Prologue

  Planet Earth. An anomaly that has remained unexplained for millennia. The only place in the universe where life exists and evolves. The only place inhabited by humanity. Humans. A unique and fascinating breed. Humans. A truly beautiful creation. A truly beautiful existential anomaly. A very good source of conflict...

  Larger and more distant entities have been vying for this creation for millennia. Most of them appreciate sharing Humans. Only one, however... Would like to be their supreme ruler. The result? Permanent banishment. Eternal imprisonment in the depths of hell. Its goal now? The destruction of this beautiful creation that was once a source of shared pride. Their goal? Its sustainability.

  Welcome to this universe of ancient and divine conflicts. Welcome to this complex world. Welcome to Warriors and Stars.

  ______________________________________

  It is 9:57 PM when the plane lands. It carries only one passenger.

  It's raining lightly on the tarmac. The night is not restless, but she is. She's used to long trips, but this was different. Something is brewing.

  "Fuck you, baba... Jesus"

  He had told her, though, that it would just be routine. And it was. It's just that she couldn't explain it. But...

  "Something has changed".

  "And to think I could have spent the beginning of spring in his arms... Damn, Baba!"

  *Incoming call*- Baba

  "Well, there you have it, speak of the devil and you'll see his tail, you bastard".

  Baba: "So, my future queen, how did you find the Colombian forests?" He said, with a smile in his voice.

  "I'm fed up with you, Dad, it was unbearable! Was that really the right time to ask me to go help calm down some shamans who are playing with demonic entities? Rajesh should have done that!"

  Baba: Anna *sigh* you know very well that he is unstable at the moment and besides I'm sure it called you back to the rainforests of Central Africa, didn't it?

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  "We're not talking about my continent, she retorted, but about the time I've wasted. Regardless, it went well; your teams can take care of the rest.You know very well that the less we're there, the better. We're fed up with negotiating".

  Baba: "And I'm really grateful, the jet lag must have been unbearable. Get some rest and see you tomorrow.Yoichi is probably already waiting for you. He's still recovering from his last fall, so don't be too hard on him."

  "Ow..."She hesitated briefly,

  "We'll see, depending on my mood and hormones. See you tomorrow".

  On her way home, Anna checks the trends and catches up on the news she missed. After two weeks away from Japan, things must have happened, She always has to be on the lookout. You never know when you might need them.

  Her watch vibrates on her left wrist:

  *Caution: Opening windows is recommended. Migraine detected. Constant airflow required.*

  "Thank you Camille..."

  She arrives around 11:15 PM. The house is quiet, which isn't normal because she doesn't live alone.

  The door is locked. She saw no light from the garden. She should have been able to feel the children's breathing. But there... nothing.

  She walks into the living room. Goes through the kitchen. Still nothing. She goes to the backyard, observes, and suddenly feels a change in pressure.

  "Back off, get out of here, this could end badly!" She said as she was already brandishing her spear.

  "It's not very nice to welcome me like this after two weeks in Latin America." Said in a warm, soft voice that she would recognize among 1000.

  " Yoichi!? why did you attack me, you idiot? Did my father ask you to do that to test my reflexes? She asks, clenching her fists , I could have hurt you! You're not even over your fall yet!"

  "I know, I'm sorry, don't get upset, you'll hyperventilate. It wasn't your father who asked me to do it, I just wanted to tease you".

  "Damn, that's a really stupid way to tease me then!"

  He chuckles a little and comes over for a hug. At first she backs away, pretending to sulk. But he radiates the warmth of his body, and naturally she nestles in his arms.

  "You're the biggest idiot, but as long as you're mine, it's okay."

  "Yes, yes, I know, I missed you too"

  After a brief silence, she asks:

  "Yoichi, I've felt a difference in pressure since I got back. Has something happened?"

  His facial expression changes, becoming softer. "You could have at least rested for 24 hours before switching back into warrior mode."

  "You can't fight against nature, come on, tell me."

  He hesitates.

  "Come on, you know very well that my intuition never fails me; if there's variation, it means there's change, so spill the beans."

  ....

  "We found number 5 while you were away"

  "EXCUSE ME?"

  He sat her down on the bench facing the lake.

  "Calm down, you just got home and you haven't even rested yet.

  "But that's incredible!" she said, standing up again. "We've been waiting for number 5 for years."

  "Yes, that's great, but that's not what caused your pressure difference."

  She looks at him, confused. "So what is it then?"

  ...

  "It's Rajesh"

  "Raj? But what's wrong? He was perfectly fine before I left."

  ...

  "He suffered another possession... we had to restrain him."

  The wind around the lake stops.