After nearly a day of descending the sharp stairs down, I managed to enter the Forest of Terror. As I enter, the twilight diminishes and becomes complete and utter darkness. The trees dissolve, and now it seems like I'm walking in a dark space obstructed by invisible trees.

  I light a fire. I try to sleep, but the growls in the distance keep me alert. After a while, the fire is about to die out, so I go to fetch more wood. But then, in the darkness, I discover a pair of glowing eyes staring directly at me. I barely manage to dodge their attack as it cuts my chest with its claws.

  I start to run, but I trip over the tree roots and end up on the ground. The creature pounces on me. I think it's the end, but I feel the adrenaline coursing coldly through my body, and then at the last second, I'm able to activate my Herencia and expand both of my arms muscles, sending the creature flying.

  I want to get up to see and make sure it's dead. However, I feel a stabbing pain and collapse to the ground. The last thing I see in the distance are red eyes in the darkness getting close.

  I wake up quickly and with heavy breathing. I look around and see the fire again in front of me. Next to the fire is a man with long white hair and red eyes that sharpen like those of a wolf. White bandages surround his arm. He pets what seems to be a small wolf cub.

  "What happened?" I ask, touching the wound on my chest that has been treated using leaves from the trees.

  "The creatures of the forest are in contact with the Altum currents. Their manipulation is instinctive for them. This little animal enlarges itself and wraps its claws in Altum water: poison for us. But don't worry, I was able to extract all the Altum water, and you should no longer be in danger."

  My eyes gleam as I listen to the man speak of such mysterious things; even the sound of his raspy voice gives him an air of hidden secrets.

  "Thank you very much, sir," I say, standing up and putting my fist to my chest right into my wound. I groan in pain.

  The man laughs slightly.

  "How can you be so carefree in front of a stranger inside the Forest of Night Terrors? What's your name? Mine is Aleifr."

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  "My name is Hoomul!"

  "A member of the Shmool clan? And how did you end up in the Forest of Night Terrors? This is not a place for a child like you."

  The smile fades a little from my face.

  "I hurt my aunt with my Herencia"

  I stay contemplative, looking at the fire. My chest feels very heavy.

  "So the same as me," Aleifr says.

  "Did you also hurt your aunt?"

  Aleifr laughs.

  "No, not my aunt,” His eyes stare at the fire. “But I hurt many people, including those who are the most important to me. That's why I came to this place to train, to learn to control my power and prevent that from happening again. Maybe then I can use it to mend my mistakes."

  My eyes widen in surprise.

  "How do you plan to mend your mistakes?"

  "There are some things I want to do, but to achieve them, I need to be stronger than anyone in the cave."

  My eyes shine, and I can't look away from him.

  "That sounds Awesome! I would like to join you!"

  "I can't drag a child into my problems. You must return to your clan.”

  "I promise to be a great asset. Although it may not seem like it, I am very strong," I clench my fists and look at the ground. "Although I don't know how to control it yet."

  Aleifr sighs.

  "Alright. But promise me that someday you will make the effort to return to your aunt and your clan."

  "Yes, I promise!"

  Since then Aleifr has taught me to survive in the forest and use my Herencia. We both raise the little cup wolf that attacked me. We name him Lobo. When we leave the forest, the three of us are unstoppable. Nothing seems to be able to stop us in our dream of bringing peace and order to the cave.

  ...

  Hoomul's memories fade away. I regain consciousness and see Hoomul in front of me. Tears run down my cheeks. He gives me a smile, which I respond to by petting his head.

  I can't help but smile. Suddenly, I don't feel so alone.

  I try to use Hoomul's Herencia by visualizing my arm expanding. It does so slightly for a few seconds but then deflates immediately.

  "Don't worry! You'll surely master it!" he says, jumping out of bed. "See you later, Viejo."

  Hoomul transforms into his giant form and then leaves the room with hearty laughs.

  I look around Aurora's room. I remember what I did to her. I wish I had controlled my anger. But there is no point in drowning in the past. As Aleifr and Hoomul, all I could do is move forward. I have to live with regret as a reminder to prevent it from happening again, but if I let regret drown me, I won't be able to make amends and compensate for what I did. Even if it's just a little, I must forgive myself.

  "Let's get going," I say with a smile and jump out of bed.