A deep, sensual, enveloping voice began to echo throughout the studio.
"Good evening to all our listeners.Welcome to Frequencies of the Underworld."
The lights dimmed slightly, bathing the set in dark and golden tones.
"Tonight," the narrator continued, "our host, Izel, welcomes you to a special segment.A night to open the heart…Buying hearts."
I swallowed hard when I saw the dog standing beside me—four meters tall.
"Today," the voice added, "we have some very special friends who are looking for more than just a home.They're looking for a bond."
I took a deep breath.
While the narrator explained the basic rules of the program and the usual warnings, I stepped slightly away from the center of the set. I needed to start with something… manageable.
The kitsune.
Definitely the kitsune.
It was easier to start with a small, playful fox than with a giant dog that towered over me at more than twice my height.
"We'll begin our program now," I finally said, leaning toward the microphone and trying to keep my voice steady."Good evening, everyone. After yesterday's broadcast, we decided to bring something a little different. Something… to remind us why we keep going."
There were more creatures around the set than I had expected. Some walked, some floated, others simply watched from the shadows. Some were small. Others… not so much. Not all of them looked harmless.
I felt a faint tingling along my spine.
"Today, we're here to… sweeten the heart," I continued."So let's begin."
I crouched beside the small white fox, who was playing with its own tails, chasing them as if they didn't belong to it.
"This," I smiled, "is a young kitsune."
The fox lifted its ears and looked at me with huge, shining eyes. As soon as it noticed the camera, it began wagging its tails excitedly… then gently touched my cheek with a small paw.
"Kitsune are known for being intelligent, curious, mischievous, and extremely affectionate toward those they trust," I explained."They originate from Asian folklore, and although they look small—"
The kitsune created a tiny illusion: small flowers of light bloomed around its head.
"—they possess natural magical abilities."
The comments exploded.
"LOOK AT IT!""Give me twenty, I'll adopt them all!""Is that CGI?""Since when do dogs have two tails?"
I smiled, more relaxed now.
"It's said that having a kitsune at home attracts prosperity and good fortune," I continued."It's like having a living charm… one that also makes adorable noises when you scratch behind its ears."
I gently scratched it.
"This is a kitsune, a creature from Asian folklore," I explained again."They're known for their intelligence, playful nature… and their ability to enchant anyone who looks at them for too long."
The kitsune closed its eyes—and then it happened.
I felt a tug on my clothes.
"Big sister… I'm hungry," a small voice said.
Each tail represents roughly one hundred years of life… and the possibility of transforming into a human.
I went silent.
One hundred years.
I froze.
In front of me, there was no longer a fox.
There was a small girl, with white hair and shining eyes, looking at me with a tired expression.
"What…?" My voice cracked.
"I'm sleepy," the girl added, and suddenly she began to cry.
A pink and violet mist spread throughout the set.
The cameras vanished from my sight.The lights distorted.My surroundings stopped making sense.
My heart began to pound.
"Calm down…" I told myself. "Calm down…"
I gripped the tablet with both hands. I couldn't see anything clearly.
Then someone approached.
"Izel…?"
A familiar voice.
A young man in a suit appeared in front of me.
"Mike…?"
It was him.The guy in the suit.The one from the temporary job.The one who had asked for my number.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, confused. "I thought you worked at a company."
"I quit," he replied. "Things got complicated… and when I found out you were here…"
The fog grew thicker.
Inside my backpack, something began to move violently.
"Iztli, no," I whispered, gripping it.
"I missed you," Mike continued. "I always wanted to tell you something."
He knelt down and pulled out a bouquet of red flowers.
"Would you like to go out with me?"
"I—"
I didn't get to finish.
A massive body shoved me backward.
"MIKE!" I screamed.
A gigantic xoloitzcuintle—nearly four meters tall—pushed Mike away with its snout… then calmly sat down and began eating a fish.
I blinked.
The fog began to dissipate.
The girl vanished.
The kitsune was there again, now happily eating.
It had all been an illusion.
"Thank you…" I whispered, looking at the xolo.
The dog nodded with dignity… and walked away.
The comments exploded again.
"Was that real?""I want one.""That was disturbing."
I took a deep breath.
"Sorry for the interruption," I said."Let's continue."
I turned toward the second guest.
"Now I present to you Aureth, a creature of pure light."
Floating before me was something like a golden chick… absurdly bright.
"Aureth emits calming energy," I explained. "It reduces stress, induces rest, and—"
I realized something.
All the creatures around us were asleep.
I myself began to feel heavy.
"—and makes you forget your worries," I murmured, sitting down without realizing it.
A nearby hiss.
A small three-headed snake curled up beside me.
"What a nice day…" I whispered, drowsy.
Then—heavy footsteps.
The xolo returned.
Aureth spread wings of light, increasing its glow… and everything returned to normal.
The xolo carefully picked up Aureth and carried it away.
"Hey!" I protested.
The comments filled with chaos.
"THE CHICK!!""Give it back!"
I jumped to my feet. Iztli tried to leap out of my backpack toward the dog.
"Iztli," I whispered. "I have an idea."
I pulled out the sandwich I had saved.
"How about we trade this… for what you have?"
The xolo sniffed.
Spat Aureth out.
Kept the sandwich.
Aureth reappeared, now in the form of a slender, dim bird, clearly annoyed.
"L-let's continue," I said nervously.
"And finally," I said, "our youngest member."
The xolo returned.
"Xoloitzcuintle, five months old," I said, stunned. "If he's five months… he's going to grow."
The comments went wild.
"Guardian of the underworld. Protector. Loyal."
The xolo lay down on the floor, rolled over… and brought me a ball.
"Perfect for those looking for a guardian… and a lifelong friend."
The three creatures gathered around me.
"If anyone would like to adopt—"
Each one showed the best of themselves.
The kitsune used magic.Aureth flew clumsily.The xolo wagged its tail.
"—call the number on screen."
The broadcast ended.
I collapsed into a chair.
"You did well," Mictlantecuhtli said. "They'll find homes."
"And what if they don't find good ones?" I asked, worried.
"They'll wait in my home for their owners," he replied. Dark green light spilled from his eyes.
"Shh," Iztli growled. "You wouldn't let me out."
"I was enchanted," I whispered.
Before anyone could respond, a cold voice cut through the air.
"And tell me… who is Mike?"
My blood ran cold.
"No one," I said quickly. "Just a friend."
"Interesting," Iztli added, smiling without warmth."I'd also like to know who Mike is."
And I understood, far too late,
that the real conflictwas only just beginning.