No other enemies awaited me in the oasis. I continued to trudge through the ever-thickening brush, eventually cutting down branches with my sword just to keep moving forward. I cut down a large branch to see a thick ring of trees ahead of me, and a large clearing beyond. I couldn't make out what was in the clearing, but I was determined to find out. I continued to push through, eventually coming to the ring of trees. They were massive, stretching at least 50 feet into the air. Beyond them was a lake, or body of water. I only knew that because I could hear the waves lapping against the ground by the base of the trees. All else was covered by a thick fog. "Fantastic..." I said to myself as I pulled the hood back from my head. I looked around for some way to cross the water, but found none. Knowing I'd have to walk or swim across, I took off my belt, and held my sword above my head as I stepped into the water. It was cool, but not freezing. After a few steps, the water level was up to my knees, and after several more it was up to my waist. That seemed to be as deep as the pool was, for the water level never rose above my waist. I heard something splash into the water, and felt something slither past my ankles. Instinctively, I drew my sword from its sheath. I held my sword out above the water, and gripped the end of the sheath tightly. A huge creature rose from the murky water just ahead of me. It was a huge snake like creature, but with the head of a dragon. Huge fangs protruded from its snarling mouth, discoloured from age old blood. "You seek Wrath?" It asked, its surprisingly elegant tone of voice catching me off guard. "That is correct." I answered. "Many have come seeking that blade." the dragon-serpent said. "And I shall succeed." I said, thinking maybe sounding confident would help. "Shall you now?" it asked, hunkering down and bringing its eyes level with mine. I nodded. "And what makes you so confident?" it asked. I suddenly thought of what the elders taught me at the circle of fire. "The sword of Wrath is a perfect weapon for Inekwar the Destroyer, don't you think?" I suggested, shrugging my shoulders. The serpent's eyes widened in surprise. "Inekwar the Destroyer?" it asked. "Yes?" I asked, relaxing my swordhand. The serpent's tone of voice changed suddenly. One of superiority to one of servitude. "Your majesty! Long have I awaited this day!" it said, giving me a bow. I slowly put my sword back into its sheath. "You have?" I asked. "Les my Lord! We serpents are not mindless creatures! I too have read the prophecy of Inekwar the Destroyer! The gods themselves instructed me to watch over Wrath for your arrival, long before they vanished." the serpent said. I nodded. The serpent's body shuddered, and then floated above the water. It closed its eyes and grunted before two massive wings unfolded from its back. Two sets of legs unfolded from its underside, and it flapped its wings to stay afloat. "Hop on your majesty! I shall take you to Wrath! I am your humble servant, until the day death takes me." the serpent said, now a dragon. I climbed onto the dragon's back, and we rose above the fog before a powerful flap of his wings sent us hurtling towards Wrath's resting place. This was a very strange land.