The Precursor Structures, scattered across Áurea, are true enigmas from the past that challenge adventurers and entire armies with their mysteries and rewards. Built with technology far surpassing current knowledge, these abandoned constructions are famous not only for their hidden secrets but also for their relentless guardians. Each nation that interacts with these enigmatic creatures gives them a different name: In Loura, they are called Silent Guardians, due to their ability to attack stealthily and almost imperceptibly. In Híctia, they are known as The Watchers, figures that seem to observe invaders, studying their every move. In Florem, they are referred to as Threatening Shadows, owing to their constant presence and ability to transform into terrifying shapes. In Irlem, they are called Bitter Ancestors, entities whose presence evokes a deep feeling of desolation and contained rage.

Though they vary in form and behavior, all these guardians share one common trait: they are made of a viscous black substance that seems to pulse with negative Mana, a sinister energy hostile to life. They are indestructible in the traditional sense—when defeated, their bodies dissolve into a pool of black matter, which eventually regenerates into the same creature that fell.

Exploring these structures is a perilous and deadly task, but the promise of fantastic treasures and advanced technologies continues to lure those bold enough to try. The deeper or higher the invaders go into the structures, the more dangerous the challenges become—but also, the more valuable the rewards. The structures seem to follow a testing system, as if evaluating the capability and persistence of the intruders, rewarding them based on the level of difficulty overcome.

The structures are divided by depths and heights, with each layer containing creatures of different power levels: From 100 to 0 meters above ground (the uppermost levels), the weakest guardians can be found. Here, G-ranked creatures dominate, which do not attack unless they feel threatened, and F, E, and D-class creatures, which, though weaker, are still lethal. Occasionally, C-class creatures are found, more difficult to handle but less common. From 100 to 1,000 meters above the ground, the challenges intensify. B-class creatures (minor bosses) are more common, and A-class (bosses) and S-class (extremely powerful) guardians also begin to appear. The highest classes, O and OS, are rare but are described as beings of immense power, capable of decimating entire cities with their attacks. The structure in Híctia is one of the three largest in the world, and there, O and even OS-class guardians have been seen at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters, making it a place of great risk and interest.

The same classification system applies to the depths: From 0 to -2,300 meters, the deepest and most dangerous level reached, invaders face increasing challenges, with C, B, A, and even O-class creatures inhabiting the lowest levels.

Each class represents an increasing level of threat:

• Class G: Do not attack but may react violently if cornered.
• Class F: Weak, but still dangerous in groups.
• Class E: Slightly more powerful, with abilities that can be fatal in combat.
• Class D: Medium-sized creatures, more difficult to handle.
• Class C: Formidable guardians, hard to defeat.
• Class B: Minor bosses, requiring great effort and strategy.
• Class A: Main bosses, with impressive abilities.
• Class S: Extremely powerful, almost impossible to face without well-prepared teams.
• Class O: Guardians of devastating power, capable of causing large-scale destruction.
• Class OS: Rare and feared, these beings are said to possess their own consciousness and powers capable of wiping out entire cities with ease.

The rewards within the structures are proportional to the level of danger. While in the upper layers it is possible to find rare metals, fantastic liquids, and ancient artifacts, the deeper and more dangerous levels offer powerful weapons, advanced technology, and unknown materials that defy the laws of physics and magic.

Despite the dangers, many continue to attempt the journey, enticed by the legends and the promise of treasures beyond imagination."

Suddenly, I heard a loud noise coming from outside. But I ignored it.

As I flipped through the worn pages of the books, immersed in stories of Áurea, time slipped away like sand between my fingers. Zenith, one of the seasonal suns, descended slowly, painting the sky in hues of gold and purple. A clear sign that the new member of our 'family' should have already arrived.

The silence of the library was abruptly broken by a shout.

“Kiel! Can you stop making that unbearable noise? This is a library, not a marketplace!” Old Nelco, the village patriarch, shook his head, his voice as wrinkled as his skin, almost like an old sponge that had resisted time. He was up high, in an improvised nest in the library's ceiling.

“What noise did I make, you depressed old man? Spare me your baseless complaints.” I replied, not really caring, watching as the elder descended with surprising agility for his age, leaping between the shelves.

He landed with some difficulty in front of me, adjusting his long white beard and glaring at me with narrowed eyes. “Show more respect for your elders, you foolish child. As if your behavior wasn't enough, now there's this infernal noise?”

“Respect? The elders of your species, the Néphos, only know how to complain. You didn’t even realize the noise didn’t come from here, did you? Are you blaming me for nothing?” I provoked, hoping to extract more of a reaction. Before he could respond, another crash echoed from outside, followed by a burst of sparks that illuminated the room.

Nelco snorted and pointed to the exit with a rude gesture. “Your father is out there, up to his antics, as usual.”

I took the hint and escaped the conversation. Stepping out of the library, the cold mountain breeze enveloped me as the scene around me unfolded like something from an ancient painting. The setting sun painted the sky in vibrant colors—orange, green, and blue. The colossal Black Tower, always imposing, loomed on the horizon, its peaks piercing the sky. In the distance, the great river snaked between the mountains, rushing with force and speed, reflecting the glow of dusk like a liquid mirror.

Aidan, my 'father', was outside, performing his usual shows, tossing pebbles that burst into sparks in the air in a colorful display. “Ah, sorry... I was eager to see her again,” he said, waving at me and Nelco with a genuine smile.

I waved back.

Nelco, who had followed me, sighed at Aidan’s youthful behavior. “Youth... always so impulsive, seeking thrills at every turn. They forget that true love isn’t a spectacle but a flame that grows slowly and silently over time.”

I sat down next to Aidan, thinking about what Nelco said, because the concept furthest from me wasn’t Philia or Agape, but rather Eros, romantic desire for someone—that was inconceivable to me. “At least you know how to say something wise once in a while, and not just be grumpy,” I teased, forcing a smile.

Nelco, however, wasted no time and replied: “The fruits of that love are sometimes strange like you. I hope your new brother or sister isn’t as insufferable.”

Aidan frowned, clearly offended, but before he could respond, I interrupted, changing the subject: “How did you meet Mom, Dad?”

The question wasn’t just out of curiosity; I wanted to understand more about their relationship. If there was something that could explain the oddity I felt inside myself.

Nelco, intrigued, settled nearby, his gray eyes fixed on the Black Tower in the distance. “Yes, that would be interesting. You two always keep your adventures shrouded in mystery.”

Aidan sighed, looking at the structure dominating the horizon. “It’s been eight years since I met Ari. She’s a mystery, always has been. But despite that, I love her. She never tells me about her past, but that doesn’t matter to me.”

He looked at me, his eyes full of memories. “We met in one of those structures, when I thought I was invincible and got myself into trouble, diving into the dungeon alone and unprepared. Ari appeared out of nowhere and saved me from a trap. Since then, I gave up everything to follow her. I left my home, my family, because I knew she was what I wanted for life. Even without knowing where she came from, she showed me a side of her that few get to see. She’s joyful, fun... even when we almost got burned alive by a flaming Guardian that was too strong. She stayed calm, smiling in the worst situations, and said she liked my carefree attitude too. From that moment, I knew my life wouldn’t make sense without her.”

Aidan smiled almost melancholically. “And you, Kiel, are proof of that love.”

I felt a tightness in my chest. He was being sincere, and as much as I wanted to feel the same, something inside me still resisted. I wanted to love my family, to feel part of the bond they had built. But my mind, fragmented by ghosts of the past, wouldn’t let me.

Aidan suddenly stood up, filled with sudden excitement. “Alright, let’s go find her then!” he said, his mood changing quickly.

As we walked along the winding path, the soft sound of running water blended with the rustle of leaves in the wind. The air was fresh, almost biting, and each step echoed in the vastness of the plateau, amplified by the expanse that stretched around us. The twilight cast long shadows, painting the landscape in shades of orange and gold, mixed with green and blue, while the mountain’s silence enveloped everything.

With each step, the house and the village came into view—a modest structure with a small porch covered in climbing plants entwining the beams.

Upon arrival, I climbed the steps of the entrance, feeling the gentle warmth of the wood beneath my feet, still heated by the sun that was setting on the horizon.

Aidan walked just behind me, his steps always lighter than mine. Without hesitation, I reached out to open the door, impatient and eager to see what lay inside.

“Kiel, don’t do that!” Aidan’s voice carried sudden urgency, but it was too late. The door creaked open, revealing a scene that made Aidan fall instantly silent.

In the center of the room, Ari sat on the floor, her legs crossed in a casual yet graceful pose. She was playing with a baby who was laughing and wriggling with joy in her arms. Nearby, in the worn armchair that had weathered time, the elderly Nina watched the scene with a serene smile. Her small, gray eyes bore the weight of decades, but also a tenderness almost maternal as she gazed at the child.

Ari’s skin was pale, almost like silver. Her eyes—an ethereal turquoise blue with subtle slits in the pupils—betrayed her nature as a species unlike any I had read about in the books. Her long lavender hair, almost white, cascaded softly over her shoulders, framing a face with delicate features. She wore simple, modern clothes—a dress—that matched her otherworldly appearance, the outfit only accentuating her innate grace, as if nothing could diminish her beauty.

Her smile, while she played with the baby, was calm, radiating affection. That scene, so simple yet so profound, made me realize, once again, how incomprehensible Ari was to me. She wasn’t just my ‘mother’; she was an enigma, a mystery I had yet to begin unraveling, precisely because she was different from everyone and everything. Could she be a hybrid? From another world?

Aidan approached us in silence, his eyes fixed on the sight of Ari with the baby. For a moment, everything seemed perfect, as if time had stopped, creating a bubble of pure happiness that hovered above any chaos or uncertainty. Even with my own internal torments, the sight of Ari and the baby, along with Aidan’s constant presence, brought me a rare peace.

Ari lifted her eyes, her soft voice breaking the silence, but in such a delicate way that it seemed like a natural extension of the tranquil atmosphere.

“It’s a girl,” she announced, with a smile that lit up her face even more.

Aidan beamed, his expression full of pure excitement. “How about we name her Luna?” he suggested, with the same enthusiasm as a child with a new toy.

Ari, still with that enigmatic smile, shook her head slightly. “No... Luna doesn’t feel like the right name for her.”

Aidan, ever optimistic, frowned slightly but kept his tone gentle. “But Ari, you already chose Kiel’s name. I think it’s fair that now it’s my turn.”

She sighed, amused by his persistence. “Alright, Aidan. We can hear some options before deciding.” She gently hugged the baby to her chest while Aidan settled in, clearly pondering new alternatives.

After a few seconds of silence, he suggested, “Evelyn. How about Evelyn?”

Ari repeated the name, testing it. “Evelyn... And why that name?”

Aidan, a bit nervous but speaking with conviction, replied, “Evelyn means life and light in Loura. I want our daughter to be a source of light in our lives, just as you and Kiel are to me. It’s a strong name, but at the same time delicate. I think it suits her.”

Ari smiled again, that smile that seemed to illuminate everything around her. “Evelyn... Yes, I like it. I think it suits her.” She then looked at me, calling me over with her eyes.

“Kiel, come meet your sister.”

I approached hesitantly, observing the tiny being in Ari’s arms. The child’s eyes, golden like Aidan’s, shone with curiosity and innocence. Her face bore an expression of pure serenity. She was so small, so fragile, yet seemed to carry an immense potential within her.

As I drew near, Ari extended the baby toward me so I could see her better. “This is your sister, Kiel. Evelyn now.”

I stood there, absorbing the scene. That small figure before me felt both distant and close at the same time. A whirlwind of emotions stirred within me—admiration, curiosity, and a slight, unfamiliar pang of anxiety. I didn’t know how to be a brother, let alone what that truly meant. But something inside me, something deep and instinctual, told me I needed to protect her.

Aidan placed a hand on my shoulder, a firm and reassuring gesture. “We’re a family, Kiel. We always will be.”

“You’re not so sure,” whispered a presence, sending a momentary chill down my spine, but I ignored it, as if it were distant and heard only by me.