To my unpleasant surprise Garrl doesn't know anything about seasonings or kobold dishes, however, I still have some hope, since he reiterated to me that it's not part of his heritage, so perhaps the "kobold cuisine" does exist. Putting that aside, once we felt fully recovered and our stomachs full, we decided to explore the cave and see what we could find that might be useful; always keeping our distance from the river in case another toad was hiding and wanted to ambush us. We also took the dagger, despite Garrl's complaints.

  We walked for a good while, encountering some arthropods that would scurry away as soon as we made any noise. We also found remnants of branches by the riverbank, which means that at some point in this cave, this river connects with the outside; similarly, we carefully took the larger and thicker branches, thinking I might be able to make some kind of spear. We also found several exits from the cave; I suppose they connect with other parts of the large caves, but we decided not to explore them until we are better prepared. We also didn't attempt to cross the river that runs through the entire cave, although what we managed to observe on the other side was no different from what we have on our side, so we are in no hurry to cross it. It would also be dangerous if something were hidden in those waters. Lastly, and most intriguingly, we found some stones or minerals—I don't know how to describe them—but they are fluorescent. At first, I was terrified they might be some radioactive mineral, and I told Garrl not to approach or touch them. He didn't know what they were either, but Garrl reminded me that they glowed like the tablets. I hadn't thought of that! I hadn't noticed, with so much that had happened to us, but yes, he was right. However, given the doubt and the possibility of a radioactive element, I told him to leave them, which he did. I have to investigate if those tablets and minerals are related and if they are dangerous in any way, although I have some suspicions; Kirkarrg used one of the tablets to do something similar to the "inheritance ritual" and thanks to that I understand and speak the kobold language, and before jumping through the crack I saw that another tablet was shining in Kirkarrg's hand, before what I think was an explosion; if I had to bet, it seems to be some type of mineral catalyst for magic?, no! it's still too early to deduce that without conducting tests first, but I must be cautious.

  When we were heading back, I took the opportunity to ask Garrl some questions, hoping not to anger a certain dragon in my head.

  - Hey Garrl, by any chance, do you know if there are ways to communicate with the ancestors? I mean, is it possible to communicate with them? I understand that they are no longer with us.

  - Communicating with the great ancestors? Of course, the ritual offers us and bequeaths us its legacy.

  - I understand you, but if I'm not mistaken, the ritual only gives us knowledge or memories, it's not that we talk directly to them. Is there anyone who can speak directly with them?

  - Mmmmm, brother, I'm telling you again, speak with more respect, they are not "them," they are the great ancestors. But the truth is, I don't know, it would be incredible to be in the presence of a great ancestor, can you imagine!

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  - I think so, and I don't know if it would be incredible.

  - Did you say something, brother?

  - No, nothing, I'm just saying that of course it would be incredible. But in case it were possible, how do I talk to themmmmmm...........? I mean with a great ancestor! I don't know if there's something I should say or not say, how do I become worthy of your respect?

  - Worthy of their respect? Oh brother! I understand that you did not receive much inheritance from the great ancestors, however, any non-stray is already worthy in the eyes of anyone, because you receive their inheritance. Although yes, one must always honor them and strive to earn their favor and perhaps thus achieve recognition, and who knows, maybe even achieve the "awakening of their blood," or at least that's what I believe. Otherwise, fulfilling our duty is enough. I know you're worried about being a wanderer, but you have an inheritance and you're not wild. You managed to hatch just like I did, and our mother achieved the "awakening." Maybe you behave a bit strangely, but I believe you are already worthy in their eyes. Just have more respect when talking about the great ancestors, and let's strive together to earn their favor.

  Well, that didn't get me anywhere. I appreciate Garrl's vote of confidence; I know he inherited respect for his ancestors and reminds me of it all the time, but my "heritage" doesn't come from them, I mean, from the great ancestors! And because of that and what the humanity of this world did to them, I don't know if I can earn their favor, however, how do I behave strangely?

  - Hey Garrl, what do you mean I act strange?

  - Well, brother, without meaning to offend you or the great ancestors, but your heritage is complicated, it has concepts that are very strange and difficult to understand, at least for me, but I know they must come from a great ancestor, otherwise, where else; however, other strange things are your way of eating, you don't swallow big bites, you do it slowly and with small bites; also, the way you walk, you keep your tail very stiff, you should balance it, just watch how I walk and look at yourself and you'll understand.

  It was true! At least the walking part, we walk differently, as for the tail, the truth is that I've always felt it strange, so I tried not to move it much. However, after seeing Garrl walk, I try to imitate it, and although I still feel it strange, part of me feels it more... comfortable? Before, I felt like I was walking on stilts and trying to maintain balance. I suppose it makes sense; I was still trying to walk like a human, but now my center of gravity is different. As for eating, well, I still try to chew the food, I know my teeth are no longer made for that, but I can try to eat like Garrl, I don't think it's a problem. Well, today has been a day of learning. Even though I still don't walk like Garrl, it will just take some practice and getting used to.

  Garrl kept mentioning other behaviors that he found strange about me, nothing out of this world, but certain, for example, how I slept, how I got lost in my thoughts and the gestures I made, the sound and pronunciation of my name, my terrible way of moving when attacking the toad; these and others were true and justified by my previous life and thinking that my body was still human; I could and should correct some, the physical ones of course, my body is already different, but the mental ones are mine and part of my personality and those don't go away; so I asked Garrl to teach me to move and control my body better; of course, he found it strange since for him that's something instinctive and obvious to do, but I was already strange in his eyes and in the end, he tried to teach me.