There is tension in the air.

A tension corresponding to being pointed with a weapon with obvious hostility.

But in front of this sword pointed toward him, Saulo's thoughts were protected for the moment with a serious and tired expression.

Why do these things happen to me?

The boy knows that he can no longer run away or wait for his rival to take pity on his condition as a young villager.

I don't regret what I did, but... I was supposed to create a distraction! ¡Not to attack him head-on!

Logically, those words didn't come out of his mouth. But he would certainly have shouted them out loud if it hadn't been because it wasn't the best time to do it. Even more so if he tried, it wouldn't help him to get out of the problem he ended up in.

The fact that he attacked that man named Aaron wasn't an accident in itself. But the fact that from the beginning he was in the Oyogue Path, wasn't due to decisions made entirely of his will.

Until recently, he was nothing more than a traveler who wished to continue on his way to Boggio, the seaside town located at the end of the path.

The explanation for his particular presence on this dirt and foggy road was explained an hour ago.

...

…

...

"Saulo Delanova! Come closer!"

A young man sitting in a chair, hastily approached the call of his name.

This boy, Saulo Delanova, had a look of concern.

"Now, listen to me. We are allowing you to travel even though you are a minor and as you should know, that is forbidden by law."

Saulo nodded, holding his breath at the mention of the last word.

"Sit next to the corridors so that the police don't see you through the window. You crouch at the first sign of the Forces of Order. If you feel dizzy from lack of air, here you have a bag in case you need it. And we don't stop to go to the bathroom"

Saulo nodded again to the man's directions. When he was ready to put the bag in his backpack, an unpleasant image crossed his mind.

"And the most important thing. You never traveled in our company. Is that clear?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good. Take seat where I told you."

Following the instructions of the man, Saulo got on the bus that was about to depart and sat hurriedly in the column of seats behind the driver, in the third row attached to the corridor.

Already in the security provided by the seat, he took a closer look at the interior of the motor vehicle.

Saulo knew very little about automobiles, but even he could say that the useful life of the bus was over a long time ago.

As in the town where he was born and in the surrounding area the presence of motor vehicles was rare; its inhabitants were unaware of the latest advances made with respect to automobiles. Trucks, tractors and light vehicles formed only the group of vehicles that would travel the roads adjacent to his community and that they had the opportunity to see occasionally. To expect the presence of a more modern means of transportation was to ask for an excess of interest toward the travelers in an area that mainly offered agricultural trade.

In relation to Saulo, this was the second time he had boarded a motor vehicle for interprovincial transport.

To get to this part of the Oyogue Path, he had to travel in a small motor vehicle from the heights of the mountains (region of the country where his community was located) to the small land terminal where he was now.

In altitude, it was a descent of more than three thousand meters to the coast.

That day, no more vehicles left for the capital, so he had no choice but to take a bus with stopovers. Out of his impression of being with so many people in an enclosed place and sitting next to a stranger for several hours, the experience of travel for someone who came from a community that mobilized by horse-drawn carts was exciting and pleasurable. Also, fortunately, he didn't get dizzy... or he needed to use an emergency bag because of that.

To his relief, inside this new motor vehicle that he had to take to get to the capital there was enough room to open the windows.

Before settling into his seat, Saulo glanced the corridor of the motor vehicle. Passing inspection with his gaze, there were a total of twenty people present for an approximate of forty available seats. Of all the people, Saulo seemed to be the only one with expectation of departing. Other people talked to their companions or made attempts to sleep.

"Excuse me, driver. Are we leaving now?"

"Yes, in a little while."

It was no wonder the question was asked by a man sitting very close to the driver's seat. The time to leave had passed and there were no signs in the vicinity that more passengers were interested in boarding.

After holding the passengers' claims for ten minutes because of the obvious delay, the manager with whom Saulo spoke made the signal to the driver to finally start the engine.

Once the sound of the running engines was heard and after having left the view of the other parked buses, Saulo felt happy.

The bus was leaving to the Harek Community, but the destination that he was going to was closer than ever.

City of Kings.

The capital of the country.

A megacity with more than a third of the country's population living in this urban territory. The center where the most important political, economic, social and cultural activities took place. Where work was concentrated and technological advances were developed and installed first than the rest of the country.

And where Saulo could do what made him happy.

It was a situation that he thought very carefully since he was a child due to the means that the centralism of the city provided, and that the conservatism of his community rejected. A conservatism that, from a different point of view, an Amish one, was in keeping life away from the vices prone to happen in the cities.

That's why he was in that vehicle on his way to the capital city.

Away from the window, not too close to the TV... but not so far away.

Because the seats weren't filled with more passengers, he was able to relax without worrying about taking care of his belongings or to start a conversation that at the moment he didn’t want to have.

Already in his place, Saulo thought about the options of distraction or recreation that the bus offered him to make his trip more enjoyable.

In front of him, an old TV was broadcasting a novel that involved the disappointments of a boy and a girl from two different social classes.

It wasn't of his interest what was transmitted so he didn't sit so close to that device.

What was of interest to him was to his left.

However, the landscapes that the window should allow him to see were beyond his reach.

Just for another year. Just one more year would allow me to sit quietly and look out the window.

Saulo by law wasn't allowed to travel. The age of majority in the country was seventeen.

He was sixteen.

Since the police would be able to see him if he approached the window, he was content with the half-eyed view he could appreciate from his seat. The last thing he wanted to have would be problems with the authority because in particular he wasn't allowed to travel alone, without an authorization. Although if there was no danger of being discovered, what could be distinguished through the window was the rural landscape to which he was so accustomed in his hometown. A landscape that he liked, but for this time he wanted to see a different scenario.

To his right, a lady next to her small son occupied the two adjoining seats in the row.

"Mom, are we close to our destination?"

"No. We still have a long way to go. If you're bored, why don't you watch what's on the TV?

"No, I find it very boring."

"Go to sleep then. I'll let you know when we're about to arrive."

Saulo couldn't agree more with the child's opinion and the mother's suggestion. Tiredness overcame him. Whether or not the two young people in the novel ended up together, he didn't know.

…

"Wake up. We are here."

After a while, a voice woke him up. It seemed strange to him because he felt as if he had closed his eyes not long ago. It was the woman who woke her son, which woke him too. Carefully approaching the window, he looked through the glass and joyfully confirmed what he was saying.

They had reached their final destination, the Harek Community.

A community located on the side of the ocean, preceding the dirt road known as the Oyogue Path.

From what he heard from the passengers at the terminal, as they waited to get on the bus, they were favorable opinions of how relaxing and peaceful participating in the activities and lifestyle of the inhabitants of this community benefited the body and mind.

"Don't forget to unload your luggage. The company won't be held responsible for the loss of your backpacks. If you wish to go to Boggio, you will be charged three ‘raimis’ by car."

Yes, it sounds like a fair price... but I'm on such a tight budget that there's no way I can afford that.

At the terminal, Saulo was informed that the approximate time between the Harek Community and the city was twenty minutes. three raimis to travel that route meant too much money that could be spent. The costs to get here had already cost him almost half of his travel budget. In addition, he still needed to pay the fare of a bus that would take him to the capital, two hours from Boggio.

If he had the possibility of saving money no matter how small, he would take that option.

"Well, I still have the economic option."

Saulo packed his luggage and was ready to leave.

He was ready.

He'd be at his destination in no time.

A dirt path was the only thing that separated him from the land station in the city of Boggio, and from there to the capital.

"I almost forgot!"said a voice that made everyone listen for this last-minute warning. "Be careful if you decide to take the Oyogue Path."

"Oh, that's it. I thought it would be worse."

"We're not going that way anyway."

Quickly, everyone who had been listening turned in relief, except for one person who remained standing while everyone began to advance to the Harek Community.

"What?!"Saulo said as he felt the pit of his stomach squeeze from the surprise.

"I recommend that you travel in large groups. Going alone or with little company can be dangerous. Take care of your belongings if you decide to go that way."

They didn't… ¡They didn't tell me that when I asked for information!

The lady from the agency he asked didn't explain him about any dangers on the Oyogue Path, probably because she forgot in the rush to finish her early shift. Even if he pretended not to have heard that warning, the danger wouldn’t suddenly disappear.

"Well, having said all this. Please follow me."

The group of people who had so far accompanied Saulo followed the call of the bus driver in a lively atmosphere.

"Mom, what about that boy?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure he has his reasons. Let's go before we get cold."

"Yes.

Although for the little one, Saulo could pass for a lost person, the fact was that it was true that he had remained outside the community.

"Welcome to our home, the Harek Community. Spiritual, religious, ecological and self-sustainable place. Respect our lifestyle and we guarantee you a wonderful stay."

A person dressed in an orange robe welcomed the group. The colors of his clothing were quite bright and immediately attracted the attention of the entire group. A warm aura was felt around those present and in very good spirits they passed through the walls of the community.

This group of people walked through the doors like a group of children eager to start a fun ride, while Saulo was left alone between parked vehicles, and with waves of cold and wind hitting his chest.

Is the complicity of the universe against me? It just needs to start raining.

"Brrr."

He had to rub his hands in an attempt to warm up. Undoubtedly, was cold being a few steps to the sea so early in the morning. But this drop in temperature was different from what he had experienced in his home. Due to the particles of water charged in the wind, he had to cover his face with his hood.

As if a mysterious source of heat invited him to come closer, Saulo turned his gaze toward the community.

The first thing he noticed (because it undoubtedly stood out among the cold fog) was a group of people laughing as they followed the community member who received them. Protected behind the walls of the wall, their laughter provoked the illusion of a growing warmth in the environment.

"Come on, you must be hungry. We have prepared a breakfast for all of you."

The mere mention of food very close to him caused involuntary movements in his stomach like those of a device without control.

What a welcome. It would only be missing that...

"From there, we'll give you a little massage. Being on the bus for so many hours must have left your muscles tense."

... This place is paradise. They thought of everything!

Saulo noticed that he was the only person sitting in the parking lot hoping for a change of events.

He really wanted to get to know the Harek Community, but the ticket in his jacket indicated another destination.

He couldn't enter the community for the simple reason that the ticket he purchased didn't include a stay in the community.

Having paid only for the cost of mobilization, he couldn't enter the community. And if he wanted to stay, it would cost him a certain amount of money that he preferred to save for any eventuality in the capital city. Searching his pockets, he confirmed that he had enough money to stay for a few hours, but that wasn’t the problem.

"If only I had my ID Card."

To enter the Harek Community one had to identify oneself with an identification card, which was a small card in which all the necessary first-hand information about the individual was stored. Because in the Amish community where Saulo came from they hardly used the services offered by the government, on very rare occasions its members carried that card unless they had to travel to a more urban area.

However, although the authorities recognized the autonomy of the community, upon reaching the age of majority it was mandatory that they carry that document.

Consequently, Saulo didn't have an identification card with which to use public services or enter establishments that required it. All because he was still a minor.

Different case was when he used the inter-provincial transport service. The employee of the transport company in which he travelled let him board under the condition that it would be exclusively on the bus he designated. Before that, he had to ask in several companies and they all asked him the same requirement: That identification card that he wouldn't obtain until within a year when he reached the age of majority.

Whether it was because they felt sorry for him or because they were used to being more flexible in complying with rules, in the end he was able to travel. The bus that the manager designated for him to travel left at dawn, in a laxer schedule for surveillance, but only reaching the Harek Community and not directly to the capital.

In addition, being those of the transport company friends of the members of the Harek Community, they were occasionally allowed to bring visits at dawn when the time of entry was still quite far from the one that said the sign that Saulo could distinguish in a wall of the community.

Consequently, Saulo knew in advance that he had to wait outside.

A long wait awaited him.

…

Thirty minutes passed from the five hours he had to wait, but Saulo decided to go to the entrance of the Harek Community for information

His bones ached from the cold.

Before he came to ask the entrance prices, a board with colorful letters gave him the information he needed.

Young people, young people ...

Seeing the numbers next to the youth section, Saulo turned around with the pain in his pockets. Reading the cost part helped him decide to walk the path.

"Young people up to the age of fourteen pay the entrance fee. Now for two years I can't enter."

Affirming his backpack, Saulo walked away, wiping his eyes from the water that the wind from the sea was bringing.

For a few minutes he walked along a path of dirt, potholes and stones until he realized something.

The path that he thought was one-way forked into a small but steep slope, as if it were a path parallel to the Oyogue Path.

Maybe this way, I won't be detected...

If he continued along this parallel route composed of small slopes, he would avoid exposing himself to the dangers that the driver had warned about the Oyogue Path. He didn't use the word to mention them, but Saulo understood perfectly what he meant.

Holding more firmly what in the worst-case scenario would be taken away from him, he continued to advance to his destination.

…

"How much fog. It wasn't like that when we arrived."

After several more minutes of walking, his visibility decreased because of this climatic phenomenon. Saulo had already taken precautions not to get lost so he was still at a midpoint between avoiding falling down the cliff and being detected by a police patrol if he got too close to the North Highway.

"And it keeps increasing."

What surprised him was the speed with which the fog came at times weak to suddenly cover everything.

He had to keep walking without losing sight of his surroundings.

"F ..."

"Hands be..."

Is someone talking?

Through the noise of the ocean and passing cars, human voices were heard.

With curiosity on the rise, Saulo cautiously approached the origin of that mystery.

"Enough."

The wind sounded more threatening at each step with which he approached.

"Remember he's an older person."

A new voice.

Saulo hurried.

Through the noise of the ocean and passing cars, human voices were heard.

Curious to know what they were saying, Saulo cautiously approached toward the origin of that mystery. The voices had been heard nearby, but because of the fog he didn't know where exactly.

"Enough."

This voice was different.

The wind was strong in the coastal environment because of the speed at which it was blowing, but that one word was enough for Saulo to notice one thing.

It was a powerful voice.

"Remember that he's an older person"

It's that same voice. More calm, but it's that same voice.

Saulo hurried.

After a few steps and after the fog had dissipated a little, he discovered what was going on.

Near him, under the cliff and closer than he thought, three men had surrounded an old man who carried a cane. One of them was an adult and the other two were young, but notably older than Saulo.

"This is dangerous."

He had believed that the voices were farther away

"There's got to be some way to release him without a fight."

Analyzing the situation, a direct confrontation wouldn’t be the indicated. The aura that surrounded them and the numerical superiority was something that Saulo in his condition couldn't face.

He had to do something.

But what can I do?

He didn't need to walk away to ignore what he had seen, since the fog was covering up the crime that was being committed. But among the brief spaces of visibility that the fog didn't cover, the crime that was developing made him look for an object in the pockets of his backpack.

However, in the midst of his thoughts, Saulo didn't calculate his movements and fell off the slope.

NO!

Without doubt, at the height he was would end in fatal damage or death.

I'm going to die!

Falling on his head, Saulo tried to put his hand on the slope.

However, it was a futile effort.

The weight of the backpack made it impossible for him to even try to get close to the slope.

PAF!

What he feared would left him in a pool of blood, it happened.

Saulo hit the ground in a loud noise.

The cloud of dust that caused the impact attracted the attention of those he wanted to avoid, and that person he wanted to save.

However, he didn't know until much later. The next thing he remembered was finding himself in the middle of darkness.

"What is this?"

He had awakened in the middle of the night.

His head began to give him a headache for trying to figure out how he had been able to sleep until the sun went down.

"Ouch!"

Every image he remembered, it hurt his temples.

The bus, the community, the path, the thieves, the old man, ...

As if the missing piece of the puzzle had just appeared, Saulo remembered the fall through a tremor in his skin. In his last memory, he had tried to level his body to reach the slope.

However, ...

Although he didn't understand exactly what had happened, he was safe.

I don't understand what's going on. And what is this that covers me?!

Around him the space was limited, but enough to move the limbs a little. When his eyes got used to the darkness that surrounded him, an unusual thought rumbled through his head.

"Don't tell me that..."

Saulo touched the strange surface that enveloped him.

"It is."

He was inside the backpack.

Saulo didn’t understand how, but the backpack had wrapped him as if he was luggage.

"If I fell off the slope that means that in the same place they are ..."

Feeling the fear and trembling of his arms accumulating, Saulo was frozen by the cold that now ran through his body. The air was suddenly missing.

They are out there!

He had just remembered who was in the place where he fell.

Those people were there.

Saulo knew for sure that once he got out, there would be no one watching for his safety.

Even if it is a little more...

He wanted to stay embracing that sense of security that falsely provided him to be hidden, but he knew he couldn't. Desperately, his lungs asked for air.

Air that the space in which he was enclosed didn't provide.

Amid the indecision about how he should resolve his critical situation, Saulo didn't realize that his difficulty in breathing wasn't due to the narrow space in which he found himself.

It wasn't due to a damage to his lungs either.

His origin had to do with what he was hearing.

He knew that once freed from the backpack, he'd be trapped by other people's wills.

Thus, the young man arrived at the present moment.

...

…

...

Because of the weight of the backpack; I ended up falling. After that I do not remember what happened, but when I woke up in some way I ended up enveloped like a package in what I thought was a common backpack.

Saulo was surrounded.

Three against one and they have a hostage... A manageable scenario.

After saying that obvious lie to calm down, Saulo mentally prepared himself for what was to come.

But no matter how hard he tried to stand firm, fear and calm invaded him in waves of uncontrollable emotions impossible to suppress for the time being.

"You know… in truth I was going to let you go for being a young man who has a lot to learn and because we share a place of origin."

A trembling voice fighting to contain his rage made him aware of the consequences of his explosive attack.

"That possibility has just disappeared along with your integrity. That you attacked me with an object as insignificant as a hand grenade leaves me no choice. This bad example of how it is that one should fight cannot be left in nothing if I am in front of those two boys who consider me as their leader."

The two people Aaron referred to were looking at Saulo ready to attack if they were ordered to do so.

"If I attacked you, it is because I was really angry with what you said. I shouldn't have reacted violently, but let this be clear to you. I've told several of them and I'm telling you, too. They are not useless trinkets. They are my precious creations. Objects of support in the combat that I have developed the last few years despite what my family, community and acquaintances thought to be like useless, defective and unusable objects."

Bumping his hands, from Saulo's left palm a set of circles was formed as if they were waves. With one movement of his arm, a figure came from the circles formed when his right hand took it. After a second, the completely formed object was recognizable.

A halberd.

Saulo had just summoned his weapon.

"I’ll prove you wrong."

Between the wind that was blowing, it was clear what would happen.

Sword against halberd.

A confrontation between two summoned weapons.