Chapter 83: Into the Burning Sands
The oppressive heat hit Natasha and Alison long before they reached the edge of the Burning Sands. The lush greenery of the jungle gave way to dry, cracked earth, the air shimmering with waves of heat that distorted the horizon. The faint scent of sulfur lingered in the air, warning them of the dangers that lay ahead.
"This place looks like the jungle's polar opposite," Alison muttered, shielding his eyes from the harsh sun.
Natasha adjusted the scarf she had wrapped around her head to block the relentless rays. "We'll need to conserve energy. The heat alone could kill us before we even get to the Emberstone."
Ahead of them, the terrain stretched endlessly—a vast expanse of scorched earth punctuated by jagged, blackened rocks and rivers of molten lava. The Magi's vision hadn't done the Burning Sands justice. This was a hostile, unforgiving land where survival seemed improbable.
"Do you think the Magi deliberately send people here to get rid of them?" Alison asked.
"Probably," Natasha replied dryly. "But we don't have a choice. If the Emberstone is what it takes to secure their help, then we're going to find it."
They pressed forward, the blistering heat sapping their strength with every step. The ground beneath their feet was hot enough to burn through their boots if they stayed in one spot for too long. Their water supply, carefully rationed, felt woefully inadequate.
Hours passed in silence, broken only by the occasional roar of shifting lava in the distance. The landscape seemed to blur together, a monotonous expanse of orange and black that offered no shade, no respite.
"Wait," Alison said suddenly, holding up a hand.
Natasha stopped, following his gaze. In the distance, something shimmered—an irregular movement against the backdrop of heat waves.
"Is it... water?" Natasha asked, her voice tinged with hope.
"No," Alison said, his tone grim. "It's moving too much for that. Stay alert."
As they moved closer, the shimmering form resolved into a creature—a massive, reptilian beast with scales that glowed like molten metal. Its eyes burned with an inner fire, and its tail lashed the ground, sending up plumes of ash.
"A Fire Drake," Natasha whispered, her heart sinking.
"Of course it is," Alison muttered, unsheathing his sword. "Because why would this quest ever be simple?"
The Fire Drake let out a low, rumbling growl, its fiery breath igniting the air around it. It was clear that the creature wasn't going to let them pass without a fight.
"Split up," Natasha said quickly. "We need to distract it."
Alison nodded, darting to the right as Natasha moved left. The Fire Drake roared, its gaze shifting between the two of them before settling on Alison. It lunged forward with terrifying speed, its claws gouging deep furrows into the ground.
"Over here, you overgrown lizard!" Alison shouted, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The blade glanced off the creature's armored hide, leaving only a shallow scratch.
Natasha took advantage of the distraction, circling around to the creature's flank. She drew her dagger, aiming for the softer scales near its joints. With a swift, precise motion, she struck, her blade sinking into the Fire Drake's leg.
The creature roared in pain, twisting to face her. Its massive tail swung around, catching her off guard and sending her sprawling to the ground.
"Natasha!" Alison shouted, rushing toward her.
"I'm fine," she called back, scrambling to her feet. "Focus on its head!"
Alison nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. He dodged another swipe of the creature's claws, leaping onto a nearby rock for a better vantage point. With a powerful thrust, he drove his blade into the Fire Drake's eye, earning another enraged roar.
The creature thrashed wildly, dislodging Alison and sending him tumbling to the ground. But its movements were slower now, its strength waning. Natasha seized the opportunity, driving her dagger into the base of its skull.
The Fire Drake let out one final roar before collapsing, its body smoldering as it lay still.
Alison pushed himself to his feet, wincing as he wiped sweat from his brow. "That was... unpleasant."
Natasha nodded, breathing heavily. "Let's hope there aren't more of them."
They continued their journey, the Fire Drake's corpse a grim reminder of the dangers they faced. As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, the air cooled slightly, offering a small measure of relief.
Eventually, they came across a rocky outcrop that provided some shelter. Natasha pulled out their map, studying it by the light of a small, magical orb they had taken from the Magi.
"The Emberstone should be somewhere near the center of the Burning Sands," she said, tracing a path with her finger. "We're making progress, but we'll need to rest before we go any farther."
Alison nodded, leaning back against the rock. "Agreed. We'll need our strength for whatever's waiting for us at the Emberstone."
As they settled in for the night, Natasha couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows cast by the flickering lava seemed to move unnaturally, and the air carried an eerie stillness.
"We're not alone out here," she murmured, her hand resting on her dagger.
Alison glanced at her, his expression tense. "I've noticed. Stay alert."
The night passed uneventfully, but both Natasha and Alison remained on edge. When the first light of dawn broke, they set out once again, determined to reach the Emberstone before the Burning Sands claimed them.
By midday, they found themselves at the edge of a massive crater. At its center, glowing with an intense, otherworldly light, was the Emberstone. The ground around it was blackened and cracked, radiating waves of heat that distorted the air.
"There it is," Natasha said, her voice a mix of awe and dread.
"And there's the catch," Alison replied, pointing toward the figures that surrounded the Emberstone.
A group of humanoid creatures, their skin appearing as though it were made of molten rock, stood guard. Their eyes burned with the same fiery glow as the Emberstone, and they carried jagged, obsidian weapons.
"Lava Sentinels," Natasha said grimly. "This just keeps getting better."
Alison tightened his grip on his sword. "We'll have to fight our way through. Are you ready?"
Natasha nodded, her eyes locked on the Emberstone. "Let's finish this."