The atmosphere feels bustling with festivities. On several occasions, I can see people playing dangerous games. Some children throw a knife into the air, and everyone runs away. The knife lands on Amator, but it bounces off his skin.

  Amator starts laughing.

  "A-are you celebrating something particular?" I ask confused

  "No, this is just another day," Ragnar says with a smile.

  As we venture further, I realize the absence of houses. Most people gather openly on the rock surface. People paint smiles on their faces and dance near cliffs as if nothing else in the world matters.

  Eventually after a long walk up, we reach another open space and an incline. At the top stands a throne of rock. It's so long it must measure several meters, and its surface is jagged and uncomfortable. Sitting on it is a woman with short red hair, and a bandage covering her left eye. Her exposed body is very muscular and athletic. Beside her is an artifact shaped like a spear.

  Just below the throne are 10 men and women who seem quite strong. They furrow their brows as we approach.

  "Thank you for the warm welcome," Amator says, arms extended to the sides.

  Despite this, no one responds, and then the woman on the throne stands up and starts descending slowly until she is face to face with Amator thanks to the incline. They stare at each other for a few seconds until suddenly the woman lunges and hugs Amator.

  "My son! I missed you!" the woman says amidst exaggerated tears.

  "Enough already, Ma. You're going to get your snot all over me. Besides, I only left a few days ago," he says, trying to push her away, but it seems the woman's strength prevents it.

  I would never have thought that Amator was the son of the leader of the Adamantite clan. Although that might explain how strong he is. But then, with this, shouldn't we have the alliance guaranteed? Right?

  "For me that's a long time! Have you finally come to take over the leadership of the clan?"

  "I already told you that I won't take over!"

  "But since you were little you always said you wanted to become the best leader of the clan! "

  "Today I come on behalf of the Lobos Rojos, I brought the person who is gonna be Aleifr Succesor."

  The woman stops hugging Amator, causing him to push himself away and fall to the ground. The woman looks at me. Her face tenses again.

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  I try to maintain composure and look her in the eyes.

  "Pleased to meet you, my name is Ad-tair," I stutter.

  My face flushes the moment I realize I messed up my introduction. But then, turning back to the woman, her face reddens, and she hugs me too.

  "How adorable!" The woman jumps while hugging me. "It's impossible for this little bunny to be the successor of that old grumpy wolf. Just look at him!" Astu puts her hands on my cheeks.

  "Ma, this is serious. We've come to offer an alliance with the Adamantitaa clan."

  The woman stops hugging me. She looks at Amator, and he sighs. I feel the atmosphere change immediately as I feel the penetrating gazes of those nearby.

  "An alliance?" Amator's mother says, turning her back on me and climbing up the elevation to reach the throne. "And why should we ally with someone who betrayed us and massacred our brothers of the Pu?o de Fuego clan?"

  Now I understand why it will be challenging despite having Amator's help.

  "The Dorados are planning an attack soon," I say. "They have the support of the Shmool clan, and if this continues, their victory will be inevitable. Lord Eru knows that the only thing that can stop him is if you ally with us."

  "And I repeat," she says with a severe voice, "why should we ally with someone who massacred my brothers and sisters, who killed my husband and prevented the creation of the Great Fire clan."

  My eyes widen in surprise. I look at Amator, but he seems to avoid my gaze.

  "I-I," I am left speechless. I try to understand the situation, but I know I don’t have the full picture.

  "As severe as ever, Astu the Great Shield," Amator says, smiling and sharpening his silhouette. "It seems that the isolation of the Adamantita clan ever since the end of the Great Fire era has atrophied your instincts," His gaze turns to Astu, but his tone and body language indicate that his words are directed at the warriors and members of the clan. "I, Amator Adamantita, the traveling bard, have traveled from the wolves' caves to the depths of the Forest of Terrors, and I can say with certainty that if you choose to ignore this matter, the clan will follow the steps of their brother clan. If the Fire clan was powerful with two clans, imagine the power of the alliance of four major groups: the Shmool clan, the Dorados, the Mantis Orquidea, and city groups including one of the big ones like the Cuervos. This is an unprecedented army. Brute force will not be enough as it has in the past."

  The warriors tense their gaze, but Amator continues:

  "You speak of your honor and your duty to protect your brothers. But when one of them asks for help, you refuse?"

  "A Brother?" Astu says, widening her eyes.

  "That's right,” Amator smirks. “Altair is none other than the son of Emru Pu?o de Fuego, daughter of the leader of the Pu?o de Fuego clan, and sister of my father. That makes him the last member of the Pu?o de Fuego clan and successor to the clan's leadership."

  An agitated buzz spreads around.

  "And how do we know if this is true? I can't deny his resemblance to Aleifr, but nothing guarantees that he is Emru's son. Even though I know very well that my friend had a relationship with him."

  Amator smiles from ear to ear and looks at me directly. I understand what he wants me to do; he had planned this since the beginning.

  I take a few steps forward. The warriors put their hands on their weapons, and then I activate Mukkasa's mark. My white mark shines, and my scars turn glowing red. I feel the heat enveloping me and my strength increasing.