Ilustración: Hybrid-Kira (2021)

A warm summer breeze descends to the inner courtyard of a large house, old and eaten away by time itself, the gentle wind encounters the bright emerald leaves of the lush tree standing there, and now weakened, gently caress the skin of the two hybrids chatting under the shade of the century-old tree.

The talk between them was energetic and enjoyable, for it had been a long time since the two of them had spent time together.

Zenda and Ciro talked about their daily adventures, enjoying the juicy details that good gossip could offer from time to time. The pleasant talk was accompanied by tea, snacks, and an arrangement of fresh wildflowers that Ciro himself collected before the arrival of his special visit. The jovial blue Porsche had tried to win Zenda's heart a few weeks ago, and he had no hard feelings when Zenda rejected him. Still, his affection for her was special, and he didn't waste an opportunity to show her.

This affection extended to Zenda's only son, Darius. Although Ciro had never interacted with the boy - for the young man seemed to avoid him on purpose - he did not need to talk to him to know Darius was a very special boy. Honest, modest, kind, with an impeccable sense of justice, and extraordinarily intelligent, those were some of the qualities that Ciro liked the most about the young LaFerrari. But if there was something that stood out about the young man, it was the naturalness with which he made others follow his example and follow him. His gaze radiated leadership to any corner of the refugee camp he was in, and that made Ciro happy.

- I know it may sound a bit out of context, but I must say, your son never ceases to amaze me. The other day I saw him helping a woman who had trouble preparing the soil for her garden. Usually, a hybrid would be offended if a human asked for help with such tasks, you know, as if they were using us as "slaves" again, but Darius ... wow, Darius seemed to accept the mission eagerly, and did all the heavy duty so she wouldn't get hurt. And not only that, but other hybrids also his age started helping too! That is something I have never seen here. I bet you must be proud of him, maybe, with his leadership example, this community can finally unify. Can you believe it? Your boy will be a great leader! -

Normally, she would give a proud and sweet smile, she would close her eyes not knowing how to accept praise for the good work she did as a mother, and she would blush slightly... but this seemed to be an exception; Zenda rather seemed irritated at the harmless compliment, creating confusion in Ciro who was starting to feel uneasy.

- Uhm, did I ... did I say something wrong? - Ciro couldn't understand the unusual reaction of the female in front of him -... I just wanted to say that your son is a great leader, Zenda, he inspires people to be more inclusive, and I think that's phenomenal.

- He is just a naive child who does not know what life is like ... one day all that kindness will play against him. - The gesture of hers tenses in an instant, in a mixture of rage and distress, strange to see in her so suddenly - ... The faster he learns he cannot go through life helping everyone, the better.

The once pleasant talk now had drowned in a dense and deep silence, the tensest moment that Ciro has had to spend in the company of Zenda. His mind simply did not allow him to understand what he had just heard, he tried to spin the words over and over again in his head, but nothing made sense to him, because it was no longer a simple misunderstanding, or a different opinion, no, It was about a loving mother who has suddenly become hostile towards her adult son's especially important achievements... It didn't make sense, there must be something else between the lines.

- I don't think I understand why you say that about your son. Believe me I'm trying... But I can't understand why it would be a bad thing for your son to be an example to others.

- Your daughter is still too young for you to understand, Ciro. When she is about to become a woman, you will understand, you can be sure about that.

Ciro glanced into his house. There, on the sofa, a little six-year-old girl, with scraped knees and hair full of dirt and leaves, was resting peacefully after playing with her friends, Marione was the name of the orphan girl that Ciro adopted as his daughter.

The confrontation gave him bitter feelings, it's never pleasant to disagree with a close friend. The least he wanted was to increase the temperature of the argument, so he relaxed his expression, and agreed to listen to everything Zenda had to say about it.

- ... Kind people don't live long. They do what they think is right, they believe they can change their environment, they bravely confront those who take advantage of their kindness, they begin to influence others ... and they end up dead, all of them. Here, life is like this. -Her eyes seemed to relive the cruel past with those words, to later fix on Ciro's clearer blue eyes.

- Kind people and bad people will always exist in this world, and I think we both know that very well. Your son can do something good for many people, but he won't be able to do it if his good will is corrupted. Why fill his heart with fear?

- I will not lose my last child in the hands of cruel humans and hybrids! And all for trying to be another of the many fallen leaders of this city. -She raised her voice, brittle and desperate. She growled from depths of her heart, so her remorse didn't make her shed a tear. She had already shed too many in the past for her lost children, and she vowed to do the impossible so that it wouldn't happen again -... I can't afford to lose him, not if I can stop it. -

Ciro felt his heart being pierced by a sharp, cold needle. The grief of a mother who has lost her children was something he never imagined seeing in Zenda. Unable to formulate an argument against her, he simply let her continue.

- ... And what will you do to avoid it?

The question made Zenda freeze in place, not moving a facial muscle, preparing to say words that she had been running from since the day Darius was born, but she always knew she would have to mention.

- ... Break him, before someone else does it. - Baleful words escaped from her throat, as full of pain as love- Only this way I can keep him safe. I'd rather have a son who hates me than have a dead son. My poor and naive son ... -

- Do you really think he's as naive as you think? Don't you think he already knows the kind of world he lives in, and that he is willing to live in it, the time it must be? -

There was no answer.

~

Convinced that he could not make Zenda change her mind and knowing that sooner or later she would make sure to turn her son into a very different hybrid from who he is right now, Ciro decided to search for young Darius on his own, hoping to strengthen his leadership will, at least enough so it won't be easily corrupted. This city urgently needs a leader like him to keep the peace and Ciro was not going to waste this opportunity, because he knew he would never find another hybrid who does things the way Darius does.

Making him the ultimate leader of the neutral community of hybrids and humans was a priority, whatever it takes.

By itself, finding the young LaFerrari was not very easy, he was elusive and tended to avoid crowds, but the usual entourage of loyal followers of his who escorted him daily gave Ciro the advantage, as he could locate him more quickly.

And so it was, within days of the eventful conversation with Zenda, Ciro finally saw an opportunity to approach Darius and speak to him for the first time. It was until that moment that he realized he did not know anything about the boy other than what he had been able to see with the naked eye. Ciro decided to trust his impeccable ability to make friends, and his undoubted goodwill. After all, Darius appeared to be a very friendly hybrid, it should be easy to have a conversation with him.

The young LaFerrari enjoyed the summer afternoon in the company of hybrids just as young as he was, all of them creating a scandal about whatever they were talking about at the time. The presence of rampaging adolescent hormones in the air was more than evident, but among all of them the most balanced was, without any surprise, Darius himself, who simply laughed at the antics that his companions exhibited without shame.

Ciro approached the group little by little, making it clear with each meter that he wasn't there to cause problems, but that he had clear intentions to attract the attention of the young hybrids. Darius recognized him instantly and kept his gaze fixed on the Porsche until it was surrounded by hybrids just entering their adulthood.

- Hello! You must be Darius, son of Zenda, right?

- Yes, it's me. - Ciro was not prepared to hear a voice like that in someone like him. It was a voice of someone his age, but with a serious tone that made his skin crawl. He was certainly very different from the rest of the teenagers.

- It's nice to finally meet you Darius, my name is Ciro. Your mother asked me to find you to talk about something important ... Do you think you have a moment to talk?

His eyes widened a little as he heard Ciro mention his mother, at the same time the other young hybrids stopped their childish frolics, all watching Darius for a reaction from him to give them a clue of what to do now.

- Of course. - Darius turned to see his friends, and with a simple nod, he indicated that he wanted to be left alone. The teenagers gave Ciro mixed glances as they retreated to some more fun place to hang out, seeing Ciro as a mere spoilsport.

They were both silent until they were sure there was no one around to hear the "important" conversation. The wait was a bit awkward, as Darius seemed to analyze every detail of the Porsche in front of him while he found the best time to speak, as Darius clearly would not be the one to start the conversation... He seemed to be a hybrid of few words.

- Thanks for your time, boy. I know that right now you could be with your friends enjoying the summer, but I really wanted a chance to talk with you, you see ... your mother didn't send me here. I would like to get to know you better, you know, from the moment you and your mother came to this place, I couldn't help but realize that you are a very special hybrid and ... -

- Are you my mother's new boyfriend? -

Ciro's heart raced uncomfortably. Among all the ways he could imagine the young man might interrupt him... he certainly never considered this option.

- Oh! Oh no! I appreciate your mother a lot, but our relationship is nothing more than a good friendship, you can be sure about that, Hehe ... - Ciro's nervous laugh was not doing him any favors, it was not necessary for the boy to know that there really was an attempt before to approach his mother, because he seemed to have a feeling ... Or is it that Zenda has already told him about it? -

- Hhmm... I see. - As if the roles had been reversed momentarily, now Darius felt free to handle the conversation at whatever pace he wanted. He was starting to make Ciro a little nervous, - So tell me, what do you want us to talk about?

From that moment it was clear to Ciro that it would be useless to beat around the bush, even if it was only to liven up the conversation. He didn't know if Darius really behaved like this all the time, if he was in a bad mood, or was just frustrated that he had displaced his group of friends to talk to him, but he clearly wasn't too willing to converse. His words were polite and accurate but infused with disinterest. His eyes showed unusual snobbishness towards Ciro.

This was not going to be easy.

- I'll be honest with you. I really don't know how to start this conversation, but I think I could start by introducing myself.

Ciro told Darius his story, how he was part of the pioneering group of hybrids and humans that fled the Metropolis during the Vortex accident, the difficulties they went through in the process, and how they first encountered the abandoned city where all the war refugees, hybrids and humans alike, reside right now. He also told him about the war, the desire of the people for it to end, the discrimination between both species, and the evident lack of union that exists even in a neutral place like this, where supposedly everyone should accept and help each other. It was a thin balance between species that very few individuals have been able to successfully understand, execute, and share. "The Fallen Leaders", that's how people call all those who failed in their path of becoming the role model of this community, either because they have been overthrown, wounded ... or killed. Ciro knew each one of them and watched helplessly as their fight for equality was so easily put down by those ignorant who had learned nothing from the war that they had just survived. If only he could have shown them more support in the past... maybe things would be very different now.

Darius listened attentively, his defensive frown softening as he listened more to Ciro, as the subject seemed to be of interest to him now. It was exactly what Ciro was waiting for, it seems that the boy was a kind soul just as he thought. This was the real Darius; a sensitive, empathetic young man, and equally concerned about the welfare of all. It could be seen in his eyes that he managed to remove the armor of indifference that he had been carrying since the moment he arrived here, because in front of him there was someone who seemed to understand his concerns, or at least, so it seemed.

- ... I do not understand. Why are you saying this to me? ... I can't do anything for the fallen leaders when it comes to recruiting followers. I'm just ... - Darius sighs, and turns to the ground for a few moments, as if the simple phrase had him fed up - ... I'm just the son of a great fighter, that's all, I didn't inherit even a hint of her strength. I am of no use to your cause. I'm sorry.

- Such sad words, coming from a young man who cannot realize his true potential. - Ciro tries to comfort the boy with warm and somewhat mocking words, all in order to lighten the conversation, earning a confused look from Darius who did not seem to fully appreciate the comment, - The greatness of someone is not only measured in their physical strength, but even if it was, there is no way you can tell me that you are not strong, because I have seen you in action. I think you know very well how strong you are ... but perhaps you have not wanted to see the rest of your virtues, virtues that everyone around you can see in you, but I feel that you flee from them.

- Virtues? Why would I have to run away from something as insignificant as that? - As if he was called a coward, Darius takes a dominant position, lifting his body to a slightly higher height-

- Because great virtues come with great responsibilities ... and maybe you don't want to accept it, and keep staying on the sidelines, without taking your rightful place, not allowing yourself to be the best version of yourself. -

Ciro's comment seemed to be still too raw and poorly worded to be heard by young Darius, who genuinely looked annoyed and insulted, a normal reaction from someone who knows they are telling their truths, but it was not the time nor the place to say it on their face. Ciro did not realize it until it was too late, but there was no going back, now he only could try to save the rest of the conversation, if Darius had not had enough already.

- ... I know why you are here. You want to convince me to be next on the list of fallen leaders, but that's not going to happen. I'm not interested in leading this violent community, I never cared. I've had enough to realize that even if I wanted to, there is nothing I can do to help them. -

- You don't know what you're saying boy, refugees may be misfits, but they are not violent. If only you gave them the opportunity to show you the kind of people they are, you would know that ... -

The young LaFerrari seemed to have had enough talk by now. He turns his back on Ciro... but he has no intention of leaving that place. It took him a few moments, but Ciro finally understood Darius's strange message when he showed his back; it was full of wounds, some more recent than others. The dark blood that had already dried on his skin implied that this had become something usual, something normal, in the daily life of young Darius who would not have to suffer this at his young age.

Ciro is speechless when he sees Darius's battered back, unable to accept the fact that the young man has begun to suffer the punishment that accompanies each new leader. Watching Zenda's worst nightmare begin to materialize in front of his eyes.

- It's not nice to see, is it? - Still partially turning his back on him, Darius stares at him, hoping that he would argue again with the evidence in front of him - Each one of them was done by your dear refugee humans. They all want me dead, even if I stay out of the lead. - Once he had enough, Darius faced Ciro again, whose feelings and thoughts had already made a tumult in his mind, - If they don't want me as their leader, I'm not going to force them to accept me. I do not care if I am destining this place to ruin, I will not die for an unsustainable and stupid cause, humans and hybrids are destined to live segregated, and that is the reality. The one who does not want to see and accept it ... is you, Ciro. -

Neither of them noticed when the gap between their noses was a few inches. They were both breathing heavily, unable to accept each other's radically different point of view. Not wanting to start a fight right now, but clearly ready if the other dared to attack first. There were no replies, no arguments, Ciro was speechless, and with an internal rage that he did not know if it was caused by the boy or by himself. Darius no longer wished to continue the tense conversation, so he simply pulled away, turned, and set off to seek mental refuge from what had just happened.

Ciro, on the other hand, could not process what had happened. His expectations of the young leader had been utterly and completely shattered. He felt betrayed by his own desires for peace and equality. He could not understand how that seemingly perfect leader had turned into an arrogant, indifferent, and cruel hybrid. Apparently, Darius has been like this all this time.

- This is something much bigger than your ego, kid! - Darius stopped short, without turning to see Ciro. He folded his mirrors towards his body in clear anger, but still, he stood there long enough to hear the hybrid older than him yell at him, - These people have chosen you as their leader! And there is nothing you can do about it but accept it and take your place. So put your arrogance aside for a damn minute and use those virtues to do the right thing! For your sake, and your mother's. -

Darius slammed the ground with one of his wheels. If there was something he hated more than being called arrogant and stupid, it was someone getting his mother in the way. It was his great weakness, and most times that happened, Darius made sure to teach a lesson to the poor soul who had the audacity to disrespect him like that ... but Darius really didn't want to create a scene, not when said hybrid had such a close relationship with his mother.

So, he just ran. Without direction, without any other reason other than fleeing from that place and being able to unload his frustrations in some other place where he cannot hurt anyone.

Ciro was right, Darius knows perfectly how strong he is, and the damage he can do if he can't control himself.

~

- DaRiuS yOu MuSt tAkE YoUr pLacE aS LeAdEr... That old man has no idea. - Darius trotted down a dirt path, raging, shouting without fear of being heard. - Stupid... STUPID. I do not owe anybody anything! In any case, the world is the one that owes me a better life ... I have protected those humans like a complete idiot, even when mom said not to do it ...

Darius seems to come out of his furious trance, and begins to slow down, finding himself alone, panting in the middle of the forest, and not quite sure where he was. But he was not lost, of that he was sure, the smell of civilization was still perfectly perceptible. He just had to trust his nose to come back, when he was ready.

- Idiot ... I'm an idiot ... I could have avoided these wounds, but I can't... - Not knowing how to handle the tide of emotions he felt, his eyes filled with tears, the same tears that a lost cub cries in the middle of the forest, helpless, without a place to shelter from a storm - ... I can't say no to someone who needs help ... I would give anything ... for not feeling empathy for everyone ... that has made me weak, and I can't afford to be like that ... I have my mother. She does not deserve to suffer for having a son who cannot protect her. - Hopeless, he looks up at the afternoon sky, drying his tears with the sun - ... If there is a deity of hybrids ... surely, it must be gloating over my stupid existence ...

- You can be sure of something, boy, she does not think that your existence is stupid.

The young LaFerrari is startled when he hears an external voice, which seemed to have been there forever. He gasps in shock, his pupils shrink in surprise, and he searches wide-eyed for the owner of the haunting voice.

On the hill where the dirt road continued, a dark shadow of orange eyes materialized without warning.

- E-excuse me? -Darius asks the shadowy presence of that strange hybrid, waiting for it to answer him, thus ruling out that he was stuck with a simple hallucination-

- You mentioned the Hybrid Lamborghini, right? I just wanted to make sure that you weren't questioning her existence. It would be unfortunate if someone like you made that mistake.

Great, a religious fanatic blocking the way. That's what Darius thought for his guts, which had already suffered too much today to listen to yet another sermon. He just wasn't in the best mood.

- Look ... I've never seen you in the refugee camp before and I don't know who you are, and I really don't have time to debate whether the Hybrid exists or not, so if you'll excuse me ... - Darius continued his way, going up the hill until cross glances with that hybrid; Lamborghini Aventador, dark gray skin, and confident orange eyes that were unimpressed by Darius's brusque response. He simply passed him and continued with his walk, although a strange feeling ran up his spine, that something was not quite normal with that hybrid male, apparently more experienced than him.

- I do know who you are. - The Aventador corrected with a cold calm, he turned to see Darius's bloody back. - Your name is no stranger to those who live in the neutral lands. Every hybrid that is respected is known by name, and you are no exception... Darius.

It would not be the first time that a stranger knew his name ... but it was the first time that someone did not refer to him as simply "the son of Zenda". It was an interesting sensation, enough to stop him on his way -... Are you another "friend" of my mother that I don't know? -

- I don't have the pleasure of meeting your mother. Being honest... I always thought you were like me; an abandoned hybrid who forged his own identity. Your talents do manage to overshadow her name, huh? - His words from him seemed authentic to come from a stranger. Something about him was intriguing, different ... and interesting.

Just a few moments ago, Darius was not willing to give a single minute of his time to the strange Lamborghini, but after the small conversation that left him curious to know more about that stranger, he decided to give it a try. Darius looked back at him, and with a slight smug smile, began to question the Lamborghini.

- Very well... speak then. Tell me who you are and what's the reason for so many free compliments-

The Aventador smiled viciously at the young LaFerrari. Not to make fun of him, nor to show his twisted thoughts, but by a simple reaction to see that the young man was challenging him with his eyes to impress him, because Darius was completely ignorant of who was the hybrid with whom he was speaking at that moment.

- You and I are not different, Darius. We both have the same ambitions, the same fears, and the same influence over those who have placed their loyalty in us... - The Aventador then begins to walk around the boy, observing every inch of the indecisive young leader's skin, making him a little nervous. Not because he felt in danger, but rather because he was not used to having such close interactions with hybrids that he had just met. He felt vulnerable. His words were almost seductive, -... Just like you, I am the leader of a powerful clan of hybrids. Me and my clan have fought fiercely to achieve justice for the hybrids oppressed by humanity, but sadly our efforts will not be enough to achieve our goal. Unless ... I achieve a firm alliance with the leader of another clan who is willing to command by my side. -

Darius is startled, his skin having goosebumps at the feel of the Aventador's words being whispered almost in his ear. His nervous gesture couldn't lie; the meeting was being too close for comfort.

- ... At least I want to know your name before you continue. - Darius responds mischievously, exaggerating his gestures to let the daring Lamborghini know that he felt uncomfortable, but that he was willing to take this situation with humor, which made the Aventador laugh out loud, because he didn't expect the young Ferrari to have that kind of humor.

- Oh boy, excuse me for that, sometimes I just can't control myself. - He looks again to make eye contact with Darius when facing him. He wanted to be the first one to read every little gesture of the young man, - They know me in many ways ... but I go by the name of Neyzan. The only descendant of the Hybrid Lamborghini.

Darius's smile faded almost the instant he heard the name. His gesture was filled with terror in an instant as he linked the name with the infamous forbidden word.

Vortex.

Meanwhile, Neyzan did not flinch ... it even seemed that he already expected that reaction from Darius, because he did nothing to hide his smile when he saw the terror accumulate in the boy's eyes. That seemed to be already contemplated in his plans.

- You are Neyzan ... the leader of the Vortex.

- Is that the only thing you've heard from me?

- No. I also know that you are an extremist and genocidal ... you have started the war and destroyed the Metropolis ... and now, I deduce that you are recruiting troops. For that? A second Vortex Accident? - It was inevitable to tremble before such a tyrant in front of him, even more knowing of the horrible acts he committed. The only hope that Darius had to get out of there alive ... was to play along, until he found a chance to escape.

- I see you haven't been given the full story, boy. Many hybrids tend to mask their true intentions with half-truths ... But I think you already know that very well, don't you? -

It was repulsive to have to agree with Neyzan, the very leader of the dreaded Vortex, but his statement was familiar. After all, hadn't Ciro just pretended to be a gentle hybrid in order to win Darius's favor and trust? Why was talking about the Vortex prohibited in the refugee camp? ... How many different truths and versions of history have wanted to be buried for the common good?

Although that simple clarification had given Darius pause for a moment, he wasn't ready to just turn his back on him and risk being attacked. He wouldn't take his eyes off Neyzan so easily.

- I see. You will not accept my words that easily. You are a skeptical hybrid, and you need proof... don't worry, kid, there is plenty of proof. You yourself are living proof of the cruelty of humans. Those wounds weren't done by themselves after all, did they?

- How do you know ... -

- You don't need to tell me how it happened, the smell of your wounds gives themselves away ... Humans, it is in their nature to always attack from behind. And do you know why they do it? - Darius was silent, waiting for Neyzan to follow his monologue, without taking his eyes off him for a second.- They do it because they fear us. They fear our power, because they know perfectly well that we hybrids have what it takes to exterminate them. And their fear made them cruel and insensitive, and they will never change. It is their nature to destroy what they do not understand. -

His words made sense. Darius had never done anything wrong to humans, other than existing, and they had still tried to kill him. His mother's words echoed in his head once more; "Never trust a human." If his own mother had come to that conclusion, and she was always dedicated to protecting him from all the dangers of humanity, then Neyzan was only saying what Darius already knew deep within him; Humans and hybrids are destined to live segregated ... and perhaps, for the better.

Darius let his guard down when he understood. Now was the time to make what he believed come true. Darius knew that the hybrids trusted him, and that many of them would follow him wherever he chose to go, fight the battles he proclaimed, and dole out justice at his will. No corrupt leadership, no mediators between humans and hybrids. Just him and his mother, protected at last by a single clan of hybrids. The idea of ​​allying with the Vortex leader still did not convince him completely ... but it was the only chance he would have to save those that Darius wanted to protect, and as he saw it at that time ... Neyzan was something more like a rebel, instead of a simple tyrant and genocidal. It was hard to see the monster inside him again now that they both seemed to have the same ideals.

- Darius, be my ally, and we will end the oppression that humans have imposed on us. Together, we will lead the most powerful clan in all of Europe, deliver justice to those who called themselves our masters, and build a better future for our descendants. Thus, the Hybrid will judge humans for their actions, and we will not have to live in insecurity, no wars, or betrayals. - The decision was within his reach, the panorama was wide, and the truths were irrefutable. Neyzan was sure that he would be able to convince the young man if he made it personal, - This way, your mother would not have to suffer again the horrors of fights, and there will be no human who will call her their property again. Being my ally, we will protect her. I promise.

<< Your mother will not have to suffer again the horrors of fights >>

No.

Something was wrong here. Really, really wrong.

Neyzan had said that he did not know his mother ...

...

Neyzan was lying.

He lied about everything.

Darius attacked suddenly, not even giving Neyzan a chance to see the fury in his eyes that quickly set their target. All that talk, all that praise, all to distract him from the obvious; Neyzan was still the bloody Vortex who devastated the Metropolis, and who slaughtered humans and hybrids alike in cold blood. He would not be fooled or dominated by him. He would not let his will come true in these lands.

And if that meant ruling this violent community of hybrids and humans in order to protect them from a greater evil, even if it led to his inevitable death as another fallen leader ...

So be it!

Darius attacked him with everything he had. His strength would not fail him now, for he always had to restrain himself so as not to hurt those who made him angry. It was as if he had been preparing his entire life for this moment.

He was at a clear advantage, because in addition to taking Neyzan off guard, Darius had inherited enormous strength and skill from his ancestors, all of them fighters. He rammed Neyzan head-on, making him stagger in confusion. Darius then attacked the first thing within reach of him; one of the mirrors that the Lamborghini had failed to secure. There was a reason why fighters have their mirrors removed, and that is that it is the first thing they lose in battle. Darius tears it off, like a mere piece of flesh and bone. Neyzan howled in pain, unable to protect himself from the attacks of Darius, who had now become his worst nightmare. During the fight, Darius manages to turn Neyzan onto his back, and during the incessant struggle, deep wounds on his face are caused by one of Darius's sharp claws, which had never touched blood.

Neyzan seemed to have no choice. Fearing for his life and being at the mercy of the young man who was now willing to kill him once and for all, he began to beg for mercy. Darius was already preparing to deliver a deathly bite; directly to the windpipe and it would be over. No more Vortex cause, no more war, and no more hybrids seduced by the empty promises of the infamous Neyzan. It was up to him to decide what he would do now. What should he do? Was it right to kill him? Neyzan's desperate pleas touched the bottom of his consciousness. That damn empathy was doing its thing again, and Darius hated it. Why him? Why was he feeling sorry for a hybrid like him? ... Why did it feel so wrong to take his life?

It wasn't the right thing to do, not like this.

Neyzan could deserve death ... but he would not be the one to take his life, he did not feel ready to carry that weight. Fate would take care of giving him what he deserved, sooner or later.

So, he released him, and moved away from him far enough that he could not be attacked as soon as he freed himself from Darius's weight.

- ... This is a warning, Neyzan. I don't want to see your face in my territory again. If you come back ... I'll kill you. -

Terrified, Neyzan sat back on his four wheels, and after giving Darius a bloodied and furious look, he ran into the deep forest, feeling ridiculously lucky to still be alive.

- It's over ... If he's smart, he'll never come back. Darius speaks to himself, barely realizing his own superficial wounds. Compared to those he caused to Neyzan, his was nothing more than a simple scratch-

The forest became uncomfortably silent, as if all life residing there had become mute. As if the forest itself has witnessed their fight. Darius felt uneasy at the unnatural silence. The smartest thing to do would be to go back to the city, before anything else happened.

Darius turns his back on the site of the incident, still feeling the strange sensation, the same one he felt in his first impression with Neyzan. He thought to himself that it was just his nerves, after all that was the first time he had to fight for something important. His wheels trembled with exertion, and the taste of another hybrid's blood disgusted him. He would find an excuse to explain his new injuries to his mother, as soon as he managed to leave this cursed forest and return home.

... But that would not happen.

Suddenly, Darius is attacked from behind. Neyzan had feigned flight from him, then cowardly attacked the hybrid who had just spared his life. His teeth sank into the skin of his back with the force of a thousand daggers thrust at the same time, mercilessly, with the intention of ripping the meat from the bone, tearing the skin on his sides that was within reach of his claws, less sharp than the young LaFerrari's, but much more trained to butcher hybrids with infamous dexterity.

Darius rolled over in despair at being unable to shake Neyzan off his back, but that would only make things worse, as his opponent was waiting for the precise moment when Darius would expose his vulnerable abdomen a bit, so he could easily access softer tissue. and easy to attack.

This had been a death sentence for Darius.

Neyzan let go in time before he was crushed, and with unnatural dexterity he worked his way up to Darius's abdomen, taking a crushing bite right on his stomach, ripping part of the door in the process.

Neyzan didn't just want to kill Darius. If he had simply wanted to kill him without causing a scandal, he simply would have wanted to attack his throat to suffocate him... No. He had a much more twisted and nauseating idea.

He was going to devour his guts while the young man was still alive.

He would do it as slow, painful, and disgusting as possible, wanting to see the blood gush out, leaving a reminder for anyone who thinks of disobeying the will of the descendant of the Hybrid Lamborghini.

<<<... This is... my end... >>>

Darius went into shock from the pain. Unable to roar for help, or to move to defend himself. His body began to tremble, and his eyes locked open as he gasped for air to his lungs.

<<<... I'm going to die... and I never knew... her name... >>>

Vague visions cross his eyes of a beautiful Lamborghini Huracán that he had seen upon his arrival at the refugee camp. He never mustered the courage to tell her how much he liked her, how much he wanted to spend time next to her.

<<<... mother... forgive me. >>>

His sight began to get too bright and blurry; he felt his limbs go numb, and he hardly felt the heat of his own blood leaving his body anymore.

It was then that he saw a large blue blob running towards him, which warned of his arrival with a low roar, aggressively showing his teeth, and with no intention of stopping to inspect before attacking.

It was Ciro, and he had come to save Darius.

Ciro had heard the chilling roars and somehow knew that Darius was in trouble. He put aside the discussion that they both had moments before and ran with all his might to protect him from any danger ... although he would never have imagined that said danger was from none other than the leader of the Vortex himself.

He rammed into him with the great momentum of the race that had brought him here. Neyzan was so drunk with blood and his own fury that he didn't see Ciro coming. The great Vortex unlocked the teeth from Darius's flesh, causing him to breathe again when he felt that life had returned to his body. Darius, unable to move, remained on his back as he listened to the fierce battle that Cyrus was attempting to wage against Neyzan, who was stained in blood all over the surface of his head and front wheels. It was almost like seeing the very embodiment of the violence and cruelty with which the Vortex terrorized the Metropolis.

Neyzan did not delay in absurd introductions. Any hybrid who dared to interrupt his personal affairs was equally worthy of death. He completely ignored Ciro's intimidating position, with his doors wide open and growling like he had never done in his life, and simply attacked him to get him out of the way. Ciro was by no means a match for Neyzan, he was not the same size, let alone a fifth of his physical strength, he was simply not battle-built, and he found himself in trouble as soon as Neyzan faced him.

A couple of movements were enough to cause deep wounds to Cyrus' face, while he was unable to defend himself. But the longer he could buy some time for Darius, the better. Ciro would give his last breath to stay firm, and not die trying. Having been so easily injured, Ciro took distance from him with Neyzan, walking backwards each time Neyzan approached with the ease of a predator in his hunting territory.

- My, my... will you look at this pathetic thing... Are these the kind of hybrids who consider you a leader, Darius? Hah! ... I don't think you would have been as good an ally as I thought. But this is even better...I will not only be able to get rid of yet another leader, but also all these weak and useless followers of yours, and thus I can cleanse the hybrid lineage. All thanks to you, dear Darius. - Neyzan gives a bloody smile to Ciro, who was beginning to run out of ideas to defend himself, - Say hello to Darius for me when the Hybrid judges you, blue friend. -

Neyzan prepares to jump directly on Ciro ... but something stops him and drags him in the opposite direction, making him roar a nightmare sound. Despite his deadly pain, Darius managed to get up once more, dragging Neyzan with claws and teeth to finish this as it should. Both male hybrids got up on their back wheels and dealt biting and scratching at will, trying to rip each other's faces off with adrenaline, and the primitive survival instinct that had been invoked in the deadly encounter. Neyzan was starting to get tired, when Darius had already gone and returned from beyond life, his pupils contract, and Darius's fury gives him the impulse that allows him not to pass out.

The struggle ends quickly, Darius unleashes all his fury on the Aventador who was beginning to question his own decisions once more. But now begging wasn't going to do him any good. For he cannot negotiate with a beast thirsty for revenge.

Darius does what he had to do in the first place. This time he did not fail to bite him on the neck, and mercilessly, he began to suffocate him. He had to cough from time to time to keep from choking on the blood that spewed from Neyzan's throat.

- Darius NO! Killing him won't solve anything!

Ciro tries to stop Darius from taking a life even if it was Neyzan himself, but each time he retorted, Darius exerted even more force on his bite, destroying more layers of muscle that kept him from piercing his throat so easily. Something inside him enjoyed feeling the warm blood of his enemy spill out of his mouth, and it was sick to watch.

- If you kill him now, all the Vortex will invade the city, and there will be no way we can defend ourselves against them! - Darius, still with a dead stare, limits himself to not adding pressure to his grip, and simply breathes heavily on the body of his enemy, -You are not a murderer! You are not like him! Please ... think about the problems that his death will bring us all ... I know you can understand it, Darius ... you are not a selfish hybrid, nor arrogant, much less cruel ... you are a gentle and honest boy, who still has much to live for. Please... -

Tears inexplicably began to flow from his eyes. Darius was crying, he didn't know precisely why, but he couldn't stop the tears. Coming back to himself, he unlocked his jaw, and allowed Neyzan to refill his lungs with air. He had spared his life, for the second time.

Spectators, hybrids and humans alike began to arrive at the scene who had been disturbed by the horrid screams of those involved in the fight. They all saw Darius standing unmoved, bleeding alarmingly from his abdomen, but ultimately victorious. Neyzan has barely managed to get back on all four wheels, speechless and unable to catch his breath without making a horrible choking noise in every breath he takes in. He noticed all the other hybrids now watching Darius and Ciro's back. This battle is over.

- I have shown you mercy only this time, Neyzan! Run away while you can ... And let everyone know that as long as I'm alive, no one will touch a hybrid, or a human, without suffering for it! -

Staggering, Neyzan retreats to safety within the forest, far from these lands that from this day had declared themselves independent from the Vortex.

Then Darius roared, like he had never done before. He roared into the depths of the forest, so that everyone would know that these lands now had an owner, and that he had earned his right to rule by shedding his own blood. He made sure Neyzan could hear him, and that his roar echoed in his memory for the rest of his life.

And then, Darius passed out.

~

In a makeshift nursing tent, in the refugee camp of a city of hybrids and humans, a mother watched over her son's rest and recovery.

It was the morning after Darius's encounter with the Vortex leader. The large wound in his abdomen had been stitched up, and his life was no longer in danger. The stabbing pain of his exposed flesh didn't let him sleep until late hours of the early morning, after the kind doctor with crooked glasses and red hair made him swallow all the painkillers he carried in his briefcase.

Zenda didn't close her eyes at all. Her only child almost died that day. She was staring at the void, and was clearly exhausted, sleeping with her eyes open. It was not until Ciro entered the tent that she could turn to see something other than the bloody bandages on her son's side. Ciro had a dozen gauze pads adhered to the fresh wounds on his face, but that didn't stop him from smiling, holding a fresh bouquet of wildflowers between his teeth.

- Ciro... you should be resting right now. - Zenda looks at him with concern, because she already knew what Ciro had done for Darius.

- Just like you. At least I have been able to sleep through the night ... you haven't had a minute of rest, or so those tired eyes say. - He left the bouquet of flowers next to the young man who was still sleeping, unperturbed, - I'm fine, I promise you that I'll take good care of your boy. Get some rest, please.

Ciro gave Zenda a little kiss on her cheek. She did not have the strength to reproach him, but she would not do it anyway, she needed that affection and support now more than ever, to which she simply smiled at him, and she left the tent without adding anything else. She was eternally grateful to him for saving her son's life, and she would not deny the opportunity to regain energy. She could rest easy, knowing that Darius was cared for by him.

- ... You're a lucky son of a bitch ... lucky I can't get up and punch you right now ...- Darius was awake, he was all this time. He pretended to be annoyed at having seen Ciro kiss his mother, but he was simply playing a practical joke on him, as he smirked at his new companion as soon as he had enough-

- I almost had a heart attack ... I thought you were still asleep. - Ciro had no choice but to admit that what he did had been daring, and now feeling more confident towards Darius, he approached him a little more so that he would not have to make so much effort to speak, - How are you feeling today?-

- ... Drugged, in pain ... and the truth is ... I can't believe what happened. Everything happened too fast. -The tent is silent for a few moments, as they both knew what he was talking about - ... Do you think he will return one day? ... Neyzan and his Vortex. -

- I'm not sure. He also has wounds to heal ... and I don't think he will be satisfied with the fact that his Vortex comes for your head without him being present. - Darius laughs at the comment, although he reserves to keep quiet when he feels a twinge in his stomach at the harmless effort, - I think we can be calm for a while ... at least long enough to find a way to protect them all. In the meantime, all you have to worry about is recovering.

Their reflective silence spoke for itself. Neither of them knew how to express everything that had to be said. Darius looks at the flowers Ciro had brought him. He doesn't like flowers, but the fact that someone like Ciro, who had been a complete stranger the day before, didn't hesitate to put his life at risk to save him from certain death ... it just gave him a great lesson, and it made him appreciate everything that others did for him.

- ... I'm sorry I treated you in such a childish way ... you just wanted to support me, make me understand what was in front of me, and I, well, I basically spat in your face. - Darius had his gaze downcast, ashamed for the way he had treated the hybrid that, at the end of the day, saved his life. -... Forgive me for being so selfish.-

- No ... you forgive me, Darius. - Ciro interrupts him, making the young man stare at him, confused - ... I was so desperate to see this city prosper, to see them all live together in peace, that I didn't mind forcing you to be someone you didn't want to be ... to be a leader simply because I thought it was the right thing to do... I'm the selfish one here. -The fresh wounds on Ciro's face perfectly reflected how broken he felt inside. He could not forgive himself for the narcissistic way of thinking of him, and felt with reason and power to decide that Darius should be the ultimate leader - ... You have nothing to prove to the world, and you owe nothing to nobody. You are someone complete and unique, being who you are right now. - Ciro's eyes fill with regret, and tears. - Live your life as you want to live it, Darius ... and don't let anyone, much less someone like me ... tell you how to live it. -

He was speechless, it was the first time that he really felt ownership of his own existence ... the first time that someone respected him for who he already was. He was Darius, just that, and nothing else ... and that was enough.

During the agonizing hours that Darius had been unable to sleep, there was one thought that did not leave his mind; He always expressed his dissatisfaction with the idea of ​​being a leader, but it was not really because he did not feel capable of doing it, but that, as Ciro told him ... Darius was afraid, afraid of taking responsibility, both for the safety and trust of all as of himself. He always thought himself a coward and incapable of defending his own ideals, but now here he was, wounded, but victorious after the fight of his life. Darius didn't just fight for him... he fought for every hybrid and human that lived here. He proved his own worth to himself, and he knew from the moment he managed to get back on his wheels that things would be different.

Maybe ... just maybe, this was his purpose in life. To be the leader that he never thought he would be. In order to protect those who could not defend themselves.

- Can I tell you something? - Darius felt something different inside him, a part of him inside finally came out of his confinement. He felt comfortable being vulnerable to the hybrid that saved his life, - I think the idea of ​​being a leader... doesn't sound so bad after all.-

Darius gives Ciro a warm smile, making him worry again for the boy's safety ... but Ciro understood that Darius knew exactly what that statement implied. He was the only one who could make decisions in his life.

- If that's what you really want ... I'll be on your side, Darius. My leader. -

~

A week later Darius was able to leave the infirmary, and the day that happened, a crowd of grateful humans and hybrids cheered him on. Nothing like this had ever happened, they all came together to show their new leader their complete and unconditional loyalty, and those who had previously attacked him treacherously now apologized when they knew what that young LaFerrari had done for everyone; he had defeated Neyzan, the leader of the Vortex, and there were plenty of witnesses who saw the event. They all agreed on one thing, and it was that Darius would lead them with righteousness and justice.

Darius looked at the crowd, unable to believe that this was really happening. To his right was his mother, whose eyes were brimming with pride. To his left was Ciro, the hero who decided to remain anonymous, and made sure everyone knew about the young leader's legendary battle. And in front of him, mingled in the crowd, was the Lamborghini Huracán of his visions that didn't allow him to give up and die.

And so, Darius, the first leader, had earned his own name, in this neutral city of hybrids and humans that would come to call itself; Cilt.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

- It seems that ... every story has its different versions. Right?

- That's right. - With his teeth, Ciro takes one of the metal rods that had been used to prepare the children's dinner, and with it he removes the ashes of the dying campfire, making sure that it was safe to leave it without causing an uncontrolled fire, - Stories as complex as that are usually complicated, and morally ambiguous ... sometimes it is better to compact them, and tell them in a way that is more friendly to people's feelings. They don't need to know all those details to trust Darius. -

I was beginning to realize that it was possible that I knew more about the real Darius than most of the citizens of Cilt, it showed in Ciro's eyes, this was not something he used to tell. It was almost like telling an intimate secret of a friend. I didn't feel I deserved that truth, but if Ciro had trusted me, I would do my best to protect it, even if he never asked me to keep it a secret in the first place.

- ... Why me? - Ciro remains imperturbable, my question had not been formulated enough to receive an answer from him, -... I'm nothing special, I'm just... Marcus's son. Why are you telling me something so important... to me?-

Ciro is silent, gently putting the rod down. He turns to the stars that now adorned the sky above us, and then he looks me in the eye, seeing a familiar face in me.

- Because ... you remind me a lot of him. Of young Darius. - His smile looked nine years younger, I could feel that was the same smile with which he saw him for the first time. It made my heart feel heavy, feeling unworthy of such esteem.

- What makes you think I'm like him?

- ... That's something you'll have to find out for yourself, young Tyler. -

.

.

.

The Hunter Village was just as active at night as it was during the day as long as the night remained young. Ciro took me back to the H Tower to rest and prepare for the day that awaits me tomorrow, as I would attend training with the rookie Hunters and I would need to be at my best if I am to survive it, and not make a fool of myself tomorrow, in front of Adara and the rest of the recruits.

I start to climb the stairs after thanking Ciro for everything he had taught me today, which had already become eternal. But before walking through the doors, one last doubt refused to leave my head.

- There is something that I still do not understand, Ciro ... How did you know that I lied about Marione?

Ciro smiles visibly, as if the answer was obvious.

- It is simple; You don't know how to lie. - Ciro could have given me a lecture minutes ago, but he wouldn't be himself without his usual joke, which is not funny or a joke, - Don't get me wrong. Honesty is a virtue, and many will try to make you feel like it's a weakness ... Ignore them, and still be yourself, Tyler. -

Ciro says goodbye and starts his way home somewhere in the depths of the concrete jungle, where Marione (if she is intelligent and does not want more problems) will be waiting for him at home, about to receive the scolding of her life.

The H Tower lobby was silent and deserted. It was already past 10, so it was natural that everything was quiet, all those who did not want problems with the manager of the tower would not dare to make noise after the dictated time. Roger was sitting where I first met him, focusing body and soul on the fluffy pink scarf he was painstakingly knitting. I preferred not to disturb his concentration and climbed the stairs as quietly as possible.

The room was warm, cozy... and utterly lonely. Despite having lived for years in solitude and having gotten used to sleeping with my own silence ... The little time I had known Iker had been enough to miss someone's company.

I always knew that I was alone in this life. But it wasn't until I met him... that I realized how sad that was.

And maybe, he felt the same.

Hybrid-Kira (2021)