Two days had passed since the group began their journey through the Thukar Region. The sun was hidden behind a swirling sandstorm, reducing visibility to almost nothing. The knights led their horses by the reins, their faces covered to shield against the whipping sands. A magical "filter" shimmered faintly over the horses' nostrils, separating air from the invasive sand.
At the front, both Malachi and Aedric moved with eyes closed, their hands raised as they used their mana to navigate through the storm. Behind them, Pigsly, Aaron, and Rose walked in formation, weapons in hand, scanning the surroundings for threats.
Back at the Castle
Princess Elara jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat as her panicked breaths echoed in the quiet chamber. She looked around wildly until a soft cough from the corner startled her.
"So, you are finally awake," a familiar voice murmured.
Elara turned, her eyes widening. "G-Granny Anne?"
The elderly tutor sat calmly in a chair, her wrinkled face creased with a knowing smile.
"You thought I had left, didn't you?"
Elara swallowed hard. "I… I thought you retired…"
Granny Anne leaned back with a wry chuckle. "Elara, if you've served this court as long as I have, you'd know you can't truly walk away from your responsibilities. But that's a lesson you're still learning, isn't it?"
Elara averted her gaze. "I… I'm sorry. For everything."
"Prove it," Granny Anne said firmly. "Actions, not words, are the currency of royalty."
The room fell into a moment of silence, broken only by Granny Anne's softer tone. "You have what it takes to surpass even your mother, Elara. I wouldn't have stayed all these years otherwise. You'll be the finest Queen this kingdom has ever known, and I'll see it—if not in this life, then the next."
Elara blinked back tears. "I'll do my best."
"I know you will," Anne replied, her weathered hand reaching out to squeeze Elara's gently.
The chamber door opened, and Lady Seraphina entered, followed by Doctor Barns, a middle-aged man with blond hair and a warm demeanor.
"It's good to see you awake, your Highness," Seraphina said, her voice tinged with relief as she stood by the door.
Doctor Barns pulled up a chair beside Elara's bed. "We've run some tests, Princess. Physically, you're fine, but the incident you experienced was a panic attack, likely brought on by a combination of stress, anxiety, and inadequate nutrition."
Elara lowered her gaze. "I've been… overwhelmed. Family matters, Aedric leaving, it's all been a lot."
Doctor Barns nodded, his voice understanding. "If you ever need to talk or if anything changes, please don't hesitate to visit me." He handed her a small pamphlet before standing. "I'll make sure the castle chef adjusts your meals to address your deficiencies."
As Barns exited, Seraphina offered Elara a gentle smile. "If you're feeling up to it, your parents would love to see you."
Elara nodded. "Find me something decent to wear. These gowns are dreadful."
Seraphina chuckled. "Of course, your Highness."
For a moment, the two exchanged a warm, unspoken connection.
"Well, don't just stand there grinning!" Granny Anne barked, snapping them back to attention.
As Seraphina left to prepare, Elara leaned back on her pillow, the smile on her face faltering as a shadowy memory of Thorne crept into her thoughts. Almost normal.
Back in the Thukar Region
The knights trudged onward, the storm intensifying. Suddenly, both Aedric and Malachi stopped, lowering their hands. Their swords were drawn in unison.
"Here it comes," Malachi warned.
From the storm, a massive, four-legged beast emerged, its sand-colored hide blending with the swirling environment. It roared, leaping toward Aedric. He barely raised his blade in time, the creature's claws sending him sprawling into the sand.
Pigsly charged, tackling the beast with sheer force, sending it tumbling. Aedric scrambled to his feet, his strikes bouncing harmlessly off its tough hide.
"Damn! Its skin is like steel!" Aedric shouted as the beast retaliated.
Elsewhere, Rose sprinted toward the horses, where two more of the creatures circled. She moved with precision, dodging attacks and striking at tendons, though her rapier barely scratched their hides.
Aaron joined her, his blade slicing cleanly through a creature's paw before pivoting to sever the other. The beast collapsed, snarling in pain. Just as Aaron prepared to strike the killing blow, the creature's tail lashed out toward him. Rose's knife pinned it down for a moment, buying Aaron enough time to decapitate the beast with a single, fiery strike.
"Rose, catch!" Aaron tossed his flaming blade to her as another beast lunged.
Rose danced around its attacks, wielding the heavier weapon with grace. She targeted its joints, crippling it before Aaron delivered the final blow.
Meanwhile, Aedric and Pigsly were pushed to their limits. The beast roared, thickening the storm to near-impenetrable levels. Pigsly shouted, but his voice was drowned by the howling winds.
"Close your eyes!" Aedric commanded, inhaling deeply to steady himself. Through mana, they sensed the creature's presence.
As it lunged again, Pigsly intercepted with his shield, throwing his weight forward to pin it. Aedric feigned injury, his body transforming into a sand clone.
"ELEKTRUS!" he shouted, his blade surging with electricity. The real Aedric emerged from the storm, driving his weapon into the beast. With a final command, "SCATTER!" the electricity exploded, shattering the creature in a burst of light.
As the sandstorm cleared, Aedric knelt in exhaustion.
"Woah…" Pigsly muttered, surveying the carnage.
Their attention turned to Malachi, who stood among the corpses of nearly forty beasts, his spear dripping with blood.
"Sandreapers," Malachi said grimly. "They hunt in packs, with the eldest controlling the storms. No one survives to tell the tale. Until now."
At the horses, Augustine, Aedric's steed, lay on the ground, a deep gash on its side. Malachi approached.
"Hold him," he ordered as Pigsly and Aaron pinned the horse. A faint, fiery glow enveloped Malachi's hand. "This will hurt."
As the cauterization began, Augustine thrashed violently. Aedric whispered soothingly, stroking the horse's mane. When the horse stilled, Malachi cast a healing spell.
"Three hours to Mik'Su," Malachi said. "We'll find a proper healer there."
Aedric nodded, gripping Augustine's reins as they began the long trek.