Luna was left speechless, her eyes reflecting awe and curiosity.

  — I’ll explain later — I said softly, giving her a knowing look.

  We both stepped through the portal, and immediately, we were enveloped by an immense, profound silence—almost supernatural. There was no sound except the gentle breeze around us; the stillness of the Other Side had an incomparable peace, so pure that our breathing seemed to be the only thing that existed there. Luna took a deep breath, her body relaxing further, and our gazes met in a moment of tranquility.

  — Are you ready? — I asked, and she nodded, smiling.

  With a sigh, I closed my eyes and let the power within me flow. In an instant, the ground began to transform, and around us, flowers of unique colors blossomed, beautiful and fragrant, as if growing with their own vibrant life. Luna watched, mesmerized, her eyes filled with wonder as the garden expanded, and the patio transformed into an endless sea of blooms. In that moment, the silence gave way to a soft melody that seemed to float in the air: slow, elegant music, perfect for a dance.

  I offered her my hand.

  — Will you dance with me?

  Luna placed her hand on her chest, surprised and touched. She accepted with a smile and placed her hand in mine. We began to dance, each step and turn flowing so naturally that the ground seemed to vanish beneath us. With every movement, we rose slightly into the air, under the moonlight, floating among the flowers as the music wrapped us in a moment that felt eternal.

  As we danced, reality blurred around us, and time seemed to stand still, leaving only Luna, me, and the magic of that moment. The moonlight illuminated her face, highlighting her smile, and for a brief instant, all the pain, fear, and battles seemed to fade away.

  — I never imagined I’d see anything like this — Luna whispered, looking directly into my eyes.

  — It’s the least I can do for you — I replied, gently squeezing her hand, maintaining eye contact—. If I could, I’d give you the entire world.

  Luna blushed slightly, her gaze shining with a mix of gratitude and something that seemed like sadness. Without letting go of my hand, she rested her other hand on my chest and stepped a little closer until I could almost feel the warmth of her breath. We looked at each other, caught in that perfect silence, with no need for words.

  — ángel... — she murmured, her voice breaking slightly—. I know we’ve been through so much... and there’s still so much I don’t fully understand. But when I’m with you, everything seems to make sense. All of this feels worth it.

  Her words struck me deeply, and without thinking, I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her waist. She rested her head on my shoulder, and we stayed like that, simply floating in the vastness of our own world, where there were no more conflicts or challenges.

  Gradually, the music softened, and when it finally faded away, the silence returned, enveloping us in its overwhelming calm. Luna lifted her head to look at me and stopped just inches away, her expression filled with gratitude and tenderness.

  — Thank you, ángel. — Her voice was barely a whisper, and her eyes held a sparkle of restrained emotion.

  — Always, Luna. — I replied in the same tone—. I’d do it a thousand times over if it meant seeing you happy.

  And there, in that moment, our faces moved closer together, a mutual sigh filling the space between us, until without saying anything, our lips met in a kiss, full of softness and shared promises. The calm of the Other Side enveloped us, as if the peace of that place sealed our moment, making us feel that, for once, we were in the right place at the right time.

  When we finally pulled away, we both smiled shyly.

  We gently descended to the ground, lying back on the grass of the Other Side. The flowers began to fade around us, as if returning to a dream only we had shared. Luna settled beside me, and we both gazed at the dark, tranquil sky with the moon, the only light of the night, covering us. She turned her head to look at me, her expression curious and captivating.

  — You’ve told me so much... but never really about your abilities. — Her voice was soft, and the sparkle in her eyes reflected the same fascination she always felt when we were here together.

  I sighed, smiling a bit before beginning to speak.

  — It’s true, I haven’t talked much about that. — I paused, choosing my words carefully—. Let’s just say I have the ability to materialize dreams, thoughts, desires… with enough concentration, I can bring them into reality, although they don’t last long. What you saw earlier, for example, I created with you in mind.

  Her eyes lit up even more, and I felt that everything was worth it just for that look. She nodded, still absorbed in what I was saying.

  —This place is special too, Luna. It’s The Other Side, an alternate dimension to ours, with the difference that there’s no life—just like in those crazy theories we used to talk about. —I looked at the horizon and then back at her—. And even though it’s exclusive to anomalies of my category, Aura trusts you enough to allow you to be here. —I observed her reaction, wanting her to feel how much it meant to me to have her in this intimate and mysterious place.

  She looked at me, and for a moment, silence wrapped around us again, until I ventured to ask:

  —And since when have you known Aura? —I asked, trying to untangle a bit of the story that had brought us to this moment.

  Luna seemed to think for a moment before responding.

  —My parents met her recently, maybe two months ago, no more. —She turned her gaze to the sky, thoughtful—. I remember Mom and Dad said she appeared out of nowhere, and, although I don’t know much, she always gave them the impression of being trustworthy and a great business partner.

  My thoughts began to connect. Two months ago… Right when Aura and I met, and my training began. It was as if everything had been planned precisely, as if Aura had woven an invisible web that had slowly brought us to this moment. I realized that, in some way, she had thought all of this through from the beginning, as if she had a careful plan to ensure that Luna and I would be safe.

  And so, while Luna gazed at the sky and I pieced together the loose threads in my mind, I felt more determined than ever to move forward with everything that lay ahead.

  Tranquility enveloped us in perfect silence as we watched the sky, holding hands and enjoying that unique moment in The Other Side. We felt at peace, until suddenly, Aura burst in, pulling us out of our little paradise.

  —There you are! —she exclaimed, smiling with her usual energy—. The special guest is about to arrive, so it’s time to head back.

  We looked at each other, and though it was hard to leave such a special corner, we nodded. We crossed the portal and returned to Aura’s mansion, where elegant music and warm lights enveloped us once again in the festive atmosphere. Aura stood at the center of the room and called everyone’s attention.

  —As every year, my dear friend has returned. Please welcome… Santa!

  A portal opened, identical to the ones Aura used in battle, and, to everyone’s surprise, Santa Claus himself appeared, letting out a booming “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, everyone!” His enormous 2.5-meter figure was as imposing as expected, yet it filled the atmosphere with joy. His appearance was classic, with a big belly and a warm, genuine smile. Around us, everyone beamed, and both Luna and I were left speechless.

  —Is… is that the real Santa? —I whispered to Aura, still incredulous.

  —That’s right —she replied with a satisfied smile—. Santa Claus, one of the kindest and strongest divine-category anomalies from the Celestial Dimension.

  Santa raised his hands, and with a gentle motion, brightly wrapped gifts with ribbons began to appear for all the guests. The room filled with smiles, laughter, and excitement, as if each present contained a spark of magic.

  Luna and I also received our boxes, but upon opening them, we discovered something unexpected. Our boxes… were empty. We looked at each other, confused, and then approached Santa, asking with curiosity.

  —Why are our gifts empty? —I asked, still intrigued.

  Santa looked at us with a deep, kind smile, as if he knew a secret we were just beginning to understand.

  —Well, young ones, it seems that both of you already have what you most desire in the world —he replied warmly—. There’s nothing more I can give you.

  Luna and I stared at each other, surprised and moved. With just a glance, we knew that this night and every shared moment were more than any gift anyone could give us.

  As the party drew to a close, I noticed Aura, who had drunk quite a bit and couldn’t stop laughing in her slightly wobbly state. I, on the other hand, felt the weight of the night on my eyelids as I took Luna’s hand, and we said our goodbyes before heading back to the academy.

  When we arrived, just before going to our respective rooms, Luna looked at me, her cheeks slightly flushed, hesitating for a second before murmuring softly, somewhere between shy and firm:

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  —ángel… I want to ask you something.

  Her tone, and the way her fingers fiddled with her coat, clearly embarrassed, stirred a mix of curiosity and surprise in me. Despite Luna’s timidity, I responded with a gentle and encouraging smile.

  —Of course, tell me. You know I’m here for whatever you need.

  She raised her eyes, hesitant and filled with doubt, but finally took a deep breath and let out her request in a soft voice.

  —Can… can I sleep with you?

  I couldn’t help but freeze for a moment, feeling my cheeks heat up. I hadn’t expected that question, but I also knew it was a special request. I took a moment in silence, trying to process what it meant to her. Striving not to show how nervous I was, I finally nodded.

  —Of course, Luna. Whatever you want —I replied, trying to sound calm, though my voice trembled slightly.

  We entered the room together, walking in silence. Barely exchanging a glance, we settled on the bed. Everything in me was nervous, yet I felt an unexpected calm in her presence. We briefly looked at each other, and with a soft confidence, she snuggled against my chest. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her, feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat and mine synchronizing as sleep gradually embraced us.

  And so, I let myself be carried away by the peace of that night, feeling the weight of her heartbeat close, and mine reflecting in every shared breath.

  I woke up late, uninterrupted by anything or anyone. When I opened my eyes, I found hers looking back at me.

  —Did you sleep well? —I whispered, trying not to break the quiet morning too much.

  —Yes… I think I haven’t slept like this in a long time —she replied softly, then chuckled slightly and added—: I’m not used to sleeping in so late.

  We fell silent again, just looking at each other, as if giving ourselves time to truly process that we were there, together. Then, almost out of nowhere, she suddenly sat up with that playful enthusiasm that always caught me off guard and blurted out:

  —Well, what do you want for breakfast? —she asked as she stretched lazily.

  —Breakfast? —I laughed—. How about I cook instead? After all, I’m the expert here.

  She gave me a look of mock skepticism.

  —Oh, really? Do you think a woman can’t handle it?

  —No… —I replied teasingly, keeping a serious expression—. That’s why I’m going to show you how it’s really done.

  She let out a playful laugh and, before I could react, darted toward the kitchen.

  —Let’s see if you can catch me then! —she shouted between laughs, glancing back to make sure I was following.

  I ran after her, laughing under my breath. We ended up in the kitchen, still laughing, and decided to cook together, dividing the tasks. First, we got ready, taking turns to shower and get dressed. I returned to the kitchen first, and soon she joined me, still drying her hair and trying not to slip in her slippers.

  Once we got started, breakfast turned into a mix of food, jokes, and laughter. We competed over who cooked better and exchanged teasing glances whenever one of us messed something up. As we worked, I felt increasingly happy and at ease; seeing her laugh, her expressions, the camaraderie in every joke and every glance, was all I needed.

  After eating, amidst laughter and a pile of dirty dishes, we cleaned up the kitchen together. We were almost done tidying up the house when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Axel and ángeles, with mischievous smiles that said more than words ever could.

  —So, here you are! —Axel said, walking in without hesitation—. I came because I saw you getting a little too close to someone yesterday, and now I’m curious…

  I laughed, feeling my face flush slightly. Luna, standing beside me, also blushed a little but tried to hide it.

  —Uh… well, yeah, uh… it’s her —I said, a bit nervously, glancing at her and then at them—. The person I’ve told you about so many times.

  ángeles stepped forward, her warm smile growing as she looked at the two of us tenderly.

  —Do you remember what you said? “It doesn’t matter how much I miss her because I know I’ll see her again.” And here you are.

  A mix of embarrassment and joy swelled inside me, and Luna just smiled back with a warm look. I decided to introduce them officially, though without specifying anything about our relationship. I invited her to sit with them, and we spent a long time talking, joking, and asking questions. It felt as though we had always been friends. Axel, with a teasing look, tried to get some details out of me, while ángeles and Luna chatted cheerfully. We talked about everything, from the things we had lived through to the little details of everyday life.

  Finally, before leaving, Axel gave me a knowing smile.

  —Well, you’d better enjoy today. Tomorrow you won’t have time to laze around —he said, laughing.

  —Yeah, yeah —I laughed back, grateful to have one more day to spend with her before work began again.

  After seeing them out, I closed the door, and once alone again, I looked at her. Her expression had softened even more; it seemed that this peaceful day was exactly what we needed.

  With the rest of the day ahead and a renewed sense of energy, we decided to go out. I loved seeing her curious expression as we explored new places, tried food, and discovered corners I might have overlooked on my own. Every spot, no matter how simple, became special because of her presence, and we enjoyed every second of that day, laughing and sharing without holding back.

  When we returned home, it was already night. Without saying much, we lay down together, this time with a natural and comfortable closeness. I felt incredibly grateful to be by her side, and together, we fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  The next morning greeted us with perfect calm. We enjoyed a relaxed day, had breakfast, and spent time together at home, talking and laughing. It was a simple day, but it felt like every moment with her carried deep meaning. However, in the mid-afternoon, the communicator in my pocket vibrated, signaling a new mission. With a sigh, I explained that I had to leave, and though she seemed a bit sad, Luna sent me off with a warm smile and a “Take care” that stayed with me the entire way.

  When I arrived in Mexico City, the mission turned out to be simpler than I expected: a low-ranking anomaly in a residential area. I finished quickly and submitted the report at the base, but something was bothering me, so I asked why I had been sent for something so minor.

  —After an incident in Japan, we're doubling our efforts to prevent accidents —the officer explained—. Apparently, anomalies are starting to appear near others shortly after they’re destroyed, as if there’s some kind of connection. Recently, they almost lost three anomalies in Japan to a similar situation.

  That mention made me recall what Aura had mentioned at the party, something about low-ranking anomalies and a situation in Japan. I reflected for a moment, wondering if all this could be related. Even so, I set aside my doubts, relieved that the mission had gone well, and headed back home.

  When I arrived, I found Aura and Luna chatting calmly in the living room, both laughing about something I barely caught as I stepped through the door. Aura greeted me with a broad smile and a casual tone.

  —You’re back! —she said cheerfully—. We were just talking about you.

  —I hope it was good things —I replied, walking over to them.

  Luna gave me a gentle smile, and in that moment, I felt at home, as if everything was in its place after a somewhat hectic day. I sat down with them, happy to be back safe and sound.

  Seeing the serious expression on Aura's face, I felt a slight unease.

  —What’s up? —I asked, expecting something important.

  —Tomorrow is the annual anomalies meeting —she said, maintaining her composure—. At 8 a.m.… in New York.

  I immediately jolted upright, unable to contain my surprise.

  —What do you mean at 8 in New York?! And you’re telling me just now? Why don’t you ever give me a heads-up for these things?!

  Aura sighed and smiled, brushing it off with her usual carefree tone.

  —Oh, relax… it’s just a silly annual meeting. Don’t make such a fuss.

  I stared at her in disbelief, still trying to process the lack of notice.

  —It might be a silly annual meeting for you, but it’s my first silly annual meeting! —I shot back, unable to calm down.

  While my mind raced, Aura tried to soothe me, albeit unsuccessfully, until I felt a hand on my shoulder. Luna, with her serene expression, spoke to me in that sweet voice that always managed to calm me down.

  —Relax, ángel… everything will be fine —she said with a smile.

  I immediately felt the tension melt away, her presence soothing me completely. Aura observed us with a playful yet surprised expression.

  —Wow, look at that. She’s got you well-trained.

  —That’s none of your business —I replied, blushing. But she just laughed and continued talking about the meeting.

  —What’s important here —she said— is that we’re leaving Mexico at four in the morning to get there on time. So, if you want, I suggest going to bed as soon as possible.

  I sighed, resigned, but still tried to ask:

  —And is it mandatory for me to go?

  —For newcomers, yes. Those who’ve already attended at least once can skip it, as long as someone represents them. And in your case, that would be me. But there’s no discussion, you’re going.

  I understood I had no choice, so I nodded, somewhat calmer. After wishing each other goodnight, we said our farewells and rested for the few hours we had left.

  Luna and I went to bed. Although I knew I had to wake up early, sleep overtook me quickly. At 3:30, she gently woke me, softly calling my name until I stirred. I thanked her for waking up earlier than me just to help me, and through yawns, I got up to prepare.

  When I stepped outside the house, Aura was already waiting for me. Without wasting any time, she led me to a private section of the academy, where several private jets were lined up and ready for takeoff. We boarded, and I settled in as comfortably as possible, quickly falling into a deep sleep again as we flew toward New York.

  At 7:30, Aura gently shook me awake, informing me that New York’s time zone had already been set on our phones. I tried to focus as my eyes adjusted to the light of the new day. Shortly after, we descended into the city and landed on the rooftop of a massive building. Aura and I stepped off the jet and watched as, in an instant, an anomala responsible for miniaturizing objects shrank the jets of the attendees, turning them into small replicas, like toys on a shelf.

  We headed toward an elevator and descended several floors until we reached an underground dome. When the doors opened, I found myself in a room full of anomalies who had already arrived, chatting in small groups. The energy and the intensity in their gazes made me feel this was going to be an unforgettable event.

  As I observed the others, I saw Aura approach someone with a big smile, calling him "Rio." I instantly remembered the conversation from that night at the Christmas party—this must be the same Rio Aura had talked about, the anomala from Japan. I watched as they greeted each other warmly, their camaraderie evident, as if they’d known each other for years.

  Lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by a young man who approached me with a smile and asked my name. I replied and, out of courtesy, returned the question.

  —Ren Kuroda —he said, bowing his head slightly. I wondered where he was from, and as if reading my mind, Ren clarified that he was from Japan. I was surprised when I understood him perfectly, as if he were speaking Spanish, and he seemed equally shocked to learn that I was from Mexico.

  —Are you really from Mexico? —Ren asked, his curiosity and enthusiasm genuine.

  —Yes, just like you’re from Japan, right? —I replied, and we both smiled, realizing how surreal it was to understand each other so naturally despite our nationalities.

  As we chatted, Axel and ángeles joined me, while two others, introduced by Ren as Sato and Eri, came over to his side. We exchanged a few words, all of us feeling both nervous and excited about the situation, until a commanding voice—Rio's—resounded in the center of the enormous room. Suddenly, a platform began to rise, elevating seven figures who seemed to observe us with an air of authority. I was speechless when I saw that among them was Aura, looking at us with an expression of joy and pride.

  Rio spoke firmly, introducing himself and the others as the current eight anomalies of divine category, the highest rank—a living legend among the rest of us. However, someone in the crowd dared to ask what we were all noticing: they were only seven, not eight. Then Aura smiled, directing her gaze at me with a playful and enthusiastic expression, pointing at me in a way that made me instantly blush.

  —What are you waiting for? Get up here! —Aura said, encouraging me to join them.

  I felt a wave of heat rise to my cheeks. Amid the surprise and disbelief of everyone, including Ren, Sato, and Eri, who stared at me in astonishment, I forced myself to maintain composure. Slowly, I began to levitate above the crowd, ascending toward the platform, feeling hundreds of eyes fixed on me. Embarrassment overwhelmed me, but I tried to stay steady as I landed beside the other seven.