Of course, Al wasn't really resting. He had simply taken leave to use [Teleportation] to bring himself in front of Sobek. The meeting place was the seashore just in front of the ship cemetery.

When he arrived the others were already there.

There was Buck, the commander of the assault legion. Al had heard that he had been badly wounded during the battle, but he had fully recovered.

There was Carnopo, the army commander. Proud and annoyed as ever, not a single movement could be glimpsed on his face.

There was Mazu, the commander of the navy. The huge marine reptile had come close to them thanks to a deep crack carved into the rock and protruded its head from the water to be able to listen.

There was Old Li, Sobek's councilor and second-in-command. The ankylosaurus had not participated in the battle, but his advice had been invaluable.

There was Rambo, the intelligence commander. The tiny pterosaur was barely visible among those giants and perched on Old Li's back.

There was Pierce, the one who had organized the defense and protected the seashore in an excellent way.

There was Eema, the one who had erected the fortifications that protected the territory of the dinosaurs.

There was Monica, the one who had traveled a good part of the world and had mapped it down to the smallest detail.

There was Apache, the commander from the air force. His contribution had been fundamental in the battle and had deprived the enemy of a great advantage.

There was Blue, the dinosaur scientist, another key member in achieving that victory.

There was Snock, who had teleported there shortly before him, the one who, together with Rambo, had woven the canvas to put each of their opponents in a cage.

And finally there was him, Al, the one who had talked to humans and who had helped one of them draw up one of the most ambitious plans for the future: to create a nation where humans and dinosaurs lived together. A plan that might have seemed like a dream, but that both President Jocelyne and her own pack leader believed it was possible.

Amid the twelve dinosaurs, Sobek lay supine on his stomach, the waves of the sea crashing over his enormous body, his head just raised towards them. No one dared to speak until their pack leader had granted it to them.

'A tyrannosaurus, the perfect war machine. A carnotaur, a fast, strong and intelligent dinosaur. A giganotosaurus, one of the largest predators ever. A triceratops, a herbivore with horns so sharp that they can pierce any flesh. An ankylosaurus, a real living tank. A quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal ever. A rhamphorhynchus, its exact opposite, but with a great infiltration ability. A brachiosaurus, one of the largest creatures to ever walk the planet. A mosasaur, the terror of the oceans. A stegosaurus, a herbivore so armored that it is feared by all. A vicious and sneaky velociraptor, the perfect combo of intelligence and lethality. And finally me, an allosaurus, another much feared predator. The most powerful weapons that nature has ever generated are here, gathered in this exact spot... yet, despite all their strength, none of them have doubts about who is in charge here...'

Al was silent like everyone else, waiting for Sobek to speak. The spinosaurus waited until she was comfortable with him, then opened its jaws and his booming voice emerged from his throat. "The victory of this day was the merit of each of you. Without your input, achieving this overwhelming success would have been very difficult, if not impossible. Some more and some less, you have all contributed to what will probably be remembered as the most absolute victory ever achieved in this world"

His eyes rested on the tyrannosaurus. "Buck, my friend. In this battle you were the front line and you were the one who risked his life the most. Is there something you wish to receive?"

The t-rex rolled his eyes. "Something, pack leader?"

"Is there something you want? If it is in my power, I will grant this wish"

Buck seemed to think about it, then replied: "Being part of the pack is already a great honor, but... if I can ask for something, then I wish I could travel more into human territory"

"Traveling in the territory of humans?"

"I know your plan is to create friendship between us and humans. Well, when possible, I would like to be allowed to go to their domain. Humans interest me and personally fascinate me, but so far I have only been able to see them on the battlefield. I'd like to get to know them better, to know how they really are"

Sobek let out a snort. "I understand. Very well, I will grant your wish. Very soon our two peoples will begin to mix, and you will be among the first dinosaurs to have my permission to relate to humans"

"Thank you very much, pack leader"

Sobek smiled and nodded. He hadn't expected such a desire; Buck certainly didn't give him the idea of someone who admired humans or wanted to know them. It was really true that everyone had a hidden and unexpected side, whether he was human or any other animal. "Now it's your turn, Mazu. You too contributed a lot to the victory and suffered a lot of losses. What would you like?"

The mosasaur poked his head even further out of the water: "Pack leader, feel free to refuse this request of mine if it conflicts with your future plans, but I would like to push the garbage of humans onto their beaches"

Sobek narrowed his eyes. "Why this desire?"

"Marine life is continually plagued by mountains of garbage and thousands, if not millions, of marine reptiles have lost their lives to that infernal plastic. I want to give humans a taste of their medicine"

"I understand. All right, permission granted. This doesn't interfere with my plans, so I have no reason to object. However, I forbid you to push it towards our allies; do it only against our enemies"

"Thank you very much, pack leader"

Sobek looked at the quetzalcoatlus. "Apache, you have masterfully led pterosaurs and birds to victory over planes. What would you like?"

"Pack leader, I would like permission to train more troops" Apache replied. "This battle made me realize that there are still many gaps in our attack system. I wish I could train more pterosaurs and birds and fully integrate small dinosaurs to get used to fighting on our backs. I believe that in this way a future battle will be easier and the losses will decrease "

"A very wise request. Granted. Any means to decrease our deaths is welcome by me" Sobek said. "Carnopo, and you? You too have contributed a lot. What would you like?"

Carnopo reflected, then replied: "Pack leader, I would like to ask you the same request as Buck"

Sobek raised an eyebrow: "Do you want to go to human territory? Why?"

"Because you were right" Carnopo replied. "I can't keep looking at humans with just hate. While they are responsible for many bad things that have happened to me, they have also helped us. The nation that is now our ally is proof that there is not only evil in humans. It is now clear to me that the world is changing and that in the future the walls that divide us will collapse, and I don't want to be the one who stays behind and hides inside a cave for the rest of his days. It's true, humans disgust me, but for this very reason I want to try to know their good side"

Sobek was very surprised this time. Carnopo had really matured. He didn't know if it was for the age or for the time spent together, but he had finally realized the uselessness of the grudge. He was really pleased with him. "All right. If these are your reasons, then you have my permission"

The eyes of the spinosaurus rested on the rhamphorhynchus: "Rambo, your contribution was also fundamental, not for one but for two fronts. What would you like?"

"Pack leader, I would like more food for espionage expeditions!" answered the pterosaur.

Sobek looked at him dazed. "Do you know, right, that you can just teleport and pick it up from the mangers at any time?"

"Oh, you're right... then I'd like more water!"

Instead there were some who had not matured at all. Rambo was the same goddamn chicken brain. Sobek could not help but sigh. "Okay... permission granted...". The rhamphorhynchus squeaked happily and flapped its wings gaily.

To get distracted, Sobek turned to Blue: "Finally, you. You were also very important. What would you like?"

"Pack leader, I wish I had the opportunity to work together with human scientists!" was the quick response of the velociraptor. "Of course I don't mean right now, but when humans and dinosaurs start living together I wish I could confront the brilliant minds of the scientific world. I believe that by pooling our knowledge we will be able to reach heights never crossed before!"

'Oh, finally something that makes sense. Thanks Blue!' Sobek thought. "As you wish. When the time comes, you can do it" he replied. "And then… Old Li. You didn't contribute to the battle, but your advice was invaluable and you kept our people safe as the battle raged. Do you want something?"

The ankylosaurus shook its head. "There is nothing this old man could wish for. I already have everything I need. As long as you allow me to continue serving you, pack leader, I will have no reason to be unhappy"

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely yes"

Sobek looked at him for a moment, then looked away. "All right. If that's what you want" he replied, and then turned to the five remaining: "I haven't forgotten about you. I already have the award for your contribution in mind. Pierce, Eema, Monica, please come forward"

The stegosaurus, the triceratops and the brachiosaurus approached. Sobek shifted slightly, revealing a bowl filled with silvery liquid. The hearts of all three skipped a beat with emotion, but before they could say anything Sobek preceded them. "Pierce, your defense was exceptional. You've fully earned the title of defense commander" he said, drawing a moon on his forehead.

After that he moved on to Eema. "You too, Eema. Neither my strategies nor Pierce's defense would have worked without your building skills. Therefore, I entrust you with the title of builder" and he also drew a moon on his forehead.

Finally he looked at Monica. "And you, Monica, have played a vital role in mapping our boundaries, allowing us to carry out the battle in the most suitable place for us. I have no reason to refuse you the title of exploration commander" and he drew a moon over her too.

The three dinosaurs raised their heads proudly. Now they had no reason to ask for more: Sobek had just granted them the highest honor in the pack, they couldn't be happier.

"Al, come on"

Feeling called into question, the allosaur approached, bowing his head respectfully.

Sobek stared at him for a moment, then spoke, "You have done many things for this pack, Al. You have helped many of our brothers to settle in and get out of the confusion that humans had made them into. And in recent days you have not only forged extremely strong relationships with the Great Republic of Beleriard, but you have also laid out the blueprint for building a new world and a new future for all of us and for our children. I can't imagine a more tenacious subject than you"

Al looked up and reflected in his red eyes. "Does that mean... that you have forgiven me for my mistake?"

Sobek laughed lightly. "Al, I forgave you for that mistake long ago. Not only you understood your mistake, but you stood up and were not afraid to try again, again and again, and thanks to this courage and this strength you have guaranteed the pack great benefits. I would be lying if I said you only earned my forgiveness in the last few days. Therefore, as a reward for your recent actions, I can't just forgive you"

Sobek's paw dipped into the silver liquid. Al's eyes widened and the allosaur's legs trembled slightly. "Pack leader... are you sure...?"

"Do you not want it?"

"What? No, absolutely, I want it. But... do you want it?"

"Of course yes. I have wanted this for a long time now. Don't be afraid, Al, and take the place by my side that has been waiting for you for too long!" Sobek drew a moon on Al's forehead. "Welcome our new negotiator!"

The other ten moons roared in pride, and Snock smiled too. Al bowed his head so much that he nearly touched the ground. "Thanks, pack leader. I promise you that I will make myself worthy of this honor"

"I'm sure" Sobek said, then finally looked at Snock. "Now you"

The giganotosaurus suddenly went stiff as Sobek's eyes rested on him. "To say that your conduct was exemplary is not sincere"

Snock lowered his head in disappointment.

"I would rather say it was superb!"

The giganotosaurus immediately raised his head, shocked by that statement.

"You've done a lot for the pack over the past year, Snock" Sobek continued. "You have saved thousands of our brothers from a cruel fate. You have infiltrated the most dangerous slums and have repeatedly risked your life to defend even one of our comrades. You never backed down on how dangerous the situation was and you always put the safety of others before yours. But more importantly, in times of need you have always been able to put aside your hatred and your anger in favor of a greater good, and for me this is the greatest of results"

Snock was taken aback by that cascade of compliments. "I was just following orders, pack leader" he said.

"Not at all. You may have been following an order, but I never asked you to die for our brothers, nor did I ever ask you to put aside your hatred. These noble gestures have always been his choice" Sobek replied. "This for me is the demonstration of how much you have improved and grown. It is clear to me by now that you are finally able to put the good of the pack before your personal wishes. Therefore, we no longer disagree"

Snock's eyes widened. "Do... Do you forgive me, pack leader?"

"Yes. Now you can fully consider yourself a member of the pack. In my eyes, you are no different than anyone else" Sobek replied.

Snock was over the moon, but then his smile faded. From his eyes it seemed that a violent conflict was going on in his mind. Finally he spoke: "Pack leader… I can't accept it. I don't deserve it. I... I still hate humans, I hate them deep down in my being. I only collaborated with them for convenience. I'm still far from your ideals"

Sobek burst out laughing. "So? Have I ever ordered you to think like me?"

"W... What?"

"I don't expect everyone who serves me to feel the same way. Everyone has the right to have his opinion and to defend it as they see fit. I'll never ask you to give up your hatred of humans, Snock. What I wanted, and what you realized, was for you to learn to put this hatred aside when it was useful for the pack. You did, so you earned full forgiveness for me. It is very difficult to ignore your desire for a greater good, and this demonstrates your enormous willpower"

Snock was surprised. "I thought…"

"I know what you thought. But I am not one who believes in absolutism. I know very well that not everyone in my pack agrees with my actions or the conduct I intend to take. But it suits me. In fact, I want you to express your opinion. I've never wanted puppets and I never will. I have no reason to do it: because as long as we all think about the welfare of the herd, then none of us will ever disagree with the others despite the different opinions"

The giganotosaurus remained silent, then lowered his head. "Pack leader, I have dreamed of this moment for a long time, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll do my best to be worthy of your words"

"You will have to be worth much more than my words" Sobek said. "I've put off this for too long"

Snock did not understand, but suddenly he felt the claw of his pack leader smear something on his forehead. He looked up and saw a white substance dripping from Sobek's paw. His heart leapt. "Pack leader!?"

"Since I now consider you one of my fully-fledged subjects, it would be unfair of me to ignore all your merits, as well as foolish. The pack needs someone like you, Snock" Sobek said. "Take your place by my side as commander of covert operations!"

Snock nearly fell to the ground in shock. Never, never had he ever dreamed of such an honor! Forgiveness had been his desire for him, but he had always thought that his rise would stop there. He had never imagined he could become a moon.

Sobek raised his head. "Now listen to me all. I will inform you of our plans for the future..."

**********

In the following days, many things changed in the Great Republic of Beleriard.

The victory against the NMWA was celebrated for several days. After their nefarious act, even supporters of the anti-dinosaur campaign were disgusted by the actions of world leaders. And with the Colonel's defeat, the rebel movements quickly disappeared; no one wished to meet the same end.

Jocelyne called a large national funeral for all the soldiers who fell in the battle. Surprisingly, in her speech he thanked not only the humans who had sacrificed themselves to defend their homeland, but also the dinosaurs who had helped them. To honor the dead, Jocelyne had a large chapel built at the point where the battle took place and there she placed two coffins, called 'the unknown defenders': inside there were the bodies of a human and a dinosaur, both too mangled to be recognizable or identifiable, and therefore were buried there with no name as a sign of respect.

The dinosaurs that had participated in the battle for coastal defense remained there. Jocelyne had had shelters set up for them. Between humans and dinosaurs there was still a wall, but it was evident that many things had changed. Army soldiers now enjoyed the company of the dinosaurs and treated them as equals, no longer afraid of them. After all, there was nothing that united two peoples like fighting side by side on the same front. Encouraged by law enforcement, many civilians had also begun to approach the dinosaurs, albeit very reluctantly. After all, it was now clear to even the most reluctant that a new era was beginning and that seeing and talking to dinosaurs would become the norm; we might as well start socializing immediately and lay the foundations for friendships.

The human mind changed sides easily. For many it was as if their world had turned upside down: the NMWA that proclaimed itself the protector of humanity had attacked their lives and the dinosaurs they should have feared had instead come to their aid. Much of the population had completely turned their backs on the NMWA and started to look at dinosaurs differently.

Of course, this was not true for everyone. Those people who had lost family and friends in the battle a year earlier still kept their distance. The same was true for the former prisoners of Marsala, even if among them there were also people who wanted to broaden their views.

Al's merit had to be acknowledged in all of this. In the days following the battle he had appeared on every television program and had given dozens of interviews, and even had spoken in public a few times. Using all the dialectic he could call upon, Al had expressed his sincere wish that humans and dinosaurs could learn from that terrible experience and finally lay down the hatchet. Only by accepting each other's existence, he said, would they really find a way to coexist. His speeches had inspired many people, who after what had happened were more open to listening to him.

The change was already taking place. Everyone could see it concretely. But it was only a week later, when Lord Sobek himself arrived in the streets of the capital, that the change was really made official.

Taking advantage of the positive climate, Jocelyne had invited him publicly. The nation was intrepid for that event: this time he would not only be an ambassador, but the very leader of the dinosaurs to come.

Sobek arrived in Beleriard with at least a hundred dinosaurs in tow. He had brought with him his most faithful companions (Buck, Carnopo, Pierce, Monica, Apache, Old Li, Eema, and even Mazu who had gone up a river) and all his best warriors. The march of a hundred dinosaurs would have frightened anyone, but this time it wasn't just terror that reigned in the city upon their arrival. Many humans, even if they did not greet them openly, did not flee to see them arrive and quietly observed their passage.

When Sobek finally arrived at the Eternal Palace, whoever was present witnessed an event that would be remembered in the history books: President Jersey had left the palace unescorted and walked steadfastly and with a smile on her face towards a tall dinosaur. ten times her; after which she had raised her hand. A second passed, and under everyone's gaze Sobek had lowered his gigantic body and stretched out one of his enormous claws; Jocelyne then brushed the scaly skin of the spinosaurus, as if she were shaking his hand.

For a very long moment silence reigned over the crowd. Then, someone started clapping. Then two. Then three. In less than a minute, everyone was cheering. And it wasn't just the humans: even the dinosaurs were expressing their joy, some clapping, some stamping their feet on the ground, some frantically moving their wings. Many photographs would have immortalized the moment and several painters would have created paintings aimed at witnessing the event; the most famous of them would have been Vivan Torkon's 'The Beginning of the True Age of Peace'.

Then, without removing his claws from Jocelyne's hand, Sobek addressed the crowd itself and his words traveled across the nation thanks to the power of the media. "This could be called a glorious day, and I assure you it is. Listen carefully to my words: from this moment on, we are in a new era. An era where we will all live in the same world, together. Humans and dinosaurs, pterosaurs and birds, marine and land reptiles - we will all live together. You have my word: never again will blood flow on this earth. We will do everything in our power to show the world that this dream is achievable, and that there is no need for further conflict. If we want to honor all the victims of this war, whether they are humans or dinosaurs, whether they are allies or enemies, whether they are comrades or strangers, then we must all work to break down our differences and unite our peoples, so that no one will ever again. must suffer what we have suffered and must die like the countless victims who now lie on the bottom of the sea. For your children, for your grandchildren, and for all those you hold dear on this magnificent earth, I invite all of you to try! It will be very difficult, harder than any battle we have ever faced, but I tell you this dream is achievable if we all believe it! From now on, there will no longer be a 'you' and a 'them', but only a 'us'. It is said that one man cannot change the world, but an entire nation can! And so I tell you, this nation becomes the paradise that will show the whole world that coexistence is not an impossible ideal!"

That would have been the beginning of a new era, so much that some future calendars would even have counted that moment as the year 0. By now the fate was definitely decided: for better or for worse, the world would never have been the same again.