The buildings looked like part of the desert, made of sandy-colored stone. They were painted with abundant turquoise mosaics. Many of them had bulb-shaped domes on top. The guard whispered to them. —Don't get separated.
He looked at the great towers and palaces. They measured dozens of meters. —How did they build this, doc.?
—With slaves and math's.
—How many people live here? Thousands? Tens of thousands? What's on every street?
—We'll leave today. You don't want to live in a place like this.
—What did you say the High Porte is, doc.?
—This city, Samarkand, and everything around it is a fief. It belongs to the governor, but the governor is subordinate to the High Porte. Hundreds of fiefs pay homage to it. All of them make up the nation of Ab.
—Ab?
—It's one of the largest nations in the world, though today it's only a shadow of what it once was. Years ago, it was completely united, but after a civil war, cohesion disappeared. The High Porte is the only institution that survives in almost all the territory. They are the priests of the empire; they control the monopoly on technology. They decide who has the machines and the knowledge. Without them, the cities would collapse.
—Are they really that necessary?
—They control the fuel refineries, the component factories, the blueprints for every damn mechanism. Only they can make spare parts. With those machines, they till the fields and move water to the cities. That's how they control people.
—And people don't do anything about it?
—When have you seen sheep take over a farm?
—How big is Ab? Will we have to escape from it?
—Don't worry, like I said, there's no cohesion anymore. Every governor and warlord does as they please. It's a ghost nation; it exists only on paper. It was supposed to be so big it covered half of two continents. I don't know how big it is now.
—Why did the civil war happen?
—I don't really know; I never found out for sure. —The three of them arrived outside a modest building, right in front of a main avenue. Vanrra looked all around like a child. A crowd of camels crossed the street. On the other side of the road was the entrance to a bazaar inside the streets. The shops were decorated with fabrics of many colors. At the end of the avenue was a large metal gate blocking access to a dome. Huge chimneys emerged from the ground, spewing black smoke. The noise of machines and engines could be heard. Hiram turned his head. —Don't look at them for too long.
—Is that the High Porte?
—It's one of their temples.
The guard told them. —Here it is; come with me.
—Wait for me here, Vanrra. Don't move. —Hiram went into the building.
This is what the doc hated so much. It's nothing like my village. Everyone seems to be strangers to each other; nobody knows anyone. It's a shame that the annoying noise is here too. I wish I could make it stop. I noticed someone stopped next to me.
It was a boy about ten years old. He looked somewhat like Vanrra. His hair was identical. The boy said to him, —You're not from here, are you?
—How do you know, kid?
—I'm not a kid.
—Whatever you say, champ. How do you know I'm not from here?
—Your clothes, did you get them from a hunt?
—I don't know what you mean. What's your name, kid?
—Mitra.
—Are you a girl?
—It's not a girl's name. What are you doing standing here?
—I'm waiting for a friend.
—Don't you want to see the bazaar or stroll through the city? There's so much to see. Aren't you curious to learn more?
—I can't. My friend forbids it; he'll be out soon.
—Why won't your friend let you enjoy yourself? Looking around a little won't hurt you. I promise there are things you'll love.
—You're only talking to me because you want me to buy you something.
—I don't think you have much money.
—Money? —A crowd formed on the avenue; they shouted and insulted a woman in rags. —What's going on? —They threw the woman to the ground; she spat blood. The guards just watched. Vanrra ran to get a closer look.
The guards stopped him. —Stay away, brat.
—Why aren't you doing anything?!
People took turns beating and spitting on the girl. —Why do you care? —Are you one of them too?
—Them?
They shouted from the crowd. —Samaritan! Filthy fucking whore! Race of demons! —They beat the woman to a pulp. She wouldn't stop screaming or crying. They grabbed her by the hair and dragged her down the avenue, toward the city gate.
—What did she do? What are they going to do to her?!
One of the guards laughed. —We'll do to her what her kind did to ours.
—Race? But she looks just like yours.
The guard grabbed him by the neck and pointed his revolver at him. —What did you say? Don't compare me to those demons. My blood isn't cursed, not like those beasts. —Maybe he just wants to fuck the whore. —Are you one of those who fuck goats?
Vanrra tried to break free, but no matter how much he tried, he couldn't; the guard held him tightly. —Why don't you come with us to watch how they hang that whore? —Hiram grabbed the guard by the wrist. —What do you want? —Hiram squeezed so hard the guard had to back off. The rest drew their repeating carbines.
—Shoot me, and I swear I'll kill every damn monkey in this shithole town.
—Who the hell are you?! —You attacked a servant of the law!
Hiram put Vanrra behind him. —Your law is just so your kind don't eat each other, fucking slave; your life isn't worth more than that whore.
They all aimed at him. —What did you say?! We're going to kill you just like that bitch! … —Hiram stood in front of them with a look of total contempt; his eyes were like a bomb about to explode. —Step back, you're unarmed!
He stood in front of the barrel. —Shoot, and I promise I'll kill even your damn dogs. I'll wipe out these ugly, stable, filthy cattle!
The guards started to tremble; there was something terribly wrong about that man; he inspired an instinctive fear in them. They put away their weapons and backed away slowly, never taking their eyes off him.
Hiram returned to Vanrra. —I made the deal; we must move.
—Doc.?
—What's wrong?
—Thank you.
—Who were you talking to outside the building? I could hear you.
—To a boy, his name is… —He lost sight of him. —I think he's already gone; I swear he was here just a moment ago.
—Did he steal anything from you?
—I don't have anything on me. He said he didn't want anything from me because I didn't have money. What is money, doc.?
—Money? I'll tell you when we have the car; it's a long story. Follow me. —They both started walking. Vanrra had his head down. —What's wrong?
—That woman, why would they do something like that to her? I couldn't help her.
—You have to respect their traditions.
—They said she was a Samaritan. Who are they?
—It's nonsense: just monkeys killing each other; both are still animals.
—Why do you sound like them? Don't you have a heart? Why didn't you do anything? You have the strength.
—I already told you they're savages; that's why we must leave as soon as possible. Don't think about it; we have to keep going. —They walked through the streets; they reached a neighborhood with shops. Vanrra stopped to admire every little detail in the windows. —The deal is done; I just have to go pick up the vehicle; the depot is a few kilometers into the desert.
—When will we go, doc.? Aren't you afraid we'll run into the monster again?
—It's good that you're afraid, because you won't go out. —They stopped in front of an inn. You'll stay here until I come back. Are you hungry?
—Will you go alone?
—Don't worry. We eat, I go out, and you wait until I return. Then we both get in the car and head west. Your job is to sit and wait, without leaving here.
—Whatever you say, doc.
They both went in to eat and devoured plate after plate of stew. The meat on the plate reminded Vanrra of what had happened in the forest. —Is something wrong?
—Nothing, I was just thinking. —He looked around; people seemed oblivious to the beasts outside. —Why do they act as if nothing is happening, doc, as if that thing outside doesn't exist? It could attack at any moment.
—Don't they remind you of something? People don't care what happens around them; it doesn't matter if there are monsters that want to devour them or crazy extremists. All they care about is eating and living in their world of lies, as fragile as these walls. Whoever lives like a dog dies like a dog. You know how that ends.
Hiram paid with more pieces of his gold trinkets. They rented a room to clean up and change clothes. When noon was over, Hiram went out into the desert. Vanrra lay on the bed, locked in, alone with his thoughts.
Devi, Esau, and Gamini. I'll never see them again. I'd give anything to go back; it's all I want. The world beyond the valley is full of monsters and humans; I don't know which is worse. That girl, her screams, because I did nothing. I can't do anything; it doesn't matter what I face, titans or humans, I'm useless. I don't even know where I'm going or if there is a safe place. Aelia Capitolina, who else might have told me that? —When will I stop being sad? —Looking out the window, he realized it was already night. The moon shone like a great beacon; it looked bigger than usual.
—When will he return? He's taking too long. I'll wait a bit longer. —He lay down on the bed again and closed his eyes. He dreamed of that day, the first time he painted a picture, when his teacher taught him to use brushes. He painted the first thing that came to mind, a big tree. A tree with large fruits, ten big fruits. He painted twenty-two small branches holding and connecting the fruits to the tree. A tree of light.
A snake slithered up his leg and climbed up his back to his left eye. He woke up with a start and jumped out of bed. It was just a nightmare; it was still night. —What time is it? How long did I sleep? Doc? Doc?! —He feared the worst. —Did something happen to him? He said he wasn't far, but why isn't he coming back? I have to go look for him.
Vanrra packed his backpack and went out the front door. The streets were deserted. Before continuing, fear overtook him. What am I doing? I'm a damn useless coward; that spider will kill me if I go out there. Maybe it already attacked the doc. Maybe he's hiding in that warehouse, waiting to be eaten. No, I must trust him; I have to wait.
—Why are you afraid? —Mitra spoke to him at his side.
He nearly jumped in fright. —Where did you come from?
—I live here.
—It's very late for a child.
—What are you afraid of?
—I'm not afraid; I'm just worried.
—I hear you all the time. Are you weak? That's why you're afraid?
—You're just a kid; you don't know anything.
—Why didn't you help that girl? You were afraid they'd beat you, that they'd hate you.
—They would have killed me; I have no weapons. How could I defend myself? Not even the strongest man in the world can withstand a bullet.
—Then you're weak.
—If you see it that way.
—If you had had enough strength, would you have saved that girl?
—Yes.
—Would you have saved your friends, your village?
—Yes.
—Do you think you can still help them?
—They're already dead; it's impossible. I can't change the past.
—But you can change the future. You can save the doc.
—He doesn't need saving; he has strength.
—Help isn't always physical, nor is strength. Strength is the ability to change the world to your will, the ability to keep moving forward no matter the obstacles; the way doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that you manage to make a change in this world.
Vanrra turned to look at the boy. —What does that mean?
—Hiram needs you. How do you expect to get strong locked up in here? You have to go out. It doesn't matter what Hiram told you; everyone makes mistakes; no one is perfect. Maybe he's testing you.
—Testing me? What are you talking about, kid?
—He's your teacher. Teachers test you; they want to make you better. Maybe he wants you to go look for him. Think about it: he's never let you down; he always keeps his word. Why is he taking so long now? It seems like he's doing it on purpose.
—Maybe you're right. But even so, I'm not sure. He told me my emotions would tell me if I was being impulsive. Maybe that's what he meant.
—If you were thinking impulsively, you wouldn't have prepared; you'd have just run out. Right now, you're using reason. You're not being impulsive.
—I don't even know where he is. He didn't tell me where he was going.
—I saw him; I can show you which way he went. You'll get there in a few minutes.
—You're a strange kid. Why are you telling me this? You're very mature and wise for your age.
—You're the strange one; those clothes make you stand out. I'm not the only one who's noticed you. Many more are looking for you.
—Who's looking for me?
—The undesirables of the earth and the undesirables of the sky, but don't worry, I'll make sure they don't hurt you.
—Follow me; I know another exit, far from the gates. —Vanrra followed Mitra through the empty streets. —They entered the bazaar; the shops were empty. A few lights came from the windows of the houses. They went down an alley and reached a hidden street, right by the wall.
They arrived at an old shop. Vanrra saw the shop's striking sign. There was a strange figure carved on it: a large snake eating its own tail, forming a circle. The figure in the center of the circle was so worn it was unrecognizable.
—Kid, do you know what that is?
—Does it catch your attention?
—I feel like I've seen it before. Do you know what it means?
Mitra moved some metal plates, revealing a corridor with old stairs. —I don't think this is the moment. You have to hurry; this passage will take you outside, so you won't have to bribe the guards.
—Thanks, kid. Don't you want me to give you something?
He giggled. —That's not necessary.
Vanrra went down the completely dark corridor. He took a small flashlight from his backpack and turned it on just like the doc taught him. The passage was full of dust, but the walls were almost intact, as if time had stopped inside. He continued for several dozen meters until he reached another staircase. When he climbed up, he found a metal door. He pulled the rusty handle with all his strength; it barely budged.
—You've got to be kidding me. —He tried with all his strength; he tried several times. Mitra came up behind and helped him pull. They managed to move the lever. —Thanks, kid. —Vanrra went out to the outer city. A couple of people were gathered around campfires spread throughout the streets.
Mitra led him to the outskirts. Vanrra could see the body of that woman hanging where the desert begins. —He went that way. When you reach the dunes, you'll see the warehouse lights. You'll know you're close when, in the distance, you see the great rock formations. Maybe I'll go see them; with this moon they'll look beautiful.
—One day I'll return the favor.
—I'll be waiting for it.
Vanrra ventured into the desert; the wind was cold. First, he walked over barren land, soon he reached the sand. He climbed a hill to get a panoramic view. In the distance, he saw a light, just as Mitra had told him.
He walked through the desert; when he reached that light, he discovered it was a flame that sprang from the ground, from the earth itself. He could see those great hoodoos, rock formations that covered the whole desert.
No matter where he looked, there was nothing but sand and rocks. Darkness fell over the desert. —Where am I? I think I'm lost, or maybe I've been here before. —He looked up at the moon; it was the only thing lighting up the night.
In that direction there was a strange rock formation: a large, irregular pillar that measured dozens of meters. He could see a completely dark figure standing out against the moonlight behind it. He tried to make out what that thing was; it had to be… a giant… —Are you lost, boy? —He heard that voice as if it were right next to him.
Vanrra jumped in fright. He felt a deep panic in his chest. —Who are you?! Where are you?! —He searched for where the voice had come from.
His voice was mocking and arrogant, like an owner speaking to his pet. It was deep and sly. —I'm ashamed I haven't introduced myself before in a better shape; I'm right here. I apologize. —He was on the palm of a great, completely motionless titan. He seemed to be dressed in a brown tactical military suit, with several green armor plates.
His suit was a bit loose, with protection on the legs and forearms. He wore a large mustard-colored poncho that fluttered in the wind. He wore a black gas mask with two large red glass eyes.
He had his arms crossed; he stared at Vanrra intently. The titan was completely hidden in the darkness; only its silhouette was visible. It was standing in an unnatural way, crouched, with one extended leg. Its feet were like a bird's, with three large claws. Its four arms stretched out in different ways; it seemed to be dancing some kind of dance.
From its shoulders emerged large armor plates that bent backward like wings and fell down their back like a kind of cape. The titan seemed to wear a lion mask, more like a metallic demon's mask with two horns. It had metal plates that mimicked a long mane. Its eyes were disproportionately large, without pupils. It had a long metallic tail ending in a needle.
He felt an immense discomfort at seeing it; something inside him screamed to run away. He stammered in terror, trying to process that monster. —What…? —There was something about that being that didn't add up; he didn't know what, but there was something deeply wrong, something that shouldn't exist. Something much deeper and more terrifying than the titan itself.
—Finally, we can start, Vanrra.