Vizo, his complexion drained of color, collapses onto a nearby rock. "Hells, I think I wore myself out more than I expected." He uttered in a low voice, just barely above a whipser. I can't even move my legs now." He muttered to Indra, wincing as he spoke each word. Speaking softly as to still be mindful in case any unwanted visitors may be around.
The sun has now risen and come out fully, the scorching rays drying up everything surrounding it. With sweat pouring from his forehead Vizo says to Indra, "My bag just over there I laid down as we came to hide here. I have a small jug of water, and some rations I took." his inflection becoming quieter as he finished the sentence as if he is passing out as he speaks.
Indra quickly goes over to his bag, a black, weathered satchel covered with symbols and writing she could not understand. But still, there was an odd familiarity to it, as if the symbols were being translated in her mind. Just as it was when she read the symbols on the Gate to Elysia, it appears some magical attunement has made her able to understand the writing of Elysia.
The satchel was engraved with the name, Elindrine, Family Satchel, Indra found she was able to understand the strange writing on the side of the bag. As she thought about the bad, she began to wonder if something serious could have happened with his family? Was his family involved in a tragedy, or perhaps he did something so heinous that they cut him off? Seeing the less than ideal work he is up to now, I doubt he has the support of the family anymore. While she was intrigued by it she knew that it could spark an argument if she brought it up.
After contemplating over the writing for a few seconds she opened the bag. And to her surprise there was only a few rations and a jug of water inside. Perhaps in her mind she had hoped for something more revealing-maybe a journal she could read while Vizo slept. But it seemed even someone as her outwardly carefree as Vizo had his share of history to hide. Let down but undeterred, she grabbed a well-sized, but unfamiliar, fruit and the water jug. Closing the bag tightly, then making her way back to Vizo.
Indra returned to Vizo, now slumped on the rock, with the fruit and jug in hand. His breathing had slowed down somewhat, but it was still heavy and labored. She handed him the fruit and water, careful not to make too much noise still.
"Here," she said softly, giving him the water before the fruit, "You need to stay hydrated. You especially have been through a lot today."
Vizo takes the jug, giving a slight nod and his best attempt at a smile. Even moving his cheek muscles to give his usual jovial smile, she had already grown used to seeing, was taxing on his body. Lifting his head up slightly to talk to Indra, "Zephyra fatigue, just about used my entire reserves running from Zara. Not to mention earlier I had to face off with a desert wyrm of all things." in between words his breathing would become ragged, but seemed to be getting better.
Indra's face and eyes lit up as Vizo spoke about Zephyra, ever since a little she had always been so interested by fantasy magic, and extraordinary abilities. She quickly began to ask a barrage of questions to Vizo, her filled with a youthful excitement,
"What does it look like?", "How long have you been able to manipulate it?", "Could you teach me how to use it!?", her questions came out like a rapid fire barrage, each one seeming more eager than the last.
Vizo, still clearly exhausted and not quite up to answering a flood of questions, flashed an exhausted but good-natured smile. "Hey, let's try to move this Q&A to a better time, okay?" his voice came out warm, but with a large amount of strain. "Right now I am more focused on not fainting from exhaustion. Later though, I promise I will teach you all I know." shooting her the same smile after finishing speaking.
Hearing his words, Indra's expression fell slightly, but she nodded in agreement. Her enthusiasm had momentarily overcome her concern for her new-found friend. "Of course I didn't mean to strain you further." she said softly. "Just... whenever you're ready I would love to hear me more about it."
Vizo giving a slight smile said to Indra, "Of course, however I'm not sure if you are planning on eating that spikefruit in your left hand, but if not I would sure love to have it." he started laughing at the end as he spoke.
Even in such fatigue he still found the strength to smile. To Indra, Vizo's ability to maintain his sense of humor, and keep things bright, despite such fatigue was truly admirable.
Indra started to let out a small laugh as well, "Here you go, sorry for keeping you waiting." she said as she handed him the spikefruit.
Quickly scarfing down the spikefruit, like a starved dog, Vizo's complexion seemed to change in a matter of seconds. For now, it seemed he had regained some of his color.
After taking a few minutes to look around the area to make sure it was safe to rest, Indra settled down next to Vizo. Looking out into the rocky maze that now served as their protection. The day was peaceful, and the sun seemed to offer a beacon of hope to their future.
"So," she began, her voice soft but curious, "what's next for us? Do you have any clue how we will be able to handle well... everything that comes next?"
Vizo, still chewing the fruit, turned to Indra, his expression turning serious for a moment, "To be honest, I don't know. I am not that familiar with the desert, and know that there is a minor town around here, if we can manage to find it then we can go there to lay low while Zara and Icago search for us." he said, his normal light-hearted tone not found in his voice right now.
"Though first I need to get some rest, you can rest too if you want. We need to head out of this maze tonight. I know Zara well enough to know that she will be giving it her all to find us and have us brought back to that tyrant, Edon." Vizo quickly added in succession to his previous response.
Indra listened attentively, her expression mirrored the gravity of the situation they had gotten themselves into. The light casted from the sun reflect on her face into the sands.
"I'll keep watch while you rest." she offered, her voice firm. "It's the least I can do after all you have done for me."
Vizo gave a faint smile, having appreciation for her offer, "Thanks then, I'll try to be quick about it. Just a short nap to get my energy back, then we move out of here."
As Vizo shifted over the settled against the rock, Indra got up and took a deep breath mentally preparing herself for the journey to come. Carefully, she backtracked about fifty feet from their resting spot, finding a small, flat area amidst the rock terrain. The desert was still, only the occasional whispers of the wind, and rustling of sand.
Indra thinking to herself about what Vizo said about Zephyra just before. She had no idea what it truly was though, using her intuition she had gathered it was the form of power in the realm of Elysia. The energy was unfamiliar, but she was driven by a deep curiosity, and a desire to be useful to Vizo. More than anything she did not want to be dead weight who couldn't even keep herself safe.
If she could even begin to harness a fraction of this power. Their dire situation could turn out much more positive.
She closed her eyes, now focusing on nothing but the quiet sounds of sand and wind around her. The warmth of the sun on her skin, the wind slightly blowing her hair from side to side, and the softness of the sand underfoot. Trying her best to remember what Vizo said, and what it looked like when he controlled Zephyra. She tried to imagine what it might feel like to control it.
Indra extended her hand out, her palm facing out toward the desert and everything infront of her. She concentrated on the space around her, trying to gather all of the energy into her palm. In her mind she visualized the flow of Zephyra all around her, trying to mimic the movements Vizo had done before.
Suddenly, her fingers began to tingle with an unfamiliar warmth, and she felt a feint pulse of energy in her palm.
She tried to concentrade further, trying to shape this energy in the palm of her hand into something she could control. She imagined guiding it, and to her surprise, grains of sand began to lift and scatter around her, a gentle breeze began to swirl, both creating a localized, small wind-current. It was small, but it was a start.
Realizing her success, Indra's heart began to race with excitement and adrenaline, she couldn't contain her joy. She tried to maintain her control over the flow of the current, she was able to feel the wind respond to her will. Her movements clumsy, and her control poor, but she could feel herself grow more connected and attuned with the energy with every movement she made.
After a few more minutes of trying to control the breeze, she stopped. Slightly panting from the exerted effort. The breeze dissipated, and the sands settled onto the ground once more. Indra let out the biggest smile she had in years, she felt proud for achieving such an accomplishment. Even though it was limited, she had managed to tap into the power of Zephyra.
Now turning to glance back at Vizo, who had remained peacefully at sleep thus far, she felt a renewed sense of hope. If she could take this power, and wield even a small portion of it she could reshape the fate of her journey. It would be an invaluable asset to both her and Vizo's survival.
Turning back around to give one final glance at the landscape, she took a deep breath and made her way back to the rock where Vizo was, taking the opposite side and settling herself down. Her mind began to race with unlimited possibilities and strategies. There was still many hours before the night, and even longer was their journey ahead, but having tapped into this well of power she felt just a little more optimistic that things might work out.