Chapter 1

  THE PROPOSAL

  “When the sun becomes little more than a whisper of the past, the bones and flesh of fugitives will illuminate the world. Lies and pain will blanket the false kingdom, and the natural order will fall silent.”

  Branches cracked beneath the feet of a young man in the forest, where he could barely see his own hands. Each step forced him to decide whether to continue or turn back, yet something dark and seductive drew him toward the gloom. His heart raced, and echoes of chanting resonated from every direction, wrapping the air in a concert of shadows. At the end of the path, a strange violet light marked his destination. He approached cautiously, and what he saw made his blood run cold.

  On the ground, a circle radiated a bluish glow, but what was truly terrifying was the collection of bones arranged at its center, some still bleeding, atop a pentagram drawn with a golden, viscous substance. Without fully understanding why, Gabriel extended his hand toward the center. The moment he touched the circle, the earth split open and a putrid hand emerged, gripping his arm with inhuman strength.

  Around him, figures in long white robes and golden crow-shaped masks rose from the shadows. Their eyes, as white as snow, glimmered like fireflies in the dark.

  — “ACCEPT THE GIFT!”

  — “YOU ARE AN ABOMINATION!”

  — “YOU ARE A STAIN!”

  — “CORRUPTED!”

  The voices thundered through the forest, drowning out any attempt to scream. Desperation and fear overtook him until the pressure in his chest forced him awake, gasping and drenched in cold sweat. It had only been a nightmare. And yet, his arm was still trembling, and he could hear—like a distant echo—the shouts of the hooded figures.

  He got up, trying to calm himself with a cold shower, hoping to forget the dream, though he knew it was not the first time that nightmare had haunted him.

  — Gabriel? —his mother’s voice called from the doorway of his room.

  — Yes, Mom, —he replied, trying to sound calm.

  — That nightmare again? —She stepped inside, concern etched on her face.— It’s been a year and it still hasn’t stopped, and therapy with Dr. Tamayo doesn’t seem to help… Maybe you could talk to Miriam.

  — Sofía’s mother? —Gabriel sighed, offering an ironic smile.— What could she teach me? How to fight?

  — Miriam was a golden angel. She suffered nightmares because of… things she went through during the War of Shadows. Maybe she could teach you how to control them.

  Gabriel nodded, unconvinced, and closed the bathroom door. His mother was right about one thing: he had tried to ignore his fears, to solve everything on his own, but that night the nightmare had been more intense than ever.

  After leaving the bathroom, he lay down on his bed and, without realizing it, sleep claimed him once again.

  The alarm blared loudly, and when he failed to react, his mother entered the room and shook him awake.

  — Gabriel, it’s already eight.

  — What? Eight? —He jumped out of bed, dressing in a hurry and quickly saying goodbye before rushing out.

  The soft hum of bicycle wheels was Gabriel’s only companion as he pedaled quickly toward school. The cool morning air whipped against his face, and his determination to keep his perfect attendance pushed him to go faster. Though he had wings and could fly, he avoided doing so whenever possible. He had never had full control over them, and he wasn’t sure whether it was fear of embarrassment or his half-human nature interfering somehow.

  When he finally reached campus, he let out a deep sigh of relief. He had made it ten minutes before the bell rang. With a small, satisfied smile, he parked his bike and prepared to face a new day.

  — Gabriel! —a soft, familiar voice surprised him from behind.

  — Sofía… did you oversleep too? —he smiled, relaxing slightly.

  — Oversleep? No, I was playing with the Stuffs at the park, —she replied enthusiastically.

  — Again? You know your mother forbade you from getting close to those… things.

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  — Don’t call them “things,” —Sofía protested, crossing her arms.— They’re beautiful beings. They may not look great, but they have big hearts.

  Gabriel laughed, then remembered something.

  — By the way, did you hear who’s giving the graduation speech?

  — Don’t tell me it’s my mother again… —Sofía rolled her eyes.

  — No, it’s Emilio Alves.

  — Emilio? —Sofía smiled, knowing exactly what that meant for her friend.— You still like him after three years?

  Gabriel blushed and nodded faintly, imagining the possibility of speaking to him in person.

  — I can already see you making “accidental” visits to the Celestial Feather Building, —Sofía teased.

  — It’s just that… he’s a golden angel, and the Angelic Tribunal assigned him his first mission in the Mortal Realm, —Gabriel said, a little worried.

  — Going to the Mortal Realm… —Sofía sighed dreamily.— I’ve always wanted to meet humans. They must be fascinating.

  — They’re dangerous, Sofía, —Gabriel warned seriously.— History is full of proof. Just remember what they did to the angel Jesus when he tried to help them.

  Sofía looked at him sadly.

  — Gabriel, not all humans are the same… you’re proof of that. If one of them brought someone as good as you into the world, they deserve at least a chance.

  He lowered his gaze, torn between rejecting that part of himself and the affection he felt for his father, who had been an exceptional human.

  — My father was different. But… he died at the hands of his own kind. That’s why I know they’re dangerous.

  Gabriel sighed, wrestling with pain and resentment. Even so, Sofía’s warmth made him smile.

  — Well, I have to go. See you later, Gabriel, —Sofía said, hugging him tightly and sharing a bit of peace before leaving.

  With a resigned smile, Gabriel continued his day, trying to forget the darkness of his dreams.

  The echo of his footsteps filled the long marble hallway, muting the voices drifting from the classrooms. Gabriel walked on, his mind still lost in the haze of his conversation with Sofía, trying to clear his thoughts as he headed to class. Upon entering, he went straight to Eric, who was—as always—lost in his own world, his gaze drifting among invisible clouds.

  — Daydreaming again? —Gabriel asked with a smile.

  — Huh? Oh! Good morning, Gabriel! —Eric smiled back, as if waking from a long reverie.

  — What were you thinking about this time?

  — The other Realms, —Eric replied, his eyes shining with insatiable curiosity.— The idea of leaving Paradise terrifies me, but I also feel an overwhelming need to see what’s outside. Imagine the plants, the music, the customs… everything out there. I want to learn about all of those worlds.

  — Even the Infernal Realm? —Gabriel asked, raising an eyebrow.

  — I know the Infernal Realm is especially dangerous for us, —Eric admitted quietly,— but my curiosity consumes me. The books describe the Realm of the Higher Deities far more than the Infernal Realm. I want to know what those shadows hide… maybe it makes me reckless, but I can’t help it.

  Gabriel sighed and patted his shoulder, speaking like a concerned friend.

  — Sometimes it’s better to live with unanswered questions. Those who seek adventures beyond these walls often find something far darker than they imagined. I’m telling you as a friend—be careful.

  Eric nodded, visibly thoughtful.

  — I understand, but… doesn’t the outside world make you even a little curious?

  — Here I have everything I need, —Gabriel replied firmly.— This place is safe. Life in Paradise is good. Why risk it?

  — I guess everyone sees things differently, —Eric said with a smile that hid some doubt.— But being a hybrid, it must be hard for you to even consider leaving, right? I’m sorry—I didn’t mean—

  — Don’t worry. It seems today is all about reminding me who I am, —Gabriel replied calmly, though with some tension. The professor had just entered, giving him an excuse to end the conversation.— Pay attention to class.

  Despite his efforts, Gabriel couldn’t focus. Celestial Biology dragged on slowly. Drowsiness crept over him until the professor’s voice snapped him back.

  — Gabriel Berht!

  — Yes, Professor? —he replied, startled.

  — I asked you a question, young man.

  — Sorry, I didn’t hear it.

  — Where is the celestial fluid gland located?

  — Next to the pineal gland, —he answered immediately, reciting from memory.— It produces angelic abilities and takes a specific form depending on the type of angel.

  — Correct. But focus, Gabriel, —the professor said reproachfully.

  Gabriel tried to pay attention for the rest of the class, but his thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. He was one of the most outstanding students of his generation, and many in the Angelic Tribunal claimed his future was assured. Still, others openly despised him for his mixed heritage. To his friends, he was a promise; to certain members of the higher spheres, he was a reminder of impure unions—something that should not exist. The struggle for power was not limited to mortals; even Paradise held shadows and secrets.

  That was when a mechanical voice echoed through the school’s speakers.

  — Gabriel Berht, please report to the principal’s office.

  Perplexed, Gabriel stood and walked toward the office, his heart pounding. Inside, he saw the principal comfortably seated, stirring his tea.

  — Is my mother okay? —he asked immediately.

  — Your mother is perfectly fine, Gabriel. This concerns you, not her, —the principal said calmly.

  — Me? What did I do?

  The principal looked at him quietly before continuing.

  — The seven schools of Paradise have decided to give you a unique opportunity. You are one of the finest students we’ve seen, with exceptional abilities. Therefore, we’ve decided to assign you a special mission: you will go to the Mortal Realm as a cupid angel.

  Gabriel was left speechless. It broke every rule—hybrid angels were forbidden from leaving Paradise. But the principal continued without giving him time to process.

  — It’s a simple task, —he said calmly.— You’ll help a young man named Max Hotsson determine whether his feelings are genuine. This is a unique opportunity, Gabriel. At the end of the mission, all you must do is kiss this crystal —he pulled a small, perfectly cut pink crystal shaped like a rhombus from his pocket, softly glowing under the light— and the young man will forget all contact with you.

  Gabriel felt a mix of awe and fear.

  — That’s… a lot to take in. I don’t know if I’m ready, —he admitted, breaking into a slight sweat.

  — Fear is natural, but I trust you’ll do well. Come see me tomorrow if you decide to accept.

  Dazed, Gabriel left the office, his mind racing. The opportunity he had secretly dreamed of stood right before him, yet now it felt like a precipice. He was divided within: one part clung to the safety of Paradise, while another—driven by curiosity and defiance—yearned to leap into the void and discover what lay beyond.