The silver sun remains in the same place. Days pass, yet it feels like I’m carrying the weight of entire years.

  Heavy and sleepy, I fall to the ground, my face turned toward the sky, ready to become a silver sculpture. My eyes wander across the soil, the trees, and finally stop on my own body. Silver has crept over my legs, my arms, my chest, almost my entire body. Only my cloak remains black, but that no longer matters.

  I feel the sweet comfort of doing nothing. I even manage to sketch a faint smile. My body grows heavier and heavier, but when I remain still, the weight seems to lessen.

  It was good while it lasted. My new life was fun.

  I went through many things. I made it far.

  Gradually, I close my eyes.

  I wanted to see the world, but for what?

  I’ve already seen the world. The world is this forest as a whole, there’s nothing beyond it.

  Eladreo lied to me. This world only has this forest.

  I wish I could yawn before sleeping, but I can’t even do that. My throat and mouth are stuck; they must have turned silver too.

  Well… Good night…

  Now!!!

  I widen my eyes and leap up. It’s difficult, but I manage to stand, my gaze firm. Speaking or shouting is impossible, but I know exactly what I want to express. I can barely feel my arms, yet I force myself to pound my silver hands against my chest like a gorilla.

  Even with lips sealed by silver, I express my anger.

  Give up?!

  My nose and lungs still work, so I take a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling through my nose.

  When did I fall this far in my dream of seeing the world?!

  Is this all the world is?!

  How could you, Nagaro, even think that?!

  I climbed mountains, crossed countless biomes, faced all kinds of monsters I never even imagined could exist!

  I may not realize it, but my eyes once silver, turn blue again.

  And you, Silver Forest!

  I look at the vegetation.

  You’re just another biome. A bit weirder than usual, but nothing special.

  I’ll pass through you like I did every other one.

  My leg stopped working? That’s fine. I’ll crawl like a worm. But I will never give up!

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  I turn my face to the sky.

  And you! Silver sun, silver sky, silver clouds, and Silver Mountains…

  Silver Mountains!

  I can’t believe what I see. It’s a miracle. The five silver mountains.

  I don’t waste time. I need to leave this forest now.

  I move my body. The weight of the silver still oppresses me, but I advance, step by step. Each movement carries my will and my determination to escape this place.

  Before I realize it, I spot a green forest. I’m overwhelmed by intense emotion and begin to walk faster.

  My body finally crosses the Silver Forest. I fall face-first onto the ground, but I don’t care. I laugh, then kiss the soil and the thorny grass where I landed.

  I take a deep breath, feeling the scent of the trees. I raise my head to look around. I see a black orchid releasing dark pollen. I smile broadly at the orchid. My ears catch the distant sounds of monsters battling. I missed that too, more than I realized.

  When I notice it, my body is no longer rigid. I can stand up without difficulty. The silver color has vanished from me. My hair has returned to black. Immediately, I test my Skills: I can invoke water and fire through my arms and legs without any restriction. I close my eyes for a brief moment, testing my Source vision. The result is as expected, I can see the Sources and their white and light-gray colors.

  After several minutes of happiness, and even finding it amusing that I had thought about giving up, I take another look at the Silver Forest. Still, I remain alert to my surroundings… just in case that monster with the huge paw throws me back in there again.

  Suddenly, I remember something.

  "My goodness…"

  I should apologize to Eladreo.

  Eladreo, I don’t know if you’re watching me, but if you are, I’m sorry for thinking that you lied to me.

  I know he will hardly ever know this, much less respond to my thoughts, but I feel at ease after apologizing.

  I look at the ordinary forest I’m in now. The tall trees cover the canopy and prevent me from seeing the mountains I’m heading toward. I decide to launch a fire attack, opening a path ahead and allowing me to see the volcanoes, the normal mountains, and soon after, I find the Five Silver Mountains once again.

  I walk toward them.

  I can continue my journey.

  Even reinvigorated, my thoughts drift back to the Silver Forest. What kind of forest was that? And how had I escaped it at all?

  The monster that pushed me there… why did it do that? What was its intention? And the place I’m heading to now, those silver-colored mountains, could there be a connection?

  I have many questions, but no answers. All that remains is to move forward and discover for myself whether this path is, or is not, the way out.

  With firm strides, I advance deeper into the forest.

  ***

  At some point within the Silver Forest, at the edges of one of its entrances, a gigantic monument rises, made of silver scales and true silver. This sculpture was not created for lesser creatures to behold, but for a giant and powerful race.

  The inscriptions engraved upon it cannot be read or interpreted by just anyone, only by the vertical eyes of that race.

  Upon it is written:

  The Forest of Silver Determination, Argenthyr.

  Created by the First Silver-Scaled Dragon Emperor, Argyron.

  Ages ago, when the world stood on the brink of ruin, the need arose to strengthen the conviction and determination of young and newly born dragons. The Final Blight was approaching. The battle was imminent, and no dragon could evade it.

  With effort and sacrifice, the First Silver Dragon Emperor consumed what remained of his life to create two sacred places, meant to sustain the future of our race.

  The Silver Mountains, where dragons would live and recover their strength.

  And the Forest of Silver Determination, a place of trial and training.

  Therefore, young dragon, tread this forest with caution. If your determination and confidence are not strong enough, you will become nothing more than another statue of silver.