Chapter 1: الشرارة الرماد و الإنفجار الروحThe Spark, the Ash, and the Soul's Explosion

The Ember and the Blast Roberto released his grip slowly. The knife slipped from Lujaro's trembling fingers and struck the dusty ground. The boy knelt before his grandmother, unable to absorb the fact that the body that had been moving moments ago would never move again. Not a single tear fell. His eyes were wide, fixed on the body before him, while something black took shape in the depths of him. He raised his head toward Roberto. — Why? His voice came out raw. Then his fingernails drove into the dirt. — Why did you stop me? I would have killed him! Roberto didn't answer immediately. He watched Alfred leaving the hut with his men, then brought his gaze back to the boy. — Because you would have died before you reached him. He stepped closer. — You don't know how to fight. You don't know how many men are standing behind him. You don't even know how to use the knife in your own hand. Lujaro looked up with eyes full of hate. — I don't care! — Yes, you do. Roberto crouched down in front of him. — Dying without accomplishing what you want isn't courage. He paused, then said: — A pointless death isn't revenge. It's stupidity. Lujaro said nothing. The rage was choking in his chest, but he had no answer for it. Roberto reached out and gripped his shoulder. — If you want revenge, don't run after him now. He held his eyes steady. — Make yourself the man Alfred cannot kill. Lujaro raised his eyes slowly. — How? For the first time, something small shifted in Roberto's expression. — Come with me. Then he stood. — And I'll teach you. Lujaro turned toward his grandmother. He looked at her for a long moment. Then…