The sun was beginning to disappear beyond the horizon.
The orange sky covered the small forest surrounding the city, painting the leaves in gold and red.
The wind blew gently… but inside that place, tranquility did not exist.
Luis moved forward between the trees.
The ground was marked by craters, broken branches, and dark blood scattered everywhere.
Several half-dead monsters surrounded him.
Deformed bodies.
Empty eyes.
Erratic movements.
One of them lunged.
Luis turned his body.
A dry strike.
The impact crushed the creature's chest against a tree.
Another appeared behind him.
Luis didn't even look.
A burst of energy pierced the monster, tearing it in half.
He breathed heavily.
It didn't look like training.
It looked like preparation.
Luis: — Not enough yet…
Three more creatures leaped at the same time.
Luis smiled.
Luis: — Come.
The sunset pierced through the trees as the battle continued.
In another part of the city.
Silence.
The bathroom was empty.
Only the sound of dripping water.
Julian stared at the mirror.
Dark circles under his eyes.
Fatigue.
Too many thoughts.
He took a deep breath.
The reflection… changed.
It was no longer him.
A figure sitting behind him, reflected in the mirror.
Ray.
Julian didn't turn around.
Julian: — Decided to show up?
Ray smiled faintly.
Ray: — Soon… you'll be seeing me more often.
The air grew heavy.
As if the bathroom were burning from the inside.
Julian clenched his fist.
Julian: — Then stop hiding.
Ray simply watched.
And disappeared.
The mirror returned to normal.
Julian stood still for a few seconds.
Slightly irritated.
Slightly worried.
Julian: — Damn…
At the city's border.
A tall wall overlooked all movement.
Guards.
Carriages.
Fighters arriving.
People running from one side to another.
The tournament was attracting the entire world.
Sebastian remained leaning against the parapet.
Arms crossed.
Analytical gaze.
Sebastian: — You can feel it…
He watched the growing flow of people.
Sebastian: — Something big is going to happen on Saturday.
The orange sun illuminated the entire city below him.
Long shadows.
Rising expectation.
Somewhere else.
A luxurious office.
Silent.
Elegant.
A massive desk.
Floor-to-ceiling windows.
The city reflected on the glass.
Only one trophy rested above the desk.
The club owner observed the horizon lit by the sunset.
Behind him—
Kevin calmly signed papers.
Kevin: — Imagine me as a starter.
He spun the pen between his fingers.
Kevin: — I don't guarantee trophies…
He signed.
— But I guarantee goals.
The magnate smiled discreetly.
Before he could respond—
A breeze crossed the office.
The curtains moved.
The pen fell onto the paper.
Kevin… was no longer there.
The door never opened.
The window was never touched.
He simply… vanished.
Inside the Royal Palace.
A private room.
Guards dismissed.
Doors closed.
The King sat before two figures.
Juan.
And the Masked One.
King: — What you requested is already in motion.
— The tournament will be held on the tenth… exactly as requested.
The Masked One remained still.
The white mask reflected the evening light.
Masked One: — Perfect.
A brief pause.
Masked One: — I believe it's time to remind the world… why no one should interfere with our plans.
Juan tilted his head.
Juan: — Are you talking about the Dinarks?
The Masked One ignored the question directly.
Masked One: — Don't forget to send the messenger to General Arlok.
He walked slowly across the hall.
Masked One: — Juan… prepare the surprise element.
— Remove everything from our hideout.
A soft laugh escaped him.
— A battle is going to happen.
The King frowned.
The Masked One turned toward him.
Masked One: — And you, Your Majesty…
— have Adrian arrested.
Silence weighed heavily.
King: — How can you make decisions without knowing what will really happen?
— Why not bring Adrian to our side?
The Masked One tilted his head slightly.
Masked One: — Because regret is not an option.
He took a few steps.
Masked One: — Adrian will never change who he is… for us.
Juan touched the Masked One's shoulder.
The air distorted.
Both disappeared instantly.
Leaving only the King.
Alone.
In the empty hall.
With the sun vanishing behind the palace windows.
Night fell.
The city faded behind as Kevin walked along the urban limits, where the last houses gave way to the darkness of the forest.
The night wind was cold.
The trees swayed slowly.
Kevin walked attentively.
Kevin (thinking): — I need to find Luis… and start acting.
A sudden sound interrupted his thoughts.
Hurried footsteps.
A man and a woman appeared running toward him.
Desperate.
Out of breath.
Man: — Sir! You… you're the Dark Star?
Kevin hesitated briefly.
Then answered calmly.
Kevin: — That's me.
The woman covered her face and began to cry.
The man almost fell to his knees.
Man: — Please… save our girls! They were kidnapped… by a human butterfly!
Kevin frowned slightly.
Kevin: — Human butterfly?
— Give me more information.
The man tried to control his breathing.
Man: — A humanoid monster… torn butterfly wings… appeared in the backyard while they were playing… grabbed both of them… and fled into the forest!
— We didn't have time to react!
Silence.
Kevin placed a hand on his chest.
Thoughtful.
Cold.
Calculating.
Kevin: — For three gold coins… your daughters will be returned.
The couple looked at each other.
Immediate relief.
Pure hope.
Woman: — We'll give anything! Just… please bring our children back!
Kevin took a deep breath.
Adrenaline began to flow through his body.
His eyes shone.
Kevin: — Tomorrow morning.
— At this exact place.
He pointed to the ground.
Kevin: — This is where your family will be reunited.
Without waiting for a response—
He jumped.
His body rose high into the air.
Kevin: — Again…
Another leap.
Rooftop.
Another.
One more.
The couple watched as he disappeared, wiping tears with trembling hands.
The forest opened before him.
Kevin advanced quickly through branches and shadows.
Melissa's voice echoed inside his mind.
Melissa: — You accepted that without even knowing who the children are… or the threat level.
— Have you gone insane?
Kevin kept his pace.
Kevin: — I am a Dinark.
— I exist outside the ordinary.
He leaped to another branch.
Kevin: — There is nothing but God that I should fear.
He looked around.
Kevin: — And they're just children… easy money.
A soft sigh escaped him.
He landed silently on the branch of a tall tree.
His eyes scanned the forest.
Kevin: — Luis is here… so I didn't stray from my main objective.
Melissa: — And how do you intend to find this creature?
Kevin smiled faintly.
Kevin: — Didn't you notice?
He observed the surrounding air.
Small black and white butterflies flew between the trees.
Kevin: — It's a haunting.
— Just follow the trail.
He jumped again.
Kevin: — My heart… my intuition… never deceive me.
The butterflies moved deeper into the forest.
Kevin followed them.
Suddenly—
From the ground behind him, green energy began to manifest.
Shapes emerged.
First shadows.
Then bodies.
Green creatures were born from essence:
Dogs.
Wolves.
Lions.
Panthers.
Leopards.
Eagles.
Owls.
All made of living healer Aura.
All watching Kevin.
He slowed down.
Kevin: — Help me search.
The creatures responded immediately.
No roars.
No sounds.
Only obedience.
Each animal departed in a different direction.
Running.
Jumping.
Flying.
Disappearing among the trees.
The entire forest… was now searching.
Kevin moved forward again.
His eyes glowed faint blue in the darkness.
The butterflies began abandoning the tree branches.
One.
Two.
Dozens.
They flew slowly, forming a living path in the air.
Kevin followed silently.
The sound of the forest seemed to fade as he advanced.
Until—
The butterflies dove into the darkness at the entrance of a cave.
Kevin stopped before it.
The entrance seemed to breathe.
Cold.
Deep.
Wrong.
Kevin: — Melissa… the haunting isn't here.
He crossed his arms, analyzing the environment.
Kevin: — It knows we're searching for it.
A faint smile appeared.
Kevin: — And exactly because of that… I know this is a trap.
He turned around.
Kevin: — So… I'm not going inside it.
A quick backward leap.
His body instantly vanished into green ashes.
At that exact moment—
From the cave's darkness, a massive fireball burst outward, exploding against the ground where he had stood seconds before.
The earth trembled.
Sparks illuminated the trees.
Kevin emerged from the body of a green panther, dissolving from essence as if crossing dimensions.
The environment was dark and humid.
Silence.
His eyes changed.
Hagan activated.
His pupils shone intensely.
Kevin: — So this is where you're hiding? This really is your cave.
Melissa: — Be careful.
— As you said… it knows you're here.
Kevin looked at the damp cave walls.
Kevin: — What truly worries me… is that this thing may have already killed the children.
A heavy air flowed from the cave.
Footsteps.
Shadows emerging.
The green lions and leopards arrived, stopping around him.
Glowing eyes.
Bodies made of living healer aura.
They awaited orders.
Kevin inhaled deeply.
Kevin: — Come… my brothers.
He raised his hand.
Kevin: — Let's find those children in this cave.
The felines approached.
Kevin: — And remember…
His tone became firm.
Kevin: — I am you…
— and you are me.
Reverent silence.
Kevin: — We are one.
One family.
The felines lowered their heads in honor.
The next instant—
All of them rushed through the cave.
Fast.
Silent.
Perfect hunters.
Elsewhere in the forest…
Luis rested against a tall tree.
Corpses of half-dead monsters were scattered across the ground.
Blood.
Battle marks.
But his clothes remained intact.
No tears.
No dirt.
Green wolves and owls surrounded the area.
Luis didn't even open his eyes.
He simply sighed.
Luis: — Come on, Kevin…
— where's your owl with the message?
As if summoned—
An essence owl descended silently from the sky.
It landed on his hand.
Luis opened one eye.
He took the letter attached to the animal's legs.
Read it.
His expression changed.
Without saying a single word, he stood up.
Folded the paper.
Stored it.
And began walking deeper into the forest.
The animals immediately followed him.
Luis: — Something is very wrong…
He looked ahead.
The forest seemed to stare back.
Luis: — …and we're going to find out what it is.
Darkness closed behind him.
Kevin watched in silence.
His animals advanced without hesitation.
Essence lions and leopards leaped onto the creature, biting, tearing, trying to bring it down.
But the beast was gigantic.
Its claws smashed the felines against the ground.
One lion was thrown against the cave wall.
Another had its body pierced.
The creature fought with brutal violence.
Kevin kept his gaze cold.
Kevin: — It keeps fighting there… without knowing I've already taken the children.
His body began to disappear.
Particles of light dissolved into the air.
Teleportation.
But—
A figure appeared rapidly.
The humanoid butterfly opened its mouth.
A ball of silk was fired.
The silk wrapped around Kevin completely.
The space around him distorted… and failed.
The teleportation was interrupted.
Kevin (thinking):
— And now…?
— How is this silk preventing my teleportation?
Behind him—
The entity devoured the head of the last remaining lion.
The sound of bones breaking echoed through the cave.
Silence.
The creature's luminous silver eyes fixed on him.
Long teeth.
Heavy breathing.
It opened its mouth.
And spoke.
Entity: — Boy… do you really think I didn't notice you took the children?
Kevin pulled at the silk stuck to his body, tearing part of the webbing.
Kevin: — Then why did you keep fighting?
The creature released a deep sigh.
Tired.
Almost human.
Entity: — Because… I was protecting those children.
Kevin stood still.
Entity: — The people who sent you…
— their parents… are actually messengers of a masked man.
Kevin's heart grew heavy.
He didn't answer.
He simply listened.
Entity: — Now that you've left the city… they're already in motion.
— Those poor children were only a distraction.
The silence became heavy.
Kevin: — Why should I believe you?
The creature began approaching slowly.
Heavy footsteps.
Echoing.
Then—
The dry sound of a gunshot filled the cave.
Kevin saw it.
The bullet passing slowly beside his head.
Time seemed to slow down.
The projectile cut through the air…
And struck exactly the middle of the haunting's forehead.
Direct impact.
The entity's body fell instantly.
Dead.
No reaction.
Blood flowed across the ground.
The silver eyes faded.
Red droplets splashed onto Kevin's face.
He didn't move for a few seconds.
He took a deep breath.
Slowly turned around.
Behind him—
The man who had asked for help finding the children.
A pistol still smoked in his hand.
Man: — Sorry, Dark Star…
— that thing talked too much.
He lowered the weapon slightly.
Man: — My intention wasn't to kill it…
— but I think I put too much aura into the shot.
Kevin wiped the blood from his face.
His eyes hardened.
Kevin: — You work for the Masked One… don't you?
His fists were engulfed in green fire.
Aura emerged around his body.
The air vibrated.
Kevin: — Before you die…
— tell me.
He stepped forward.
Kevin: — What is he planning?
The man slowly opened his mouth.
He showed his tongue.
A black circular symbol was marked on it.
He immediately closed his mouth again.
Man: — Even if I wanted to… I couldn't.
His eyes showed something close to regret.
Man: — The pact I made with him doesn't allow me to reveal the plans to anyone.
Silence returned to the cave.
The tension rose.
And Kevin murmured:
— This was never a rescue mission.The man began walking slowly, the pistol steady in his hands.
Kevin remained still.
In silence.
Man:
— Me… Rick. I will stop you from leaving here… at least until the master's objective is completed.
He fired.
The bullet left the barrel wrapped in a dark red aura.
Kevin saw the projectile advancing.
And vanished.
To Rick's eyes, only a green flash crossed the air.
Rick began firing repeatedly at the spots where Kevin appeared for fractions of a second, but his speed was absurd.
Rick (thinking):
Damn… how do I stop someone like this?
That speed… it's impossible.
In the blink of an eye, Kevin appeared behind him.
Holding the pistol.
Rick:
— My weapon…
Kevin pointed the gun at his head.
— A consistent technique…
— It's sad that it's the only one you know.
Kevin took a deep breath.
— It was good meeting you. Now… I have one more ability.
Rick began to cry.
The gunshot echoed through the cave.
Rick fell lifeless.
The bullet crossed the area, exploding against the wall, opening a massive crack. Blue smoke spread through the air.
Kevin watched the motionless body.
His eyes became distant.
Images passed through his mind.
Kevin (murmuring):
— They're going to arrest Adrian… huh?
He closed his eyes.
— Little do they know Sebastian and Julian are nearby…
Kevin began walking toward the cave exit.
— The Masked One doesn't act alone…
— He has Juan.
Under the moonlight…
Kevin disappeared.
Elsewhere in the forest—
Luis walked between the trees when he suddenly stopped.
The night air turned cold.
Luis:
— What did you find?
The wolves behind him halted.
Four owls landed on his shoulders and head.
From inside one of the wolves…
Kevin emerged.
His eyes were normal. Black. Human.
Then he exploded:
Kevin:
— Damn it! How many more people are going to die because of this useless war?!
He clenched his fists.
— A tournament? That crap will only make everything worse!
— More people are going to die… and we don't even know how to stop it!
Luis immediately embraced him.
— Calm down… calm down. We can't lose our heads now.
— We'll stop the Masked One. That alone will solve part of the problem.
Kevin began to cry.
— Our fight isn't only against him…
— It's against the supernatural too. Demons… monsters… hauntings…
Luis answered firmly:
— Humanity has fought against that for centuries.
— We won't fall now.
Kevin stepped back, wiping his tears.
— Sometimes… the real villains are ourselves.
Luis placed a hand on his shoulder.
— Come on. We need to go back home.
Kevin began walking.
The wolves and owls dissolved into green particles that vanished into the air.
Luis watched his silhouette moving through the forest.
For a moment…
A shadow appeared behind Kevin.
The silhouette of a strong, robust man.
Luis murmured:
— Uncle… is that you?
Kevin stopped and turned around.
— Come on, Luis. Don't fall too far behind.
Luis blinked, returning to reality.
The moonlight highlighted the wounds on Kevin's face.
Luis smiled.
— Now that I noticed… that scar looks pretty cool.
Kevin chuckled lightly.
— I agree. The sad part is the white hair.
— Just dye it black. Like me.
Kevin frowned.
— Since when do you have white hair?
Luis gave him a light slap on the back.
— You're not the only one who has the Prime.
Kevin smiled.
And silence accompanied the two of them during the walk back to the kingdom.
Kevin and Luis arrived at the kingdom's city.
The streets were silent at that hour of the night. A few lanterns lit the path while the cold wind passed through the stone buildings.
Luis walked beside him, observing in silence for a few seconds.
— What happened to your aura, Kevin? It decreased.
Kevin kept his gaze forward.
— I think it's just the cold I'm feeling… there's no reason to worry.
Luis simply nodded and kept walking.
Kevin discreetly placed a hand over his chest.
Inside him… Melissa exploded in rage.
Her screams echoed like thunder, making Kevin's body tremble slightly.
— Why did you kill that man?! — Melissa shouted. — He could have been just an innocent!
She appeared before him.
A sword formed in her hand, wrapped in an intense blue aura.
Four great wings of light opened behind her, illuminating the mental void where they stood.
Outside, Kevin continued walking normally beside Luis through the city streets.
But inside his own mind…
It was a storm.
The light that once filled that space began to be consumed by darkness.
Melissa closed her eyes for a moment.
— I can feel it… his regret… his fear.
Kevin answered without changing his expression:
— Each of us receives the consequences of our own actions.
— Regret is one of them.
— Death is another.
Melissa raised her hand.
A small sphere of blue light emerged from Kevin's body, slowly separating from him.
— I do not agree with you — she said firmly.
— Because of that… I will not grant you my aura.
— And I do not intend to change my mind.
Kevin simply replied:
— So be it.
The connection weakened.
The mental storm disappeared.
Luis, walking beside him, stopped for a second.
(thinking)
Melissa didn't like something he did…
He sighed mentally.
Good thing that's not my problem.
And he kept walking.
In the same city… elsewhere.
Hurried footsteps echoed through the empty streets.
A man ran desperately.
It was Adrian.
Behind him, three men dressed in black chased him, their faces hidden by shadows.
Adrian turned into an alley—
Mistake.
Dead end.
He stopped abruptly.
Nearby residents watched from a distance, but no one interfered.
Adrian slowly backed up until his back hit the wall.
The attackers approached.
One of them laughed.
— Looks like the great Adrian Casillas Jr. is nothing once he leaves the office.
Even trembling, Adrian pulled a knife from his pocket.
His hands would not stop shaking… but he was still ready to fight.
Suddenly—
Two shadows covered the streetlight.
Coming from the rooftops.
Everyone looked up.
— Who are you?! — one of the men asked.
A black-haired figure with an aggressive expression answered:
— Us?
— Just two guys walking through the city.
He smirked.
— But you can call me Sebastian.
Beside him, another man stepped forward.
— And I'm Julian.
Julian gave a calm smile.
— Good evening, my comrades…
— Ready to die?
The three men instinctively stepped back.
Julian jumped and landed in front of Adrian, protecting him.
Sebastian dropped behind the attackers, blocking the alley's only exit.
He slowly opened his arms.
— No… nobody's leaving here.
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
— The party's just getting started.
Just as the fight was about to begin…
At the city limits, under the streetlights and the constant movement of nightlife, Kira and Maria observed everything from the top of a building.
People entered and exited the kingdom.
Merchants closed their shops.
Laughter echoed through the streets.
Everything seemed… normal.
Maria crossed her arms, clearly bored.
— I don't get it, Kira… why do I have to stay here while Ryane and Augusto are playing with the kids? I wanted to play too…
Kira sighed, keeping her eyes fixed on the movement below.
— They're not playing. They're babysitting… last minute.
Maria made a face.
— Nothing is happening. Let's go back home.
Kira replied without even looking at her:
— Maria, be quiet. When it's time, we'll go back. Then you can play a little with the kids.
Maria lightly kicked the rooftop floor.
— And what if Kevin already returned the children to their parents by then?
Kira fell silent.
Her gaze lost focus for a moment.
The memory returned.
Two little girls arriving that night…
Riding atop several greenish wolves.
The wind blowing strongly.
And then—
A single owl descending from the sky.
It landed softly on Ryane's hand.
A small scroll tied to its legs.
The message read:
"Take care of the children until I return, my little sister."
Kira blinked slowly, returning to the present.
— No… — she answered quietly.
— They'll still be there.
Maria tilted her head.
— How do you know?
Kira looked toward the dark horizon beyond the city.
— Something tells me… Kevin won't come back so soon.
Maria lowered her head, as if understanding.
The night wind passed between them.
In the distance…
The moon illuminated the kingdom.