Chapter 27: Dreams and Ambitions

  The team had traveled to the planet where J?rmungandr had stayed during his days off. The planet Nifheim turned out to be a surprisingly quiet place. Despite its desolate appearance, there were vast fields of dark grass that swung with the wind, and a starry sky that seemed to encompass everything.

  The atmosphere of the group was relaxed. Lightning was in charge of making jokes to break the tension.

  Lightning (mocking Valterion): "Hey, Val, how does it feel to be a closet with legs?"

  Valterion (crossing his arms): "And how does it feel to be a mosquito that talks too much?"

  Laughter broke out immediately, even Charlotte and Elizabeth couldn't hold back.

  Between jokes and smiles, the atmosphere became more intimate. The group had grown a lot since their adventures began. Gone were those days when they were just aimless adventurers. Now, they were known as The Big Five, the entourage of the ruler of the Biuniverse.

  Juan (looking at the sky): "Have you ever imagined that we would get here?"

  The laughter stopped little by little. Everyone was silent, as if they were barely realizing how much they had lived together.

  ?

  Ambitions and Dreams

  Juan decided to break the silence.

  Juan: "And what do you really want? We already know what the Biuniverse expects from me, but... what do you expect?"

  The first to speak was Lightning.

  Lightning (with a more serious tone than usual): "The truth... I come from a poor place. A neighborhood where life was worthless. I saw many friends get lost in that world and... I always promised myself that if I got to have power or resources, I would do something for the children. I want each of them to have an opportunity, that they don't grow up believing that they are destined to lose."

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  The silence remained for a few seconds. It was Charlotte who continued.

  Charlotte: "I... I just want my race to stop being seen as a threat. We are not monsters. We are not murderers. We just exist... and I want the universe to understand it. I want future generations of vampires to be able to live without being persecuted.”

  Elizabeth took the floor, with a firm but somewhat trembling voice.

  Elizabeth: "In my case... I want semi-humans to also be able to live with dignity. We are not beasts. We are not mistakes of destiny. We are people who are just born different, and that shouldn't be a reason to be treated like monsters."

  Scarlett arranged her black hair with green sparkles before speaking.

  Scarlett: "My biggest dream... is to heal the universe. Heal every wound, every pain, every injustice. I don't think I'll manage to do it alone, but... if I can do my bit, I will."

  Juan smiled, impressed by the determination of his friends.

  ?

  The Confession of Valterion

  The atmosphere calmed down again. Juan noticed that there was only one left to speak.

  Juan (looking at Valterion): "And what are you waiting for, Val?"

  Valterion, who had been watching the fire in silence, slowly looked up.

  Valterion (with a firm voice): "Before... it was neither good nor bad. It was just... someone. I did things that I'm not proud of, and I also helped others. But... overse time, I realized that none of that mattered. Because all that... was left behind."

  Valterion got up from the ground, his imposing figure illuminated by fire.

  Valterion (with a voice full of conviction): "My only purpose now is that this universe is at peace... and that you are the best ruler possible. My loyalty has no conditions, Juan. I'll follow you even if everything collapses. It's what I am now."

  Juan (smiling): "Come on, Val, you don't have to be glued to me like a shadow."

  Valterion (with a more serious voice): "No. You don't understand it. You are my life now. If something happened to you, my own existence would lose meaning."

  Valterion's words made the whole group remain silent. It wasn't just loyalty... it was something deeper. Something that transcended duty.

  ?

  The Shadow in the Darkness

  The group continued to share anecdotes. J?rmungandr, with his youthful but strong voice, told them some of his experiences on the planet and the creatures he had met.

  They laughed, joked and enjoyed a moment of peace. But what Juan and his friends didn't know... is that they weren't alone.

  Hidden in the thicket of the trees, a dark shadow watched silently. His eyes shone with a crimson glow, and a crooked smile was drawn on his face.

  ???: "So... this is the Ruler... interesting."

  Danger was looming, and the real challenge was about to begin.

  End of chapter.