The hyena leapt at the group, jaws wide, its growl cutting through the rain.

  But Ander was faster—he grabbed it by the tail, spun brutally, and hurled it through the air as if it weighed nothing.

  Adriano dropped another hyena with two shots to the head, just behind little Natasha.

  Luke and Italia brought down two more that tried to attack.

  Cody and Josh stood back-to-back, firing through the sheets of rain.

  Ander, with overwhelming strength, seized another by the tail and smashed it against the ground, listening to its cries of pain.

  After that, the rest fled.

  The rain hammered down as Magnus slipped and fell.

  Gaspar and Anna spun instantly, pistols raised to cover him.

  Three hyenas lunged: Magnus shot the first, but his ammo ran out. As he fumbled with the reload, two gunshots rang out—the other hyenas colpsed.

  Turning, he saw Gaspar and Anna steady, weapons raised, fingers tight on the triggers.

  In the distance, the hyenas vanished into the dark.

  "We must stay alert. We don’t know if they’ll return," Néstor warned.Andrew scanned the group.

  "Any other injuries?"

  "None. Iván’s already being treated," Néstor replied.

  "It could’ve been worse. Looks like we handled it well," Italia said with relief.

  Luke looked at Anna.

  "Do you still believe nature is fair?" he asked harshly.

  The group had repelled the attack thanks to extra hands with weapons—and Ander’s strength.

  They reorganized and reinforced the watch.

  The next day, the journey to Zafarí continued.

  Adriano supported Iván so he could walk, while the memory of the hyena attack kept them on edge.

  Through his spygss, Cody spotted something in the distance: a lion stalking.

  "Luke, Néstor… let’s keep our distance in that direction," he warned.

  The group decided to circle around the lion, straying slightly from the train tracks that had guided them so far.

  "Who would’ve thought… one day you’re in school learning about the savanna, and ter you have to cross it," Ander commented.

  "I know… I should’ve paid more attention in that css," Gaspar replied.

  Josh dragged a stick along the dirt, drawing a line.

  "Never imagined I’d see it so soon."

  "The problem is we have to watch out not only for hostiles, but also carnivorous animals," Gaspar reflected.

  Josh stopped, pointing with his stick toward a ke.

  "But not all are aggressive… look at that."

  A family of elephants drank water—a scene reminding them that, like humans, some species cared for one another.

  "It looks like a painting," Ander said, amazed.

  The group paused to admire the view, then moved on.

  "Too bad we can’t ride them," Ander joked.

  Gaspar ughed, then remembered.

  "In Zafarí they actually use them for transport."

  "Really? I can’t wait to see that," Josh added.

  "I think the presidential family uses them," Ander commented.

  Josh turned to Mabel.

  "Hey, Mabel, do you know Zafarí’s president?"

  "I don’t, but my father did. He met him at meetings of the seven cities’ presidents," Mabel replied.

  Gaspar looked surprised.

  "So you hadn’t left Zarco either?""That’s right. My father never wanted to expose us outside the city," Mabel answered.

  "President Vicente was a great man. Our father always said so; he met him at pace meetings," Cody said.

  "Yes. My father got along well with everyone. That’s why I’m sure they’ll help us recim our city," Mabel affirmed.

  Cody stepped closer to her.

  "Because of the oath, right? ‘The Gentlemen’s Pact.’"

  "Yes, do you know it?" Mabel asked.

  "It’s the pact made by the seven founders of the cities," Cody expined.Mabel nodded.

  "Protect one another to keep humanity standing," she concluded firmly.

  The group continued their journey.

  Cody, Josh, Ander, and Mabel walked together.

  "The founder of Zarco… was your…?" Cody asked.

  "He was my great-great-grandfather. He founded the city at just thirty years old," Mabel replied proudly.

  Cody was astonished.

  "We owe it to him and the other six founders that we’re still here. Thanks to the First Seven, humanity survived."

  "My father told me how the cities became the seven wonders of the world," Ander recalled.

  "Losing Zarco is a heavy blow—not just for my family… but for the other cities too," Mabel said sadly.

  Cody clenched his fists.

  "We trusted too much that we were safe inside. This will open everyone’s eyes."

  "We’ll never be safe as long as we share the world with hostiles," Ander affirmed.

  "We have to wipe them all out," Josh said firmly.

  "Only then can we rest and recim what’s ours," Ander added, gazing at the beautiful scenery.

  Mabel looked at the three of them.

  "Do you think peace will ever return to our world?" she asked.

  "Of course!" Josh answered enthusiastically.

  "But it will take many more sacrifices in the search for peace," Cody concluded.

  Ander pondered his words, realizing that humanity, in seeking peace, often created more chaos.

  "What’s the way to find tranquility in life? There will always be conflict," he thought.

  The day dragged on until night fell again.

  Ander, Josh, and Alicia sat together calmly after dinner.

  "We’ve had better meals…" Josh said, finishing his pte.

  "Didn’t they teach you to be grateful?" Alicia scolded, smacking his head.Josh rubbed it.

  "What’s wrong with you? We need to think about her… Ander? Ander?" he asked, seeing his friend distracted.

  "We’re so close, guys…" Ander whispered, staring at the moon.

  "To reaching Zafarí?" Alicia asked.

  Ander looked at his friends.

  "Yes. We made it to the outside world and stayed together."

  "We were together when it all began," Josh added.

  Ander hugged his two friends.

  "Thank you for always being there for me. Even when I was bitten, you kept me going."

  "We’ll always be here for you, Ander," Alicia said tenderly.

  "When I saw my grandmother lying there, I felt deep loneliness. I thought I had no family left. But now I realize you are my family too."

  "Of course we are family. I love you guys," Ander replied sincerely.

  At that moment, Adriano passed by on his watch.

  "Sorry to interrupt, but you should sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."

  "Adriano’s right. Time to rest," Josh said.

  "Good night. Don’t let the hyenas eat you, kids…" Adriano joked.

  "Ha-ha-ha! Very funny…" Ander, Josh, and Alicia replied sarcastically.

  Far from camp, something moved in the field.

  The tail of a lion.