Chapter. 9

"_Excuse me_," a voice seeking attention in the crowd belonged to **Gregório**, **D'haime's** messenger. He rarely appeared on important occasions, only leaving **D'haime** when something special was organized. "_May I have the attention of the caretakers of the children for a moment?_" he asked in a nonchalant tone. **Gregório** had a slender build, and his hair was so blond it bordered on white. His skin resembled extremely pale marble, with a faint golden hue on his cheeks, as if something more special than blood flowed through his veins. He addressed the leaders in front of us and walked among us with a mocking haughtiness. He was extremely handsome. We knew he was from **D'haime**, not only because of his distinctive eyes but also due to his overall appearance. Everything there was beautiful; they might be eccentric, but they were all desirable.

As he moved, one could see the energy he commanded, like a fluid veil that appeared during certain motions. His attire was incomparable to ours; everything favored him and accentuated his best features. While some had the figure of warriors, he carried a charming and undoubtedly eccentric diplomatic aspect.

I couldn't help but observe what he was doing there. The selectors intrigued me—such freedom and power in one person. It was mind-boggling to imagine that, besides being free from risks, someone like me could simply have the ability to fly, manipulate objects without touching them, and even enhance physical qualities by merely changing energy. They stepped away to converse, and it was evident that **Carmem** disagreed with what was happening. He always smiled and listened to others with a carefree demeanor, but his gaze was always threatening. His posture said, "Don't worry," yet his eyes remained icy. When everyone agreed, he approached the pyre and, with a snap of his fingers toward the fire, turned it a purplish hue. The torches, even though not currently used for illumination, took on the same color. Everyone gathered around the pyre to hear **D'haime's** announcement.

"_Brothers! Today, I come to you to inform you that all the young ones must cross the bridge to **D'haime** today itself. Some may feel they are being depleted, but only through their experiences in our midst can we open doors to a glorious future for them! So, those who are here will depart immediately, and those who remain behind must present themselves tomorrow morning._We were all excited about it, and spending the rest of the week in D'haime was comforting for everyone there. Some of the more enthusiastic ones clapped their hands, and Gregorio grinned widely. "I love serving these people," he said happily. "So... what am I waiting for?" With a quick movement of his hands, he spun the basin of the pyre, which rotated vigorously until it turned into a kind of portal. Before the amazed eyes, he smiled. "Well, anyone who masters the auroras should have at least a little comfort, don't you think? You can go through!"

Hugo was the first to pass, and soon the others followed without resistance. Such things were always surprising. I approached the portal and realized that it wasn't so uncommon; it resembled the doors of the bridge. So, as usual, I went through it, and quickly I was already in D'haime. The sensation was no different from what I expected: I passed through a gap of purple smoke and felt my head heavy, but it was common, an effect of the little resistance we had to that place. Everyone was a bit dazed; some coughed, but they were satisfied with the arrival. Amidst some coughs and blinking hard to try to alleviate the discomfort, I went to the cabinets where they separated clothes for us to blend in better. In terms of clothing, we wouldn't be chosen for anything if they kept the village clothes on us.

I didn't like this part very much; the last time I was in D'haime, they gave me an extremely tight dress, and for me, who didn't like staying in just one place in D'haime, it became extremely annoying. But I had already decided that nothing would limit me this time. I reached the closet, and Sabrina was next to me, perplexed by what she saw, but her reaction wasn't one of fascination like the other times. When she noticed me, she entered the closet for a quick change of clothes. If the optimistic and adaptable one didn't like what she saw, I should be prepared.

When I placed my hand on the closet reader, it opened. In the center, there was a long jumpsuit, snug to the body, filled with small sparkling glimmers in the fabric. There was a belt with a skirt that imitated the warriors of the arenas, but it only covered the back part of the outfit. On the upper part, there was a kind of shield on the shoulder pads, and as a head ornament, a laurel tiara. A boot with metallic details was next to it, and I wondered how frivolous it all was, but I was happy to have freedom of movement.

Everything in that place was gigantic. The closet was the size of my living room, bedroom, and bathroom combined. Inside, there were screens displaying images of the new members of D'haime and the Primary Icons. I stared at it for a while; Gregorio was among them, with his cynical and handsome smile. Not everyone became Primary Icons and, consequently, Selectors, but despite that, everyone did their best to be like them. I couldn't say I knew many who had succeeded in joining, let alone becoming Primary Icons. Being summoned by Gregorio was already a privilege.

I put on the clothes and stood in front of the mirror, which suggested accessories like spears, shields, and a small bag for the belt, and that's what I chose.

I looked at myself in the mirror; I looked like a different person, much prettier, but my posture remained the same. My hair was tied in a high ponytail, and as I straightened my back, seeing my reflection alongside the screens made me wander in the thought of standing out there. Perhaps I had something good to be celebrated by them; surely I must have, if I compared myself to Hugo, I would be morally better without a doubt.