"Son?" I say confused at Eru's words.

  "Altair, run, we'll distract them," Enlil says putting himself in front of me.

  "D-Does that include me?" Lilu says as her entire body shakes.

  I bite my lip. I don't want to leave them. I don't want to leave Lilu to her fate like I did in the trials. But then I hear a gunshot, and Enlil steps in front, taking the bullet in his shoulder. He tightens his gaze in my direction.

  Seeing I don't have a choice, I flee using the Hoomul mark to push aside those blocking my path.

  After a few hours of straight running, I get to the village of the Lobos Forest. I pant heavily trying to catch my breath. Hoomul Mark requires a lot of energy. I'm about to collapse, but then I feel someone catching me before I fall.

  "What's wrong? Had too many beers?"

  It's Rie. She looks at me with her blue and golden eyes. She sniffs me.

  "Although you don't smell like alcohol…" Rie opens her eyes in surprise. "Where were you? Who were you with?" Rie bombards me with her questions as her voice trembles with anxiety.

  "Enlil and I went on a contract, but the Dorados set a trap for us. They planned to seize the Conejos inside a burrow. Most likely, the Dorados took them away."

  "I'm sorry, Altair, but I'll have to leave you," she gently sets me down on the ground.

  I reach out my arm to stop her.

  "I'll go with you," I say as I stand up with all my strength.

  "I can't let you get caught. It would unleash chaos if they capture you,"

  "I won't leave Enlil and Lilu to their fate," I say sharpening my eyes, making her realize that I will go regardless.

  Rie nods.

  Rie guides me through the city's mazes. We hop from rock ruffs to rock ruffs until we reach what seems like a gigantic meadow. Rie points towards the meadow and what appears to be a rift opening in the earth. From within, a bunch of people pour out like ants.

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  "Our best bet is to go through the Mantis Orquidea clan's territory. It'd be a death sentence to go through the golden meadows."

  "Why?"

  "One of the tamers guards the entrance. In all history, since Lord Eru appointed him as guardian, no invader has been able to pass. That bastard and his hounds specialize in guarding the path to the Dorados clan. Our best option is the path that connects the Mantis Orquidea clan and the Dorados clan."

  Rie hands me a cloak.

  "When did you get this?"

  "The cloak? I got it from an old bastard on the way.," she says, puffing her chest out and putting on a smug smile.

  As soon as we manage to enter the rift and blend in with the crowd, I can see that it consists of a long path. At the sides, there are stalls with different products, like perfumes, dresses, and silk products with engraved details.

  Most of the women at the stalls stand out with their irises of different colors and shapes. Just like Lilu's eyes. They sit on decorative mattresses, perform exotic dances, or play instruments.

  "Hey, kid, interested in spending some time with me or some of my merchandise?" one of the women approaches me and presses against me. Her eyes blend with this cloud-like pattern.

  "No, thank you," I say blushing.

  Another woman from the stall next door approaches me. Her eyes shine with a star, and her hair is purple.

  "It's obvious this beautiful boy is someone who likes huge breasts. Isn't that right?" she says as she presses her chest against me and caresses my face.

  I look towards the crowd and realize I've lost sight of Rie. My thoughts are interrupted when for a moment I see a woman with white hair and bright eyes pass near.

  "Aurora?"

  In a hurry, I follow the woman to one of the entrances at the sides. When I enter, the place seems to consist of tunnels illuminated by pink and purple phosphorescent worms.

  A pleasant, almost intoxicating smell enters my nose as I explore the tunnels and follow the woman. On the sides are various rooms covered by curtains with engravings where people seem to live and talk.

  Eventually, the girl enters one of the rooms. I follow and glance around the room. In it, I see a man tied to the bed unconscious. The girl approaches the man in bed, and then I can finally see: Her smile and teeth sharpened, ready to attack her prey. And those eyes as if the moon is trapped in them. Is Aurora.

  “But, how?”

  However, as this happens, I feel the sharp and cold touch of metal on my neck. I slowly turn to see behind me a woman from the Mantis Orquidea clan with long blue hair and eyes like a tulip.

  However, when she speaks, I hear a masculine voice.

  "This area is off-limits."