"Shut up! The beautiful and lovely Sensei Nobaru is speaking," Zaren said, with a wide smile, but his eyes fixed on the finish line.
"The objective is very simple: reach the temple at the top of the mountain, grab this other part of the amulet, and your team wins! The losing team pays the bill," Nobaru said, the intensity in her voice cutting the air.
"What if we get hurt?" Fukuoka asked, clutching his throat.
"Don't worry. If any of you... die, I'll bring you back to life," Nobaru replied, with a careless wave, raising the stakes to despair and determination.
"It's so far away, in this heat! This is ridiculous! She wants my death certificate!" Fukuoka complained with the force of an epic whine.
"The problem is not reaching the top, but facing the spirit that guards the temple. Go! Prove your strength!" Nobaru said, and the word 'strength' echoed, planting the seed of overcoming.
"This sensei is insane! She wants to kill me! I'm not going to put in all this effort!" Fukuoka exclaimed.
"You talk too much, weakling," Nanai said, her gaze a challenge that promised victory.
"Yoshi, handle it, British style," Fukuoka requested, feigning a dramatic plea.
"Miss Nanai, I would be grateful if you could respect your big brother Fukuoka. Remember that a team only wins united," Yoshi said, impeccably, invoking the value of friendship.
"He is not my brother! And I'm going to get there first!" Nanai yelled loudly, sprinting towards the mountain with explosive energy.
Ugorin was training with his mother, Rarita. Each strike was a sigh of concentration and effort.
"Mom, why did you leave your clan?" Ugorin asked, while dodging an attack.
"Because of your father," Rarita replied, her voice soft, but with a touch of nostalgic pain.
"That's not what I'm asking. I want the truth that made you sacrifice everything!" Ugorin said, stopping the training, seeking the depth of her loyalty.
"Don't lose focus. I was very happy there. It was an incredible place, gigantic waterfalls, amazing forests. I had a magnificent flower garden. My parents never cared as much about me, only about your uncle; it was always him," Rarita answered, the familial resentment evident.
"Didn't you like him?" Ugorin asked.
"On the contrary, I loved him, my only brother. I didn't like our parents for never putting me first; I sought my own value, until I met your father. Love at first sight," Rarita said, and a spark of passion lit up in her eyes.
14 years ago.
"Miss, is this lipstick yours by any chance?" Neret asked.
She blushed, with a slightly restrained smile. Neret, with a slight laugh on his face, started to turn red. She felt as if flowers were growing inside her stomach and coming out through her mouth. It was the pure exaltation of love that made her betray her home.
"That day, I felt love. I felt as if only we existed in the universe," Rarita replied, her tone almost a vow.
Neret appeared out of nowhere, with a happy expression.
"What are you two talking about?" Neret asked.
"Mom was talking about when she was expelled from her clan because of you," Ugorin replied, not realizing the bombshell they had just dropped.
Out of nowhere, Neret's expression changed, becoming somber. His sadness and guilt were an abyss.
"If you need anything, I'm in my room," Neret said, walking away, carrying the burden of having caused Rarita's sacrifice.
"It wasn't quite like that, darling. Why did you have to say that to your father? You know how sensitive he is," Rarita said, distressed at seeing his pain.
Neret never forgave himself for Rarita being expelled from her clan.
Kakai's Special Squad awaited, in a tense and militarized formation.
"Finally, you have arrived," said a servant of Kakai, his voice charged with impatience and subservience.
They immediately introduced themselves.
"We are the Special Squad of the great Lord Kakai, to whom we dedicate our lives and every drop of our effort!"
"I am the handsome Ebu, and my charm guarantees victory!"
"I am the charming, grand, and beautiful Kunoshi, and I am the strength this squad needs!"
"Love is all you need. I am Meferi, and my loyalty is infinite."
"Stop talking, you idiots," said Kakai's servant, with contempt.
"Who are you calling idiots, you bearded old man?! Your lack of respect stains our effort!" Kunoshi said with a burst of fury.
"Who are you calling old, you fake blonde," said Kakai's servant, escalating the offense.
"Fake blonde? NOW YOU'RE GOING TO TASTE MY STRENGTH!" Kunoshi shouted, her fist clenched, ready for battle.
Neret appeared, with an aura of unquestionable authority.
"Stop it!" Neret said, his voice an absolute command.
The squad knelt, fear overriding pride.
"Oh great Lord Neret, we bring information for the great Lord Kakai, it is a mission of extreme importance!" Ebu said, trying to regain dignity.
"He is not here. You can speak to me," Neret said.
"It is an honor, Sir, but we only address Lord Kakai. Our loyalty is to him!" Ebu said firmly, even while kneeling.
With much hatred, Neret replied:
"Well, you will have to wait all night! He went out to take care of some matters." Neret said, feeling the frustration of not being the focus of their loyalty.
Kakai was in a bar, amidst a haze of mystery. A girl approached him and asked:
"May I sit here?" she asked, with a hidden intention in her eyes.
He smiled and replied: "Of course you may," Kakai said, enjoying the game.
"What is your name?" Kakai asked.
"It's Myoco," she replied.
"That's a very beautiful name. Would you like a drink?" Kakai asked, his calmness contrasting with the mission's tension.
"Yes, I would," Myoco replied.
The drinks arrived and they were laughing. Suddenly, their expressions began to change, the mask of casualness dropping.
"Did you get the information?" Kakai asked, his voice now serious and cold.
"Yes. In Nepal, there is a child the villagers talk about who has special powers. She can manipulate her own body with her energy," Myoco replied, with the excitement of discovery.
"Fascinating," Kakai said, his interest piqued by a new and great challenge.
"I think you should take her along with Ugorin," Myoco said.
"Why?" Kakai asked.
"Trust me. She is the key."