Chapter 36: Calm before collapse

  The day began calmly, but in the air there was a tension that no one could explain.

  Juan returned from the first planet with Lightning. Both arrived at the mansion with laughter and jokes.

  "I told you that you wouldn't beat me in the return race!" Juan joked, pushing Lightning friendly.

  "Yes, of course... I let you win because I felt sorry for you." Relámpago replied with a mocking smile.

  They both laughed and entered the mansion, where Ellie was waiting for them to give the next report.

  "Juan, one more planet is missing," Ellie said, handing him the report. The planet Glombiak, the one of the little creatures.

  Juan looked at the report and sighed.

  "I'll do it tomorrow." Today I think we all need a break.

  "Are you sure?" Ellie asked with a strange tone.

  Juan patted him on the shoulder.

  "Yes." Rest, Ellie. You work hard too.

  ?

  The second planet - Scarlett and Juan

  Hours before returning home, Juan had visited the second planet with Scarlett.

  The trip had been strange. Scarlett was visibly tense. She walked nervously and kept watching her surroundings.

  "Is something wrong?" Juan asked him, noticing his discomfort.

  "It's nothing," she replied. But his look said the opposite.

  Juan decided to insist.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Scarlett, we've been together long enough for you to know you can't lie to me."

  Scarlett lowered her head and exhaled heavily.

  "It's just that... I've been feeling something... like a presence." Something is coming, Juan. Something I can't see, but I know is there.

  "And why didn't you tell me before?" Juan asked, worried.

  "Because I didn't want to scare you." I don't want you to think I'm paranoid. -his voice sounded broken-. But every day that feeling becomes stronger.

  Juan put a hand on his shoulder.

  "You're not paranoid... if you feel that something is wrong, it's because surely something is wrong.

  Scarlett looked at Juan with a certain peace in her eyes.

  "Don't worry, Scarlett." If something wants to hurt us... it will have to go over me.

  ?

  Valterion's warning

  Back at the mansion, dinner passed relatively calmly. Laughter filled the room while the group shared anecdotes.

  But Valterion remained silent, staring at the table. His mind kept repeating over and over again the vision he had had with Waru.

  "Valterion?" Juan called him, taking him out of his thoughts. Is everything okay?

  The gentleman looked up and spoke in a gloomy tone.

  —Listen, everyone.

  The laughter stopped. Scarlett and Elizabeth left their glasses on the table, Lightning lowered her feet from the armchair and Charlotte stopped playing with a knife.

  "I know we are in times of peace... but don't forget that we are warriors." His voice was firm, with a touch of concern. Don't let your guard down. Train. Get ready. Because we don't know when we'll be in danger again.

  The atmosphere became heavier. No one said anything, but everyone understood the message.

  "Come on, Valterion..." Juan said in a calm tone. Today we are at peace. Relax.

  "I hope you're right..." Valterion murmured, returning to his plate.

  ?

  The enemy in the shadows

  Miles away, on a planet plunged into the gloom, a lonely figure sat on a stone throne surrounded by darkness.

  The figure wore a dark hood and his face seemed to be composed of broken fragments, as if his own existence was incomplete. His eyes burned like embers in the middle of the gloom.

  Around him, an army of hooded figures was waiting for instructions.

  "That was enough..." the figure murmured in a distorted voice. It's time for them to understand who is the true ruler of this universe.

  His eyes shone brightly and a huge shadow spread throughout the planet.

  ?

  The moment of peace

  Meanwhile, in the mansion, Juan smiled and lifted an object between his hands.

  "Look at this!" It's a camera!

  "A camera?" Lightning asked, laughing. What do you plan to do with that?

  "Let's take a picture."

  The group settled in laughter. Scarlett and Elizabeth stood next to Juan, while Lightning posed making a funny grimace. Charlotte stuck out her tongue and Valterion remained stoic, but with a slight smile barely visible under his helmet.

  The flash lit up the room.

  In the photograph, Juan smiled sincerely, enjoying the moment... not knowing that very soon, that smile would be threatened.