When I regain consciousness Lilu's face looks at me with a surprised expression.

  I notice the long strands of hair on my sides, and my scars glow the same pink color as Lilu's mark. I see her and I stroke her head.

  The matriarch's Herencia pheromones no longer affect me. I am about to attack the unsuspecting guards, but then the blond shaved hair tamer appears and I hide. Is Makiltu.

  My blood boils remembering our fight on the square.

  "I have come to take the Lobo that we captured. Lord Eru needs her."

  I step back. I know I won't be able to take him on without Mukasa's Herencia speed.

  The guards walk over to Lilu. One of them grabs her wrist roughly, and Lilu lets out a painful groan as they drag her away.

  "Wait!" I shout.

  The guard sharpens his gaze.

  "Take me too."

  The guard seems about to reprehend me, but it seems Lilu's Herencia effect takes hold, and Makiltu reacts.

  "Oh?" The tamer approaches me and grabs my chin. "I'll take this one too"

  I feel disgusted, but I contain my emotions. The guards withdraw, leaving us alone with the tamer and the two hounds guarding him and we follow. Before he gets out, Makiltu stops at one of the rooms and takes me inside, leaving his hounds and lilu at the entrance.

  "Let's have some fun," he says as he approaches me.

  As soon as he does, I immediately use an uppercut and knock him out instantly.

  "That felt good," I say with my fist triumphant.

  The Hounds take notice and they enter. They attack me with their daggers, but they don't stand a chance against me and I manage to knock them out with my fists.

  I look at the unconscious body of Makiltu and one of the daggers of his hounds. I want to kill him. I want to erase him from existence and stop him forever. But then Lilu tugs me and all thoughts vanish.

  “Let's get out of here,” I say stroking her head.

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  With this, we both leave the room and find the exit of the tunnels just as a group of flowers is leaving. However, the number of women doesn't allow us to move freely, and before I know it, the sounds of a song enveloped in flutes surround us.

  The flowers begin to move in unison, parading through the streets of the great rift. People watch from above and the sides of the street.

  I want to move forward, but the movement and the eyes prevent me. Lilu is moving further away from me.

  "Have you seen the one with long white hair? She's beautiful."

  "She's indeed beautiful, but her arms are full of ugly scars"

  My heart freezes as I feel the stares of the people, and I concentrate on trying to follow the dance. Lilu is in front of me, but it seems she's struggling and up tripping and falling onto a group of women.

  The parade stops. All eyes are on Lilu. Their faces remind me of the faces I received in the city of Kristal.

  "What the hell is wrong with you?" the girl says before slapping her.

  I frown and sharpen my gaze, rushing to her and stopping her before she slaps her again. My mark squeals and heats up. Guards quickly arrive with us and point their weapons at me. Among them appears a man I recognize as the man who betrayed Lilu's friend in her memories, the head of the insect guardians.

  The man approaches and touches Lilu's chin. She remains trembling, avoiding the man's gaze. I move, but the guardians point their swords and spears.

  "Do I know you from somewhere?"

  Knowing that there might not be another option I react and start to fight. Against so many armed opponents and without being able to use any of the combat-centered Herencia, I quickly feel overwhelmed.

  One of them manages to pierce my right leg, causing me to kneel. I can barely dodge a lance aimed at my chest, leaving a red line on my torso. Using all my will and skill, I head towards the leader and position myself between him and Lilu. He notices and throws a stab in my shoulder, but in return, I grab his arm.

  "Lilu, go!."

  Lilu's teary eyes shake, but then she nods, standing up and disappearing into the crowd.

  The leader steps forward to attack me with his free arm, but I don't allow it before making him drop his weapon by hurting his arm.

  The other guardians rush towards me, and I confront them. I smile gently as I see Lilu successfully escaping and blending into the crowd. I face them for a few moments, but soon reinforcements arrive. I stand in the center surrounded. I try to activate Hoomul Herencia, but is futile. I sigh.

  "It seems like this ends here."

  The leader signals for them to attack in unison, but then they stop.

  "What the hell are you doing? Attack!" The leader stumbles over his words and soon stares blankly into the distance. The same happens with the other guardians and people present.

  When I follow their gaze, I can see her. It's Lilu. With a calm face and upright posture enveloping her. Her hair turns fully pink. Her eyes shine like petals pierced by light. The smell of strawberries surrounds us.

  Lilu raises her arm, elegantly points in the direction of the guardians, and then points down.

  "Kneel," Lilu orders with a firm tone that seems to echo in my mind.

  The guardians and the people around immediately kneel and bow before Lilu.