Hao. The Awakening of the Chosen (Finish)

Chapter 5.3

Lukotico lay down after the call with his brother. He found it a bit abrupt how his brother had hung up, but it didn't worry him. He had another problem in mind that his brother, the leader of the chosen ones, had presented to him. Which kingdom would he be from?

After several minutes of reflection, he decided to go to sleep in order to prepare for Gonzalo's visit the next day. He needed to somehow convince him to join him so they could travel together to the next kingdom.

The next morning, Lukotico woke up, went to the well, washed his face, and went back to the tavern to have breakfast: a rat with honey. It made his mouth water. Breakfasts in that era had nothing to do with those in his world. Here, they had a saying: 'Eat breakfast like a king, have lunch like a prince, and dine like a beggar.' In contrast, in his world, it was the opposite—light breakfasts, heavy lunches, and somewhat lighter dinners. He greeted Barvara, who was serving breakfast to several customers.

"Good morning, sweetheart. The one coming over there," pointing to the door, "isn't that Gonzalo and his brother?"

"Yes, and here I am, not dressed. I'll be right there in a second."

"Don't worry, I'll keep him entertained enough."

Gonzalo and Berto entered through the door carrying several baskets.

"Good morning, we're Gonzalo and Berto. Lukas told us that whenever we needed food, we should come here. I hope it's not a bother."

"Not at all. Lukas already briefed us; he seemed very happy after meeting you."

"Sorry, I need to use the latrine. Where is it?"

"Second floor, third door on the left."

Gonzalo went up to the second floor, just as Barvara had said. He entered the third door, but the problem was she hadn't specified left or right. Upon opening the door, he was greatly surprised. He saw Lukotico naked in his true body, choosing clothes with his tablet. Gonzalo tried to approach him, but suddenly Lukotico's body completely changed, dressing in his normal clothes. Lukotico slowly turned around, not giving Gonzalo time to leave the room. From the surprised expression on Gonzalo's face, Lukotico guessed he had seen too much. So, he went to the door and closed it, standing between the door and Gonzalo, preventing his escape.

"I know what you saw surprised you, but don't be afraid. I haven't come to harm you; on the contrary, I need your help."

"I'm sorry, but I can't. You're not from this world! Stay away from me."

"I need your help. I'll tell you everything you want to know, but let me first explain a prophecy from my world."

"Okay, fine."

"The prophecy goes like this:

Six chosen ones you must find, And a wise leader must be aligned, To find the grand solution, To the terrible and mighty agitation.

I come from a world called the astral world. I am an Antler. You must have heard some legends about us."

"I only know that the last one of you who came, I think his name was Thomix or something like that, was killed by the Teheritas when he left. Besides that, I don't know anything else."

"That's true, but the astral world is divided into two factions: the Antlers and the Night Whisperers, those banished from the realm of the Antlers. They live in unadministered population cores, entirely primitive. We, the Antlers, are celestial beings, immortal, and we control the technology of all universes. In each world, whenever a dictatorship or extreme control arises, a group of six beings plus their leader are called upon to fight against this injustice together. The pet I have is an ancestral animal named Giorgi. Any questions so far?"

"But then, for the Whisperers, aren't you the oppressors, and the group of chosen ones must rise against you?"

"Good question, but we don't exile anyone for doing things right, only for crimes for which justice offers the choice of death penalty or exile. The Whisperers are beings who chose exile over death."

"Now I understand, thanks."

"Perfect, so I'll continue. Giorgi has an ability to detect the special ones called 'lumínicos.' The other day when Giorgi approached you, it wasn't out of love or curiosity, but because you are a lumínico, one of the chosen ones."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. Are you telling me that I, a guy who can barely afford a meal, have to rise against the dictatorship of the six kingdoms?"

"The dictatorship of the six kingdoms is the least of it, but you've reached the point."

"Is my brother also a lumínico?" Gonzalo asked.

"No, only you."

"And now, how should I act? What should I do? Because I suppose you're the leader of the six, right?"

"No, the Antlers only gather the six chosen ones with their leader, someone separate from us. Regarding what you should do now, it's complicated. Together, we must embark on a journey to the next kingdom to find the next chosen one. There's one in each kingdom. The next kingdom is the Feather Kingdom."

"How am I supposed to leave everything, the inn, and my brother to go with you, someone completely unknown until a few days ago?"

"If you consider it, your brother can accompany us."

"Okay, and how do I know you're not one of the Whisperers?"

"The Whisperers cannot change shape, and their pets reject them. Giorgi respects me."

"Okay, give me a couple of days. I need to talk to my brother, to the innkeeper, and when I come here, if I bring a bag full, it means I'm ready to leave. If it's empty, it means I'm not going with you."

"Perfect, I'll wait here. Do you want to go see the elephants with Francisco?"

"Yes, let's go."

Francisco spent the whole morning teaching Gonzalo and Berto about the uses and care of the elephants. In the afternoon, he took them on an elephant ride through the market streets, occasionally letting them take charge of the elephant.