The moaning and crying sounds of wounded Kobolds faded to the background as Jake followed Bolyr deeper into the tunnel. An earthy smell mixed with something pungent and sharp that he couldn't quite place. Gria moved at the back, behind the kobolds, alert at something coming from behind them.

As they moved into a larger room with a single open tunnel on the far side, the most distinct sounds were the soft padding of kobold feet and the heavier of his.

None of the kobolds seemed inclined to talk, and that suited Jake just fine. His eyelids were constantly drooping, and the warmth of the tunnels wasn't helping. Had they been talking, he might have fallen asleep, no matter the danger.

Four winding tunnels later, and deep under the ground, the temperature was so stifling Jake gave in and pulled in the little water energy drifting around. As soon as he changed it to ice energy, a waft of cool air spread from his body, and his mind cleared to a crisp. He felt a slight drain, but he had dealt with worse during the river battle.

A soft sigh of relief came from the kobolds moving beside him, and even Bolyr slowed to walk closer.

"We are almost there, one more tunnel, and we are at the mana-well," Bolyr whispered.

Jake nodded, wondering what crap he was going to get into this time. Whatever had screamed can't have from this deep, the voice would never have carried.

Before they arrived at the last corner, a distant murmured conversation reached them. The group slowed down, and just before the bend, they stopped. Bolyr made a few weird hand gestures at the other Kobolds, and they nodded, spreading out weapons ready.

Jake saw something pass between Bolyr and Gria as they looked at each other, and the female leader of the Antracii ground her teeth before nodding and taking a step back. Bolyr snuck forward and took a swift look around the corner. His shocked intake of breath was the loudest sound until he roared.

"ATTACK!"

Surging into motion, Jake moved past the kobolds and swiveled around the corner into a large oval-shaped room.

In an instant, he took in his surroundings; hardened walls reflected white light from a bright glowing coral-shaped stone in the middle of the room. Before the glowing stone stood Tess, drawing a strange bloodred symbol. Beside her lay a kobold in a pool of blood, and she used its blood to draw the symbols. Next to her stood an unknown goblinoid. He was bigger than goblins but smaller than orcs, and when he turned to the entrance, Jake saw a gaunt but handsome face. Elongated, pointy ears stuck through lush, thick black hair.

"And the Dragon arrives!"

The figure's voice was oily but held an otherworldly ring to it. It sounded like someone on the verge of singing and only just holding back. Jake shivered. Something about the thing triggered a deep surge of fear laced with hate. He slowed down, and at that moment, the kobolds rounded the bend and stormed into the room.

"Diadr!" Bolyr's shout got him only a slight smile from the grey and green-skinned lips, while Tess didn't stop as she rapidly carved out more symbols on the stone.

The kobolds rushed forward, passing Jake, but before they got far, the Diadr raised his hand. A visible wave of shimmering light spread from it and encompassed the group of kobolds.

With a pop, Jake's cold aura disappeared, and the mana inside him almost exploded out. The cave shuddered as his body crashed into the ground, powerless. It was as if all the blood in his body wanted to burn its way out.

"Aww, did that hurt you? So sorry, perhaps I should have told you to stop your tricks before I started mine."

The Kobolds were also on the ground, only Bolyr remaining on one knee, as the Diadr moved towards them. Everything about his movements was graceful, from the way he stepped to the slight tilt and shift of his upper body.

Through the haze of pain and weakness, Jake watched the Diadr move towards the closest Kobold shivering on the ground. He knew something bad was going to happen, and he tried to crawl forward, but it was no use. Even the slightest movement caused his body to cramp, hot pain almost causing him to blackout. He kept his eyes on the Diadr, wishing he could kill him and rip him apart.

Again, with a graceful movement, the Diadr placed his foot on the Kobold's neck and grinned at Jake.

"Why do you look so angry? If you don't like what I do, come and stop me."

His words fell like blows on Jake's ears, and he tried again to move, forcing his body to rise. Pain blinded his vision and dulled his hearing, and he sagged down, breathing raggedly. A dull snap pierced the haze, and when he could see again, the Diadr had moved to another kobold. The first one lay to the side, its head at an odd angle.

This time the Diadr didn't speak but just snapped the kobolds neck before moving to the next, Bolyr.

"Still up, I see? I guess you're the weakest mana user here. Well, it won't save you!" The Diadr gripped the sides of Bolyr's head.

A rush of light accompanied a ripping, tearing sound. The Diadr let go of Bolyr and turned to Tess.

The Fiend was breathing raggedly, leaning against the stone with one hand. In front of her was a black, stary filled hole with jagged edges.

"Move! We have less than ten seconds. Those insects seriously drained the well!" Tess looked at Jake, a smile on her weary face. "You can't come with me; the others might capture you, or worse!"

It took a second before Jake remembered those were the words they had used when they left Tess behind on the island.

The Fiend had lingered for a second and seemed to see the realization set in. She snorted and stepped through the portal, whisking away like a spec.

"I think you hurt her feelings!" The Diadr said with a laugh before kicking the motionless Bolyr in the chest and running to the portal. "I wish you luck in this ass corner of this world. Perhaps after I am done conquering the rest, I'll see if you managed to survive!"

Laughing in his sickly sweet voice, the Diadr dashed into the portal, disappearing as Tess had.

The portal remained open for a few more seconds before a loud crack ran through the cave, and the portal disappeared. The glowing symbols faded until they were just markings on the grey stone that began cracking. Small pieces fell, and with a woosh, the drawn section slid down like a miniature avalanche, the pieces crumbling on the ground.

A soft sigh came from the entrance, and Gria walked in, staring at the kobolds with the snapped necks. Kneeling, she felt for a pulse, and when she didn't find one, her shoulders sagged a bit. She said nothing as she moved towards the debris, staring down at a reasonably intact piece with a partial symbol.

"This symbol... Hellion Gorge." She cursed and kicked the piece, causing it to disintegrate into a floating pile of dust. She then placed her hand on the remaining mana-well, half mumbling to herself. "It's drained, barely anything left, and damaged. It might never regain its former power..."

The rest of what she mumbled was so soft Jake didn't understand, and it didn't last long. She moved next to him, sitting down next to his head and staring into his eyes. The lines around her eyes were more visible than what Jake remembered, and the sheen of her scales was dull.

"I fear that Fiend had a hand in a lot of what has happened. Those goblin attacks struck me as weird when I heard about them... And insectoids working hand in hand with goblins? Unheard of! Even if you are from another world, I don't believe it one bit." Gria had a faraway gaze.

Half an hour later, the first of the Kobolds managed to get back up. Jake had insisted the others go up, partially because they might be needed, but more because he wanted some quiet. As he lay there, he had finally realized what had bugged him before. He had somehow forgotten about Melissa.

It took hours more before Jake managed to drag his weary body out of the tunnel system and into the open area. It was dark and quiet outside, the light from the hundreds of stars and the silvery moon barely penetrating the dense canopy. Although the air was cool and fresh compared to the dank caves, a pungent scent of burned meat hung over everything. At the edge of the open area, a faint orangey glow glittered between the bushes.

Where are you, Melissa, Jake thought as he wondered where the kobolds had gone. Along the thick trunk of the heart tree nested only a few dozen houses in different states of completion. Even with all the losses, they couldn't house all of the Kobolds. Soft laughter came from the other side of the island, opposite the orange burning pyre, which he assumed the glow was.

He moved towards the sound, thudding forward, his legs feeling like stone stilts. As he crossed the wide-open area, he heard voices, many in high spirits. More laughter echoed his way, almost as if he was heading to a neighborhood barbeque. The path through the bushes ended on a grassy outcrop wide enough for the group of kobolds gathered there. They were laughing and dancing in the light of the moon, drinking from wrapped up leaf cups.

Watching the festivities stood a group of kobolds; Melissa, Bolyr, and Gria. Seeing the purple scaled Kobold on her feet, Jake let out a pent up sigh of relief. Only a few of the partying kobolds noticed his passing, as absorbed as they were in the dancing and drinking. Melissa had bruises across her face, neck, and arms obscured by the darkness of her scales. Tir lay draped around her shoulders, sleeping. One of Mellisa's arms hung in a sling made of purple leaves, and she kept moving her weight from one foot to the other.

Jake towered over the others and lay down when he saw they all had to crane to look at him. With his head on his front legs, he glimpsed at Tir before staring at Melissa. The dark purple female Kobold was silently observing him. "Are you alright?"

"No, I am not. I've got a broken arm, bruised and broken ribs, and more bruises on my face than I dare count. Now, if you're asking if I'll live, then yeah." Melissa's words came out snappy, but she stepped forward with a smile. "I hear you got to face off with a mana-burner?"

Jake gaped at her. He knew what a mana-burner was, of course, but hearing the old term was jarring and reminded him of long ago. He also realized that she was probably right. It made more sense than anything else he could think of anyway. "How do you even know these terms? Don't tell me you're a gamer?"

"A bonified noob-slayer is what I am!" Using her one good arm, Melissa struck a pose that ended with a gasp and a wince.

Jake snorted and was about to remark on her poor form when he saw Gria and Bolyr stare at them as if struck by thunder. "Bolyr, you look like you've seen a ghost."

The heavyset Kobold frowned. "I have never seen a ghost, although I've heard of them." He looked at Gria with a curious look.

The de facto leader of the Antracii shook her head with a smile that quickly faded again. "No, and I don't think that's what he meant. Jake, why are you still here? The urge must be almost unstoppable now; you need to be careful!"

Jake stumbled, as a sudden desire to turn and run to the sea seemed summoned by her words. Pushing the sensation back was harder than he remembered, and worriedly he stared at Gria. "What do you mean, be careful?"

Gria shrugged, and for the first time, Jake noticed the uncertainty in her eyes. "From what I know, if awoken don't follow their instincts, it can have dangerous consequences."

Jake felt like strangling her. Why didn't you tell me that sooner? He barely kept his thoughts to himself, but they must have shown on his face because Gria sighed.

"I am sorry, but without you, we might not have made it," she said, staring him straight in the eye without backing down.

Staring back at the steel resolve, Jake suddenly realized something. Even though the kobolds practically worshipped awoken, they still put their own lives above his. Somehow, he had forgotten that, and in the process, believed everything they told him. Another thought popped to the for, and he looked at Bolyr. How many of the other things are true?

Bolyr averted his eyes and looked at Gria. "You could have told me." His words were weary and tired and tinged with pain.

"No. You are too old-fashioned, would have done everything to protect him, even if we needed his help. The Anatraci are almost extinct, but what remains has a good chance here!"

Bolyr's shoulders slumped, and he turned to Jake. "Jake, you need to go before something bad happens. I don't have the knowledge she has; if I had, I would have told you."

The loud partying continued, but a quiet hung over their small group as Jake stared at Bolyr, Gria, and finally at Melissa. "Will you be ok?"

"Do I have a choice?" she shot back.

"I guess not." Jake turned to Bolyr and frowned. "I trust you, Bolyr. I believe you will make sure everyone here will be ok when I get back."

If I get back, he thought, feeling the desire to run away grow stronger again.

It took a few seconds before Bolyr looked up, but as he did, his jaw squared, and his yellow fist cracked as he balled it. "I promise you; your people will be fine as long as I am here!"

Gria took a step forward and raised her hand in a peculiar gesture. "I know you don't have a reason to believe or trust me, but your people will fare well here. When you come back, we will have a flourishing town here!"

Jake sighed before turning away and staring at the party. The sweet scent of the drink the kobolds were drinking mixed with the fresh smell of leaves, and the smokey scent of burning goblin caused his long scaly nose to twitch.

"Fine. Is there anything you haven't told me yet?" He asked, turning his long neck to stare at Gria.

She shook her head. "No, you know all I know."

Jake doubted it, but he also worried he didn't have the time to figure out what she might be hiding. Taking another look at Melissa, he nodded for her to follow him away. She shrugged, and he walked back towards the center of the island, exchanging a final nod with Bolyr before he stepped between the bushes.

Melissa's soft footsteps followed him, and the shouting and partying dulled down as the vegetation enclosed them. Back in the open area, Jake turned and saw Melissa frown at him as she stroked Tir's smooth blue scales.

"Do you trust them?" he asked.

Melissa seemed to think for a bit, and when she finally answered, she sounded unsure and hesitant. "Bolyr perhaps, but not Gria. She will do anything to save her kind, but I think I can handle her."

"I hope you are right. Listen, if you feel your change coming, make sure you get a good look at the sky as we said! And if Mason comes back, tell him I'll come back when I can."

Melissa nodded before smiling at him. "Next time we see each other, we can go flying together!"

Jake nodded back and looked at Tir. His little sibling was still sleeping. He almost left her with Melissa but then shook his head. He had forgotten about her once, and it had caused her to lose her mind. With a sigh, he held out his scales and hands, and Melissa placed Tir in them. A small smile spread around her lips, and she nodded. Putting the small lizard behind his neck, close to the frills, he felt her instinctively clutch on. The simple gesture strengthened his resolve to take her. Without looking, he moved to the nearest water edge. "I'll come back when I can!" He said before running towards the thing that beckoned him.

As he surged into the undergrowth and towards the wall, he thought he heard Melissa say something, but he couldn't stop. He scrambled across the wall, across the muddy bank, and jumped into the clear water of the lake.

Feeling the energy from the water flow into him, Jake shot forward, towards the sea. The worry for those left behind, Melissa and even Bolyr, evaporated as the desire to follow his instincts burned like a bonfire in his mind. The last thing to pass through his mind before he started acting solely on instincts was the hope that Mason had the same desire and that it wasn't water but a location that he was heading to. Perhaps his friend would be there!

Then, all there was left was his blue and silver shape as it blurred through the water, leaving behind bubbles and foam.