The desert spread out before them, a vast expanse of golden dunes shimmering in the harsh sunlight. The air was dry and hot, the kind of heat that clung to their skin and made each step feel like an exhausting effort. The three friends stood on the edge of the dunes, gazing at the seemingly endless sea of sand."Are we sure this is the right place?" Lily asked, shielding her eyes from the sun as she peered into the distance.Alex consulted the ancient map they had recovered, its edges frayed and worn from centuries of handling. The glowing green relic, now safely tucked away in his satchel, hummed faintly, as if reacting to the energy of the next location."It's here," Alex said confidently, pointing to a spot on the map. "The map says we have to cross the dunes and find the Temple of Solara. The fourth relic is hidden there."Jack squinted at the desert. "Doesn't seem very hospitable.""It's not supposed to be," Alex replied. "The temple is guarded by ancient forces, and the desert itself is said to be cursed. Travelers who try to reach the temple often disappear without a trace.""Of course," Jack muttered. "It's never easy."Lily tightened the straps on her backpack, adjusting her daggers. "Let's just make sure we're not the next ones to disappear. We've made it this far; I'm not about to get lost in a desert."The three of them began their trek across the dunes, the sand shifting beneath their feet with each step. The wind picked up, blowing grains of sand into their faces and making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. The sun beat down relentlessly, and within minutes, they were already drenched in sweat.Hours passed, and the desert seemed to stretch on forever, unchanging in its vast emptiness. The only sound was the howling wind and the soft crunch of sand beneath their boots. The heat was oppressive, and each of them felt the weight of fatigue setting in."We need to stop," Lily said, panting as she wiped sweat from her brow. "We'll collapse if we keep pushing like this."Alex nodded, his throat dry and his lips cracked. "Agreed. Let's find some shade—if there's any to be found."Jack, who had been scanning the horizon, suddenly pointed to a distant formation of rocks. "There. It looks like there's some shelter up ahead."The trio pushed forward, their energy sapped by the sun, until they finally reached the outcropping. It wasn't much—