Time passed slowly, and I could feel how those two entities were watching me.
One was my future boss.The other… my grandmother's gift?
Or at least, that's what I assumed.
How the hell could a man come out of a keychain?What the hell was happening to my life?And my new boss… what the hell was all of this?
The ticking of the clock echoed through the room, marking every second as they waited for my answer.
I took a deep breath.
"One question…" I said nervously, lifting my gaze toward him. "Will this put my life in danger? And how is it different from any other job as a radio host?"
My heart pounded. I didn't know if it was fear, confusion… or something else.
"There shouldn't be any problem," the black-haired man replied calmly. "It's basically the same as any interviewing or hosting job… my guests are just a bit different. And having that wild feline with you should be enough."
He pointed at the black jaguar still standing in the room.
"Izel, let's go home," the jaguar growled, taking a step toward the exit.
"You…" I hesitated, uncomfortable. "How do you know where I live? And who the hell are you?"
"I…" He lowered his head. "I can't tell you yet. Believe me, I can't. But soon—when we return to your grandmother… everything will become clear."
I raised my hand to stop him when he tried to approach me.
I knew this had something to do with my grandmother… but I couldn't let myself be influenced by someone I barely knew. I wasn't even sure he was telling the truth.
And more than anything…
I needed that money.
"If you say you truly know me," I said firmly, "then you should know I need this job."
"I know, but—"
I raised my hand again.
"I don't know who you are or whether you actually want to help me. I appreciate your concern, but my grandparents are sick, and I need this money. So decide: either you stay with me and help me… or step aside."
The jaguar growled… but finally nodded.
He walked closer and transformed back into a human.
"Then let's change some of the contract terms," he said, grabbing the document. "First: the agreement will last a maximum of two years. Second: you'll have constant protection while you're in this place. Third: if at any point you feel overwhelmed, you'll be able to cancel. What do you think?"
I nodded.
Nothing he said felt unreasonable.
"And why should I accept that?" the man in the suit asked, crossing his arms.
I raised my hand, interrupting.
"As far as I can tell, I'm the only one who made it to the end of the interview… and you don't have anyone else. And I need this job. You're not doing me any favors. If I leave, I doubt you'll find someone like me. I don't know what you see in me… but think carefully before rejecting my conditions."
My voice trembled slightly.
I really needed this job.
The man adjusted his shirt and smiled, though his gaze remained firm.
"Very well," he said. "Three years. You'll have four chances to withdraw from the program if things become too much for you, but you must complete at least two full years. You'll also have full security within this space. As long as you remain nearby, you won't have any problems."
I looked into his eyes, trying to see if he was lying.
I couldn't read him…
but I felt heat rise to my face as I noticed how handsome he was.
I hadn't paid attention before.His features were sharp, elegant… and those eyes felt like they could see right through you.
I looked away.
I read the contract—which, strangely, already included the changes—and signed it.
In that instant, the paper burst into green flames… and disappeared.
"Welcome, Izel, to the program Frequencies of the Underworld," he said, bowing elegantly. "I am Mictlantecuhtli, god of death, eternal rest… and king of the underworld."
For a brief moment, his face transformed into a translucent skull, green flames burning inside his eye sockets… before returning to normal.
I froze.
My new boss… was a god?
Since when does a god run a radio station?And what the hell had I just signed?
I had a thousand questions, but he spoke before I could say anything.
"Prepare yourself. We begin in one hour. You'll have your first interview, and our new segment has already been announced. We start at midnight. I don't have time, so get ready."
"Wait! What am I supposed to talk about? I don't have anything prepared! I'm not even ready!" I said, trembling.
"We can pause it," he replied with a calm smile, "but you'd be using one of your four interventions."
I swallowed my frustration.
"Then at least tell me what I need to do to prepare."
"It will be a live interview, podcast-style. Our first guest is an old friend of mine. She'll treat you well. You might know her… her name is Nyx. You'll be prepared in half an hour. Get ready."
He left without another word.
"Bastard… he just does whatever he wants," the man beside me muttered.
"And you are…?" I asked.
He walked over to Mictlantecuhtli's chair and dropped into it, placing his feet on the desk.
"I'm a protective nahual," he said. "Your grandmother sent me to watch over you… though someone decided to ignore that."
I had heard of nahuales—beings capable of transforming into animals, walking between worlds. Some saw them as protectors… others as monsters.
"My grandmother sent you?" I asked, confused.
He approached me. He was much taller than me. His body was strong, defined… wild.
Without warning, he lifted me.
"Hey! Put me down!" I protested.
He sat me on the desk.
"I can't explain everything right now," he said, sharpening his nails with a box cutter. "When we return to your grandmother, you'll understand. We have a contract… and my job is to keep you safe."
Strangely… I didn't feel rejection toward him.
It was as if something inside me pushed me to trust him.
He was completely different from the god.
One imposed presence.The other… felt strangely familiar.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Iztli. Of the winged feline race," he replied. "Guardian of the night. Hunter of shadows."
"Like… a magical girl?" I asked, imagining him in a ridiculous outfit.
I let out a small laugh, feeling my nerves ease just a little.
He frowned… then smiled.
He pulled me closer and sat me on his lap.
"Tell me… does this look like a magical girl's body to you?"
His abdomen was hard as stone.
Feeling it made me turn completely red.
The silence tightened…
Until the door burst open.
Three women entered with makeup tools.
One covered her eyes.Another smiled in amusement.The third studied me carefully.
"Wait… don't go," I said. "You're going to get me ready, right?"
They nodded.
While they worked, Iztli transformed into a jaguar… and then back into the keychain.
I put it in my bag. I had a thousand questions… but this wasn't the moment.
When I finished…
I didn't recognize myself in the mirror.
I looked beautiful.Elegant… sensual… different.
They guided me to the studio.
Everything felt… strange.
Were they… transparent?
I didn't have time to ask.
The red light turned on.
"Welcome to Frequencies of the Underworld," a deep voice announced. "Tonight we present: Voices That Should Never Have Been Heard."
I looked at the tablet in front of me.
The comments were exploding.Apparently… this was a very popular show.
"Our new host is Izel… and tonight's guest… Nyx."
I raised my gaze.
Across the table… there he was.
Skin pale as the moon.Long hair.Eyes black as the void.
"Thank you for the invitation," he said. "Though I didn't expect to be welcomed by such a… small human."
He leaned closer.
"You smell… delicious."
The pressure in the room shifted.
Iztli appeared behind him, knife in hand.
"Behave," he growled.
Nyx smiled.
"I was just being polite."
I swallowed.
"Nyx…" I glanced at my notes. "According to mythology, you were a goddess. Have you always been like this?"
He smiled.
"I am neither man… nor woman."
His body dissolved into darkness…
and reformed into a woman.
Beautiful. Imposing.
The chat exploded.
"I am the night," she whispered. "The primordial fear."
She leaned toward me.
"Gods are a concept… I can be whatever I want."
I took a deep breath.
"So… can you transform into anything?"
"I could…" she replied in a deep, sensual voice. "But why would I?"
She smiled.
"Humans gave us form… so they could understand us. So they wouldn't lose their minds trying."
Silence filled the room.
"And if humans stop believing in you?" I asked. "If they stop imagining you with a form… and only think of darkness?"
Her smile faded.
"We disappear… or at least, the conscious part of us does."
"Disappear? Does that mean you die?" I asked, completely immersed now.
"We don't die…" she said, "but we can lose our consciousness… and return to our original nature."
A chill spread through the room.
"And there is nothing more terrifying…" she added, her voice darker now,"than being forgotten. Becoming everything… and nothing at the same time."
Silence.
Absolute.
And in that moment…
I understood.
This wasn't just an interview.
This was something far bigger.
And I…
was already part of it.