Candado''s body began to tremble uncontrollably, blood pouring from his mouth as if from an open faucet.


    “CANDADO!” everyone screamed in unison, their voices thick with despair.


    Odadnac extended his left arm, and strange black threads emerged from the ground, wrapping themselves around everyone, including Hammya.


    “Shhh… shhh… shhhh,” his voice slithered through the shadows. “What a pity you can’t die here.”


    A shout echoed from behind.


    “ODADNAC!”


    He smiled without turning.


    “Well, speaking of hypocrites… here comes the biggest one of all.”


    “That’s enough,” said the voice, deep and resolute.


    Odadnac turned slowly and found himself facing Tínbari.


    “Tínbari. How nice to see you… or at least, it would be, considering you caged me like an animal.”


    “Tínbari, what are you doing here?” Candado’s voice was weak, yet firm.


    “The portal closed, Candado. I came as soon as I felt the cage shatter.”


    Odadnac crossed his arms, his grin widening.


    “Death has no power here. That includes you, my friend. Knowing that… why are you here?”


    Tínbari remained silent, but Odadnac didn’t let it slide.


    “Yes, answer him, Tínbari. Why risk yourself?” His white teeth glistened as his smile stretched from ear to ear. “Come on, tell him. Tell him why you’re here.”


    Tínbari’s face tightened. His eyes betrayed a terror that Odadnac’s words, cloaked in venom, stirred deep within him.


    “What’s going on?” Candado asked, struggling against the black chains that bound him.


    “You know…” Odadnac tilted his head with malice.


    “NO! Don’t do it, please!” Tínbari raised his voice, almost pleading.


    “Well, a demon begging. This is new,” Odadnac chuckled coldly.


    “Tínbari, what’s wrong with you? You’re not like this!” Candado’s voice was furious and confused.


    “Do you know that in this world, you can die?” Odadnac continued, ignoring them both.


    Candado raised an eyebrow.


    “What nonsense are you spouting now?”


    “There’s a simple way: suicide,” he said casually, his tone disturbingly nonchalant.


    Candado snorted, sarcastic.


    “And? Should I give you a prize for stating the obvious?”


    “You still have strength to mock me, even in this state. Fascinating.” Odadnac gestured, and black chains shot from the ground, restraining Candado once more as he attempted to move.


    “Predictable. Very predictable.”


    Meanwhile, Hammya began to stir.


    “Well, look who’s waking up,” Odadnac sneered, but his tone darkened as he turned back to Candado. “It’s time to get to work.”


    He walked slowly toward him, his figure radiating a menacing energy.


    “Candado, I’m sick of your hypocrisy. Once you’re dead, I’ll take your body and deal with Pullbarey myself.”


    Candado glared at him with disdain.


    “For that? You’re an absolute fool.”


    Odadnac’s smile vanished. He grabbed Candado by the throat and lifted him.


    “I wonder how much longer you can hold on to your sanity, insolent child.”


    Candado could barely breathe, but his gaze remained defiant.


    “Someone like you will never break me. You didn’t before, and you won’t now.”


    Odadnac released him roughly, his face darkening further.


    “Always so arrogant? Very well. Let me prove you wrong.”


    He reached a hand toward Candado’s face, but before he could touch him, Tínbari shouted:


    “NO!”


    Odadnac froze and turned slowly toward him.


    “Well, well. This is interesting. Tínbari, begging again?” His tone was mocking, but his eyes glimmered with dangerous curiosity.


    Candado watched the scene unfold, bewildered.


    “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice filled with frustration.


    “Gabriela wouldn’t have wanted this.”


    The name struck like a blow. Candado’s eyes widened in shock.


    “What…?”


    Odadnac’s cruel smile returned.


    “She’s dead. Whether she would’ve wanted it or not? We’ll never know.”


    “DON’T TELL HIM!” Tínbari shouted desperately.


    “Oh? You want me to stay silent? Then kneel.”


    “What?” Tínbari hesitated, his face reflecting inner turmoil.


    “If you do, I won’t say a word. I promise.”


    “Don’t do it!” Candado roared, struggling against his chains. “It’s a trap!”


    Tínbari, trembling, fell to his knees.


    An absolute silence followed. Even Hammya, still bound, stared in disbelief.


    “WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!” Candado shouted, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.


    Odadnac grinned victoriously.


    “You win, Tínbari. I won’t say a word. For now.”


    Tínbari’s relief was short-lived.


    “However…”


    Suddenly, Odadnac placed his hand on Candado’s forehead.


    “I’ll show him.”


    Tínbari’s eyes widened in despair, his voice trembling with anguish.


    “NO! DON’T DO IT!”


    Odadnac’s smile turned cruel as his hand began to glow a fierce red. Without warning, he released Candado’s chains and, in an unexpected move, bound Tínbari instead.


    “NO! THAT WASN’T THE DEAL!” Tínbari cried, tears streaming from his eyes.


    “I kept my word. I didn’t say it,” Odadnac replied with a sarcastic sneer. “But I never promised not to make him remember.”


    Candado groaned, clutching his head as his face contorted in growing torment.


    “NO, Candado! Don’t remember! Don’t remember!” Hammya begged, her voice cracking with fear.


    Tínbari turned to Hammya, confusion etched on his face.


    “What? How…?”


    Hammya, in a desperate act, broke free and ran to Candado.


    “Well, this is getting interesting,” Odadnac remarked, resigned, before attempting to restrain her again.


    Candado screamed, his voice filled with agony.


    “WHAT IS THIS?! IT BURNS!”


    The ground beneath him began to crack as tremors shook the room. Hammya grabbed him by the shoulders, panic evident in her movements.


    “No, no, no, no. Candado, listen to me! Fight it! Don’t remember!” she pleaded, her hands trembling as she cupped his cheeks.


    Candado’s eyes began to darken, a deep black spreading across them, moving erratically.


    “WHAT AM I NOT SUPPOSED TO REMEMBER?!” he shouted in desperation.


    Hammya hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.


    “Please, fight it. Don’t…”


    Suddenly, Candado’s gaze lifted, and an intense golden light illuminated his eyes. Everything around them changed.


    In his mind, a dark abyss engulfed him. There was no sound, no light, no presence—only an endless void. Then, a white light pierced the darkness, opening massive doors that revealed a torrent of memories. Voices, images, and emotions bombarded him mercilessly.


    “Smile, Candado (Héctor, cheerful).”


    “Do you realize the damage you caused me? (Candado, angry).”Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to (Gabriela, crying).”


    Candado clutched his ears.


    “Enough!”


    But the voices didn’t stop.


    “Happy birthday to you (A crowd).”


    “I love you, brother (Gabriela, happy).”


    “The clouds in the sky, hallelujah! (Ocho, celebrating).”


    “I hate you (Candado, furious).”


    “STOP IT ALREADY!” Candado fell to his knees as the voices drilled into his mind.


    “No, that’s not how it was. It’s a lie.”


    The flow of memories intensified, unraveling before his eyes.


    “Dream of sweets, my friend (Mauricio, playing).”


    “It was an accident. You don’t have to take her away (Declan, concerned).”


    “GO AWAY! I HATE YOU! (Candado, enraged).”


    “I’m sorry… (Gabriela, crying).”


    “THAT’S NOT TRUE!” Candado screamed at the doors.


    Despite his efforts, the mental barrier crumbled. He remembered everything: the storm, the confrontation between Gabriela and Tínbari against Pullbarey, his own cowardice, the pain of being pierced by a dagger, and his sister''s sacrifice to save him. Every detail crushed him.


    Back in the present, Candado fell to his knees in front of Hammya. His now-clear eyes brimmed with tears.


    "I... I... it was me who..."


    "DON''T SAY IT!" Hammya shouted, knowing exactly what he was about to confess.


    "I... I was the one who killed her."


    "That''s not true, Candado. It’s not your fault," Hammya replied, her voice laced with desperation.


    Odadnac burst into laughter.


    "He''s on the edge of the abyss."


    "DO SOMETHING!" Hector shouted from a distance.


    "DON''T LET HIM FALL!" Lucas warned.


    Candado''s hands began trembling uncontrollably. Hammya reached for him, but Odadnac trapped her again with magical chains.


    "Enough for now. This was fun, but the show must go on," Odadnac said with disdain. "Let''s not ruin the fun too quickly."


    Candado stood slowly, looking up at the sky with a vacant expression. Though his face was still, his sweaty, trembling body revealed the chaos consuming him.


    Odadnac approached Candado slowly, his presence heavy with tension.


    "What’s wrong? Is that all?" he mocked. Then he clapped, as if a brilliant idea had struck him. "Oh, right, I forgot. Candado was never good at reading the room... not even his own feelings."


    Stopping a meter away, Odadnac observed him. Candado, his gaze distant, seemed to look without seeing. Taking advantage of the moment, Odadnac raised his left hand and snapped his fingers, releasing Amabaray. The creature soared toward him, ready to attack, but without even glancing, Odadnac raised his right hand beside his ear and clenched it into a fist. Amabaray collapsed unconscious immediately. With a cold gesture, he re-bound the creature and drew it toward him.


    "You know, Candado, it''s easy to throw tantrums like these. I envy you. I can only watch your reactions—I can''t manifest them myself. That’s what I once told you," he paused, tilting his head. "But guess what? I am the embodiment of rage. I feed on it. I thrive on it. I thought rage alone would make me happy... but I never imagined meeting Gabriela. Without her anger, my heart felt something unexpected: happiness."


    Amabaray, wrapped in roots, was positioned next to Odadnac like a trophy.


    "It’s incredible, isn’t it? That rage can feel love... and also hate itself. Hate, the hate I feel, the hate for not being able to help her that day. And all because I am bound to you."


    Odadnac turned his gaze to Tínbari, his eyes filled with contempt.


    "That damn creature... Yes, Tínbari. You were the one who asked her to erase your memories and replace you with a new version. There’s only one word for that: cowardice. But guess what?" A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "Tínbari can’t erase memories. She doesn’t have that power. Do you know what she did? She transferred them to someone else to keep. That someone was me."


    His voice grew louder, almost a roar.


    "For six years, I’ve done nothing but watch them over and over. Over and over, and over again. Gabriela saving you at the cost of her life... your damn cowardice... that agonizing pain."


    Thunder roared through the sky as if responding to his fury.


    "This world is quite rotten, don’t you think? It’s ironic that rage can feel love and sadness. But enough. It’s time for you to—"


    "Silence."


    Candado lifted his head, his gaze firm and determined. He stood, facing Odadnac with unexpected strength.


    "I don’t want to hear you anymore."


    "Why? Don’t you want me to remind you how cowardly you were? That you could have helped your sister?"


    "Don’t say it."


    "It must take a lot to deny reality. And when reality is undeniable... what do you do? You create another one, don’t you?"


    "Shut up!" Candado shouted, his voice trembling with rage.


    "CANDADO! IF YOU GET ANGRY, HE’LL TAKE CONTROL OF YOU!" Walsh yelled desperately.


    Candado hesitated, absorbing Walsh’s words, but Odadnac showed no mercy.


    "You say you loved her, don’t you?" he mocked. "Yes, you told me that day. Did you really love her?"


    Candado lowered his gaze, his fists trembling.


    "Of course not! Why else would you erase your memories? Because you didn’t want to remember her. Because you didn’t love her as much as you claimed. Because it was you who killed her. You’re so pathetic you couldn’t accept what happened, so you ‘erased’ your past."


    Hammya struggled desperately against her bindings, trying to break free.


    "It’s interesting, what you asked Tínbari, you know? You said: ‘I want to remember that fight, but erase her and put me in her place. That way, I can remember her face and become strong.’ Do you remember those words? I do."


    Candado shuddered, his gaze lost on the ground. Odadnac smiled, sensing his prey was breaking.


    "You’re like a balloon, my friend. Sooner or later, that air is going to burst."


    "CANDADO, COVER YOUR EARS!" Hammya shouted desperately.


    Candado hesitated, but Odadnac was faster. He grabbed his wrists and stared into his eyes.


    "You felt relief when Pullbarey fatally wounded her. Oh yes, I remember it well... disgusting scoundrel."


    Candado’s body trembled, his knees buckling until he sank to the ground. Odadnac released him with disdain.


    "I also remember seeing a smile on your face when Gabriela was struck. What was so funny, Candado? Did you enjoy watching her suffer? Huh? Was it amusing to see her fall?"


    "No... I... I..."


    Tears streamed down Candado’s face. The memories overwhelmed him: the happy moments with Gabriela, her virtues, everything she did for him. And the time he, in a fit of anger, shouted:


    "I HOPE YOU DIE!"


    That memory was the trigger. The pain repressed for years crushed him, and Candado couldn’t bear it.


    "AAAAAAAHHH!!!"


    His scream tore through the air, laden with anger, sorrow, and regret. Candado let out a guttural cry. All this time, he had been denying the truth: he was the true culprit. He felt like he was the murderer of the person he loved most. Odadnac’s voice echoed in his mind like a cruel whisper.


    "You’re a hypocrite," it sneered. "You hated your sister. Didn’t you think it’d be better if she died?"


    Hammya, summoning superhuman effort, broke free of her bindings. She fell to the ground, panting, but without wasting a second, she ran toward Odadnac. When she reached him, she channeled all her rage into a punch to his face just as he turned.


    She tried to reach Candado, who sobbed uncontrollably, but she had no chance. Odadnac recovered quickly and struck her brutally in the chest, sending her sprawling to the ground. He then turned toward Candado, a triumphant smile on his lips.


    "I’ve broken him," Odadnac’s voice dripped with satisfaction. "Now his mind is mine."


    With a simple gesture, he seized Candado once more, this time without resistance. The young man’s body turned pale; his clothes darkened, and his eyes reflected a terrifying void.


    "At last, I’ve succeeded. Now it’s time for revenge."


    Hammya tried to stop him, summoning thick roots from the ground to wrap around Odadnac''s body, but he broke through them effortlessly.


    "Please, that doesn''t even hurt," he mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    He flew toward her with terrifying speed, striking mercilessly—a knee to her chest, followed by a punch to her back that ended with her head pinned under his boot.


    "You’re weak, girl. Leave now, and you won’t have to suffer further."


    Hammya, blood as green as emeralds trickling from her mouth, lifted her gaze toward Amabaray, her eyes filled with desperation.


    "I can’t let him win."


    Summoning all her remaining strength, she attacked again, this time with thicker, sturdier roots. While Odadnac wrestled to free himself, she darted toward Amabaray, silently praying for a miracle.


    "Help me..." she whispered.


    Her eyes glowed an intense green as she extended her hand toward Amabaray. The moment her fingers brushed his forehead, something inside her awakened. Odadnac noticed the shift and hesitated for a moment, taken aback. But there was no time to react—Amabaray, now revitalized, lunged at him with a fury that forced Odadnac to defend himself.


    Wasting no time, Hammya turned her focus to cutting the dark threads binding the others.


    "Quickly, free us now!" shouted Anzor.


    With each cut, her companions regained their freedom. German grinned as he regained control of the situation.


    "Perfect! Now we can fight back."


    Hammya reached Tínbari, who still looked defeated.


    "Tínbari, how long was the door closed?"


    "Does that even matter?" he replied with a defeated tone.


    "ANSWER ME!"


    Tínbari sighed heavily.


    "A few minutes after you left. I was delayed because the door separated me from you."


    "Then, can it be opened?"


    "I don’t know."


    Frustrated, Hammya kicked at the nearby flowers. The others gathered around her as she stared at Amabaray and Odadnac battling fiercely in the rain. Her face hardened as a thought struck her.


    "I’ve got it! Hector and Lucas will do it."


    "What? That’s impossible!" both protested in unison.


    "You two love science; figure it out."


    "But we don’t have the materials," Hector countered.


    "Yes, you do. Matlotsky has them."


    Matlotsky blinked, startled.


    "Me?"


    "Yes. You can fix anything, and that box you carry has everything we need."


    Turning to Erika, Lucia, and Viki, Hammya gave her next command.


    "I need you three to distract those creatures," she said, pointing to the Baris, who were emerging from a fiery prison just moments ago.


    "And how’s that going to help?" Walsh asked.


    "It’ll buy us time. Erika, you can see the future and lie like no one else. Tell them we can harm their companions if they don’t cooperate, or something along those lines."


    Viki smirked as she caught on to the plan.


    "Let’s go, ladies."


    Hector stopped Viki before she left.


    "Be careful."


    Viki answered with a quick kiss.


    "I will."


    Without another word, the three headed off toward their perilous mission as the storm and battle raged on.


    Erika took the lead, addressing the Baris first with an amicable tone.


    "Given the circumstances, I come in peace and humbly request your cooperation."


    Bórrbari sneered at her.


    "And why would I ever do that?"


    Erika shifted her approach, maintaining a friendly smile but lowering her voice to a threatening tone.


    "Please, we wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Domingo, or for Katya to lose more than just her eyes. That would be so, so unfortunate. Not to mention Marcelo and Daniela—it’d be tragic if they lost their limbs... accidentally."


    The Baris bristled defensively.


    "Are you threatening a Bari?"


    "Me? Oh, never," she replied with false sincerity. "I only wish to ensure their safety. It would break my heart if something happened to them—especially since you’re powerless to help without us."


    Erika’s eyes gleamed as she turned her focus to Dessbari.


    "I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Surely, you wouldn’t want your host losing a hand so soon, would you?"


    Offering a disarming smile, she returned her gaze to Bórrbari.


    "It’s true you’re stronger, but surely you’ve noticed you can’t leave because my da—my friend is being controlled by something malicious, sealing both your exit and ours."


    Her companions marveled at the elaborate lie unfolding before them.


    "You can help us escape, postponing this conflict for the sake of your hosts. Surely, you’re concerned about their lives too?"


    Her words struck a nerve, as Bórrbari let out a frustrated cry at the thought of harm befalling his host.


    Meanwhile, Hammya kept her eyes fixed on Odadnac, who was still locked in battle with Amabaray.


    "Hold on a little longer," she murmured to herself.


    "What are you planning, young lady?" Anzor asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.


    "To bring back Europa."


    Everyone around her turned, staring in disbelief.


    "It''s just a theory, but if we manage to connect both worlds, the blood signal should restore their memories. After all, she never renounced Europa. She just fled and erased her memory."


    Hearing this, Tínbari seemed to regain his composure.


    "That makes sense. A Bari cannot renounce unless both parties agree. If the pact is still active, any harmful magic affecting the bearer is completely nullified."


    Declan scowled, visibly irritated.


    "And how do you know that?"


    "I''ll explain later... Sorry, I will explain it later," Hammya replied, lowering her gaze briefly before speaking with newfound determination. "Now, let’s save Candado!"


    "Absolutely!" everyone shouted in unison.


    Each person rushed to their assigned task. Héctor and Lucas began constructing a portal using whatever they could find. German, Andersson, Anzor, and Declan kept a close eye on the prisoners, ensuring they didn’t escape or cause trouble. Walsh, Pio, and Clementina assisted Matlotsky with the build, while Pucheta and Liv stayed on guard, ready to intervene if negotiations with the Baris went south.


    From a higher vantage point, Hammya observed the three girls negotiating with the Baris.


    "I hope this works," Pucheta muttered nervously.


    Viki turned and raised her left hand, forming a "V" with her fingers.


    "Victory," Pucheta cheered enthusiastically.


    "Not yet," Hammya interrupted coldly, her eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.


    Finally, the Baris parted ways with the girls and advanced to intervene in the fight between Odadnac and Amabaray.


    "Let’s move," Hammya commanded without hesitation.


    After a few tense and exhausting minutes, the machine was ready, thanks to Matlotsky’s speed and everyone’s collaboration.


    "We need to end this now," Hammya declared.


    "Does it work?" Anzor asked hesitantly.


    "No idea. We’ll have to test it," Héctor replied, gesturing for everyone to step back from the contraption—a metallic frame covered in gears and cables.


    Lucas stood ready at the improvised control panel.


    "Three... two... one... zero!" he shouted, pressing the button decisively.


    The device let out an ear-splitting noise, sparks flying through the air. A blue vortex began forming at the center, spinning faster and faster.


    "Come on, come on, come on!" Lucas and Héctor chanted together.


    Suddenly, with a blinding flash, the portal stabilized, revealing what looked like a laboratory filled with tools and advanced machinery.


    "Guys? GUYS?!" a voice exclaimed from the other side, startled by the connection.


    "Shit, I’m a genius," Lucas muttered, stunned.


    "No, we are," Héctor corrected him.


    "Hello, old man," Hammya greeted flatly, her expression serious.