Ricky and Sophie moved swiftly through the darkness of the night. The gray sky provided little light, making each step cautious. Ricky gripped his rifle tightly, while Sophie occasionally checked her worn-out compass, even though its needle spun aimlessly.
Sophie: "We're walking blind. What if Kieran is lying?"
Ricky: Looking straight ahead without slowing his pace. "We don't have any other choice. If we stay here, Draven will definitely find us."
A short while later, they arrived at a gap between large rocks. The air felt more humid, as if there was a water source nearby a rare thing in this dying world.
Sophie: With a hopeful tone. "Do you feel that? The air... it's different."
Ricky nodded but remained alert. He knew that in a world like this, a small miracle could quickly turn into a deadly trap.
_______________
In the distance, Vargo and his men quickly followed their trail.
Vargo: "Hurry, they won't be far. Draven wants them alive, but I don't mind if they arrive half-dead."
One of his men turned, hesitating.
Soldier: "What if they really find the Oasis? That could be a threat to our territory."
Vargo: Laughing coldly. "That's why we need to stop them before they get there."
_______________
A few hours later, just before dawn…
Ricky and Sophie reached a steep canyon. Below them, they saw a valley with wild plants rarely found elsewhere. A small river meandered between the rocks.
Sophie: Surprised. "Is that... real water?"
Ricky surveyed the surroundings carefully. While the sight gave a glimmer of hope, he still felt something was wrong.
Ricky: "We're not safe yet. Stay alert." Suddenly, a voice from behind made them turn quickly. Kieran stepped out from behind a large rock shadow.
Kieran: "You're learning fast. That's why I chose to help you."
Sophie: "So, this is the Oasis you were talking about?"
Kieran shook his head slowly.
Kieran: "Not yet. This is just the beginning. The real Oasis is beyond those mountains." He pointed toward the mountain range rising far in the distance. "But the journey there won't be easy. Draven knows you're heading this way. And he won't let you reach it alive."
______________
At Draven's camp…
Draven stared at the map with sharp eyes. He held a small metal ball with a lens in the center. The ball faintly glowed, emitting a soft blue light.
Draven: "If they reach the Oasis, everything I've built will be for nothing. We'll lose control of this territory."
One of his followers, a woman with long white hair named Selene, stepped forward.
Selene: "Let me handle them. I know how to deal with people like Kieran."
Draven stared at Selene for a moment before giving a thin smile.
Draven: "Go ahead. Make sure they never reach their destination."
*****
Who is Selene, and what is her connection to Kieran? Will Ricky and Sophie manage to cross the mountains and reach the Oasis before Draven and his forces stop them?
To be continued in Chapter 4: Shadows Beyond the Mountains