– CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO –

  LIAR

  Americ-Ana had already been sitting for more than an hour in an administrative office of the Solomon Coliseum. Ever since Headmistress Popess Rock had appeared beside the angel Reiyel, wearing that severe expression that seemed able to pierce through walls, Americ-Ana had been escorted to the place where she now waited.

  Before that, however, she had been taken through another room, one that looked more like a courtroom. Bylly had remained at her side the entire time, asking how she had managed to activate the Jump Chronos Station portal beneath the glass platform and, on top of that, how she had managed to cross it. Americ-Ana explained again and again that Poppandacorn had activated the portal with a purple light that had come from his finger, but no one seemed to believe her. And when one said "no one," it did not include only Bylly, but Headmistress Popess Rock herself, other patrons who also interrogated her with raised voices and shouted questions, and, worst of all, Patron Uvo.

  Patron Uvo seemed to relish the entire situation as a pretext to shout louder than the others. At one point, he almost grabbed Poppandacorn by the neck, ready to give him another kick in the rear, just like he had done in Mulafossur, after Poppandacorn dressed up as a lawyer and shouted "OBJECTION!" while Patron Uvo accused Americ-Ana.

  The accusation itself Americ-Ana did not quite understand. But from the way they spoke, crossing the Jump Chronos Station portal beneath the glass platform in the Solomon Coliseum seemed to be treated as a crime as grave as killing someone, or perhaps even worse.

  With the fireplace lit before her, Americ-Ana watched the flames devour the wood. Heat danced in the air, casting trembling shadows along the walls. Her backside was already starting to ache from sitting so long, but she did not dare shift even a single centimeter. By that point, she had the unmistakable impression that the simple act of breathing could be used to blame her for something.

  The moment she and Poppandacorn were alone, Americ-Ana issued hard, explicit orders, almost threatening, for the robotic panda to project a gag over his own mouth, and shackles on his hands and feet. She wanted him silent and utterly still. That way, she would not risk Poppandacorn speaking at the wrong moment and making the situation even worse, provoking one of the patrons, especially Patron Uvo, into even greater irritation, which would surely mean more trouble for her.

  Poppandacorn stood beside the chair, motionless, like a statue. The digital gag covered his mouth, the restraints shone around his wrists and ankles. The only sound filling the room was the crackle of flames from the fireplace, a sound Americ-Ana held onto, fixing her attention there as she tried to calm herself.

  Then, all at once, the door swung open. A whirlwind of voices invaded the room, people talking over one another, hurried footsteps scattering across the floor. Americ-Ana did not dare look back to see who was entering. She kept her eyes on the fireplace, as if the fire were a shield.

  But soon figures began to enter her field of vision. Headmistress Popess Rock came first, with the angel Reiyel just behind her. Patron Uvo appeared with a closed expression, his face carrying the same hardness as before. Bylly would not stop talking, gesturing as he spoke, while the headmistress listened with sharp attention. The other patrons of the KING MatNat Games spread through the room, taking up nearly all the space, arguing and speaking loudly.

  In the corner, slightly removed from the commotion, Americ-Ana managed to see Nome-Rocky and, beside him, hand in hand, Parys Bloodpure.

  The conversation was intensifying inside the room when, in her peripheral vision, Americ-Ana saw three figures approaching.

  "Man, this is so dramatic. Completely unnecessary." Wwwyye said, sitting down on one side of Americ-Ana.

  "And it is not for nothing. Everything that happened was intense." Astyam commented, spraying nasal spray before settling, rigid and still, on the other side.

  "I regret nothing. I would do it again." It was Nioh Nemmesis, coughing as he took a swallow of his own syrup and struggled to sit in another chair.

  Upon recognizing their voices, Americ-Ana finally found the courage to look to either side.

  "Wait... what are you doing here?" Americ-Ana asked, her voice sounding more like a whisper.

  Wwwyye was the first to answer.

  "All drama. So much drama. I do not see any reason for me to be here."

  Astyam leaned forward and shot back.

  "Flipping the middle finger at all of THE-IMPERIUM in a moment as solemn as LEVEL ONE of the KING MatNat Games seems like more than enough reason to be here."

  "Whatever. I do not care." Wwwyye replied, shaking her shoulders.

  "But you, Astyam, why are you here?" Americ-Ana wanted to know, trying to imagine what the boy might have done.

  "I did not do anything wrong. Director Popess Rock only called me because she said she has something to give back." Astyam replied, pressing the nasal spray into his nostrils with even more force when he said the word "wrong."

  Americ-Ana then looked at Nioh Nemmesis, who took another swallow of his syrup and coughed discreetly. When she was about to ask Nioh something, Wwwyye cut in first.

  "You will not believe what this lunatic did. He pulled down his pants in front of all of THE-IMPERIUM and urinated on the altar." Wwwyye laughed as if she were telling the most unbelievable story in the world.

  "How?" Americ-Ana choked, trying to process the scene.

  Nioh only coughed and took yet another sip from his bottle of syrup.

  Then Wwwyye continued.

  "But you, Americ-Ana, is it true what I heard the patrons saying in the corridor? You broke into the Vault beneath the altar, with this little guy here?" Wwwyye pointed at Poppandacorn.

  Poppandacorn tried to speak, his voice muffled under the gag, gesturing with his little shackled hands. Americ-Ana opened her mouth to answer Wwwyye, but before she could say anything, another voice rose above all the others filling the room.

  "Children of the Most High! Attention! Sit down, all of you! Order, please. Order!"

  Director Popess Rock moved to the center, taking command of the room.

  Each person searched for somewhere to settle among armchairs, sofas, chairs, and divans. The hubbub began to fade, little by little, like a tide pulling back.

  While Director Popess Rock arranged, in her mind, the words she would speak, the angel Reiyel positioned himself behind her, upright and silent, forming a kind of shield, a towering wall of celestial bodyguard.

  "Children of the Almighty, in this edition of the KING MatNat Games we have had many surprises, some spirits quite inflamed, and it is obvious that every action generates a reaction. Every act has its consequences, and that is precisely why we are here."

  Director Popess Rock drew a deep breath and interlaced her fingers, holding her hands in front of her body.

  "We are here to debate whether there is a possibility of resolving every impasse as the brothers we are, children of the great Triune God, without having to take these cases to the Judiciary of THE-IMPERIUM, that is, to the Pyramid GEBURAH. We are here to solve our matters without creating any problem for our beloved President, CEO Magnum."

  Some of those present cleared their throats and shifted in their seats when Director Popess Rock mentioned the Judiciary of THE-IMPERIUM and President CEO Magnum.

  Director Popess Rock stepped forward. The angel Reiyel matched her pace, staying just behind her.

  "We have here two unprecedented cases of obscene and lamentable behavior during a moment as solemn as LEVEL ONE of the KING MatNat Games."

  Popess Rock’s gaze fell directly on Wwwyye and Nioh.

  "The daughter of the Most High, Miss Wwwyye Helllwk, who showed the middle finger to all the citizens of THE-IMPERIUM. And the beloved of Almighty God, Mr. Nioh Nemmesis, who, in addition to destroying practically the entire altar of the KING MatNat Games, pulled down his pants and urinated before millions of people."

  Hearing her own story out loud, Wwwyye let out a short laugh. Popess Rock stared at her with such severity that the laugh died on the spot. Wwwyye lowered her head, holding back any further reaction.

  "After much discussion with the patrons of Organ The Commander, as well as with the Director and the Counselors, and even the intervention of the avatar Alexander the Great, it was decided that the daughter of the Most High, Wwwyye Helllwk, will receive the following punishment: to clean all the statues of the Statue Garden of Route Magnolia, in the Prince Equal One Zero Pyramid," said Director Popess Rock.

  "What? Have you all gone mad? Do you have any idea how many statues there are in that place? That is practically impossible!" Wwwyye sprang to her feet at once and began to shout.

  Immediately, the patrons of Organ The Commander stood up and launched into a heated argument with the patrons of Organ The Messenger.

  "If she thinks the sentence is too much, then she should think twice before making that gesture in front of all the children of THE-IMPERIUM. As far as I am concerned, we should activate the Pyramid GEBURAH immediately," one patron shouted.

  "But she is the daughter of the richest man in THE-IMPERIUM. What image would that send to millions of citizens?" another patron shot back, trying to assert himself amid the shouting.

  "This is not a popularity contest. She must serve the sentence according to the proportion of her actions," another patron insisted on being heard over the others.

  "Silence, children of God! Silence! The decision has already been made. The majority has already agreed with the punishment imposed." Director Popess Rock raised her voice above all the others, cutting through the tumult.

  This time, Director Popess Rock turned to Nioh.

  "The son of God, Nioh Nemmesis, destroyed part of the altar because of his discontent with the demon’s decision not to accept his pact proposal. As for that, all costs for the damages caused are being forwarded, and the charge will be duly collected from the coffers of the Nemmesis family and from the NEMMESIS SEEDS group. As for the obscene act of pulling down his pants and urinating before all of THE-IMPERIUM, the punishment imposed will be to clean all the statues of the Statue Garden of Route Magnolia, in the Prince Equal One Zero Pyramid."

  Upon hearing Director Popess Rock’s sentence, Nioh Nemmesis had such a violent coughing fit that he ended up falling out of his chair. Immediately, the patrons of Organ The Guardian rushed to help him.

  Meanwhile, the other patrons, representing the remaining Organs, began to shout and argue among themselves again. For nearly a full minute, insults and accusations crisscrossed the room like bursts, blending into a single chaotic noise.

  Then Director Popess Rock raised her voice again, cutting through the tumult.

  "Children of the Most High! Attention! Let us keep order. Let us keep order. Now we still need to discuss the case that I would say is the most problematic and grave of all. The case of the daughter of God, the player Americ-Ana Delsilva."

  All eyes turned to Americ-Ana.

  She lowered her head and felt her cheeks flush beneath the QR Code marks on her face. At the sound of her name, Patron Uvo immediately took a step forward. Bylly, noticing his reaction, stood as well and positioned himself beside Americ-Ana.

  "As everyone already knows, the Vault beneath the altar has been breached. We still do not know in what way, nor by what means." Director Popess Rock continued, steady. "The only thing we know is that, by a divine miracle, the daughter of the Most High did not meet a tragic and painful death through the Lacrimosa."

  Patron Uvo fired instantly.

  "We do know, yes, Director Popess Rock! This scholarship girl has been a threat to THE-IMPERIUM from the moment she set foot in this bunker."

  Bylly shot back, leaning his body forward.

  "Just a moment, fluffy! Are you saying that a common child, from the common world, who has never had access to the technologies and demonic pacts that exist only here in THE-IMPERIUM, is a threat to an entire bunker?"

  Patron Uvo raised his voice again.

  "In what other way, by what other means, how did she manage to cross the Jump Chronos Station portal beneath the altar? That is impossible! Unless..."

  He moved even closer to Americ-Ana, lifted a finger in accusation, and concluded.

  "She is an emissary of Rabbi Worse Devil himself!"

  At once, all the patrons began arguing out loud again. The room filled with crossfire accusations, indignant sighs, and sentences cut off midstream.

  Under renewed calls for silence, Director Popess Rock managed, little by little, to calm the tempers.

  "That is a very serious accusation, child of the Most High, Patron Uvo, one that can lead to trial, expulsion, and perhaps even life imprisonment in THE-IMPERIUM for treason."

  Patron Uvo spoke again:

  "This is exactly what must be done! Prevention is the best remedy against any imminent harm. It is so obvious: a stranger from outside enters THE-IMPERIUM and, suddenly, manages to gain access to a highly guarded Vault, considered impossible to access, and, on top of that, manages to survive the Lacrimosa? Ladies and gentlemen, we must take the scholarship girl’s case, in particular, into the hands of the Pyramid GEBURAH."

  Bylly raised his voice again.

  "Just a moment, fluffy! Making a poor child the enemy and the prime suspect to relieve the pressure of responsibility for security is quite convenient, is it not, fluffy? Especially when THE-IMPERIUM’s security failures cannot be a reason to crucify a child. I am sure there is a perfectly plausible explanation for how Americ-Ana, fluffy, managed to enter the Vault guarded by the Lacrimosa."

  Director Popess Rock then turned her gaze directly to Americ-Ana.

  "Daughter of the Most High, please, tell us again how you gained access to the Vault beneath the altar."

  Americ-Ana swallowed hard. She cleared her throat before she began to speak.

  "As I have already said, Director Popess Rock, a purple light came out of my Poppandacorn’s finger and entered the portal. Right after that, it became active, as if it had come to life."

  "NONSENSE!" Patron Uvo shouted.

  Director Popess Rock lifted a hand, cutting Patron Uvo’s attack in half and imposing silence.

  "But, daughter of the Most High, tell us, for the love of our Eternal Father Creator: what motivated you to go beneath the glass platform? Why, during the Paintball game, did you end up down there?"

  Americ-Ana cleared her throat again.

  "Because Parys Bloodpure told me to hide there."

  At once, a jolt of voices ran through the entire room, like a held thunderclap bursting all at once.

  "That is a lie!" Parys Bloodpure, who until then had been seated beside Nome-Rocky, sprang up, indignant. "I was the whole time trying to hide from AMON, the demon drawn to be the Paintball weapon this year. While I was trying to hide myself, I was covering for Nome-Rocky. Everyone knows we work as a team. Every year Nome-Rocky covers for me and I cover for him. It has always been that way."

  Then Nome-Rocky stood and said.

  "Excuse me, everyone, ladies and gentlemen. But what Parys Bloodpure said is true. She was with me at every moment and, in none of those moments, was she near the scholarship girl."

  Another murmur of heated voices swept through the room, growing into a tense buzzing.

  Under Director Popess Rock’s command, everyone fell silent again.

  "Daughter of the Most High, are you truly telling the truth?"

  Americ-Ana, on impulse, rose to her feet. With a trembling voice and eyes thick with tears, she said:

  "I may be an immigrant, I may be a scholarship girl, I may be a stranger in this place. But if there is one thing I am not, it is a liar. I only went beneath the glass platform because Parys Bloodpure told me it was a safe place to hide from the demon AMON. She told me that every year she herself, Bloodpure, hid there and managed to win the game."

  Another heated murmur passed through the room. Director Popess Rock held the tempers back.

  Then, suddenly, Parys Bloodpure moved toward the center.

  "I can prove I was at Nome-Rocky’s side the entire time. The drone footage will prove it."

  At that moment, Parys made a gesture on her bracelet. The door to the room opened, and a drone flew in, hovering before her. Right after that, the footage began to play.

  "As you can see, I was with Nome-Rocky the entire time. I did not separate from him at any point during the game."

  Parys Bloodpure fast-forwarded the recordings until the entire course of the game, from beginning to end, had been shown. And every image, frame by frame, proved that Parys had been with Nome-Rocky the whole time and, at no moment, spoke to Americ-Ana or even came near her.

  Director Popess Rock turned to Americ-Ana.

  "What do you have to say about this, daughter of the Most High?"

  Americ-Ana, still standing, answered with a choked voice.

  "I am not a liar. I know what I saw. Parys Bloodpure was the one who told me to hide beneath the glass platform."

  Then Bylly took a step forward.

  "Let us do the following, fluffy. Since the drones captured all the footage, I believe there is footage of Americ-Ana, fluffy, in the records. I would like to see it, please, fluffy."

  Parys Bloodpure gave the drone a command. The images shifted and now showed Americ-Ana, the exact moment she hid in the shadows, the instant when Americ-Ana swore Parys had appeared. But the footage did not zoom in enough. It showed only Americ-Ana hiding. Soon after, the recordings displayed her, Americ-Ana, carrying Poppandacorn and slipping beneath the glass platform.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The murmur began to swell among those present again, but this time it was Bylly who called for silence.

  "Fluffy! Let us do the following. We will examine Poppandacorn now, fluffy, and verify the images contained in his file bank."

  At that moment, Poppandacorn, gagged and shackled at his Mommy’s command, began to babble disconnected words. Bylly stepped closer and removed the gag from the panda’s mouth. Then Poppandacorn said:

  "It is not possible. Poppa does not have any recorded images from that moment."

  Patron Uvo let out a loud laugh.

  "Ah-ha! Very convenient, I would say. Here is the proof of the lie, ladies and gentlemen."

  Then Bylly crouched down and looked into Poppandacorn’s eyes.

  "Tell me, fluffy, why do you not have those images? Do you have them and do not want to show them because you think this could harm your 'Mommy', or do you truly not have them?"

  Poppandacorn, mimicking Bylly’s gesture, crouched as well, becoming smaller still.

  "Madame Bylly Fluffy, Poppa does not have images of Mommy because Director Popess Rock blocked all of Poppa’s recording modes when Poppa and Mommy went to visit Director Popess Rock in the laboratory. Since that visit, after the manual commands in Poppa’s little head, Poppa has not recorded a single image anymore."

  Poppandacorn stepped into the center of the room and pointed to his own unicorn horn, the place of the manual commands, and then to Director Popess Rock.

  In that instant, the agitation in the room became so great that the angel Reiyel struck his great wings, unleashing a gust that sent several books and papers tumbling, throwing some of those present off balance in their seats.

  Everyone was staring at Director Popess Rock.

  "Children of the Most High, what this robotic creature is saying is true. I invited them to the laboratory and, for security reasons, I deactivated the recording mode of this little machine child and then I completely forgot to reactivate it. I accept this blame, sons and daughters of the Most High."

  Another murmur ran through the room.

  Patron Uvo, however, took the floor again.

  "But that does not justify it. Anyone knows that beneath the glass platform, that is, beneath the altar where the pacts are celebrated, lies the Vault that, until now, is forbidden to any intruder without authorization. The Vault beneath the altar is, or at least should be, the safest place in THE-IMPERIUM. All the inhabitants of THE-IMPERIUM know that."

  At that moment, Americ-Ana, who until then had remained standing, trembling, raised her voice with all the courage she possessed.

  "I did not know, Patron Uvo! No one told me that it was a forbidden place to hide. No one explained the rules of the Paintball game to me. No one told me what to do. To put it better... Parys Bloodpure told me what to do, and what she told me was to hide down there beneath the glass platform!"

  "I did not! Liar!" Parys Bloodpure shouted.

  Director Popess Rock then turned to Nome-Rocky.

  "Child of the Most High and of my entrails. You, as Ambassador of the Equal One Zero Academy, did you explain the rules of the game that you veterans celebrate at the beginning of each season of the KING MatNat Games?"

  Nome-Rocky swallowed hard.

  "No, ma’am."

  Another murmur ran through the room.

  At that moment, Bylly stepped closer to Patron Uvo and spoke loudly, on purpose, so that everyone would hear:

  "Patron Uvo, fluffy. Since you insist on taking this case to the Pyramid GEBURAH, I will personally file a request for blood tests to be performed on all the veterans present at the Paintball initiation game, in order to verify whether any chemical or strange product, I mean, any intoxicant, can be found."

  At once, several patrons rose and moved toward Bylly, shouting and yelling, trying to intimidate her.

  "Who do you think you are to request anything, Bylly? You must be a Patron for at least three consecutive years to request anything!" Patron Uvo shouted.

  This time, it was Director Popess Rock who raised her voice.

  "SILENCE! Silence, children of the Most High! Let us keep order, after all we are here beneath the presence of the Supreme God. Let us keep decorum."

  Then Patron Uvo requested a five-minute recess. He and all the other patrons, except Bylly, gathered outside the room. When the five minutes had passed, they all returned. Patron Uvo stepped forward and said:

  "We have a consensus, Director Popess Rock. And when I say 'we have,' I mean myself and all the patrons present here, including the patrons of Organ The Messenger."

  Bylly narrowed her eyes and moved even closer to Americ-Ana.

  "Speak, child of the Most High, Patron Uvo. What do you and the other patrons propose?" Popess Rock said.

  Patron Uvo lifted his chin in a gesture of hauteur.

  "We are all in agreement that the player Americ-Ana Delsilva committed something most grave by invading a completely restricted Vault and putting the security of THE-IMPERIUM at risk. We are also in agreement that the mere fact that she was inside the Vault is, in itself, sufficient reason for us to take this case to the Pyramid GEBURAH. But, according to her, and in her own words, a mere scholarship girl from outside, she levels a grave accusation against one of the most recognized faces of THE-IMPERIUM, Miss Parys Bloodpure. There is also the fact that this toy, which never leaves the scholarship girl, this Poppandacorn specimen of the Poopghene Franchise, was not recording at the moment in question, for technical reasons that Director Popess Rock herself knows and in which she is implicated. Given the current circumstances, I propose that we do not take the present case to the Pyramid GEBURAH. But there is also no reason for the scholarship girl not to be punished for what she has done. After all, she was found inside the Vault, and that, in itself, is most grave."

  Patron Uvo gave a malicious smile.

  "On this occasion, after speaking with the other patrons and counselors, we suggest that, as punishment, the scholarship girl be forced to take part in LEVEL THREE of the KING MatNat Games."

  At that moment, Bylly stepped forward.

  "Inadmissible, fluffy! Inadmissible! She has no experience in the KING MatNat Games. She is only a child. The last first year student to face LEVEL THREE of the KING MatNat Games was Director Popess Rock herself. No one else, after that, managed to reach LEVEL THREE in their first year at Equal One Zero Academy. This is inadmissible."

  The other patrons began to say:

  "Inadmissible, but fair under the circumstances. Let the scholarship girl be put to the test in LEVEL THREE as punishment for the fact that she was found inside a forbidden Vault."

  One by one, all the patrons began to agree.

  Bylly clasped her hands together as if in prayer and stepped closer to Director Popess Rock.

  "Director, fluffy, please. Look upon this scholarship girl with eyes of love and compassion. Having passed LEVEL ONE is already a historic feat. You, the great Popess Rock, the greatest KING MatNat player of all time, know how risky and dangerous it is for a first year academic to be sent to LEVEL THREE. I come to ask, humbly, fluffy, that you do not approve this decision. This is madness, it is completely inadmissible."

  Director Popess Rock stepped closer to Bylly and laid her hands upon her head, as if granting a divine blessing in the midst of prayer. Then she said:

  "Daughter of the Most High, I know very well how challenging the KING MatNat Games are, all the more so for a newly arrived girl, an outsider. But I have two things to tell you, beloved of God. The first is that the overwhelming majority of the patrons, including the counselors present here, that is, all four Organs of Equal One Zero Academy represented in this room, voted for the daughter of the Great God, Americ-Ana, to receive, as punishment, participation in LEVEL THREE. I simply cannot intervene in the decision nor in the vote of the majority of the patrons and counselors. That is not for me to decide."

  Director Popess Rock drew a deep breath and went on:

  "In second place, beloved daughter of the Father, as you yourself said, I, Popess Rock, know the challenges of the KING MatNat Games in depth. And I dare to say that, as the best of all time, I believe this daughter of God, Americ-Ana Delsilva, can surprise us. After all, she has already come this far and secured a place in LEVEL TWO, something that only happened in the past century, something only I accomplished. Do not underestimate Americ-Ana, dear Bylly. This daughter of the Most High may surprise all of us."

  Americ-Ana, who until then was still standing, not fully understanding the scale of everything that was happening, looked around. She saw the patrons arguing out loud, some gesturing with heated intensity. Further on, her eyes reached Parys Bloodpure, leaning toward Patron Uvo, whispering something into his ear. The two of them stared at Americ-Ana while Parys spoke, as if they were measuring her.

  Then Patron Uvo took the floor again.

  "Attention, everyone, my dear ones! I have extraordinary news. Miss Bloodpure insisted that she herself be the scholarship girl’s opponent in LEVEL THREE."

  He pointed to Parys as the other patrons reacted with expressions of surprise.

  "According to Miss Bloodpure, her honor was called into question by the scholarship girl, when she was accused of lying and of being, in a way, the mastermind behind the attempt to invade the Vault. In this way, nothing is more just than for Miss Bloodpure to have the right to offer herself and be chosen to face the scholarship girl, since it was the scholarship girl herself who wounded Miss Bloodpure’s dignity."

  The other patrons agreed with Patron Uvo’s words.

  Bylly, however, seemed even more outraged.

  "Fluffy, this is outside any agreement. Miss Parys Bloodpure, fluffy, is a VALUE 4 player. She has far more experience in the Games than Americ-Ana. This is not fair in any instance of the Games."

  Then, to everyone’s surprise, Parys Bloodpure stepped forward.

  "Attention, everyone present. Let you serve as witnesses. I, Parys Bloodpure, place myself to the test to face the scholarship girl in the KING MatNat Games LEVEL THREE, to defend my honor. Moreover, since I am a VALUE 4 player, I allow and grant the scholarship girl the right to use four players supporting her during the game, so that no one will think she is at a disadvantage."

  All the patrons agreed.

  Director Popess Rock then said:

  "Children of the Most High, since that is so, the only alternative left is the following: since the player Americ-Ana Delsilva is part of a shared CELL with two other people, in addition to her own Poppandacorn, let Americ-Ana play in LEVEL THREE accompanied by her two CELL colleagues, Wwwyye and Astyam, and by the robotic child Poppandacorn. Thus we will have a fairer contest."

  The patrons agreed.

  Bylly, however, still wore her worry plainly on her face.

  Hearing their names, Wwwyye removed her pink top hat and began scratching her scalp with both hands, as if pleading for help from some invisible entity. Astyam, in turn, suffered a sneezing fit and, as he sprayed his nasal spray, ended up choking, half suffocated. Poppandacorn, on the other hand, did the opposite: he now projected bodybuilder muscles onto his body and struck intimidating poses in Parys Bloodpure’s direction.

  Director Popess Rock took the floor again.

  "It is decided, children of the Most High. The KING MatNat player Americ-Ana Delsilva will receive, as punishment for violating the Vault beneath the altar, the sentence of having to proceed and play in LEVEL THREE of the KING MatNat Games against the player Parys Bloodpure. All those present are hereby duly summoned for the holding of this game."

  The murmur took over the room again, with all the patrons arguing out loud. In the middle of the confusion, while Americ-Ana tried to make Poppandacorn stop provoking Parys Bloodpure, she felt someone’s hand pass around her waist.

  "Do not worry. For someone who managed to go to LEVEL TWO in her first year, without ever having heard of the KING MatNat Games, I am sure you will do well in LEVEL THREE," said Nome-Rocky, sketching a sideways smile.

  Americ-Ana startled at the sudden touch on her waist, but she was still sharp enough to notice that Nome-Rocky was smeared with golden paint.

  "Hey! The demon AMON hit you with my paint. You owe me a wish." Americ-Ana said.

  "You can bet I do." Nome-Rocky replied, smiling.

  "Love! Let’s go now!" Parys Bloodpure suddenly shouted, her cheeks red.

  Little by little, the room began to empty. Chairs scraped across the floor in one last dry chorus, while the patrons’ loud voices kept arguing, now already echoing outside in the corridor, sounding distant, like thunder moving away.

  Bylly stepped closer to Americ-Ana.

  "Fluffy, I am so sorry, but you will have to take part in LEVEL THREE. Try to stay as calm as you possibly can, all right, fluffy? We will have classes, practice, and training before the game takes place."

  Americ-Ana drew a deep breath, took two steps toward Bylly, and asked:

  "Bylly, do you believe me? I am not a liar. I did not lie. No one told me about the rules of that stupid Paintball game, and I swear, I swear on everything, that Parys Bloodpure appeared in that alley where I hid and told me to hide beneath the altar. And I swear even more that a purple light came out of Poppa’s little finger and opened the portal."

  Poppandacorn, hearing the conversation, was now dressed as a scout. He raised his little hand in a pledge, the classic "scout’s honor" gesture, and came closer, poking Bylly’s arm to reinforce that the truth was being told.

  "Fluffy, I believe you. But, unfortunately, the others do not. There is a great deal of evil in THE-IMPERIUM. Evils that not even a demon would dare commit, but a human being would. I am going to take care of you, and I will do my utmost to make sure you win LEVEL THREE. After all, fluffy, now I am your Patron."

  The two of them embraced.

  "Thank you so much, Bylly, for accepting me."

  Bylly let out a short laugh, almost vain.

  "Of course I would accept you, fluffy. You have no idea how my business grew and expanded after you showed up wearing that 'denim overalls' white rabbit outfit I gave you, doing your famous 'Quebradores' in the kitchen of the Poopghene shop, in the Pyramid Geburah. And now, after you became the first of the twenty-first century to reach LEVEL TWO in your first year, my business has already started expanding even more."

  For the first time since all that chaos, Americ-Ana felt peace and joy in her heart because something had gone right for Bylly. She felt useful in THE-IMPERIUM, felt that she could do something meaningful in that place for many other people. And the first of them had been Bylly. That brought her peace. So much peace.

  Wwwyye, Astyam, and Nioh came closer.

  "I did not get the chance to properly congratulate you on your success in LEVEL TWO of the KING MatNat Games." Wwwyye said, removing her pink top hat and offering an improvised curtsy.

  "Congratulations! I feel proud to share a CELL with you." Astyam added, spraying nasal spray into his nose.

  "The first of our century. Congratulations, Americ-Ana." Nioh also offered, taking a sip of his syrup right after.

  Americ-Ana, however, lowered her head, feeling her face warm with embarrassment.

  "Thank you so much, all of you. But, honestly, I cannot help feeling guilty for making you two go to LEVEL THREE with me."

  "Are you serious? Do not apologize." Wwwyye replied, lifting an eyebrow. "I would never go to LEVEL THREE if I were not forced. My intention is to stay only in LEVEL TWO. So going with you, the owner of BAAL’s seal, is profit, it is experience, it is learning. I am fine with it."

  "I also do not plan to go to LEVEL THREE if I manage to secure a pact in the next years." Astyam agreed. "I prefer to stay in LEVEL TWO. Just like Wwwyye said, going to LEVEL THREE with you will count as learning for me."

  Americ-Ana looked to either side, making sure no one else was paying attention, moved even closer to the group, and spoke in a low voice:

  "Something very strange has been going on since I was drawn to enter THE-IMPERIUM."

  Nioh, who had been distracted by his bottle of syrup, choked, coughed, and asked:

  "What do you mean by 'very strange'?"

  Americ-Ana looked to either side again. Wwwyye, Astyam, and Nioh leaned in, closing the circle around her even more.

  "I think there is a kind of secret society involving some people here."

  Everyone’s eyes widened, immediately on alert. Americ-Ana went on, her voice now tense, but steady:

  "Ever since I was drawn to enter THE-IMPERIUM, I have been seeing a ring with the insignia of a dolphin engraved on it. First it was with Seth, then with the Chancellor. Then, when we carried out our mission aboard the Jump Kairos Trip. Then with Patron Uvo, Thor, Donnie, and Jessie. And, lastly, with Parys Bloodpure, when she appeared to me, in the shadows. But there is more."

  Wwwyye, Astyam, and Nioh held their breath, determined not to miss a single word of what Americ-Ana was about to reveal next.

  "Someone kept me locked in Mulafossur so that I would not take part in LEVEL ONE of the KING MatNat Games."

  Nioh began to cough, choking on the air. Wwwyye lunged forward.

  "Who locked you in there? Do you know who it was? Tell us!"

  Americ-Ana narrowed her eyes even more.

  "I do not know exactly who might have done it. But I suspect that person is part of this secret society. Or, who knows, maybe more than one person locked me inside Mulafossur. When Poppa and I were trapped there, one of the guardians appeared, one of that place’s sentinels, a sea monster called Poseidon 4.0. He said he is the son of the Dolphin Demon and that he takes orders from those who wear the dolphin ring. But there is one thing, actually two things, that do not quite fit with what I have been noticing."

  Wwwyye, Astyam, and Nioh were now open-mouthed at Americ-Ana’s theories.

  "Go on, say it!"

  "Okay, I will. I can even understand that, among the names I mentioned, there are people who hate me and want me out of here. But it does not justify Seth, and even less the Chancellor, being part of this secret society. They have always been very good to me. The Chancellor, in fact, was the one who brought me to THE-IMPERIUM and even gave me Poppa."

  Poppandacorn gave a small wave when he was mentioned, with the mannerisms of someone feeling shy.

  "You think this secret society exists and wants you out of here?" Wwwyye asked.

  Americ-Ana nodded yes.

  "It is worth remembering that the demon Parys Bloodpure managed to form a pact with this year was RONOVE." Astyam added.

  "Exactly. He looks like a dolphin." Americ-Ana observed.

  "That is why Parys Bloodpure led you to believe that hiding beneath the altar would be a good idea." Astyam deduced. "I am surprised you were not killed by the Lacrimosa."

  "In fact, it was not the Lacrimosa who appeared." Americ-Ana said.

  Nioh choked again, suffocating on his own cough.

  "What do you mean it was not the Lacrimosa? How can you be sure of that?"

  "Well... I do not know what form Lacrimosa has, and I do not know exactly what it is. But what appeared while I was down there was an Ophanim. I knew it was an Ophanim because the Chancellor has already described to me what an Ophanim looks like."

  Everyone looked even more stunned, open-mouthed.

  "But why would an Ophanim be beneath the altar?" Astyam asked. "I mean... why would an Ophanim be necessary if the most lethal creature in existence, Lacrimosa, already protects the Vault?"

  Americ-Ana frowned, curious.

  "What, exactly, does Lacrimosa protect inside the Vault? What is in the Vault?"

  "As far as I know, and as far as everyone else in THE-IMPERIUM knows, Lacrimosa protects the original KING MatNat sphere, where all the seals are kept." Wwwyye replied.

  "So... if the Vault’s security has been reinforced, that means there is a very strong chance someone is trying to steal it." Americ-Ana concluded, thoughtful.

  "Do you really think it could be the Rabbi Worse Devil?" Astyam asked. "I mean... that the rumors are true, that he is trying to return to THE-IMPERIUM? This year President CEO Magnum did not even want to take the original sphere out of the Vault."

  "But why would Rabbi Worse Devil want the original sphere?" Americ-Ana asked.

  "The original sphere has dominion over all the seals. All seventy-two Ars Goetia seals and all seventy-two Shem HaMephorash seals at once." Wwwyye explained. "It may be that Rabbi Worse Devil wants access to the original sphere in order to reach Lucifer. Because, as everyone knows, there are only seventy-one Ars Goetia seals in THE-IMPERIUM, while the Rabbi himself has only one seal, the seal of ASTAROTH, meaning it is impossible to reach Lucifer. If Rabbi Worse Devil gains access to the original sphere, he could manipulate all the seals and reach Lucifer."

  Nioh took a swallow of his syrup, coughed, and said:

  "What if... this secret society of the holders of the dolphin ring is a group of people who want to help the Rabbi Worse Devil? Think about it... Americ-Ana said she has noticed the presence of that society ever since she was drawn to enter THE-IMPERIUM. Since then, there seems to be a scheme from that society to get her out of here. And what if, when Parys Bloodpure told Americ-Ana to hide beneath the altar, she was actually using Americ-Ana to 'see', so to speak, what is under the altar? Maybe someone wanted to test the limits of Lacrimosa by using Americ-Ana as bait. And now that Americ-Ana was not killed by Lacrimosa, this secret society can do anything to get her out of here. Because they know she, Americ-Ana, knows about them."

  Americ-Ana, Wwwyye, and Astyam fell silent, submerged in thought. Their expressions were those of someone trying to solve a mathematics equation you would see at a university.

  Then, all at once, Americ-Ana said:

  "Wait! I remember now. When I went to the Pyramid Geburah, in Thoth Precinct, they told me the Ophanim of that place was on an important mission. That day, I ran into Patron Uvo, Parys Bloodpure, and Nome-Rocky, all of them were in Thoth Precinct. At some point, the Chancellor was attacked by an Ophanim. Do you think the Ophanim that is here is the same one that was in Thoth Precinct?"

  Nioh coughed, cleared his throat, and said:

  "Everything points to yes. That proves your suspicions are true, Americ-Ana. An Ophanim sees far beyond ordinary appearances. And if you say the Chancellor was attacked by an Ophanim in Thoth Precinct, then he probably saw the Chancellor’s true nature in that moment."

  "The same nature as Parys Bloodpure who appeared in the shadows to me, but was actually with Nome-Rocky the whole time. Do you think that dolphin ring could give someone powers to multiply themselves or something like that?" Americ-Ana asked.

  "Like a clone?" Wwwyye suggested.

  "Yes. Like a clone." Americ-Ana confirmed.

  "Everything seems to be pointing to that." Astyam said.

  Then, all at once, they all jolted, badly startled.

  "What are you plotting, children of the Most High?" Director Popess Rock approached the group.

  "Nothing, nothing. We are only congratulating Americ-Ana on her achievements." Nioh hurried to say, coughing as he tried to take a sip of his syrup.

  "Delsilva, Helllwk, Geekwoden, and the robotic child, please, come with me." Director Popess Rock called the four of them.

  Director Popess Rock went ahead, with the angel Reiyel at her heels, and everyone else was escorted into a more private room.

  When they arrived, the Director turned to them.

  "I know things got somewhat out of control, children of God, but, thanks to the Lord’s blessings, everything was resolved without needing the intervention of President CEO Magnum and the Pyramid GEBURAH, because, believe me, it would be very bad if that happened."

  Then Director Popess Rock gave Reiyel a signal. The angel folded over his great right wing, as if it were a shell, and suddenly, from inside it, Antichrist emerged, the little black fox.

  "Antichrist, you’re back!" Astyam rejoiced, scooping the little fox into his arms. The small black creature began licking the boy’s face with enthusiasm.

  "It was all too good to be true. Again this little spawn of evil is among us." Poppandacorn complained, now dressed as an exorcist priest.

  "Taking advantage of your manifestation, robotic child, please, come here." Director Popess Rock ordered.

  Poppandacorn, somewhat wary, looked at Americ-Ana. She nodded yes, encouraging him.

  With awkward steps, the panda approached Director Popess Rock. The Director lifted him into her arms and touched his unicorn horn, inputting a few commands.

  "There. Now he is recording everything again in real time. Please, daughter of God, Americ-Ana, forgive me for forgetting to reactivate his settings. It was not out of malice, I swear. I simply forgot." Director Popess Rock lamented.

  "It is all right. In the end, everything worked out, I think." Americ-Ana replied.

  "By the way, some of the guardians of Mulafossur reported that one of their brothers was gravely injured. It seems there was a terrible mistake and they mistook you and this robotic child for threatening intruders. The angel Reiyel and I held a meeting with them, the guardians, and they agreed not to file any complaint before the Pyramid Geburah, as long as you, daughter of God, Americ-Ana, also commit to forget what happened there. It seems everything was nothing more than a misunderstanding and, thanks to Our Creator God, everyone is well."

  Americ-Ana agreed not to pursue the matter.

  "But that is not all, daughter of God. Just a moment."

  Director Popess Rock gave Reiyel another signal. This time, the angel pulled from beneath his great left wing what looked like a large, polished white metal egg.

  Americ-Ana recognized the device at once.

  "Director Popess Rock, with all due respect, but I am not giving up my Poppa."

  "Do not worry, daughter of the Most High. I can see your emotional bond with this Poppandacorn. Now, with LEVEL THREE approaching, you will need every help possible. This is only a Poopghene repair chamber."

  Director Popess Rock entered a few commands and the polished white metal egg opened, revealing a padded interior filled with tiny technical lights. Poppandacorn climbed inside, obedient, and the egg began to vibrate softly. As the structure emitted a low hum, almost therapeutic, Director Popess Rock spoke again:

  "I performed every examination possible on the creature of God you call Antichrist. His organism, blood, temperature, cells, stomach, everything appears normal, like that of an ordinary little fox. There is nothing extraordinary in his biological functions. For now, you may have him back. But I will warn you now that, in the future, I want to count on all of your understanding so I can perform new examinations on him. And if any of you notices anything unusual, please do not hesitate to come to me, children of God."

  Americ-Ana, Wwwyye, and Astyam promptly agreed to keep an eye on Antichrist and to inform Director Popess Rock immediately if there were any change in the little black fox.

  "One more thing," said Director Popess Rock, picking up a small box. "Here is the key to the SAMKHYA CELL that I had taken for a few experiments. I must say that, despite the singularity of this relic, everything is within what was expected."

  Astyam took the key and slipped it into his pocket.

  Then the egg Poppandacorn was inside let out a sharp beep. The shell opened, and a pink smoke smelling of caramel filled the room.

  "Look, Mommy! Poppa is freshly bathed, good as new, all fixed up and even more fragrant. Poppa even received an update. Look, Mommy!"

  Then Poppandacorn stuck his butt out, opened the zipper of his butt-hole, and strained a little. A tiny farting sound invaded the room as glitter poured out of Poppandacorn’s butt-hole. Right after that, he produced a Cupcake poop.

  "Take it, Mommy, you can taste it. Poppa will make Cupcake for everyone."

  Noticing the expression on Americ-Ana’s face, Director Popess Rock hurried to say:

  "Do not worry, daughter of God, you can eat it, it is safe. This is an update in the Poopghene models. You are the first person in THE-IMPERIUM to experience a freshly baked Cupcake coming straight out of a Poppandacorn’s butt."