**Zombo Stars - Chapter 13: The Serpents' Encounter**
In the rival favela of Jacaré Sul, known as Guykokg, Brenoco Silva, the feared leader, watched the horizon with a look of disdain. His red mohawk was a symbol of his arrogance, and the tattoos scattered across his body told the stories of his brutality. A psychopath, sociopath and maniac, devoted to empathy, he not only ruled his slum with an iron fist, but also abused his power to satisfy his darkest desires.
Recently, rumors about Huguel, the new and ruthless leader of Jacaré Sul, reached his ears. Huguel's reputation as a vigilante who had eliminated thousands of criminals and transformed his favela into a sanctuary for the vulnerable put Brenoco on alert. Feeling threatened, he decided it was time to act to maintain control—in his twisted mind, what else could be more entertaining and necessary than a "friendly conversation"?
With his 100 drug dealers at his side, Brenoco headed to Jacaré Sul, confident that he could intimidate Huguel and reassert his supremacy.
When Brenoco and his men arrived, Huguel was calmly sitting in his new mansion. Hearing of Brenoco's arrival, he decided to give what could be an intriguing conversation a chance—even if unintentionally, Brenoco had become one of the worst people Huguel had ever met.
Brenoco and Huguel met in a wide area of the favela, where the sun bathed the mansion's gold walls. The atmosphere was tense, but Huguel's presence radiated determination.
"So, you're the famous Huguel," Brenoco began, an arrogant smile spreading across his face. — The man who's been giving me trouble around here. I hear you've been tough on my "colleagues." How about a cup of coffee? — He paused and glanced at the men behind him, signaling that this wasn't just a friendly visit.
"Coffee, no, but I'd welcome a heart-to-heart," Huguel replied, unfazed. "I'm curious to know what could have brought a man like you to my door."
Brenoco approached, a mischievous glitter in his eyes.
"This place is interesting, isn't it?" he said, looking around, as if assessing what he considered his territory. "But make no mistake, Huguel, this isn't a game for children. You should know that in my favela, fun is a fundamental part of power. And I'm not a fan of spoiling the fun."
Huguel kept his cool, knowing that beneath Brenoco's shell of confidence lay a trace of nervousness.
"Fun, you say?" — he asked, irony in his voice. — Do you mean the torment you cause to those under your control? To me, that's not fun, Brenoco. It is a violation of human dignity.
Brenoco laughed, a cruel and cold sound.
— Do you really think you can change that? Oh, boy, you are adorable. You have this clownish, what was it? "a sanctuary" act around here, but deep down, we all know who is in charge.
He stepped even closer, his gauze fixed on Huguel.
— The more popular you become, the more I will want to break your face. And, who knows, I could have fun with that... and with the hardships
, and not a part of a man's body.
"Look, Brenoco Silva," Huguel said, his voice filled with a relaxed tone. "I'm not going to kill you now because I want to see how far you're going to try to kill me. If you're lucky, maybe you'll get a chance... or not, who knows?" The provocation was clear in his words, and each syllable echoed with undeniable weight.
He looked at Brenoco with a disdainful smile, while the bloodied drug dealer on the ground cried in pain, unable to believe what had happened.
"Be prepared for our next encounter, because it will be on the battlefield. And this time, there will be no mercy," Huguel warned, his eyes flashing with a cold intensity.
With a carefree movement, he threw the drug dealer's arm to the ground next to Brenoco, the sound of the impact making the man's body tremble with pain and shame. Then Huguel turned and began to walk away, striding confidently.
The scene that unfolded was etched in the minds of everyone present. Brenoco, still in shock, felt his arrogance crumbling. He had not expected Huguel to not only match him, but to outmatch him so ruthlessly, proving himself to be a formidable adversary.
Anger was building inside Brenoco, but the seed of doubt was also beginning to germinate. He questioned his own strength and position. In his mind, what had begun as an intimidating visit quickly turned into a painful lesson in the dangers of underestimating the power Huguel had acquired.
Without looking back, Huguel returned to his community, satisfied that he had made his presence felt. He knew he had drawn a clear line in the sand and sent a message to everyone—especially Brenoco—that he was ready to defend it at any cost.
Entering the mansion, which now stood as a symbol of safety and dignity for those he protected, Huguel was determined to further strengthen his leadership. He was not just a fighter, but a leader who sought to build a future where the vulnerable were protected.
At the same time, the echo of the fight in Brenoco's mind grew stronger. Huguel's blank stare and unwavering strength tormented him. At his core, he was far from defeated. A plan began to form in his twisted mind. He could not let Huguel continue his rise. The war was only just beginning, and the provocation Huguel had made was enough to ignite the flames of revenge in Brenoco.
As it was, the tensions between the two favelas were about to explode into a confrontation that would not only define their fates, but also shape the future of the territory. Each of them was preparing to face the other again, but this time with even higher stakes.