The scorching sun blazed down on Neato as he trudged through the endless desert. The sand beneath his feet seemed to stretch infinitely in every direction, and the heat was relentless. He wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered to himself, "I'm tired."
Just as he was about to collapse, he noticed something moving rapidly in the distance. Squinting against the glare, he saw a group of twelve riders approaching on horseback. As they drew nearer, Neato recognized them as desert bandits.
"Shit, desert bandits at a time like this," he thought, his heart sinking.
The riders stopped in front of him, their leader, a rugged man with a scar across his face, glaring down from his horse. "Give us all your belongings," the leader demanded.
"I have nothing. No water and no food," Neato replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Is that so?" the leader sneered. "But you still have that sword. Give it to us. And your clothes too."
Neato sized up the leader and asked, "Might I know your name first?"
"I'm Onyx," the leader replied, eyes narrowing.
"Okay, Onyx," Neato said, gripping his sword tighter. "Come and take it."
Onyx motioned to one of his bandits. "Go get everything."
The bandit dismounted and approached Neato, a greedy grin spreading across his face. "Give it," he demanded.
Neato's eyes flashed. "With pleasure," he said, and in one swift movement, he drew his sword and stabbed the bandit in the throat.
The bandit staggered backward, gurgling, before collapsing to the ground. Neato climbed on top of him and, with a ferocity born of desperation and rage, stabbed him twenty-three more times, each thrust more brutal than the last. Blood sprayed everywhere, soaking Neato and the sand beneath him.
Covered in blood, Neato stood up and pointed his sword at the remaining bandits. "Who else wants to take it?" he challenged, his voice cold and unwavering.
The bandits stared at him, some in shock, others in fear. They hesitated, glancing at Onyx for guidance.
END OF CHAPTER 27