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There was a boy perched atop an empty barrel, his legs swinging idly as he surveyed the makeshift camp around him. His dark hair was tousled by the relentless desert winds, and his piercing green eyes—too sharp for someone so young—took in every detail. Though only six years old, Wei Zhen carried himself with an air of authority, a quiet confidence that drew attention like the desert sun.
The camp was a collection of patchwork shelters, barely holding their ground against the Si Wong Desert's unforgiving nature. Beyond the thin canvas and weathered wood, endless dunes stretched out, golden and barren, shimmering under the sun's relentless gaze.
A small group of children had gathered around Wei Zhen, sitting cross-legged in the sand, their wide eyes fixed on him as if he were a general rallying his troops. They waited, their chatter subdued in anticipation of his words.
Wei Zhen hopped down from the barrel, brushing off his worn clothes with deliberate nonchalance. "Alright," he began, his voice carrying over the wind with surprising authority. "Today's the day. The final match between Dulo and Gara. The showdown we've all been waiting for!"
A chorus of excited whispers rippled through the group. This wasn't just play; this was Sand Hardening, the game Wei Zhen had invented. Simple yet brilliant, it captivated the children of the camp. Each player shaped a small warrior out of sand, hardening it with bending or their hands. The warriors would crash into each other, and the one that remained intact—or the least damaged—would be crowned the victor.
Wei Zhen grinned as he watched the children prepare their creations. The oppressive heat of the Si Wong Desert faded into the background, replaced by their enthusiasm. Here, amidst the dunes and harsh winds, he had forged a little kingdom, and these children were its citizens.
"Alright!" he said, clapping his hands for attention. "Dulo! Gara! Let's see who's got the strongest warrior."
The two challengers scrambled to their feet, clutching their hardened sand warriors like treasures. The circle of children leaned in, eager to witness the final match. Wei Zhen stood between them, his grin widening as the tension mounted. For a moment, he let himself bask in the joy of creation and connection—turning the barren desert into a place of possibility.
---
A Reward for a Hard Day's Work
As the match ended and the children dispersed, Wei Zhen retreated to his tent, the day's exertions catching up with him. Leading the younger kids was no small task, but in the Shaan Renkai, even children had roles to play. Everyone worked for their keep, no matter their age.
Grabbing a cloth bag, Wei Zhen made his way to the camp's center, where the only permanent structure stood—a small stone building, weathered but sturdy. Its simplicity stood in stark contrast to the transient shelters around it. With no windows and just two doors, it served as the camp's storage hub.
Wei Zhen slipped in through the back door, immediately greeted by Poe, a tall young man with light brown hair, tanned skin, and striking orange eyes that gleamed like embers. Poe's easy smile could disarm even the grumpiest of travelers.
"How'd it go with the kids?" Poe asked, his tone warm and familiar.
"Good," Wei Zhen replied with a shrug, though his smirk betrayed his pride. "So, what's on the menu today?"
Poe's grin turned mischievous. "How about a cool glass of water and some dragonfly fruit? Mom brought some in last night."
Wei Zhen's eyes lit up, unable to hide his excitement. Water and fruit were rare luxuries in the desert, and dragonfly fruit—small, vibrant, and bursting with sweet, tangy flavor—was a treasure.
Feigning indifference, Wei Zhen crossed his arms. "Dragonfly fruit, huh? Guess that's alright."
Poe laughed, leading him deeper into the stone building. The cool interior was a welcome reprieve from the scorching sun. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with sacks of grain, dried meats, clay jugs of water, and, on a small pedestal, a basket of dragonfly fruit.
With practiced ease, Poe sliced the fruit into thin, glistening slices, arranging them in a wooden bowl. He poured a stream of cool water into a clay cup, handing both to Wei Zhen.
"Here you go, kid," Poe said with a wink. "Payment for keeping the little monsters in line."
Wei Zhen accepted the bowl and cup with a nod, his usual bravado softening. "Thanks, Poe. You're alright."
Settling on a stone bench near the back door, Wei Zhen savored his treat. The fruit's sweet-tangy flavor burst on his tongue, and the cool water was a balm against the desert heat. In moments like these, the harshness of the Si Wong Desert seemed to fade, replaced by simple pleasures.
---
A Glimpse Beyond the Sand
As he finished the last slice of fruit, Wei Zhen's thoughts began to wander. The day's laughter and camaraderie had been satisfying, but deep within, a restless spark flickered. The desert was vast and ancient, and while the Shaan Renkai was his world now, he couldn't shake the feeling that his destiny stretched far beyond these dunes.
As he finished the last slice of fruit, Wei Zhen let his thoughts drift. The day's laughter and camaraderie had been satisfying, but a restless spark still flickered deep inside him. The desert was vast and ancient, but even its endless dunes felt too small for the weight of his ambitions.
"Lost in thought again?" Poe's voice cut through the quiet.
Wei Zhen looked up, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Just planning tomorrow's game. Got an idea that's gonna blow everyone's minds."
Poe chuckled, shaking his head. "You're always scheming, kid. Just don't forget to sleep. Even geniuses need their rest."
Wei just shrugged. He was used to being called a genius—it was only natural, wasn't it? Speaking fluently at one, sandbending at three—it wasn't like anyone else could know the truth.
Yeah, sure, he thought wryly, a "genius." Or just a 17-year-old from modern Earth reincarnated into a TV show. Totally normal.
But there was no point dwelling on things he couldn't say. It was easier to play the part everyone expected of him.
Before he could sink deeper into his thoughts, Poe's voice rose in panic. "Whoa! Mom's here, and I haven't finished cleaning the place!"
From the corner of his eye, Wei Zhen caught sight of her. Tall, sharp-featured, and with a presence that seemed to fill the room before she even stepped inside. The scarf covering her hair and her plain, ragged clothes couldn't hide the authority she carried. Goula wasn't just someone you ignored.
As the door swung open, Wei Zhen stood without hesitation, vacating the stool as Goula entered. She moved with the precision of someone who expected the world to align itself to her will, her sharp green eyes scanning the room like a hawk.
She didn't need to say a word. Her slight shake of the head was enough to send Wei stepping aside, pretending to clean a spotless shelf.
She sat on the stool, pulling out a fan and cooling herself. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.
"Poe," she said finally, her tone pleasant but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut. "Where is Arie?"
Poe froze, scrambling for an answer. "Uh, she wasn't feeling well today, so she didn't come! Ha…haha…" His laugh trailed off under her steady gaze.
"Is that why Wei Zhen has been doing her chores?" she asked, not looking at her son but making her disappointment clear.
Wei Zhen turned, catching her eyes as she addressed him directly. "Did he compensate you properly?"
Her tone softened slightly—a rare thing, and one that made Wei Zhen's practiced grin slide effortlessly into place. "Of course," he said, voice light and easy. "Poe's always fair."
She regarded him for a moment, her expression unreadable, before turning back to her son.
"You let Arie take advantage of you again," she said flatly.
"I-I just thought—"
"You thought wrong," she cut in, her voice calm but unyielding. "This isn't the first time. And it won't be the last if you don't start using your head."
Wei Zhen kept his head down, pretending to focus on the shelf. But inside, he was grinning. Guess it's not just me she terrifies.
Goula's gaze swept the room one last time before settling back on her fan. The moment passed, but the weight of her presence lingered.
Wei Zhen straightened, his mind already drifting to the next plan. The desert was vast, yes—but even it couldn't contain the future he intended to carve out for himself.