A harsh wind whipped through the air, carrying with it the gritty taste of sand. Alex emerged from the cool embrace of the forest, blinking in the harsh desert sunlight. He had finally reached the border—a green carpet of grass abruptly giving way to a vast expanse of golden dunes.
"Phew," he exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow. The journey had been longer than anticipated, the unfamiliar terrain sapping his energy even with his enhanced stamina. He stretched, his muscles groaning in protest.
A line of people snaked its way past a group of imposing desert knights, each person undergoing a brief inspection before being allowed passage. Alex considered joining the queue, but before he could, a gust of wind ruffled the sand around him, followed by the unmistakable clatter of heavy armor.
