„Is that one Argol?” Eṉōl asked in a whisper, seeing a white point at the horizon, floating above the Kaṟkaḷ Pēy. Then, understanding that it was really the eagle Argol, he answered his own question, „It seems so. Yet, I don’t understand what he does here when I’m sure that Princess Zeal has sent him to tell everybody about the approaching danger.”

„Maybe he has someone to tell about the danger in this place, don’t you think so?” Strebasus asked in a whisper. After that, he looked to his right, where Eṉōl was. Thus, he also saw the amazement seen on the faces of the two soldiers that followed them there.

Actually, Eṉōl’s first thought was to come there alone, to see what was hidden in the area of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy. Yet, it was a thought Inlan Diar didn’t accept, for she knew that it was dangerous to go there alone. Moreover, to cross alone the border of the Kingdom of Ice in the Northern area. Especially with Tikil’s monsters checking the surroundings. That’s why she told her commander not to go alone, but to take one or two people with him. That’s why Eṉōl took Strebasus and the other two soldiers.

Then, right after arriving at the Northern Border of Paṉi Makkaḷ, the four saw strange spies at the edge of the forest. That’s why they decided to wait for a while in the area for checking, hidden behind a tall wall. There they stood for a long time until those spies hid in the forest again. Only after that, Eṉōl motioned to his companions to follow him and they sneaked as discreetly as possible toward the rocky area that was found on the left side of their Kingdom, which was face-to-face with Tenebre Forest. Then, behind those rocks, hiding, they got to the higher zone, the Northern one, of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy.

Getting there, they stopped for a while, carefully looking around because they were afraid not to find spies in that area too. Nevertheless, there was nobody. Not even a priestess to pray to the Sun, for, in that Northern Area of Paṉi Makkaḷ and in the South of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy, somehow between them, there was a zone called Pirārttaṉai, which was also known among locals as the Rocky Zone or the Area of Pray. Actually, Pirārttaṉai was linking the Kingdom of Inlan Diar, Tikil, and Tetapas’s.

There, however, was silence. Unusually silence as Eṉōl thought. That’s why he felt strange, for it was almost the winter solstice, an active period of praying for the Priestesses of the Sun, known also as Uyarvu. In such times, they used to spend seven days in that area, praying to Helyos, who they were asking to bless them with purity, soul warmth, and power. At that moment, however, none of them was seen there.

„Something happens, commander?” Strebasus asked Eṉōl, seeing him carefully checking the zone.

„Yes, it’s strange. This place.”

„Strange? Why?” Strebasus insisted on hearing an answer from his commander.

„To see the Rock Pirārttaṉai abandoned. More than that, I see no Virgin Uyarvu praying to Helyos, even though it is almost the winter solstice.”

„Even so, my commander, I don’t understand why it is strange. Maybe Uyarvu chose the Eastern Zone to pray this time. Let’s not forget that Uyarvu means Sunrise.”

„No, Strebasus. The Virgins Uyarvu always pray here. For about seven millennia. Nothing has changed until now. It’s impossible to have changed something now. It’s… illogical.”

„Then? Should I send someone to Āram to see what is going on?”

„No. Not now. Let’s first check what Tikil and Tetapas are planning. Eventually, if necessary, we will go East, to see what the priestess Āram will tell us, for I’m sure she knows what’s going on here. More than that, I have the feeling that if none of the priestesses are here, it has something to do with those strange sounds your men heard.”

„It can be, commander. Just… It also seems strange to me, for, as far as I know, Uyarvu have never interrupted their rituals. Not even in bad weather. I don’t think that some strange sounds have scared them.”

„I still think that this can be a probability. Yet, as I said already, let’s check first what the Zone of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy hides.”

Strebasus said nothing more. He only looked at the two soldiers and motioned them with his head to follow them. After that, they carefully followed Eṉōl, who disappeared already after a big rock. Thus, sneaking, the four finally got to a steep zone, with many big rocks that seemed to „float” above the abyss, which was separating Paṉi Makkaḷ and Kaṟkaḷ Pēy. Yet, it was only an illusion, for part of those rocks were deeply hidden in the ground of Paṉi Makkaḷ. Only the free part of them was above the abyss. Namely… those rocks that were „floating” allowed the four to see what was happening in the area where Tikil and Tetapas were closed for millennia already.

At the entrance to that grotto, nobody was seen, however. More than that, it was a strange deep silence all over there. That’s why Eṉōl looked at Strebasus, asking him by a glance if that one saw something. Strebasus, however, only shook his head that he saw nothing. Then, both of them looked at the entrance to the grotto again.

Eventually, the four winced when strange sounds were heard again from the depths of the ground. Yet, after minutes in a row of waiting, nothing was seen exiting the grotto. Something weird in the opinion of the four, for… it was impossible to hear those sounds, but none to exit that place.

„Let’s get closer,” Eṉōl told Strebasus. Then, laying on his stomach, he crawled toward the sharp edge of the big rock on which they were standing. Eventually, he moved to the left where it was a wall of the mountain, which exited a lot in front and which could hide them in case of something.

Strebasus followed Eṉōl only when he made sure that his commander was in a safe place. After that, he also lay on his stomach and sneaked toward Eṉōl. Then, being to Eṉōl’s right, intending to tell him to be careful because it was a dangerous rock the one on which they were standing, he kept silent eventually and looked to his right, just as Eṉōl did, when a white arrow, fallen from the heights, headed at full speed toward the entrance to the grotto Kaṟkaḷ Pēy.

This amazed Strebasus a lot, for he clearly saw that the arrow was actually Argol. That’s why he looked at Eṉōl, waiting for an explanation. Eṉōl, however, only put his index finger to his lips, asking Strebasus and the soldiers to keep silent. After that, discreetly, he motioned with his hand toward the grotto in front of which Argol stopped.

The eagle didn’t sit on the rock seen in front of the grotto. He only kept staying in the air, two meters from the rock, vertiginously flapping from his wings and sweeping the dust on that rock. Argol even made a strange sound, heard from the depth of his throat as though he was telling someone about the danger or was arguing with someone found in that grotto. With whom Argol was arguing wasn’t clear. That’s why Eṉōl and Strebasus kept staring at each other, for the eagle’s behavior seemed strange even to them.

Nevertheless, they looked toward the grotto again when, about two minutes later after Argol got in front of the grotto, they saw the eagle suddenly moving back, sticking his wings to his body, as though he was a spring. The eagle moved back not because he was playing or something. It happened when a thick snake, which neither Eṉōl nor one of his companions saw before, rushed from the darkness of the grotto toward Argol, intending to grab the white bird with his mouth.

Something scary actually, because of the long forked tongue of the snake, which almost touched the white feathers on the eagle’s chest. Seeing this, Eṉōl covered his mouth with his palm just not to be heard moaning, for he was really scared thinking that Argol would be that snake’s food eventually. Yet, he breathed a sigh of relief seeing that Argol stretched his wings to the side again to start floating later at a big distance from the snake.

The snake, however, even though he seemed calm despite the fact that he remained without his prey, kept furiously staring at the white bird that was floating in front of his eyes. Eventually, understanding that the eagle wouldn’t approach him anymore, he wrapped his body in six thick rings. Then, staring at Argol, he started to move his eyes in small circles, trying to charm the bird and make him come to him.

Nevertheless, his trick didn’t work. This happened because Argol wasn’t stupid. He knew very well what that snake could do. That’s why, the moment he spotted the snake’s eyes changing to black, a deceiving color, he stick his wings to his body again and let himself fall like an arrow toward the bottom of the abyss of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy.

Argol didn’t fall too much eventually. About 200 hundred meters only. After that, stretching his wings widely to the sides, he started to float above those transparent air currents that were moving in circles, at slow speed, above that gulf. Then, as though he regained his power because of those air currents, Argol raised above the gulf again, at full speed, passing so close to the grotto of the snake, something that made that one pounce on the eagle again.

However, because the snake wrongly calculated the power he used to pounce on the bird, he was about to fall off the rock. Yet, he managed to stop on time. Right on that sharp edge of the rock from in front of the grotto, feeling it deeply biting from his skin. That’s why he loudly hissed from his throat, showing Argol that he enraged him.

That hissing didn’t bother Argol at all. The bird just kept floating in circles, descending to the front of the grotto again. That time he stood at a bigger distance from the snake, just not to allow that one to pounce on him again.

A movement of the eagle, which the snake really disliked, for that snake was Tetapas in fact. Thus, seeing that he won’t taste that white enemy that day, he told Argol, „I’ll manage someday to stick my forked tongue in you, Argol. I swear. Thus, you’ll see what it means the pleasure a snake feels when enjoying his meal… piece by piece.”

Listening to Tetapas threatening him this way, the eagle laughed. Well, only his voice was heard floating around, as though in spite of the snake. After that, Argol sent a thought to him, „Well, dreaming isn’t a sin, Tetapas. Difficult is to put this into practice.”

„Do you think so?” Tetapas replied with the voice of his mind, sweetening the tone. „I won’t be that sure. You know very well what I can do.”

„Just as you know what I can do too. Yet, before ripping off our skin, tell me about Tikil’s plans. I’m sure you know what he has in mind.”

These words made Tetapas curious, for he finally understood that Argol came there not just to pay him a social visit or to drive him crazy. At the same time, the eagle wasn’t playing with him as he was generally doing, even though Tetapas never found out the reason. Even so, he decided not to let Argol understand that he was aware of his game. That’s why he simply turned his back on the bird. Then, slowly crawling his thick long body, he moved through that labyrinth created on the external wall of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy.

This, however, didn’t deceive the bird, for he knew very well Tetapas. At the same time, he knew the games the snake was generally playing. More than that, Argol not only once witnessed Tetapas’s crimes when that one „froze” on that wall, similar to an object engraved on stone, just to lure an alive soul that ventured to that grotto, curious to find out its secrets. Thus, knowing very well what the devilish mind of the snake could plan, Argol remained in place, floating on those air currents, which raised until where he was at that moment.

A game that actually seemed strange to Argol. Something that made Eṉōl and Strebasus again exchange glances, thunderstruck. After that, looking again at those two enemies that were lurking each other in front of the grotto, Strebasus asked, „What exactly is Argol doing there? I don’t think he is trying to provoke the snake.”

„Well, it seems so to me. Even though I don’t know the reason why he is doing this.”

He kept silent eventually, seeing the snake descending on that wall until he touched the rock in front of the grotto again. After that, getting to the place where he stood before, Tetapas wrapped his body in six rings again. Then, closing his eyes, he started to move from one side to another, enlarging his neck and forming that large cobra neck as Zeal used to do when she was enraged, a neck she was forming from her vestment. Yet, it wasn’t the strangest thing seen there because, soon after this, a strange rang of bells was heard everywhere around that place.

„What’s this? What music is heard?” Strebasus asked, covering his ears with his palms, hearing that music deep in his brain. Yet, soon after this, Eṉōl and he have been forced to suddenly stand up and approach the two soldiers that started to walk toward the gulf. They weren’t simply walking toward the gulf, but seemed charmed, staring in front with empty eyes. That’s why Eṉōl and Strebasus forced them to move back, fighting with them because the soldiers were possessed by Tetapas’s music. The two have been even forced to let the soldiers unconscious when they understood that, otherwise, they couldn't control them.

Only after that, Eṉōl returned to his old place of spying. Yet, at that time, he was standing, hidden by that wall. Thus, staring with hatred at the snake, he told Strebasus, „It seems to me that he intends to charm Argol and drag him into his den.”

„Even so, I don’t understand why his charm has controlled the mind of our soldiers if it was for Argol.”

„Because such music of charm works only with those who have a weak defense system. That’s why it didn’t affect us. Just as it doesn’t affect Argol as far as I can see. Otherwise, he would have entered that den long ago.”

„Still, I don’t get what Argol tries to do being there.”

„What interests me more is who that snake is and not what Argol does. He doesn’t seem like a normal snake.”

„I think it’s obvious. He seems to be Tikil’s guard dog. The one he left there to watch his house while he tries to conquer Paṉi Makkaḷ.”

„I am not that sure, to be honest. Something tells me that he’s more than Tikil’s dog. Who he is…”

Eṉōl kept silent the moment he felt a slight movement behind them. Even so, he was sure that not the soldiers awoke. That’s why he looked to his right, along with Strebasus, with wide-open eyes actually when they saw Accam Kuṉṟu approaching them. Yet, they weren't scared because they were used to seeing the panther from time to time. They had been afraid at first, yes, thinking that the snake appeared there by magic. Yet, they calmed down when they saw that it was the panther.

Nevertheless, they were still amazed even after seeing Accam Kuṉṟu. This happened because they realized that they were seeing the real panther and not his projection as it happened before when Accam Kuṉṟu appeared in front of Zeal and Inlan Diar. Something weird and difficult to understand. That’s why Eṉōl stuttered eventually, watching the panther, „Great Accam Kuṉṟu, how is this possible that you are here? I thought that…”

Seeing the sadness in the panther’s eyes, Eṉōl decided that it would be right to keep silent. He only looked toward the place Argol and Tetapas seemed to have an argument, just as Accam Kuṉṟu was doing. The commander not only looked over there but also felt the same anxiety the panther was feeling, even though he wasn’t aware of why he was feeling this. Nevertheless, he was sure of something, if Accam Kuṉṟu was there, it had to be for a reason. Even so, he didn’t ask the panther what was that reason, even if he was curious to find it out. He only thought that it was better just to think about why Accam Kuṉṟu had a body, not to ask questions because he didn’t feel worthy to ask such questions.

Accam Kuṉṟu, however, as though reading the commander’s thoughts, answered that question without watching him, „You are right to feel confused, commander, for everybody in the Kingdom of Ice knows that my son, Tikil, has killed me and has sentenced me to be just a Spirit in this world. Even so, it seems that Fate has given me another chance and has allowed me to have a real body for the moment. Yet, I also don’t understand what game is playing Tetapas, trying to attack that bird, knowing very well whose bird Argol is.”

„Tetapas? Do you mean that that snake is…?!” Strebasus asked, thunderstruck.

„That’s right,” replied the panther in half a voice. „That snake is the Titan hidden in the depths of the ground, the Titan in front of which humans and creatures worshiped for centuries, venerating him as the Creator of the World, not knowing that he’s just a damn snake who steals the souls of the mortals just to escape from that damn dungeon where he is closed now.”

„What do you mean by saying this is that… he is trying to escape from that dungeon?” Eṉōl asked, staring at the snake and Argol.

The panther didn’t answer right away. She only approached the sharp edge of that rock more and stared at the grotto. Thus, she saw that Tetapas’s eyes started to sparkle because of anger, seeing that he couldn’t deceive Argol and drag him inside the grotto, for he wanted to steal his soul and close it inside Koṭi. Yet, even though the snake was so furious, he understood very well why he didn’t succeed. That’s why he snarled eventually at Argol, „It seems that Great Cronus protects you from the Sky. More than that, he taught you very well how not to fall into my trap. Even so, I don’t understand the reason why Cronus wants to know about Tikil’s plans.”

„Let’s say that this is something you shouldn’t know,” Tetapas heard Argol’s voice, floating around him. „Ever actually, just as you won’t ever escape from this damn place. Do you know why? Because Parca did a great job closing you here. For eternity.”

„Something that doesn’t help you in anything, Argol. Or the Titans.”

„Do you think so? I won’t be that sure if I were you, for the fact that you are closed allows others to live on Earth. Now, I would like to hear an answer to my question: what hopes Tikil get by attacking Paṉi Makkaḷ?”

„Ask him if you are curious,” Tetapas cunningly answered.

„Yet, you know what this is, right?” insisted Argol.

„Right… I know. Nevertheless, I won’t tell anyone.”

„Why? What do you hope to get by doing this? By helping Tikil? Did he promise this to you in case you help him - to release you?”

Argol’s questions made Tetapas laugh with all his heart. Yet, that laughter didn’t last long, something that amazed Accam Kuṉṟu and Eṉōl a lot, who heard his conversation with Argol. Something unreal, because Eṉōl was sure that he didn’t have such a gift, to hear the thoughts of two beasts.

„It’s because of me,” the panther said eventually. „You hear the thoughts of those two because I am here. Yet, I think that’s useless.”

„What exactly?”

„To stay here and wait for Tetapas to answer Argol’s question. He won’t do that.”

„Why? Do you think he has allied with Tikil and…?”

„No. Tetapas and Tikil don’t bear each other. Actually, their enmity lasts for so long already that they are unable to forget about their hatred and become allies. Even so, he plays that game, trying to make Argol confused. At the same time, he tries to make us weak, making us think that he and Tikil are allies. A game that he will play for a very long time. That’s why I said that it’s useless to waste our time staying here. Let’s go!” After that, the panther turned her back to that place and, at a slow step, she sneaked next to those rocks not to be seen by Tikil’s spies, for Accam Kuṉṟu also saw them while coming there.

Behind the panther, Eṉōl and Strebasus exchanged glances. Then, understanding that Accam Kuṉṟu was right and that it was useless to wait for the truth told by a snake, they also sneaked behind the panther. Yet, they left that place not alone, but taking those two soldiers on their back, too, for they were afraid to leave them there, not being sure if Tetapas’s charm was still working or not.

Nevertheless, the moment they left that place, Tetapas answered Argol, „Do you know why I keep silent and I don’t tell anybody why Tikil wants to attack Paṉi Makkaḷ? It’s because I don’t have the right to tell you, Argol. Actually, I don’t have the right to tell anyone about this or about anything I find out inside of this grotto. Thus, I can only tell you to just not waste your time anymore and leave this place while it’s still day. Otherwise, you won’t ever leave this place.” After that, unwrapping his body, he crawled to the entrance to the grotto while that rang of the bells was heard louder and louder until far in the distance.

„What about what you found out outside of that grotto?” Argol asked the moment Tetapas was halfway inside the grotto. A question that made the snake stop eventually.

Even so, the snake didn’t crawl back. He only stood in that place, for a long time. Then, when he considered that it was time, he told Argol, „If Inlan Diar or her great-granddaughter wants to find out some answer, they should go west. There, at the entrance to the Grotto Calaṉam (the Grotto of Temptations), they will find out what they want to know. There they can find out the truth they look for so much. Yet, I’m not sure they will dare do that. Yet, if they do that, they will find out the answer not only to the question of why Tikil attacks the Kingdom of Ice but many other answers in fact.” After that, Tetapas kept advancing. Then, when he wasn’t seen anymore and when the deaf noise of the crawling of his body wasn’t heard too, it seemed so gloomy in front of the Grotto Kaṟkaḷ Pēy.

Thus, left alone and understanding that Tetapas won’t turn back, Argol bowed his head. Even so, he didn’t leave. He stood there for a long while, floating on the wings of those air currents. He was actually staying there, overwhelmed by thoughts because he was doubting: did the snake say the truth or was everything just a big lie?!

***

While descending at a slow step the steep path of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy, Eṉōl was carefully watching the surroundings. Yet, surprisingly, he saw nothing and nobody at the edge of Tenebre Forest. There weren’t even Tikil’s spies, those who they saw while climbing to see Tetapas’s grotto. Nevertheless, what seemed even more surprising to him was the silence felt all around them.

Nevertheless, he said nothing. He only carefully checked the burden on his shoulder if it was well placed, for Strebasus and he were wearing the sleeping soldiers on their shoulders. Even so, even though the soldiers were heavy, neither Eṉōl nor Strebasus said anything or left them somewhere on the road. Eventually, it was their fault that the soldiers couldn’t follow them on their own feet at that moment.

Eventually, they looked at the panther the moment she said without watching them, „You know, the Legend of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy is a very old one. It must be more than ten thousand years ago when it started, for, if I’m not mistaken, it started when Dike came onto the earth. Namely in that period started the rumor that that grotto was weird.”

„Weird? Why so?” The commander asked.

„Because it was really weird. In everything actually,” Accam Kuṉṟu calmly said. Then, without watching his companions, he kept telling his story, „To be honest, I heard that everything started from an argument Uranus, Cronus, and Tetapas had. It’s better to say that who started everything was Tetapas, because, thinking that he was strong and smart enough to deceive the two, he decided to use a trick to take the throne of the Universe from them.

Nevertheless, Uranus wasn’t stupid. That’s why he didn’t fall into Tetapas’s trap. What trap? Well, he told them to play, instead of fighting, a very old game. The one of the riddles. Yet, what Tetapas didn’t take into account was the fact that Uranus was intelligent and more than capable to beat him, using Tetapas’s tricks.

That day Uranus used another trick to win. Better to say, he used his ability to find out someone’s weakness to win. That’s why he asked Tetapas to let him ask the riddle first. Tetapas, thinking that nobody was able to defeat him while playing that game, accepted. His mistake in fact because Uranus asked him, „What always crawls on earth without leaving traces?” Not knowing the answer, Tetapas answered, „The Lianas!” A wrong answer actually. Thus, as the deal was that the loser should transform into what the winner wanted, Tetapas became that hideous being you also saw today. Yet, not only his body he lost that day but also his pride because Uranus showed him not only that he was stupid, but that he was also conceited, and that if he had known his place in this world, he wouldn’t have ever suffered as he suffered until nowadays.

However, the real problem started after that triumph, and this happened because, being afraid that Tetapas would try to dethrone him again by using another trick, he asked Parca’s help. What Uranus promised Parca that day for her help, nobody ever knew. What is known is that she has used her power that day to close Tetapas in the Grotto of Kaṟkaḷ Pēy. Thus, to be sure of her success, she used not only the power of that place but also the power of the Jar of Fire and Fate, of Koṭi, which is hidden inside that grotto until nowadays. It’s also known that to lure Tetapas inside that grotto, Parca promised him that if he gathered a certain number of souls in Koṭi, he regained his freedom. The one he wished the most.”

„Then… should we understand that Tetapas still gathers souls in that Jar?” Eṉōl asked, extremely surprised.

„Yes, you are right. Actually, Tetapas has already lured many souls inside that grotto. Also because of this, he tried to lure Argol into his grotto today.”

„Yet, knowing about that pact, Argol did everything not to fall into the snake’s trap,” murmured Strebasus.

„That’s right, son, for it was me who told Argol about Tetapas and Parca’s pact.”

„Yet, Great Accam Kuṉṟu, how did you find out about that pact? I thought that it must be a secret between them,” asked Eṉōl.

„Actually, this is a secret for me too,” the panther murmured. „To be honest, once, a long time ago, I met Parca when she came to this mountain. What she was doing that day here, I don’t know. Yet, passing by in front of the place where I generally was, she told me then, „Never allow Tetapas to regain his freedom, Accam Kuṉṟu. If this happens, the people and the mountain you have defended for so long will burn in flames eventually.” Of course, I didn’t believe her words that day. That’s why I asked her, ironically, „May I know how I can keep Tetapas away from this place?” Parca, to my great surprise, answered me then, „Very simple, actually: don’t allow him to gather enough souls in Koṭi. If this happens, then he will rule everything in your place.” After that, she… vanished.”

„Did she tell you what number should Tetapas gather to be free?” Strebasus asked eventually.

The panther sighed, hearing his question. Then, after minutes in a row of keeping silent when they were close to the border of the Kingdom of Ice, the panther said, „This is a secret known only by Tetapas and by Parca.” After that, the panther vanished as though she had never been next to them.

The fact that the panther vanished didn’t amaze Strebasus and Eṉōl too much, for they were already used to her weird behavior. Actually, not only once did they see her projection in front of them. To… seconds later, not to see her again. That’s why they kept advancing, being safe already, for the panther disappeared when they crossed already the Border of Paṉi Makkaḷ.

***

Raising her body on her thick tail, the brown cobra, which Zeal was turning into each time she was trying to camouflage herself, carefully moved her head from one side to the other, making sure that she wasn’t followed. Then, seeing that there was silence all around, she looked to her right and hissed through her teeth, „You can come now! It’s safe!” After that, the deer Inlan Diar approached the grotto, which was already next to the ruins of what had been once the Grotto of the King of Coal.

It was strange for them to be there because the queen promised her granddaughter and her commander that she would wait for better times. Yet, feeling a weird sensation in her chest, she decided to take the risk. Zeal, however, who couldn’t leave her great-grandmother alone, followed her to help her in case it would be necessary.

Thus, once they arrived at the ruins of Coallar’s old grotto, the deer painfully sighed. After that, at a slow step, she approached the ruins, murmuring, „I never believed that I would live to see such a view. At least not here.”

„Why?” The cobra Zeal asked her. Yet, the girl was more surprised to see tears in the deer’s eyes than to hear those words.

„Because this is something beyond my imagination, Zeal. Even though Coallar and I have been enemies and not allies, we have also been husband and wife. That’s why it seems incredible to me that he died this way.”

„Even so, Grandma, coming here and seeing the one who hurt you so many times before, seems damn weird to me, to be honest. More than that, I don’t understand why you want to take such a risk and come here. I don’t think that’s only because you felt that weird calling inside you.”

„You are actually right, Zeal,” replied the deer, to Zeal’s great surprise. „It was also because of Inmar. She told me that the grotto exploded six months ago.”

„As though you didn’t know this. Just as you knew from where the explosion was heard six months ago,” the cobra hissed through her teeth while laying her head on a big rock. „To be honest, this landscape is really deplorable. Yet, this doesn’t make me feel sorrow for that old demon.”

„You should, Zeal. Eventually, he was your great-grandfather,” the deer told Zeal while carefully climbing those rocks where many poisonous ivies were also climbing. „Even though you don’t want this.”

Hearing Inlan Diar talking about family and blood links, the cobra shook her head, for those discussions were boring her. Yet, she suddenly became attentive when she saw, like a vision of the past, a woman descending those rocks while a thick fog was seen all around. That’s why she said eventually, „I think that not Coallar has blown himself and the grotto.”

„What do you mean?” Inlan Diar asked her, confused.

Zeal said nothing at first. She only crawled on those rocks till she got to the top of that pile of ruins where the deer was. Then, raising her body on her thick tail again, she carefully looked around and said, „Before dying, Coallar hadn’t been alone. I saw a woman descending these ruins when a white thick fog surrounded this place. Right after the fire of the explosion was gone.”

„A woman? Who exactly? Tenebre?”

„No. I’m sure that it wasn’t that cobra.”

The deer laughed. „A cobra said about another one. Something strange in my opinion to hear you talking like that about Tenebre when you look like this.”

This made the cobra bend her head until she could look into the deer’s eyes. After that, staring straight into Inlan Diar’s eyes, she said, „Even the cobras have pride, Grandma. We also know to choose our friends, for… cobra-cobra, but if you step on my tail, you are definitely my enemy.” Then, proudly raising her head up, she looked at that desolate place and added, „Yet, as I said, it wasn’t that cobra. It was someone else. Who exactly, I don’t know because I saw her from behind. I know that she was wearing a long black cloak and that she was hooded. That’s all.”

„Then? How do you know that it was a woman if you have seen her only from behind?”

„Because of her walk. Let’s say this is something that never fails. Just as never betrays me my instinct that the cobra Tenebre also passed by here. Yet, she saw nothing strange around. That’s why she ran like a rat off the boat that was sinking. To be honest, she had nothing to do around once her beloved husband turned himself into fireworks. Only if to… do the same. If she had done this, she would have definitely done all of us a favor,” the cobra finished her speech, hissing the words and being completely evil at that moment.

„Zeal!” The deer told the girl reproachfully. „You can’t be so mean. Even though Tenebre is someone who…”

„Just… Let’s go at once!” The cobra dryly said. „I don’t like this place. It’s creepy! Definitely, it’s because of those two devils, Coallar and Tenebre, whose presence is still felt around.” Then, slowly crawling on those rocks, she started to descend the pile.

The deer, however, remained on the top of the pile for a while. Then, after she made sure that the cobra was already down, safely, Inlan Diar turned and looked around for a few moments more. Nevertheless, she didn't see anything that could make her feel better, for even though she hadn't loved Coallar ever, the simple fact that he had been Island’s father and helped her when she needed, made her feel at least the minimum respect for him.

Eventually, when she heard Zeal’s voice from down the pile, who told her, „Do you come or not?” the deer started to descend off those ruins. Yet, she stopped, hearing the voice of a woman behind her:

„Even though you feel sorrow seeing this place ruined, you still feel its magic.”

Looking toward the place from where she heard the voice of the woman, Inlan Diar saw no one. At first only because, soon after this, she often blinked from her eyelashes because, so suddenly, she saw herself, the young girl Inlan Diar, who appeared in this world after Tikil killed his own father. Nevertheless, even though she was seeing herself, the one that lived a long time ago, the deer still couldn’t believe that. An amazement that made her eventually murmur, „Who are you?”

„I?” That young girl replied, smiling. „You probably know me as Nikkari. The spirit that was living inside of King Coal’s grotto.”

Her answer, however, confused the deer even more. That’s why she shook her head, intending to clear her mind. Then, when she could think normally again, Inlan Diar asked, „Wait a minute because I don’t understand: what Spirit? I never saw one when I came to visit Coallar in this grotto.” Nevertheless, seeing that girl, who she was sure that she wasn’t the one she had been once, smiling, Inlan Diar had been surprised. Even more when Nikkari told her:

„The pure souls, those without curse I mean, as you are, Queen, don’t have the right to see me.”

„Hei, surprise, we can see you!” Zeal told her ironically.

The girl’s irony didn’t upset Nikkari, who smiled again. Then she said, „It’s because I am outside of the grotto now. That’s why I can be seen by others. Moreover, now that the curse is gone.”

„The curse? Do you mean the one the old Aman threw over Coallar?” Inlan Diar asked, turning into a human. Yet, this amazed Zeal a lot, because her great-grandmother didn’t look as usual, but exactly like that young girl, who was still on the top of the pile. Something that made the cobra move her head to the left and to the right, staring at the two young women.

She even took her human body back, trying to check if she definitely didn’t have visions. Then, seeing those two women so clearly, Zeal also climbed the pile of rocks again. Next to the two women and staring at both at the same time, she murmured confused, „Like peas in a pod. But… How is this possible? Are you sisters?”

„Of course not,” replied Nikkari, laughing. „You just see me as you want to see me. The same happens to the others who can see me too.” Then, looking into Inlan Diar’s dark blue eyes, she added, „I decided to appear in front of you because it’s the right time for us to become allies, Queen of Ice. To be more precise, I decided this when I saw that the beauty and the safety of this mountain were in danger. Thus, because I don’t want to see this mountain ruined like this place, a mountain that I love so much, I have decided to enter the war to impede Maranam to sit on the throne of the world. Alone… we won’t make it eventually.”

„Even so, Nikkari, it seems strange to me to become allies… we all. Many of us have been enemies not long ago. Now even Kkāṟṟu along with his monsters and Inmar with her foxes are in my Kingdom. Something I can’t accept yet, even though I’ve been told that this will eventually happen,” the Queen said in a severe tone.

The same happened to Nikkari: she also became serious. Then, looking at Zeal, she murmured, „Maybe you are right, Inlan Diar. Nevertheless, if we want to protect those we love, we must do this. More than that, not only Kkāṟṟu, Inmar, the red foxes, and Kkāṟṟu’s monsters will be our allies. There are many others that want to join us.”

„Many others?” Zeal asked, ironical.

„That’s right, for… while you lived at the earth’s surface, I lived in the depths of this place. Thus, I saw many terrifying things Tikil and his monsters did. That’s why I am sure that we can’t defeat them only in the form we are now.” While saying these words, Nikkari descended those rocks, passing by Zeal first and then by Inlan Diar.

The queen, however, even though she saw that Nikkari was confident in what she was saying and how she was walking, descending those rocks, was still sure that in the soul of that young woman was a big storm. The same was seen in Nikkari’s eyes, even though she was trying to hide it. Yet, she couldn’t hide a big truth, the one seen by Inlan Diar in the Spirit’s eyes: that Nikkari was dreaming to live at least one day as a human and to feel the same as they were feeling. Nevertheless, she couldn’t do that, for this would have meant vanishing from the earth’s surface.

Eventually, descending those rocks and stepping on hard soil, Nikkari stopped, hearing Zeal’s question, „Yet, what other beasts can join us in this war?”

Looking at the girl, Nikkari smiled again. Then, in a playful voice, she said, „What makes you think that only animals can help us in this war? On this mountain, not only those you are aware of are living here, but many others. I talk about the nymphs and the Spirits who your eyes have never seen.”

Zeal frowned, hearing Nikkari talking like that. Yet, feeling a big pressure put on her shoulders, she turned into a cobra again. She even felt that she wanted to sleep. That’s why she laid her head on a rock again. Yet, she still told Nikkari, „Maybe you are right, but I don’t see who else can help us.”

Zeal’s boredom made Nikkari want to play. That’s why she snapped her fingers, turning the girl into a human again. Zeal, who was yawning at that moment and had her eyes closed, didn’t realize what happened right from the beginning. Only when she tried to lay her head on that rock did she feel it cold and hard, hitting it. That’s why she turned toward Nikkari, who she furiously hissed through her teeth, „It’s not fair playing with others this way, you know that?”

„If you say so,” said Nikkari in a playful voice. After that, finishing descending that pile of rocks, she said, „Let’s go! I’ll show you what this mountain really hides!” Then, she entered the forest.

Seeing Nikkari leaving, Zeal frowned, for she really disliked that Spirit, and she didn’t want to follow her. Nevertheless, when Inlan Diar motioned with her head to follow her, the girl understood that she had no choice. That’s why she stood up, mumbling that she would like to sleep, not wander the forest like a crazy ghost.

She calmed down eventually when she felt Inlan Diar’s hand caressing her hair. That’s why she looked at the queen, with pleading eyes, saying to her, „Maybe we shouldn't go, huh?”

„We must do it, Zeal,” the queen replied in a kind voice. „If we want to protect ours, we must be sure that we can count on everybody who is able to help.”

„Maybe you are right, but I don’t like that Nikkari.”

„Do you say this because of the bump on your forehead you’ve gotten when she has turned you into a human?” The queen made a joke.

„Not only because of this. I… don’t really like that she looks like you,” Zeal replied, feisty.

„This is because Nikkari can be seen by others just like they want to see her.”

„Just like Parca?”

„That’s right. Yet, before thinking of accusing her of hidden pacts with Parca, I inform you that they don’t have any relationship.”

„How do you know that? You are the one who has said that it’s the first time you have seen her.”

„This is true. I saw her today for the first time. Yet, I heard about her a long time ago.”

„Have you heard? From who?” Zeal asked in amazement.

„From frogs. You are who said that their cracks are the truth about the world in fact.” A remark that made Zeal stare at her great-grandmother, frowning. Inlan Diar, however, smiled, looking at the girl, „Alright, alright, I give up! There aren’t frogs here! Even so, I hear the voice of the earth. That’s why I know things others don’t know. Thus, if you want to know more about this world, allow those poor frogs to sleep and listen to others too. Who knows: maybe you’ll find out this way what Fate prepares for you?!” After that, Inlan Diar winked. Something that made the two burst to laugh, for even in such moments, which were so hard to live for everyone, they knew the importance of friendship and they could also enjoy jokes with all their heart.

***

„Shh, keep it down!” Nikkari told Inlan Diar and Zeal when they got next to a big shadowed glade, where many wild boars were playing or feeding.

Nevertheless, seeing that Nikkari brought her there to see the… pigs, Zeal frowned. Soon after this, however, seeing that Nikkari looked different at that moment, she wide-opened her eyes, for the Spirit really looked strange: she was about 20, with long black hair up to the hips, skin as white as the milk while her eyes were wet coal dark. She was also wearing a long black dress, tailored from a shiny fabric, with a dark purple belt at her waist, which had different elements embroidered on it. Most of those embroideries were representing elements of nature like leaves, flowers, or different insects.

Nikkari was really beautiful at that moment. Nevertheless, Zeal couldn't hide her amazement. That’s why she told the Spirit eventually, hissing the words through her teeth, „Well, I must accept that you can surprise others with your look. Actually, you can change it so many times that one can be confused looking at you. However, this definitely helps you to hide in crowded places. Don’t you think so, Grandma?” Looking at Inlan Diar and seeing that she was looking as usual, Zeal frowned again, „As though they have a pact to change whenever the other one changes.”

Listening to the girl’s remark, Nikkari and Inlan Diar exchanged glances, for they couldn’t understand what the girl meant. Yet, seeing that they looked different at that moment, they burst to laugh, something that amazed Zeal even more. Eventually, Inlan Diar explained to Zeal, „It’s because of the mountain and of the Balance of Power. That’s why, each time two different powers meet, the mountain forces them to have the same age and look, balancing thus the energy inside them. Thus, if one power changes its form, the other one does the same.”

„Actually, there is one more secret related to this change,” murmured Nikkari, amazing even the queen. „It’s because we have similar powers, Inlan Diar, and we are both born from Accam Kuṉṟu.”

„What? Are you really sisters?” Asked Zeal.

„No,” replied Nikkari suddenly. „We only… appeared in this world thanks to the kindness of this mountain. Something that ties us forever.”

„Too complicated, to be honest,” murmured Zeal, shaking her head. „Better tell us what is the point with… these… animals and why you brought us here.”

Nikkari looked at the girl in amazement, „Don’t they look familiar to you?”

„Absolutely not!” Zeal frowned again, not understanding what the Spirit meant. More than that, she wasn’t sure why she should have known those wild boars, which she actually never saw in her life.

Her answer made Nikkari attentive. Then, realizing that she wasn’t sure of anything anymore, she said, „Weird, I thought that Coallar showed them to you!”

Understanding what Nikkari was trying to say to the girl, Inlan Diar laughed. A reaction that made the Spirit stare at the queen. Nevertheless, she understood that she had been wrong when the queen told her, „Coallar showed the wild boars to Bestla, not to Zeal.”

„Well, maybe you are right,” murmured Nikkari eventually. „If I’m not wrong too, Bestla is the one who is always with one of the shape-twins, right?”

„Yes, you are right. Actually, they are now in Rophion Forest.”

„I know,” replied Nikkari dryly. „They have told me.”

„They? Who exactly?”

„The Nymphs! Actually, they can be felt around!” After that, Nikkari put her index finger to her lips, motioning to Zeal and the queen to keep silent. Then, stretching her right hand in front, she formed small golden bells, stuck to her large sleeve. Thus, when she was slowly moving her hand through the air, those bells rang, filling the horizon with a pleasant tinkling.

The same tinkling made the wild boars raise their heads and look at the place where the three women were. Yet, what made the queen attentive was to see the wild boar whose eyes reminded her a lot about Coallar. That’s why she murmured eventually, confused, „It can’t be! It’s impossible what my eyes are seeing: the eyes of the king of Coal in the glance of a beast?”

She winced eventually and looked back when she heard the voice of another woman, „You are right, Queen, for these are the eyes the King of Coal had while he was still alive.”

„Melia?” Inlan Diar asked in amazement, looking at the young woman about thirty that was only a few steps from them.

What really amazed Zeal was to see that the woman, who her great-grandmother called Melia, had long green hair and her eyes were also green, but having a darker shade than her hair. Her skin instead was as white as the milk, just like Nikkari’s skin. More than that, she was wearing a dress tailored from leaves and soft lianas, and she was barefoot. Surprising at Melia was also the fact that Zeal saw her worshiping in front of the queen and that Inlan Diar worshiped in front of the stranger, too.

Then, smiling, while seeing that Zeal was carefully looking at her, Melia told the girl, „I see someone here is really interested in me. Even though this isn’t the first time we see each other.”

Zeal frowned, hearing Melia saying that. Then, taking a few steps toward her, she confidently told her, „Yet, I am sure that I have never seen you before.”

Melia smiled. „Maybe you don’t remember this or you haven’t been aware that we have been so close to you. We instead saw you and not only once, crawling through the woods, great brown cobra,” the Nymph said, cunningly smiling. Then, looking behind her, she loudly said, „Nīṅkaḷ uṅkaḷai kāṭṭa muṭiyum!” (You can show up now!) Then, suddenly, dozens of nymphs, so similar to her, appeared in front of the four: descending from the trees while they were climbing on lianas, which were helping them to cross slowly through the woods. „They are my sisters,” said Melia. „Meliae or the Nymphs of the Woods.”

Zeal, carefully looking at Meliae, remembered that often while crossing Tenebre Forest, she felt that someone was lurking on her. Yet, when she looked around, she saw nobody. That’s why she thought then that she felt Tenebre’s eyes, watching her from everywhere through the eyes of the trees or of the beasts. At that moment, however, she finally understood who had lurked at her: Meliae.

„You are definitely right,” Melia told her as though she could read Zeal’s mind. „We had spied on you while you were crossing the forest.”

„This is already something damn weird,” Zeal thought, cooking her nose again.

She winced eventually when Melia smiled and said, „Yes, we are weird, for…”

„Ah, yes, I forgot that the nymphs are able to read minds,” murmured Zeal, unhappy.

„The same happens to you, who is able to read the winds'mind. More than that, if the Spirits allow this to you, you can read their minds too. Of course, if you can find the right spell to subdue them,” added Melia, still smiling.

„How did you know that? That I am able to read the winds’mind. Did you snoop through my memories?” Zeal asked, feisty, for she really felt weird that the Nymph knew that.

Melia slowly laughed. „Of course not. It’s something known by everybody: those who have the power to control the cobras are also able to read the others’mind. Only… it seems to me that you are the only one who doesn’t know this.”

„I just… nobody ever told me that I could. That’s all,” the girl tried to defend herself.

Melia left the girl alone when Nikkari told her, „Even though I can’t read minds, I still know why you are here.”

„I never doubted that. At the same time, I never tried to hide this. Why? Because we all know who has sent these creatures here after Coallar’s death. More than that, we all know who has turned that old king into what he is today: the king of these beasts.” Then Melia looked at the wild boar that was watching them.

Because of this Zeal looked in the same direction. Then, when she met the eyes of that boar, she mumbled, „I can’t believe that even after his death we can’t get rid of that old demon. Now… he’s the God of someone.” The girl’s upset voice made the boars run toward the edge of the glade, something that amazed even Zeal. That’s why, when she felt that Inlan Diar scolded her with a glance while looking at her, Zeal murmured, asking for mercy, „I was just… saying. No offense. Or… oh, maybe I exaggerated a little bit. This is all. Only… a little bit!”

At all surprised by her great-granddaughter’s reaction, Inlan Diar slapped her forehead, shaking her head. Then, looking at Nikkari, she said, „I don’t understand this strange game, to be honest, Nikkari. Just as I can’t understand how that boar can have Coallar’s eyes.”

„It’s because Coallar created them. In the depths of his grotto. Also, he raised them and called them his children. That’s why I called them Paṉṟi. Thus, if you carefully look at them, you’ll see the biggest one, Poṟi Ivar, or the Naughty One. He is who took Coallar’s power when the grotto exploded. Thus, even though Coallar isn’t in this world anymore, his power still is. That’s why the wild boars Paṉṟi listen to the Naughty One’s commands, who, in a strange way, listens to the Nympfs'orders. Thus, they will always be by the side of Melia and Meliae.”

„Maybe it is as you say, but I don’t really understand why we should know this,” murmured Zeal bored. „Actually, I think we had enough for today with mindless beasts to stay and watch the boars too now.”

To her surprise, Melia laughed. „To be honest, Princess Zeal, these boars aren’t mindless at all. Just like your cobras. Thus, they can be good soldiers if necessary. More than that, to answer your question, „Why are you here?” It’s because we also decided to enter the war.” Because of this, Inlan Diar looked at her, confused. Melia, however, didn’t avoid the queen’s glance. She only said, „It’s because it’s necessary, Queen of Ice. To be more precise, even though we don’t want this, we must fight too, for we don’t want this place to vanish, just like we’ll vanish if we do nothing to impede this happening.”

„Yet, Melia: the Nymphs have always been known as peaceful creatures. I still think that’s better for you to look for a shelter. Just as you always do in times of war. At least while the storm passes,” the queen insisted.

Nikkari sighed, „There is no safe place left on this Earth, Queen of Ice. This is because of Maranam, who spread his hatred and his thirst for power everywhere. He even forced us to enter this war. That’s why we must fight.”

„Us? Do you mean that you will also enter this fight?” Zeal asked in amazement.

Nikkari didn’t answer her question. At least… not right away. She only looked at the girl with sad eyes, sighing. After minutes in a row, after she also looked at the Nymphs and at the wild boars, who also seemed to wait for her answer, Nikkari said, „That’s right. I also enter the battle this time. Actually, I have no other choice if I want to save the world and see it existing for eternity. More than that, there is one more reason why I want to fight: that others’hatred has emptied my soul. Thus, as I can’t live empty inside, I want to bring peace all around this earth. Even though I am aware that there is no place for love in times of war. That’s why, if I want that love and peace to be still found on this mountain, I can’t stay behind. I will fight, along with Meliae. Thus, if you need our help, just send Argol to tell us. Then, Meliae and the Spirits of the grotto, led by me, will join you on the battlefield.”

Eventually, they all looked at Melia when she said, „Actually, not only Meliae will enter the war. My sisters, Thebe along with the Napaeae, Ida with the Oreads, Syke and the Hamadryads, Daphne with the Dryads, and Tesa with the Limnades will join us when it’s necessary.”

„Let’s not forget the water nymphs, the nymphs of the sky, of the air, and of the depths of the ground,” said Nikkari. „They also agree to fight. They just need to let them know about this. Actually, we’ll summon them all, for our earth is Holy. Thus, if we have been created for something, it has definitely been to defend nature from madness and imbalance. So, if Maranam thinks he’s invincible, then let him demonstrate that. Yet, I doubt he can do that. I doubt he can defeat us all because this world is his enemy, forever, an enemy that looks at him with eyes of terror. Even… through the beasts’eyes. Thus, if he wants the throne of the world, then everything will burn, but Maranam won’t lead this world. Neither will we kneel in front of him without fighting.”

Then, when Nikkari finished talking, the Nymphs’shout was heard everywhere. At first, Meliae shouted. Then the Dryad’s scream was heard, the Hamadryads’, Napaeae’s, etc. Thus, whenever the Nymphs’shout was heard, the trees bowed their crowns, and the birds froze in the air because of fear, a fear that nobody ever felt before. Yet, it was comprehensible, for feeling it before the war was making them strategically think and plan everything very carefully. Then, so suddenly, they all decided: all to one and one to all would enter that war if necessary, just not to allow evil to root on their land and turn everything to ashes.

Eventually, nature and the forest itself started to sing. After that, the holy dance of the thick forest was seen. Along with that dance, multiple voices of women were praising the land that gave them life and the chance to see so much beauty around them. That song, the words of which Zeal couldn’t understand, still entered her soul, deeply. That’s why she felt that they weren’t alone in the world, that nature wasn’t that simple and unprotected, and that it was more than capable to protect itself if necessary.

Thus, feeling nostalgic deep in her soul, Zeal sat down by the thick trunk of a tree. Then, taking her harmonica, made from a maple leaf, she started to sing with all her heart, accompanied by the sacred song of the forest. Yet, not only Tenebre Forest was singing. Soon after this, Kiago Forest started to sing too. There, however, men’s voices were also heard, for those trees were as old as the world was. That’s why their voices were deep, but still pleasant to hear.

That song, of the two forests, was the signal for the others in fact. Thus, slowly-slowly, the entire world started to sing: creatures, magic or not, started to sing, just to show others that they were strong and that together they were more than able to defeat the evil that was threatening with destroying their beloved home - Planet Earth.

***

„What’s this?” Bestla asked in a whisper when the Trees of Rophion Forest started to sing too. Their voice, deep and pleasant, similar to the growl of a bear, was still strangely heard around.

Hearing Bestla’s question, Samaya shook her head, for she also didn’t know what song was that, and this was because she was as young as her friend was. That’s why she only carefully looked around, in amazement, trying to understand what they were listening to in fact.

Only Dike and Boor knew the answer to that question. Yet, they couldn’t tell the girls the meaning of that song. However, when the two girls looked at them, Dike sighed. Then, looking at the ground, he murmured, „They call it „Mirukak Kaṇkaḷ” or „The Eyes of the Beast.”

„It’s the song of the World before death,” said Boor, sadly, something that amazed Bestla so much.

„The song before death? What do you mean, Dad? How can nature…?”

„It’s so, Bestla, because nature doesn’t know if we survive in this big war. That’s why she prefers to sing her song of lament while she still has time,” murmured Samaya, thoughtful.

„That’s right, Samaya. The entire nature has allied. It seems to me. Thus, through this song, which also means, „Provoke to War,” they tell Maranam „You can’t pass by here! Yet, you can try! We, however, will fight till the end and only after our death can you submit us.”

„But… it’s so cruel… this thought,” whispered Bestla.

„Maybe you are right, sweetie. Yet, it’s the earth’s decision and we can’t stay against it. That’s why I think that’s better to keep advancing and to do whatever we can to impede this earth to fall eventually,” said Boor, kindly and sadly at the same time, holding his daughter to his chest. Then, kissing the top of her head, he understood that his daughters grew so quickly and that he kissed the top of their heads so few times. More than that, he felt sorrow at that moment that he didn’t hug and kiss Sephir and Zeal too, that he didn't at least say goodbye, for those trees were right while singing, „Maybe we will soon be just a memory for this world or the verse of a song.”

Then, one by the side of the other, Dike, Samaya, Bestla, and Boor continued to walk. Yet, they did this in silence, for they were already approaching the Glade of Shadows, where Samaya and Mayar had fought 14 years ago. Nevertheless, it was impossible for them not to feel sorrow when all those secular trees were singing all at the same time:

„If we go off to war today, we’ll do it only singing,

Crossing valleys and hills, and leaving earth behind,

Thus, if we are in the end just war memories,

Honor us as heroes, sisters and brothers of mine.

We are also asking you, beloved father earth,

Don’t allow this world to fall apart around,

Even though we’ll turn all into ashes,

Never let our home burn to the ground…”