I introduce myself, I'm Ahu, a circus dog… or well, that's what I used to be a long time ago. Over time, I met a girl who became my owner: Xinya. She wasn't like the other kids; she didn't care if I was aggressive at first. She loved me and, in some way, admired me. So much so that she wanted me to become a hero. Who would've thought, right? A dog becoming a hero… ha.
Back then, I had already made it into the top 10 heroes with the highest trust index, exactly in eighth place. And how did I manage that? Well, it was thanks to my owner… and in a way, also thanks to X, the number one. I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't been there back then.
During one of the missions the agency had assigned me, I decided to investigate that guy X on my own. The guy was so calm inside his apartment that for a moment, I thought it wasn't him. But I identified him instantly: that suit, that hair, those glasses… exactly the same as when I saw him that time at the vending machine.
Suddenly, something totally unexpected happened. Several portals began to open all over the planet. As if they were cracks splitting reality itself, they were so dark and bluish… I stared at them in shock. At first, I thought some villain had caused them and, to be honest, even now I still think so. Also, several portals weren't the same color; each one was different.
I tried to run away as fast as I could with my four legs, but the power of those cracks was truly terrifying. Instead of moving forward, I was being pulled back, as if some strange force wanted to make me enter the portals.
I bit the concrete hard, my claws and fangs digging in desperately, but not even that was enough to keep me from being sucked in. The portal grew larger, twice the size it was before, and I felt my strength slowly fading away.
With no other choice, I accepted my fate. The only thing I could think about was Xinya, my owner. I wanted her to live better, without complications. For her not to miss me, to be able to have fun like the other kids. For her not to mourn my loss, because I had also chosen this path: the path of saving people who are in danger, the path of correcting those who do wrong.
I know I wasn't the smartest, nor the strongest, but my determination to keep going, for myself and for my owner, was immense. Now that I won't return, I feel that all those values that defined me are vanishing in the blink of an eye. Everything I went through, everything I suffered, fades away, as I say goodbye with a warm smile and whisper softly:
"This is where Ahu's road ends… forgive me, Xinya."
My small body lifted on its own, as if gravity no longer existed. The portal slowly pulled me in; it looked more like a bluish, dark crack surrounded by a dense smoke floating around it. I passed through it and felt my body slowly dissolve, as if I were turning into ashes.
When I opened my eyes, I couldn't see anything, just a dark void. My sense of touch, everything about me, was gone. I was like a living soul without a shell to cover it. I tried to move through that space, but it didn't seem to have any end.
"How I wish I had shared more happy moments with Xinya…"
I murmured sadly. That place only made everything feel more intense, complete darkness, no sounds, no people. Obviously, I was going to lose my sanity. How long would it take? I don't know, but I already knew it from the start.
"Please, if there's something beyond this, give me another chance… I just want to see Xinya again…"
My prayers weren't answered. Back then, I reflected, and reflected, and reflected, trying to keep my composure as much as I could. I have no idea how much time had passed… seconds, yes; minutes, yes; days, too; weeks, maybe; months, possibly.
I was about to lose my sanity; I felt my head hurting more and more. Until suddenly, I saw a flash, one blinding and radiant. I shut my eyelids tightly, and after several seconds, I slowly opened them again.
I saw that I was a simple puppy, lying beside my other siblings, all snuggled against the belly of my new mother.
I knew it at that moment: I had been reborn.
And not just anywhere, but at sea, on a ship surrounded by those despicable pirates. But at that moment, I never imagined there could be something worse than that.
The wooden room I was in was small, barely a meter high. There was a lantern dimly lighting the space, giving off a bit of warmth against the cold outside. Beneath us, a blanket covered the puppies and our mother, giving us a little comfort amid the damp, salty air.
I heard several footsteps, one after another, growing louder and louder. Seconds later, the small door burst open, and several pirates entered, each one crazier than the last.
"Hahaha, damn it, who the hell thought it was a good idea to bring a damn dog onto the ship?" said the man who seemed to be the captain of the pirates, letting out a deep, rough laugh as he scratched his scarred beard. His gaze was so cold that even the air inside the cabin grew heavy.
"I'm sorry, captain… I had no idea she was pregnant," his subordinate replied, lowering his head. His hands were trembling, and he avoided eye contact, swallowing hard in fear.
"Bastard! Who told you that you could just do whatever the hell you wanted?!" the captain roared, slamming the floor so hard that the empty bottles scattered and rolled away.
At that moment, the captain stood up, pure fury in his expression, and landed a punch straight to the subordinate's chin. The blow echoed through the entire ship, reverberating against the wooden walls. The poor pirate fell backward to the floor, letting out a pained groan as he held his bloodied face.
"From now on, you'll be in charge of these filthy dogs! And when we reach an island, I want you to sell them all!" the captain shouted, wiping his knuckles with a sadistic grin, enjoying the fear he provoked.
"Y-yes, sir… a-as you say!" the subordinate stammered, his voice weak and shaky. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but even so, he bowed deeply, not daring to lift his gaze.
Then the rest of the pirates, including the captain, left, leaving only the younger pirate behind, who seemed to be shedding a few tears. I saw everything; I didn't look away for a single second. I understood the situation more or less; the boy had simply felt compassion for my new mother upon seeing that she was pregnant. That's when I realized that not all pirates were completely bad or good.
Some only do what they do to create chaos, to loot, to kill, or for reasons that aren't entirely right. But in front of me, I saw a young pirate sobbing silently, holding back his voice to avoid making a scene. Can a pirate cry? Many would say no. But I saw it. That human was more human than the rest… of course they can cry!