piece of glowing iron, the metallic sound echoing in Johnny's ears, creating an immersive and realistic sense of the medieval world surrounding him.
Further down the street, Johnny and his sister come across a group of minstrels playing lively tunes on their lutes and flutes, their music attracting a crowd of dancers and onlookers.
The siblings walk for a good while, stopping at times to watch various attractions. Until they finally reach the Church.
The siblings find themselves in front of a remarkable building, constructed from deep stone, with majestic columns and intricate carvings on the walls that tell stories of times long past. The grandeur of the place washes over Johnny like a wave of nostalgia rooted in his very cells, as if his body and soul remember a distant era, igniting a profound fascination for this world, which, despite its visible misery, possesses an undeniable magnetism.
Before entering the church, Johnny feels immense tension gripping him. He understands that this moment could change his life in unimaginable ways. His scientist instincts haunt him, igniting a burning desire for new discoveries and challenges in this new world. Curiosity and the eagerness to unravel the unknown are so intense that he finds himself trembling with excitement and anticipation, barely able to contain the surge of emotions as he prepares to cross the threshold of the church.
Slowly but surely, even amid medieval poverty, Johnny was falling in love with his new world.
...
Meanwhile, in another corner of the world.
In an unknown place, in the heart of a vast forest where the treetops whisper in the wind, stands a peculiar house, defying all standards. Entirely made of chocolate and shaped like a gigantic lollipop, this unique structure stands out in a place forgotten by God. As we approach, it becomes evident that its interior houses a dark scene: two children imprisoned in a massive cage, also made of chocolate.
The boy, João, is fiercely gnawing at the cage bars with his teeth, while his sister, Maria, pleads with him.
"Stop, João! Stop, João!" Maria pleads.
"Little sister, we need to escape from here! Did you see what she did to Bart? The only way to get out is by breaking these bars!" João responds, his face contorted with determination.
"But, brother, I have a feeling she wants to fatten us up before she kills us! It's strange that the bars can only be broken with our bites, not sheer force," Maria argues, looking at her brother with concern.
João contemplates his sister's perspective, but the desire to protect her and the memory of the terrible events that brought them to this place drive him to continue gnawing at the bars. It all started because of his ambition to become an adventurer, and now, he feels responsible for involving Maria in this nightmare.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps makes João stop abruptly. He swallows hard because he knows what that sound means: the witch is back.
"Hello, my beautiful children! I see the girl is as thin as ever. Maybe I'll turn her into an appetizer for my guests! As for you, boy, you'll be the star of our feast!" says the witch with a psychotic laugh, her sinister figure standing out in the surroundings.
João avoids looking directly at the witch but catches a glimpse of an elderly woman's silhouette in black robes, a crooked nose, yellowed eyes, wrinkled skin, and an enormous pointed hat. Instinctively, the siblings embrace, their faces pale and contorted with fear.
"For the love of God, aunt! I beg you, spare at least my sister! She didn't want to enter your forest; it was me who brought her here! She didn't want to be here!" João pleads, tears streaming from his eyes.
The witch draws a cleaver and starts approaching the cage, increasing the children's despair. Their pleas continue, but the witch suddenly stops, dropping the cleaver to the ground. This gives the siblings a glimmer of hope.
"It can't be! He's born! He's born! The child of darkness and the accursed child of light! Both are born! Finally!" exclaims the witch, revealing a wild look.
The confused siblings believe she is once again having hallucinations due to strange teas and smokes. However, they do not know that, in addition to being a cannibal, the witch is famous as a seer in the dark community. She understands the significance of the birth of the prophecy children, who will change the course of the world.
The witch begins to smile sinisterly, her eyes now red. She looks at the children and announces, "No more wasting time just satisfying my hunger. It's time for a new era! This deserves a real feast!"