Rudy and Marina walked in silence into an open field, where a colossal tree stood tall with a white trunk and pink blossoms swaying gently in the wind. Marina widened her eyes, amazed.
— What is this place? I've never seen anything so beautiful...
Rudy, now dressed in a white linen shirt and beige pants, smiled.
— This is where our clan gathers. That tree is our greatest treasure. It's called the Tree of Life.
Marina felt her heart calm. The breeze was light, the scents sweet, the sounds soft. For the first time since arriving in that world, she felt at peace.
Suddenly, footsteps. Dry rustles. Thirteen masked figures emerged from the bushes, bows pointed directly at Marina.
— Hold it! Lower your bows! — Rudy shouted, shielding Marina with his body.
She hid behind him, trembling. A firm voice echoed behind the archers:
— Rudyard, what is the meaning of this?!
The Master appeared, masked once more, cloaked in his dark mantle. Marina shivered at the sight of him.
— Don't be afraid — Rudy whispered in her ear.
— You ran off with her, Rudyard?! — the Master bellowed.
— Who is Rudyard? — Marina whispered.
— That's my name. Rudy is just a nickname — he replied.
— Besides refusing to take your place in the Pack, now you're freeing our prisoners?! — the Master shouted.
— You know I'm anything but a traitor, Master.
— But what I see is you returning with the prisoner!
From among the archers, a voice cried out:
— Rudy!
— Lupita! — he answered.
The red-haired she-wolf ran to him and threw herself into his arms.
— Rudy, I haven't seen you in weeks. You always travel without warning!
— My dear cousin, you know I wasn't born to stay in one place. Like any good nomadic wolf, I love exploring new lands and cultures.
— Oh... Rudy — she sighed, melting.
— Enough nonsense! — the Master roared. — Lupita, if I recall, the prisoner was under your watch!
Lupita turned to Marina and scratched her head:
— That's true, Master... hahaha... I got distracted for a moment.
— Marina! — shouted Diego.
— Diego! — she answered.
— Restrain him! — ordered the Master.
Three masked figures tackled Diego to the ground. He struggled furiously.
— You promised that if I became your slave, you would free her!
The Master crossed his arms, thoughtful.
— That's true... a deal is a deal. Lower your bows!
The masked archers obeyed. Rudy crossed his arms.
— You don't usually free prisoners, Master.
— Silence, Rudyard!
— You should be watching those you recruit into the clan instead of arguing with me.
— The recruits? What did you do with them?
— I killed them all.
The archers looked at each other, shocked.
— What?! — the Master roared.
— They didn't recognize me... they tried to kill me.
— This way you'll never be the next leader! The ALPHA!
— I don't care. You know I have no desire to lead the clan.
— Don't talk nonsense!
— So? Weren't you just about to release the prisoner? As far as I know, the Alpha has the final word.
The Master clenched his fists and took a deep breath.
— You are free. Do as you wish and go wherever you please.
Diego smiled, relieved, but soon noticed Marina showed no reaction.
— May I suggest something? — said Rudy.
Marina looked at him with trust.
— Since you're free but don't know where to go... why not come to my quarters?
— Rudyard! — the Master shouted.
— Rudy! — Lupita exclaimed, jealous.
— Marina, don't do it! They're evil! Marina! — Diego begged.
She looked at him for a moment, then turned and followed Rudy. The two disappeared into the trees.
In the stillness of the night, a whistle echoed in the darkness. Windows opened in the southern village. Curious villagers stared at the river. Two lights approached across the water.
Felipinho and Drica docked.
— Strangers! — someone shouted.
Visitors were rare in that village. The residents gathered quickly.
— Welcome, travelers! — said a cheerful old man.
— Hello, thank you very much! — Drica replied.
— Haven't moved on yet? Stay with me and my wife at our home. What do you say?
— It would be a great pleasure, sir. What's your name? — asked Felipinho.
— I'm Heitor, village chief. This is my wife, Abigail.
— A pleasure to meet you both! — said Drica.
Children gathered around Felipinho, poking at his clothes.
— Hey, stop it! That tickles!
— They're curious! Children are always the first to be amazed — said the old man.
Drica pulled out her phone and handed it to the children.
— The battery won't last long, but have fun!
— Wow! Is it magic? — the old man asked.
— Sort of, hahaha...
— Wonderful! Come with me, please.
The villagers cheered as they followed the newcomers to the chief's house. Inside:
— Please, sit on the couch — said Heitor.
— I'll prepare some coffee and toast — announced Abigail, leaving.
— Whew, this is so comfy... — sighed Drica.
— Finally, a soft place to rest — said Felipinho.
Heitor laughed.
— Glad you're enjoying your stay. What brings you to our village?
— We're looking for information. We don't know where we are or where to go — Felipe replied.
— You're lost? — the old man asked, surprised.
— Can you help us, Mr. Heitor? — asked Drica.
— You're in the peaceful River Village, southwest of the capital.
— So there is a capital! — Drica exclaimed.
— Yes, it's called New Acropolis.
— What's a summoned one? — Felipe asked.
The old man frowned.
— There's a legend that souls from another world are summoned here to feed the Tree of Life.
— Tree of Life?
— A millennia-old tree that nurtures all life on the planet. When there aren't enough souls, it summons them from another world.
— Sounds like a scientific article — Drica joked.
— And the Pack? — Felipe asked.
— They were the ancient clan that ruled the kingdom.
— Can a summoned one return to their world? — Drica asked.
— That... I don't know. But you might find something in the Royal Library in the capital.
— Really?
— Yes. I worked there in my youth. Moved here with my wife twenty years ago to raise our grandchildren.
— Then that's what we'll do, Drica. Let's go to the capital! — Felipe said excitedly.
— We can prepare some horses for you tomorrow.
— Would you do that for us?
— Don't worry, my dear. We're proud to treat visitors well!
Drica and Felipinho hugged and jumped with joy. Abigail arrived with coffee and toast.
— It's nice and warm.
They sat at the table and began eating. Felipinho noticed an intriguing painting. A knight in shining armor climbed a mountain on a white horse. At the top, a black dragon with blue eyes awaited.
— What a beautiful painting!
— A unique piece — said Heitor. — It depicts the legend of the hero George and the Dragon...
A scream interrupted:
— HELP!
Heitor opened the door.
— What is it, Jeremy?
— They found everyone dead at the Thompson house!
— That's impossible!
— Sir, this has never happened before. We haven't had a homicide in decades... Who could've done this?
Felipinho shivered.
— What happened?
Heitor turned, visibly shaken.
— Yesterday... another outsider arrived before you. He stayed with the Thompsons...