Time passed, and when Apolo finally realized it, it was already dawn. The truth was, when the Gururis were dragging him to the roundabout, dawn was already breaking, and the red rays on the horizon made it evident. However, the young noble felt that the situation didn't warrant worrying about the time. But thanks to the incredible twists of fate, the situation was different now: the sun was rising on the horizon to brighten the lives of all the people in the capital and in the Ring Town. Another long night had ended, and another beautiful day had begun!

Feeling the rays of the sun hitting his face, Apolo tried to get up to look around, and fortunately, his dependable body responded as he expected. The first thing the young noble noticed was the gigantic tree a few steps away from him. The tree looked in poor condition, but its violet fruits could still be seen on its branches, so the young man realized that this tree must be quite old, old enough to save his life and continue living.

Although this fact wasn't too surprising to Apolo, the young man knew that no matter how many times this mansion changed owners, and it would probably change owners in the future, no one in the imperial capital who might be the future owner of this peculiar estate would dare to cut down this tree that represented the imperial family itself.

After confirming that the gigantic tree didn't need replacement, Apolo looked around to see the two pink Gururis looking at him from a distance. It seemed that the creatures had stayed to await the next order or to satisfy their curiosity about whether their master would emerge alive or not.

—Nicolás, go and fetch all the clothes that are strewn about in the bathroom!—Apolo ordered, looking at one of the pink Gururis, but in reality, he was looking at Aquiles—As for you, Aquiles, come closer; I have something to ask you.

—As you wish, master—replied the Gururi Apolo was observing as he ran inside the mansion. Meanwhile, the real Aquiles approached Apolo and asked:

—What would you like to ask, master?

—How did you find out that I needed help?—Apolo asked, trying to ignore the embarrassment of having confused the names of his two saviors.

—The doll told us, or rather, old Winki told us—Aquiles replied while stroking his chin, trying to recollect the details.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

—Could you give more details?—Apolo asked without losing patience.

The green Gururi sat on the ground and began to explain the "incredible" story they had experienced last night while energetically moving his hands, more to draw Apolo's attention than to aid his narrative:

—Winki woke us up in the middle of the night; it seemed that a doll had opened the door to our room while we were sleeping. The doll stared at us intently, but no matter how much we asked, it didn't seem to understand us. However, according to what Winki told us, the doll must have been sent by you with some strange magic and probably meant that you were in trouble and needed us. Following old Winki's idea, we asked the furniture where you were, and according to the furniture, the doll had walked from the bathroom to our room, so we knew you were in the bathroom in that way. And apparently, old Winki was right; you had sent the doll asking for our help.

—I didn't send anyone to ask for help...—Apolo replied thoughtfully in a low voice—It was probably the doll that saved our lives. Do you know why it's burned?

—I doubt it was the doll; it was completely mute and didn't seem to want to talk to anyone. It never explained the situation, even after we found you...—Aquiles replied, making Apolo delve into his thoughts about what might have happened last night—We also don't know the reason why it was burned. If it wasn't you, then clearly, it could only have used magic...

However, Aquiles abruptly closed his mouth; it wasn't wise to say that Zoe had been responsible for Apolo's survival. From his clever perspective, it was better that he and his brother took credit for such a feat.

—No, it wasn't Zoe; she could go and teleport to where the servants are to ask for help, but she didn't...—Apolo replied while continuing to reflect, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted...

—Clearly, she wanted you dead! Can't you see? She could have saved you, but she was looking for your cane, master!—Achilles screamed, making Apollo's ears hurt—Her greed knows no bounds; the wicked one doesn't settle for having a little cane: now she's after yours!

—No...—Apolo replied gruffly, rubbing his ears with his hand—Although it's strange, it's most likely that it was the real Tea, or perhaps it was my other ancestor, Cosmo, or even it could have been my father or my grandmother. The truth is that someone saved me last night, and thanks to that person, I can now see this beautiful sunrise.

—We saved you...—Aquiles replied, reminding the fortunate nobleman of the one undeniable and indisputable truth.

—You saved yourselves; if I had died, the imperial family would have sold all their furniture...—Apolo replied, scaring Aquiles more than necessary—But that doesn't deny the fact that I'm quite happy to have created you; without you, I would be dead. Unfortunately, a "current" Gururi would never have been able to save me.

—We are important, fundamental, more than Zoe: we deserve her little cane!—Aquiles exclaimed cheerfully.

—Someday... someday you will be... but for now, you're just newborn idiots...—Apolo replied, watching as Nicolás had completed the assigned task and approached with his torn toga and his cane.