After things calmed down, Alpha began preparing a place for us and explaining how he set it up. There was a massive, gigantic fireplace that Alvin had lit, and we were sitting on the puffy chairs by it. I still had tension and anxiety inside me, and this fear was reflected on my face. I focused my eyes on the fire and fell into deep thought, and at that moment, the flames in the fireplace began to flicker and intensify.

I came to my senses with Luna's nudging and looked around. Alpha was talking to Kasparov, Alvin was preparing the meat on a spit for cooking, and Luna was looking at me with a puzzled expression. The only person missing from this scene was Merlin; my eyes searched for him. I looked around at the interesting decorations—paintings, water mills, large candelabras, a few fruit trees, and huge dungeon chains—and then saw something chained up. Wait a minute, what was that? It looked like something from Fenrir’s mythology, a wolf of that enormous size. I immediately turned to Luna and asked:

V: What is that? It’s gigantic!

L: That’s actually our smallest one, V. His name is Marlo. His spirit was granted to him when he was a baby, and because he transformed as a baby, he stayed that way. His family had to accept this and, realizing there was no solution, they started living in the Wolf Kingdom. But...

V: But?

L: But as he grew up, he began to become more ferocious and started eating people or beings that hunted wolves for their pelts. I know it’s very frightening, but he actually used to eat humans.

V: Why is he here with us then?

L: Because he’s still just a child, V. Despite his size, which may seem large, it’s related to his spirit. The spirit inside him is very cruel and powerful, a killer, but Marlo himself is not. He doesn’t do these things consciously, so no one here calls him Marlo.

V: Because it’s not him who’s the killer.

L: Yes, V, it’s the spirit inside him, Amarok.

V: Amarok? The one from mythology?

L: Exactly.

Alpha: Because we are real, and so are you. Amarok will eventually develop and become a good wolf, but for now, he is here, far from humanity and safe.

L: And Kasparov is taking care of him.

Alvin: And I’m taking care of you, beautiful Gryffin.

L: Ah, Alvin, I was just missing a touch of romance.

Alpha: Enough romance already; let’s cook this meat.

V: Has anyone seen Merlin?

Alvin: I think he’s retreated to the meditation cave, plotting his magnificent revenge as a lone Hamlet.

V: Ha ha, the expected joke has arrived. Luna, I think your dog wants a bone. laughs

Alvin: Hey, that was harsh. grins

L: laughs Alvin, darling, it’s the meat. And Violet, you can go down to the lower cave from the side.

V: Thanks, Moon’s Daughter. smiles

I headed towards the stairs that Luna pointed to and started descending step by step. The stairs seemed like a spiral, going deeper and darker as I went down. Finally, I reached the bottom of the stairs and saw a door barely visible through the darkness. To illuminate the area, I said:

"Corpus meum lumen est" (My body is a light)

"Circum me lux est" (My surroundings are lit)

White orbs of light began to form around me, finally revealing the massive rusty old iron door.

V: Oh great, another puzzle. How entertaining.

Sly: Since Merlin is inside, you should be able to solve this, Violet.

V: Let’s give it a try.

I placed my hand on the rusty iron protrusion shaped like a handprint, and instinctively, a few words came out of my mouth.

V: Mmm, Alohomora?

Digital Voice: Impostor, get away from here quickly!

V: Right, that was too cliché.

I tried again, this time seriously.

V: Aperio Via!

And just then, the door seemed to open forward in my mind. The door opened, and in front of me was a deep pond with a colorful display created by glowing algae, with Merlin sitting cross-legged above the pond. It was such a beautiful sight that I couldn’t describe it with words. Merlin, dressed in black, was floating above the pond, meditating and drawing runes around him. He saw me and came over.

V: Houdini.

M: Hello, little Fox.

V: I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.

M: Firstly, no, and no.

V: Twice?

M: It’s not a big deal, V. Meditation is important; it strengthens and cleanses you.

V: Cleanses you from what?

M: From my past.

V: Would you like to talk about it?

M: Not really, but I can tell you this: when I first saw you, I was so afraid of the light that shone in your eyes.

V: But I already noticed that.

M: Wow, I was caught and didn’t know it. That’s interesting.

V: Not really, Houdini, because every time you get close to me, the same fear and excitement arise within me.

M: But the difference is that I was falling in love with you day by day. On the first day, I was lost in your eyes. On the second day, I was excited while teaching you something. On the third day, it was our first night alone, and that night, your skin touching mine was a different harmony. Your spirit touching mine was a reason for me to fall in love. So, little fox, whether my eyes are open or closed, I will always love you.

V: Oh Merlin, that’s so romantic, but I have a few words to say as well.

M: After you, my lady.

I took his hands and, looking into his eyes with love, took another step closer and closed my eyes, resting my head on his heart. I began speaking to him in my mind.

V: Yes, Houdini, some truths can only be heard from the depths of your heart. When I first saw you, I was deeply moved by your incredible eyes, but as I got to know your thoughts, compassion, heart, and began to love you. Oh Houdini, you cannot see the essence of love with your eyes; you can only see its true existence when you look with your heart. And whenever I look at you, I always see that love.

I lifted my head and looked at him.

M: That was very romantic, little fox. Do I get a kiss?

V: You’re wasting time asking, Houdini.

And he pulled me to him and kissed me. We kissed for a while, and then, as our stomachs began to growl, he said,

M: Do you think Alvin and Alpha have burned the food?

V: If we don’t check, we might go hungry.

M: The night is just beginning; we’ll go hunting.

V: Hey, I was just joking.

M: I didn’t. laughs

We went back upstairs to join the others, who had already set a beautiful table.

V: Wow Luna, how do you always make these tables look so beautiful?

Kasparov: I didn’t want to reveal my little secret, but the magic I taught her helps a lot.

L: Hey, that’s cheating, Kasparov!

Kasparov: It might be, but it’s the truth.

M: Hahahah, that was really good. Let’s eat already.

Alpha: If you don’t start eating, Amarok and I will eat everything.

Alvin: Of course not, this wolf is hungry.

We all sat down to eat, enjoying good conversations and the meal. After we finished, Alpha arranged everyone in a place and sealed the door to prevent any intrusions while we slept. He then placed me in a room with a view of the roof, saying that Amarok used to love sleeping there when he was little. I lay down in bed, and soon after, Merlin was standing at my door.

M: Don’t you think the night is a bit too long?

V: Oh no, I’m too tired to hunt, Houdini.

He came in and climbed on top of me. He brought his lips close to mine and began speaking in a whisper.

M: If I’m a hunter and you’re a young fawn, does that mean we’re hunting?

V: Are you hungry?

M: I’m very hungry, little fox.

V: Then why are you still waiting?

And at that moment, with the weight pressing on me and the warmth of his lips on mine, everything unfolded quickly. He paused and asked,

M: Are you sure about this?

V: Yes, I’m sure.

His skin touched mine, and we danced harmoniously in the bed. He turned me around and picked me up, and it gave me so much pleasure that my eyes were glazing over. He placed his hands on my waist and began to speed up, and our body temperatures rose. He started rubbing his lips against mine. This physical harmony intensified our passion.

Morning came, and suddenly our door burst open.

L: Get your asses up and downstairs!

M: W-what’s happening, Luna?

L: I SAID GET UP NOW!

V&M: Alright, alright, we’re coming.

We hurried downstairs, and Kasparov was fervently explaining something to Alvin and Alpha.

Kasparov: They’re at the door, boss!

Alpha: Calm down and try to wake Marlo.

Merlin: What’s going on here?

Luna: Victor and the cursed wretch are at the door, and they’re holding someone with a sack over their head.

Alpha: This could be someone important to all of us.

Merlin: This is a trade; whoever it is, they’ll want to exchange them for Violet.

Violet: As long as I live, that will never happen!

And then a growl was heard:

Amarok: HHHhhhRRrrrrrrr

Merlin: And the wolf awakens in its den.