The scorching sun hung high in the sky, radiating blinding, oppressive rays. Tatsuya stopped at the crest of a sand dune, surveying the vast desert stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Golden sand extended in every direction, as if the world consisted solely of dunes and the deep blue sky. Each step he took sank deep into the sand, leaving faint traces that the wind quickly erased. He could feel the heat rising from the ground, penetrating through his shoes, as if it were determined to melt everything in its path.
Why was he here? Reality came back to him: after escaping from the battle, he rested briefly. But the "Shadowfang Wolves" tracked him, and while fleeing, he accidentally triggered a teleportation device though in truth, Aiko had activated it to escape, but before she could properly adjust it, Tatsuya had rushed in.
Taking a deep breath, he felt the dry air scrape his throat, intensifying the overwhelming thirst. His lips were cracked, and his skin had begun to burn from the relentless sun. Walking on the sand was a struggle, but he had mentally prepared himself for the challenge. The past few days had been brutal, hunger and thirst hitting him relentlessly, making it hard for him to keep moving.
Thirst became a nightmare that refused to end. Each time he tried to swallow, his throat felt like it was being scraped by invisible blades. What little saliva he had left clung dryly to his mouth, deepening his craving for even a single drop of cool water. His water flask had run dry the day before, and there was no indication that he would find water in this barren land.
Hunger clawed at him just as viciously. His stomach had been empty for what felt like forever, each pang reminding him of his body's need for sustenance. He recalled the meager meals he had eaten in the past, yet now, even a stale piece of bread seemed like a distant luxury.
By midday, his shadow had disappeared, leaving only the blistering heat from above and the burning sand beneath his feet. There was no sound except for the howling of the wind through the dunes. His sweat had long dried up, a clear sign that he was severely dehydrated. His skin had started to blister and burn, despite his efforts to shield himself with a cloth wrapped around his head. It was as if the desert itself was determined to strip him of every layer of protection.
He dragged himself onward, his legs no longer feeling like his own, heavy and sluggish. He knew that if he didn't find a place to rest soon, he wouldn't survive the day. Yet all around him were nothing but endless dunes, with no sign of shelter no trees, no rocks, nothing to shield him from the unforgiving sun.
In his despair, Tatsuya began to question whether he had completely lost his way. He remembered the moment when he had accidentally activated the teleportation device while fleeing from the "Shadowfang Wolves," vicious and bloodthirsty creatures. At the time, all he wanted was to escape danger, but stepping onto that stone platform had transported him here a place he had never imagined.
Now, he was trapped in this desert, with no idea where to go or how to escape. Aiko had also scolded him for rushing in before everything had been fully prepared.
Each step became more arduous, but Tatsuya refused to allow himself to stop. He knew that if he did, he might never get up again. He had to keep moving, even if it meant crawling through the sand.
Hallucinations began to plague him. In the scorching heat and exhaustion, strange images appeared before his eyes. He saw distant oases, with crystal-clear water and lush green trees. But as he drew closer, they vanished like smoke, leaving him to face the harsh reality: the desert was nothing but sand and more sand.
He recalled old stories of travelers lost in the desert, often led to their deaths by mirages, chasing after illusions until they collapsed from exhaustion. Tatsuya knew he had to keep his mind sharp, not to let these illusions deceive him. But that was easier said than done when both his body and mind were being pushed to their limits.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly in the desert's heat. The sun appeared to never set, and each passing second felt like a battle against himself. Tatsuya felt every sensation slowly drain away from his body. He no longer felt the pain in his legs, nor the wind whistling past his ears. Only one thought remained in his mind: keep moving.
Suddenly, he lost his footing on a steep dune, his entire body collapsing like a shattered statue. He felt himself tumbling down the sand, as if sinking into the earth. Sand filled his mouth, nose, and eyes, suffocating and burning him. He tried to rise, but his body had no strength left. He could feel the fine sand burying him, as if it intended to entomb him beneath the scorching earth.
In that moment, he realized he had reached his limit. He couldn't go on. He wanted to stand, but his body refused to obey. Lying there, eyes wide open, he stared up at the clear blue sky, where the sun still blazed mercilessly.
Yet, in his final moment of surrender, a strange feeling crept into his mind. It was the sense of something beyond life and death something powerful and unknowable. He couldn't quite define it, but he knew he couldn't give up.
Tatsuya struggled to lift his head, mustering the last of his strength. "Water," he whispered hoarsely, desperately hoping for some miracle to quench his thirst. He thought to himself that in such a harsh place, even the strongest would perish.
As he lay there, partially buried in the sand, his eyes fixated on the sky, each breath becoming a laborious task. He could feel life slipping away, like grains of sand slipping through his fingers impossible to hold on to.
Then, just when he thought it was all over, a sudden coolness spread through his throat. Water real, tangible water trickled down his throat, each drop bringing life back to his parched body. The dryness on his lips vanished, replaced by a soothing coolness. He grasped at this sensation, unsure if it was yet another hallucination.
But no, this was no illusion. He could feel the water coursing down his throat, revitalizing his body. The water seemed to carry a strange power, as though each drop infused him with life and energy. He could move his arms and legs again, the stiffness from exhaustion gradually fading.
"Are you a traveler?" A calm yet commanding voice echoed through the silence of the desert. Startled, Tatsuya's eyes widened as he searched for the source of the voice. Yet all he saw was the endless expanse of golden sand and the endless blue sky. He wasn't sure if he was awake or dreaming, but the voice was far too clear to be a hallucination.
Tatsuya looked up, and standing atop a nearby dune was a figure cloaked in white, radiating brilliantly under the glaring sun. The cloak concealed their entire body, except for a pair of bright, mysterious eyes. The figure moved effortlessly, almost gliding across the sand, and in an instant stood before Tatsuya.
"Are you a traveler?" the figure repeated the question, their gaze piercing into Tatsuya, as if waiting for a response.
Still in shock, Tatsuya managed to nod, feeling the cool water's lingering presence within him. "Yes... I am a traveler. But... how did you know I was here?"
"Of course I know. Your attire is different from that of the village people around here," the figure replied calmly.
"Are you from here?" Tatsuya asked.
"No."
"Then... who are you? And where is this place? I... I ended up lost in this desert without knowing how to escape," Tatsuya said, his eyes full of hope as he gazed at the stranger before him.
The figure smiled gently, their eyes gleaming with mystery. "I am merely a wanderer like yourself, traveling across this world in search of knowledge and understanding. This desert is a trial, one that only those with a steadfast will can overcome."
"A trial? Didn't you just mention there are villagers living here?" Tatsuya asked, his voice filled with skepticism.
"They have holy water water drawn from a strange, enormous tree that grows there," the mysterious figure continued, their tone serene.
Tatsuya stared at the figure with a mixture of doubt and curiosity. "You said this is a trial... So what must I do to pass it?"
"Don't ask how to pass it, ask how you got here," Aiko's voice rang out as she appeared beside Tatsuya, her tone full of exasperation.
"Oh! Aiko! Well, that makes things easier," the mysterious figure exclaimed, then questioned curiously, "But why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the Blood Shrine?"
Tatsuya looked at Aiko, his eyes wide with surprise at her sudden appearance. But before he could react, the stranger's question grabbed his attention.
Aiko, with a stern but irritated expression, replied, "I have my reasons, none of which concern you. But the main issue here is getting Tatsuya out of this place. This desert isn't just a physical challenge it can erode the spirit of anyone who passes through."
The stranger nodded thoughtfully, understanding clear in their eyes. "I can help him, but only if he's willing to face what lies ahead. The village's holy water can restore his strength, but to escape, he must conquer the fear and despair within himself."
The stranger continued, "This desert was originally created as a barrier to protect the ancient kingdom of sand. Only those with the strength of will and clarity of mind can find the path forward. Tatsuya, are you ready to face the truth of your journey?"
Tatsuya hesitated, then looked down at his hands, which were no longer trembling. The stranger's words weighed heavily on him, and he could feel something stirring deep within his heart. Could he overcome the challenges ahead, not just in the desert, but in his entire quest?
With a determined nod, Tatsuya looked back at the stranger. "I am ready."
The figure smiled once again, their eyes filled with approval. "Then follow me, traveler. Let us find the village and restore your strength. Only then can you discover the path that lies ahead."
And so, with renewed hope and determination, Tatsuya began his journey across the desert once more, following the mysterious stranger and Aiko toward the promise of a new beginning.