1 Chapter 1 (Arch one: The Ripper)

The clouds were a deep gray, their grandeur covering as much space as possible, leaving only a small part for the faint moonlight. If you look at the dense mist that covered every trace of blood that covered the place, you could see a figure, in the corner of one of the few houses still standing and without any traces of fire on its walls; he was huddled near a dark corner of the house, completely covered by a blanket that seemed to contain the stars, revealing nothing but two opaque eyes that seemed not to focus on anything in particular.

All silent except for the crackle of the flames, not even the sound of the crickets could be heard, if you paid attention the faint sound of sighs and slow breaths were the only thing that differentiated this figure from the other corpses in the place.

The sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the place. A small figure came through the shattered door that could barely stay in place, quickly approached the other, and knelt in front of him. He slowly placed his head on his lap and sighed.

"Grandpa ... we must go," she murmured, brushing the strands away from her face and closing her eyes.

Time was something they did not have at the time, the more they lost it was likely that they would have realized that they escaped. They weren't ready to face the Chorus.

"We were supposed to be here, I promised to tell them" A whisper loaded with pain was all that came out of his mouth covered in cloth, his eyes still distant, but stroking his head in his lap.

"We can not-"

The words died in her mouth as a furious bark from outside silenced her. They were both tired, escaping from the Confessional had used up the shred of power they had gathered before but they couldn't stop now. It was enough only with a small error for them to find them; so without further ado, she gently removed the fine hands from her head and got up from the ground, helping the other to stand up.

With determined but somewhat weak steps they left the house. In front of them was a dog perhaps larger than two houses together, with slightly dirty white fur and huge red eyes. They came closer and climbed on his back, ready to go when they caught a faint sound like wood crashing and angry hooves approaching in their direction.

" Let's go! Him" She yelled stroking the soft fur in front of her. The dog quickly started.

He ran fast and leaped up to climb into the lower clouds. Both figures, one dressed in purple and the other with liquid stars for clothing, disappeared into the clouds.

Leaving behind the town covered in corpses of all shapes and sizes with bright clothes, fire in each mural, and the thick mist covering the river of blood that painted every corner.

Right in the middle of it all, the statue of a beautifully carved man in long robes now painted red, staining the beautiful flower shapes, posed holding in his hands a small baby with tears running down his plump cheeks. Where before was the beautiful face of him gazing happily at the baby now had a huge piece of cloth with a green symbol covering it.

●●●

Present

"Hey hey! Get up!"

He was barely conscious, his arm itched and his head spun, every time he moved he heard the rustle of what he thought were leaves. He felt a pressure on his right cheek and abruptly opened his eyes, everything was reddish and pink where he looked so he realized where he was, near the crossing to the pink ravine; in front of him with an expression of uncertainty is a plump and bald man.

"Ah boy! What the hell are you doing here? Are you trying to escape from home or is a human chasing you? Because if it's something that has to do with those bastards, you'd better go, I don't want to have problems " the man shook his head and began to sweep the ground in front of him" he knew that this attempt at a king could not keep them away with fools treated " he murmured and noticing that he was not moving, irritated he hit him with the broomstick.

"Can't you hear ?! move on!" He yelled as he hit him harder but without causing real damage.

"Where's my duck? " It was the first thing he noticed when checking his surroundings, with some effort he got up and cleaned the dirt from his side.

" A duck? " Indifferently asked the man, stopping hitting him and starting to sweep " There was nothing when I found you. I kindly ask you to leave the place, I must finish cleaning and go with my wife to lunch.

He didn't answer anything, just waved goodbye and started on his way.

"Pssh, how crazy. Who in his right mind would come to the ravine knowing that it is cleaning season? " The man spoke to himself while he saw the young man's back moving away " He is lucky that I will find him if he had been one of those humans ..."

The man continued cleaning the leaves and branches from the ground but the moment he gathered them together a strong wind scattered them and placed them in their original places, he sighed and started again. It will be a long day.

●●●

Dennys didn't understand how he appeared at the intersection. He walked a few more feet and stopped to rest on a somewhat flat rock, carefully removing the backpack from his back, sitting up, and closing his eyes.

The house had been full of movement since very early, his parents were preparing to celebrate the birth of the god Tlallí that would take place in the capital. His father had asked him to get bee venom for the offering. He hadn't wanted to go but he had no other choice or it was bee venom or the excrement of a chup and it was very easy to guess which one he would take.

After getting ready Dennys took Calamity and left home. Who would say that in the middle of the road he would have the first flash?

" Ah, so complicated! " Dennys complained hitting his head when he felt the growl of his stomach " I should have listened to mom and eat before leaving " he wailed as he shrugged and put his face on his knees " but hey, what can be done? He " he grumbled some more and got up and stretched his back, arms, and legs. Repeating that for a few more minutes he was ready to continue, picked up his backpack, and continued with the tedious search.

He reached into his backpack and found a small yellow rattle. He closed the bag and continued.

Dennys looked around him, the place was filled with all kinds of greens and pinks. The books and adults said that this crossing was where the humans killed half the army of the previous king, gouging out his eyes and cutting off his hands. When he was little and his uncles told him stories of their battles and his parents narrated the missions they had when they met, many times he had tried to come to the place and look for remains of those battles, but his dad always caught him before he could jump the barrier of your house, he pulled him by the ear and urged him to pray to the gods about kneeling on tiny seeds every time he passed. Come on, you couldn't blame him! He was seven years old and had an immense desire to find a corpse, at least he learned his lesson.

After the 30th time.

Time passed quickly, noticing his arm full of cracks was his sign that more than three hours had passed. Every step he took was followed by the jingle of the rattle beads. If his instinct was correct (and it was because of the louder sound) he was near the place where he parted ways with Calamity earlier.

A distant growl caught his attention, the sound of him rumbling the dust particles, Dennys stopped and listened intently as the sound cleared and the ground shook madly. In front of him, a round thing with little red eyes lunged at his chest and placed his mouth on his right cheek as he clung to his.

" Here you are! " Excitedly, he took the little black duck in his arms, bringing it from his face and squeezing it to his chest " Calamity, it's time to look for the poison, I already had a flash, it is better to get home quickly in case another happens " Dennys spoke with a voice honeyed as it crushed the poor squirming duck trying to escape.

●●●

Long ago the Bond of fire was divided. With seven circles forming the Region, the first circle reigned by the pure and false Spirits, the second conformed by the Beasts, the third by the Magical ones, the fourth by the Humans, fifth, sixth, and seventh under the command of the Fairies of the Spring, Summer and Winter. Each one of them was created by The Whole with something in particular that differentiated them.

For millennia each of them lived together as a unit; the Magical along with the Beasts gave protection to Humans in exchange for their discoveries and technology. But peace is something very difficult to have, 70 years ago on the 15th day of September the capital of Sauropsida was attacked at the height of its celebration of the stars.

Every magic that was in the place regardless of whether they were children or babies were found dead without his eyes and hearts, that night the war between both kingdoms began.

●●●

They were near the flower path, a path that connected each main city, it was widely used by merchants and travelers to save time, one of the king's reforms. The reason for his name was obvious when he saw all the cocoons that littered the road.

Dennys was tired, when he left his house this morning he decided not to eat because 'he would come quickly' now with his stomach growling he saw his mistake. He had walked and searched many trees but still did not have the bee venom, so he must have asked his uncle Rond for help.

Dennys continued to wail, Calamity began emitting a slight croak that caught his attention.

He didn't have time to ask Calamity what was going on before the duck escaped from its backpack and released a fierce squawk darting in front of the bush behind them. Dennys quickly moved to his side, directed some energy into his hand, and cautiously walked into the bush ready to attack. He got closer, but when he checked the bush he found nothing except a wrapper of sour candy that was very popular today.

" Silly duck was probably just an animal " Dennys gave a relieved laugh and pulled the black feathers of the little boy who looked at him with indignation in his red eyes " Let's not waste any more time or mom and dad will start to worry " He picked up the duck and came back To place it on his back, he once again looked at the place and without giving it any importance, he left.

After an arduous search, Dennys finally found a hive of bees in a huge tree. He took off his backpack and pulled Calamity out of it, gained momentum to climb the tree, ran a bit, and began to climb, Dennys had a small appearance but was very agile. He reached the top and looked at the hive.

It was a huge thing with many circular patterns, it had the appearance of a giant oatmeal cookie. Carefully he leaned his weight lightly on a thick branch and brought his hand closer to the edge.

"Excuse me, ladies, I need some of your poison so if you'll excuse me" Dennys spoke low and respectful, reaching his small hand into the hive.

Carefully he picked up a bee and fully leaning his chest on the branch used the other to place a small vial on the stinger. He waited a while and lightly squeezed the bee, extracted the venom, leaving half the content, and let the bee go, took out a cap covering the vial.

He released himself from the branch and something wobbled to the ground. Dennys checked the vial with clear liquid and put it away. He pinched Calamity, picked up his things, and placed them on his back.

When he finally was able to return home, he moved his hand and more cracks appeared on his arm. He snorted and with a click of his tongue began to run.

●●●

In front of Dennys was a huge metallic gray gate with turkeys engraved on it, he took a key from his pocket and unlocked it. Behind it, you could see small glowing balls on a huge sloping stone path. Every step Dennys took was followed by the blinking of these little balls, at the end of the road was a large colorful house; he went down to Calamity and entered.

A beautiful pastel-colored room and comfortable armchairs greeted him.

" I'm here! " He yelled, throwing the backpack and taking out the vial.

A greeting was heard from the back of the room. Dennys ran to the source of it.

The smell of cooked meat and the sound of a knife cutting greeted him as he passed the threshold, in front of Dennys a small man with too-pale skin, considerable muscles, tied hair, and an apron tied around his small waist smiled at him.

"Hello Sun " the man greeted sweetly without looking up from the vegetables he was cutting.

" What are you doing Dad?" Curious, Dennys approached the man and rested his chin on the marble counter.

" Your mom had some business to attend to so she left me here finishing dinner " Without even taking his eyes off his work, he was able to stop the hand that was slowly approaching the meat in the pot. In capturing him he abused the cheeks of his son.

" Oh! " Dennys complained jokingly, listening to the laugh that elicited the reaction from him to the man. Something dubious spoke " Dad, mmh this morning, when I went to look for the poison, I may have had a flash " nervously scratched the back of his neck, and at no time did he look at the delicate eyes in front of him.

" Oh," his dad immediately stopped cutting, covered everything, and washed his hands. He slowly stood next to Dennys taking off his apron with a silly drawing of the sun" How do you feel Sun? " He gently placed his hand on Dennys's arm and hummed thoughtfully.

" It itched a bit but it is not as broken like the last one " He calmed his father and while he was distracted he did not notice that he had stolen a piece of carrot.

" Very good. " The man stroked the youngest's white hair and gave him a warm smile " Let's go to my study" He took the little boy's arm and led them outside.

Dennys squeezed his dad's arm as they walked through long hallways filled with photos of him and his parents as well as paintings of the sky and landscapes of the sun.

His father opened a copper-colored door at the end of the hall and urged him inside. They entered a large room with a desk in the background and light blue armchairs neatly placed in the corners, Dennys threw himself into the comfortable chair, and with his peripheral vision, he observed his father checking each drawer of the desk. After a while of staring at the wedding photograph of his parents, he felt a weight next to him.

Dennys extended his arm and the white-haired man massaged his fingers filled with transparent cream with green chunks (disgusting) throughout. His father hummed a sweet melody, when his arm was all disgusting to him, he wrapped it with a bandage.

" Next time you better take the ointment with you " He gave the jar to Dennys and smiled with wrinkled eyes " I remember when I had mine, your grandfather almost died when he saw them " They both laughed at the image of the deadly serious man he pointed of fainting.

" Nauge where are you !? " A cry caught their attention "Is the food ready?"

" I'm in the studio my love, Dennys is back!" The kind man also yelled and motioned for Dennys to get up. " He still hasn't finished the salad, let's go! " Despite being closer to the kitchen, Nauge likes to scream if the smile on his face says something (Although when did the man not smile?).

" Good, hi baby, mom is back! " The happy screams still didn't stop and got louder, he sighed as they got closer.

Father and son without hiding their laughter entered the room, but before they could enter, some hands took them both and began to spin them in the air. When Dennys passed the fright he looked at the person in front of them, a strong and tall man with long caramel hair and eyes with a dark glow of amusement moved his index finger clockwise without trying to hide the smile from him.

" How are you, Rond? " Nauge asked without removing his soft smile despite spinning his head in the air.

" Ha hahaha! " The man gave a great laugh giving Dennys and Nauge more laps with his magic "How are you, little brother-in-law? Hello Dennys " Without removing his smile and moving his finger, he asked despite not needing an answer.

" Rond, stop playing and better come set the table, or I won't give you food! " The scream from the kitchen finally stopped Rond's laughter who, with a pout, lowered them both.

When they came down abruptly Dennys had to lean against a wall, when the world finally stopped moving, strong arms lifted him and spun him again, making him dizzy.

His uncle Rond of his did the same when he came and although Dennys complained of the dizziness he was aware that he enjoyed it. The man carried him to the table, where stood a tall and curvy woman with caramel locks tied in a small bun, with a straight nose wearing a cream-colored suit, she smiled at both of them and bent down to kiss his father who approached and hugged her. Everyone sat in their places and everyone ate food.

They thanked for the food and began to devour it.

" How was it, baby? " The only woman in the room spoke to her while she took a small bite of rice, placing her gaze on Dennys.

" No complications " Dennys murmured purposely avoiding his gaze, he was very aware that if she looked into his eyes he could not hide anything " I got the poison, Calamity is playing " He tasted the meat that was so delicious how it smelled.

Cover didn't say anything but she silently questioned her husband. In a wordless discussion, they caught up.

" I see, after eating you bathe and put on the clothes I left on your bed for today " her mother gave a smile and made a sign to her brother who did not notice her until he kicked her foot.

" Ah? Ah! Yes, you must dress up as a very handsome nephew, Leger and his husband will also come along with Hotte and her family. The whole Neánt family will come! " Rond cheerfully clapped his hands counting with his fingers how many people would be in the house " Let's hope my little brother-in-law has cooked enough to fill those beasts " He joked hitting Nauge's shoulder who just smiled at him and when he turned his face he rolled his eyes.

They all continued talking about their morning as they ate. Today would be a fantastic day, not for nothing was the day of harvest.

●●●

Near the ravine, a young woman covered in blood all over her back was trying with all her might to crawl and escape.

But before she could give another scratch to the ground from her one hand, she gripped tightly by her hair and turned her head back.

Her strength was immense and she couldn't help but sob as blood dripped from her neck. Before she could scream, another hand of hers approached her face and abruptly began to put her fingers in her eyelid, jerking her eyeballs out of her. Her screams and screams could not stop being heard all over the place, it was a pity that she was in an uninhabited place since her screams would have alerted anyone.

Her pleas were ignored while the other with her foot hit her back, again and again, cracking her ribs, when they removed the other eye they began to remove tooth by tooth from her mouth, the pain was such that the poor woman could not help losing the few traces of consciousness she had and she fainted.

The next morning the news would say that the Head of the kingdom's public relations department had been reported missing.