The morning sun was already punishing, and the humid forest air weighed heavily on the three explorers. Carlos, Tassi, and Quixotina ventured into the forest known as the Jaguar's Wood, where the strident chirping of cicadas and the insistent buzzing of mosquitoes formed an annoying symphony. Insects danced in thick clouds around them, taking advantage of the sweaty skin of the hapless trio.

  The two women ahead fought the itch of the bites with equal determination, each trying to show more resilience than the other. Their hurried steps created a silent competition, while Carlos followed behind, already deeply regretting his decision to come.

  If I knew I'd be transported to another world, I would have brought insect repellent, he thought, feeling another bite on his neck. I must have already lost a liter of blood to these tiny vampires, and we're not even halfway there.

  Carrying knives and baskets to collect saltpeter, the group advanced with difficulty. Quixotina brandished her sword vigorously, cutting through the thick vegetation, while Tassi kept her hand near the revolver she had received, feeling its familiar weight on her hip.

  "Remember to use that weapon only in extreme necessity," Carlos warned, observing her movement. "We have very few bullets, and it might be impossible to get more."

  "I know, don't worry," Tassi replied, adjusting the weapon. "I counted every bullet: 107 in total. Long before I run out, you will surely have developed new weapons."

  "I hope you're right."

  Quixotina observed the revolver with curiosity mixed with skepticism. Although it had only been a week since the group from Jorge's Mill arrived, everyone in the Mocambo do Tatu was already talking about the miraculous weapon.

  "Is this the weapon you used to eliminate the mill owner?" she asked, frowning. "It doesn't look that formidable."

  "Appearances can be deceiving," Tassi retorted with a confident smile. "With this in my hands, our duel would have had a different outcome."

  "Then we can have a rematch when we get back! I'd love to repeat my victory."

  "Better not," Carlos intervened. "This weapon is lethal in the right hands. With your agility, you might escape if I were holding it, but if Tassi has it, I think you would die."

  Tassi puffed out her chest, proud, while Quixotina rolled her eyes. The two plunged into a heated argument as the group moved deeper into the dense forest. The vegetation grew thicker with every step, until only foliage and ancient trunks surrounded them. The heavy air smelled of damp earth and decay, while the forest chorus—insects, birds, and distant monkeys—created an oppressive atmosphere.

  With the Gem of Strength glowing in her necklace, Quixotina cleared the path effortlessly, her blades cutting through vines and foliage. Tassi, accustomed to rigorous exercise, kept pace easily. Carlos, however, was already breathing heavily, his clothes stuck to his body with sweat, but he stubbornly refused to fall behind.

  As they began to climb the steep slope, Tassi's breathing became more labored, though her steps didn't falter. Carlos was about to beg for mercy when Quixotina surprisingly suggested:

  "By the sun, it must be noon. And my stomach doesn't lie," she said, rubbing her belly. "Up ahead, there's a mangaba tree. We can rest and eat something. There's also a nearby spring to quench our thirst."

  Thank God! Carlos thought, relieved. I don't know what a mangaba is, but I'm just happy to rest. Is that a mangaba? Since I'm from Paraná, I'm not very familiar with the fruits here.

  Moving forward, they found the tree, about ten meters tall, laden with yellow-orange fruits. The sweet aroma of the ripe fruit permeated the air. Carlos collapsed in the shade of the tree, examining one of the fallen fruits. Tassi, curious, picked one directly from a branch.

  As she bit into the fruit, her face immediately contorted.

  "What an awful fruit!"

  "Ha ha ha!" Quixotina laughed. "The ones on the tree are still green. You need to pick up the fallen ones from the ground."

  "But half of them are full of ants!" Tassi protested, indignant.

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  "The ants add a special flavor," Carlos joked, biting into a fruit he had carefully chosen without insects. "And they're good for your eyesight."

  Wow, what a unique flavor! he thought, surprised. It tastes like mango mixed with passion fruit!

  Soon everyone was enjoying the sweet fruits until they were full, except Quixotina, who continued eating long after the others had stopped. Her insatiable appetite drew curious looks.

  "I don't like those stares," she finally grumbled. "I'm not a glutton! It's a side effect of the Gem of Strength - it massively increases my hunger."

  "Really?" Tassi asked, interested. "I never met a Gem of Strength user in the army, only fought against a few."

  Interesting, Carlos thought. Some Gems have drawbacks. This one wouldn't be ideal for sieges or prolonged battles.

  Resuming their walk, Carlos noticed that Quixotina maintained the fast pace. He decided to strike up a conversation to see if it would make her slow down.

  "So, Knight Quixotina, what's your real name?"

  Tassi looked surprised: "Wait, that's not your real name? How did you know?"

  "Don Quixote is a character from a book - a mad knight lost in time. He's famous in Spain in this era, and in my world, he became known globally," Carlos explained. "But I doubt any mother in her right mind would name her daughter Quixotina. First, because he's an eccentric character, and second, because it's... well, a terrible name! I conclude you chose this name yourself, being a fan of Don Quixote."

  "What's wrong with Quixotina?" the knight defended herself, hurt. "It's a beautiful name! And Don Quixote wasn't mad, he was a dreamer in the wrong time, like me! I was born in a gray world where chivalric values died, where the Church that once fought slavery now supports it, where the strong oppress the weak. I refuse to live in that world, just as Quixote refused! I find that noble."

  "Everyone has their own interpretation," Carlos conceded. "But I doubt that idealized world ever truly existed, even in the age of knights."

  "Perhaps not," Quixotina admitted. "But it's not madness to fight for it."

  She's so idealistic, even in this world, Carlos thought with a twinge of envy. For me, there are no more heroes or villains. I know not everyone in the quilombo is a saint, but it's our best option.

  Tassi shared the sentiment. There was a time when I believed my struggle would bring a better future for my people. I've discovered the world isn't black and white, but gray. Even helping Carlos and fighting for the quilombo, I don't see a promising future. Perhaps everything will end in destruction, or this king will become corrupt like mine did.

  Silence fell between them, broken only by the sounds of the forest and the undergrowth being cut. Finally, Carlos asked:

  "But then, what is your real name?"

  "I abandoned my old name when I came to Brazil. Few know it. I can reveal it, if you prove yourselves worthy."

  "And how do we prove that?"

  "By manufacturing this so-called weapon and showing its power. If it can truly help the quilombo's cause, I will tell you my name."

  "Deal!" Carlos agreed.

  Silence returned until, finally, they spotted the cave. It looked like an open wound in the mountainside, its entrance shrouded by vines. The sunlight illuminated only the first few meters, beyond which absolute darkness swallowed everything. While the forest teemed with life, the cave remained frighteningly silent.

  Carlos swallowed dryly, remembering the dangers of cave exploration. Tassi, though brave, felt a chill down her spine.

  "There aren't... any monsters living in there, right?" she asked, looking at Quixotina.

  Monsters don't exist, Carlos thought. The real dangers are holes, natural traps, and toxic gases. At least what I'm looking for should be near the entrance.

  "I've never seen monsters," Quixotina replied. "But many have disappeared from the forest recently. I haven't explored it deeply, but I know there are bats. Once, I heard a deafening noise and a cloud of them came flying out. If what you seek isn't here, other more distant caves might have it."

  "Are you scared?" Quixotina teased, although she herself felt a primal fear of the place. She had only returned because she was accompanied.

  Tassi remained silent, fearing her voice would betray her nervousness. Carlos, though apprehensive, convinced himself these were just stories to scare Tassi.

  Quixotina took a torch from her leather bag and two special stones - one yellow and one gray.

  "What's that yellow stone?" Tassi asked.

  "Ha! Thought it was gold?" Quixotina laughed. "It's fool's gold, pyrite. We got it from Nia, from the fire cave in Mocambo do Tatu, where we also get Fire Gems."

  Carlos flipped through his mineral book until he found the corresponding page.

  "Incredible! We have pyrite in the mocambo!" he exclaimed, very excited. "With it, I can get sulfur for gunpowder! Now we only lack the saltpeter!"

  His enthusiasm momentarily dispelled his fears. Quixotina struck the stones together, creating sparks until the torch caught fire.

  "Let's go!" she announced, raising the flame.

  The group entered the darkness, the smell of urine growing stronger with each step. The two women suffered in silence, too proud to complain, while Carlos felt encouraged - that ammoniacal odor meant bat guano, and where there was guano, there could be saltpeter.

  Just a few meters ahead, they found the source of the stench.