The vast, arid landscape of the Blood Desert Territory stretched out before Ashen and the thirty members of the Warden Guild. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the cracked earth. In the distance, faint mirages shimmered, distorting the outline of the towering mountains that marked the edge of this hostile land. Ashen stood at the forefront, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the horizon. His cloak billowed in the dry wind, the dark fabric contrasting starkly with the ochre hues of the desert. Behind him, the members of the Warden Guild murmured amongst themselves, their faces a mix of anticipation and unease. Even Pyro, the NPC, stood silent, his usually playful demeanor replaced by an air of quiet vigilance.
"We've come this far," Ashen began, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority. "But something feels...off."
