In the vast firmament, beyond the stars and galaxies, the Celestial Kingdom shone with golden and pure light. White marble towers rose above ethereal clouds, and rivers of light flowed along the celestial paths. God and Jesus watched the Earth from a divine viewpoint, surrounded by angels whose wings shimmered with golden and silver hues.
Archangel Michael appeared before them, his armor gleaming and his sacred sword sheathed at his side. His celestial blue eyes sparkled with determination as he knelt respectfully.
—The swords are ready, Lord. But... do you have the chosen ones in mind for this important mission? —Michael asked, with curiosity.
Jesus, with his white robe fluttering in the celestial breeze, smiled faintly without taking his eyes off the earthly world.
—Don't worry, Michael. I know who they will be. It's just a matter of time —he replied serenely.
Lima, Peru – District of San Miguel
Under a gray and cloudy sky, the city awakened with the hustle and bustle of traffic and the hurry of its inhabitants. Buses and taxis filled the streets, vendors opened their stalls, and schoolchildren walked the avenues to reach their schools.
Among them, a 17-year-old boy ran at full speed down the Universitaria Avenue, dodging pedestrians and jumping over puddles left by the recent drizzle. His breath was heavy, and the sweat on his forehead showed the effort to avoid being late.
His name was Ruwi Atilano Bonillas Sánchez. He had black hair and eyes, tanned skin, and a slender body, with a height of 1.56 meters. His school uniform consisted of a white shirt with the school logo, blue pants, and worn-out sneakers.
When he arrived at the gates of the "María Guadalupe" school, he crossed the entrance just as the bell rang.
—Wow! You look like you just ran a marathon —said a friendly voice.
It was Daniel, his best friend since childhood. He had a stocky build and was 1.68 meters tall, with short, messy hair. He wore the same uniform as Ruwi and had his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
—It's not funny, I ran like 20 blocks to get here. Let's go, let's get in before the teacher scolds us! —Ruwi replied, catching his breath.
Before they could move, a small figure appeared with an annoyed expression. It was Rosenda, Daniel's girlfriend and a close friend of both. She was 1.49 meters tall and had black hair tied in a red bow. She wore a shirt with a heart in the center, a black skirt, and pink sneakers.
—Where were you guys? I looked for you all over the school! —she said, crossing her arms.
—Same as always: Ruwi just made it —Daniel replied, shrugging.
The three friends walked to the classroom, where the students were already bustling. Some were chatting animatedly, others were reviewing their notes hurriedly. The air smelled of colored pencils and freshly printed paper.
The teacher entered with firm steps, and the classroom fell silent immediately. Beside her, a new girl looked at the students with a serene smile.
—Silence, please. Let me introduce your new classmate, Camila Rojas González —the teacher announced.
Camila had a delicate and elegant air. Her brown hair fell in soft waves to her waist, and her brown eyes reflected sweetness and determination. She wore a blue shirt, a light blue skirt, and white sneakers with yellow details.
Ruwi felt his heart race. His cheeks immediately flushed when his eyes met Camila's.
She noticed his reaction and smiled. With graceful steps, she approached the empty seat next to him.
—Hello, I'm Camila Rojas González —she introduced herself with a melodic voice.
—I... I'm Ruwi Atilano Bonillas Sánchez —he responded, nervous and avoiding her gaze.
Camila laughed softly. Her laugh was like the tinkling of bells, light and enchanting.
Meanwhile, at the back row, Daniel whispered to Rosenda:
—Looks like Ruwi has fallen in love.
—Don't tease him —Rosenda replied—. He's just nervous because the girl is pretty.
Classes proceeded normally, though Ruwi could hardly concentrate. When the bell rang for dismissal, he said goodbye to his friends and walked home.
His home was a modest house, with cement walls and a corrugated tin roof. Upon opening the door, he was greeted by his aunt Liz Gutiérrez, a woman with a tired but kind demeanor who had taken care of him since the tragic accident that claimed his parents.
—Welcome, Ruwi. How was school? —she asked with a smile while folding clothes on the sofa.
—It was fine, Aunt. I'll make dinner —he replied.
He cooked his favorite dish: spaghetti with tomato sauce. The aroma of seasoned meat and tomatoes filled the house. After eating, he did his homework until sleep overcame him.
Ruwi's Dream:
He found himself in a vast dream garden, where flowers of all colors covered the ground like a carpet. Roses, sunflowers, and violets exhaled an intoxicating perfume. A crystal-clear stream snaked through hills covered with emerald grass.
Ruwi saw Daniel and Rosenda walking among the flowers.
—Daniel? Rosenda? What are you doing in my dream? —he asked, puzzled.
—I don't know, I fell asleep and ended up here —Daniel said, inspecting a rose.
—Me too... —Rosenda added, confused.
Then, Camila appeared from afar.
—Huh? How did I get here? —she murmured, looking at the landscape in awe.
Suddenly, an intense light descended upon them. Its golden glow was so strong that they had to shield their eyes.
—Do not be afraid —a celestial voice said—. You are my chosen ones to fight the demons.
Four swords appeared from the light, floating in the air. Their blades were like angel wings, bright and sharp.
—These swords are yours. Do not forget your mission —the voice said before disappearing.
Ruwi opened his eyes, gasping. The sun was shining through his window.
—What a strange dream... —he murmured.
But when he looked at his desk, his blood ran cold.
There, on the table, was the sword from his dream.
Beside it, a note read:
"This sword will help you in your mission, Ruwi."
With his heart pounding, he picked up the sword, wondering what all of this meant.