The never-ending chains of small hills surrounded the vast area of desert terrain. Some deep valleys existed between the surrounding hills. Those valleys separated the chains once in ten hills to break the series.
The atmosphere didn't carry any sound. The whole place was quiet. Once in a while, a quick wind would spread its sough throughout the desert.
There didn't seem to be any kind of wild inhabitants. No plants or shrubs or bushes appeared in the endless space of wilderness.
The sands had covered the surface, hiding what may reside beneath that dirt and dust. The whole history of this land was buried under those sands, right under the feet but far to grasp.
Before reaching this dryland, the terrain would be green and blessed by rich vegetation and plants. Therefore, a beautiful form of life was shaped near these wastelands. Different beasts in various sizes and forms could be found everywhere, but their diversity would lessen as they got closer to the drylands border.
A vast deadland out of life encircled by a large greenspace full of life, they would call it "Thunder Plateau".
"It seems we've arrived, my savior." Angelo reined in his horse and alighted along with Arian.
"Yes, it seems."
"All right, what do you want to do?" Angelo asked.
Arian turned back, looking at the greenspace. "Well... I've come this deep so far thanks to you, so I have to kill some beasts here as I can, and you can go find whatever you're looking for at the dryland."
"I see. Well then, do you want to know what I want to do?"
"No, no, not a—"
"Ah, if you're really that much interested, then I can tell you."
Arian looked back at Angelo, frowning at him with serious stares. However, Angelo didn't give attention to his change of expression, coughing to get ready for storytelling.
"Once upon a time, according to the legends, there was a kingdom. Its people were living their lives normally and with no problem at all. They all worshipped the god of thunder, Zeus. He kept them safe as they were under his protection. All of them looked delighted and happy, living in peace and harmony."
Some inaudible mumbles from Arian could be heard as a wide shadow shaded his eyes and face.
"That protection would come with a cost. Everyone had to give gifts and presents to Zeus and pray to him. In exchange for those offerings and prayers, Zeus would protect them with his overwhelming strength. It was a fair deal. The humans could live their life with no problem, and Zeus would absorb their prayers and offerings for himself, expanding his followers to gain more strength."
Arian's faint mumbles started to get louder by time.
"BUT... everything changed as people came to deny the existence of Zeus and downplay his powers. Little by little, more people became unfaithful to Zeus. Faith had disappeared from the Kingdom. People started asking Zeus to prove his presence to them. The lack of faith made Zeus furious and mad. He raged and ravaged the sky by his thunders and lightning. His outburst of anger overpowered the Heavens."
More and more of Arian's incomprehensible mumbles began to be noticed. He turned his look down and double facepalmed in exasperation. "Bo...ri...n"
"It was time for punishment. Zeus prepared one of his thunderbolts linked with Thunder Key which was the key to enter Olympus, targeting the Kingdom's capital. He threw it toward the earth to eliminate the sinful humans and give them the evidence they wanted. Zeus purified the ground from the infidels who failed to understand his brilliance and cast the divine light of judgment upon them, as he gave the ultimate proof to his existence. Along with the infidels, every single trace of life got removed from that land. It became a wasteland with no hope for life, punished forever by the hands of Zeus himself. The Thunder Key should still be somewhere in this land, the ultimate proof for the seekers of the truth."
As Angelo finished his words, Arian sighed and began walking to the greenspace. "Ah, amazing story! Now I have to go do my quest! See you!"
"And..." Angelo added, "according to some rumors I've heard, Zeus has also sent a guardian with the key to protect it. The guardian would face the ones who found the key and see whether they deserve to have Thunder Key or not."
Arian continued moving away as Angelo was still talking while looking at the ahead desert.
"They say that the guardian is a white 'flame'."
Arian stopped his steps as he turned around instantly, staring at Angelo.
"What did you say?"
"The guardian wou—"
"No, not that part! The part when you said 'they say'!"
"Oh... I said, 'they say that the guardian is a white flame'."
"White? Not red, blue, black, or green?"
"Huh?" Angelo turned around too, as he stopped watching the desert extent. "No... it's just that white flame I've heard about."
Arian looked confused. He didn't care about Angelo's story and words until he uttered the word "flame". For some reason, it had a great impact on him, forcing him to keep his attention on Angelo.
"I will also join you in finding that white flame, Angelo."
"Huh? What're you talking about? Didn't you want to do your quest in greenspace?"
"No, no, I can do it later. Anyways, you've helped me and brought me here. I have to make it up to you."
"But... you also saved me in the town, so we should be even now. There's no need to go that far, my savior!"
"No, no, I insist that you let me help you. Also, your story sounds so interesting. I want to see it with my own eyes."
"But... are you sure? You shouldn't be ready for such a thing Arian. I'm not sure I can protect you, so it's too dangerous for you to come. I don't want to let my savior die!"
"No need to be worry! I can take care of myself."
"I see... well if you insist that much, I can't do anything about it. But just don't get in my way. I need to concentrate."
"I won't disturb you in your way. I assure you of that."
"Then, let's go get the Thunder Key."
"Yeah let's go get the White Flame."