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As time passed, more and more monsters showed themselves to their party. Although the weak ones would flee from the mere sight of the duo alone, high ranking ones would arrogantly challenge them and threaten to injure their envoy.
The latter was met with sighs of coldness from Naell, after all, their travels in the sand had been going for long enough. By then, any unwelcome mob was now like a pest to the young mage.
Barely any time had passed when Owly HOOTed and said they'd arrived at their destination, yet to Naell it felt like hours as his feet sunk into the sand's uneven footing.
"Are you certain this is where we leave you young master?" A merchant asked, baffled as he looked around the empty dunes before them.
"Yep, HOOT!"
Even though they knew how capable Naell and Owly were, the continent of Summer was known for its hot and treacherous sand.
Yet the duo seemed to request to be dropped off out of nowhere, not near the Republic of Summer and far from any civilization.
"As we've told you, only the Republic is where you can stay in this land, other than that, no kingdom will let you enter nor will any villages that exist under them." Added by one of the escorts.
Persistently, they tried their best to reason with Naell, and yet, the duo still went on their way bidding them farewell from their long journey together.
"Don't worry, I will visit you guys in the Republic." Said Naell to comfort them.
However, that only brought forth cries and bad premonitions for the merchants and escorts. They then collectively shouted,
[ You better be or we'll summon a whole lot of people to look for the both of you! ]
In response, Owly HOOTed them all goodbye, while his and Naell's shadow disappeared into the endless expanse of the desert.
.
.
.
Not even an hour had passed by when Naell began to regret his decision, in truth, he wanted to travel in the comfort of a carriage.
And although he still gets motion sickness now and then, it was still better than what they were doing now. Currently, the duo was investigating any and all locations that could potentially (or not at all) help them discover the whereabouts of the missing guardians.
They were afterall only retracing the tracks of Wilfred. Yet because of that, the possibility of getting a clue might be high, especially at the location where the ambush had begun.
"Well, we're still far since we're on the opposite edge of Summer. The Land of Faeries is some ways to go, HOOT." Said Owly who was currently using his dark magic to detect remnants of mana or aura akin to the pieces of Lucile.
"Right, but we ought to be careful even now." Replied Naell, referring to how they almost got defeated in Awdita.
Yet Owly hauntingly HOOTed at his words. He then said, "They should be careful with me, I'm Owly, HOOT!"
Naell could only look at him wryly. It seems his awakening made him more boastful than before. Nonetheless, he let it go as that was better than a sulking owl.
Hours had gone by in the blink of an eye, clues were not found and only the tired yawns of the duo could be heard symphonizing from the sandy wind.
The long search of clues was indeed a task that fatigued both greatly. One could say that it was their mind that truly wore down.
Regardless of their strength and capability, endless streams of dangers that they encountered tested their wits.
Yet they persevered until the night began shining with the moon and stars twinkling the sleepy sun away. The profound evening scenery in the middle of the sandy nowhere filled the duo in awe.
That's when they decided to retire for the day. Naell immediately set up his igloo while Owly had prepared the fire outside.
Both were doing their tasks so diligently that it only took them minutes to prepare everything.
A magic barrier was also casted to prevent unwanted visitors. Especially at that time where they brought out the food from their spatial ring.
Their dinner was neither grand nor the most flavorful but it was filling. It consisted of inasal, a meat dish that was grilled.
Soup called nilaga that used beef as broth, and rice that could complement both dishes. For their drinks they opted for water as they had been drinking sugary water as early as the afternoon.
"It would have been nice to visit this continent without worry." In a quiet voice, Naell said as he chewed on his food.
He immediately caught his mouth, alas, that didn't necessarily mean he caught his voice. As he looked towards Owly, it seems that the young owl did hear him as well.
"Owly I meant…"
Yet when he tried to explain, considering that the young owl surely would be sentimental about their objective for why they came, Naell only got a smirk from Owly.
Owly then replied, "I know I haven't been myself for the past weeks, HOOT."
Naell in response told his friend it was understandable. He then added, "I would have been the same."
"I think worse, considering how you deal with your anger, woosh there goes all my sealing, HOOT!"
Naell could only smile wryly considering the number of times he had done that. From the embarrassing cultural festival, all the way to the sports festival, and more.
Yet in response, Owly just HOOTed and chuckled at his face. That went on for minutes until eventually, he then said, "Thank you for coming here with me, HOOT."
Naell then patted Owly's head as he replied, "That's a given."
Owly then looked at him confused. Hence Naell then added on, "Since we're friends, and well— brothers."
After that, a comfortable silence took hold of them, with the night slowly lulling them into sleep. Yet no matter how fast the drowsiness set in for both Naell and Owly, they both knew that moment would be one they'll happily remember time and time again.