In the small, dark room, with the windows shut and leftover food thrown carelessly across the floor, Luís lay sprawled on the bed, asleep.
Morning light slipped through the cracks in the window and hit his face directly.
He groaned, turned to the side… and woke up.
He sat on the edge of the bed, still half-dazed, observing the chaos around him. Carefully, he began to walk across the room, dodging the scattered trash, until he opened the bathroom door.
Inside, he brushed his teeth while staring at his own reflection in the mirror. His eyes were tired — but alert.
Once again…
Another meeting to decide boring things.
He left the bathroom and stopped in the middle of the room, silently staring at the mess.
— I need to clean this up as soon as possible… — he muttered. — This place is disgusting.
Luís grabbed the key hanging on the wall and left. The metallic sound echoed as he locked the door.
He went down the stairs, step by step, until he reached the ground floor. He pushed the glass door open and stepped out onto the city street.
The cold morning air hit his face.
He turned and looked up, staring at the building behind him for a few seconds.
I wish you were here with me, he thought.
Luís walked through the streets.
People stared.
Some with pride.
Others with fear.
All of them, without exception, made way when he passed.
He walked unhurriedly along the light stone roads. The sound of his footsteps seemed to be the only constant; the rest of the city adjusted itself to his rhythm.
A woman pulled her child closer as he passed.
An old man bowed his head respectfully.
Two guards ahead straightened their posture, hands clasped behind their backs.
— Good morning, Sentinel — someone said hesitantly.
Luís replied with a brief nod, without stopping.
It wasn't coldness.
It was habit.
The façades of the houses were being rebuilt. New stones contrasted with walls still marked by old soot. The smell of burned wood lingered in the air, even weeks later.
Eastern Sector… he thought.
They're going to call this an "isolated incident."
He turned the corner and spotted the Agency building. Too tall for the neighborhood, with wide columns and narrow windows — more fortress than office.
Before entering, he stopped.
He looked at his own hands.
No trembling.
No stains.
No sign of blood.
Even so, he remembered.
The dry sound of impact.
The complete lack of resistance when the punch landed.
Leonardo's expression in the instant before he blacked out.
Luís slowly closed his fingers.
— Everything under control… — he murmured to himself.
The door opened on its own.
Inside, the environment was too clean. Too bright. Too silent. People spoke in low groups — until they noticed his presence.
The voices died out.
A woman with tied-back hair and a sharp gaze approached, holding a clipboard.
— The meeting was moved up. The Council wants a direct update.
— Of course they do — Luís replied, without irony.
She hesitated.
— About… Leonardo's host.
Luís stopped.
For one second — just one — the world seemed to lose its weight.
— He's alive — he said. — For now.
She nodded, tense.
— And Kevin Dinark?
Luís resumed walking.
— Do not include his name in any new reports.
— But technically, he could be—
Luís looked at her.
There was no threat in his gaze.
No aura.
No pressure.
Still, she felt it.
— Understood — she replied quickly.
He continued down the long corridor, lit by suspended crystals. With each step, doors closed. Seals activated. Ancient protocols reacted to his presence as if recognizing him.
I am the First Sentinel.
The title never sounded like praise.
As he passed by a tall window, he saw his reflection in the glass.
The same tired face.
The same attentive gaze.
But for a brief moment, something else appeared behind him.
A blurred silhouette.
Four wings slowly opening.
A central eye observing everything.
Luís didn't turn around.
— It's good to have you nearby — he said quietly. — Thanks for reminding me I'm not alone.
The image vanished.
The door to the main hall opened.
Inside, power waited.
Luís took a deep breath before entering.
Another meeting to decide boring things.
The Council chamber stood at the highest point of the city.
Everyone was already seated.
The King at the front.
Three councilors to the left.
Two to the right.
Agency representatives farther back.
Silence fell as Luís sat down.
— Let's begin — said the King.
Images of the destroyed village appeared in the recording crystal.
— The operation was completed successfully — said one councilor.
— "Successfully"… — Luís repeated softly.
— Civilian losses were acceptable — the man continued.
Acceptable.
Luís closed his eyes for a moment.
— How many knew what was really happening there?
— That's not relevant — another replied. — The narrative is already under control.
An agent opened a dossier.
— Frederin has been classified as a host and a lethal object.
— A dangerous object… — Luís repeated.
— Officially.
Luís raised his gaze.
— If I have to choose what truly matters — he continued, his voice firm — then I want the boy, Frederin, host of Leonardo Dinark, to remain alive.
— He will no longer be eliminated if he manages to absorb all the rings that divide this demon.
The entire hall reacted.
— Have you lost your mind, First Sentinel?! — the King exploded. — We can't let a being like Leonardo Dinark walk free!
Murmurs spread everywhere.
— This is madness…
— He could lose control at any moment…
— A host is never trustworthy…
— We'll repeat the same mistakes…
Luís simply smiled.
— Summon the Three Sages of this kingdom — he said. — If they can refute me, Frederin dies. Otherwise… he lives.
— Don't allow this, Your Majesty! — a councilor whispered. — He's insane!
The King stood up, furious.
— You know very well we can't summon them! They've already been invoked!
Luís looked at everyone.
— Then agree with me.
— Frederin will remain under my custody. And I will do with him whatever I want.
The agents tried to react.
Luís gave them no room.
— Anyone who disagrees will have to face me.
— And I will show no mercy.
The door behind the table opened.
A figure entered, dressed in black with red details, a hood covering his face.
— It's the Second Sentinel… — whispers spread.
The hood fell.
— Sorry for the delay — said Augusto, smiling. — What were you talking about?
— You arrived at the perfect time, my noble friend — Luís said. — Come, let's discuss.
Hours passed.
The clock struck five in the afternoon.
The King and the councilors were furious.
Luís and Augusto were smiling.
— Leave Frederin alone — Augusto said. — Luís and I will handle this.
— If anyone lays a hand on him, they'll have to fight me.
— Meeting adjourned — Luís concluded.
When they left, the hall fell silent.
— What do we do? — an agent asked.
— Nothing — the King replied. — Do not touch that boy.
— But he's a threat!
— Silence. They could destroy this kingdom if they wanted to.
The corridors of the Fortress stretched on as Luís and Augusto walked.
— Why not just let this Frederin die? — Augusto asked. — We don't even know him.
— He's a person — Luís replied. — Like you and me.
— And a lot of people died because of this kingdom's irresponsibility.
— You want to give him a new life?
— I want him to know how to protect himself. And maybe… protect this kingdom too.
— Everything in the hands of the new generation, huh? — Augusto laughed. — I'll help you with that.
— Thanks, man. But where's Fred?
— He went to visit his grandfather.
— You let him go alone?!
— One of my spirits is watching him. He reached the train station.
Luís tensed.
— Train? He's leaving the city. We have to go after him.
— I can't — Augusto said. — I've got an appointment.
— I know with whom — Luís smiled. — Send my regards to Ryane.
— How do you know?!
— I've known for two months. I just pretend not to notice.
— So… everything okay then?
— Of course. And… how's it going?
— Today I'm going to ask her to be my girlfriend.
— Finally. Now I can be jealous.
— One day you'll find someone.
They said goodbye at the last gate of the barracks, heading down opposite streets.
Luís walked through the city.
People stepped aside.
— Here I go, Frederin… — he murmured.