Season 2, Chapter 4: The Path of the Great Shiva

  The day when everything changed began in the calmest way possible.

  The Supreme Ruler's mansion was cleaner than ever. Since the three maids arrived, the chaos had disappeared, and the house finally breathed an atmosphere of peace. Each of the maids had adapted perfectly to the routine of the place, although there was something that was still a topic of conversation: Valterion's impossible perfection.

  Mimi: (sighing) "It can't be... It's impossible that there's something else to clean!"

  Trisha: "What if he's tired of bothering us? Maybe he already respects us..."

  Alaya: "Do you respect us? Please! Valterion doesn't get tired of anything..."

  Suddenly, Valterion silently appeared behind them, like a shadow.

  Valterion: “...Something was missing.”

  With a precise movement, he pointed with his sword at a tiny speck of dust that was hiding in the corner of the room. The three were frozen.

  Mimi: "W-How... how do you do it?"

  Valterion: (with a slight smile) "The battle begins from a warrior's room."

  ?

  Meanwhile, Juan walked on a planet that he used to visit frequently. That small and cozy market reminded him of the most human part of the universe, the one that did not depend on power or politics. Only simple people living their lives.

  People tilted their heads with respect, but there was no longer so much fear in their eyes. It seemed that the rumor that the Supreme Ruler was a monster was beginning to dissipate.

  As Juan advanced, an old woman approached him. His face was wrinkled but warm.

  Old woman: "You... you're not a monster."

  Juan: (surprised) "How does he say?"

  Old woman: "For me... you are a hero."

  Juan smiled, genuinely grateful.

  Juan: "Thank you... really."

  With a shy smile, the old woman went on her way. Juan sighed and went to a small fruit stand.

  Salesman: "Ruler! Is everything okay?"

  Juan: (taking an apple) "Yes... I guess so."

  Salesman: (frowning) "Do you mean it?"

  Juan stopped, as if the weight of his thoughts finally crushed him.

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  Juan: (leaving the fruit on the table) "It's just that... lately... all this feels... false? As if I were living in a dream."

  The seller was silent, waiting for Juan to continue.

  Juan: "Do you know what's the worst? That for the first time in a long time... I like this dream. This silence, this peace... I don't feel like I deserve it. And although I enjoy it, I know it won't last..."

  Salesman: "And why do you think that?"

  Juan: (looking at the sky) "Because enemies never sleep. They don't rest... even when they no longer have the strength, they keep moving forward. No matter how many I win... I know more will come."

  Seller: (sighing) "That's true..."

  There was a long silence. Juan took the apple again and slowly turned it in his hand, as if that gesture could organize his thoughts.

  Juan: "That's why... I need to get stronger. If I'm not strong enough... all this will disappear."

  The seller remained silent, but something in his eyes changed. It seemed to be debating internally.

  Seller: (in a low voice) "Ruler... if you really want to become stronger... there is someone who could help you."

  Juan: (frowning) "Someone?"

  Seller: (lowering his voice) "Yes... someone who rarely accepts students. The Great Shiva.”

  The air seemed to become denser just by mentioning that name.

  Juan: (in a low voice) "The Great Shiva? I thought it was just a myth..."

  Seller: "It's not." (pausing) "I met him... once. He saved my life... and I never thanked him as I should."

  Juan: "Why do you think I would agree to train myself?"

  Seller: (with a bitter laugh) "Because... although Shiva is not a man of sweet words... he respects those who fight to protect something. And you... you're the only one who really carries that responsibility."

  Juan was silent, processing every word.

  Juan: "Where can I find it?"

  The seller looked around, as if making sure no one else was listening.

  Seller: "It's on the planet Lakbok... in the mountains. But it won't be easy to find him.”

  Juan: "How do I find it?"

  The seller leaned towards Juan and whispered to him:

  Seller: "When you get to the mountain, shout these words: 'Oh, secret dragon, oh mysterious dragon, open the door... here is your treasure.' Those words will make it appear.”

  Juan: "What if he doesn't show up?"

  Seller: (looking into his eyes) "So, you're not ready to find him."

  ?

  A while later...

  The mountains of Lakbok were imposing. Sharp rocks, thick fog and a silence that seemed to crush the soul. Juan advanced slowly, with the seller's words repeating in his mind.

  Suddenly, a scratchy voice echoed in the air.

  ???: "Go!"

  Juan: "No... I'm not going to leave."

  ???: "So... what do you want?"

  Juan: "I need you to train me!"

  A sepulchral silence took over the place. Then, a mocking laugh rumbled in the mountains.

  ???: "Does the Supreme Ruler want me to train him? Ha! Don't make me laugh.”

  Juan gritted his teeth. And without hesitation, he shouted the words that the seller showed him:

  Juan: "Oh, secret dragon, oh mysterious dragon, open the door... here is your treasure!"

  There was a rumble. The earth trembled and a rocky door slowly opened in front of him. And then, he saw the figure of the Great Shiva.

  He was thin, with a shaved head and simple robes. His appearance was humble, but his eyes distilled a force that gave him goosebumps.

  Shiva: "Who told you those words?"

  Juan: "A friend..."

  Shiva: (snorting) "That gossipy old man..."

  Shiva examined Juan from top to bottom.

  Shiva: "Do you want me to train you? No. Go away."

  Juan: "Why not?!"

  Shiva: (with a dark smile) "Because people like you... trust too much in their power. You're strong... too strong... but you don't know how to use it. You're like a child with an iron hammer.”

  Juan insisted, trying to convince him. In the end, Shiva let out a long sigh.

  Shiva: "It's okay... I'll train you. But I warn you..."

  Shiva looked at him sternly.

  Shiva: "If you fail... not only you will die... everyone you love will die."

  The words were suspended in the air like a threat.

  Juan: (with a defiant smile) "So... I'll have to make sure I don't fail."

  Juan's training was about to begin... and with him, the preparation for the greatest challenge he had ever faced.

  End of Chapter 4.