This world is a vast and complex tapestry, woven with unfathomable mysteries and secrets. Some of them are destined to remain buried, preserved forever by silence and oblivion. Yet, others are destined to burst into the open, revealing truths so profound and troubling that they irrevocably alter the perception of reality for those who discover them. The story that opens here is not a simple fantasy tale, but it carries within it that fragrance of the unreal that blurs the boundaries between our tangible world and another, more latent one. In this universe, the humblest of creatures can transcend its role to become a formidable predator.
Chapter 0 - A Long History
Brooklyn, New York State, United States of America. In this emblematic neighborhood, where city blocks line up, shaped by austere red brick buildings, like immutable sentinels watching over the flow of time, resided a family of African origin, the Sirinas.
At the head of this household stood Director Koto Sirina, a man whose stature and judgment were respected by all. He was the founder and sole owner of Company Sirina, a business that was experiencing remarkable prosperity. His sudden success and the discreet but powerful influence he wielded in the business world had earned him a quasi-legendary nickname throughout Brooklyn: the "King of Brooklyn". At his side, his wife, Jennifer, embodied natural and discreet elegance, but possessed an unwavering will and firmness. Their only son, Ans, was a quick-witted boy, curious by nature and constantly eager to enrich his knowledge.
That evening, as the sun slowly set, painting the sky with orange hues behind the jagged skyline of the roofs, Ans entered the spacious living room of the family residence. He found his father, Koto, absorbed in his reading, comfortably settled in his large, deep leather armchair, an immutable habit after a long day of work.
"Hello Dad," Ans greeted, approaching his father. Koto looked up from his book and replied with a smile that betrayed a slight accumulated fatigue: "Hello, my son."
It was a precious ritual. Every evening, Koto took pleasure in telling stories to his son. These were tales rich in courage, human tragedies, or ancestral legends, which young Ans invariably listened to, his eyes shining with boundless admiration for his father and the heroes of his stories. That evening, driven by his usual enthusiasm, the boy asked the ritual question: "So Dad, what story are you going to tell me today?"
Koto gently closed the book he was holding. "Hmm... a particular story," he replied, pausing. "The one about a child soldier. A prodigy who subsequently became a legend."
Intrigued by this martial evocation, Ans immediately asked: "A soldier? And who was this man?"
Koto Sirina did not answer right away. He stared at an invisible point in the distance, as if distant memories, laden with emotion, suddenly came back to haunt his mind. His voice softened when he resumed: "Listen carefully, my boy. Once upon a time, in the fifties, right here in Brooklyn..."
He let the suspense hang for a moment before pronouncing the name. "...a young boy named Francisco Cortez."