Chapter Five: Moment of Realization (2) {Bonus Chapter}
Dusken came to his senses shortly after discovering his side ability and began setting up a small fire.
The dried wood he and Kyle had gathered on their way was sparse, so the fire wasn't very large, but it sufficed. Dusken decided to start roasting the meat from the creature they had hunted while discussing their plans for the next day.
"Tomorrow, we'll set out at dawn," he began. "Though we don't have anything to store water in, we'll have to find a way. Even if it means moulding containers from the desert sand, we'll try."
The fragrant aroma of cooking meat filled the air as the fire crackled, its flickering light casting shifting shadows over him and Kyle. The sight sent ripples of thought through Dusken's mind.
"You know what?" he added in a calm tone.
Kyle shifted, glaring at him.
"What?" he snapped, irritation evident. It was clear Kyle felt ignored.
Dusken turned to face him, a sly smile on his face. "So, what clan do you come from? As for me, I'm from the Clan of Night."
Dusken suspected Kyle wasn't part of any clan, likely a homeless wanderer chosen by the Codex. But he wanted to confirm his theory to decide his next move.
Kyle let out a heavy sigh, his frown softening into an expression of deep despondency.
"Trust me, my backstory is a sad one, but I still look ahead with a calm face," Kyle said with a faint, bitter smile that could charm any girl with sympathy. His gaze was fixed on the fire, his eyes distant.
"My grandfather is the lord of our clan, but he was poisoned during a critical mission. Since then, his level has dropped constantly. Now, he's barely above level twenty of the Preeminent Rank, down from level forty-five."
Tears welled in Kyle's eyes, and his voice faltered with emotions as he clenched his fists, struggling to stay calm.
A ripple of surprise ran through Dusken at Kyle's words, though he hid it well.
The seven ranks of power were known to all: Awakened, Preeminent, Reverend, Mythical, Sacred, Ultimate, and Celestial. Each rank had minor levels, with Awakened starting at level one.
The drop from level forty-five to twenty within the Preeminent Rank was staggering - a difference akin to heaven and earth. Though still within the same rank, the disparity in strength was immense.
Dusken remained unmoved by Kyle's mood, not out of callousness, but because his past had hardened him.
He had endured breakdowns many times in his previous life, building an unshakable control over his emotions.
If Kyle were to hear Dusken's backstory, he might realize that his sorrow was but a drop in the ocean compared to what Dusken had endured in his past life.
The pain of losing loved ones? Dusken had felt it. The loneliness of growing up alone? He had experienced it. The agony of helplessness? It had been his constant companion.
Love, guilt, shame, and sadness flitted through Dusken's mind, but he suppressed them all, his expression tranquil. He had faced what Kyle was enduring - and worse - many times over.
Why should his composure falter for the plight of a dying stranger? Life, to Dusken, was exhausting, and emotions were burdensome. The only thing worth pursuing was excitement.
'A sad story, indeed, but a pity nonetheless,' Dusken thought, shaking his head internally. He spoke aloud:
"Well, your backstory is rough, but at least you're alive. How about you focus on growing stronger? Find a cure for your grandfather's illness and heal him. Problem solved, right?" Dusken spread his arms theatrically, his voice adopting a dramatic tone under the crackling of the fire.
Kyle sighed softly. "Do you really think it's that easy? My grandfather will probably die long before I grow strong enough to save him. Besides, I'm just an abducted grandson—ostracized by everyone."
Pity stirred in Dusken's heart, though he didn't show it, for he didn't wish to break Kyle even more.
"Then rebuild a new clan," he said matter-of-factly. "The dead stay dead. Even if you save him, he'll eventually die anyway. If you really want to honour him, take his place against all odds and rule the clan. Life goes on, Kyle. There's no stopping it."
Dusken's voice softened slightly as he added, "Since death is inevitable, pursue what makes you human. Chase what makes your blood rush. Your exhilaration should come first, even before someone else's life."
Dusken grinned, intending to encourage Kyle, but his words had the opposite effect.
Kyle abruptly stood, pointing a trembling finger at Dusken, rage flashing in his tear-filled eyes.
"Y-you…" he stammered, struggling to find the words. "You don't even care about people's emotions! You speak as if life and death are insignificant. If excitement is what you pursue, that's not what I want!"
Dusken frowned, realizing Kyle had misunderstood him. Deciding it wasn't worth explaining, he turned away, focusing instead on the roasting meat.
Kyle's eyes flashed with a mix of annoyance and thoughtfulness as he stared at Dusken's back.
Dinner passed in silence. Kyle, consumed by his emotions, had no desire to speak, and Dusken had no interest in conversation.
The meat, devoid of spices, was bland despite its enticing aroma, leaving Dusken frustrated but grateful not to be starving.
Each bite of the meat was a struggle for Dusken, as his teeth couldn't chew it properly. The meat from a level one creature was too tough to chew and swallow, making him sigh bitterly as his stomach growled incessantly.
Kyle, however, was having a far easier time. Using his heat ability, he softened the meat, making it much easier to chew, while Dusken was forced to spend several minutes on each bite.
The cold desert breeze cut through the night. By day, the desert had been mercilessly hot; now, it was bone-chilling. The small fire provided their only warmth as they finished their dinner.
Dusken, still adjusting to his newfound night vision, surveyed their surroundings. His gaze lingered in the west, where legend placed the gods' palace.
After a day of wandering through the vast expanse of the Neverending Desert, all Dusken had seen was an endless sea of sand. But now, in the night, something caught his eye.
Far in the distance, barely discernible, loomed a massive cliff crowned by a palace. Its silhouette stood under a grey sky, majestic and overwhelming.
'The gods' palace,' Dusken thought, understanding dawning on him.
No matter how far they had walked during the day, they had never seen the palace. It wasn't a coincidence. This meant that the desert was endless in the day but traversable at night.
Dusken trembled at the realization, catching Kyle's attention. Kyle followed Dusken's gaze and looked westward.
In the distance, though too far away to make out clearly, he spotted a massive cliff with a building atop it, shrouded in dark, stormy clouds.
The sight sent a jolt through Kyle's mind. His face lit up with dark excitement, and he began to shake visibly.
As the cold night deepened, Kyle's gaze lingered on Dusken's back, his expression torn between irritation and gratitude.
The whistle of the wind carried their unspoken thoughts into the vast desert.