Gabriella Giordano, Federico Costa, Rodrigo Colombo, and Sofia Moretti had been hiking for two days. The effervescent feel of the crisp, invigorating mountain air brought life to the inestimable grandeur of the slopes, rocks, and forestry surrounding them. At their altitude, the air was thin and the dearth of oxygen induced a slight euphoria. Amidst the chaos in the city, these four enterprising teenagers had taken full advantage of their circumstances as they slipped unnoticed out into the wild. Their parents thought they were on a school trip. Their school thought they were home with family because of the situation in Genoa. They were conquering the elements and making memories.

A sonorous voice echoed throughout the vastness of the range, “Yoooooo-de-lo-de-lo-de-layeeeeeee!”

A cacophony of teenage laughter erupted from the small campsite. Twilight had struck the mountainside and the campers were celebrating their conquest of the trail. As the sun went down, the volume of the conversation increased. Singing voices rang out across the vast expanse.

Meanwhile, a cold tongue licked cold lips. Two golden eyes danced and sparkled in the reflection of the flames of the campsite. The campers did not see the eyes hidden in the nearby brush.

Ghaelvord’s voice resounded in Shenouda’s head, “Do not pity them, Shenouda. They have been doomed already to a sliver of life, a few decades at most. Only a few will finish out a century. They will spend much of their meager lives in toil and suffering. The moments of satisfaction, pleasure, or bliss will be intermittent. Disappointment will eclipse their joy as they age and grow weary. The poignancy of existence will fade from a sharp point to a dull grate. So, do not pity them. These are the children of a new world order. Even though they lose their humanity, these wretches will lay a foundation for progress. Their lives are more meaningful spent than lived.”

Shenouda felt a rhapsody of emotions. She waivered, but not for long. The cacophony of song and laughter turned to cries. The cries reverberated throughout the crisp mountain air. Malacoda heard them, flapped his wings, and set off to appropriate new recruits to feed the growing yzorak militia.