The following year and a half was relatively calm, at least compared to what I had experienced before. My days were divided between missions as an Anómala and my dedication to the shelters. Although I tried to expand my influence to orphanages outside the United States, I didn’t achieve the success I had hoped for. However, I learned a lot in the process and wasn’t ready to give up.

Time flew by, and before I realized it, the annual Anómala gathering was upon us. As expected, attendance was mandatory for those of divine rank. This year, the event was set to take place in Germany.

Upon arrival, I was struck by the sheer grandeur of the venue. It was a monumental underground structure, reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral, with towering arches and lamps casting elegant shadows against black stone walls. Massive doors opened with a smooth mechanical motion, and as I stepped inside, I felt the weight of history and the significance of the occasion.

Walking through the main hall, I spotted Aura amidst the bustling crowd of Anómalas. A wave of joy rushed through me as I approached her quickly.

—Aura! —I called out with a smile as I reached her—. It’s always a pleasure to see you.

Aura returned the smile, radiant as ever.

—The feeling is mutual, Seraphine. I’m glad you made it safely.

We exchanged brief pleasantries before Aura leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice as though about to share a secret.

—Hey, did you hear? There’s a new Anómala in our category.

My eyes widened in surprise.

—Really? Who?

—Someone who’s quite the presence—you’ll see soon enough. Heinrich, a German. His aura is as commanding as his posture. He looks like a soldier… and, well, he is. Also, he’s rather serious, so brace yourself.

Her playful tone only heightened my nerves.

—Ready to meet the first man in our category? —she added with a grin, gently nudging me toward the center of the dome.

—I’m not sure what to expect... —I admitted, silently hoping to keep my composure.

—I get it. —Her tone grew more serious—. I’ve heard Heinrich isn’t just an elite soldier. He’s gone through some terrible things to get here. In fact, there are rumors he was betrayed.

Her words piqued my curiosity, but before I could ask more, the platform began to ascend slowly. Aura, ever confident, took the lead while I followed a step behind, acutely aware of the attention turning toward us.

—Thank you all for being here. As always, it’s an honor to introduce our new colleagues in the divine category, —Aura began, her voice resonating with firmness and enthusiasm.

All eyes shifted to the man standing at the other end of the platform. He was tall, commanding, and his posture demanded respect. Heinrich. His gaze was as intense as his aura—a blend of cold determination that could make anyone feel small in his presence.

—Today, I present Heinrich, a man whose talent and commitment have earned him a place among us. I’m sure you’ll all agree his presence strengthens our organization even further, —Aura said, gesturing toward him elegantly.

Heinrich stepped forward, his deep, measured voice filling the room as he spoke.

—It’s an honor to be here. I’ve dedicated my life to protecting others, and my goal will not change. I look forward to working together to fulfill our duty.

The room erupted into applause, but my attention remained fixed on Heinrich. There was something about his presence that was different, something I couldn’t quite put into words. As Aura continued speaking, I recalled what she had mentioned about the betrayal.

Leaning toward her, I whispered:

—Do you think the rumors about his betrayal are true?

Aura glanced at me sideways, her expression hard to read. Before she could answer, Heinrich turned his head toward us.

—Yes, they’re true, —he said firmly, seemingly unbothered by the fact that he’d overheard our conversation.

Aura immediately tensed, raising her hands in an apologetic gesture.

—Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean… well, I didn’t think you’d hear… —she stammered, clearly uncomfortable.

Heinrich regarded her for a long moment before a faint smile crossed his lips—a surprising gesture, considering how serious he seemed.

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—Don’t worry about it. It’s not something I’m ashamed of. Betrayals forge character, don’t you think? —he said, crossing his arms and turning back to face the room.

I, on the other hand, was at a loss for words. The situation was awkward, but I couldn’t help admiring Heinrich’s strength in speaking so openly about something so personal with such ease.

Later, when the meeting had ended and we were talking in a quiet corner, I mentioned to Aura:

—You were right. Heinrich has a… unique presence. It’s like he could shatter you with just one look.

Aura laughed softly and gave me a playful tap on the arm.

— I know. He’s an elite soldier, after all. But you’ll see, over time you’ll learn that even the most imposing people have their human side.

I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I couldn’t deny that Heinrich was someone worthy of respect.

He approached us with steady steps, and though his expression was serious, he inclined his head slightly in a polite greeting to Aura before turning to me.

—Seraphine, correct? —he said in a deep but courteous voice, extending his hand toward me.

—Y-Yes —I stammered, trying not to let my nerves show as I shook his hand. The firmness of his grip and his direct gaze almost made me lose my balance.

—It’s an honor to meet you, —he added with a slight nod before stepping away.

Once the presentation was over and the meeting continued with its usual activities, I took a moment to approach Aura.

—Aura, you were right... —I said in a low voice, still somewhat unsettled—. Heinrich is intimidating.

She chuckled, amused.

Time moved on, and my life settled into a routine that, while intense, provided a certain stability. Two years after that meeting in Germany, where the last Anómala of our rank had been introduced, news came of the next annual gathering. This time, the event was to take place in Russia—a country I had always imagined as cold, vast, and full of mysteries and contrasts.

The venue was an immense bunker hidden deep within the mountains, and I was awestruck by its grandeur. Unlike previous gatherings, this one showcased touches of Russian luxury and tradition, from the intricate golden details on the columns to the domes with stained glass that cast both cool and warm hues across the halls. Yet, the essence remained the same: Anómalas from all over the world gathering to reaffirm their commitment to our cause.

When I arrived, I felt a twinge of anxiety. It wasn’t my first gathering, but the sheer scale of the event and the presence of so many Anómalas always reminded me of how vast our mission truly was. Just as I crossed the threshold, Aura found me.

—Seraphine! —she called, her radiant smile as welcoming as ever.

I hurried over to her, feeling instantly comforted by her presence.

—Aura! It’s always a pleasure to see you. —I said, embracing her briefly.

—Likewise, dear. You look stunning, as always, —she replied with her signature enthusiasm, though something in her expression hinted that she had news to share.

—What is it? —I asked, tilting my head in curiosity.

She paused, clearly enjoying the suspense before revealing her announcement.

—Today is special. This year, we’re not just welcoming one new divine Anómala… we have two.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

—Two? In a single year? —I asked, struggling to process what she had just said.

My thoughts drifted back to a previous gathering when Aura had spoken with pride and hope: “I look forward to the day when we don’t have to wait a decade to welcome another divine Anómala among us. I hope that every year, we can introduce more than one, because that will mean we’re ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.”

The gathering began with the usual protocol, and soon we found ourselves on the central platform. Aura, Heinrich, and I led the presentation, joined by the two new members. As the platform rose, I could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze fixed on us.

Aura took the floor as always, her confidence filling the entire room.

—Comrades, today is a special day. We are not just welcoming one new member to our rank but two. I am delighted to introduce Río and Alexei, the newest divine-ranked Anómalas. —Her voice resonated with strength and emotion as she gestured toward the two men.

Río stepped forward first. He was young, with dark hair and warm eyes that radiated a calmness contrasting with the powerful energy emanating from him.

—It is an honor to be here. I hope to learn a lot from all of you and contribute to our cause in the best way possible. —He spoke with a smile that seemed to light up the room.

Alexei, on the other hand, was entirely different. His rigid posture and cold stare commanded immediate respect. As he stepped forward, his oppressive aura filled the space, and everyone fell silent.

—Thank you for the welcome. I am here to fulfill my duty. Nothing more. —His words were brief but charged with determination.

Later, after the presentation, Heinrich, who had remained silent throughout the speeches, approached me as we observed the new members interacting with the others.

—What do you think of them? —he asked in his usual direct tone, his eyes watching me with curiosity.

—They’re… different, —I replied, thinking about how Río exuded warmth while Alexei seemed to harbor a storm within—. Río seems kind, and Alexei… well, he’s intimidating.

—Intimidating, but effective, —Heinrich added, crossing his arms—. The divine rank allows for nothing less.

Aura, who had been nearby, joined the conversation with a smile.

—You see, Seraphine? It’s just as I said. Their personalities don’t matter as much as their ability to fulfill their duty. Both will be a great addition to our ranks.

Later, I approached Aura while we chatted in a quiet corner.

—Heinrich and Alexei have something in common, don’t they? —I asked in a low voice, trying not to draw attention.

Aura laughed softly.

—Yes, they both seem like they’ve walked straight out of a war movie. But don’t worry, in their own way, they’re both reliable.

I wasn’t entirely sure about that, but I decided to trust her judgment. As the meeting progressed, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much our organization was growing and how much we were achieving together.

That night, as I returned to my temporary lodging, I reflected on everything that had happened. The introduction of two new members to our rank in a single year was a milestone, a sign that we were becoming increasingly prepared to face any challenge that lay ahead.