Hammya settled into an elegant black armchair, and the young ones approached to make their introductions. The first to speak was Hector.
Hector had white hair, including his eyebrows, and deep brown eyes. His bangs were styled with a subtle slant to the left. He wore a formal white suit, matching with a black tie and shirt, along with a vest of the same white tone. His demeanor was serious but also exuded charisma.
Regarding his powers, Hector handled poker cards as if they were both a sturdy shield and swift arrows. He had the ability to pass through solid objects and emit a sinister black vapor from his mouth to escape adverse situations.
Furthermore, he stood out for his skills in mathematics, as well as mastery of computers and technologies. It was said that, if he wanted to, he could plunge China and the United States into darkness with his knowledge.
The next to introduce himself was Lucas, although he has been discussed already. Then it was Anzor's turn.
Anzor, originally from Moscow, Russia, possesses a Russian accent due to his arrival in Argentina at the age of nine. His hair is light blond, and his eyes, of an intense sky-blue hue, reflect his personality. He wore a white shirt and an elegant jacket of deep dark blue. He also had a red scarf around his neck, refined black pants, and a blue trench coat that almost reached his ankles. He is known for his charisma, sparkling sense of humor, and occasional rare seriousness.
As for his powers, Anzor wields a medieval-style sword that allows him to shatter iron doors and create tornadoes up to two meters in length. Additionally, he has the ability to fly for an hour and forty-eight minutes. His speed is astonishing; he can traverse the distance between Chaco and Uruguay in the blink of an eye.
Anzor also stands out for his mastery in the art of stealth. He uses the environment to his advantage to conceal himself and possesses an exceptional memory that allows him to remember everything without missing any detail. Additionally, he is extremely cautious with phone calls.
Matlotsky: Although it may be surprising, he was born in Tierra del Fuego. His hair is black, and his eyes have a captivating green hue. He wears a long-sleeved orange shirt, rolled up to the forearm, along with a stylish black vest and a tie of the same tone. He complements his outfit with refined dark brown pants and elegant light brown sneakers featuring a green line. Furthermore, he sports a green pencil in his left ear and a worker's glove on his right hand. A tool belt accompanies him, containing a hammer, a nail gun, and a toolbox that, despite seeming strange, has the capacity to store up to two hundred million objects. Matlotsky is known to be the somewhat comedic member of the group, but he is equally friendly and reliable. He would never betray his friends and greatly enjoys playing pranks and teasing his team.
Unlike some of his peers, Matlotsky doesn't possess any powers.
However, his skill lies in an almost inhuman ability: he can build things with impressive speed in just thirteen minutes. This includes everything from houses and buildings to scaffolds, protective shields, wall stairs (exclusively for Candado's use), and nail turrets, the latter being manually operated.
Ana: With long, loose blonde hair and piercing green eyes, Ana María has a mole just below her right eye. She wears a long-sleeved white shirt with a sky-blue bow tie adorning her neck. She carries a bracelet that says "I AM WHAT I AM," as well as a gold-plated chain hanging with a crescent moon ornament. Her outfit is completed with a blue skirt reaching her knees and white stockings that reach the same height. Shiny black shoes complement her appearance. Ana María is an extremely energetic person, though she is also attributed traits of stubbornness, headstrong nature, teasing, and mischief.
Regarding her abilities, Ana María possesses incredible superhuman strength that allows her to lift a truck with a single hand. Additionally, she has the ability to breathe underwater and become stealthy when needed. She can also shoot red laser beams from her eyes.
As for her abilities, her astonishing strength enables her to jump a hundred times higher than a human without powers. She masters the kitchen with skill, capable of preparing at least six different dishes. Her academic performance is excellent, and, to top it off, she has the ability to carry heavy objects.
The sixth to introduce himself was Declan, who approached Hammya and, with an expression of anger on his face, uttered, "I'll be watching you."
Declan: Originally from Dublin, Ireland, he spent his childhood in Fingal, specifically in the village of Howth. His Irish accent persists in his speech due to his arrival in Argentina at the age of nine. With light red hair and blue eyes, he wears a light blue shirt accompanied by dress pants in black. He complements his outfit with an elegant trench coat of the same color, a blue tie, and a silver chain around his neck with a Jesus Christ cross as an ornament.
Regarding his powers, Declan possesses a sword that allows him to triple his attack strength at an astonishing speed of 777 kilometers per hour. Like Anzor, he can generate a tornado, but in this case, it's of fire instead of wind or sand. Additionally, he has the ability to summon swords from the ground or the air, is a competent swordsman (though not at Anzor's level), and can see in the dark. His character is serious and distrustful, though he reserves his trust for friends and family, occasionally reflected in a smile.
In terms of his abilities, Declan shares with Candado the skill of observation, although he relies more on intuition than deduction. While he may be somewhat slow to grasp certain situations, he shows great insight depending on the context. Additionally, he is an expert in making clothes and stuffed animals. Interestingly, he possesses the peculiar ability to perceive the content of a book simply by looking at its cover, raising the question of how he can know its contents without even reading it.
The next to make his introduction was Germán, who approached Hammya and spoke with a calm and reassuring voice: —"Don't pay attention to Declan. He's naturally distrustful, but as you're new, he's just being cautious. If you make an effort to earn his trust, I'm sure you'll get along eventually."
Germán: With black hair and gray eyes, Germán bears a scar in the shape of the number four on his right cheek. He wears a white shirt and a black suit, complemented by a tie of the same tone. His appearance might evoke the image of the "men in black," if not for the lack of dark glasses. Despite the initial impression, he is a kind and friendly person. While many may perceive him as tough, he is actually understanding and always carries a smile (Psychopath).
Regarding his powers, Germán is the seventh son of the Benítez family, making him a werewolf. He possesses impressive strength, almost equal to that of Ana María. Unlike other werewolves who only transform during the full moon and lose consciousness, Germán can transform at will and maintain full awareness of his actions. He can speak and interact normally in this form. He is agile and swift through the forests and can climb large walls with his sharp claws. Additionally, he can cut wood and trees with his super-sharp nails. When transforming into a werewolf, his height increases by three meters, making him even faster and more agile. His clothes adapt by stretching at the moment of transformation.
Regarding his abilities, Germán has chosen to be Candado's personal bodyguard, a choice he made willingly. He always follows Candado everywhere, as if he were his shadow. He possesses exceptional vision that allows him to see at a distance of thirty-five kilometers. He is a genius in mathematics and literature, able to think clearly even under great pressure. Finally, he has the ability to get along with all animals.
A distinctive trait of Germán is his constant joy. It's rare to see him angry, sad, or serious, as he always wears a smile on his face, similarly to how Candado usually maintains his seriousness.
The eighth and ninth were the sisters Erika and Lucía.
Erika: A redhead with long hair and dark eyes, Erika usually wears formal red pants, accompanied by a black shirt with a red bow tie and a formal vest in the same tone. She stands out for being kind, intelligent, innocent, and shy. She aspires to be like Candado, showing herself equally strong and fearless against their enemies.
Regarding her powers, Erika possesses the power of platinum, allowing her to create non-lethal liquid platinum. She has control over the temperature, being able to make it hot or cold at will. She uses this power as a shield, and her sharp scream can stun those nearby. She generates spheres of platinum and electricity that explode upon contact with someone. She wears a silver ring that, when combined with her sister's ring, generates a gaseous sphere of gold and silver, a curious and powerful combination capable of destroying even a building.
As for her abilities, Erika is ambidextrous and has the ability to glimpse into the future for eight hundred seconds. She can transmit knowledge through her blood, although this ability does not please Candado. She is skilled at constructing believable and logical lies, in other words, she is a good liar. Additionally, she knows how to drive a car, although this skill is not useful for Candado due to his short stature.
Second sister.
Lucía: She is the opposite of her sister in some aspects. She has the same eyes as her sister and dresses identically, with only one difference in her attire: she adds a red tie and wears glasses. Her hair, like her sister's, is long. Unlike Erika, Lucía exhibits a wild and extremely competitive behavior. She enjoys teasing Héctor and Declan and is usually always close to her sister. She disapproves of Héctor and Lucas's exaggerated way of dressing. Despite her appearance, she deeply cares about all her friends. Lucía idolizes Candado and Ana María to a great extent.
As for her power, Lucía shares the same power characteristics as Erika, but with gold. She can unleash icy winds from her nose, mouth, and ears, and her roar is more powerful than that of a lion. She does not feel physical pain, although she is vulnerable to mental and emotional pain. She has the ability to lose limbs and regenerate them quickly, except for her head, as this process is slower. She can become invisible to a person's visual field, although to achieve this, she must undress (although this latter power was prohibited by Candado, so she rarely uses it).
Regarding her ability, Lucía can spy on people without them noticing. She has the ability to walk or run on water. Her fast speech allows her to effectively hide messages. She maintains excellent balance in various situations. She has a great interest in biology and world history.
When everyone had introduced themselves, Héctor proposed something to Candado:
—What if "he" also introduces himself? —said Héctor to Candado.
—You're crazy, do you remember what happened the first time you saw "him"?
—Yes, I remember, Candado, but back then, I was very young —answered Héctor with his hands on his hips.
—Who is "he"?
—It's none of your business.
—Come on, don't be like that, little lock. If she's going to join us, she should know him —said Ana María with a teasing tone.
—JOIN!? We barely know her. How can a stranger join us? —exclaimed Declan angrily.
—She's not a stranger anymore because we've introduced ourselves, and she has introduced herself too —said Germán with a cheerful voice.
—I like her, her green hair really catches my attention —added Ana, tapping her fingers on the table.
—OH, REALLY!? JUST BECAUSE SHE HAS THAT HAIR COLOR DOESN'T MEAN SHE CAN BE TRUSTED! Amidst the shouts and arguments about whether Hammya should join them or not, Lucas, who was sitting, stood up very annoyed and slammed the table with his flaming hand.
—SILENCE! And let Candado decide. He's our leader, after all. Everyone quieted down and looked at Candado. He observed them all and, raising his finger, spoke.
—Well, on one hand, it's true that we don't know her, and she might betray us at some point, but on the other hand, she hid her presence and power from me. Besides, Tínbari told me that he doesn't know her, which makes her very interesting.
—Who is Tínbari? —asked Hammya. At that moment, an elegant and haughty voice echoed.
—All of you are boring. I don't know about you, but I quite like the little one.
—You're foolish. You should have waited for my orders —said Candado, looking in all directions.
—I'm tired of watching you argue —the voice replied mockingly.
—You're a... well, it doesn't matter anymore. You can reveal yourself —said Candado, bringing his right hand to his face.
Héctor looked at Hammya and said:
—Try not to be scared if you see him. He may seem a bit creepy and evil, but he's not bad —added Héctor.
At that moment, a wave of black smoke began to appear and formed a human figure. When it finished and the smoke dispersed, the individual was on display. It could be said that he was horror personified, and he stood in front of Hammya.
He looked at her and smiled, approaching her and extending his hand. At that moment, Hammya realized that she also had to introduce herself.
Tínbari: His skin was red, and his eyes were black, as if he had never seen the sun, but with white dots in them. He had two short white horns and a green helmet between them. Scars in the shape of a triangle crossed his forehead, from near his horn through the center, close to the opening of his helmet, and ending at the other horn. The arrangement on the other side of his forehead was similar but inverted. Threads crossed his lips, as if his mouth had been sewn shut. In his left hand, he had three red fingers with sharp claws; in the other, a normal hand with five fingers and a tight black glove. He had no ears, only small holes in their place. He lacked a nose, presenting instead two holes. He also had no eyebrows or eyelashes. He wore a red shirt with a light green tie, a knee-length blue trench coat, black dress pants with a belt of the same color, and very well-polished black formal shoes. He was calm and outgoing, enjoying scaring people with his appearance. He is a Bari (in his language, it means "Father," in ours, it means god), the protector of Candado. He likes the food cooked by Candado's mother. In his past, he was human, one of the disappeared during the last military dictatorship. He participated in the Falklands War. His appearance is the result of the people he killed in revenge after his death.
Power: He is the Father of Death (God of death), a demon capable of collecting and destroying human souls. He controls earthly elements and possesses other powers. He is immortal.
Ability: He has none (he is a ghost, demon, and god of death; his nature is already a sufficient ability).
Hammya was not scared at all upon seeing him, nor did she show amazement, sadness, or joy; her gaze was expressionless. This caught the attention of everyone, including Tínbari. Of course, it would surprise anyone that someone didn't feel fear towards a dark and ugly god of death. This aroused suspicions, especially in Declan, about why Hammya didn't react with fear or surprise.
—What expression is that? —asked Héctor, with one hand on his chin and the other in his pocket.
—What expression? —asked Hammya.
—Yes, that expression —pointed Luca, surprised.
—You saw Tínbari in person and didn't show any expression. Anyone would have been scared to see him, even Candado —said Anzor, with crossed arms.
Hammya had no idea what was going on; she looked around, hoping someone would explain the situation.
—Had you seen Tínbari before, girl? —asked Candado, very close to Hammya.
—No, not at all. It's the first time I see someone like this —said Hammya, looking him in the eyes with a worried expression.
Candado turned his back to Hammya, arms crossed, and declared: —Understood. In that case, I'm going to test something with you.
At that moment, Candado quickly drew his knife and positioned it over Hammya's throat.
—What are you doing? —asked Hammya, with a trembling voice, fear in her eyes and increased sweating.
Everyone looked at Candado with concern, as he had a super-sharp weapon at the girl's neck.
—Well, you're not a robot, and no one controls you —said Candado as he sheathed his knife into the belt on his back.
—WHY DID YOU DO THAT, CANDADO? TELL ME WHY! —shouted Hammya, hysterical.
Candado put his hand on Hammya's forehead.
—Mmm, you don't have palpitations or pain. I think you're fine; apparently, you're not hiding it from yourself. Well done —said Candado.
The girl Hammya had no clue what was going on. The mystery was such that she quickly sought a logical answer to the situation. However, the more she thought, the more confused she became, and new questions arose.
—Given the circumstances I've subjected you to, I apologize, and also officially, you have entered the brotherhood —said Candado with a cold and expressionless face, placing his right hand on Hammya's shoulder.
Candado's companions looked at him and exclaimed:
—WHAT THE HELL!?
—What a more rudimentary way to apologize —commented Tínbari with a smile.
Everyone, except Ana, who was the only one who said "yay!", reacted with surprise. Lucas approached Candado, clearly dissatisfied with the decision.
—Friend, what caught your attention for her to join us? I mean, we don't even know her. How will we know she'll be on our side?
Lucas's words were enough for everyone to look at him as if he were crazy. (At that time, questioning Candado's authority was equivalent to earning a tombstone and a cheap grave if you said it). But Lucas soon received an answer.
—It's a hunch. Over time, you'll understand what I mean —said Candado, without even looking at him.
Those three words hardly answered Lucas's question, not to say they didn't answer it at all. No one understood why they had admitted Hammya into the group. The change in Candado's attitude, from suspicion to ambition, was unclear. As Candado headed towards the exit, he turned around and said:
—Oh, and also, today's news was that Esteban and his henchmen acquired a new combat technique that seems to be more dangerous than the previous one. Try not to confront him while I'm not present —he said while closing the door behind him.
—Hey, wait —said Anzor.
—What's wrong, buddy? Did the girl get on your nerves? —Tínbari asked while flying over his head.
—Shut up, idiot. I'm tired because of everything that happened today, and I don't feel like listening to your mockery, "DEMONTO" (demon and fool). Also, why didn't you let me ask her the question when she sat next to me in school?
—It could be one of my omens, but she's not like you, humans. No, sir. That girl Hammya emanates something different that I don't know. Besides, her power and soul are more extraordinary than you'd expect from an ordinary human. I can almost assure you she's much stronger than she appears.
—You too? Well, yes, I already suspected that. But about her not being human, I already knew that —Candado responded arrogantly.
—Ah, you knew that too. Good for you. By the way, I'd like to know why you admitted her into your guild?
—Well, just as you have your "omens," I had a gut feeling —Candado said with a twisted laugh and closed eyes.
—Don't tell me she reminded you of her, did she? —Tínbari said in a soft tone. Upon hearing this, Candado reached for his gold-plated chain, which had a sun, and said:
—She was unique and irreplaceable. I could never do such a thing. I'd give anything to go back in time —he added with a somewhat sad tone.
—It wouldn't do you any good to go back in time. Besides being impossible, you couldn't help her anyway, since she was sick.
—I know, but I'd like to see her once more. Tínbari stopped behind Candado and, in a mocking and insensitive manner, said:
—Well, I'm tired of talking about your deceased sister. She's where she should be anyway. In the end, all humans have that comfortable useless wooden box waiting for them. And a few worms underground, too. If you have anything else to tell me, we'll talk later. I have work at Pensilvania. See you, buddy —Tínbari said as he faded away.
Upon hearing this, Candado didn't get angry or upset. Instead, he began to laugh at what Tínbari had said. The laughter allowed him to forget his sorrows and sadness over his sister's death. After laughing for a while, Candado wiped the tears from his eyes with his red handkerchief.
—Thanks, Tínbari. I needed that.
After uttering these words, Tínbari vanished into the air, and the gentle breeze blowing on Candado's neck carried away a laughter that gradually faded as the wind calmed. Now, Candado was left alone in the quiet streets of the town, where the only inhabitants were birds, cats, dogs, and some annoying mosquitoes.
He looked at his hands and shoes for a moment and then headed back home. The afternoon was progressing, and he walked for a long time, contemplating the landscapes of the town's streets and forests. Finally, he arrived in his neighborhood. It was 3:49 p.m., and people were starting to appear everywhere: adults chatting, elders sweeping their houses, and others enjoying mate or tereré. Children between 6 and 8 years old played with a ball in the mud, while young people between 18 and 20 performed antics on the walls of houses.
Candado reached his house, which resembled a German-style chalet built mostly with bricks and cement. The facade was of a light blue color, giving it a distinctive look. On the top of the house, there was a small stable with a wooden roof. The dwelling consisted of two floors, in addition to the stable at the top.
After observing his home for a minute and a half, Candado entered through the front door. He closed it behind him and locked it. The sunlight streaming through the windows of the dining room, kitchen, and living room illuminated the house.
He climbed the stairs located in front of the main door and reached a hallway with four doors. Three of them led to bedrooms, and the last one led only to a staircase that went up to the stable above.
He approached the second door, a green wooden door with a yellow heart in the center, and opened it with extreme care. He found his grandmother, Andrea, sleeping in a rocking chair, with a fairy tale book in her lap. In front of her, little Karen, only two years old, played with a frog-shaped stuffed animal. Karen had green eyes, short blond hair, and usually wore a yellow overall with a pocket on the chest. She wore pink bear-patterned stockings and a bright green shirt. Although she didn't have any special powers, Karen stood out for her calmness and cleverness despite her young age.
Upon seeing that everything was in order, Candado closed the door gently and silently, not to awaken the baby. Karen continued playing, unaware of her brother's presence.
After ensuring that his sister was happy and healthy, Candado headed to his own room. The door of his room was white wood with a sign that read in Latin, "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). Upon entering, he found a spacious room with two windows adorned with curtains. The walls were painted in white concrete, standing out in contrast to the rest of the decor.
The room's furniture was varied and practical. A bed of ideal size for two people was placed under one of the windows, with a blue blanket and an orange pillow. Next to the door, there was a cherry-red wooden wardrobe with a mirror on the door. Beside the bed, about three or four inches away, was a black desk under the other window, accompanied by a wooden chair of the same color. The floor was covered with a gray carpet.
The room had modern amenities, such as air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and a small heater in the desk drawer. The wall decoration consisted of five paintings and three photo frames. The paintings depicted historical figures such as Hipólito Yrigoyen, Juan Domingo Perón and Eva Duarte, Ernesto Guevara, Nicolás Avellaneda, and Roque Sáenz Peña.
The photo frames were placed on a piece of furniture next to the wardrobe. One of the frames contained a photograph of Candado's family, including his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and his two sisters. One of his sisters was Karen, who was only six weeks old in the photo. In another photo, Candado smiled with his cousin and sister, sitting in the front. Another photo showed Candado with his friends: Héctor, Lucas, Ana María, German, Matlotsky, Lucía, Erika, Anzor, Declan, Viki, and their pets Sío and Clementina. There was also a photo of Candado and his cousins holding a football trophy high.
Candado took off his beret and placed it in his wardrobe using a hanger. Then, he took a different beret and hung it on a hook on the door. He sat at his desk and took a book from his drawer. However, at that moment, he heard a barely perceptible noise, which seemed abnormal to him. The adjoining room belonged to his late sister, and no one entered there except for cleaning on weekends. Filled with suspicion and intrigue, he carefully closed the book and left it on the table. He stood up, grabbed his facón, and cautiously exited his room, heading towards the adjacent room.
Upon arrival, he put his ear to the door and began to hear faint noises, such as the sound of a zipper and footsteps.
—Burglars? Esteban has gone too far—. Candado muttered to himself.
Without wasting time, he grabbed the doorknob and opened the door quickly. Immediately, he lunged at the suspicious figure, immobilizing and placing his facón at her neck to prevent her from screaming. To his surprise, he found a frightened Hammya, trembling and with tears in her eyes.
—What the hell? Why are you here, you piece of wild tree? —Candado asked, holding the knife to Hammya's neck.
—Seriously, Candado, I think you should calm down, please, —Hammya said, hesitating.
—I don't know where you come from or what customs you have, BUT HERE PEOPLE ENTER THROUGH THE DOOR, NOT THROUGH THE WINDOW! —Candado shouted, furiously.
—I'll tell you everything, just take that knife off my neck, —Hammya said, on the verge of tears. Candado stood up, sheathed his facón, and helped Hammya to her feet.
—Fine, what are you doing here? —Candado asked, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. Hammya pulled a letter from her pocket and said:
—My father, before he died, told me to give you this letter. I was going to tell you at school, but I forgot. Then at that house, but I forgot again, —she said, extending her hand with a letter in it. —Idiot.
—Sorry, I got distracted. Candado took the letter and opened it. It read:
My dear friend, I know this may seem crazy and strange, but you told me you were in debt to me and that if I ever needed help, I shouldn't hesitate to turn to you and your father. I regret to inform you that I have terminal cancer and I am suffering a lot of pain as a result. Moving and even breathing have become very difficult for me, and I have almost no strength left. Chemotherapy is no longer effective, and I have requested a dignified death to avoid further suffering.
So, I want to ask you a favor. I want you to take care of my daughter, Hammya Saillim, because I won't be able to do it. I don't want her to end up in an orphanage, and since I have no family or trusted friends, I entrust her care to you. You have proven to be a person worthy of merits and trust. So, please, take care of her. I regret not being able to explain more in this letter, but Hammya will tell you everything in due time.
Your friend, Ricardo Miranda "El Rueda."
Upon reading this, Candado felt a mix of sadness and sorrow for his friend "El Rueda," who couldn't see him in his final moments. He looked at Hammya and thought that maybe she could stay if he asked his parents. However, how could he do that? It was a sudden situation, and it wasn't about an abandoned dog or cat; no, it was a girl who had nowhere to go. Candado took a breath and, with a certain coldness, said:
—I don't know. Maybe if I talk to my parents, you could stay.
Hammya smiled and was about to hug Candado, but he quickly put his hand on her forehead to keep her at a distance.
—Don't even think about it. Look at your clothes, they're dirty. I'm sure you had to go through the mud in the garden. First, take a bath and change your clothes.
—Just that?
—I still hate you. And if you're going to live here, don't bother me at all. I can make your life very miserable, whether you're Miranda's daughter or not. The letter says to take care of you, but it never specifies how to do it.
—Well —Hammya said, visibly frightened.
—I'm glad you understood, emerald.
—Stop mocking. I tried to dye my hair, but every time I did, the color changed.
—You get depressed very easily. How clumsy.
—Well, I think that's enough. Now, where is the bathroom?
Candado made a gesture for her to follow. However, as they headed to the entrance, the door mysteriously swung open and hit Candado in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, groaning in pain. At that moment, a girl of about 12 years old appeared in the doorway.
—Hello. I came to inspect the strange noises in this room.
—Ouch! My nose hurts. Why didn't you knock on the door, Clementina? —complained Candado, while touching his sore nose.
—Young master, I didn't know you were behind the door. My sincerest apologies. Besides, why would I knock on the door in an empty room? Do you want the air to open it? —said Clementina, with her left hand over her chest.
—Ha, ha, ha. Don't try to reason logically with me, you piece of Nokia. And you better be careful next time —warned Candado, pointing his index finger at Clementina's forehead.
Hammya approached both of them and asked:
—Candado, who is she?
—Ah, you barely know each other, and you already hate her. Oh, with you, girl. Her name is Clementina V02 (Version 02).
—Why do you carry that surname? —inquired Hammya.
—Because she's a robot, manufactured by my grandfather, with surviving parts from the Clementina computer.
—Nice to meet you, Miss Extraterrestrial —greeted Clementina with a smile.
—Oh, you too?
Clementina has fair skin and long hair, tied in a ponytail, black in color. Her eyes are completely dark, as if she had never seen the sunlight, but they have bright green circles in them. Her eyebrows are made of unbreakable glass, painted in a chestnut shade. On her neck, she bears a tattoo with the number 02. She wears light green formal pants, along with shoes of the same color. Her shirt is black, and she sports a green vest. Completing her outfit are gala pink gloves and a strong green tie. Her personality is extremely peculiar: she is kind and obedient to the Barret family. Occasionally, she tries to mimic Candado's seriousness, but it rarely turns out well. Sometimes, she even teases him by calling him "young master." Instead, she tends to be energetic, with a hint of cold seriousness. She acts as a sort of sister to Candado.
As for her abilities and powers, Clementina, being an android created by Alfred, is a defensive weapon. She has hands that can transform into machine guns or knives, and her chest has the ability to shoot fire. Additionally, her right arm features an energy cannon that can destroy an entire wall or house. Despite having a childlike appearance, Clementina acts with the maturity of an adult woman on certain occasions. She contributes to household chores and takes care of Candado's sister and grandmother. This last aspect is peculiar, as you generally don't see a child taking care of an older person. Clementina is extremely loyal to Candado, largely because he provided her with skin to make her appearance more human. Moreover, she is responsible for managing the house, handling doors, windows, security systems, and more. In other words, she plays a central role in the functioning of the house and Candado's activities, including meetings.
The beginning of the relationship between Hammya and Clementina was a bit awkward, but they eventually started getting along. However, Candado noticed something peculiar about Hammya's hair and, with his right hand, touched his chin before approaching her.
—You know, I've been thinking, now that I have time, about your hair. What is your power, girl? —Candado asked.
—I'm not sure, until today. I just know it happens when I'm unconscious, but I don't know if I really have any kind of power—Hammya replied.
—You're wrong, girl. 97% of the world has powers. I don't think you're the exception—Candado asserted.
—How do you know that—Candado signaled Clementina with a snap of his fingers, and she began to speak.
—100 years ago, in Resistencia Chaco, a meteor the size of a house fell in the city's forests. Some locals and police went to investigate what had happened. One of the witnesses approached and touched the stone that had fallen from space. Upon doing so, the meteor released violet energy into the sky, causing the sun to darken completely. This energy left the meteor and concentrated in the sky for several minutes. People who witnessed this phenomenon believed it was the end of the world and began to pray to the purple energy sphere in the sky. However, something strange happened. The sphere began to compress excessively until it finally exploded into fragments that scattered all over the world. These fragments caused various events worldwide, granting humans magic and powers whose origin is still unknown.
—In other words, superhumans—Candado commented as he showed his left hand enveloped in violet flame. Hammya didn't completely understand what was happening or if what Candado said was true or a trick. She decided to play along and, cleverly, hinted that she believed them.
—Well, that explains everything. You have an incredible power —Hammya said with amazement.
Candado didn't believe a word of what Hammya was telling him. He knew that the power he possessed was not extraordinary at all, and he also didn't know how to control it properly. However, he couldn't label her as a liar, as that could trigger a dangerous and deadly ambition in her to prove him wrong. If Hammya tried to showcase her power without knowing how to control it, she could jeopardize their home. Candado had already learned this lesson through experience when he underestimated an 18-year-old who had no idea how to handle his power and ended up wreaking havoc at the school. Therefore, to avoid damaging her self-esteem, Candado devised a plan.
—Alright, how about you show me a little demonstration outside? —Candado suggested, pointing to the window of his room toward the backyard.
—Why outside? —Hammya and Clementina asked in unison.
—For safety, girls, for safety, —Candado replied.
So, in silence, Candado and his companions headed to the garden so that Hammya could showcase her "great power." Once in the backyard, Candado sat on a bench made of goat leather and wood, Hammya positioned herself under the only large tree in the garden, and Clementina stood next to Candado as if she were his bodyguard.
—Well, show me your power," —Candado instructed, raising his arm as if he were a general.
—Alright —Hammya replied nervously.
She assumed a posture, but in reality, she had no idea what she should do. She searched for ways to calm herself slowly until she finally managed to do so. She raised her left hand, pointing at Candado, and closed her eyes. After a few minutes of tense anticipation, something began to happen: the wind started to blow stronger than before. The leaves of the trees, both inside and outside the house, began to fall, and instead of going to the ground, they approached Hammya and surrounded her in a pattern resembling an X, as if they were bees and she the hive, or insects guided by light in the darkness of the night. But that wasn't all. Hammya's green hair began to glow intensely, and her feet stopped touching the ground; she was floating.
Candado, arms crossed and an impassive expression, observed everything that was happening. Clementina, the only one surprised in the scene, took four steps forward.
—It's amazing. Her power has a strong connection with nature.
—On what do you base that statement? —Candado asked ironically.
After a while, Hammya's power began to gradually lose control, something Candado quickly noticed. He tried to warn Clementina to step back, but before he could do so, she took a step forward. Somehow, Hammya, with her eyes closed, seemed to get angry, as if she felt threatened. The roots of the tree behind her sprouted from the ground and rushed toward Clementina at a surprising speed. It seemed likely that the massive root would hit her and shatter her completely. Candado realized the situation in an instant.
Quickly, he got up from his seat, ran, and pushed Clementina to the side, preventing the roots from reaching her. In the process, he himself received the impact of the roots on his chest. The blow was so strong that it threw him into the air, making him fly towards the entrance of the house, breaking the iron door connecting the patio to the house with his back. As Hammya opened her eyes and saw Clementina and Candado on the ground, the roots returned to their original state.
Hammya hurriedly ran towards Candado, while Clementina, once she stood up, also rushed to help. When both reached him, they found him lying on the ground, severely injured but without an expression of pain on his face or a tear in his eyes. Instead, he maintained a serious expression with a raised eyebrow.
—Well, let's say I've had more terrible situations than this. Not every day does a tree root from the tree you've cared for five years brutally attack you and leave you half dead," —Candado said calmly from the ground.
—Are you okay, young master? —Clementina asked, shaking the dirt off her clothes.
—How you love to make me angry! —he continued with shouts —I GOT HIT BY A DAMN TREE AND MADE MY BACK BREAK THE REINFORCED IRON DOOR WITH TITANIUM ANTI-THEFT, SO NO, I'M NOT OKAY!
—I'm so sorry, Candado —Hammya said, kneeling beside him. Of course, Candado felt it more than she did.
Emotional damage didn't compare to extreme physical harm; if it had been someone else, that blow would have been fatal. Changing the subject a bit, in a corner was Tínbari, sitting in an armchair with a cup of coffee and his legs crossed.
—Well, well, well, what a wonderful disaster the house has become.
—Hey, Demonto, do you think I'm going to die? I think something happened to my organs. In fact, I can't feel my back.
—I don't think you'll die. After all, you're a 'humagant' (a play on words between human and arrogant, improvised for the occasion), and those are the ones who are tough," —Tínbari said. Hammya approached Candado, placed her hands on his back, and helped him up, but he squinted and raised an eyebrow in pain.
—Look, I appreciate the help, but by doing that, you caused even more intense pain by touching my back. As you can see, I'm a gentleman and I won't show all the anger and insults I have in mind, so if you'll allow me."
Then, Candado proceeded to pull her left ear.
—I deserved that —Hammya said with a pained expression. Just at that moment, footsteps were heard upstairs, and a voice said:
—Son, what is all this commotion? Those words caused a bit of nervousness among those present. The garden door and the living room were completely destroyed. As for Tínbari, he disappeared without a trace, as he always did with everyone he deemed impure and unworthy to see him. In reality, he hid from humans to avoid attracting attention. Descending the stairs was none other than Candado's grandmother, Andrea Batef Gómez Barret (she was the late Alfred's wife). She looked at everyone and asked.
Grandmother Andrea: She has reddish hair, with small gray strands, short and tied in a ponytail. She has brown eyes, a mole on her upper right cheek, and almost no wrinkles on her face but has them on her hands. She has white skin.
—What happened here?
—It's nothing to worry about, Grandma. The door can be repaired, and the living room too, —Candado said while fixing his shirt.
The grandmother turned her gaze to Hammya and asked.
—What a lovely girl. Who is she?
—Oh, her name is Hammya. Don't let her beauty deceive you because she's a damn hungry jaguar," —Candado said angrily.
—I see. So, your name is Hammya, your father was Ricardo Miranda, known as 'Rueda,' and due to his death, you will stay in this house because Candado was friends with that sharp individual. Also, it seems you don't know how to handle your powers, right? —"How did she know all those things?
Does she know me? —Hammya asked surprised. —Come on, it's not to be surprised. After all, that's her power, —Candado said.
—What was all that 'It's not to be surprised'? She knows everything about my father.
—Girl, girl, girl, your naivety is as amusing as the color of your hair. Didn't you hear what I just told you? On this planet, 97% of humans have powers. In this case, my grandmother is one of them.
—Exactly, it's as my boy says. I've had powers since I was a child, just like you. —"What kind of powers do you have, ma'am?
—Well, I have some, like reading minds, creating a protective barrier, healing wounds and some diseases, I can vanish like ashes, etc.
—Cool, I have a power, something different from yours. I think it's related to nature.
—Really? That's great, dear.
—Well, to be honest, what she experienced was temporary,—Candado said.
—Why do you say that? —Hammya asked.
—What you did outside simply awakened your power. Nothing more than that. For now, your spirit can't control your power.
—Can it be fixed?
—Yes, it can be fixed. But for that, you'll have to train.
The grandmother observed the conversation of the young people with desperation. It was like watching two old people talking about their childhood, in other words, boring. Tired of listening to them, she raised her hand and spoke calmly.
—Excuse me, I wouldn't want to interrupt, but the patio door is destroyed, and if you don't mind, I would like it fixed.
—Of course, don't worry, boss, —Clementina said.
With both hands, she lifted the metal door and put it in place. Then, using her index finger as a tool, she pulled out a blowtorch and began repairing the hinges.
—Well, now that the door is fixed, I'll prepare lunch...
—Wait, don't you think we should talk about this? I mean, what would my parents think if I tell them that a 'girl' is going to stay at home because of a debt I had with a friend?
—Don't worry, everything will be sorted out when they arrive. In the meantime, show her to her room. Remember, the debt is also your father's.
—Yes, I know. I just hope they arrive in time to talk.
—Well, let's forget all that and take her to her room.
—Which room?
—Heh, how forgetful.
—I'm sorry, but where is she going to stay?
—HEY!" —Hammya shouted.
—What do you think if she stays in Gabriela's room? After all, that room has been abandoned for over 3 years.
—"Alright, I'll turn a blind eye to it," —Candado said with disgust.
While the grandmother headed to the kitchen, Candado led Hammya to the room, the same one they were in before, but now instead of being an intruder, she was a guest.
—Well, from today, this will be your room," —Candado said, showing the room.
—Thank you," —Hammya continued —"and by the way, I want to apologize for the hit and the damage I caused.
—Don't worry, I've met people who hit much harder than you.
—Although your back still hurt, anyway, —Hammya whispered.
Then, Candado headed to the door and left, closing it behind him without saying anything else. As he walked away, his footsteps became increasingly silent. Hammya began to unpack her clothes and some items, carefully lay down on the bed, and looked at the ceiling, where curiously was written in blue: "You have a task to do." Intrigued by those words that seemed to have a hidden meaning, Hammya knew they wouldn't be revealed that day.
—Surely, tomorrow will be a good day," —Hammya whispered to herself.
But just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard light knocks on the door and a weak voice saying:
—Miss, would you be so kind to open the door?
Those words were enough for Hammya to get up from the bed and go to the door. With her right hand, she opened it carefully and peeked her head to see who was there, but she saw no one. Confused, she opened the door completely and stepped into the hallway. She looked both ways, but there was no one in sight. Resigned and puzzled, she went back into the room and closed the door behind her. However, when she turned around, she was startled to see Tínbari lying on the bed.
—Ah, just now you get scared. You really surprise me in many ways, kiddo, —Tínbari said mockingly.
—Sorry, but anyone would have been scared in that situation.
—No, not anyone. Candado is living proof of that. He makes everyone seem like useless fools, —Tínbari said with a mocking tone.
—Alright. What does the 'supposed demon' want from an 'idiot'?
—Nothing in particular. I just came to draw my own conclusions about you, 'walking tree,'" —Tínbari said seriously.
—Conclusions about me? Why...?
—Look, my duty in this vast and boring world is to protect Candado from the daily battles he faces with unpleasant humans and their stupid society. But today, something unusual happened."
—What happened today?"
Tínbari abruptly brought his head to Hammya's level, coming face to face with her.
—Your presence.
Those words scared Hammya so much that she tried to disguise her fear with a trembling smile, albeit unsuccessfully. Her hands were shaking so quickly that she hid them behind her back.
—What's wrong with my presence? —Hammya asked with a trembling voice.
—Oh, I smell your fear, girl. There's no need to hide it from me. Although it's strange because when you should have been afraid, you weren't. But now you are. The truth is, I don't understand you, girl. Anyway, that doesn't matter. The truth is that your presence before Candado has aroused suspicions in me.
—Why?
—You don't know what happened to that boy. You don't smell like a human, nor do you look like one.
—What do you mean? I was born in Entre Ríos.
—Well, it seems that the term 'puppet' doesn't suit you. I think you're more clumsy than anything. Didn't you understand what I told you? You're not human. I don't care what you believe. The point is, I've never seen anyone like you in my life, and if someone like you is here, then Pullbarey can't be far away.
—Who is Pullbarey?
—Hammya, Hammya, yes, Hammya. A name I've never heard on Earth but have heard elsewhere."
—You're confusing me.
—I don't care. Just stay away from Candado. I have three rules for you," —he said while displaying his sharp and threatening fingers less than an inch from her, which scared her.
Hammya swallowed hard and asked.
—Rules?"
—First rule: don't make Candado suffer.
—What?
—"Don't become his friend. He already has enough friends. Your friendship will lead you to know his most intimate secrets. You can't, no... let me correct myself, never try it.
Hammya felt disappointed and lowered her head.
—And the next?
—Don't ask him anything, absolutely anything, neither him nor his family. And the third, don't make me angry under any circumstances.
—Why are you doing this?
—To protect him. He's like a son. A son who has already been hurt by the miserable life around him. They're all fragile.
Hammya lifted her head and replied.
—I'm sorry, but it seems like I'll break some of those rules. If I'm going to live here, I want to get to know all the residents, including him.
Tínbari smiled and let out a terrible laugh, which further confused Hammya.
—It's the funniest thing I've seen.
—What? —she asked fearfully.
—Your eyes —he continued laughing.
—I don't understand.
Tínbari, amid laughter, said:
—"You're so naive. There's nothing... nothing suspicious in your eyes. I just see a girl. A girl who is...
—Stop laughing and speak clearly.
Tínbari stopped laughing and continued.
—You can forget about the rules, girl. I just saw your secrets. I thought you were an infiltrated killer, or an opportunist, or a vagabond. But I still haven't figured out your identity on this planet. For now, there's nothing posing a threat to Candado. So forget it, for now."
—I don't understand. What's happening to you?
—It doesn't matter. I'll tell you if you're a threat or not. I thought you were going for the prize.
—What? Prize? What are you talking about? Explain yourself, mocking demon, —Hammya demanded.
—Well, my naive girl, that's something I can't reveal. You'll have the answer when Candado fully trusts you. Anyway, you shouldn't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. Because if you do, he'll gut you with his knife, and I'll eat your entrails in front of your eyes, —Tínbari said, bringing his demonic finger close to Hammya's nose.
After that conversation, Tínbari vanished into smoke, as he always did. After everything that happened during the day, that conversation left Hammya pale with fear. Everything Tínbari had said could be true or not. According to what she had heard, it was a very serious matter, and perhaps her life was at stake.
On the verge of exploding, Hammya inhaled and exhaled repeatedly until she calmed down. She shrugged, sat on the bed, and rubbed her eyes with her left hand due to fatigue. Then, she lay delicately on the bed and looked at the ceiling. As sleep gradually overcame her, she spoke with a soft and calm voice.
Hammya swallowed hard and asked.
—Rules?
—First rule, don't make Candado suffer.
—What?
—Don't become his friend. He already has enough friends. Your friendship will lead you to know his deepest secrets. You can't, no... let me correct myself, never try it."
Hammya felt disappointed and lowered her head.
—And what else?
—Don't ask him anything, absolutely anything, neither him nor his family. And third, don't make me angry under any circumstances."
—Why are you doing this?
—To protect him. He's like a son, a son who has already been hurt by the miserable life around him. They're all fragile.
Hammya lifted her head and replied.
—I'm sorry, but it seems like I'll break some of those rules. If I'm going to live here, I want to get to know all the residents, including him.
Tínbari smiled and let out a terrible laugh, which further confused Hammya.
—It's the funniest thing I've seen.
—What? —she asked fearfully.
—Your eyes," —he continued laughing.
—I don't understand.
Tínbari, amid laughter, said:
—You're so naive. There's nothing... nothing suspicious in your eyes. I just see a girl. A girl who is...
—Stop laughing and speak clearly."
Tínbari stopped laughing and continued.
—You can forget about the rules, girl. I just saw your secrets. I thought you were an infiltrated killer, or an opportunist, or a vagabond. But I still haven't figured out your identity on this planet. For now, there's nothing posing a threat to Candado. So forget it, for now.
—I don't understand, what's happening to you?
—Doesn't matter, I'll decide if you're a threat or not. I thought you were going for the prize.
—What? Prize? What are you talking about? Explain yourself, mocking demon, —Hammya demanded.
—Well, my naive girl, that's something I can't reveal. You'll have the answer when Candado fully trusts you. However, you shouldn't stick your nose into other people's business, because if you do, he'll gut you with his knife, and I'll eat your entrails in front of your eyes, —Tínbari said, bringing his demonic finger close to Hammya's nose.
After that conversation, Tínbari vanished into smoke, as he always did. After everything that happened during the day, that conversation left Hammya pale with fear. Everything Tínbari had said could be true or not. According to what she had heard, it was a very serious matter, and perhaps her life was at stake.
On the verge of exploding, Hammya inhaled and exhaled repeatedly until she finally managed to calm down. She shrugged and sat on the bed, rubbing her eye with her left hand due to fatigue. Then, she lay delicately on the bed and stared at the ceiling. As sleep gradually overcame her, she spoke with a soft and calm voice.
—If today was a hectic day, how will tomorrow be? —Then she closed her eyes. It was 7:00 p.m. when she finally fell asleep. For her, it was the end of the day and the beginning of the next.
Just at that moment, Candado entered the bedroom to announce that dinner was served. However, seeing that Hammya was asleep, he kept quiet. He approached her carefully, took off her shoes, and covered her with a blanket to keep her warm.
—Girl, don't you know that it gets cold in the afternoon in this town? —Candado said in a low voice.
He then took Hammya's shoes to clean and fix them, as they were quite worn out. He left the bedroom in a more serious mood than before, glancing at Hammya's shoes and then at the door.
—What kind of father was 'El Rueda' to you, Hammya Saillim? —he murmured while looking at the door.
For Candado, the day had not ended but had just begun. He felt that certain situations were not mere coincidences, but rather everything happened for a reason. If this situation was not a coincidence, then it was a crucial moment to act and display his cunning.
Candado was convinced that there was more behind what was written in his friend 'El Rueda's' letter. Something was not right in all this matter. For him, one thing was certain: he would solve this mystery.
ns216.73.216.133da2
and then Add to home screen.