We took longer than we expected to reach the river. It turns out that walking through a jungle is not easy at all, especially if you are carrying a load and have antlers. This will be more complicated than we expected, but we are determined and not discouraged, or at least Garrl didn't even flinch. And of course, he got angry more than once when he got caught in some vine or plant; not to mention me when the same happened to me, and on top of that, there were my wings which, even though I could fold them, didn't mean they wouldn't get tangled as well, but we kept going anyway. This was our only clue to find a village of our people, and we wouldn't give up so easily. And in the end, although somewhat exhausted, we managed to reach the river, but a new challenge awaited us there.

  - Any idea how we cross it, brother?

  - Without spending mana, I don't see any way; tell me, Garrl. Do you think you can jump to the other side using mana to propel yourself?

  - Yes, but I'll use a bit more to cover everything we have with mana; I don't want anything to break when we get to the other side, but yes, I think I can make it without any problems.

  - Well, it's good to know, but first let's rest for today, and see if we can catch some fish and collect water and boil it.

  - Well, ………………….. Ahhhhh, how nice, I was just wishing to get this backpack off me. I'm not complaining, brother, but did you really have to bring mana ore rocks?

  - I'm sorry, Garrl, but they might be useful to us; I don't know if we'll be able to find more of these minerals where we're going. If you don't mind, tomorrow I'll help you with the load.

  - No, brother, don't worry, the problem isn't so much the load, but moving through that forest.

  - And that's just the beginning, Garrl, but tomorrow we'll organize the load better; I can help you, it's no problem for me. But first, let's go, let's clean ourselves in the river and see if we can catch some fish; I would love to eat roasted fish again.

  - A roasted fish? If it's food from your previous life, it must taste good, come on.

  While I was explaining to Garrl that it was a roasted sin, we hadn't even reached the riverbank when we both felt it and stopped dead in our tracks; there was something there, but we couldn't see it.

  - Garrl. Do you perceive it?

  - Yes, but I don't see anything, even though I know there's something there and it wants to hunt us. It's faint, but I feel its mana aggressive towards us ………………. I will try to communicate with my mana; maybe it is aware like the great spider and the other awakened cave creatures.

  - Good idea, it's better to avoid unnecessary conflict. I trust you, Garrl.

  I expand my mana and direct it towards where I perceive that aggressive mana, however, whatever was there didn't like that I did it and immediately retreated, shaking the water around it. I thought it would attack us, but no, it just disappeared into the darkness of the river.

  - I think it's best if we stay away from the river for now, Garrl; we still have some insects to eat and water.

  - For now, I agree, brother. Let's go back.

  Whatever it was in that river, we decided to stay as far away from the shore as we could. I didn't want to admit it, but I was quite scared of not being able to see if it wanted to attack us or even if it could do so outside the water; it was something instinctive that came from my soul rather than my body, but that night we climbed a tree and took turns keeping watch. I thought Garrl shared my concern, as he would turn to the river and growl every time, we sensed that thing, which I don't know if it was stalking us or what; however, how wrong I was to believe that Garrl would think that way and realize it soon.

  The next morning, I convinced Garrl that I would fly with our things and, in the end, cross with him by flying as well; it would consume a lot of mana, but it was the safest way to avoid whatever that thing was lurking in that river.

  And so, we did, and in the end, everything turned out fine. I managed to get through everything and, although that thing was still there, either it didn't notice or it was simply impossible for it to attack me from the air, but I was more worried about what I felt from Garrl's mana since I suggested my idea of avoiding that creature. I don't know how to explain it, but it didn't feel right, it felt like ……. dissatisfied? I waited for him to tell me at some point. We had agreed that we would always trust each other, but it wasn't until I finally crossed the river with him and was about to gather everything to continue, that he finally said it to me.

  - I was hoping you would say it, brother, but I will say it. We must hunt that thing; it's not right for it to think it can hunt us. We are not prey; we are descendants of the great dragons.

  - What? .................. Was that what bothered you? ....................... Listen, Garrl, we've already crossed the river; what's important is to keep going.

  - Brother, I know you were once human and I recognize that I am unaware of many of your past customs, but now you are a kobold who has awakened the blood of our great ancestors, and I, as another awakened kobold, tell you that our blood is proud of its lineage and that thing must know its place.

  - Ok, Garrl, it's true that we are stronger than before, and that we could try to defeat that thing; I even know that its mana is less than that of the great serpent or the Mrs. spider, but we don't need to take unnecessary risks.

  - It's not taking unnecessary risks; it's continuing to prove that we are worthy of our lineage. You weren't like this before; do you remember when we defeated that frog? Tell me, didn't you feel it was the right thing to do? For considering us as their prey, or when we fought among ourselves or against the great serpent and even against humans, or when you awakened your blood. Tell me, what do you feel, the pride of our great ancestors, and this tells you that we still cannot leave?

  - I …………………….

  I knew what Garrl was trying to explain to me, that feeling of pride that forced me to never give up and to show that I could be better, that I could be worthy. Although as a human I was taught something similar, this feeling was different and I knew it was the main reason for all the times I stood up against every adversity. It is a desire to face anything that wants to challenge me, but that feeling was from my kobold soul, and now they are just memories, and I am afraid to admit it, but while I am now stronger in terms of my body, I feel that my soul is no longer so. I think I lost much more that day than I can admit.

  - Breigon, what your brother says is right, it is not worthy of their lineage to be afraid of what is in the river, although I will admit that your way of thinking is not bad either. I'm sorry that you lost that strength of your kobold essence; both of you complemented each other, but being a kobold is being proud of your lineage and showing it to everyone.

  - But I am proud of being who I am now and of my lineage; I am just being cautious.

  - But guided by fear. Listen, it's not wrong to be afraid, but as one of our descendants, that fear cannot guide your life, it cannot stay there. I know it's hard for you to understand this way of thinking without your kobold essence, but think about it: if you had paralyzed or doubted yourself out of fear every time you were in danger, you wouldn't be here now. I'm not telling you to attack that thing thoughtlessly or even that you have to kill it, just remind it of who you descend from, because from now on you'll have to prove to this world that you are worthy and that you are proud to be a descendant of the great dragons.

  I couldn't refute Drazird or Garrl at the same time; both were even supporting me in their own way, of course. Ok. I know I can! Try to remember that feeling, because I am a kobold, I am a proud descendant of the great dragons, but I am also human, even if only in my soul, and I take pride in both, Grrrrrrrrrr.

  - Alright, Garrl! We'll do it, but on my terms, because I think I know what is lurking and how to defeat it.

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  - That's the spirit, brother! What's the plan?

  During my research on mana minerals, I discovered one that easily adsorbs mana. I used it during the fight against Garrl, and now I would use it again; I just had to extract the mana it contained and isolate it with another mineral that doesn't absorb mana. It was difficult to achieve, but I did it. I should find some use for it, but what I never thought this application would be for was to defeat a kind of crocodile that somehow used its mana to camouflage itself, because yes, I suspected that was what was stalking us.

  It was natural that, thanks to my kobold senses, I managed to perceive it, but my human instincts screamed danger at me, and that's not bad, it's what I am now, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, but if I want to support Garrl and his people, I must understand that this pride is part of their nature and, while it can lead to unnecessary risks, it also allows you to surpass yourself and keep growing. It's something that humanity also has in its own way, facing the impossible and winning; maybe I wasn't like that in my previous life and I sacrificed it in this one, but that doesn't mean I can't try.

  - Ready, Garrl? Why will you only have this opportunity?

  - I just need one chance, brother.

  - Ok, I'll fly low, and as soon as you see it, attack it with everything.

  I began my flight and subsequent descent. I won't lie, I was scared, but I knew it couldn't hurt me if I did what I know how to do and what I've been training for. I must expand my mana to perceive when the crocodile is near and trust my danger instincts to know where it is; it's crazy, but I know I can.

  - ……………………………………… There you are!

  I threw the mineral stone at it and immediately flew away; I had trained to propel myself by accumulating mana in my wings and could take off from the ground or increase my speed as I was doing now in a burst. The mineral struck the creature and absorbed its mana, revealing part of its scaly skin; it was all Garrl needed, a place to hit. He had trained to gather all his mana into a single point and release it in one blow; it was the strongest attack we had, and it left him without mana. Although we knew the water would cushion part of that blow, what we were looking for was not to kill that creature, but to make it know that we are not prey.

  There was a great uproar when Garrl unleashed his attack; the creature took the hit, although not directly from Garrl's mana, but it forced it to become fully visible, and yes, it was similar to an immense crocodile several meters long.

  Garrl's attack only enraged the crocodile, and I knew it because I felt it in his mana, but he forgot about me and my mana attack in the form of a fireball that he didn't see coming until it hit him dead on, and his fury vanished as he realized he had stalked the wrong prey, because he immediately fled.

  Garrl roared victoriously from the riverbank and I from the sky. I know it was foolish and crazy to want to confront that thing, there wasn't even a need, but I remembered that feeling of wanting to prove that I am worthy and that I am proud to be a descendant of the great dragons. Even today, I am still learning what it means to be a kobold. What a surprise!

  ………………………………………………….

  Kingdom of Jódecas.

  The council meeting went as expected: terribly wrong. What more could be expected with this bunch of corrupt councilors who have only pulled their strings for their own benefit and that of their corrupt allies?

  While King Erick is a good man, he inherited from his sick father, who was easily manipulated, a kingdom that was in economic ruin and on the brink of invasion for not paying its debts, although the truth is that the neighboring kingdoms always wanted to invade us because we have the main entrance to the great mana mountain ranges; the debt was just another excuse. However, we must accept that we did this to ourselves by allowing this corruption to grow and practically sell our own kingdom.

  The king bet everything on finding a mana-rich deposit that would either help the economic situation or create weapons to defend ourselves, and I, naively, gave him that hope again by studying the kobold core that came to me from the first expedition. It wasn't the right thing; we had respected the agreement and even spent many resources trying to prevent illegal extraction at least on our border, something that other kingdoms did not do and even had the audacity to extract the mineral illegally to avoid being blamed.

  We all knew it, but no one did anything and there was no way to prove it. The only consolation is that their access points were much more complicated, to the point that in some cases they were not profitable; however, this harmed us, as illegal mining concentrated on us and thus bribery and corruption began. But if what the survivors of the second expedition say is true, and most of the mountain range became inaccessible to humans, including ours, and although it might seem good since it would force everyone to respect the agreement, it leaves us in check.

  Now our only bargaining chip or salvation has become inaccessible, and when the other kingdoms find out, they will attack us. So many years and money corrupting our kingdom, only to end up with nothing; I would laugh at them if I didn't know that, once they conquer us, they will find a way to access the mountain range again.

  But what caused that immense and impossiblemiasma field? Is it possible that what my teacher warned me about, and the teacher of his teacher, and all their predecessors, is true? I thought it was just a legend meant to scare us, to prevent us from extracting resources and destroying that mountain range, and thus be able to preserve it for natural protection, as a debt of all humanity for helping us after the great war to the kingdom of…………….

  - Merlan! Merlan! The king asked you a question, focus.

  - Excuse me, Your Majesty, what did you ask me?

  - Oh! Merlan, you are the best sorcerer in this kingdom, but you ramble a lot. I was asking you: Do you think you can find out what happened in the caves and even undo it?

  - If I'm honest, I wouldn't know what happened if I wasn't there, but one thing I'm sure of: if a miasma field of such dimensions exists, there wouldn't be any human magic, at least none that I know of, that would allow access to those caverns, and the only way to undo it is by destroying what caused it; that is, if someone created that spell.

  - Do you think someone did it ……………………….? Do you think they did it? For all the times the agreement was disrespected?

  - I don't think so, they are not like that, they are more passive observers, they don't like to intervene in conflicts, just to mediate; also, as far as I know, they wouldn't have that kind of magic either. Now, it is true that it is possible to create a miasma field, but not of such dimensions and lasting for days, as confirmed by the survivors.

  - Then tell me, Merlan. Could that field no longer be present while we speak?

  - Well, it should no longer be there, but if it still existed, we would be witnessing a magic that would be incredible.

  - Ha! Incredible magic that, if it existed, would lead us to ruin. ……………………… Well, here's what we'll do: you will go with a third expedition group to confirm if that miasma field, still exists and, if it does, try to understand what happened. Take everything you need, but be careful; your group will be small to move quickly. I will talk to those guys to see if they were the culprits or at least to get them to help us avoid a war; I will also try to negotiate more time with the neighboring kingdoms and our allies. ……… General! ……… Prepare your best men and beasts; spare no expense on weapons and armor. Prepare your best men and beasts; spare no expense on weapons and armor. I know that place is dangerous, but I need you to go as fast as you can.

  - Your Majesty, can I speak with you in private?

  - Of course, Merlan. Get out of the room! That's all.

  Once the room was empty, and before I spoke, the king spoke to me first.

  - Listen, Merlan, if it's about the kingdom's corruption, I already know who the suspects are and I've sent soldiers to watch them in case they try to betray us, which I don't believe; because their heads would roll too. They are the ones who owe the most to the other kingdoms, and they know they don't need them to invade and conquer us.

  - I understand that partially and it reassures me, but if you are going to speak with those who formed the pact, it is necessary that I be present. I understand that partially and it reassures me, but if you are going to speak with those of us who formed the pact, it is necessary for me to be present. This was signed between the surviving royalty and the sorcerers; besides, you know how particular they are.

  - Well, don't worry, just come back as soon as you can and I hope with good news. Alright, don't worry, just come back as quickly as you can and I hope with good news. In the meantime, I'll just advance the protocols for the meeting. You know how difficult it is to meet with them. I'll give you 80 days to at least send me a message, if the kingdom isn't invaded by then... ……….… Be honest with me, Merlan, I know about the legends, do you think they are true? What did we do wrong in attacking that kobold village? Other kingdoms have already done it and have destroyed entire villages, and nothing has happened; it's all just coincidence, right?

  - For the great spirits, I hope so, Your Majesty. I can't even imagine that what happened more than 300 years ago will happen again; humanity barely survived, and although we rebuilt, I believe we have been making the same mistakes. I just hope that doesn't bring them back and that it's all a legend or a tale to scare us.

  - But those things no longer exist, we defeated them or so the legends say; they will never attack humanity again and the kobolds, who are the only remnants of them, are now just a few scattered tribes that remain. They are not a threat to any kingdom and, even if they united, they wouldn't be either.

  - With all the respect that your majesty deserves, I never agreed with those expeditions, and with what they did in them, and I admit that I may have made a mistake in reporting that possible mana deposit; I don't know if that is causing all this, and I sincerely did it to try to help the entire kingdom, because I know what a terrible situation we are in, but if it was our fault, we must accept the consequences, even if they are not fair.

  - Haha, Justas. I didn't ask for any of this, you know, Merlan? to be remembered as the Great King Erick, who brought ruin to the kingdom of Jódecas, and may the great spirits save me from something worse.

  - Your Majesty, calm down, we will somehow get through this; besides, they are just legends. I will inform you as soon as I know something; I take my leave.