While advancing into the woods, at a slow step, Fenrir and his fellows started to hear whispers. Yet, those whispers didn’t scare them, but made them attentive, for they seemed to be the whispers of the forest, which was telling its story through words:

„This world is even weirder and ancient than someone can believe,” a woman’s voice whispered. „Also, this forest is considered the Cradle of Civilization and the place where the Universe has hidden its power eventually, that power which is able to open the Gates of the Old Eden, the one known today as Aeon.”

Then, pleasant leaves rustling was heard everywhere. A rustling that made the travelers feel so well while looking around. And they were really amazed to see the light, which was falling from above as golden rays, passing through the trees’branches and bathing the ground into a warm color. Yet, not only those rays were pleasant to watch, but also their dance, somehow in a circle in places while in others they were seen moving as if a woman’s body was sensually dancing.

Later, when those rays intertwined their dance with the slow one of the wind felt around and with the dance of the branches that was shivering the leaves in a sweet clink, the voice of a man continued the story, „This forest is ancient and sacred. A place everyone knows as the first forest that ever existed on Earth, the one that has given birth to Titans, Gods, Spirits, and other mythical creatures that live all around the world today. And the most wonderful thing here is its magical power, found in the camp of the wolves, those that have the same name as the forest, because they consider that this connects them more with the magic of the place.” After that, the golden light had been replaced by a green one, like that light seen by the two pairs of lovers that looked for loneliness in two in that kingdom of leaves. Moreover, not only that green light surrounded them. The same happened with the fireflies, which were sparkling here and there, giving special magic to the horizon at that moment.

Thus, while looking in amazement around, Fenrir said, „Actually, these whispers of nature aren’t heard only to make someone feel the magic so well. These words are the ancient Legends of Rophions in fact, which say that, somewhere in this magic forest, the ancestors have hidden the Gates of Aeon to protect them. Nevertheless, the same legends say that the one who will open the Gates of Aeon someday must sacrifice something valuable or someone dear. Thus, paying a tribute for having the luck to have found Eden, he would also pay an eternity for what he has lost. And… he will find peace only when he wanders the Lands of the Underworld, those lands where the Spirits and the souls of humans forget everything that they have ever lived on earth.”

„Do you mean the Lands of Maranam?” Kalimērā asked him. The others, however, even if asked in a whisper, had heard her question, too. That is why Island's soldiers and the ghouls have started to murmur. Yet, not paying attention to those murmurs, the woman continued her thought, „What I don’t understand is… how this is possible that in such a magical forest someone can whisper about those Lands of Dread.”

„It’s because everything is connected here,” replied Samaya, instead of her brother. „A kind of cause and effect. That’s why, the voice of the woman you’ve heard, is considered the Voice of Life.”

„What about the Voice of the Man? Whose voice is that?” One of the soldiers asked.

„Nobody knows this,” the wise Island told him. „Some say that is Yggdrasil’s voice. Others… that is Father Chaos’s voice for sure. However, most of the humans and creatures, including the Elders of the Council of Rophions think that the voice is…”

„…Maranam’s voice,” murmured Sephir, and her whisper made everybody shudder. Then, feeling something strange around her, Sephir stopped and looked around her. Thus, she saw everybody staring at her, afraid, something that amazed her a lot. That is why she asked in an innocent voice, „Did I say something strange?”

„Strange maybe not. Yet, I think you said something you should haven’t loudly said,” Bestla whispered in her ear, approaching her sister from the right. „More than that: I think that nobody here is so eager to hear the name of that bastard, especially after everything we've passed through while coming here.”

Nevertheless, even though Bestla thought only Sephir heard her voice, she had been so surprised to hear Arion’s voice in her right ear, „What I think is that the one who should be more careful with what she says, are you, Bestla, for… your whispers, in someone’s ear, can be considered betrayal.” Then, seeing Bestla looking askance at him, a hint that she disliked his joke, Arion decided to give up, „I was just saying. Don’t take it personally.”

This made Bestla sigh because she would have told something nice to Arion if she hadn’t heard Calmac’s voice to her left, something that made her wince, „Yet, what’s the deal with that Eden? Is there something good to eat there?” Calmac asked.

A hit over the back of his head, received from Zorrota, made Calmac show the other one his teeth. Zorrota instead didn’t bother at all about the ghoul’s anger. He only reproachfully told him, „The only thing you always think about is food. The others talk here about important things, like the beginning of this World, while you…,” and, reproachfully shaking his head, he took a few steps away from Calmac.

„It’s good that you know everything,” Calmac unhappily mumbled, still touching the back of his head, for he felt that slap well. Yet, he followed Zorrota eventually, like a puppy, asking him in half a voice, „And still, Zorrota, what’s that Eden?”

„I don’t know. Ok?” Zorrota drily told him.

„What I think is that you know this and very well. Actually, I see this in your eyes, those that hide things from others. But… you want to keep everything for you only.”

Calmac’s remark made Zorrota wince. After that, looking askance at the ghoul, he ironically asked him, „And? What else do you know?”

„That you’re hiding something from us.” Then he looked around and saw everybody staring at them, for their whispers seemed suspect to everybody. Even so, the ghoul kept whispering to Zorrota, „Also, I know that what you hide is something involving us all. I think. Only… even though I’ve been following you for such a long time, I couldn’t find out. Nevertheless, I’ll find out this for sure. And then…”

„Be my guest!” Zorrota told him drily; for he also noticed the others looking askance at them and understood it was time to stop whispering to Calmac, for it looked suspect to the others. „And… good luck at searching. Tell me if you need help,” he finished his speech in mockery. After that, Zorrota approached Kalimērā, who had already made him a sign to approach her. Yet, he preferred to wait a little bit just to find out how much Calmac knew about him, for Zorrota was really hiding things.

Zorrota’s „indifference,” however, didn’t cheat on Calmac. This one, staring behind the ghoul, who was already next to Kalimērā, talking to her in a whisper, cooked his nose. Then, barely heard, Calmac growled, „Yet, I’m sure he’s hiding things. Only… my dear Zorrota, you’re in big trouble, for… I smelled you. And…” However, he kept silent, seeing the others starting to move again and that was because he didn’t want to stay behind. Not in that strange forest illuminated by green rays of light and… fireflies.

Behind him, Zorrota kept peeping at Calmac, for he found that one’s behavior was strange. Yet, he winced eventually when Kalimērā grabbed his arm and forced him to watch her. Then, staring into his eyes, she asked, „Yet, you didn’t answer Calmac’s question.”

„Which one?” Tried the ghoul to play the fool.

„About Eden. Something tells me that you know the answer.”

„Of course, not,” replied Zorrota in half a voice.

„Then? About what you and Calmac whispered to each other not long ago?”

„About stupid ideas that have crossed this one’s head lately. Nothing important. You know: he only tries to make others argue and fight. Something he’s very good at, actually.”

„Even so, it didn’t seem to me that you scolded him.”

„Why waste my energy, queen Kalimērā? You know better than me that this won’t help. In addition, I also find it weird that he’s always whispering in someone's ear. As if he’s trying to split us up.”

„You’re right this time,” said Kalimērā eventually, frowning. „I also noticed him doing this lately.”

„Then? Why didn’t you say anything?”

„Because the Titans also kept silent.”

„The Titans? Do they also know that Calmac acts strangely?”

„Yeah, but… for some unknown reason to me, they left him doing this. What surprises me more is that Calmac does such cheap things, for… I know that he’s a chicken and that he always does what others tell him to do. Those who have authority, I mean. Yet, after Tomai’s death and, more, after we have crossed that strange Forest of the Barefaced, he has changed a lot. The same I can tell about his character: it’s bitterer than ever. Moreover, I dislike the fact that he’s mumbling all the time, too. As though he is planning something or losing his mind, for…”

She swallowed hard eventually when she heard Calmac’s voice in her left ear, „What about you, queen Kalimērā, do you also not know what that Eden is?” However, she wasn’t scared to see Calmac, but because she didn’t notice him approaching her.

Even so, she calmed down quickly. Then, smiling, she told him, „Of course, I know. Actually, I thought that everybody knows this.”

„Knows? Everybody? What exactly?”

„What Eden is, of course. But I see that not everybody is aware of great things as Eden is,” she decided to tease him.

This made Calmac frown, „If this isn’t something good to eat, I don’t have any reason to know what it is then.”

Another slap over the back of his head made him scream. Then, touching his head, he looked back and, with hatred, stared at Ūḻal, who slapped him that time. She, however, wasn't scared at all by his grin. Then, as though trying to provoke him, she grinned, right in his face, to tell him later in mockery, „Even though Earth is round, it isn’t good to be eaten by fools like you in the end. More than that, I think you’re the only one who doesn’t know this.”

„What I think is that you still don’t know that it's a bad thing to poke your nose in someone else’s business. That question wasn’t for you,” the ghoul hissed through his teeth. After that, squeezing his fists and showing her his fangs, he walked toward her, trying to teach her some manners.

Ūḻal, however, at all bothered by his „daring,” stood in the same place, sweetly yawning. She even mumbled in mockery, „And still this fool Calmac thinks that everything that flies has good taste. Well, what a shame that there aren’t beasts here willing to eat him too.”

„That beast will do a favor to this world if it eats you, poisonous witch.”

„And you’re definitely cantankerous as far as I see,” Ūḻal told him, grinning. „What? Does it bother you when others tell you the truth, right in your face? Or… don’t tell me: do you ask about Eden thinking that you can find some tasty meat there?”

Yet, the mockery felt in her voice, managed to get under Calmac’s skin. That’s why he jumped over her eventually, being about to stub his fangs into her neck, which was as white as the milk. Nevertheless, he couldn’t do that because of Izkina, who grabbed the back of Calmac’s coat and kept him in place. Even so, Calmac’s eyes looked as if injected with blood and his fangs were chattering only a few millimeters from Ūḻal’s neck.

The Titanide, instead of taking a step back, was laughing like a mad person as though trying to drive Calmac definitely crazy. However, her hysterical laughter and Calmac’s screams awoke Kalimērā’s baby eventually, who started to cry. That’s why the woman started to whisper to him in a sweet voice, „Shhh, Piccai, shhh! Nothing happens! Only two fools arguing. That’s all. So, quiet, my boy! Mummy is with you. Mummy is with you!” Yet, her sweet voice didn’t calm the boy. He started to cry even more, hearing the hysteria created by Ūḻal and Calmac.

Nevertheless, this managed to drive Boor crazy, who shouted in the end, „Quiet! Stop this foolishness. Moreover, what’s wrong with you, people? Are you playing right now or what? In case you didn’t realize yet, we are at war, brothers of mine! That’s why we must think more and hate less. Is it absolutely necessary to break us into pieces just because we can’t control our madness and our savage instincts?”

„It’s something we’re born with, right?” Ūḻal defiantly told him. Then, carefully staring at Calmac’s teeth, stained with blood and which had a lot of things stuck between them, she cooked her nose and hissed through her teeth, „wash your teeth at least from time to time, idiot. They… stink!” After that, she slapped his face to make him go away from her.

Nevertheless, Calmac had felt that palm like a sledgehammer right on the top of the head. That's why, because the Titanide used her magic power when she slapped him, the ghoul flew like a ball a few meters away from her, hitting the thick trunk of a tree eventually. After that, when he fell on his stomach, even the earth hit his head twice. Even so, he was still conscious. Then, when he had been able to think normally, he pushed his body up, supporting himself on both palms. Moreover, while doing this, he hissed to Ūḻal through his teeth, „Now you definitely met the devil, bitch! I’ll show you what it means to bother Calmac.”

However, he very quickly withdrew, touching, with his back, the same trunk he hit after Ūḻal’s slap when he saw himself surrounded by wolves. Yet, those weren’t savage wolves, but those into which Samaya and Fenrir were transforming each time they had to fight or felt the danger close. In addition, seeing the wolves, it has definitely been a sign for Calmac to stay calm, more seeing their sharp fangs. That’s why he decided that it would be a wise idea to stay calm, stuck to that trunk. Nevertheless, he was slowly yelping, asking the wolves for mercy and some help from the other ghouls.

His brothers, however, didn’t rush to help Calmac, for… it seemed that they knew the meaning of the word: „it is better to be in one piece and safe than dead because of another fool." Actually, they understood this seeing that big gray wolf that seemed the biggest from his group hissing through his teeth to Calmac, „The only one who needs to be taught some manners here is you. And… do you really need a bath, my friend, for… in case you didn’t know… the wolves hate when someone stinks.”

„I didn’t do this because I wanted this,” stuttered Calmac, trying to move around that tree and run away from there later. „It’s because I didn’t find good water for washing myself while coming here. That’s why I told myself, „Ah, Calmac, what a punishment for you not to find water to wash your body. However, don’t worry; nobody will smell you because the only fools who can do this are the twin wolves. But they won’t do anything against you and while other wolves aren’t around…”

His mock words, however, managed to get Fenrir into a rage. That's why, outraged, the wolf hissed through his teeth, „This one wants to die today, for sure. If he wants this, I can help him with this.”

However, he didn’t approach Calmac eventually because of Sephir, who grabbed the wolf’s hand and reproachfully told him, „What’s your problem with him? He’s only a fool. He’ll understand eventually how things go around and will calm down.”

„Something I actually doubt!” Fenrir furiously growled. After that, he returned to his previous place, next to the thick trunk of a tree. Even so, he kept staring at Calmac, mumbling, „Don’t worry, idiot, I’ll put my paw on you, and then yes I’ll show you who the stupid one between us is.”

Calmac, however, didn't seem bothered by Fenrir’s words even if he heard them well. That's why he only grinned. After that, he decided to see what the deal with that big gray wolf was. That's why, to have more freedom to move, he stood on all four and carefully stared at the wolf.

The gray one, seeing himself so carefully analyzed by the ghoul, reproachfully shook his head. After that, growling, he said, „This one never learns. Even if you rip his skin off while he’s still alive.” Then he turned his back to Calmac.

Nevertheless, he stopped, hearing Calmac mumbling, „Try this if you can. But I’ll rip off your skin first!” Yet, he did this understanding that the ghoul won’t stay calm. Actually, he was right in thinking so because Calmac, thinking that it was the right time to show the wolf what he could do, pounced on him, trying to stub his fangs into the gray one’s neck. However, a big paw over his face when he was only half a meter above the gray wolf, threw him against the trunk again, which he actually hit with his head this time. That’s why, seeing many green stars in front, Calmac happily mumbled, „I also see Eden now. What a relief.”

This made the gray wolf slap his forehead as if he was a human at that moment. Then, reproachfully shaking his head, he turned toward the others and saw, in amazement, that everybody was watching him as seeing a ghost. Nevertheless, even though he was carefully watching each of those present there, he found nobody familiar. That’s why he frowned, thinking that strangers, various strangers and in large numbers, stepped on their lands. Actually, this was something he started to dislike.

However, seeing Fenrir, who was looking askance at him while trying to understand what the wolf wanted from them, the Gray smiled. Yet, Fenrir right away looked at the gray one with curiosity when this one told him, „Still, bro, what’s the deal?”

Fenrir, however, disliked the gray one’s words eventually when he felt a slight mock in them. More: he disliked the fact that the gray one was talking to him as though he was a father greeting his son that returned home. That’s why he took a few steps toward the wolf, wondering who the hell that one was and if he was someone he had known once because he felt that the manner of talking of that gray wolf was something he knew from somewhere.

Yet, he stopped eventually when he heard the Gray one saying, „You don’t recognize me, right?”

„Should I?” Fenrir asked him, feisty.

„Of course, you should. However, I also understand that you’ve probably forgotten me. It has probably been 14 years since you’ve left these lands. You were very little then, too. That’s why I think you have forgotten me and this place because…”

However, the gray one turned head over heels eventually when Samaya, like a big white she-wolf, pounced on him. Then, when the gray wolf shook his head and chased the dizziness away, he looked to his right at that white she-wolf that seemed cheerfully grinning at him. She even told him in a playful voice, „And I bet you have no damn idea who I am.”

„Should I?” The gray one asked the same question as Fenrir had asked.

„Yeah. Yet, maybe you forgot me because you were young then. Now you are so old and it seems to me that you have also started to forget things.” This made others laugh.

The gray wolf also smiled. Then, standing on all four, shook his head again and mumbled, „And you’re right. It definitely seems to have started getting older that even the kids turn me head over heels.”

„This is because you’ve been inattentive. That’s all,” a gray little wolf, with black ears, from his tribe, defended him. „But if you had…”

His words, however, made the big gray wolf turn toward him and tell him, „And you’ll do me a favor if you keep your mouth shut, Kkuṟai. And… who knows?! Maybe I can focus if you do that. So…”

„Yeah, yeah,” the little wolf teased him. „It’s as you say, pap: your little son is always the problem. But… what to do: being stupid and chattering all the time is a family problem.”

He kept silent in the end when a big black she-wolf, named Mai, approached him from the right and looked askance at him. Then she told him, „Yet, Kkuṟai, this is not what I’ve taught you.” Then she slapped the back of his head, teaching him some manners. Yet, it had been a sweet slap: of a mother. That’s why Kkuṟai grinned: a hint that he understood the message, and this made others laugh again.

His father, however, seeing his little son’s craziness, shook his head again. Then he mumbled, „Yet, I wasn't like him when I was his age. But… back to our businesses,” and he turned toward the white she-wolf again, who was calmly waiting for him. Nevertheless, seeing her so calm, the gray one comically frowned, „You say that I must know you. And maybe it’s as you say, but… familiar are only your eyes to me. But who you are…”

„What if you make your brain work a little bit?” The she-wolf teased him, yawning. „Who knows?! Maybe you guess… someday. Or… should I give you a hint?”

„It’ll be helpful!” Replied Yamu in a serious voice. Then he took a comfortable position and stared straight into her eyes. Nevertheless, even though he wanted to seem as though he was playing… he was still confused, for something was telling him that the white-she wolf was their princess. Yet, he knew she had gray fur. Now she was completely white, something not common for the Rophions. However, if the white she-wolf was definitely Samaya, then she was the first white wolf from their tribe. Even so, he decided to beg for that hint from her. Then, grinning, he told her, „So, let’s hear your hint.”

Samaya smiled, understanding his trick. Then she said, „If you insist, here it is - four paws, two black eyes, a gray tail, and a small brain completely out of reality.”

This made Yamu laugh, for those words reminded him of a riddle he used to tell the twins when they were small. Yet, he decided to tease her a little bit more, for it was funny her game. That’s why he suddenly became serious and told her, „Well, something familiar, but… maybe you give me another hint, huh? I’m old, remember?”

Instead of smiling, as she wanted to do, the she-wolf shook her head. After that, she mumbled, „Ah, so boring.” Yet, it was a joke. Then, taking a few more steps toward Yamu, she told him, „And the same gray tail always looks for trouble even when trouble runs away from her. So: who am I?”

She received an answer from Fenrir instead of Yamu, „I know someone who perfectly fits in that category.”

He grinned eventually when the she-wolf furiously stared at him and hissed through her teeth, „Nobody asked you, actually.”

„If you say so,” replied Fenrir still grinning. „I was just trying to help. But… if you want so, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

Reproachfully shaking her head, Samaya looked at Yamu again. Then, grinning, she told him, „Another hint?”

„If you are so kind!” Then Yamu smiled.

His smile made Samaya bow her head and sigh, „Ah, yes, I forgot that nobody could win against the old gray Yamu. Well, I must accept this: my bad.”

Her answer, however, made Yamu laugh with all his heart. „Yet, you managed to confuse me. Even though it had been for a few moments only. I must accept, too.”

„Really?” The she-wolf shouted that even her eyes blinked with happiness. „When exactly?”

„Not your words, anyway. It happened because of your fur: I knew it was grey. But I see that’s white now. Is it because of that mountain that’s always covered by snow?” Then he laughed again with all his heart as the others did. Later, taking his human shape, just like the others did, he bowed in front of the she-wolf.

Nevertheless, Samaya didn’t transform. Not right away. She only carefully looked at Yamu and found him really aged. Even so, she recognized his black eyes, olive skin, and curly hair that had white snowflakes through it. More than that, she remembered that barely-seen mustache, which was never growing more than that. That’s why she also smiled and took back her human body.

Seeing how she looked, Yamu smiled, „Yet, princess Samaya, it seems that time has stopped for you, for… you are as beautiful as when you were a child. Then, when we looked for you all over, thinking that we lost you. Or… maybe you are even more beautiful than then, huh?”

„You instead are so old,” Samaya teased him. „Actually, I thought that you look the same as 14 years ago and this is because you have seen Ratatosk then while I have had this luck to caress his fur only recently, to be honest.”

Her words made Yamu confused, for he really didn’t remember about Ratatosk. Only after a few moments, he remembered the white bunny Fenrir had carried in his arms then. That’s why he happily shouted, „Ah, yes, I really forgot about that. And the fact he had white fur… just like you.” After that, smiling, he knelt in front of Samaya, just as the others from his tribe did. However, when he tried to kiss her hand, he turned head over heels again, this time because of Fenrir, who pounced on him.

Then, after finishing rolling for a few meters, they stopped, on all four, one in front of the other, still in their human bodies. Later, staring at the other one as though seeing the prey, Fenrir said, „And… Yamu, I still don’t like when someone touches my sister without my permission.”

„Are you jealous now?” The man teased him.

„Absolutely. That’s why… I intend to teach you some manners today, old man. And, of course: to see if you are still as good at wrestling as you’ve been in your youth because… you look so old now.”

„Do you think so, young man? That I’m old, huh?! Then you’re definitely wrong and you’ll ask me for mercy after this,” Yamu told him, joking. Then, moving from one side to the other, while trying to chase the numbness from his bones away, he smiled at the young wolf.

Nevertheless, he didn’t manage to disarm Fenrir, as he wanted. That’s why Fenrir told him, grinning, „I don’t only think… I’m sure.” After that, jumping to his feet, he pounced over Yamu again.

This made Kkuṟai scream again, trying to tell his father how to defeat their prince. However, in the end, only a deaf mumble exited Kkuṟai’s mouth when Ilēcāṉa, or the Nimble one, his older brother, covered his mouth with his palm. Yet, when Kkuṟai furiously looked at him, the 17-year-old boy, told him, „Well, little brother, keep your mouth shut and don’t put our father to shame.”

Ilēcāṉa, however, took his palm off his 15-year-old brother’s mouth when Kkuṟai bit him. Then, looking askance at his older brother, Kkuṟai said, „I was just trying to help him. Only you think that… aaaa,” he shouted eventually when his sister, Akita, who had the same age as Samaya, grabbed his left ear. That’s why Kkuṟai furiously looked at her. Nevertheless, he gave up, seeing her grinning at him, a hint that if he had kept yelling, she'd have punished him for sure. That's why, upset, Kkuṟai simply turned his back on his older brothers and stared at the two „fighters,” who were already on their feet, face-to-face, lurking on each other while looking for the opportunity to put the other one down.

Their game, however, didn’t last long because, after being able to grab the other one’s waist and try to put the rival to the ground, they stopped, hearing Dike’s cheerful voice, „I still think that’s funnier for you without us!” Thus, looking at the Titan, they saw him approaching the group along with Lodur and Gaea, for they went to check the road if it was safe while sending the others to the camp on a short path. Yet, even though he saw everybody looking in amazement at him, Dike kept joking, „And I still think that’s funny to vanish. At least from time to time. This way, you can find out who has definitely grown old and who has not. Don’t you also think so, brother?”

„Absolutely,” replied Lodur, smiling. „Especially to see Fenrir also falling into contempt in front of others and not only in front of us.”

„Actually, I still hear you!” Fenrir growled. Then, helping Yamu, both men stood up.

„I didn’t even try to keep this thing a secret,” Lodur teased the young man. „But, if you insist, you have my permission to continue playing the fool.”

„The boy is strong and he doesn't fall into contempt in front of anyone for sure,” said Yamu, something that made Fenrir grin, very happy.

„Did you say that because he helped you to stand up?” Dike joked.

Yamu instead only shrugged. Then he murmured, „Why not?! I've just paid a good deed with another one.” After that, bowing to the ground, he said, „I’m glad you’re here, Master! Welcome home!”

„I’m also glad to see you, Yamu!” Said Dike kindly. Then he approached the man and rested his right palm on Yamu’s left shoulder. After that, looking at the others, Dike smiled, too, and said, „And I’m also glad to see new faces here. Young men, brave men, who were only cubs when I left. Now I see them defending our lands.” Then he winked at Kkuṟai, who smiled, being so happy to understand that their king saw him first.

Yamu, however, smiled, looking at Dike. Then he said, „Yet, master Dike, you went only three from this place. Now instead you returned home so many. And, many of your friends are people I’ve never expected to see here.”

„It’s because of necessity, Yamu. Moreover, with the war that’s approaching us. Nevertheless, let’s not talk about sad things today. I just want to enjoy being home. At least today.”

Then, resting his arm on his good friend’s shoulders, Dike went east, where their home was. Later, while advancing and seeing the forest bowing in front of him, Dike smiled, for he once again understood that their home was so beautiful. More than that he was happy that he finally came home and that he saw it not scorched as he saw it in a vision once. That’s why he actually decided to turn back home so early: to deeply inhale the scent of that forest and enjoy its beauty as long as it was still possible.

***

„And this place?” Asked Fenrir, confused. „I didn't remember this place.”

„Of course not, prince Fenrir,” replied Kkuṟai proudly, looking at the wooden bridge they were crossing at that moment. „This place was built 10 years ago. You left this forest more than 13 years ago. That’s why this place isn’t familiar to you. But I know it as the palm of my hand, for I grew up around here.”

„As though you are so big right now,” Ilēcāṉa teased the boy. That’s why Kkuṟai looked at him, showing his fangs. Yet, he right away looked in front when he saw Akita’s reproachful glance, who was to the left of her middle brother.

Fenrir, catching the young girl’s glance, put a hand on Kkuṟai’s right shoulder and whispered in his ear, „It’s difficult to be the soul of the group, right?”

„You don’t even know how hard it is,” replied Kkuṟai in a whisper.

„Of course, I know. And very well, actually.”

„Really? Did they also scold you for mistakes?”

„Yep. You don’t even know how many fillips I’ve received from my dad. And more from Samaya because my sister is very good at such things if she wants this.”

„But,” murmured Kkuṟai, confused, „you and princess Samaya are twins, right? Why did she scold you then? I thought that only the big brothers scold you and grab your ear.”

„Here you’re wrong, Kkuṟai, for… it doesn’t matter if they are older or younger. Brothers always argue with each other.”

„Why so?”

„Because brothers are like that. They think they are smarter than you are. And, if they consider that you aren't smart or serious enough, they will try to make you act correctly, according to their principles. Nevertheless, shhh… let’s not give them the chance to find out about this. Moreover, I promise you that once in the camp I’ll teach you some old tricks on how not to let others catch you if he tries to grab you by the ear. More than that I assure you that those tricks are something I learned on my own skin.” Then, winking, with his arm around the boy’s shoulders, as though they’d been friends for an entire life, Fenrir continued to advance on that bridge in front of the group side by side with Kkuṟai.

That’s why Ilēcāṉa smiled, looking behind the two, and told his sister, „I feel that we will have troubles not only with Kkuṟai now.”

„Why do you think so?” Akita asked, curious.

„Because of prince Fenrir. He was also good at looking for trouble while being little. Actually, I think that you should remember those times better than me because you two are the same age.”

„Well, maybe you’re right, but… at that time, I was spending more time with the girls than with the boys. Yet, I think that you might be right in this.”

„Of course, I am. Actually, I’m sure about this, for even though I was about four at that time, I still remember master Dike grabbing his son’s ear and punishing him for something bad he’d done. Actually, I even remember that he had been about to set fire to the camp one day when he stole magic dust from the Eldest of our group. If I’m not mistaken, he even hid in a hollow for three days then. They looked for him all over without finding him.”

„Oh, yes, you’re right. I forgot about this. After that, princess Samaya disappeared. Then… they left the camp. Probably because of that event with Samaya and that they left shortly after that I forgot about what had happened with our prince.”

„Maybe you’re right. It has been so long ago. Nevertheless, this place is really beautiful. I forgot about this magic. Long time without passing over here, actually," the young man said in a cheerful voice.

He was really impressed by that magic place, unusual at the same time. The bridge was especially unusual: built along the streamlet and not across, winding at the same time with that streamlet that was running right below it. More than that, the bridge and the streamlet parted, in a strange way, the forest in two equal parts. Something really magic in fact, for… to the left, that green light with those fireflies sparkling all over was still seen, while, to the right, an almost transparent blue light was seen all over, something that was somehow borrowed from the water that was so clear, allowing to multicolored fish be seen swimming at the bottom of the streamlet.

Then, on both sides of the streamlet, were secular trees, trees that were also serving as support for the bridge, having thick and beautifully braided ropes around their trunks. More than that, because the trees were also growing right next to the water, following the streamlet, the bridge had a curved form in some parts and a zigzag one in others. Even so, even though that place was strange and was giving a strange form even to the bridge, the Rophions used to often walk on it because of the magic felt in that place and of the beauty seen all over, something rarely seen in that forest.

Namely, that magic made Sephir feel so melancholic. More when she saw Fenrir talking to Kkuṟai so freely as if they’d been friends for an entire life. Thus, being immersed in thoughts, she winced when she felt Bestla to her right and more when her sister said, „If you are so beautifully grinning, it’s because you’re planning something. Something strange, it seems to me.”

„Do you think so?” Sephir asked her, smiling.

„Absolutely. So, tell me: what do you have in mind?”

„Nothing… out of the ordinary. Don’t invent things about me, ok? Just thoughts. That’s why I was smiling.”

Yet, this didn’t make Bestla feel calm. She only comically cooked her nose, hearing her sister talking like that. After that, childishly frowning, she murmured, „even so, if you think about something in particular, it’s because something won’t end well. More, seeing that you are not taking your eyes off your husband. This means he'll be the punished one for sure. So: am I right?”

„About what”

„Or maybe it won’t be a punishment…,” said Bestla, smiling, „because… I have the feeling that your thoughts are about a copy of that black and nosey wolf that is poking his nose in my business all the time. I’m right, don’t I?”

Sephir smiled, „What do I know?! Maybe yes, maybe no?!”

„Of course, I’m right. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have answered me with another question. But… be as you wish: if you want to keep this secret, then keep it.” After that, upset, Bestla turned her back to Sephir and headed toward Arion, who was a few meters in front of them.

Her sister’s childish reaction made Sephir happily smile. Then, glimpsing back to see where Boor was, Sephir saw Samaya and Nathaniel not that far from her, walking side by side, somehow ashamed, for they really felt strange to be in that magical place, one next to the other, but not alone. That’s why Sephir looked in front, smiling, and again mumbled, „Why do I feel that not only Fenrir will have a copy soon? Or… is it only a probability?”

Her joy, however, didn’t catch the two lovers, too, who were watching those magical places with nostalgia, in silence. Only after many minutes of being silent, Nathaniel said, „This place… is really beautiful. It really makes you feel at home.”

„But it’s not the only beautiful place in the world. Let’s not forget the Fireflies Waterfall. There is your home and it’s also beautiful.” Nevertheless, she has been so amazed to see Nathaniel shaking his head in denial. „Then?”

„Nothing out of the ordinary. Only… that place isn’t our home, Samaya. Our home is so far away from here, on the Lands of Siar, our old kingdom. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to get there right now. About the Fireflies Waterfall… yes, we called it „home” for a while, but it had been our home only for a short time. Now… part of us is here, part of us is in the Kingdom of Ice. That’s why I’m so glad to be here because… maybe I’ll find a new home in this forest.” Then, listening to Izkina furiously mumbling something, Nathaniel glimpsed back. Thus, he saw the ghoul approaching them while carrying Calmac on his shoulder, for, after Yamu’s paw, Calmac kept sleeping. That’s why Izkina forcedly carried him on his back. Later, after he passed next to the two lovers, still mumbling strange things about what would happen to Calmac when he would be awakened, Nathaniel smiled and said, „Yet, sometimes it is funnier to watch others than live your life. Moreover, I also envy them sometimes for their innocence of thinking that Eden is something good to eat.”

Hearing him talking like that, Samaya laughed, something that amazed the young man. Then she explained to him why she laughed, „I was thinking about Calmac and Eden. He’s probably dreaming about Eden now, for Izkina’s mumbling, right into his ear, is a lullaby for sure, to sleep better.”

„Or maybe just a spell for him to never wake up. Who knows?!” Then, chortling, both glimpsed back to see if someone had heard them.

Namely, their joy made Boor melancholically murmur, „Youth is so beautiful, don’t you think, father?” Island, however, who was to his son’s right, kept silent, looking in amazement at those places which he was seeing for the first time, for even if he and Dike had been friends for so long, he never came to that forest. Actually… he didn’t even remember why he denied coming there. In the end, hearing Boor calling his name again, Island winced. „Something happens, papa?” Asked Boor.

„No, nothing, just… what did you ask?” Island was definitely confused.

This made Boor look askance at him, „What’s wrong with you, dad? Don’t tell me that’s because you still feel guilty for me?”

„For you? Why? Aaa, you talk about what you’ve found out from Ūḻal… about me and the Glade of Ahilar.”

„Exactly. But, even though it hasn’t been funny to find out the story of my birth and how my mother actually died, I still think it’ll be better to leave it behind.”

„Why so?” Island was really curious to find out what his son was thinking about that… thing.

„Because… just thoughts I have had lately. More after I found out about this. Nevertheless, I also realized that the past must be something of the past in the end. Important here is the present and the people that are with us. More than that: each of us can make mistakes. I also did and not only once. However, this isn’t something to be killed for… because… from mistakes we learn. Also… neither the past nor the prezent or the people around us is something we can control in the end.”

„Are you talking about your mother’s death now?”

„Yes, because… I think she would have agreed with me if she had been alive now. More than that, even though I would have liked to see her, to know what she looked like, I also realized that it was my Fate: not to meet her ever. Nevertheless, I won’t say that I wouldn’t have liked to see her face, to know how her hair smells, or how her kiss feels on my forehead.”

After such words, Boor felt melancholic. Just like Island, who was slowly walking by his side, with his head bowed, and still feeling guilty for past deeds. That’s why he decided to tell his son what his mother looked like when he felt tears in his eyes, „Boor, if you want to know what Curse looked like, then… watch your elder daughter: Sephir is your mother’s copy - same hair, same deep eyes, and same beautiful smile. And, of course, she smells like Curse, too.”

Boor watched his father, confused, „Did mother look like Sephir?”

Island laughed hearing that question, „I think Sephir looks like Curse, for she’s younger… remember?” However, he looked very surprised seeing Boor smiling, „What this time?”

„You’re definitely Bestla’s grandfather. Only she used to say such words when she was little and someone told her that someone looked like her. Especially if the person others compared her with was older than her. I even remember that she told Samaya something similar when they first met and she showed her Edda’s world.”

„Oh, yes, I also remember this. And… to be honest, son: I still miss those times.”

„Why so? I thought you missed your youth more.”

„And you are right, of course. However, more than youth I miss old times. Those times when my granddaughters were still small, when they were sitting on my lap, and, wrapping their small arms around my neck, they were asking me to tell them stories. Then, to convince me, they always kissed my cheek. Now… I can only dream about that kiss. So, son, enjoy their presence while you still can do that, for once you’ll have grandchildren, you’ll realize that you feel a different love for them than for your children.”

This made Boor laugh again. That’s why Island looked in amazement at him. Then, catching his father’s confused glance, Boor said, „I was thinking about all the times I suffered because of you when I did bad things. However, I don’t remember hearing you scolding my daughters for bad things. I think you defended them more than me when I was a child."

„It’s because I’m a grandfather, and a grandfather always defends his grandchildren from their ogre sons. That's why, if you had had a beloved grandfather as your daughters have, you would have understood me now. Thus, as you didn’t have one, you must say „thank you” for having me.” After that, smiling, he made a pair of reading glasses appear on his nose, those weird reading glasses he all the time formed while telling stories to the children.”

„Should I understand that you’re my grandfather now?” Joked Boor.

Island comically shrugged: „You can call me like this if you want. I’m old, remember?! So… let’s go, grandson Boor. Who knows: maybe we can find happiness at the edge of this bridge!” Then, both holding their arms on the other’s shoulders, they walked side by side, happily smiling, for, despite difficult times and upset, both father and son loved and respected each other. Eventually: they were two against the whole world.