The night had ended in silence, but the dawn brought pain in the body and questions in the mind.
Harry walked ahead, silent, guiding Rafael through the empty streets. Vinícius followed alongside, his face still marked by bruises, but his eyes sharp.
"Where are we going?" Rafael asked, trying to hide the pain in his chest with a half-smile.
"Someplace safe," Harry replied without looking back.
They arrived at Vinícius's house and entered in silence. Vinícius locked the door.
Rafael dropped onto the couch, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Okay. Now talk. That guy... Razor... and you guys... what was that all about?"
Harry remained standing, staring out the window for a moment before turning around.
"What I'm going to say might sound crazy... but you've seen enough to know the world has changed. Or maybe... it's always been this way, and only now are we seeing it."
He crossed his arms.
"There's an energy in the world. Something ancient that flows through all living things. We call it Qi."
Rafael frowned.
"Like... spiritual energy? Like in Chinese movies?"
"Something like that," said Vinícius, sitting on the arm of the couch. "But there are no flying swords or bald masters with white mustaches here. Just us. Trying not to die."
Harry continued:
"Razor was a cultivator. Someone who learned to use Qi to strengthen his body, create attacks... things normal people can't do."
"And you two are that too? Cultivators?" Rafael asked.
Vinícius chuckled.
"We're two crazy guys who found a forbidden manual and started playing with fire."
Harry took a deep breath.
"We're trying to learn. What little I know came from an... 'old man' who left me something before he disappeared. Since then, we've been training on our own."
"And what are you going to do now?"
"Keep going," Harry said without hesitation. "Because now we know there are others like Razor. Maybe even stronger. And if we're not prepared, there'll be nothing left."
Rafael stayed silent for a moment. Then he sat up straighter on the couch, looking seriously at the two.
"Then... teach me. I won't be left out. If there are people out there with this kind of power... I want to protect the ones I love too."
Harry looked at him for a moment. His eyes were full of conviction.
"Rafael... if you get into this, there's no turning back. It's not just about cultivators. There are worse things. Creatures that live in the shadows, monsters, even demons. And we're only beginning to discover that they're everywhere."
He paused, his voice heavier.
"If you choose this path, you won't have a normal life anymore. You'll live hiding secrets. You'll get hurt. You could die. I can't promise safety. I can only promise that the fight will be real."
The silence that followed was thick. Rafael lowered his eyes for a moment, digesting those words. Then he raised his gaze with determination.
"I understand. Even so... I want this. If it's to protect those I love, the price doesn't matter."
Harry nodded slowly.
"Are you willing to keep it secret? To never tell anyone, ever? Not even if they ask. Not even if it's someone close."
"I promise," said Rafael. "Teach me only. I won't pass it on to anyone else."
Harry looked at Vinícius, who nodded silently. Then he looked back at Rafael.
"Alright then. Let's begin."