Vanrra woke up with a start; he immediately got up from the ground. He looked around; it was already morning. Hiram put out the campfire. They were the only two in the camp. —Do you feel better?
— Where is Sofía?
—She left a while ago.
—Where to?!
—To her home, I guess. Don't worry about her; I gave her some of my things. She knows how to take care of herself.
—I'm not totally sure. Didn't she tell you anything else?
—She doesn't talk much.
He said, annoyed. —Doc. Those monsters are still out there, and you let her go. Which way did she go?
—It's not worth looking for her; she's already far away. I bet she's at home by now.
—I have a hard time understanding you lately, doc. She was a delicate girl; it's impossible for her to survive out there.
—You underestimate her too much. Don't worry about her; we have more important things to think about. Just relax, maybe you'll be lucky enough to see her again. —Vanrra sat on a log. He stared at the remains of the campfire. —Are you feeling better now?
—What are we supposed to do now, doc.?
—Leave this forest; we're very close now.
—And then what? I have nowhere to go, my whole life… What comes next?
—Go to a safe place, my home, Aelia Capitolina.
—Your home…where is that? —Hiram looked up at the sky. —Are you looking for something?
—The sun. We have to go west and reach the sea.
—The sea?
—Did I teach you what the sea is?
—Of course I know; I'm dying to see it. Is Aelia Capitolina by the sea?
—Something like that, it's very close. —They packed everything in their backpacks. Vanrra took a bath in the river and dressed in the same kind of clothes as Hiram. A khaki-colored outfit, a little loose-fitting. The uniform of a hunter. He couldn't identify what material they were made of. —You like it; it's what you asked me for.
—It's very comfortable, nothing like that old leather. I feel how it softly brushes my skin; it's pretty good.
—Take your backpack; we need to get moving.
—Doc. Don't you have a weapon?
—I am the weapon.
—I'm serious, doc.
—So am I.
—Do you know what's on our way?
—I'll try to remember; don't worry, nothing will hurt us. —Hiram began to walk. After a few steps, he realized Vanrra hadn't moved. He was staring at the branches of the trees. —What's wrong?
—I think I'm scared, doc.
—It's normal: when I first left my home, I felt the same way.
—Why did this happen? Today… you were supposed to be teaching me that book. Now none of that exists; my friends are dead; everyone I knew is dead. I'll never see them again.
—That's what death means.
—You should have let me die that day; it would have been better for both of us.
He raised his voice. —Listen, Vanrra. —He approached him. —From now on, you will do everything I tell you. I want you to stop crying; your tears won't bring your friends back; let them rest.
—You want me to forget them?! They were my family! How can I forget my family?! I always forget everything; if I forgot them, I would never forgive myself.
—Don't forget them, never do, but you have to let go of that burden, that guilt. If you carry it, you won't be able to keep going. Every time you think you can't go on, think of them, channel that emotion to keep moving forward.
—Of course it's not my fault; it's that monster's! Why do you act as if it doesn't exist?! None of this makes sense! Because of it, I lost everything; I have nothing left! I wish I could kill it, I'd give anything to have enough strength to kill that damn titan. I'd give my whole being.
Hiram looked at him, a bit terrified; he approached slowly. —I don't think that would make you happy.
—Do you think I can be happy? After all this?!
—People can change. —Vanrra calmed down upon hearing those words; there was something special in Hiram's tone, something he still didn't understand.
—Do you believe that?
—...
Vanrra started walking. —Well then, let's go. —Hiram stood still for a few seconds, just like Vanrra. The singing of the birds snapped him out of his trance. Soon they left the forest and reached a vast green meadow; there were no walls on the horizon. Only a few scattered trees could be seen in the distance. —Shall we move on?
—As far as I remember, the nearest settlement is a few weeks away.
—Weeks? Will we walk without stopping?
—We're in the heart of the continent; hardly anyone lives here, that's why it's safe. Civilization is further south. —He spat out the word as if it were poison.
—Do you prefer the wild life?
—They are the real savages, a bunch of thieves and liars. It's a bad joke that they pretend to be a civilization. —Before Vanrra could start walking, Hiram grabbed him by the shoulders. —Before we start, I have to make something clear to you.
He said, confused. —What is it, doc.?
—From now on, I want you to trust me blindly. No matter what happens. There will be many things you don't understand; you won't always have time to think. You must obey everything I tell you; it's the only way we'll both keep our heads. Look at me. Many things won't make sense; your emotions will tell you otherwise. When that happens, I want you to be quiet and do as I say. Everything I do and say is for our good. I don't give a single fuck if you don't understand my actions. Out there is a lawless land, full of liars and thieves, beasts and animals; don't believe anything they say. You just must trust me. Do you understand?
—Yes, doc.
—I promise you we'll reach my home; I'll take you there no matter the cost. Promise me you'll trust me.
—It's all I have left, doc.
They both began their journey across the great plain, crossing dozens of small hills. There seemed to be no trace of civilization. They encountered several herds of animals: mostly horses, all fleeing at the slightest contact. They rested in the shade of the few trees along the way. They set up their small camp at dusk. The moon lit up the prairie.
The next day, they continued in the same direction. They rested when they reached trees or near a stream. They ate there and then kept walking. They didn't stop for six days; both ended up exhausted. They reached a big tree on top of a hill and rested in its shade.
—I can't go on, doc. We should rest; I need a day off. I can't feel my legs.
—I think you're right; I don't know how much farther we have. Samarkand is not too far away.
—Is that where we're going?
—It's our first stop; we need to buy supplies. We're almost out.
—These days have been very calm, don't you think?
—Don't get too comfortable, all of this is just an illusion. We don't know what we might run into.
Vanrra lay on his back, looking at the tree's leaves. —Do you think it has fruit?
—I don't know. Usually, fruit trees grow in groups.
—What will happen when we meet people, doc.? How should I act? I don't think they're all savages and thieves. Maybe some will be friendly.
—You always have to be alert; you can't trust any of them. They are a people of thieves; it's in their blood.
—Why are they thieves, doc.? I don't think everyone steals. How do I tell a good person from a bad one?
—You can't; and when you do, it's usually too late. The best thing is to kill at the slightest doubt.
—Kill? Just like that? Wouldn't that make us savages?
—You and I are not like them, we... I know the truth of what is right in this world; that's why you have to learn from me. Believe me, soon you'll see what I mean; then you'll agree with me.
—How do you know you're the good one? I don't doubt they think the same about themselves.
—The difference is that I know I have the reason.
Vanrra felt something grab her ankle, a hand. He jumped in fright. —What was that?! —There was nothing. —Doc! Did you see anything?! Something touched me!
—It must be your imagination. There's no one else here.
—No, it was too real. I think I have a mark.
—It was probably a snake; the grass is a bit tall.
Vanrra brushed the dust off her suit. —Doc. I need something to eat.
—We don't have much food left. You already ate today's share; if you're hungry, hunt your own food.
—We don't have any guns. —Hiram handed her a large knife. She took the hunting knife. —Wouldn't that be cruel?
—You barely even notice. If you want to eat, you have to kill, no exceptions. Otherwise, you'll starve. I'm surprised you're not used to it. What kind of rancher doesn't know how to hunt?
—I never hunted; almost nobody in the village did. We bought our meat. —He examined the knife with his fingers, testing its edge. —I had never realized: to stay alive we have to kill others. To cause pain just by existing.
—That is our punishment; we are all born with it, our mark. And even so, we insist on existing, so much so that we never stop reproducing, continuing the cycle of pain. That's what comes with existing in this world. Assiah. That's the name of our planet. Had I already told you?
—I think not.
—Don't try to be a hero; it doesn't matter how good you try to be, you cause harm just by existing. Focus on staying alive, no matter the cost; you already do it all the time. You don't have to feel guilty.
He saw a small snake moving near Hiram's feet. —Why is the world like this?
—It's the price of free will; we decided to be slaves of the earth. There's no other way to live.
—Whatever you say, Doc.
They spent the night by the tree. The next day they continued west. Beyond that hill, the land grew drier, ochre in color. The grass turned mostly yellow. Large rocks covered the landscape. Small rocky hills began to appear; they walked among them, through the valley.
They came across ruins, abandoned structures. Most were just eroded walls; nothing remained inside the apparent houses. Hiram rummaged through the old junk; there was nothing useful. They reached another great plain; in the distance, they made out columns of black smoke. They climbed a small hill to look through their binoculars. They could make out the city walls; from that distance, it looked like a small town.
—Is that our destination?
—It has to be; we need to resupply.
—Why does it have walls?
—We're in a remote place; there aren't many people here. Those walls aren't to protect from other people.
—Monsters?
—I'm far more afraid of the savages. —They started walking toward the city.
—Once we get there, what will we do, doc.?
—You'll wait where I tell you; don't talk to anyone and do exactly as I say. I'll look for food and some horses, or a vehicle if I can. I don't know how long I'll take. Don't worry, I guess there will be a hotel where we can stay; I'm tired of sleeping on the ground.
—And if they don't let us in?
—This isn't a village; people come and go all the time here; I don't think they'll ask us questions.
They got halfway there; the city was almost in front of them. They rested in a small grove. They drank the little water they had left. —I'm nervous, doc. I've never talked to anyone from outside; I don't know what to say to them.
Hiram took out his binoculars and examined the outer wall, all its details. He could see that, outside the wall, there was a neighborhood of apparently abandoned houses. —Just play along and don't leave my side. Don't tell them anything personal; don't say where we're going either. If we draw too much attention, they might rob us.
Vanrra looked back, seeing something on the distant horizon. —Doc, I think someone's coming right behind us.
—Someone? What do you mean?
—I don't know; something's getting closer. It still seems very far away.
Hiram turned around. He also saw that black dot. —I think it's a car. I don't remember seeing any during our journey.
—What's a car?
—You remember my toys: they were engines; they create movement. A car is a vehicle with wheels that moves with an engine. There are many other types, but cars are the most common.
—It's moving really fast.
—Of course, they're much faster than horses. They need a bit of fuel to travel dozens of kilometers. With a good vehicle, we'd cover our whole journey in just a few hours. I hope there's one in the city.
Vanrra took a few steps toward where the supposed vehicle was approaching. —I think it has several of those tube chimneys, like the ones at your house. How big is a car, doc?
—It depends; the possibilities are endless. Usually just a couple of meters. Whatever the wheels and the engine can handle.
—I don't see any wheels on this one.
—All cars have wheels. It's still too far for you to see the details.
—Doc, I think it's moving…
Hiram pulled him back. —Don't leave the grove; we don't want to be seen. Behind Vanrra, he managed to see that abomination. It was a black stain on the horizon, moving with multiple huge legs, like an obese spider. On top of that, it had three large protrusions like snake heads. From that distance, it was just a dark silhouette. It was moving at full speed directly toward them.
—Is that a vehicle, doc?
—Run! —Both headed toward the city walls. They were a little more than a kilometer away. When they looked back, they noticed that thing had doubled in size; its many legs moved at top speed. It seemed to be completely black. A loud screech, like a blizzard, reached them.
Vanrra tripped and fell to the ground. Hiram went to help him. —How big is it, doc?
—Twenty meters.
They kept running for several agonizing minutes. They raised their hands to get someone's attention above. Every time they looked back, that monster was even closer. It covered several kilometers in just a few minutes. A fat core with spider legs over ten meters long. With three protrusions like snakes. Each part was a dark color, making it impossible to see any other detail.
When that aberration got less than a kilometer from them, a great boom was heard from the city. A cannon shot fired from the walls and apparently hit the creature. The monster seemed to slow down; the walls fired more cannons, volley after volley, until that thing turned away.
Neither of them stopped until they reached one of the city gates. Before reaching the walls, on their outskirts, there were dozens of houses. They hid in the alleys. Everything seemed abandoned. They were panting from exhaustion. —What was that, doc?!
—I have no idea!
—Did it want to eat us?!
—Let's hope it's gone.
—Why didn't you tell me there were monsters out here?! First the titan, then the beast, and now this shit! —He threw himself to the ground. —It was a fuking fat spider, twenty meters! What were those large shits on its fat core?! They seemed to move!
—Calm down, we're safe now.
—That shit, how long has it been following us? Was it chasing us since the village?!
—I don't think so; at that speed it would have caught up with us days ago.
—You were right, doc. This land is full of shit. How many things like that must there be!
—Get up; we have to get into this city.
They walked through the abandoned neighborhood; it looked like the main avenue, full of rubble and trash. They followed the street until they reached one of the gates in the wall. —What are you doing in this area? —One of the guards asked them; he was on the balcony of a second floor, aiming at them with a repeating carbine.
Both raised their hands. Hiram stood in front of Vanrra and replied. —We're looking for the entrance.
He was dressed in loose garments, covered with long turbans like yellowish sheets, hiding his military gear. —Are you the bastards coming from the east? What were you doing coming from there?
—We got lost. Is the entrance this way?
—This is the old city; it was destroyed by those things a long time ago. Only fucking madmen would walk through the east zone.
—After this experience, do you know where I can buy a car?
—Why do you ask?
—Because after what happened back there, I'm not traveling on foot again.
—Is it urgent?
—I'm looking for today.
—The High Porte are the ones in charge of technology; you'll have to go to them. Of course, given your situation, you can't afford to waste that much time.
—I swore to my wife I'd never set foot in one of those temples.
—If you don't want to wait weeks for an appointment and deal with paperwork, I know some good fellas who offer better service.
—Where are those good fellas?
—Their offices are a bit far; I'd take you myself, but I can't leave my post; I haven't been paid yet.
Vanrra approached Hiram and whispered in his ear. —Doc, what the hell are you saying? Do you have a wife? The Hingh Porte?
—That won't be a problem! —He pulled a golden watch out of his backpack and showed it to the guard. —When does your shift end?! —The guard went into the house.
He whispered. —Doc, will you tell me what's going on?
—Follow my head, kid; I'd rather bribe this savage than deal with the High Port.
—What's the High Port?
—They're the ones who control this whole nation; they have the monopoly on technology throughout Ab. They're bastards.
The guard came out of the house and went up to Hiram. He was covered in dust. Hiram gave him the chain while still holding onto the watch. When the guard saw the chain was gold, he said quietly, —I'll have to go in and inform my contacts; you'll wait where I say; then I'll take you to the place. It's outside, on the west side. —He tried to take the watch, but Hiram held onto it tightly.
He broke the chain and handed it to the guy. —It's the guarantee.
—Follow me. —The guard led them down the street until they reached a large steel gate. They entered through a small door on the side.
Before going in, he told Vanrra. —I forbid you from talking to anyone. —Inside, the city was busy; hundreds of people walked along the avenues. They wore colorful clothes, of yellow, red, and blue fabrics. They covered themselves with hats and turbans from the blazing sun.
The buildings looked like part of the desert, made of sandy-colored stone. They were painted with abundant turquoise mosaics. Many of them had bulb-shaped domes on top. The guard whispered to them. —Don't get separated.
He looked at the great towers and palaces. They measured dozens of meters. —How did they build this, doc.?
—With slaves and math's.
—How many people live here? Thousands? Ten of thousands? What's on every street?
—We'll leave today. You don't want to live in a place like this.
—What did you say the High Porte is, doc.?
—This city, Samarkand, and everything around it is a fief. It belongs to the governor, but the governor is subordinate to the High Porte. Hundreds of fiefs pay homage to it. All of them make up the nation of Ab.
—Ab?
—It's one of the largest nations in the world, though today it's only a shadow of what it once was. Years ago, it was completely united, but after a civil war, cohesion disappeared. The High Porte is the only institution that survives in almost all the territory. They are the priests of the empire; they control the monopoly on technology. They decide who has the machines and the knowledge. Without them, the cities would collapse.
—Are they really that necessary?
—They control the fuel refineries, the component factories, the blueprints for every damn mechanism. Only they can make spare parts. With those machines, they till the fields and move water to the cities. That's how they control people.
—And people don't do anything about it?
—When have you seen sheep take over a farm?
—How big is Ab? Will we have to escape from it?
—Don't worry, like I said, there's no cohesion anymore. Every governor and warlord does as they please. It's a ghost nation; it exists only on paper. It was supposed to be so big it covered half of two continents. I don't know how big it is now.
—Why did the civil war happen?
—I don't really know; I never found out for sure. —The three of them arrived outside a modest building, right in front of a main avenue. Vanrra looked all around like a child. A crowd of camels crossed the street. On the other side of the road was the entrance to a bazaar inside the streets. The shops were decorated with fabrics of many colors. At the end of the avenue was a large metal gate blocking access to a dome. Huge chimneys emerged from the ground, spewing black smoke. The noise of machines and engines could be heard. Hiram turned his head. —Don't look at them for too long.
—Is that the High Porte?
—It's one of their temples.
The guard told them. —Here it is, come with me.
—Wait for me here, Vanrra. Don't move. —Hiram went into the building.
This is what the doc hated so much. It's nothing like my village. Everyone seems to be strangers to each other; nobody knows anyone. It's a shame that the annoying noise is here too. I wish I could make it stop. I noticed someone stopped next to me.
It was a boy about ten years old. He looked somewhat like Vanrra. His hair was identical. The boy said to him, —You're not from here, are you?
—How do you know, kid?
—I'm not a kid.
—Whatever you say, champ. How do you know I'm not from here?
—Your clothes, did you get them from a hunt?
—I don't know what you mean. What's your name, kid?
—Mitra.
—Are you a girl?
—It's not a girl's name. What are you doing standing here?
—I'm waiting for a friend.
—Don't you want to see the bazaar or stroll through the city? There's so much to see. Aren't you curious to learn more?
—I can't. My friend forbids it; he'll be out soon.
—Why won't your friend let you enjoy yourself? Looking around a little won't hurt you. I promise there are things you'll love.
—You're only talking to me because you want me to buy you something.
—I don't think you have much money.
—Money? —A crowd formed on the avenue; they shouted and insulted a woman in rags. —What's going on? —They threw the woman to the ground; she spat blood. The guards just watched. Vanrra ran to get a closer look.
The guards stopped him. —Stay away, brat.
—Why aren't you doing anything?!
People took turns beating and spitting on the girl. —Why do you care? —Are you one of them too?
—Them?
They shouted from the crowd. —Samaritan! Filthy fucking whore! Race of demons! —They beat the woman to a pulp. She wouldn't stop screaming or crying. They grabbed her by the hair and dragged her down the avenue, toward the city gate.
—What did she do? What are they going to do to her?!
One of the guards laughed. —We'll do to her what her kind did to ours.
—Race? But she looks just like yours.
The guard grabbed him by the neck and pointed his revolver at him. —What did you say? Don't compare me to those demons. My blood isn't cursed, not like those beasts. —Maybe he just wants to fuck the whore. —Are you one of those who fuck goats?
Vanrra tried to break free, but no matter how much he tried, he couldn't; the guard held him tightly. —Why don't you come with us to watch how they hang that whore? —Hiram grabbed the guard by the wrist. —What do you want? —Hiram squeezed so hard the guard had to back off. The rest drew their repeating carbines.
—Shoot me, and I swear I'll kill every damn monkey in this shithole town.
—Who the hell are you?! —You attacked a servant of the law!
Hiram put Vanrra behind him. —Your law is just so your kind don't eat each other, fucking slave, your life isn't worth more than that whore.
They all aimed at him. —What did you say! We're going to kill you just like that bitch! … —Hiram stood in front of them, with a look of total contempt; his eyes were like a bomb about to explode. —Step back, you're unarmed!
He stood in front of the barrel. —Shoot, and I promise I'll kill even your damn dogs. I'll wipe out these ugly stable, filthy cattle!
The guards started to tremble; there was something terribly wrong about that man; he inspired an instinctive fear in them. They put away their weapons and backed away slowly, never taking their eyes off him.
Hiram returned to Vanrra. —I made the deal; we must move.
—Doc.?
—What's wrong?
—Thank you.
—Who were you talking to outside the building? I could hear you.
—To a boy, his name is… —He lost sight of him —I think he's already gone; I swear he was here just a moment ago.
—Did he steal anything from you?
—I don't have anything on me. He said he didn't want anything from me because I didn't have money. What is money, doc.?
—Money? I'll tell you when we have the car; it's a long story. Follow me. —They both started walking. Vanrra had his head down. —What's wrong?
—That woman, why would they do something like that to her, I couldn't help her.
—You have to respect their traditions.
—They said she was a Samaritan. Who are they?
—It's nonsense: just monkeys killing each other; both are still animals.
—Why do you sound like them? Don't you have a heart? Why didn't you do anything? You have the strength.
—I already told you they're savages; that's why we must leave as soon as possible. Don't think about it; we have to keep going. —They walked through the streets; they reached a neighborhood with shops. Vanrra stopped to admire every little detail in the windows. —The deal is done; I just have to go pick up the vehicle; the depot is a few kilometers into the desert.
—When will we go, doc.? Aren't you afraid we'll run into the monster again?
—It's good that you're afraid, because you won't go out. —They stopped in front of an inn. You'll stay here until I come back. Are you hungry?
—Will you go alone?
—Don't worry. We eat, I go out, and you wait until I return. Then we both get in the car and head west. Your job is to sit and wait, without leaving here.
—Whatever you say, doc.
They both went in to eat and devoured plate after plate of stew. Hiram paid with more pieces of his gold trinkets. They rented a room to clean up and change clothes. When noon was over, Hiram went out into the desert. Vanrra lay on the bed, locked in, alone with his thoughts.
Devi, Esau, Gamini. I'll never see them again. I'd give anything to go back; it's all I want. The world beyond the valley is full of monsters and humans; I don't know which is worse. That girl, her screams, because I did nothing. I can't do anything; it doesn't matter what I face, titans or humans, I'm useless. I don't even know where I'm going or if there is a safe place. Aelia Capitolina, who else might have told me that? —When will I stop being sad? —Looking out the window, he realized it was already night. The moon shone like a great beacon; it looked bigger than usual.
—When will he return? He's taking too long. I'll wait a bit longer. —He lay down on the bed again and closed his eyes. He dreamed of that day, the first time he painted a picture, when his teacher taught him to use brushes. He painted the first thing that came to mind, a big tree. A tree with large fruits, ten big fruits. He painted twenty-two small branches holding and connecting the fruits to the tree. A tree of light.
A snake slithered up his leg and climbed up his back to his left eye. He woke up with a start and jumped out of bed. It was just a nightmare; it was still night. —What time is it? How long did I sleep? Doc? Doc?! —He feared the worst. —Did something happen to him? He said he wasn't far, but why isn't he coming back? I have to go look for him.
Vanrra packed his backpack and went out the front door. The streets were deserted. Before continuing, fear overtook him. What am I doing? I'm a damn useless coward, that spider will kill me if I go out there. Maybe it already attacked the doc. Maybe he's hiding in that warehouse, waiting to be eaten. No, I must trust him; I have to wait.
—Why are you afraid? —Mitra spoke to him at his side.
He nearly jumped in fright. —Where did you come from?
—I live here.
—It's very late for a child.
—What are you afraid of?
—I'm not afraid, I'm just worried.
—I hear you all the time. ¿Are you weak? ¿That's why you're afraid?
—You're just a kid; you don't know anything.
—Why didn't you help that girl? You were afraid they'd beat you, that they'd hate you.
—They would have killed me; I have no weapons. How could I defend myself? Not even the strongest man in the world can withstand a bullet.
—Then you're weak.
—If you see it that way.
—If you had enough strength, would you have saved that girl?
—Yes.
—Would you have saved your friends, your village?
—Yes.
—Do you think you can still help them?
—They're already dead; it's impossible. I can't change the past.
—But you can change the future. You can save the doc.
—He doesn't need saving; he has strength.
—Help isn't always physical, nor is strength. Strength is the ability to change the world to your will, the ability to keep moving forward no matter the obstacles; the way doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that you manage to make a change in this world.
Vanrra turned to look at the boy. —What does that mean?
—Hiram needs you. How do you expect to get strong locked up in here? You have to go out. It doesn't matter what Hiram told you; everyone makes mistakes; no one is perfect. Maybe he's testing you.
—Testing me? What are you talking about, kid?
—He's your teacher. Teachers test you; they want to make you better. Maybe he wants you to go look for him. Think about it: he's never let you down; he always keeps his word. Why is he taking so long now? It seems like he's doing it on purpose.
—Maybe you're right. But even so, I'm not sure. He told me my emotions would tell me if I was being impulsive. Maybe that's what he meant.
—If you were thinking impulsively, you wouldn't have prepared; you'd have just run out. Right now, you're using reason. You're not being impulsive.
—I don't even know where he is. He didn't tell me where he was going.
—I saw him; I can show you which way he went. You'll get there in a few minutes.
—You're a strange kid. Why are you telling me this? You're very mature and wise for your age.
—You're the strange one; those clothes make you stand out. I'm not the only one who's noticed you. Many more are looking for you.
—Who's looking for me?
—The undesirables of the earth and the undesirables of the sky, but don't worry, I'll make sure they don't hurt you.
—Follow me; I know another exit, far from the gates. —Vanrra followed Mitra through the empty streets. —They entered the bazaar; the shops were empty. A few lights came from the windows of the houses. They went down an alley; reached a hidden street, right by the wall.
They arrived at an old shop. Vanrra saw the shop's striking sign. There was a strange figure carved on it: a large snake eating its own tail, forming a circle. The figure in the center of the circle was so worn it was unrecognizable.
—Kid, do you know what that is?
—Does it catch your attention?
—I feel like I've seen it before. Do you know what it means?
Mitra moved some metal plates, revealing a corridor with old stairs. —I don't think this is the moment. You have to hurry; this passage will take you outside, so you won't have to bribe the guards.
—Thanks, kid. Don't you want me to give you something?
He giggled. —That's not necessary.
Vanrra went down the completely dark corridor. He took a small flashlight from his backpack and turned it on just like the doc taught him. The passage was full of dust, but the walls were almost intact, as if time had stopped inside. He continued for several dozen meters until he reached another staircase. When he climbed up, he found a metal door. He pulled the rusty handle with all his strength; it barely budged.
—You've got to be kidding me. —He tried with all his strength; he tried several times. Mitra came up behind and helped him pull. They managed to move the lever. —Thanks, kid. —Vanrra went out to the outer city. A couple of people were gathered around campfires spread throughout the streets.
Mitra led him to the outskirts. Vanrra could see the body of that woman hanging where the desert begins. —He went that way. When you reach the dunes, you'll see the warehouse lights. You'll know you're close when, in the distance, you see the great rock formations. Maybe I'll go see them; with this moon they'll look beautiful.
—One day I'll return the favor.
—I'll be waiting for it.
Vanrra ventured into the desert; the wind was cold. First, he walked over barren land, soon he reached the sand. He climbed a hill to get a panoramic view. In the distance, he saw a light, just as Mitra had told him.
He walked through the desert; when he reached that light, he discovered it was a flame that sprang from the ground, from the earth itself. He could see those great hoodoos, rock formations that covered the whole desert.
No matter where he looked, there was nothing but sand and rocks. Darkness fell over the desert. —Where am I? I think I'm lost or maybe I've been here before. —He looked up at the moon; it was the only thing lighting up the night.
In that direction there was a strange rock formation: a large, irregular pillar that measured dozens of meters. He could see a completely dark figure standing out against the moonlight behind it. He tried to make out what that thing was; it had to be… a giant… —Are you lost, boy? —He heard that voice as if it were right next to him.
Vanrra jumped in fright. He felt a deep panic in his chest. —Who are you?! Where are you?! —He searched for where the voice had come from.
His voice was mocking and arrogant, like an owner speaking to his pet. It was deep and sly. —I'm ashamed I haven't introduced myself before in a better shape; I'm right here. I apologize. —He was on the palm of a great, completely motionless titan. He seemed to be dressed in a brown tactical military suit, with several green armor plates.
His suit was a bit loose, with protection on the legs and forearms. He wore a large mustard-colored poncho that fluttered in the wind. He wore a black gas mask with two large red glass eyes.
He had his arms crossed; he stared at Vanrra intently. The titan was completely hidden in the darkness; only its silhouette was visible. It was standing in an unnatural way, crouched, with one extended leg. Its feet were like a bird's, with three large claws. Its four arms stretched out in different ways; it seemed to be dancing some kind of dance.
From its shoulders emerged large armor plates that bent backward like wings and fell down their back like a kind of cape. The titan seemed to wear a lion mask, more like a metallic demon's mask with two horns. It had metal plates that mimicked a long mane. Its eyes were disproportionately large, without pupils. It had a long metallic tail ending in a needle.
He felt an immense discomfort at seeing it; something inside him screamed to run away. He stammered in terror, trying to process that monster. —What…? —There was something about that being that didn't add up; he didn't know what, but there was something deeply wrong, something that shouldn't exist. Something much deeper and more terrifying than the titan itself.
—Finally, we can start, Vanrra.