I was hearing distant sounds, but I saw nothing—only darkness. Little by little, the sounds grew nearer. I felt strange, as if I were trapped in an uncomfortable dream...

  Unknown: Robert...

  I think they were calling my name.

  Unknown: Robert...!

  Suddenly, the noise became clear. Someone was shouting my name. In an instant, I woke up.

  I was a bit dazed, but I noticed someone on top of me. I could see a few strands of brown hair.

  Robert: Samantha... (whispering)

  Out of nowhere, a loud explosion was heard near us; it affected both Samantha and me. I felt a terrible pain throughout my body after that explosion.

  Samantha also began to writhe in pain.

  Artemisa: Try to calm down, Robert.

  Artemisa said urgently.

  Artemisa: Your mana circuits are overloaded right now. I'll try to stabilize them, so try to breathe calmly.

  What the hell did it mean that my circuits were overloaded? I didn't understand a thing.

  But I did as Artemisa told me; while I breathed calmly, I heard gunshots and explosions all around.

  What had happened? Was the shelter under attack, or was it just this area?

  I peered outside a little to see the situation.

  I see... The soldiers had arrived at the scene and were facing off against the hooded mages. However, some mages were also writhing on the ground in pain, while others were still casting spells or firing.

  Apparently it was some kind of special grenade that only affected people with mana. It must have fallen close enough to affect both Samantha and me.

  We had to get out of here quickly.

  After a moment I managed to calm down a bit; I could see the situation more clearly, although Samantha was still in pain, still holding her head.

  I approached her to try to help her.

  I noticed that one of her arms looked odd... It looked... robotic?

  I had an overwhelming number of questions to ask Samantha, but I had no time to ask them.

  Robert: Samantha, you must calm down. Breathe in deeply and slowly.

  Samantha shouted something at me, but I couldn't understand her... Why couldn't I understand her?

  Robert: Samantha, I don't understand what you're saying...

  She kept talking, but I couldn't make sense of any of it... What the heck... I looked at my bracelet and saw that it wasn't working... Why?

  I looked at Samantha's other arm, which was still human; she also had her bracelet, but apparently, it wasn't working either, so she couldn't understand what I was saying.

  I'm not an expert in these strange, otherworldly devices, but I was almost sure that the earlier explosion had affected the bracelets.

  So I couldn't communicate with her.

  While I was trying to think, I heard a familiar voice calling for help from beneath some rubble nearby.

  That was David's voice.

  I told Samantha to wait a second and that I’d be right back. Obviously, she couldn’t understand me, but I signaled with hand gestures; she must have understood something, or at least I hope so.

  I quickly made my way over to where David was, and I began removing the debris and garbage that was on top of him.

  David: Shit... Get me out of here, Robert.

  Robert: I'm getting you out, don't worry.

  I hadn't realized that there were actually many people around us calling for help—some were dead, others injured, and others trapped under rubble.

  I cleared the debris as quickly as I could.

  David: Damn... Where's Eric... We have to get out of this place; it's total chaos outside.

  Gunshots and explosions continued relentlessly out there.

  David was rather battered and had difficulty getting up, but he was still alive.

  After getting David out, without wasting any time, we started looking for Eric.

  While we were searching, we didn't notice that a mage had entered the area. He shot two men who were trying to lift some rubble to help their friends, then he aimed at us—shit... We weren't going to hide in time, but out of nowhere we heard a shot and the mage fell.

  Eric: You two should watch your backs—you still have that horrible habit of neglecting them...

  It had been Eric who fired the shot.

  A part of his body was trapped among the bar's rubble.

  I rushed over with David, and we started clearing debris to help him get out of there.

  But before we could lift Eric, we realized he had something impaled on one side of his abdomen.

  Eric: Oh... This looks pretty bad...

  The wound had started bleeding because of a wrong move we made.

  Eric was trying to be sarcastic while enduring the pain.

  David: We have to get you out of here quickly, Eric, so you'll have to endure that stake impaled in you.

  Eric: No, I refuse to get up from here. I'd rather die here than suffer that horrible pain.

  Robert: Eric, we have to get out of here; this area has become chaos.

  The shelter's forces had already arrived and wouldn't take long to finish off the remaining hooded mages.

  Eric: Shit... All right... Let's do it.

  Robert: David, you'll be the guide and bodyguard. That person and I will carry Eric.

  Samantha, who had already recovered, came over to us.

  The two of them looked at her strangely, not understanding why I was trusting and taking an unknown person with us.

  A bit nervous, Samantha hid in her hood and waved her hand.

  I told them I'd explain later and that we needed to leave quickly.

  I signaled Samantha to look.

  I started moving my arms to show her how to help me carry Eric.

  Between Samantha and me, each of us grabbed our own wrist with one hand and the other's wrist with the other, forming a seat with our arms.

  David helped Eric sit on the makeshift seat we created with our arms, placing his arms over our shoulders.

  Since Eric had a wound in his abdomen, it was ideal to avoid positions that put pressure on that area.

  After that, we began to move.

  We exited through the back of the destroyed bar. David escorted us, directing us toward a somewhat hidden alley.

  We took it and started moving as fast as we could since Eric was bleeding out; David took the lead a bit more, guiding and indicating the different intersections and alleys we needed to take to reach Eric's house. We ran for about 15 minutes; only two alleys remained before we would reach Eric's house.

  Out of nowhere, four soldiers appeared from another alley right in front of us and pointed their weapons at us.

  Soldiers: Don't move!

  We had to carefully lower Eric to the ground and raise our hands as they demanded.

  The soldiers started approaching us.

  I looked at David for a moment; he nodded at me.

  Then I quickly looked at Eric, and he nodded too.

  We were about to do something we swore we'd never do.

  Soldiers: If you move, we'll kill you without hesitation, so I recommend you cooperate.

  David: I am the guardian of the east entrance.

  David showed his identification.

  Soldier: Why are you all running so fast?

  David: One of my friends was injured in the attack from the slums.

  Soldier: We need to verify the identification of all your friends before we can give first aid to the injured person.

  Three soldiers approached us while the fourth stayed with David.

  Samantha and I were each being watched by a soldier, while another approached Eric.

  Soldier: Show me your identification, so we can help you.

  Eric: Yes, sir, here is my ID.

  Eric reached his hand into the back of his pants, and in a swift movement, he drew his weapon and shot the soldier in the face.

  The shot echoed in the alley and the soldier's body fell immediately.

  When Eric went to continue firing, his weapon ran out of ammunition.

  I quickly attacked the soldier who was aiming at me.

  Samantha did the same with the other soldier watching her and attacked him.

  David also attacked the soldier with him.

  I swiftly disarmed the soldier who was with me.

  He lunged at me with the fury of someone who had just seen his friend die.

  I reacted on instinct. My body moved without thinking. I raised my arm to block the first blow, feeling the impact shoot through my bone like a whip of pain.

  I didn't have time to complain.

  The soldier spun on his axis and delivered a low kick, trying to destabilize me. I jumped back, barely managing to keep my balance.

  The soldier gave me no respite. He advanced quickly, throwing a brutal right hook.

  This time, I didn't dodge.

  I leaned forward and grabbed the soldier's arm with both hands, twisting his body to use his own momentum against him.

  The soldier wavered but did not fall.

  His training was solid. He regained his stance in a second and delivered a knee strike to my stomach.

  An explosive pain shot through my abdomen.

  For a moment, all the air escaped my lungs.

  The soldier took advantage. He grabbed my neck in a chokehold and began applying pressure.

  I started growling, trying to resist. My muscles tensed as I struggled to free my throat.

  But the soldier's strength was monstrous.

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  My vision began to blur.

  My legs weakened.

  If I didn't react now, I would die.

  I glanced sideways and saw Eric had crawled over to us; then he pulled out a knife and plunged it into the soldier's leg.

  The soldier screamed and kicked Eric in the face, leaving him stunned.

  With the last remnants of my energy, I raised my arm and struck the soldier's stomach with my elbow.

  Once.

  Twice.

  The third strike was definitive.

  The soldier loosened his hold from the impact, and I took advantage.

  I spun forcefully, breaking free from the grip, and struck the soldier's jaw with all my might.

  The soldier staggered.

  I did not hesitate.

  I leaped onto him, toppling him onto the ground with a tremendous crash.

  We both rolled along the dirty street, grappling, exchanging blows that cracked bones and split lips.

  The soldier shoved one of his fingers into my eye, making me cry out in pain.

  I delivered a quick blow to make him let go.

  In the midst of the rage, I head-butted him in the face, leaving him dazed.

  Then I wrapped my hands around his neck and squeezed with all the anger and desperation I felt.

  The soldier kicked, struggled, trying to break free.

  But I did not relent.

  I squeezed until I felt the body beneath me stop moving.

  Until the trembling ceased.

  Panting, with trembling hands and a sore body, I stood up.

  Samantha and David had both finished their fights.

  There was no time to rest.

  We had to keep moving.

  (Perspective of Samantha)

  The shot still echoed in the alley, but with a quick kick I managed to disarm the soldier; however, he immediately drew his knife and lunged at me.

  I spun on my heels, dodging the first slash, which left the soldier momentarily surprised.

  But the man was fast. Very fast.

  Before I could counterattack, the soldier changed the trajectory of his knife in a fluid movement, directing it toward my side.

  I barely managed to retreat, feeling the breeze of the knife graze my clothes and brush against my skin.

  This fight was not going to be easy.

  The soldier was an expert—a well-trained human. His technique was precise, with no unnecessary movements.

  But I was faster.

  Taking advantage of the enemy's pause, I spun in the air and kicked his head.

  The soldier raised his arm to block it, but the force of the impact made him stumble.

  Because of that, I got overconfident.

  That was my mistake.

  The soldier feigned a loss of balance and, at the moment I lowered my guard, surged forward with explosive speed, charging at me like a wild animal.

  My body slammed violently into the wall of the alley.

  A sharp pain shot through my back, and for a moment, the air left my lungs.

  The soldier gave me no respite.

  His fist crashed into my abdomen with the force of a hammer, bending me over in pain.

  The pain was so intense that a shiver ran through my body.

  Blood... I tasted the metallic flavor in my mouth.

  The strength of that man was abnormal.

  The soldier tried to land another blow, but still hunched over, I slid to the side quickly.

  I moved my hand like lightning, grabbing the soldier's wrist before he could react.

  With a swift motion, I twisted his arm to its limit.

  The soldier groaned in pain, but did not give in.

  He twisted his body to free his arm and counterattacked with a kick to my knee.

  The blow was precise.

  My leg buckled from the impact, and for the first time in the fight, I lost my balance.

  The soldier did not waste the opportunity.

  He lunged at me with his knife held high, ready to drive it into my neck.

  For a second, I felt a shiver run down my spine.

  But then, my instinct took over.

  At the last moment, I lifted both legs and kicked the soldier's chest with all my strength.

  The impact sent him flying backward, slamming him violently against the ground.

  Before he could recover, I propelled myself forward, landing on his chest.

  With my hand, I grabbed the soldier's wrist, forcing him to let go of the knife with brute force.

  But he was still fighting.

  He tried to grab me by the neck with his other hand, but I responded with an elbow strike to his throat.

  The soldier coughed, his body convulsing from lack of air.

  I didn't wait any longer.

  I grabbed his own knife and, with a swift motion, plunged it into the base of the soldier's neck, straight into the artery.

  A burst of hot blood covered my face.

  The soldier trembled.

  His gaze turned glassy.

  His body stopped fighting.

  I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

  For a moment, I stood still, feeling the cold sweat run down my back.

  That human...

  He had been close.

  Too close.

  I couldn't remember the last time a human had put up such a fight.

  In fact, I didn't even remember that humans had so much strength and speed.

  I shook my head and got up, wiping the blood from my face with the back of my hand.

  There was no time to hesitate.

  Robert and the other man had finished their fights.

  There was no time to rest.

  We had to keep moving.

  (Perspective of David)

  The initial shot unleashed chaos.

  In a swift maneuver, I disarmed the soldier.

  After that, I reacted instantly, drawing my knife at the same moment the soldier did.

  There were no words.

  No warnings.

  Just movement.

  The soldier attacked first, slashing directly at my neck.

  I dodged by inches, tilting my head back at the last moment. I felt the blade skim my skin—close enough to send a shiver down my spine.

  I couldn't give ground.

  I counterattacked with a quick wrist movement, aiming at the soldier's side.

  The soldier blocked me with his forearm, and the clash of steel against his skin produced a dull thud.

  I injured him.

  But the soldier did not hesitate.

  His next attack came quickly: a stab directly into my abdomen.

  I blocked with my forearm, grunting as the blade tore through my uniform and cut through skin.

  There was no time to think about the pain.

  I responded with a kick to the soldier's side, feeling the impact against his ribs.

  The soldier stumbled to one side, but instead of retreating, he spun on his axis and thrust forward.

  I barely had time to deflect the attack.

  The soldier's knife grazed my side, tearing my clothes.

  We both moved quickly, seeking a single lethal blow.

  I advanced with a downward slash.

  The soldier blocked it, but the impact was brutal. The blade scraped his knuckles, and the force of the blow forced him to step back.

  The soldier quickly recovered and advanced, slamming his forehead against mine with a brutal headbutt.

  My skull exploded with pain. My vision blurred for a second, and that moment was enough for the enemy to charge me, knocking me to the alley floor.

  The enemy's knife descended like lightning.

  I reacted purely on instinct.

  I raised my arm and caught the soldier's wrist just in time.

  We both grappled on the ground; my muscles were tense, and my teeth were clenched from the effort I was making to keep from being stabbed

  The knife's edge slowly descended, inch by inch, dangerously approaching my throat.

  I growled in desperation, straining my arm to its limit to stop the knife's edge.

  I saw the gleam of the blade reflecting the dim alley light.

  I felt a brutal pressure on my arm, as if my tendons were burning from the effort.

  The enemy smiled.

  He wasn't going to lose here.

  With one last effort, I abruptly twisted my hip and rolled, managing to reverse our positions.

  Now I was the one on top.

  I raised my fist and smashed it against the soldier's jaw.

  But the enemy did not give up.

  He returned the blow with his free fist, splitting my lip.

  We were both bleeding.

  We were both at our limit.

  But I didn't waste any time.

  I grabbed the soldier's head with both hands and slammed it against the ground with all my strength.

  His skull hit the asphalt with a dull crunch.

  The soldier groaned, dazed, but still tried to counterattack.

  He threw a punch at my face, making me stagger.

  But I was used to pain.

  I took the blow without yielding.

  Quickly, I grabbed the knife with both hands and brought it down with all my might.

  The enemy caught my wrist just in time, his fingers pressing fiercely to stop the knife from puncturing his neck.

  But I wasn't going to stop—no matter if my hands broke, I wasn't going to let him have his way.

  With a roar, I pushed with all my weight.

  The knife sank inch by inch into the soldier's flesh.

  He struggled, kicked, tried to break free.

  But the blade kept descending.

  Until it pierced his trachea.

  The soldier convulsed; his breathing turned into a gurgling, choking sound.

  The soldier let out one last gasp.

  Then, his eyes went blank.

  I stood there for a second, breathing with difficulty, my hands still gripping the knife.

  I staggered to my feet, tasting the metallic flavor of blood in my mouth; my body was covered in sweat and blood.

  My chest was rising and falling rapidly.

  My vision was blurred from exhaustion.

  But we couldn't stop.

  I turned my head, searching for Robert, Eric, and the unknown man.

  The fights were over.

  We had managed to win.

  (Perspective of Robert)

  After finishing off the soldier, I quickly went over to Eric. Apparently, Samantha and David had managed to kill the other soldiers.

  But we had lost too much time; Eric had lost too much blood.

  Eric: Guys, I think I'm going to rest for a moment... Just give me 5 minutes to recover...

  Robert: Shut up and try to stay conscious.

  Eric had a large bloodstain on his abdomen; he was bleeding heavily.

  Robert: David!

  David: I'm here, I'm here. Come on, brother, we're almost there—you can't stay in this alley.

  David and I began wrapping his wound with pieces of our clothing as best we could since he had that thing stuck in his abdomen and we couldn’t remove it.

  Robert: Come on, we have to get him quickly to the house, Samantha!

  I shouted "Samantha!" and signaled her to help us. The two of them looked at me rather strangely, but she acted quickly and helped.

  The three of us lifted him as best we could and ran as fast as possible toward the house.

  After a few alleys, we burst into the house and securely locked the door, laid Eric on a table, and quickly began treating him.

  I didn't see Alex or Alba anywhere, but I didn't have time to worry about them.

  Robert: How did the mages get into the shelter?

  David: I don't know. The only thing that occurs to me is that someone helped them get in. It would be very difficult for them to have entered without being detected.

  Robert: It's strange that someone from inside would help them willingly; there's no benefit in doing so.

  David: Maybe, but we don't know exactly why someone would help them. We don't know if it was forced in some way—you know how those mages are.

  Robert: They're supposed to send soldiers outside for that; we're trained not to reveal information.

  David: That's true, which is why I can't quite understand how they got in. The only possibility I can think of is what I mentioned.

  Robert: "What have the high command said?"

  David placed his radio on the table.

  David: While we were running, at the start I heard that they were still fighting in the bar where we were, but the mages had been surrounded, so most likely they're trying to capture them alive to extract information. But apparently that attack was just a distraction, since the outside of the shelter is being attacked right now.

  Robert: I see, so they want to finish us off after searching for us for so long.

  David: That's most likely. That means someone from the shelter must have been followed, or someone told them where the shelter was, but I don't think you need to worry.

  Robert: Why? If they exterminate us, it's over.

  David: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we're not what we used to be. Those mages are underestimating us; possibly after this, a new large-scale war will begin somehow.

  Robert: Do we have any chance of winning?

  David: I don't know for sure; let's hope so. But anyway, what will you do now, Robert? I understand you worry about us, but even you must understand that you can't stay here any longer.

  Robert: Are you denying my humanity?

  David: Yes, I hereby excommunicate you from this community.

  We looked at each other for a moment and started laughing.

  David: I always wanted to say something like that.

  Eric: Hey, psychopaths, stop laughing while I'm dying—cure me or do something; I'm about to faint.

  David: I just called a medical team with the signal. They'll be here in 20 minutes. Besides, we managed to stop the bleeding. They'll arrive in time, so I think you'll be safe.

  Eric: Ah, excuse me, Doctor, it's just that my life still matters a bit.

  Eric said that, and we all laughed again.

  Eric: Honestly, I still think you're crazy for laughing at my situation, but anyway, getting back on topic—Robert, what David said is true. You must leave today, or else you won't be able to get out of the shelter.

  Robert: I don't think it's going to be that simple to leave here right now.

  David: You're right, but escaping later will be impossible; the high command will impose strict restrictions from now on.

  Eric: By the way, that person you brought with us—is she the girl you mentioned at the bar?

  I looked to our side for a moment, and there was Samantha standing there. As she clasped her hands, she noticed that we were looking at her and waved.

  Then we returned our gaze to one another.

  Robert: Mmm... Yes?

  David and Eric looked at me in terror.

  Robert: Why the looks?

  David: Clearly you must be a little crazy, or some kind of psychopath or stalker, to be able to recognize a mage in the middle of so many people in a shelter that isn't even for mages.

  Eric: It's not that I want to take David's side... But it's true, that's not normal... Are you that in love?

  I didn't really know what to say.

  Eric: But I think there's something really more important than that.

  We finished treating Eric as best as we could and carefully took him to his bed.

  Eric: Robert, listen. I'm going to trust that your otherworldly girlfriend isn't bad. I'll close my eyes and trust your judgment.

  Robert: Stop being so dramatic and get to the point.

  Eric: Alright, think for a moment: How is your girlfriend going to enter the shelter without help from someone, out in the daylight?

  For a moment, Eric brought me back to reality. It was true—how was Samantha supposed to get into the shelter without help from someone on the inside? Could it be that she came with the mages? No, that can't be; everything she and I did wouldn't make sense if she came with the mages.

  Maybe she camouflaged herself and entered with them—that would make sense, and would only mean that there really was a traitor among us, or several.

  But it's strange—I trust that she wouldn't want to be with the mages again. Even if she doesn't really come with the mages, it's still clear that she had to get in with someone's help, whether that person was threatened or did it willingly.

  That was the only explanation I could think of, but the problem was that our bracelets weren't working at this moment. I couldn't ask her who helped her get in.

  Robert: There's a small problem—I can't communicate with her right now because an earlier explosion damaged the devices we used to communicate.

  David: Mmm, what a problem...

  Eric: Well, for now the only thing we can do is try to get one of those devices before Robert has to leave. David, you'll have to handle that part.

  David: You know I have to go help defend the shelter, right? I can't go look for the hooded ones and take something from them right now.

  Eric: The answer is simple: Go and kill a mage who's attacking the shelter and steal the device Robert needs. That way you kill two birds with one stone—defend the shelter and get what we need. But be careful not to let them see you looting them; since it's broad daylight, it will be tricky to do.

  David: Somehow I feel you're underestimating those mages... Anyway... As soon as I have it, I'll let you know. Whether I get it or not, you all will have to leave here by nightfall.

  Robert: Alright, I'll keep that in mind.

  David: I'll let you know when it's the best time for you to leave.

  After that, David left the house.

  Robert: Well, I think for now it's best if you rest, Eric.

  Eric: I'll give you all the information I have about Michael when you leave at night.

  I nodded and left his room.

  After closing the door, I looked ahead.

  I didn't see Samantha or the others; I began walking through Eric's house to look for someone.

  As I walked, I thought that everything had been an illusion or a sad dream. My heart felt strange thinking about it—it was all so unreal.

  I proceeded cautiously, feeling the weight of time and uncertainty in every step.

  I walked through various parts of Eric's house—it was truly larger than I remembered. There was plenty of street light entering the house because of the city's alert; apparently, they turned on every light in the city.

  After exploring the entire house, I arrived at a room that was like a breeding ground, connected to the back of the house, which apparently opened to an area outside the city that was clear—a sort of patio that was enclosed because it was Eric's property.

  And then, I saw her.

  Standing in the middle of the room, looking at the breeding area, our eyes met. As I looked at her, her eyes reflected the same mixture of surprise and disbelief that I felt. My heart stopped for a moment. There were no words; I couldn't call her, but I didn't need to.

  To be honest, I felt as if the moment were unreal. I had been through so much that I couldn't even recall the last time I saw her face; rather, I'd say I never thought we'd ever part ways like this from that day on—I regretted not imprinting every detail of her face in my mind.

  Seeing her reminded me why it was all worth it.

  She is the only thing I could consider beautiful in this world; just looking at her made me feel fortunate to still be alive.

  Samantha removed her hood.

  At last, I could see her.

  I felt a strong sensation upon seeing her; my heart felt very strange.

  Her hair was tousled; now it was short and a different color. I don't know if it was because of the outside light, but she looked beautiful. Tears began to well up in my eyes unconsciously.

  I didn't understand why I was crying; I felt uneasy, but I couldn't understand why.

  She looked at me too. Her eyes opened with a trembling sparkle, her breathing caught for a moment, and for an instant she seemed to hesitate—as if afraid it was all a mirage. But when I stepped forward, she did the same.

  Neither of us ran. Neither of us screamed. We just walked slowly toward each other, as if any sudden movement might shatter the fragile reality of the moment.

  Then, when we were close enough, I raised a hand. She hesitated for a second, then did the same. Our trembling fingers met halfway, barely touching. The warmth of her skin—so familiar and yet so distant—sent a shiver down my body.

  I wanted to speak, to say her name, to ask if she was okay, if she had missed me as much as I missed her. But I couldn't.

  She didn't speak either. Instead, with a tentative gesture, she brought a hand to her chest and then extended it toward me. No words were needed to understand the meaning.

  "I missed you."

  I smiled, my eyes burning, and she repeated the same gesture.

  She let out a choked laugh and, disregarding everything else, closed the gap between us and embraced me with all her might.

  I buried my face in her neck, feeling the reality of her existence in my arms.

  There were no words. I didn't need any. In that moment, the universe belonged solely to us.