Mazadan flew over a strange, completely black desert. The heat was excruciating, but he protected himself behind a barrier of greenish wind, significantly lowering the temperature.
— "Uncle! Why? What did you do! My specimen! Do you have any idea how hard it is to find someone with such unique characteristics? He managed to merge with everything I fused into him!"
Mazadan scratched his chin. — "Of course. He also has dark matter running through his body."
— "It's not just that, there's more! Let's go back and I'll show you! You'll see how worth it he is!"
Mazadan stopped. — "I am going to suppress that thing inside you, and then you are going to be grounded for a long time in my magic tower."
— "No!" — Her pupils dilated until their glow vanished completely. Her human teeth began to be replaced by an animalistic jaw, and her white skin by multicolored scales.
— "Enough!" — Like thunder, the words uttered by Mazadan tore a rift in space, devouring Rupia before dissipating.
— "Bold brat," Mazadan hissed.
...
Looking at the large horse coming toward him, the young soldier's legs began to tremble at the thought of having to notify his superior about his younger brother's passing. He looked back at the corpse—skull crushed by a rock, entrails scavenged by animals, limbs missing. What a shitty way to die, he thought. When he turned his head, the massive man was already in front of him. In a swift motion, the soldier snapped to attention.
— "My condolences, sir!"
— "Dismissed."
The young soldier turned and left as fast as he could without appearing too hurried.
The man atop the horse shifted his gaze to the body on the ground. His blue eyes flickered slightly; his white hair swayed as the wind whispered. A mage approached and bowed.
— "Sir, we are going to begin the recapitulation."
— "Very well," he said in a thick, raspy voice.
The mage closed her eyes beside the corpse as a small ball of light began to float in her hand. The orb rose a few meters into the air, releasing a light that scanned the entire area. Seconds later, the blue light descended and began to reproduce the events in vivid detail.
The man watched the scenes impassively, from the wolf attack to the moment his brother fought for his life on the ground.
— "Why can't I see the killer's face?" he asked, trying his best to control his expression, though his hands—nearly tearing the reins—betrayed his emotions.
— "We don't know. There is some kind of interference."
He watched once more as his brother's skull was crushed, then turned his horse.
— "Meet me in my cabin later."
— "Yes, sir." She bowed as he rode away. She turned back and continued collecting data.
Two soldiers, distinguished by pauldrons shaped like orca heads, approached.
— "Our condolences, sir." Both struck their fists against their chests.
— "I don't care for condolences. I want to find those mangy curs!" he growled in frustration.
— "We tracked the pack to a mountainous area to the south. Shall we proceed at early afternoon?"
— "No. We go at nightfall."
— "They grow stronger at night, are you sure?"
— "We don't wear the heads of the sea's greatest predators for nothing. We are the elites of the Sacred!"
Both struck their chests and moved out of the way.
Upon returning to his tent, Gregos removed his armor and hung it beside the bed, displaying a toned body covered in scars.
— "Sir, I thought it best to hurry," the mage said, appearing at the entrance.
— "Take off your clothes."
She loosened the ties of her robe, revealing a dark-skinned body with small, firm breasts and curves defined by tight muscle. Her chocolate skin glowed in the light. He grabbed her by her straight black hair, threw her onto the wooden table—scattering everything across the floor—positioned himself behind her, and began to penetrate her. As the table rocked, her moans were loud as she looked at him from the corner of her eye while he pulled her hair.
— "Really... there's no way to know who did it?" He moved faster, with more violence.
— "Unfortunately... ah... no... ah... I couldn't get anything beyond that."
He changed her position, pulling her atop the table, and as they looked at each other, fluids slicked their legs. They embraced.
— "We will find a way."
— "I know. I believe in the power of our faith."
...
Gantz waded through a muddy swamp. He had found the indicated path, but the entrance was flooded, and he and his donkey had to push through a pile of stinking mud. They emerged on the other side, entering a circular stone tunnel.
— "I'd better put you back in the ring. There's no way I can get into the city with an animal this big."
The donkey snorted in protest.
— "I know, but I can't. You'll have to sleep in there for a while."
Gantz waved his right hand, and the animal shrank as it was absorbed by the ring.
— "I hope it gets easier from here on out." — I have a feeling I shouldn't have said that.
Some time later: — "I really shouldn't have said that."
He was lost in the vastness of the tunnels and still hadn't found an exit. Sometimes he came across a hole that led to a street, but the opening was always blocked by a grate. He took off the cloak he was wearing and fully extended his tail. Although he had managed to shrink it slightly, the tail still had to be coiled across his back and covered by the cloak. Occasionally, he was pricked by his own stinger.
Suddenly, he heard voices coming his way. He quickly coiled the tail and covered it with the cloak, nearly losing his balance from anxiety. He ran toward a group of men wearing hooded cloaks; they were carrying large wooden boxes in complete silence.
— "Excuse me! I need help!"
The men turned and drew their swords.
— "Wait! I'm not a soldier! I just want to get out of here!"
The men began to walk toward him without answering. One of them stopped and signaled for the others to wait. He pulled back his hood and shouted:
— "GANTZ? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
— "VINCENTE?" Gantz shouted as the two embraced.