Paltio and his friends had already crossed the bridge and were on their way to Hassdalia. They knew they were on the right path because Mok carried the map, which functioned like a kind of GPS to guide them.
"Mok, tell me again," Paltio commented with curiosity, "when I was younger, you used to explain what each of the realms was like."
"Very well, young master," Mok replied in a formal tone. "As you can see, Avocadolia is the central axis of everything. The other realms must support it and follow the rules set by our realm, which is the voice of Avocios. One of your ancestors established that not only golden avocados could live in the metropolis, but anyone wishing to contribute to the kingdom created by Avocios could enter and reside here."
"I do remember that!" Paltio interrupted enthusiastically. "But tell me, what makes each realm different?"
"Well, Master Paltio," Mok continued, "the other five realms have unique characteristics compared to ours. For example, the realm of Hassdalia, where we're headed, is inhabited by people who excel in magic. They specialize in this art due to a peculiar trait: their outer shell is thicker, though not as resilient as it might seem. That's why they focus primarily on magic and boast the largest population among all the realms."
Then there's the realm of Fuertelia, the smallest of them all. Its inhabitants possess natural protection that makes them immune to any climate change, and they are incredibly strong. However, they are very secretive and vain; their motto is always to be ready for battle.
"The people of Bacadolia are engineers. They don't excel in hand-to-hand combat, but they are extremely intelligent and build great structures, like the bridge we just crossed."
"Incredible!" Alita exclaimed, captivated by Mok's story.
"And what else?" Ron asked eagerly, wanting to hear more.
"Well, the people of Pinkertalia focus on hunting, agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, and other manual labor-related trades. They are the most industrious of all the realms. And finally, there's the realm of Reedalia, the most lethal of them all. They are agile, experts at camouflage, and wield swords with mastery. They prefer using weapons but are also deadly in hand-to-hand combat. It's where I'm originally from."
"So you're a Reed," Ron said, looking at Mok with admiration. "Now I understand why you move so fast and are so agile."
Ron had stolen the words right out of Pax's mouth, who had been about to make the same comment but chose to stay silent instead.
"Young Master Paltio, I wanted to teach you some combat moves, but you never pay attention," Mok joked, giving Ron a knowing glance.
"As always, that's our Paltio," Ron said, laughing as he looked at his friend.
"And you two, my young companions," Mok asked, turning to Alita and Ron, "where do you come from? For instance, Alita, you're from Hassdalia, aren't you? You should learn about some magical spells."
"The truth is, no," she replied with a hint of sadness. "My parents never taught me anything."
"I see," Mok said thoughtfully. "Perhaps I can teach you a little. During my travels, I learned some interesting magical tricks."
"Really?" Alita exclaimed, visibly lighting up. "I'd love that!"
"Of course," Mok responded with a kind smile. "It would be my pleasure to teach you."
"And I ask you, Ron," Alita interrupted curiously, "are you from the Fuerte family?"
"That's right! Which means I have great strength and endurance," Ron declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Yes, but you're just as vain as they are," Alita teased, giving him a mischievous glance.
"And what do you two think about Paltio?" both young ones asked in unison, turning toward him.
Mok cleared his throat before answering:
"Paltio is a direct descendant of Avocios, the creator of our world. That's why his golden hue is unique, both in him and in his parents, unlike other species of avocados."
"Ah, so that's why… I thought he'd fallen into a can of paint," Alita joked, giggling as she twirled a strand of her hair.
"So now you're a comedian!" Ron exclaimed, pretending to be indignant.
"It was just a little joke," she replied with an innocent smile.
Paltio let out a soft laugh, something that didn't go unnoticed by Mok. The latter smiled in relief as he murmured:
"It's the first time I've seen him smile since the shadows attacked us."
However, upon hearing the mention of that event, Paltio's cheerful expression turned worried.
"I'm sorry, young master, I didn't mean to remind you of it," Mok quickly apologized.
At that moment, the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
"We've arrived at Hassdalia," Pax announced from the front.
"That's correct," Mok confirmed, consulting his magical GPS.
"Alright, and now what do we do?" Ron asked, peering out the window. "Why don't we keep going?"
"It's probably because of the massive wall ahead," Pax pointed out, illuminating the area with a torch whose blue flames danced in the darkness.
"Then let's get out and knock so they let us in," Alita suggested with a shrug.
"I guess we don't have another choice," Paltio agreed.
Everyone disembarked from the carriage and approached what appeared to be a large reinforced wooden gate, adorned with carved dragons holding metal knockers.
"I think we should knock," Paltio suggested, pointing at the knockers.
Ron stepped forward and struck the knockers against the door. The sound echoed deeply, and after a few seconds, a deep voice asked from the other side:
"Who goes there, and what do you seek in Hassdalia?"
"It's me, Paltio, the prince of Avocadolia, and I've come here to find a piece for the wizard Tejod," Paltio replied firmly.
Upon hearing that name, hurried whispers could be heard behind the doors. Then, a clear voice responded:
"Very well, you may enter."
After a few moments, internal mechanisms began moving slowly. The great door creaked open with a deep groan. When it finally opened completely, a man cloaked in dark blue robes appeared, his face concealed beneath a hood.
"Enter, Lord Paltio. We've been expecting you. Master Tejod sent word via firebird messages that we should assist you in obtaining what you seek. Additionally, you have free access to this realm, now governed by the Blue Shadows. Our leader, Tertrol, awaits you. I will be your guide; my name is Opal."
"Blue Shadows? Firebird messages?" Paltio asked, furrowing his brow.
"The Blue Shadows are one of our factions in service to Tejod," Pax explained briefly.
"Really? And how many factions are there?" Ron asked, intrigued.
"I'm not going to tell you. That's what my rules dictate," Pax replied with a mysterious smile visible through a slit in his mask.
"Aww! I wanted to know," Ron protested in a childish tone.
Opal glanced at him sideways before responding:
"In total, there are six factions: the Black Shadows, the Yellow, the Green, the Blue—which are ours—the Purple, and the Red, whom we all must follow since they belong to Master Tejod."
From behind, Pax muttered under his breath:
"Damn blue shadow, why did you have to give that information to these fools?"
Opal ignored him and responded calmly:
"I'm sorry, but he asked, and I answered."
Then, with an authoritative gesture, he added:
"Enough chatter. It's time for you to follow me. My lord Tertrol awaits. You can leave your carriage over there."
Before starting to walk, Opal turned to Ron and explained:
"The firebirds are a communication system used by Lord Tejod with his other legions of shadows. They appear before the one who calls and then transform into a written message."
"Wow! How crazy!" Ron exclaimed, impressed.
Everyone followed Opal into the heart of Hassdalia. They walked through deserted streets where no one was seen moving about. After a few minutes of walking, they spotted tall structures rising in the distance. Everything around them was shrouded in an almost palpable darkness.
"Oh! Where are my manners!" Opal suddenly exclaimed?
With a couple of claps, the entire area lit up with intense red flames.
"Red flames?" Alita asked, confused. "I thought each faction had flames matching their color… But apparently, the Blues have red flames, and the Reds have blue flames. Now I'm dizzy."
"That's correct, young lady," Opal replied calmly. "Our fire is the inverse of our color, as you've noticed."
The group arrived in front of a castle painted a deep blue, similar to the place where Paltio lived, but this one had two towers connected in the center by a rectangular structure resembling an elongated house. They entered the great hall, guarded by two enormous and muscular guards. At the far end, seated on an elevated throne, was a badger who looked a lot like Tejod, though his fur was blue, and he was smaller, about the size of Mok.
"Ah, I see you've arrived," the badger said in a deep voice. "I am Tertrol, the new sovereign of these lands."
With a snap of his fingers, he summoned several young women from the town of Hassdalia to parade before him. They were beautiful, dressed in blue, with tulle covering the lower half of their faces, leaving only their eyes visible. Each carried trays laden with exquisite delicacies for Tertrol's enjoyment.
The badger sampled a few dishes, but one of them displeased him. With a brusque gesture, he shoved one of the girls, saying:
"Do your job properly, or you'll go to the dungeon."
The young woman fell to the ground and, desperate, pleaded:
"Please, my lord, it wasn't my intention."
"Don't touch me!" Tertrol shouted, stopping her with a sharp command.
He then slapped her and ordered the guards:
"Take her to the chamber so she can learn her lesson!"
"No, not the chamber! I'd rather go to the dungeon!" she sobbed.
But the guards paid no heed and dragged her away. The other young women, trembling, quickly nodded when Tertrol warned them:
"And you two, do your jobs properly, or you'll end up there as well."
The girls hurriedly retreated, obeying Tertrol's orders.
"Damn Tertrol…" Paltio muttered under his breath, his fists clenched.
"Calm down, young master," Mok cautioned in a low voice, glancing toward the shadows where more soldiers were lurking. "Don't do anything reckless; there are too many enemies here."
Unfazed, Tertrol continued speaking:
"Well, I would offer you food, but as you saw, it wasn't prepared properly. Anyway, it's night now in my beautiful realm, but tomorrow I'll let it shine a little so you can enjoy searching for the piece of that wretched scepter, young prince. From one noble person to another, doesn't that sound fair?"
The blue badger observed Paltio closely, noticing the irritation on his face after he had mistreated the young women.
"Yes, that's fine," Paltio replied dryly, trying to maintain his composure.
"Very well, Opal, show the prince to his room—a fitting one for him—and his butler, of course. And give Pax a room as well; it's always good to see Tejod's favorite soldier."
Then, pointing at Alita and Ron with disdain, he asked:
"And who are these? Intruders, perhaps?"
The guards quickly moved toward them.
"Guards! Seize this filth and throw it in the dungeon!"
Alita wore a simple blue dress with black leggings and boots, while Ron had on a white shirt and green pants. Both were dressed plainly, with nothing elegant about them.
"No, Lord Tertrol!" Paltio exclaimed, stepping forward. "They're my friends and have come with me to help find the piece."
"Your friends? Huh!" Tertrol retorted, frowning. "Tejod didn't mention anything about that. So off to the dungeon they go."
"Wait, sir! You can't do that!" Paltio insisted, desperate.
Tertrol stared at him intently, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"I saw your reaction when I hurt the servants. Did you think I hadn't noticed? Do you think you're better than me, boy?"
"No, sir," Paltio replied, swallowing hard. "But please, you can't take my friends."
A guard approached Tertrol and whispered something in his ear. The badger paused to reflect before speaking:
"Perhaps… Very well. I'll allow your friends to stay with you—for now—if you complete a task for me."
"What kind of task, sir?" Paltio asked, feeling a knot form in his stomach.
"There's a monster terrorizing my people—well, my soldiers. It lives high up in the mountains. If you kill it and bring me one of its claws, I'll spare your friends from my dungeon."
"Fine," Paltio responded without hesitation. "I accept."
"But, Paltio, no!" Mok interjected, worried.
"They're my friends, and I'd do anything to save them," Paltio said firmly.
"That's our Paltio," Ron commented proudly, though the guards still held him and Alita captive.
"How heartwarming to hear there's still camaraderie in these dark days," Tertrol sneered, continuing to eat with careless indifference.
"Very well, release them. Let them rest," Tertrol ordered. "Tomorrow, they'll have work to do… And, prince, you'll wish you hadn't accepted."
His laughter boomed through the hall, leaving everyone uneasy.
They all retreated to a chamber together, bracing themselves for what the next day might bring.
In his private quarters, Tertrol muttered to himself:
"Foolish boy… He'll die tomorrow, that's certain."
"But, my lord," Opal interjected, "if he dies, they won't be able to retrieve the pieces, and Tejod will be furious."
"Relax," Tertrol replied coldly. "I won't let him die—just his friends. But I'll teach him a lesson for looking at me with such disdain. Tomorrow, the Oroboros will have someone to play with."
He let out a blood-chilling, Machiavellian laugh that echoed through the room.