"Shadows?"

Questioned Anthony, still recovering from the impact of Gael's flames.

"But aren't the shadows separated in each dimension? In the plural?"

"Yes, in the plural."

Miguel affirmed, responding to Eduardo's doubt. His words sparked even more questions in Gael's mind.

"The shadows are known as those who oppose the established system in each dimension. They are beings who desire power only to become dictators of their worlds. Keeping the shadows separated from each other is one of our main responsibilities as guardians."

"So, you're saying that the shadows have found a way to communicate between dimensions?"

Asked Sandor Wahn, seeking confirmation that he had understood Miguel's words correctly.

"If that's the case, we've never faced a situation like this before."

"Exactly, and that's precisely the danger. Since it's a force hitherto unknown, perhaps that is the answer to Rick's death, which further complicates the situation."

Miguel said, directing his words to Gael.

"If these shadows are working together, it means that someone is reestablishing the connection between dimensions."

"But who could it be?"

This time it was Karumo who asked the question, his joyful face from moments ago now serious and concerned.

"We still don't know."

Replied Vand.

"But from what we know, this person's purpose is to reunite the dimensions once again, as it was in the past."

"As it was in the past?"

Gael asked, seeking to understand how the worlds were once connected.

The boy's question made perfect sense. The flood of information he had received was like a dam breaking. Knowing that all those dimensions were once one, and that gods had lived among them, seemed like a completely insane idea.

"Yes, all dimensions were once interconnected. Where do you think humans began to worship beings like Odin, Thor, Zeus, and others?"

Replied Vand, emphasizing the connection between the worlds.

"They all lived on Earth as gods, but in our reality, we don't call them gods; they are known as the Blessed."

"Please, explain to the boy, Vand, the class difference between the Blessed and the Shadows."

Karumo intervened, concerned about not letting Gael get too confused with the situation.

"It's true. In the six dimensions, all those who are born are known as the Blessed. However, there are different categories within this group. Those who have little elemental energy and cannot stand out are called small Blessed. Those who have little elemental energy but can stand out, or those who have average elemental energy but cannot stand out, are called medium Blessed. Those who have average elemental energy and can stand out, as well as those who have a large amount of elemental energy, regardless of standing out or not, are called great Blessed. The same principle applies to the Shadows."

Replied Vand, trying to convey the idea concisely to Gael.

For humans who cannot manipulate elemental energy, any being capable of doing so becomes divine, like a god.

And Vand's words made perfect sense to Gael. The beings he was talking to possessed a profound knowledge of an aspect of the universe that few had discovered. Any human, whether a scientist or a conspiracy theorist, would pay a fortune for a conversation like the one Gael was having.

"With time, these beings fragmented into great hierarchies with the emergence of the Blessed, undergoing changes with the appearance of new beings, until culminating in the consolidation of extremely powerful entities, such as Zeus and Odin."

Explained Vand emphatically, addressing what these special beings, until then known as gods in the human world, were. However, this explanation did not erase from Gael's mind the crucial point of his initial question.

"So why isn't there this connection anymore?"

Gael asked, observing the vast horizon in front of him.

"With the discovery of America, humans began to mix even more, consolidating new cultures. There was no longer a need to keep everyone connected. Over time and with humanity's lack of interaction with the Blessed, they began to weaken, less like us."

Replied Vand, with a melancholic look, while admiring the scenery around him.

"And as they weakened, the Shadows grew stronger. This could put all beings in danger. That's when we, the guardians, decided to separate living beings into seven dimensions."

Gael felt a mix of fascination and perplexity as he absorbed Vand's words. Everything he had studied about mythologies in school and how these mystical beings, so present in ancient narratives, had apparently disappeared. Now he understood that they had never disappeared; they had just decided to withdraw from the human world.

"When we divided the world into seven dimensions and disconnected all beings, we acquired the marks we carry."

Continued Vand, pointing to the lion tattooed on Gael's arm.

"These marks are representative symbols of each of us."

The boy felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the weight of what he was involved in. He was about to face mythological beings in a battle where, until a short time ago, he was just an ordinary human.

"As I explained earlier, not all beings consolidated as the greatest Blessed of their dimensions when they were created. Some waged wars against their own parents in pursuit of power and glory, as you learned in mythologies."

Vand continued, staring at the ceiling with a serious expression.

"From this majority of beings that succumbed to ambition, the Shadows emerged. When pure and blind hatred takes hold of their hearts, they become unable to manipulate the true essence of elemental energy, using it only for their own selfish desires and goals."

As Vand's words echoed in Gael's mind, he found himself immersed in the mythological stories he had studied so much. Epic tales of power struggles between parents and children, relentless pursuits by stepmothers, rivalries between siblings for their father's throne, and injustices committed by emperors against their own servants. What were once just legends now revealed themselves as a concrete reality, uttered by the lips of that guardian.

"So we became guardians, perpetuating the struggle to prevent the worlds from colliding again, as the strength of the Blessed weakened over time."

Explained Vand, exposing every detail with a solemn tone, aware that this unique opportunity to speak with Gael was about to dissipate.

"The loss of Rick, being the most powerful among you, was a hard blow for all the guardians."

Vand's words reverberated through the room, making everyone shift uncomfortably in their chairs. With that revelation, the group began to contemplate the imminent question: which dimension would be the next target of the Shadows in the coming days? Who would be in danger if that being decided to attack the place they had sworn to protect?

Gael, feeling helpless for the first time since he learned about his powers, wondered why Rick, the most powerful of the guardians, had chosen him as his successor. Why, among all the people present on that fateful morning, had only Gael been able to witness Rick's lifeless body?

"And things are likely to get even darker because, with Rick's death, undoubtedly, the Earth's power jewel was subtracted."

Commented Vinícius, with a seriousness immersed in his voice.

"If he lost his life protecting the jewel, who would be the individual holding such power, Miguel?"

"We still don't have that answer, but there's no point worrying about it now."

Miguel said, trying to dispel the sense of helplessness enveloping the group.

"We are about to

 face a force we've never fought before. The only certainty I have is that someone is gathering the Shadows and going after the power jewels."

"But after all, what are these power jewels?"

Gael asked, interrupting the apocalyptic atmosphere evoked by Miguel in the room.

"Miguel is always like this, kid."

Poked Karumo.

"Come on, Vand, I know you want to explain to the boy what the jewels are."

"Very well."

Said Vand, reigniting his excitement to share that new world with Gael.

"I've already told you that we had to separate the worlds due to the emergence of the Shadows, but it wasn't only for that."

"So, what was more important than uniting the Shadows?"

Gael asked.

"The power jewels."

"Each of these worlds harbors a jewel protected by the Blessed. With the weakening of their powers, if these objects fell into the hands of the Shadows, the universe would collapse."

"But what is the importance of these jewels that Shadows covet them more than ruling these places?"

Gael insisted.

"By themselves, the jewels have no power, but together, they can grant any wish to their bearer, whether benevolent or malevolent, such as the destruction of worlds or even the end of the guardians."

Replied Vand, making it clear to everyone present that chaos had already set in when they realized that the first jewel had already been stolen.

"So, that's why you summoned us here, Miguel?"

Asked Sandor Wahn.

"Yes, I didn't expect Rick to be dead, but this only confirms my suspicions about the Shadows moving through the worlds."

Replied Miguel.

"Now, we need to proceed with the training of the son of man so that he understands his powers. Does anyone volunteer to train him?"

"Kid, I know you dropped in out of nowhere, but is it okay with you?"

Asked Anthony, still holding the hand that had almost been burned.

"If I train with you, will I be able to help?"

"Yes."

Replied Miguel to the boy's question.

"Karumo, are you willing to train the son of man?"

"Me?"

Karumo asked, surprised by the proposal.

"Well, if it were a woman, I might consider, but I have nothing to offer to this boy."

"No? Come on, you're the main conductor of elemental energy in the group."

Teased Sandor Wahn, pointing out that Karumo was avoiding his responsibilities.

"Then, let's go, kid, since they're insisting."

Agreed Karumo, falling into Sandor's trap and inflating his ego.

"Very well, Karumo, guide the son of man in his training. We'll stay here, planning our next moves. Vand will update you on everything later."

Said Miguel, referring to the continuation of the plans.

"Rick was the strongest among you, right?"

Gael questioned, interrupting Miguel's speech at the last moment.

"Yes, he was the strongest of all of us."

Replied Anthony, referring to the strength of the former guardian.

"So, today begins my training to take my rightful place as the lion."

Declared Gael to everyone present.

"I will become stronger than all of you."

"Quiet, kid."

Karumo said, giving Gael a light tap on the head.

"Let's see how far your courage goes."