There was Mictlantecuhtli.
My new boss was waiting for me at the entrance of the building, wearing a calm, wide smile, as if I hadn't slapped him with all my strength the day before. Seeing him, an uncomfortable mix of embarrassment and tension pierced my chest.
I lowered my head and approached slowly.
"I'm sorry… about yesterday," I murmured.
It was complicated.I hadn't wanted to do that…but at the same time, I was still deeply upset about the situation.
He observed me for a few seconds. He didn't seem angry. Nor surprised.
"It's fine," he said at last. "Today we have several things to do before your next interview."
His tone was so natural that it unsettled me.As if nothing had happened.As if I didn't matter… or mattered far too much.
I said nothing and followed him. The jaguar keychain hung from my backpack, swaying with each step, reminding me that I wasn't alone.
"This will be your new workplace," he said enthusiastically. "Let me show you the different areas."
The first stop was reception.
There was the same transparent woman I had seen the night before. She looked at me and smiled kindly.
"They are our temporary staff," he explained. "They'll help and advise you. If you need anything, just let me know."
The woman greeted me with a slight nod and continued working as if everything were perfectly normal.
We continued down the hallway, passing door after door.
"This is the recording area."
Inside, a group of musicians were playing live. The energy was so intense that for a moment I thought I saw Michael Jackson among them. The King of Pop. My favorite singer.
I stepped forward, completely mesmerized.
"You'll meet him later," Mictlantecuhtli said, gripping my blazer and gently pulling me back. "Right now, we have too much to do."
The contact was brief, firm… too natural.My heart gave a small jump that I pretended not to notice.
We kept walking.
He showed me a break room, another for meals, and one more where they prepared tools whose purpose I preferred not to ask about.
On the second floor were the offices. People answering messages, editing clips, preparing live events and advertising for the program. Some didn't look entirely human.
On the third floor, he opened a door.
"Storage. If you ever need something special, you'll find it here."
Inside was a horned being, sitting at a desk, slowly reviewing ancient papers written in languages I didn't recognize.
I had too many questions.
He didn't let me stop.
We continued on while he spoke calmly about guest rest areas, travel zones, and… an entire floor dedicated to pet care.
"Pets?" I asked, incredulous.
"Many of our guests have unconventional pets," he replied.
I saw baby griffins, small dragons, creatures sleeping in nests of light.
"One of my best friends, Hades," he added, "sometimes brings his dog when he comes to work. He needs a safe place to leave it."
I was surprised.Despite his coldness, he spoke about animals with unexpected warmth.
We reached the top floor.
The place where I had recorded the interview with Nyx.His office.And a food area.
My stomach churned.
"I understand that yesterday was complicated," he said. "It won't happen again."
He stopped in front of a console and pressed a button.
The guest's chair was wrapped in black and green bindings, like a sealed cocoon.
"A gift from Nyx, combined with my barriers," he explained. "If you ever feel in danger, press this and the guest will be temporarily sealed."
I looked at him, surprised.
"You did all this… for me?"
"You are my herald," he replied naturally. "You represent my name."
"What exactly does it mean to be a herald?" I asked.
"Everything you say there will be seen as my voice. My decisions. If someone hurts you… it is a direct aggression against me."
Before entering the rest area, he raised his hand and gently brushed my hair.
The contact sent a shiver through me.
"I'm sorry you felt in danger," he said softly. "It shouldn't have happened like that."
His skin was warm.Too human.
Iztli appeared immediately.
"What are you doing?" he growled.
"Showing my guest the way."
"And you need to touch her for that?"
Mictlantecuhtli withdrew his hand calmly.
"I thought it was a human custom. Being courteous."
Iztli stepped slightly in front of me and continued walking ahead.
We arrived at the pet floor.
"Today you'll have a special program," Mictlantecuhtli said. "You'll be presenting mythological animals for adoption."
"Adoption?"
"This program is also watched by gods and other beings. We're looking for homes."
We reached the entire floor dedicated to the pets.
The space was wide and bright, but not with artificial light. There was something else… a soft clarity, almost alive, that seemed to adapt to each creature. Open enclosures, suspended nests, areas marked by glowing symbols on the floor. Nothing felt like a prison.
"Most of our guests have pets," Mictlantecuhtli commented as we walked. "Some are life companions. Others… inheritances."
I looked around carefully.
Baby griffins slept on cushioned platforms, their wings folded awkwardly, letting out small chirps as they dreamed. A dragon the size of a cat curled in on itself, releasing golden smoke from its nose with every deep breath. Creatures I had only seen in books… or dreams.
"I didn't notice any of this the first time I came up," I admitted softly.
"Yesterday you weren't in any condition to notice these things," he replied with a half-smile.
We stopped in front of a section separated by a stone arch carved with solar symbols.
"Today you'll host a special program," he said. "You'll present mythological animals currently up for adoption."
I blinked.
"Adoption… seriously?"
"Completely," he nodded. "This program isn't only watched by humans. Gods, ancient entities, and beings from other planes watch it too. Many are looking for companions… but don't know how to find them."
He handed me a thick sheet, like modern parchment. When I touched it, I felt a slight tingling, as if the paper reacted to me.
"Today you'll present three," he continued. "Each with specific needs. Not all are for everyone."
I swallowed and looked at the sheet.
🟡 Solar Bird – "Aureth"
The image showed a large bird, with golden plumage that seemed to shift in tone depending on the light. The feathers weren't soft, but firm, almost metallic, and radiated warm glimmers.
"It's a bird associated with the sun and light," Mictlantecuhtli explained. "Ideal for solar gods, entities of order, or beings who represent leadership."
I read softly:
Temperament: proud, loyal, territorialRecommended for: solar deities, city guardians, spirits of justiceNot recommended for: impulsive beings or those with destructive tendencies
"Can it be dangerous?" I asked.
"Only if it feels ignored," he replied. "It needs attention. Recognition."
I couldn't help thinking it sounded far too… aware.
Iztli snorted from behind me.
"Like certain gods," he muttered.
Mictlantecuhtli ignored the comment.
⚪ Young Kitsune – "Shiro"
I moved on to the next file.
A white fox with soft fur, two perfectly visible tails. Its eyes gleamed with intelligence and a mischievous spark even in the image.
"It's young," I said. "Two tails…"
"Exactly," he nodded. "That indicates youth, but great potential."
I read:
Primary ability: minor magical manipulation, illusionsPersonality: curious, playful, prone to mischiefRecommended for: magically inclined beings, artists, creative entitiesWarning: not recommended for those with little patience
I couldn't help smiling.
"It looks adorable."
"That's part of the problem," he replied. "It learns quickly… and likes to test limits."
I felt an intense gaze at my side.
Iztli.
"It would choose you," he said suddenly.
"What?" I asked, surprised.
"Kitsune choose those who react first with curiosity, not fear," he added. "It already noticed you."
I turned my head, uncomfortable.
"I haven't even seen it in person."
"Yet," he replied seriously.
Mictlantecuhtli watched the scene in silence.
⚫ Xoloitzcuintle – Soul Guardian
The last file made me pause.
A black, hairless xoloitzcuintle with deep, calm eyes. It looked… normal. Too normal.
"I know this one," I murmured.
"Not entirely," Mictlantecuhtli corrected.
I read carefully:
Function: guide and guardian of soulsAffinity: underworlds, paths between planesTemperament: silent, protective, extremely loyalRecommended for: gods of death, spiritual guides, entities who travel between worlds
"Why does it look so… simple?" I asked.
"Because it doesn't need to impress," he replied. "It does its job without asking for anything in return."
Something tightened in my chest.
"It's perfect for night walks… or journeys to the underworld," he added. "I thought it would be a good option."
He didn't need to say for whom.
Iztli looked away.
"That kind of creature only bonds once," he said. "If it chooses wrong… it's lost."
The silence grew heavy.
"And if no one adopts them?" I asked finally.
Mictlantecuhtli looked at me.
"Then they stay here," he replied. "We don't force bonds."
His voice lowered slightly.
"True companions are never imposed."
I didn't know why… but those words affected me more than they should have.
They prepared me for the program. They changed my clothes into a more comfortable, practical outfit, similar to a biologist's attire. The cap was uncomfortable, but functional.
"Remember," Mictlantecuhtli said before leaving. "Don't sell. Present. Let them choose."
I nodded with determination.
Maybe… this job wouldn't be so bad.
When they told me we were live, I asked them to bring in the xoloitzcuintle first.
I expected a large dog.
What entered was a creature nearly four meters tall, with eyes like deep wells, and small blue and red flames dancing where fur should have been.
It looked at me in silence.From head to toe.
I swallowed.
I had been far too naive to think this interview would be simple.
And the broadcast…
was only just beginning.