As I touched down in the heart of the desert, I quickly scanned the barren landscape. The scorching sun beat down relentlessly, casting harsh shadows across the endless dunes that stretched as far as the eye could see. The intense heat of the environment was a stark contrast to the cool efficiency of my combat suit, which regulated my body temperature and shielded me from the elements. It brought back memories of past missions.
My first priority was to reunite with the others, but our communication devices were currently offline. It meant I had to search for them manually. My footsteps left marks on the golden sand as I ventured into the unforgiving desert.
After a while, I stumbled upon a small village. It seemed familiar, as if I had been here before, perhaps with Laura. However, the village was eerily silent. Despite the bright daylight, there was no one in sight. I felt the weight of curious eyes watching me from a distance, and some villagers peered at me through the windows of their homes. My attempts to call out to them were met with silence.
Puzzled by the eerie stillness, I resolved to dig deeper. For minutes, I scoured every corner of the village, but it offered no clues. It was as though time itself had ground to a halt in this forsaken place. I reasoned that removing my combat suit might help me appear less threatening.
Stepping out of the village, I shed my combat suit discreetly just beyond its perimeters. With the suit stowed away, I instructed Lizark to take my place. "Lizark, your task is to locate the other Alpha Special Army survivor. Meanwhile, I will delve into the mysteries of this village. Let's split up. Keep in touch once you've found the survivor." Lizark transformed into the disguise that I used before and set off to execute my plan.
Subsequently, I observed the villagers emerging cautiously from their homes and gradually resuming their daily routines. I decided to approach the village without my Laura disguise, feeling a notable change in their attitudes towards me. Moreover, I had not remove the disguise since I wore it a month ago. I feel relieved.
"Hello, sir. I'm a traveling merchant who just arrived. I was wondering if there are any issues or concerns in this village," I inquired of a fruit seller nearby.
The fruit seller regarded me cautiously. "Where are you from? Are you a spy sent by the government?" he asked, suspicion tainting his voice.
Surprised by the sudden accusation, I reassured him, "No, not at all. I'm a merchant from the south."
Another man, presumably a family member, stepped forward and questioned me further. "What kind of goods do you sell, then?"
Considering my response, I replied, "I sell Bo'oh O Woah—a pure, clean source that requires no boiling. It's incredibly refreshing, especially in this heat." I showed to them one bottle of water that contained Oasis water in it.
"How can I be sure that this water is safe to drink?" the man questioned with a hint of skepticism.
"Well, would you like me to try it first?" I suggested. Without hesitation, I poured a cup and drank from it. Both the man and the fruit seller watched as I savored the refreshing taste. "See, it's perfectly safe," I reassured them.
"Hmm, let me give it a try." After taking a sip, the man paused, clearly feeling rejuvenated. "What kind of water is this?" he inquired, clearly intrigued.
"It's Bo'oh O Woah," I reiterated.
"I see." The man turned to me, extending his gratitude. "My name is Khairi. Can you assist me with something? Let's discuss the price."
"How about you tell me first what you need help with?" I suggested.
"Follow me, this way." Khairi motioned for me to accompany him into his home. Once inside, he led me to a room where a woman sat beside a young girl. "I've returned."
"My dear, who have you brought with you this time?" The wife seemed concerned as she looked at me.
"I brought him here because it feels like fate has brought us together," Khairi explained. "He is a merchant from the south who sells Bo'oh O Woah. He didn't lie about the water, and I believe he might have knowledge on how to dispel the curse that has afflicted our daughter. Please, give him a chance. Our daughter has not been awake for about one week already."
"Okay, please go ahead," the wife agreed.
I reached out to touch the child, and Skid's voice resonated in my mind. "Hulaif, I can lift the curse. It's still weak, so I can handle it. You can give her the Oasis Water." With Skid's assurance, I poured the Water into a cup and handed it to the wife for her to give to her daughter. The young girl took several sips until the cup was empty.
After a few moments, the child stirred and began to cough. "Good. It seems like the water has revived her," I remarked with relief.
As the child regained consciousness, her parents' expressions shifted from worry to elation. They showered their daughter with affection, relieved to see her awake and well. The mother turned to me, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You have done what no one else could. You've saved our daughter. How can we ever repay you?"
I smiled softly. "Your daughter's well-being is reward enough. But if you insist, perhaps you could tell me what happened here? It seems like people here are scared of something. Perhaps about the government's spy that fruit seller said before to me. Is the government the cause of this curse?"
The couple shared a knowing glance, appearing to be in agreement. "The government's involvement is undeniable," the husband said. "Since the four generals returned from their trip after the war between Alpha and Sigma, everything has changed. The generals initiated their experiments at the three ancient tombs of the desert."
The wife nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "The disappearance of our fellow villagers, the drying of our wells, and the withering of our crops have only added to the suspicion because of the experiment. It's as if the desert itself has come alive with a vengeful spirit, seeking to punish those who disturb its ancient slumber."
"Is the child's curse also the cause of that vengeful spirit?" I asked.
"No, the curse was given by one of the underlings of the five generals," the man explained, clutching his hand. "They used a cursed weapon and imbued our daughter with it to make us obey them."
"So, are they the ones who awakened the vengeful spirit?" The couple nodded. "Can you tell me where this vengeful spirit is located?"
"We don't know the exact location," the wife replied, her voice hushed. "But the stories tell of an ancient tomb buried beneath the shifting sands, guarded by traps and curses. Those who dare venture too close are never seen again, claimed by the desert's merciless embrace. To reach the tomb, you must travel alone at night, without armor, and armed with only a weapon. And you must be strong. Make a mistake and it will lead to your death."
"Thanks for letting me know," I said, as I prepared to leave the house. However, the husband extended a hospitable invitation.
"Hey, how about you eat lunch with us?"
"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline since I am in a hurry." Just then, my stomach growled loudly.
"The stomach never lies. No need to be shy. You have saved our daughter. Consider it our thanks to you," the wife insisted. With that, we proceeded to the dining hall and waited for the food to be served.
As we waited for the food to be prepared, the husband and I engaged in conversation about life in the village. He shared stories of the desert's unforgiving nature and the challenges the villagers faced each day. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and moments of shared understanding.
When the food was finally ready, we sat down to enjoy the meal together. The aroma of the local spices filled the air, and I eagerly sampled each dish presented before me. The flavors were rich and complex, a testament to the culinary expertise of the village's inhabitants. Despite my best efforts, I found myself devouring each dish, unable to resist the delectable spread.
However, not long after finishing the meal, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. My vision blurred, and my surroundings seemed to spin as if caught in a whirlwind. The room faded into darkness, and I collapsed into unconsciousness, my mind consumed by an overwhelming sense of disorientation and fatigue.
As I gradually regained consciousness, the sensation of cold water drenching me pulled me out of my groggy state. I jolted upright, my senses returning to me, only to find a circle of villagers surrounding me. Their faces wore expressions of both concern and suspicion, their eyes fixed upon me.
A hoarse whisper escaped my lips, "Ugh, it seems I let my guard down." I realized that my lapse in vigilance had left me vulnerable, leading to my current predicament.
One of the villagers, a stern-looking man with weathered features, stepped forward and questioned me, "Now tell me, stranger, where did you find that water?" The tone of his voice was demanding, but there was a desperate undertone to his words. It became evident that these people were, in fact, villagers from the village I had visited earlier.
They were parched, the lack of water from their dried well taking a severe toll. My earlier offer of the Oasis Water had sparked their curiosity, and it seemed they were now determined to secure this source of hydration for themselves. I got an idea about how to deal with this.
I faced the group of villagers with a composed demeanor, meeting their intense gazes with a confident resolve. "Well, I am a merchant. And in business, one must consider the value of the commodity before sharing its origins," I asserted firmly, aware of the delicate situation at hand.
The villagers starts to mad at me. "Who the hell are you, stranger. Talking about business all of a sudden. You are our internment, you should know your place." One of the villager said to me.
"I understand the gravity of my situation, but it's crucial to recognize that even under duress, I retain the right to withhold information if I choose," I maintained, meeting their hostility with a firm and unwavering stance.
As I held my ground, one of the men stepped forward, his eyes narrowed in frustration. "You're in no position to make demands," he growled, his voice laced with menace. "We need that water, and we need to know where you found it. Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be." The other villager said to me with a mad tone.
I remained resolute, refusing to yield to their intimidation tactics. "I sympathize with your situation, but I can't comply with your demand. My business practices must adhere to certain principles, and divulging the source of my products isn't something I can compromise on."
"You leave me no choice, stranger!" The villager raised a thick wooden rod, preparing to strike me. Just as the blow was about to land, another voice cut through the tension.
"Stop!!!" The urgent cry came from a woman who stepped forward, her eyes widening in recognition as she looked at me. She quickly composed herself and addressed the others. "Do you know who this man is? He's the hero of our village. He defeated the man-eater that terrorized us, yet allowed someone else to take the credit. How could you not recognize him?"
The villagers murmured amongst themselves, realization dawning on their faces. "But he said he was a merchant," one of them pointed out.
The woman furrowed her brow. "If I'm not mistaken, the man who saved our village was sentenced to death by the government. I'm curious to hear how you managed to survive. Care to enlighten us?"
"It seems my identity has been uncovered. But before we proceed, could you please tell me more about the situation and perhaps release me from these ties?" As one of the villagers untied my bonds, I stretched my limbs.
"Before anything else, let me introduce myself. My name is Jariyah. I was one of the many victims of that man-eater. Now, I serve as the leader of this village, striving to restore it to its former glory."
"Could you share with me what exactly happened to your village?" I inquired.
"You might have heard some of it from that family you helped earlier," she remarked, referring to the family of the girl I had saved.
"Yes, I did," I replied.
"Our mission is to seal the tomb. We can achieve this either by successfully completing the trials within to destroy the tomb itself or defeating the spirit that live in the tomb. Since, we cannot beat the spirit that live in the tomb, we should proceeds with the trials." Jariyah explained to me.
"So, there are three tombs?"
"Only one. Others is located at far from our village. It is not wise to go to other tombs.
After that, I went to her and whispered something on her. She smiled listened to my idea. At the night, we prepared the exploration to go to the tomb. But, no one knows how to go there. Since no one knows, I used the Mia's radar to search for the tomb. It took quite a bit time to completely search the area for the tomb.
"Are you all absolutely certain that you want to join me?" I inquired. "You understand that you don't need to put your lives on the line if you don't wish to?"
"Please, allow us to accompany you. We want to fight too," Jariyah insisted.
"Very well, but remember, the risks are significant," I cautioned. They all nodded in agreement.
"We understand," Jariyah assured me.
With our resolve firm, we set off as a united group, following the path that Mia had provided. Eventually, we reached the entrance to a cavernous dungeon.
As we stood at the entrance, a foreboding sensation crept up my spine. The air seemed to grow heavier, and an ominous silence enveloped us. I glanced at my companions, each one brimming with determination and apprehension. Jariyah's gaze met mine, and she gave a firm nod, silently urging me forward.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges that lay ahead. "Stay alert, everyone," I whispered. "We don't know what we might encounter inside. Stick together and watch each other's backs."
We treaded carefully through the narrow, dimly lit passageways. An eerie mist began to envelop us, restricting our vision. We had no choice but to press forward.
After a while, it was only Jariyah and I who reached the final destination. The place exuded an ancient, solemn atmosphere. Our footsteps reverberated in the tomb, while the torchlight created peculiar, dancing shadows on the walls.
"Where are the others?" I inquired.
"It appears they didn't make it; they didn't pass the trial to enter the tomb," Jariyah replied.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," I told her.
"I know. Let's hope they're alright. It's strange that we haven't encountered any monsters yet," Jariyah replied.
Ahead of us, there stood a monument with an inscription that read:
"Thou who possess bravery and strength may proceed upon this path."
Jariyah read the words aloud to me.
"Are you ready to face the trial within this tomb?" Jariyah inquired.
Before that, Mia warned me about the intensity of the malevolent energy emanating from the tomb. "Are you sure you want to continue? I sense a great deal of pressure from this presence."
"I want to know what creature lies within," I replied.
I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "Let's proceed," I said, my voice resolute. Jariyah nodded, her determination mirroring my own. Together, we advanced further into the heart of the tomb, each step bringing us closer to the unknown trial that awaited us.
As we delved deeper, we arrived at one large room of the dungeon. The air grew colder and an eerie silence enveloped us. Shadows danced across the walls, and the flickering torches cast a haunting glow over the ancient carvings that adorned the chamber. Our senses were heightened, alert to any sign of danger that might emerge from the darkness.
Suddenly, a low, ominous rumbling echoed through the chamber, sending vibrations through the stone beneath our feet. The ground quivered, and we exchanged a concerned glance.
"What was that?" Jariyah whispered, her eyes wide with apprehension.
"I'm not sure," I replied, scanning the room for any visible threats. But as we strained to see through the dimly lit chamber, a pair of glowing, malevolent eyes emerged from the darkness, fixated on us with an unmistakable hunger.
"Thou has passed the gate, shalt face me," the creature declared, its voice a thunderous rumble that echoed through the chamber. It was a voice that seemed to emanate from the depths of time itself.
The creature loomed, a seasoned warrior with a canine visage, its sword cloaked in an ominous aura. Memories of battling Katz, a similar species, surged. With limited options, I steeled myself for the encounter. "Stay concealed, Jariyah. Seek refuge," I cautioned.
"I want to fight too," Jariyah persisted.
"Listen to me. You can't take this creature on without the necessary experience. Find a hiding spot," I insisted firmly.
"Alright." Once Jariyah had located a secure location, I engaged in a fierce duel with the formidable Seth.
"I am Seth, Guardian of the Desert. State your name, warrior!" the creature declared.
"I am Hulaif. I am the one who will challenge fate and the one who will end you," I retorted, swiftly evading Seth's powerful sword strike. "Damn!" I exclaimed as I witnessed the impact of the blow, leaving a deep gash in the ground.
I quickly used a Chesscraft on Hawk. I crafted him into the staff. I called it. "Staff of Tornado." When Seth launched his next attack, I skillfully maneuvered the staff to follow the trajectory of his blade, ultimately striking him on the head. Utilizing the powers of Hawk in staff form, I summoned a wind projectile that materialized and landed a direct hit on Seth.
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The gust from my wind projectiles staggered Seth, creating a momentary opening. I seized the opportunity, launching a barrage of swift and precise strikes. The clash intensified as Seth countered with powerful slashes, each strike resonating with destructive force. Evading with calculated precision, I responded with my own relentless attacks.
The battleground bore witness to our fierce confrontation, the very ground marked by the intensity of our duel. Seth's formidable skills and unyielding determination posed a significant challenge, but my focus remained unwavering.
"You're not bad, little warrior, but enough of the warm-up. Now, I can unleash my true power," Seth declared. Suddenly, a dense presence of dark energy emanated from him, signaling the unveiling of an ominous force. It was clear that he had more tricks up his sleeve, and he began charging this dark energy, providing me with a window of opportunity to strike.
Seizing the chance, I moved in for an attack, only to be abruptly pushed away, crashing into a wall. "Don't you know you should wait when your enemy is trying to unleash another power?" Seth taunted.
"Heh! Patience isn't my strong suit, especially when I'm determined to defeat you," I retorted. Brandishing my staff, I conjured a tornado projectile aimed at Seth. However, my efforts were in vain as Seth effortlessly slashed through the tornado, making the projectile disappear.
"Hahaha... You're weaker than me now. This is my true power, and nothing can beat me," Seth gloated. His slashing projectile hit me squarely in the chest, blood spilling from the wound. As I stumbled, the world around me darkened. Seth's words echoed, "I thought you were tough, but it was a mistake to believe in you."
"Wake up, Hulaif!" A familiar voice reached my ears. Was it Katz the Anubis? The sound pulled me back from the edge of unconsciousness.
Simultaneously, I invoked Chesscraft on Katz. "Anubis Ascension!" The crafting process unfolded as I created an idol weapon to face Seth. Miraculously, my injuries reversed, healing as the crafting reached completion. Seth attacked suddenly, but I managed to evade the murderous strike.
"You said not to attack when your enemy is trying to gain new power!"
"Who are you? Before, you were nothing. Now I know who is with you. My nemesis."
"Katz, do you know him?" I asked.
"Don't know," Katz replied.
"Who cares about a nemesis. Right now, you are our enemy, and we'll bring you down."
"Bring it on," Seth challenged.
I plunged the ornate scepter, my crafted weapon, into the ground. The situation abruptly shifted. Gravity became unstable, limiting Seth's movements. I seized the opportunity, using the gravitational force from Katz's ability to crush Seth. The tension in the surroundings was palpable.
As Seth struggled against the altered gravity, the once-confident grin on his face contorted into a grimace of pain. The force exerted by Katz's ability made it nearly impossible for Seth to move. It was a battle of strength, but also a battle of wills.
"You think this changes anything?" Seth grunted, attempting to break free from the gravitational hold. Despite his efforts, he remained pinned. "I am not so easily defeated."
"Enough of your theatrics," I retorted. "Tell us what's happening to this village and why you're tormenting these people."
Seth chuckled, a sound laced with bitterness. "This village is merely a pawn in a much larger game. The experiments conducted by the generals of the Sigma Country have stirred ancient forces, and now this desert seeks vengeance. The vengeful spirit you sensed is a manifestation of that wrath."
Katz, through our shared connection, confirmed that Seth was speaking the truth. "He's not lying. The generals have unleashed forces they can't control."
"So, the tomb," I began, "it's connected to the generals' experiments?"
Seth nodded. "The tomb is a gateway, and they have opened it without understanding the consequences. The vengeful spirit is but one aspect of the ancient power they've awakened."
"If you know so much, why did you join them?" I questioned.
"I had my reasons, but that is not your concern. The real threat is not me but what lurks beyond that tomb."
As Seth spoke, the gravitational force released him. He stood, brushing off the dust, and faced us with an air of defiance. The tension in the air escalated, signaling that our confrontation was far from over.
As I prepared to strike Seth with the scepter, Jariyah's desperate plea halted my action.
"Stop! Don't take him away from us. He is my friend. He has saved our village many times. But, because of those generals, he was forced into doing things. So please stop," Jariyah pleaded.
"Then, make sure you help them." I used Katz's ability on Seth and Jariyah. "Contract." A circle mark embedded itself on Seth's neck and Jariyah's neck.
"What's this?" Jariyah asked.
"Just an insurance for me. Since you two are partners," I explained.
"Thank you for your help," Jariyah said.
"Now, let's get inside the tomb."
As we ventured deeper into the tomb, an ominous silence hung in the air. The torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the ancient walls. The anticipation grew with each step, a palpable tension that seemed to be leading to something significant.
And then, in the dimly lit chamber, a figure emerged from the shadows. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized her silhouette — it was Laura. The same Laura who had once lent me her archery skills, now standing there, transformed into the unexpected final challenge. Our encounter was a fate. The atmosphere crackled with suspense as her eyes locked onto mine. "Laura!" I exclaimed.