## I. The Walk Beneath the Red Moon
The world's darkness was a constant, a void that seemed to have swallowed the light itself. The sky displayed the red moon, and the air, heavy and dense, was the burden carried daily. That morning, Zack and K walked the roads leading to the Red City, just thirty minutes from their fortress-home. They passed the Black Lake, whose waters reflected the sky's melancholy, and the Red Forest, whose trees seemed to silently observe the pair.
It was one of the rare times K had the chance to be alone with Zack. Initially, she felt a reverential fear. Zack's deeds had turned his name into a legend of terror. "Zack" was a common name, but the **Black-Eyed Hunter** was a moniker that belonged to only one man, a man whose head was worth the astronomical bounty of **one billion gold coins**.
Three years by his side had dismantled the image of the monster. K noticed the kindness, the love, and, most importantly, the guilt he carried for past mistakes. He had a strong, undeniable aura, but inside, he was a man who felt he had never truly accomplished anything.
As they walked, K observed Zack. He carried the Black Moon on his back, disguised beneath a dark cloak to conceal the sword and his identity. His black eyes were fixed on something K couldn't see, a line on the horizon only he perceived.
— Zack, can I ask you something personal?
— Sure...
K hesitated, looking at Zack's tired face. His black eyes, deep and lusterless, spoke volumes about the weight he carried.
— Orpheus left a month ago. You know you can talk to me. I'll be here. I know I'm not Orpheus, or Lyra or Mira. However, I'm here to listen, and I won't judge you.
Zack stopped and looked at K. The brunette woman, with red eyes and curly hair, was for the first time treating him as a friend, without the fear that enveloped him like a shroud.
Zack resumed walking, not answering. K felt uncomfortable, thinking her attempt at closeness had failed.
But then, Zack replied, his voice low, almost a whisper to the wind:
— I'm going back to my hometown, K. **The Polyhedron Country**. The people, my old friends, are there. The truth, K, is that the fight against Tobi, my great hunting brother, affected me deeply. I discovered a lot of information, and in a way, I feel like I'm in a *loop*. It feels like I've lived this before and I'm just starting over.
K was surprised to see Zack open up. Her tactical mind struggled to keep up: Zack, loop, Polyhedron Country. It was too much information.
— Why do you feel that way? Did the fight unlock memories in you, Zack?
— Yes. In fact, Tobi told me everything. The truth is he was used and discarded by someone we both loved very much and whom I thought was dead.
— My God — K replied, her voice full of empathy. — Your life isn't easy, Zack. I'm so sorry.
— It's okay, K. We all had a difficult life. I know about your friend, and I also know about your past.
## II. The Black Moon's Confession
K grabbed Zack's arm, stopping him abruptly. They both turned and looked at each other.
— How do you know, Zack?! — K shouted, surprise quickly turning into fury and betrayal.
— I saw your memories during our battle, when you helped Orpheus.
— How?
— The Black Moon read your mind. And now I know too. I'm sorry, K, but I have no control over it... The sword consumes and absorbs all your fears and weaknesses.
K felt sick, betrayed, humiliated. The pain of having her most intimate secret exposed, the memory of her hanged friend, was the burden she carried. Her fists clenched, rage boiling in her red eyes.
But, in a matter of seconds, she felt a hand on her left shoulder. Zack took off his hood, revealing his face. The smile he gave was the most loving side K had ever felt, a smile that disarmed the King of Horror. He apologized to K and looked deeply into her eyes.
— As long as you're suffering, I'll be by your side to help you. That's what friends do.
The anger in K's eyes, the clenched fists, slowly transformed into lightness. The most feared man in the world was showing his gentlest side to her.
K hugged Zack in an act of connection. It was the first strong embrace between them, an embrace that sealed the beginning of a true friendship, forged in shared pain and mutual acceptance.
## III. The Barrier and the Messiah
Upon reaching the Red City, they were stopped by a barrier. It was invisible, but to Zack and K, who could sense the energy, it was palpable. Only strong people felt and looked at that barrier, created by Ygon to sense the presence of anyone entering the city. He wanted to know everything that came in and went out.
— I can't go in, K. You'll have to do the shopping.
K looked at Zack, confused.
— Why not? You always come with Lyra, Mira, and The Boy.
— Yes, I come, K, but I don't go in. If I go in, you might be in danger, and I don't want to draw attention.
K remembered that three years ago, before Ygon dominated the city, Zack was seen as a messiah, treated like a deity.
— But Zack, they love you...
— Not anymore, K. Ygon manipulates the city, the religion, the army. His speech is beautiful, but he's afraid of me. Imagine how the population would react if they saw me. They would support me and be on my side. I am the one Ygon cannot take away from the people. I am the messiah for the red citizens.
K finally understood. Wherever Zack went, everything changed. She nodded, her face and body firm, ready for the task.
— I'll go in, do the shopping, and leave quickly. Wait for me out here.
— Right, K. Be careful and lower your aura level. Your power might draw attention.
K simply nodded and crossed the barrier, heading towards the red wooden gate and black stones. The gate was thirty meters high, guarded by several soldiers in red armor with the symbol of a large eye on it. The soldiers looked at K, and she looked back, passing through calmly.
Inside the city, the houses had changed. The red architecture and red streets were slowly being replaced by black. Ygon was gradually stripping the place of its identity.
— You kill the culture and soon you kill the memories. That way, the people don't know what they're fighting for — K said to herself.
The city, which was prosperous, remained even more prosperous. No one went hungry, markets were open, and there were stalls selling everything. Mercenaries, assassins, thieves, and hunters were everywhere, but there was a clear law imposed by Ygon: if anyone killed, stole, or did anything against the order, they would be burned alive in the central square. Ygon gave freedom for any human trash to enter, but there were rules. Everyone followed them, as Ygon had killed thousands of people who did not comply.
K passed through the square and saw giant wooden stakes with bodies placed on them. Several people were dead, crucified, and others had already been burned, leaving only charred remains. There were people crying, others laughing and enjoying the view.
— So this is the equality he seeks — K said. — Terrifying.
## IV. The Leaky Mug Bar
From afar, K spotted the bar where, three years ago, she had been with Tobi, Zack, and others from the group. She thought: *I'll buy drinks for Zack. He really loved drinking at this bar, and I think it will be a great gift.*
The bar was called **The Leaky Mug** (*Caneca Furada*). K headed towards it, crossing the central square, a journey that felt like passing through hell.
The Leaky Mug was built in an extreme Gothic style, occupying what was once a chapel. Ogival arches supported a high ceiling painted with frescoes depicting ancient battles between red-eyed warriors and creatures of darkness. Decorative gargoyles perched on column ledges, observing customers with expressions frozen in malicious smiles or grimaces of pain.
The lighting came from wrought-iron chandeliers and blue-flame lanterns, creating a hypnotic play of light and shadow that danced across the dark stone walls. Massive tables of carved wood filled the main space, each surrounded by high-backed chairs that resembled small thrones.
The bar counter itself was a work of art: a single slab of petrified black wood, polished to an obsidian sheen, carved with scenes of ancient battles and forgotten rituals. Behind it, shelves displayed an impressive collection of bottles containing liquids of every imaginable color — some glowing from within, others emitting smoke or slowly changing hue. The decor was completed by human and unknown creature skulls, some turned into mugs or lamps, others simply arranged on the shelves as silent trophies of untold stories.
The bar was crowded. The clinking of mugs, loud conversations, and occasional laughter created a cacophony that contrasted with the somber atmosphere outside. Card games were underway at several tables, with high stakes won and lost in seconds.
From afar, K noticed the same bartender. Behind the counter was **Vex** — a tall, thin man, with intense red eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light. Bald, with ritual tattoos covering his skull and neck, he wore a leather apron over simple black clothes. His hands moved with impressive precision as he mixed drinks.
Vex recognized K and raised a mug, catching her attention. K went over and sat on the stool, leaning against the counter.
— Do you remember me, Vex?
— How could I forget such a beautiful brunette.
They both laughed, and the mood became more pleasant for K.
— Where is Zack? I miss him.
— He couldn't come. I believe you know why, Vex.
— I do... — Vex looked intently at K.
— I'm going to take some drinks for him, and I want you to set aside the best ones he loves.
Vex showed a huge smile.
— It's my pleasure. You won't pay anything, it's on the house. He's a brother.
K didn't understand why people loved Zack so much, even knowing he was considered a monster.
— Why don't you fear him or hunt him for the bounty, Vex? What's wrong with this city? They love Zack.
Vex used his skills in a blend of agility with glasses, bottles, and acrobatics.
— It's simple... **He founded this bar and saved this city many times.**
K's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open in surprise.
— No way! You're kidding me.
— Many years ago, Zack arrived. He was just a boy, looking for help, a home, desperate for scraps. His black eyes made no difference here. We treated him, cared for him, and gave him a home. The city welcomed him without even knowing his name or where he came from.
Vex continued, his voice grave:
— This city was attacked by monsters from the red continent. People died every day, children were the most affected because they were easy targets. The city was rapidly shrinking. The monsters increased, and the creatures began to develop thoughts, speech, and consciousness.
K questioned:
— The stories say that the creatures of the void always maintained balance over the red continent and never attacked humans.
Vex laughed, a genuine laugh, and cried with laughter, as if it were a joke. He handed K a red cup with black liquid and a napkin, while wiping his eyes.
— Then... everything changed, K. The creatures didn't enter the city. The population didn't understand why this change, until one of the elders said that Zack, every night, hunted the creatures that entered the city. His presence, the energy he emanated, his aura, made all the creatures, who are now conscious, afraid to attack the population. In the end, K, **Zack disciplined the monsters to fear the consequences.**
K took a gulp and drank her entire drink. Her eyes shone. That was the coolest story she had ever heard.
— Zack is a fucking badass — K replied, toasting Vex.
They both smiled upon discovering that their mutual friend was not the monster worth a billion gold coins, but their savior.
**END OF CHAPTER**