Evening had fallen.
The sun was slowly sinking beyond the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold.
Mara walked alone, his thoughts heavy.
Can I really stop him?
No… he must be far stronger than I imagine.
I'm not ready to face him yet…
With a sigh, he sat down on a nearby bench.
Footsteps approached.
"Mara."
It was Vaden.
Mara glanced at him and asked quietly,
"So… did you receive your weapon power?"
A spark lit up in Vaden's eyes.
"Yes. I awakened the Mirror Power.
I can manipulate mirrors to some extent.
But we're still young… there's a lot we don't understand yet."
Before Mara could respond—
A speeding car rushed past them.
Mud splashed from the roadside and landed directly on Mara's clothes.
"What's wrong with that driver?!" Mara shouted angrily.
The car suddenly slowed down and stopped a few meters ahead.
The door opened.
A broad-built young man stepped out.
There was confidence in the way he walked.
He stopped in front of Mara.
"So… you're Mara?" he asked calmly.
"I've been looking for you."
Mara stood up, alert.
"And you are?"
The man gave a faint smile.
"I've come to take you to my ashram.
I am a teacher.
My name is… Alpha Core."
Vaden immediately straightened.
"Sensei! What are you doing here?"
Mara looked at him in surprise.
"I know him," Vaden said.
"He's the one who helped me awaken my Mirror Weapon power."
Alpha Core shook his head gently.
"No, Vaden.
I didn't give you anything.
That power was the result of your own effort."
Then his gaze shifted to Mara.
His eyes were deep — as if he could see beyond the surface.
"Get in the car," Alpha Core said calmly.
"You have much to learn."
Mara remained silent for a moment.
Questions stormed through his mind.
But perhaps…
This was the next step of his journey.
Mara's journey had truly begun from this moment.
He and Vaden got into the car. A quiet silence filled the air, as if both of them were lost in their own thoughts.
After some time, the car stopped at the gates of the ashram.
As they stepped out, Vaden's eyes fell on strange creatures jumping across the trees.
He frowned slightly and said,
"Are those curly-haired monkeys living here?"
Mara gave a faint smile.
"No, brother… those aren't monkeys. They're Pasito."
A soft rustle echoed through the trees…
and from above, unseen eyes watched them carefully.
Alpha spoke calmly,
"He doesn't want to hunt monkeys…
he wants to go to the Red Moon."
Vaden looked surprised.
Mara asked seriously,
"The Red Moon? Does that mean… he must hunt a soul?"
Alpha nodded.
"Yes."
After a brief silence, he continued—
"When a human is born,
and turns ten years old,
three paths are offered."
He raised three fingers.
"The first path — Earth.
The power of metals and solid elements.
Iron, stone, gold, silver…
One may inherit such strength.
Vaden chose this path."
Vaden gave a small smile.
"The second path — the Moon.
One must stay there for three years,
mastering the forces of nature.
Wind, water, fire, shadow…
whatever calls to you."
Alpha's voice grew heavier.
"The third path — the Red Moon.
There, you must hunt a soul."
Mara narrowed his eyes.
"But… where do these souls come from?"
Alpha looked toward the sky.
"When an animal dies,
its soul travels to the Red Moon.
They wander there…
until someone claims them."
The air turned cold.
"Remember," Alpha said softly,
"hunting a soul is not just about gaining power…
it decides who you become."
Suddenly, a Pasito slipped from a tree and fell to the ground.
A dull thud echoed softly.
Vaden almost turned to look at it…
but both his and Alpha Sensei's eyes remained fixed on Mara.
As if they weren't watching the Pasito—
they were waiting for his answer.
Mara spoke quietly,
"I… haven't decided yet."
Silence filled the air.
Alpha Sensei said calmly,
"That's alright. Think about it and tell me tomorrow.
For now, get some rest."
The air returned to normal…
but inside Mara's mind, the three paths kept circling.
Earth.
Moon.
Or the Red Moon.
That night, sleep would not come easily.