In the middle of the desert, a great sandstorm is passing through the whole place destroying and taking everything with it.
You could even see some little trees flying in the air. This Sandstorm is very dangerous and you could even say if a house was in front of the storm, he would've been easily turned to oblivion.
But surprisingly, you could see a bunch of people traveling normally in the storm. They are riding what seems like a large lizard. This kind of Magic beast is known as Salthesta.
Salthesta is a large reptile Magic beast commonly found in the huge deserts of the Sarna world. Measuring around 6-7m in length which the tail takes almost half. These kinds of creatures are very agile and rapid and they are also very adapting to survive in the desert.
They also have the ability to walk on the ceiling and walls to avoid being spotted. Most of the Salthestas live in groups so they can fight against predators.
They are used as mounts in the desert environments because of the easiness to tame them through magic. Right now, a group of people are traveling on these creatures and covering their ears, mouth, and half the face with a mask while they used goggles to protect their eyes so that they can see in this desert storm.
Finally, after a couple of hours of traveling, they passed through the sandstorm and reached a little oasis and decided to rest a little so that they can get back to their top condition and continue the journey.
There were 6 people traveling together. four women and two men. two of the four women looked to be in their 30s as they took their masks and goggles out. The other two men, on the other hand, seemed older as they looked to be in their 50s.
Finally, the last 2 somen who seemed to be the leaders of this group surprisingly seemed to be little girls who didn't pass 20. The leader seemed to be the woman with the red hair.
She is a brunette with red hair and light blue eyes and has a little beauty mark under her left eye. She has also a little tattoo on her right-hand palm, it was a little rose that seemed very enchanting.
A/N:[ Emelia: https://pin.it/626j2z3sm7fr2l].
One of the men came beside her and started talking to her about something while explaining something through the map.
"Young Miss, looking at the Map, I can say for sure that we're almost near the cave. I heard from some people that we can find many low mana stones there. There is even a possibility of finding middle-tier mana stones. If we can find such a thing then your father will be very happy and our gang will rule over the city".
When the young miss heard the last words of the man, she sighed and didn't say anything. She then looked at the sky and said.
"So you really think that we can rule Alcos city while that man still lives there. didn't you hear what he did all this time? We need really some heavenly luck to do that".
When the man heard what she said, he shivered as he started remembering the disaster that man represented. he stopped shivering and then started talking again.
"But Miss Emelia didn't he disappear for over a month now. I mean, he dared to enter the inner desert of Moxi island, and no one ever returned from there. Everybody also knows that he's not interested in ruling the city, wouldn't that make our job easier?".
"You don't understand, that's the whole reason why he's more dangerous than the other ones. He's immensely strong and nothing can stop him. Previously, there existed 3 gangs and 2 companies ruling over the whole Alcos city yet now what remains is our gang, the Desert Rose, and the last company, the Lizard company. In 6 months, he destroyed 2 gangs and one company. The reason that we still exist is for the simple reason of not angering that guy".
When the man and the other 3 followers heard what she said, they trembled as they thought about how his power is terrifying. The girl then added, "And the thing about him disappearing is just a rumor. We can't be sure that he truly left until a year pass at least".
These all nodded as what the young miss said was very logical. After saying that, Emilia sighed and then said again. "You don't need to feel downcast. If he's really dead then it will be a good thing for us and if he's still alive then we just have to not anger him and everything will be okay. For now, we need to concentrate on the cave".
When the 4 heard what she said, they all looked determined and hopeful. What they didn't notice was that one of them had a little glint in his eyes as he looked at the young miss and a creepy smile appeared on his face.
---------------------
After resuming their travel again and after a long day of travel, they reached a place that looked like a little Canyon. They then hold on their Lizards as the lizards started descending the Canyon.
With their ability to climb ceilings and walls, they could easily reach the bottom of the canyon. When they reached the bottom of the canyon, they found that the road is too little for the lizards to move so they left them at the entrance and started walking.
After an hour, they reached the end of the canyon and found the cave. It was very hidden and you could only find it if lady luck smiled at you. All the men and women felt very happy while Emelia kept her senses open so she can immediately react to any danger.
One of the women looked at Emelia and then said to her.
"Young miss, I can't feel any magic or formation inside so I believe that we can enter safely. Of course, we can go back and bring more reinforcements to investigate clearly this place".
The woman who talked to her is her personal bodyguard and considered as Emelia's childhood friend, named Saya.
"No, we need to go and see for ourselves. We can't guarantee that someone will discover this place so we need to find what's inside and retrieve it if possible. After all, the story of the cave started as rumor and we were only able to get the map by chance. We need to take this chance".
Saya: "Yes of course, as you order young Miss".
After saying that, the 2 men prepared themselves and after them was Emelia and Saya. Finally, The 2 women came from behind to guard the rear.
As they're walking through the cave, darkness is the only thing that they are able to see. They could hardly tell their direction.
Saya looked at one of the men and then ordered him. "Jake, light a fire so we could see the way".
A/N: [I changed my mind and gave them names cause even if they're unimportant, they are needed for the story].
"understood miss Saya. Fire magic, fireball".
When the man chanted the spell, a magic circle appeared on his hand and then condensed and changed into a little fireball. He then controlled the fits all and made it float around them. This was one of the famous magic spells in the Sarna world, The fireball spell. It signifies that Jake is a Mage who has an affinity to fire type magic.
As they walked through the cave, the fireball illuminated their way a little over 10m and so they could see a little what lies ahead of them. After walking a little more, they could see a little light coming from the front.
Emelia and the others became tenser as they walked slower than before. Finally, when they reached the end, they were stroke by the light, and then they saw something unimaginable.
They saw a bunch of gloating stones everywhere inside. They couldn't believe that such a thing existed here on this desert island. Emelia who saw all this felt happy as their search paid off and now they could finally have a chance to rise and soar in the sky.
Saya: "I can't believe that a barren place like the Moxi island could produce a vain of Mana stones. If the Lefia kingdom hears about this, the king and government will really invade this place. We must keep it a secret no matter what".
Emelia and the others nodded as what Saya said was very logical. The then continued searching and found that the vain continued a long way and they couldn't reach the end at all.
"This canyon is at the edges of the inner desert so it means that right now, we're directly under the ground of the inner desert and there must be powerful magic beasts so be careful".
Emelia seemed very excited as she saw a huge chance in making their gang raise and also her warrior level but she didn't lose her mind over it as she reminded them of where they are and how careful they need to be.
Still, looking at all of this mana stones she started thinking about the new possibilities and said to herself, 'With this many Mana stones, It's guaranteed to reach the level of the supreme warrior in half a year. I might even reach the level of Spirit warrior and become an elite class warrior'.
Emelia: " Saya, we must....."
Before Emelia could say anything more, one of the women unexpectedly attacked the two men while the other woman sneak attacked Saya.
*Swoosh* *Swoosh*
With the sword in her hand, the first woman appeared suddenly and went immediately for the heads of the two men. The two men didn't even understand how they died as she gave them a clean cut in the neck and their heads flew and rolled on the ground.
*thud* *thud*
Saya and Emelia didn't even have the time to think of the meaning behind this sudden turn of events as Saya who felt the danger behind her immediately defended against the dagger attack with a blue shield that suddenly appeared around her.
Dayla: "I must that as expected of Miss Saya. you were easily able to use instant forming spells even with this little time. I expected no less from the young Miss guard".
"Dayla, What is the meaning of this?? why did you attack us like this and you too Rena? I can't believe that you killed Jake and Mark".
The woman named Rena gave a creepy smile to Both Saya and Emelia as she said with a cold voice, "Well, I already hated them since the moment I joined the gang so I feel good about killing those idiots. they were always trying to hit on us and never gave up".
Emelia: " but....but.....you have been with us from over five years, why? Rena, Dayla".
Dayla: "Yeah, of course, and those five years felt like a living hell. Also don't expect us to tell you anything but...I can tell you this. As much as you want this vein, other people will also want it from you".
Both Saya and Emelia who heard that understood what she meant. Their faces became a little dark and red as you could see anger and rage. Rena who attacked the 2 men earlier didn't give Emelia any chance as she went after her immediately.
Emelia was weaker compared to the other 5 and she only came here to gain experience but it seems she didn't expect the betrayal at the last moment. Saya tried to rescue her but she couldn't get free herself as the Dayla kept her occupied while the other one deal with Emelia.
Emelia didn't have any chance to escape so she stopped running and turned back to face her. Saya who saw this panicked and started yelling.
Saya: "No, young miss, don't face her. you can't defeat her. Argh, stay away from me. I must rescue the young Miss. Light Magic, illuminating grace!!".
a huge blinding light suddenly appeared and illuminated the whole cave. Everyone got a little distracted by Saya spell but unfortunately, Dayla already knew about the way Saya fights so she closed her eyes and the spell didn't affect her.
*Woosh*
Dayla appeared again in front of Saya and gave her a knee kick in the guts. Saya who felt the power from the hit flew and hit the wall. She even spat a little blood as Dayla looked at her while smirking.
Dayla: "Give up already Saya, She will lose her life and you will also follow after her shortly".
on the other side, Rena already faced Emelia as she swung her sword and wanted to decapitate Emelia but just when the sword was a few inches away from Emelia's neck and when everything seemed lost, someone appeared in front of both women.
*Woosh*.
*Pschhh*
Rena who felt something wrong looked down and noticed how her body was cut in half and blood splashed everywhere. Emelia who also saw that noticed how Rena blood got all over her. Rena couldn't believe her eyes and then turned to see who did this.
" You!!! how cou..ld....you..be...."
*thud*
Rena wasn't even able to finish her words as she died immediately. What she didn't see was the Axe that cleaved her in half instantly. The Axe and the man who swung it suddenly appeared out of thin air and immediately cut the woman in the middle of her body instantly killing her.
"I just saw a light from this way and came here to see what is happening. Who did except that I will find something like this. Sigh, now, I need to go back to the city and change my looks since they are all covered in blood. It's been almost a month since I stayed here and I think it's time to go back".
The man swings his Axe again as he wanted to get the blood off the Axe's blade. Saya, Dayla, and Emelia who focused on the man that suddenly showed himself all felt a little bit shocked as they knew this man.
Dayla: "Impossible, they said that you disappeared after destroying the crow gang and the golden company. what are you doing here".
The man looked at her and then said with a little disdain in his voice. "I am Aiden, The Sin of Pride, I don't need anyone to tell where I am going to because they don't deserve to know".
Emelia who saw Aiden appear out of nowhere felt a little happy but also scared because she was afraid that he would do something to her and Saya.
"Now then, let's end this and return back to Alcos city. You, the woman with the dagger, you should leave while I am still happy otherwise you wouldn't like me when I am not a Feminist".