Revelation

When they left the endless forest, they came across a monolith again, which they avoided, deciding to continue on their way. The happiness of seeing the light was quickly suppressed by the discomfort of the humidity of the environment and having the ankles, and often even the knees, covered by water and mud.

The sudden change surprises them again, increasing their caution against anything that inhabited that place, but for the moment they only see small animals, although rare, and some tracks that indicated that larger things were also prowling around the place.

They confirmed their suspicions when heard the sound of water moving and that was clearly not produced by them. The sound came closer and closer, urging them to hurry to get out of the murky water and forcing them to climb a tree with difficulty because of the mosses that grew on its crust.

Below them they think they see a part of the beast, flat rocks covered its body as well as its long tail. They only manage to notice those details before it disappears again under water of the same color as its body.

"Was it covered with rocks?" Ezer asks incredulously, not believing even his words.

"I don't think so, I've never seen a living being with rocks in its body... some kind of bone perhaps?" It's the only answer she manages to formulate with so little information and the truth is that it was correct, although she didn't know that at the time.

“It doesn't matter. From now on we must take care of the water and look for ways on dry land.

“I think the same, we don't know what attracts that thing and we don't know how strong it is.” Both descend from the tree several minutes later, noticing no trace of the scaled beast.

They had only advanced a little in the uncomfortable terrain for a day, deciding to rest in a place with solid ground, and thus, avoid the beast.

“There is a lot of water in this place. Doesn't this increase the possibility of finding the flower?” Ezer had his feet close to the fire relieving the dampness on them.

“The water is a condition, but we are in a completely different environment than the one I am used to. It seems like we are in another world, I don't know any plant or animal in this place.” She also has her feet in front of the fire with clothes next to her drying.

“After everything that's happened…sometimes it's hard for me to remember the reason for our search. I know a girl needs it, but I'm not doing it for her, but rather to pay my debt. I want to thank you for what you did for me with more than just words.” Ezer stares into the flames, tired enough to be ashamed of his words.

“I know and I'm glad you're with me, I don't think I would have come to this place alone. Anyway, I do it for that girl, our town is small and we all know each other as a family.” She was also tired, although never did she let her guard down, concentrating on her hearing more than her sense of smell, since it was rendered useless by the scent of rotting vegetation.

“I don't think everyone moves for her sake. I don't think they prioritize the welfare of someone other than themselves or their blood relatives.”

“That's also true. If the cure brings more harm than good, they will have no choice but to abandon her. We help each other to survive, up to a point.” Lyaria sighs acknowledging reality.

"Then why did you get to this point? Why do you go further than others breaking that common sense? Is it from your family? Do you know her personally?” Ezer bombards her with questions that he had from the beginning of the trip and that only now, knowing her better, dared to ask them.

“When I was a child, I found a bird with its broken wing on the ground as it bled to death. I immediately picked it up and took it to the healer's house who is like a grandfather to me. When I arrived and found no one, I began to heal it myself. I used lots of herbs and mixed them the way my grandfather had taught me. When I stopped the bleeding and finished bandaging its wing, I was overjoyed that I had saved it.” She pauses for a moment changing the light expression of joy and nostalgia to a more bitter one remembering the past.

“When my grandfather came back and I proudly showed him my action... he repressed me severely, it was the first time he had really been angry with me. What I used to save that bird could have saved several people, and someone really needed them. He force me to accompany him and look for the herbs I had used, regardless of my tears.

“Later he told me that what I did was not wrong, but sometimes to save one was to condemn others. Both he and my father say that my weakness lies in my compassion... from that day on, I never tried to save an animal with resources other than those I could achieve by respecting the order of nature. But I can't do the same with people, I think that if we all really try to help each other we can get out of any problem.” She closes her eyes momentarily remembering more things from her past leaving Ezer thinking about her words.

“What she thinks is beautiful and unreal at the same time, I can't help but agree with her grandfather's words. However, I think the world would be a better place if there were more people who think the same as her, unfortunately I am not part of that.” Ezer smiles wryly to himself.

"Weakness or not...thanks to that I'm alive." He spoke those words with genuine gratitude and it showed in his tone of voice, at least it did for her.

Lyaria smiles in response.

“This time I get first watch.” She stands up and puts on her fairly dry boots.

“Good.” Ezer does not argue and thanks for the well-deserved rest.

The night passes without any sign of trouble until the middle of it, at the moment when they were about to rotate their guard, they can hear the sound of water being disturbed and the footsteps of something approaching.

“What's that!?” Ezer can't help but scream as he speaks and Lyaria thinks the exact same thing in her mind.

The first thing that manages to illuminate the flames of the fire are its long scaly legs, then its elongated mouth from which white teeth were lined up and, finally, its slanted greenish eyes like a cat that were fixed on both of them.

The reptile was not only of great size in terms of length and thickness, but also its height was considerable thanks to its large and muscular legs that almost placed it on the same level as a horse. It was clear that it showed no fear of fire, yet Ezer picks up a stick with a burning tip and throws it at his head. The beast's response is to close its greenish eyes and let the object hit its head without even moving, much less burning it thanks to its armor.

Thanks to this, Ezer completely dismisses the idea of using fire, so he focuses his attention on his sword and the beast. He can't help but mourn the loss of Lyaria's spear and how useful it would now be in keeping it at bay.