.

  Chapter 35: The echo of the warning

  The next day began normally. Juan was in his office, reviewing some reports with Ellie, while his friends enjoyed a moment of tranquility. However, Valterion could not relax. His mind kept going over that conversation with Waru, and above all, the disturbing white fragment he had seen on the planet.

  Determined to find answers, Valterion approached Scarlett.

  "Can we talk?" he said seriously.

  Scarlett nodded, although she was uneasy. When they found themselves alone in the back garden of the mansion, Valterion went straight to the point.

  "Scarlett... what are you looking for?"

  Scarlett was silent for a few seconds, trying to avoid the question.

  "It's nothing important," he replied with a nervous smile.

  "Don't lie to me," Valterion interrupted her. I've noticed that lately you've been more restless than usual... and now I understand. You're looking for something or... someone.

  Scarlett lowered her head, her expression could no longer hide the truth.

  "It's okay..." he finally said. A while ago I started to feel something... something strange. I don't know what it is, but I feel like it's getting closer... something very, very bad.

  Valterion remained silent, waiting for him to continue talking.

  "I've been looking for clues everywhere," Scarlett continued. But I don't know what it is... I don't know who it is. And that scares me... what if we can't stop it? What if it destroys us all?

  "Juan is with us," Valterion said firmly. There's nothing we can't overcome together.

  "What if Juan is not enough?" Scarlett replied in despair. What if we all die...?

  Valterion remained silent. He was not someone who hesitated easily, but the way Scarlett had said it made him feel a chill in his back.

  "I'm not going to allow that to happen," Valterion finally said. I promise you by the word of a gentleman.

  Scarlett managed to sketch a slight smile and both returned to the mansion, although the restlessness remained in the air.

  ?

  Hours later...

  Juan was busy with his tasks as a ruler. Ellie mentioned three planets that needed his help:

  ?  Glukbak —a world in political crisis.

  ?  Salkoli —a planet in civil war.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  ?  Glombiak - a small agricultural world whose harvest had been destroyed.

  Juan decided that he would visit the first two planets with Lightning, and leave the third for the end, because it seems like a quieter mission.

  "Why does Glombiak seem so... simple?" Juan asked.

  "That planet has a special atmospheric pressure," Ellie explained. You won't have to use your power to calm your aura.

  "Perfect," Juan said. I'll leave it for the end.

  ?

  Meanwhile...

  Valterion was in his secret room. In the center of the room was a huge map of the biuniverse, full of lines, markers and highlighted areas. He held the scroll he had taken from Scarlett in his hands, trying to decipher what it could mean.

  Suddenly, a chill ran down his back.

  "What's the use of all this?"

  Valterion was paralyzed. That

  Chapter 35: The Whisper in the Shadows

  The day dawned with a strange vibe. The air in the mansion felt heavy, as if an invisible cloud of uncertainty landed on everyone. For days, Scarlett had been restless, and this time Valterion could not ignore it anymore.

  "What's going on?" Valterion asked in a firm tone as he approached Scarlett in the library.

  Scarlett turned quickly, nervous. His eyes revealed exhaustion and anguish.

  "I've felt it for days... or weeks... I don't know. Something is not right. -Scarlett paused, her fingers trembling-. I feel that someone... or something... is approaching.

  Valterion crossed his arms, trying to reason calmly.

  "Juan is here." He can handle it.

  But Scarlett reacted with frustration, raising her voice.

  "And if Juan can't?" What if this time is not enough for him? -His eyes filled with fear-. What happens if we all die?

  Valterion was silent. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to say. But finally, with a firm and determined tone, he knelt in front of Scarlett and said:

  "I may not be as strong as Juan, but I swear by my honor as a knight that I will protect you. And not only to you, but to everyone. Juan is not going to fight alone... not this time.

  Scarlett took a deep breath, feeling a slight consolation in her words. But the fear in his eyes did not disappear completely.

  ?

  The next day

  Juan was in his office, reviewing reports with Ellie, his secretary.

  "Well, Ellie, what do we have today?"

  The young woman, always efficient, gave him a report with three requests for help.

  —The planet Glukbak needs help in a political dispute. The planet Salkoli is facing riots due to an invasion of underground creatures... -He paused-. And then there's the planet Glombiak...

  "Glombiak?" Juan asked curiously.

  "Yes." Their corn crops are being devoured by a plague, and they need help to raise crops in trees too high for them. -Ellie smiled slightly-. They look like adorable creatures.

  Juan scratched his head. "Why would the ruler have to go for such a problem?" He thought. But Ellie explained that the planet had a magical atmosphere that would make her aura not a problem, allowing her to work without restrictions.

  "It's okay, Glombiak will be the last one." First I will go to the other two planets. -Juan decided.

  ?

  On the first planet

  Juan and Lightning arrived on the planet Glukbak, resolving the dispute with their characteristic charisma. There was no lack of jokes and laughter between the two, remembering their old adventures.

  "Do you remember how I met you?" Juan asked as they walked back.

  "How to forget it..." Lightning said laughing. You almost ripped my arm off in that alley.

  The two laughed, strengthening their friendship even more.

  ?

  Meanwhile, in the mansion

  Charlotte and Elizabeth chatted alone, remembering old adventures. Between laughter and memories, both got nervous when they remembered their feelings for Juan. Although they both knew that he already loved them, that restlessness still accompanied them.

  ?

  In Valterion's secret room

  Valterion looked at his map of the biuniverse. With a calculating look, he tried to deduce what the strange scroll he had taken from Scarlett meant without her noticing.

  "Where will the next attack come from...?" he murmured to himself.

  Suddenly, a whispering voice resounded in the room.

  "The truth is that they are so... pathetic."

  Valterion quickly turned around, but there was no one. Just the echo of those words rumbling in his mind.

  "Who are you?" he asked in a firm tone.

  But the voice didn't respond. Valterion clenched his fists and looked at the scroll once more. Something big was coming... and this time, even he wasn't sure that Juan could stop him.