They were finally putting the canyon behind them when a sandstorm rolled in from the west. At first, Zack shrugged it off and attempted to dissipate it, but the force behind it was too powerful.
'That's not a natural storm.'
"How often does that happen?" Zack investigated.
"A few times a month, and it moves erratically. We should stay put till it blows over. Something feeds off the ones that suffocate, and we don't wanna be around when they show up." Miu replied.
Before the storm reached them Zack set up the array and sent the horses to safety before taking refuge in the wagon. When Aida saw them enter she began pouring drinks and preparing food for Zack. After extending the barrier, and activating its mirage he sat down with the others.
"Should I send for the others?" Aida asked.
"No there's something off about that storm, and I prefer Helena being somewhere safe.' Zack replied.
"Have you investigated it before?" Kaya asked.
"A few times, but after losing so many shinobi it wasn't worth the effort. The only report we received is there was a group of mages." Miu stated.
"There was only one aura attached to it. If the storm was magic based I should've been able to dispel it." Zack replied.
"The source of the spell could be somewhere else. It's the only way your methods would be ineffective." Kaya suggested.
'Who benefits from the desert spreading?'
"Hard to believe a mage pulled one over you." Octavia teased.
"That aura wasn't a mage that's for sure," Zack replied.
They discussed the origin of the storm while Aida brought food to the table.
"How many rooms should I prepare?" Aida asked.
"Two is enough," Octavia told Aida.
"I'll make the arrangements after I prep the bath." Aida bowed before leaving.
They finished eating and made their way down the main hall. Zack missed out on the tour from before and decided to take a minute to look around. He already passed a state-of-the-art alchemy lab and a workshop for Destiny. The room that surprised Zack the most was the forge.
After months of failures Valan gave up trying to recreate it, but the energy radiating from it was undeniable. Inspecting the room he found traces of Rolen's aura. With assistance from Valan, he was able to replicate a smaller forge.
'He knew the whole time.' Zack smirked.
"I was surprised to see Altair's work recreated, but he said the man opening the chest would be special," Aida stated.
"Rolen was the one to get past the spellwork," Zack replied.
"I'm well aware of that, but my master spoke about you." Aida approached Zack glancing at the tools.
'Everything here reminds me of master.'
"That's not possible." Zack turned around quickly.
"I'm not capable of lying to you." Aida smiled.
"How could he know that?" Zack investigated.
"In that era, seers could be found across the land, and even the human tribes possessed them. The things they witnessed varied, and they all worshiped their own gods, but there was one thing they agreed on. The seers believed the world would one day be engulfed in darkness, but they didn't know why. They couldn't discover the source of the destruction, and out of fear, some attempted to flee this world. One of the master's friends was a powerful seer and to gain knowledge of this crisis he sacrificed his eye." Aida replied.
"And they saw me?" Zack asked.
"When darkness engulfed the land a beacon of light appeared. Given our first encounter, it's safe to assume it's you." Aida stated.
Aida could sense the uneasy feeling radiating from her master. She put the tools down on the table and walked up to Zack.
"Don't dwell on it master. From our data, the probability of prophecies coming true is thirty percent. We should get going before the others start to worry." Aida smiled.
"Are you gonna join us?" Zack offered.
"Is that an order?" Aida asked.
"It is."Zack smiled.
Aida guided him to the bath across the hall, and Zack was impressed with the size. It was only one booth but it was deep enough to accommodate all his comrades. The others waved from the bath waiting patiently for him to join. Once Aida undressed and began washing Zack's back their plans changed.
"I c-can do it." Kaya stood up quickly.
"Master requested my presence, and that means service," Aida replied while scrubbing his shoulder.
"You requested what?" Octavia asked while tapping her arm impatiently.
'I was hoping for a peaceful bath together.' Miu sighed.
"That she join us. If not she would've hidden away like the others." Zack stated.
"Two of them don't hide." Kaya retorted.
'At least they aren't mad at me anymore.' Miu sipped her sake.
"You know it's how they feed." Zack glanced at Kaya gesturing her over.
"There are other ways you know," Octavia argued.
"They take care of your rooms, clothes, and other tasks to keep you in the field. Master is just rewarding our service." Aida stated.
"You just got here." Kaya scoffed.
"Right now I'm changing shifts for the dolls, running a stand in the market to get rid of excess inventory, and documenting the tribes found in the plains. I'm also prepping the master for a bath." Aida smiled.
"Doesn't it get tiring?" Zack asked.
"Not at all, but when I'm not needed I like to go on standby," Aida replied.
"To recharge?" Kaya teased.
"I get lonely waiting for the master to return." Aida quit scrubbing his back recalling her time in the chest.
Hearing this, and witnessing the expression on Aida's face it was difficult to believe it was an artificial being. The emotion displayed seem so real that Kaya backed off. She approached the seat next to them smiling at Aida.
"I'm sure his order was for you to relax," Kaya told Aida while taking the sponge from her hand.
"Why don't you join us?" Octavia asked.
"I should finish first," Aida stated.
"She seems to have it handled, and I had a few questions about Altair," Miu told Aida.
Sharing Altair's knowledge, and stories allowed Aida to feel close to him again. With this in mind, and the gestures from the smiling women Aida obliged.