I recognized every corner—the scent of incense, the soft chants in the chapel. I saw my friends: Anne, Sofía, María, Clara, and the others. They were all there, laughing, talking about the day’s tasks. A deep warmth filled my chest at the sight of them, as if everything that had happened that night had never occurred.

But the illusion didn’t last long.

The sound of an explosion thundered in my ears, and the convent began to crumble before my eyes. One by one, I watched them die again, just as they had that night, as that demon tore their lives away in horrible ways. I tried to move, to run toward them, but my body wouldn’t respond. I was trapped, forced to witness it all over again.

When the silence finally fell, I turned to find my friends standing in front of me, their eyes filled with reproach and pain.

—Why didn’t you save us, Seraphine? —Anne asked, tears streaming down her face.

—You survived while we died. Why? —María said, her voice broken.

Clara stepped forward, her expression bitter.

—You don’t deserve to be alive.

Their words were daggers piercing my mind. My heart seemed to shatter over and over again. For a moment, I felt that everything they said was true. Maybe I didn’t deserve to be here. Maybe I was just a coward who had gotten lucky.

But then, a clear image cut through my thoughts: Aura.

Her calm smile, her voice filled with determination, and the words she had repeated to me so many times during our training.

—Your worth isn’t in what you couldn’t do, but in what you choose to do now.

A spark of strength ignited within me. I couldn’t let the anomaly defeat me. This wasn’t real. This was a trick—an attempt to break me.

I closed my eyes and prayed, not as a desperate plea, but as an affirmation of my faith and purpose.

—My God, give me the strength to keep going, to save others, to do good in Your name.

The darkness began to fade, and the sound of chains grew clearer. I opened my eyes and found myself back in the battle. The chain that had been embedded in my chest was still there. With a cry, I channeled my aura into a single movement, breaking the chain and freeing myself.

With the deafening thud of my heartbeat ringing in my ears, the broken chain at my feet, and my body still trembling from what I had just experienced, I stepped toward the anomaly with steady steps. Each step felt lighter, as though the weight of my doubts was beginning to lift.

The anomaly turned its attention to me, its chains buzzing like serpents ready to strike. Its voice echoed, dripping with disdain:

—What will you do now, child? Do you think you can save yourself from your own guilt?

I dodged a chain that brushed past my face and leapt back to gain ground.

—You’re right —I said firmly, my gaze fixed on the glow of its heart as I dodged another attack—. I don’t deserve to be alive! Every night, I torment myself with the memories. I think of my friends, of how they never got to experience what I have: warm showers, delicious food, a safe roof… Everything I now have, and they don’t.

A chain lunged toward me in a swift arc, but with a quick turn, I managed to evade it.

—I ask myself over and over why I was the one who survived —I channeled my aura, feeling the energy flow through my body as I spoke—. But even if I don’t understand, that doesn’t give you the right to use their voices and memories to hurt me. They were good, pure… And you are not worthy of speaking their names!

The anomaly roared in fury and launched several chains at me at once. I jumped to the side and rolled on the ground, channeling even more of my aura.

—You’ll pay like the demon you are. —My voice rang with strength. I stopped running, planting my feet firmly as I bowed my head and asked my God for strength—. I hope my God forgives you, because I won’t.

I felt an explosion of energy envelop the area, as if the very air had stopped for a moment. My aura, bright and warm, condensed into three golden spears—two floating behind the anomaly and one in front of it.

—Triple Martyr Spear. —I whispered.

The two spears shot toward the anomaly in perfect synchronization, piercing its shoulders and pinning it to the ground. The anomaly screamed, its voice now broken and faltering, unable to move.

As I approached, my aura continued to burn. The pain in my chest was ignored by the adrenaline and my faith, as I dodged every desperate attack it tried to launch.

—This is for them. —I raised the last spear with a gesture of my hand, focusing all my remaining energy into its tip. With a swift and precise motion, I pierced its heart. The anomaly let out one final scream before disintegrating into fragments of black light, dissipating completely.

The energy began to drain from me. I felt my legs give way, and my body collapsed to the ground. Before I hit the cold floor, strong arms caught me.

—Seraphine! —Aura called out, her voice full of worry.

My eyelids grew heavy, and the pain in my chest became unbearable. I felt Aura’s warmth, her aura wrapping around me, trying to soothe me.

—I… I did it… —I murmured with a weak smile—. For them…

—You did well. —Aura held me gently, her voice filled with pride and tenderness—. Rest now, I’ll take you back.

I closed my eyes, letting the darkness embrace me once again. My body was exhausted, but my heart was at peace. For the first time, I felt I had honored the memory of my friends and taken another step toward the purpose I had been seeking.

The sunlight gently touched my face, waking me softly. I opened my eyes slowly, recognizing my room. There were no signs of the pain in my chest or the scratches I had felt the night before. I sat up in bed, confused. I remembered everything—the chains, the Triple Martyr Spear... But now, I was here, unscathed, as if nothing had happened.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

—Who could it be so early? —I murmured as I got up. I walked to the door and, upon opening it, there she was: Aura, with her calm expression and impeccable demeanor.

—Good morning, Seraphine. —She smiled faintly—. I’ve already submitted the report.

—Report? —I asked, puzzled, motioning for her to come in.

She entered and sat on the couch. I followed her and sat across from her, trying to process what she had said.

—What report are you talking about?

Aura got comfortable, crossing her legs, and looked at me with the patience she always exuded.

—Every mission we complete to confront an anomaly has to be documented. We submit a report to the higher-ups in the organization. They’re the ones responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly: strategies, anomaly assignments, resources...

I frowned, trying to understand all of this.

—So... is this something you do often?

—Yes. —Aura nodded—. My job is to face anomalies and protect the innocent. And now, to help you understand this world.

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My thoughts drifted back to the night before—the confrontation, the moment I launched my spears, and the relief of ending the suffering that anomaly had brought to the town.

—Aura... —I began, my voice trembling—. Do you think that what I did last night saved lives?

She looked directly at me, her expression filled with pride.

—You saved the lives of an entire town, Seraphine. They no longer have to suffer because of that anomaly. Thanks to you, they have a chance to move forward.

An indescribable warmth filled my chest. It had all been worth it. All the pain, the fear, the uncertainty... Everything had led to this moment.

Aura gazed at me intently, as if searching for something in my eyes.

—Now, I want to ask you something. —Her tone was more serious—. Do you want to become an anómala?

The question landed in my mind like a stone. My first impulse was to say yes, but I paused for a moment to reflect.

I thought back to the demon I had faced, the chains, the cruel words that had tried to break me. I thought of my friends, their laughter, their eyes full of life before everything fell apart.

I took a deep breath, clenching my hands in my lap.

—Yes. —I finally said, with determination in my voice—. I’ll help put an end to all those demons. As long as God is by my side, I’ll do everything in my power to save people.

Aura smiled, that warm smile that always reassured me.

—Then, Seraphine, welcome to the world of the anómalas.

The following weeks were filled with work. Aura wasted no time, reminding me on more than one occasion of how much I needed to improve.

—Seraphine, you made several mistakes in your first battle. —Her tone wasn’t harsh, but it wasn’t indulgent either—. You got distracted, which left you exposed and allowed the anomaly to trap you with its chains.

I lowered my head, unable to meet her gaze.

—I know, Aura. I was wrong...

—And also, —she continued—, when you were injured, you focused so much on ending the anomaly that you forgot to use your aura to stop the bleeding and heal your wound.

My chest tightened with shame. I knew it, and yet, hearing it out loud made the weight of my mistakes even heavier.

—I’m sorry... —I murmured, clenching my hands tightly.

Aura stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, leaning slightly to meet my eyes.

—Don’t worry, Seraphine. It was your first battle, and for a first, you did an incredible job. With time and more training, you’ll improve.

Her smile and those words managed to ease the burden on my heart. I nodded with determination, vowing to myself that I wouldn’t make those mistakes again.

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. Aura didn’t hold back during training. She taught me to always stay alert, to channel my aura to heal wounds quickly, and to never let my focus waver for even a second during a fight.

—Aura isn’t just strength, Seraphine; it’s also resilience and control, —she would say as she asked me to channel my energy to raise barriers while she launched attacks in my direction.

Every day was a new challenge, and although I ended up exhausted, I could feel myself growing stronger and more confident.

—Again! —Aura shouted as I tried to dodge her swift, precise movements.

Despite the intensity of the training, she always found ways to motivate me.

—You did better today than yesterday. —She’d smile as she handed me a water bottle—. I’m proud of how much you’ve advanced.

In addition to training me, Aura began involving me in missions alongside other anómalas. At first, I was just an observer, learning how they moved and worked as a team. But over time, they allowed me to participate directly, facing minor anomalies to develop my skills in real-world situations.

With each mission, I felt my confidence grow. Although anomalies were still terrifying, they no longer paralyzed me. I focused on what needed to be done, always remembering Aura’s words:

—You’re not alone in this. There will always be someone by your side.

Time flew by, and before I knew it, I had become another anómala in the team. My desire to protect others and be useful in this world grew stronger with each battle won, with every life saved.

Although the path was difficult, I knew I was in the right place, with the right person guiding me. There was no turning back, and that filled me with an unshakable sense of purpose.

One quiet afternoon, Aura came to my apartment. It had been weeks since I last saw her, as the missions had kept us both busy. However, the serious expression on her face made me suspect this wasn’t a casual visit.

—Seraphine, may I come in? —she asked, stepping inside before I could respond.

I offered her a seat, concerned about the weight her words seemed to carry.

—Is something wrong, Aura?

—Yes, something important you need to know. —She sat across from me, looking at me with a mix of seriousness and pride—. I have to tell you something about your ability, and I want you to listen carefully.

I nodded, feeling my heart race.

—Do you remember when I told you that aura is the energy that all people emit? Well, in your case, it’s a bit different. Seraphine, you don’t just channel your own aura. You also absorb the aura of others.

My eyes widened.

—What?

—You heard me. —She smiled slightly, but her tone remained serious—. Every time you pray, and as long as you keep your faith, you unconsciously attract the energy of everyone who shares that same faith.

I fell silent, processing her words.

—Does that mean… everything I do… isn’t really mine?

—Not exactly. —Aura shook her head, leaning her elbows on her knees as she looked at me intently—. Your aura, your personal energy, is quite limited. But thanks to the faith of those who believe in the same things you do, you amplify your power to extraordinary levels.

I swallowed hard, feeling a mix of awe and responsibility.

—But I’ve noticed something interesting —she continued—. You don’t accept just any type of aura.

—What do you mean I don’t accept just any type? —I asked, puzzled.

Aura leaned back on the couch, crossing her arms.

—Unconsciously, you reject the energy of people with negative beliefs, like those who worship death, witchcraft, or similar things. That energy simply bounces off you, as if you instinctively know you don’t need it.

—So, all the aura I absorb comes from good people?

—Not necessarily good in the absolute sense, but from those who believe in something positive—hope, love, and goodness.

I sat in silence, trying to process this new information.

—And how did you figure this out?

Aura looked at me closely. Her tone became calm, and she smiled as if remembering something.

—Seraphine, do you remember the first day I asked you to pray in the training yard?

I nodded slowly, recalling how clear everything had felt in that moment and the sensation of something changing within me as I prayed.

—I did that because I already suspected you could absorb other people’s aura. I wanted to see how it worked in an open space, where the energies of those nearby flowed more evidently.

—Why didn’t you tell me earlier? —I asked, confused.

—Because I wanted to fully understand it before talking to you. And don’t worry—it’s not a bad thing. —She smiled, trying to reassure me—. You’re not stealing anyone’s aura, Seraphine. What you’re doing is drawing in energy that people naturally release without realizing it.

I stayed silent, processing what she said.

—So, this aura I gather… is it the same energy that gives rise to anomalies?

—Exactly. —Aura nodded with satisfaction—. Anomalies are born from the accumulated energy of intense fears, desires, or beliefs. When aura concentrates too much on a single thought or emotion, it can crystallize and take shape as an anomaly.

My heart sank at the revelation.

—And why are you telling me this now?

Aura sighed and leaned closer, as if what she was about to say had been weighing on her mind for a long time.

—Because I want you to stop rejecting negative aura.

My eyes widened in shock, and a shiver ran through me.

—What?! No! —I stood up abruptly, feeling an instinctive rejection of the idea—. I can’t do that, Aura. If it’s energy from people with bad beliefs, I don’t want to use it. It goes against everything I believe in—against God.

Aura raised her hands, trying to calm me.

—I’m not saying you should use it. I just want you to collect it.

—Collect it? —I repeated, confused.

—Yes. Look, Seraphine, if you can absorb negative aura before it accumulates enough to create an anomaly, you could prevent many of them from being born. You don’t even have to use that energy; just contain it.

I stayed silent, trying to process her words.

—Could that… really work?

—It could save lives, Seraphine. Many lives.

I bit my lip, feeling an internal conflict. My beliefs told me to avoid anything stemming from negativity, but if what Aura said was true, perhaps this too was part of God’s plan for me.

—I’ll think about it —I finally replied, though my voice lacked conviction.

Aura smiled faintly and nodded.

—Good. When you’re ready, there’s something I want you to use.

She stood up and pulled a small box from her bag. Inside was a bracelet with an intricate design—dark but elegant, with tiny symbols engraved on each link.

—What’s this?

—It’s a special bracelet. It’s designed to collect and contain the negative aura you absorb, so you don’t have to bear its weight. Your body wouldn’t be able to handle that energy for long, and I don’t want you to take any risks.

—Why don’t you or someone else do it? —I asked, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle in my chest.

—Because no one else can, Seraphine. Neither I nor any other anómala has the ability to absorb aura like you do. What you do is unique, and I believe that’s why God chose you for this mission.

I remained silent, staring at the bracelet. My hands trembled slightly as I thought about what I was about to accept. Finally, I took the bracelet and held it tightly.

—Alright, Aura. If this can save lives, I’ll do it.

Aura smiled, her gaze reflecting respect and pride.

—You’ll do well, Seraphine. You always do.

She looked at me with tenderness, placing a hand on my shoulder before adding:

—Oh, and one last thing. The cross necklace I gave you isn’t just a symbol of faith. It’s also a talisman. It’s designed to help you intercept aura more precisely and with less effort. With the cross and the bracelet working together, you’ll be protected.

A warm sensation filled my chest as I heard her words.

—Thank you, Aura. I promise I’ll do everything I can not to fail.

She nodded, and in that moment, I knew that this new path would be the greatest challenge of my life, but also my best opportunity to fulfill the purpose I had always sought.

I adjusted the bracelet on my wrist while reflecting on everything I had achieved in such a short time. As I mastered the ability to collect negative aura using the talisman, my control over the surrounding aura improved in extraordinary ways. I could now envelop my body in a glowing, soft shield that not only strengthened my resistance but also allowed me to heal wounds with precision I never imagined I could achieve. Every time I saw someone hurt and managed to ease their pain, my faith in my purpose deepened.