As the days went by the blob in the distance got to the point where it blocked out the sky in that direction. Our group was making good distance, we would reach our destination in two days and nights. Off in the distance we were just able to make out the green of the forest.
"Guys, if we don't make it to that forest over there then we're good as dead, that blob is right on our tails!" Shila was once again complaining about our circumstance.
"Got any good ideas then, cause all i've heard is you complaining so far, 'what's taking so long, i'm not cut out for this, my magic hasn't been this low in forever!'" Red was up to his usual and bickering with Shila, these two were getting on my nerves.
"Enough! We have a hard time as is with that thing behind us and if you two bicker again you won't be getting food tonight!" I snapped at them, I couldn't take their bickering any longer.
""He started it!" "She started it!" Almost in sink they pointed fingers at each other.
Whatever that thing was it was getting closer, we were now close enough to hear the sound coming from the thing. It was like wind magic but on a much larger and louder scale.
Our day was uneventful, it was almost unnerving that no monster attacked us after days of constant fighting. By nightfall the moon was being blocked out by the whatever that thing was in the distance, we settled into our routine and I took first watch.
. . .
Opening my eyes I realized I ended up dozing off during my watch, the sound of the thing was even louder now and strong winds blew all over the place causing the sand to take flight and move with the wind.
"What the hell?" Fearing for the worst looking over the thing was even closer, way to close. It would reach the group in an hour or so and we had no clue what to expect.
"Shit wake up, we gotta move now!" The was no time to sleep, quickly I got up and started packing as much stuff as I could.
"What is th- Shit! When did it get so close!" Quickly everyone got up and packed all we had, then we did our best to run as fast as we can to the forest. We were still a good distance away, probably half a day but we had to get to it before that thing reaches us.
But time wasn't in our favor, after constantly running we were tired, and the thing would reach us in a couple of minutes.
. . .
"Damn it James I know you were on the fence about doing this but there is no way I'm letting someone with fate like his die." Bell was watching the group as the sand storm reached them, how they did their best to try and stop the sand from entering their eyes, ears, and mouth.
"Guess i'll just have to do it for you..." With those words Bell disappeared from her [Domain] and entered James' [Domain].
. . .
We did our best to stick close but one thing led to about her and we ended up losing each other. I was all alone walking in the direction I last saw the forest, or at least what I think is the right direction.
After walking for a couple minutes I lost my strength and gave up, falling to the group as I could fill my self slowly being covered in the white sands of the Barbarian Lands.
"Your journey is not over..." A distant voice pulled my attention but I couldn't find where the voice was coming from.
"Your journey has only just begun, you have been chosen, your life won't end here..." There is goes again, the voice was soft and gentle, but I could feel a power like none before.
"Okay, here we go...Aldwin, from here on out I shall bestow a blessing upon you and make you the [Champion] of a god." Bell was moving here hands in a way that seemed confusing, glittering lights formed around her palms like the stars in the night sky.
"This is all I can do for you, the rest is your own to overcome..." Bells voice echoed in the distance as it faded away leaving Aldwin buried in the sand.
. . .
When Aldwin woke up he found himself resting underneath the canopy of a oak tree, he rested on top of a mat as people all around him moved around. These people wore strange clothing, barley covering themselves and dressed in animal hide the people moved about.
They had a darker skin tone compared to what he was used to and most looked strong enough to go one on one with even the strongest of guards back at the palace.
"Awake I see took you long enough, okay get, i don't have time to be worrying about some stranger." A women with fiery red hair stood before him, a long bow on her back and some daggers by her waist.
"Do I got a bug on me or something?" She had a playful tone to her voice but on her face rested a mischievous grin.
"Where rare the others, did you bring them back too?" All I could focus on right now was regrouping with them, we still had a job to do.
"Your rag-tag group of misfits already went down to the stream to wash up, I'm pretty sure one of them said they'll be going to find food." Her grin disappeared and she became serious again, she pointed to a direction that went into the woods.
"I didn't quite catch your name?" Getting um and making my way towards the direction I turned around and stared back at the girl.
"Names June, think you could tell me yours?" That grin appeared again and I couldn't help but admire the sight.
"It's Aldwin..." Turning around I quickly made my way in the direction June pointed out. The walk through the woods was soothing. The sounds of the wildlife mixing with the sounds of the swaying canopy.
Before me the trees thinned until a clearing, a stream cutting the clearing in half, coming from a cave in the distance. Light could be seen coming from the cave and sounds drifted out from the inside. The group was resting inside the cave more then a little relaxed.