Candado woke suddenly. He opened his eyes with a start, and for a fleeting instant, his breath caught in his throat. This wasn’t his house. It wasn’t his room, either. Even the clothes he was wearing didn’t belong to him. He sat up slowly, brow furrowed, analyzing every corner of the unfamiliar room: the cream-colored walls, the poorly drawn curtains letting a single ray of sunlight filter through, and the scent of a mild detergent he didn’t recognize.

  Then, he felt hands on his arms.

  "Relax, you’re with us," the twins said in unison.

  They were wearing casual clothes: shorts, loose t-shirts, their hair slightly messy. Candado stared at them, still groggy.

  "What happened?" he asked. But he immediately shook his head. "No, never mind. Forget it. I know what happened."

  He got out of bed without another word, scanning the room for his clothes. Erika reacted immediately; she crossed the room almost at a run, opened the closet, and pulled out Candado’s outfit, including his beret. She held it out to him with a soft smile.

  Candado made a gesture with his hand for them to leave, but they only turned around. Both sisters "obeyed," though they barely turned their backs. He rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, he was dressed. He adjusted his beret with precision, as if it were part of a ritual.

  "You can turn around."

  Erika and Lucía looked at him immediately, standing firm, as if awaiting an order.

  "What time is it?" he asked.

  "It’s nine in the morning, and it’s Saturday," Lucía replied.

  "Thank you, Lucía."

  Candado was preparing to leave when he felt them grab his sleeves, one on each side.

  "Stay for breakfast," they pleaded. "It’s ready. Mom made it for you."

  He sighed with resignation, though without real annoyance. He accepted with a slight nod, and both girls took his hands to guide him out of the room. It was completely unnecessary, but they always did it: a childish routine they had kept since they were little.

  upon reaching the dining room, they found the twins' mother drinking mate while watching television.

  "Good morning," she greeted him without taking her eyes off the screen.

  "Good morning, Mrs. Quiroga."

  The twins looked at him immediately, expectant, as if waiting for something more. Candado felt their gazes fixed on him, let out another sigh, and murmured:

  "Good morning... darling."

  The twins smiled instantly and hugged him tenderly.

  Sandra Quiroga, thirty years old just turned, mother of Erika Azul Quiroga and Lucía Mercedes Quiroga, and Candado—Candado Ernést Catriel Barret—were, supposedly, husband and wife in a game of "Playing House." A game that had started years ago and never ended because he never said "game over." By the time he finally became aware of it, it was too late to dismantle it. He opted for what he did best: ignore it. It didn’t add anything, but it didn’t take anything away either.

  Sandra stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  "Good morning, honey."

  "You’d better call me 'darling'... or by my name. Don’t call me that. Every time you do, something inside me dies."

  The twins watched him again with puppy-dog eyes. Candado huffed.

  "Whatever... call me what you want."

  Sandra smiled and, so as not to insist, kissed him on the forehead. A gesture kinder than any word.

  Candado sat down. In front of him were mate and sweet biscuits; in front of the twins, milk and small snacks. The mother remained watching TV while they ate.

  "How is everything going at school?" Sandra asked suddenly.

  "Good. I’m doing well, they are too."

  "That’s good. And at the guild?"

  "Excellent."

  "Did my parents say anything?"

  "No. I told them you were staying with the girls. They didn't say anything. Although it is true that you haven't been by there in over a month."

  Candado tightened his grip on the mate.

  "A lot of things came up. I’m sorry."

  "Don’t apologize. It’s your house too," she said with a gentle irony.

  "Yes... thanks," he replied, accepting the hint without arguing.

  When they finished, Candado stood up, emptied the mate, and while the twins washed their cups, he began to tie up the trash bag.

  "No, I can do it," Sandra intervened, trying to stop him.

  "I insist. After all, I am the father," he said naturally as he tied a firm knot.

  At that moment, the bedroom door burst open and the twins appeared, running toward the kitchen. They were ready, but dressed in a rush: hair messy, ties crooked, socks pulled up wrong. Candado just watched them for a second.

  "Sit down."

  They didn’t protest. They settled in immediately. Candado put the bag in the bin, took off his white gloves, and put them in his pocket. He walked to the twins' room, opened a drawer, and took out a brush.

  He returned to the kitchen. He began to comb first one, then the other, with meticulous, almost ceremonial movements. When he finished, he snapped his fingers and the brush vanished, returning to the drawer it came from. Then he adjusted Erika’s bow and Lucía’s tie with almost paternal dexterity.

  Sandra watched them from the table with a silent tenderness. That scene was part of the daily routine, a habit that no longer surprised her.

  "Done," Candado said, giving them a gentle pat on the shoulders.

  He stood up, put his gloves back on, picked up the trash, and looked at Sandra.

  "Thank you for your hospitality. See you."

  Then he looked at the twins.

  "Let’s go, if you want."

  "Of course!" both replied, following him with enthusiasm.

  Sandra waved goodbye from the door, with love and a caring warning to be careful.

  Candado and the twins walked to the guild in silence. The morning air was still cool, but the tension in the atmosphere was palpable. To the sisters' surprise, Clementina, Declan, and Hammya were already at the entrance, talking amongst themselves.

  As soon as they saw them arrive, Erika and Lucía instinctively stepped forward, placing themselves in front of Candado like a small human shield. Neither smiled: both fixed a sharp glare on Hammya. She, on the other hand, responded with a calm smile and a raised hand in greeting.

  "Hello," she greeted sweetly.

  "Hello," the sisters replied, dryly, almost cuttingly.

  Candado didn’t even stop to say hello; he walked past with a furrowed brow, giving the impression that he was carrying too many emotions.

  "Clementina," he ordered without looking at her, "call the others and have them come. Now."

  "Right away, Young Master."

  Candado kept walking and locked himself directly in his office. When Hammya tried to enter after him, Erika stepped in her way firmly.

  "No. Leave him alone," she said with a confidence she didn’t usually show.

  Hammya tilted her head and smiled with a certain irony.

  "Do you think you intimidate me?"

  But before she could even raise a hand to move her, Erika’s eyes flashed. She moved fast—too fast—and took Hammya down with a surprising spin. Everyone froze; even Lucía widened her eyes in disbelief.

  The office door flew open.

  "Erika!" said Candado, his voice low but loaded with authority. "Back. Now."

  The girl stepped back immediately, flushed with shame. Candado looked at Hammya.

  "And you. Inside."

  Hammya got up, dusted off her clothes, and smiled mockingly at Erika, causing her to clench her fists. Lucía had to hold her back before she tried to lunge again.

  "Calm down, sister..." she whispered.

  Inside the office, Candado slumped into his chair, as if he had lost part of the energy that normally kept him upright.

  "Sit down," he indicated to Hammya.

  She obeyed.

  "I don’t want you causing discord in the group," he said, staring at her. "If you do, I’m kicking you out of the guild."

  "Come on, Candado. It was just a harmless little joke," she replied lightly.

  Candado hit the desk with a dry fist. He didn’t raise his voice, but the impact made the papers vibrate.

  "No!" he snapped. "You were inciting her. Erika doesn’t act like that without reason. You provoked her."

  "I told you it was a joke," she insisted.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Candado took a deep breath, recovering his calm out of obligation rather than conviction. Then he looked her straight in the eye.

  "Let’s end this. Tell me what I have to do."

  "First, don’t get upset. Second... when the time comes, you’re going to have to listen to me."

  "Fine. Tell me now."

  "No."

  "Why?"

  "Because if I tell you now, you’ll find a way to ignore me. I know you. So I’m only going to tell you when it’s time, and when it arrives... you are going to obey me. No matter what."

  Candado closed his eyes for an instant, resigned.

  "...Fine."

  "Perfect. If you have nothing else, I’m leaving."

  "Wait," he said, just as she was standing up. "Before you go... tell me when it happened."

  Hammya smiled with a certain melancholy.

  "It was when you rescued me. When I got here, I realized that if I wanted to break the cycle, I had to let certain things happen. So I transferred my memories into a book that Chronos gave me. I asked for it to appear when I needed it... and it seems I needed it very much. Look at me."

  Candado didn’t lift his head. His fist was relaxed now, as if he had accepted something he didn’t want to accept. Hammya took his hand gently.

  "I know what you’re thinking," she whispered. "And no. It’s not your fault. Sooner or later that book was going to activate, with or without you."

  Candado looked at his hand held by hers... and pulled it away with a firm movement. Then he walked to the door and opened it.

  "Get out."

  Hammya sighed with genuine pain.

  "As you wish."

  She walked toward the exit, but stopped mid-step. She raised her hand to touch the scar on Candado’s face... but he leaned back, rejecting the contact without the need for words.

  She lowered her arm.

  "I really am sorry," she said quietly. "And... I care. Much more than you think."

  Then she left. Candado closed the door without looking at her and returned to his desk. He sat down, rested his forehead in his hands, and breathed deeply, trying not to crumble.

  Outside, Hammya stood staring at the closed door. She took a deep breath, turned around... and noticed that everyone was watching her. Not with hate, but with confusion, distance, and caution. Declan, above all, seemed to measure her every move.

  She just smiled softly and headed to the game room, where the twins were hanging out. As soon as she entered, the tension in both of their eyes was evident.

  "I... want to apologize," Hammya said, bowing her head.

  "It’s not us you have to apologize to," Lucía replied. "It’s Candado."

  "He and I... are fighting," Hammya said.

  Erika stood up abruptly.

  "That wasn’t a fight," she said harshly. "That was hurting him. Candado doesn’t cry over arguments. Whatever you did was heavy enough to get him like that. You want him to forgive you?" She pointed a finger at her chest. "Fix things with him first. If not... forget about a good atmosphere with me and my sister."

  Then she left the room without waiting for a reply. Lucía followed her after giving Hammya a disappointed look.

  Hammya was left alone. She sank into the armchair and held her head in her hands, letting out a long, trembling sigh.

  Knocks sounded on the guild door. Clementina went to open it, and behind her appeared Lucas and Natalia.

  "Good morning, my favorite robot!" Lucas exclaimed, hugging Clementina with his usual intensity.

  "Good morning, Lucas."

  Natalia greeted with her usual calm, touching everyone's shoulders.

  "Nice to meet you. I hope the day is productive."

  Clementina smiled seeing her greet Declan with evident shyness, attempting a hug she ultimately didn't dare to complete.

  Then Natalia walked toward the small room where Hammya was. She hesitated a second seeing her hunched over, but finally greeted her just like the rest.

  "Good morning."

  Hammya jumped in surprise, but relaxed upon recognizing her.

  "Natalia... You’re still the same."

  "Why shouldn't I be the same?"

  "Forget it... you’re still you."

  "Of course."

  Natalia put down her backpack, took out her notebook and pencils, and sat next to Hammya. When the clock struck nine-forty, she began to draw without saying a word.

  Hammya watched her, first with tenderness... then with sadness.

  "Natalia..."

  "..."

  Nothing, just silence. Natalia kept drawing.

  "You always liked drawing."

  "..."

  "I like your drawings... and your paintings. They are beautiful."

  "..."

  "I fought with Candado..." her voice cracked barely. "No. I made him cry."

  Natalia’s pencil stopped. It didn’t stop completely, but the stroke became slow. Almost sad.

  "I suppose I surprised you," Hammya said. "It wasn’t my intention. I only wanted the best for him... but it seems I did it wrong."

  "...No," Natalia finally replied. "You didn’t do it wrong."

  Hammya looked at her in surprise while Natalia continued drawing.

  "Sometimes we do or say things believing it’s the right thing for the people we love," Natalia said softly. "But we hurt them anyway. I do that too. I’m clumsy with words... and I don’t know how to act when my friends suffer. I can only cry if they cry. It’s not my intention. I think what you did wasn’t to hurt him."

  "You trust me that much? You don’t think I wanted to hurt him?"

  "I don’t know. Is it true?"

  "Of course not."

  "Then it’s okay."

  Hammya smiled weakly.

  "Thank you, Natalia."

  "Okay."

  "Can I hug you?"

  "...No. Please."

  Hammya let out a soft laugh. She didn’t insist. But when she was about to get up, Natalia spoke again.

  "But... I can stop drawing and hold your hand for a moment."

  Hammya blinked. Natalia put down the pencil and took her hands. She didn’t look at her, kept her gaze lost on the floor, but the gesture was warm... Authentic.

  A few minutes later, Natalia stood up, washed her hands, and went back to drawing.

  "Natalia... thank you," Hammya whispered.

  She didn’t answer. She just kept drawing. At that moment Andersson entered accompanied by Anzor, who brought snacks for both of them.

  Time passed without haste inside the room. Candado hadn’t moved; he remained seated at the desk, forehead resting against his hands, breathing slowly and controlled. Tension ran down his back like a frozen thread. He didn’t react until there was a knock at the door.

  It was Clementina.

  "Young Master, everyone has arrived," she announced softly.

  Candado lifted his head with difficulty, as if the air weighed more than normal. He sighed, sat up, and walked to the door. Upon opening it, the murmur in the hallway died instantly: everyone was looking at him. Even Pak, rigid as a soldier, gave a military salute. Candado shook his head so she wouldn’t insist.

  His eyes scanned the group one by one... until stopping on Hammya, who was chatting between Viki and Martina. She returned his gaze with serenity.

  "We have work to do," Candado said. "It’s time to move."

  "Hurray!!" shouted Pucheta, raising his fist to the sky.

  Germán rolled his eyes, though he kept that smile that never abandoned him. Matlotsky imitated Pucheta’s gesture without thinking, and behind her, Kevin and Martina—the "unaffiliated" who were still part of the group's chaos—caught the enthusiasm. The others followed suit.

  "I have a question," Kevin interrupted. "Why did you call us?"

  "Because where we are going... might be your new home," Candado replied. "If everything goes well, I want you to see it."

  Martina beamed with excitement.

  "Sounds fun."

  Candado guided them to the guild’s garden. He approached an old tree, one that seemed ordinary save for the dim light pulsating in its bark like a sleeping heart. He placed his hand on the trunk. A few seconds passed, long and expectant, until a figure emerged amidst flashes: Mauricio.

  "I’m here. What do you... need?" he asked, surprised to see so many people.

  "A transport," Candado replied.

  Mauricio smiled with resignation.

  "I figured. To where?"

  "To Jadek."

  "Oh. Well, as you wish," he said, extending his hand.

  Candado took it, and after him Clementina, then Hammya, and so, in a chain, everyone linked up. A row of joined hands, a shared decision.

  "Everyone ready?"

  "Yes!" they exclaimed unanimously.

  Mauricio rested his palm on the tree bark and, in a blink, everyone vanished.

  They appeared suddenly in a vibrant, almost luminous forest. Giant leaves whispered with iridescent breezes, and small creatures, with transparent wings, floated as if they were fragments of light escaped from the sky.

  In front of them rose the edge of the floating island of Jadek.

  A colossus suspended in the air, as big as a city, held by living roots that shone like crystal veins. Waterfalls descended from its edges and vanished into mist before touching the ground. The island emitted a constant hum, similar to the song of an ancestral choir.

  Everyone was left breathless, marveled by what they were experiencing and witnessing.

  Everyone... except Hammya.

  While the others stood open-mouthed, she looked around with a strange restlessness, searching for something or someone, as if a hidden presence were whispering to her from among the trees. Candado noticed that lack of awe. Something didn’t fit.

  Before he could say anything, two figures approached: Victorino Aurelio, impeccable in his dark suit, his elegant horns and lizard tail, and Camila Zaracho, more formal than usual.

  "Greetings, Roobóleo Guild. We were waiting for you," Camila said with a slight bow.

  Candado took a step forward and shook both their hands.

  "Good to see you. Take me to Sara."

  "It shall be done," Aurelio replied.

  The group advanced, guided by them. As they climbed a path of crystalline roots, the town of Jadek unfolded before their eyes: houses that seemed to grow from the trees, bridges of solid light, beings of hybrid forms—between humans and ancient creatures—walking in harmony. Children with bluish skin played with floating spheres; elders with multiple eyes told stories under lamps that breathed like giant fireflies.

  Victims of the Agents, refugees, mutants, people with broken stories... and other people who were simply born different and had found their perfect hiding place.

  But at some point along the way, Clementina noticed something: a flicker in her internal vision, an alert. Someone had left her protection range.

  Hammya.

  Clementina covertly touched Candado’s back and traced an "H" with her fingertips.

  Candado barely turned his face and saw her walking away into the trees.

  "Watch her," he whispered.

  Clementina nodded and silently separated from the group.

  The forest wasn’t deep, but it was vibrant: the trunks seemed to breathe and the air smelled of sweet fruit and energy. Crossing it, Clementina reached a clearing in a valley, where she saw Hammya approaching two people: Hachipusaq, recognizable even with a mask, and a man completely covered up.

  A tense conversation. An unexpected hug.

  Too much affection for a chance encounter.

  Clementina decided not to approach. She remained hidden. Until she felt hands grab her by the nape of her neck.

  "Good morning," murmured a voice.

  She spun around immediately.

  The face... was identical to Candado.

  It was Sheldon.

  Clementina transformed her arm into a machete and swung in a quick slash, but he leaped back with agility.

  "A crude copy of the invidious Dr. Mario," he scoffed.

  "I couldn't agree more," Sheldon replied, shrugging. "But my job is to protect Hachipusaq. I suggest you withdraw before we have to..."

  He didn’t finish the rest.

  Clementina had already converted her arm into a machine gun.

  "Eliminating threats," she said with an artificially robotic voice, and opened fire.

  Sheldon dodged the bullets, wrapping his fist in a black aura.

  "Well, time to take out the trash."

  "Same to you."

  They were about to clash when a voice cut through them like lightning.

  "STOP!"

  Hammya, hands outstretched, pleading.

  Hachipusaq and the masked man emerged behind her.

  "Miss Hammya, why are you here?" Clementina asked, confused, still ready to attack.

  "Why don't I just rip your head off?" Sheldon spat.

  "Enough, Sheldon," Hachipusaq ordered with a distorted voice.

  Sheldon sighed theatrically and sat off to the side, sulking.

  Hammya approached Clementina.

  "Listen to me, please. I know how much you care about Candado. I understand because I... I care about him too. But you must trust me: he is in danger. And so are you all. I wouldn't do anything to hurt him."

  Clementina scanned her. No drugs. No mental manipulation. And no lies.

  "She speaks the truth," said Hachipusaq.

  Both men removed their masks... and Clementina froze at the revelation.

  "No... it can't be..." she murmured, stepping back, trembling.

  Hammya approached calmly.

  "Please, Clementina. Don’t tell Candado. He’s not ready. Not yet."

  Sheldon clicked his tongue in a mocking tone.

  "Trust her words, doll."

  Hachipusaq’s companion added:

  "We all seek the same thing. The truth will come out... but not today."

  Clementina was disoriented. In shock.

  "I can’t hide it from him... He will find out."

  "But you can do something," Hammya said, with a plea in her eyes.

  "What?"

  "I can forget. You... you can delete me."

  Hammya froze.

  Clementina opened the front part of her chest and extracted a small device: a control with a dial and a red button.

  "Take it. I cannot delete my own files. But you can do it for me."

  "Clementina... I can’t."

  "I will only lose forty minutes. Nothing will happen to me. If this information can save him, then I must not have it."

  Hammya hesitated... but accepted.

  Clementina hugged her.

  "Then promise you will tell me everything, Miss Hammya," she said with tenderness.

  "Thank you," Hammya whispered, returning the hug.

  When Hammya approached the house with the other two, Clementina stopped her.

  "When this is all over... go to the Barrett house. He will be happy to see you."

  Hammya nodded and disappeared behind the door.

  Clementina smiled with nostalgia.

  "Anything for the Young Master."

  She closed her eyes.

  A vibration ran through her body; not painful, but annoying, like a deep hum. When she opened them, she was disoriented. She didn’t remember how she had gotten there.

  Hammya watched her from the distance. Then she destroyed the control, as Clementina had indicated. Hachipusaq incinerated the remains and left, feigning a casual goodbye.

  Hammya approached Clementina with a calm smile.

  "Hi, Clem. Did you follow me?"

  "Uhh... Noooo..."

  "It was Candado, wasn't it?"

  "...No... Well... yes."

  Hammya laughed sweetly.

  "He was worried, wasn't he?"

  "Maybe. Perhaps."

  "You don't need to lie, Clementina. He sent you."

  "I am terrible at lying," she said, dejected.

  "I went to see some friends who helped me when I was saved," Hammya explained.

  "Oh... I understand. And are they well? Are you well?"

  "Very well. Thanks for worrying."

  "A pleasure."

  "Shall we go back?"

  "Of course. We don't want to worry the Young Master."

  Both returned. Candado was just finishing greeting those present.

  "Where were you?" he asked.

  "Visiting friends," Hammya replied.

  Candado looked at Clementina. She smiled with total sincerity.

  "Yes. That is how it was."

  "Really?"

  "Of course, Young Master. I was present."

  Candado narrowed his eyes... then relented.

  "I’ll believe you this time. But if I find out you’re lying to me, it will go very badly for you."

  "I am not lying to you," she replied with serenity.

  Candado sighed.

  Then he turned to everyone.

  "Good. We are here. This will be the home of the future government of this new nation. Here its official name, its flag, and its constitution will be born. Today... the Third Society rises."

  The group felt surprised upon hearing that. But Hammya... Hammya was not smiling; she wore a face full of worry.