The Crimson Wastes stretched out before them like an endless ocean of sand and rock, the air shimmering with heat waves. The journey south had been long and uneventful, but as they crossed the threshold into the Wastes, Ryan felt an oppressive weight settle over him. The land itself seemed hostile, barren yet brimming with hidden dangers.
Arya adjusted her hood to shield her face from the sun. "Stay close and keep your eyes open. The Wastes aren't just dangerous—they're unpredictable."
Grent took a deep swig from his canteen, his hammer resting across his shoulders. "Unpredictable's putting it lightly. Bandits, monsters, sandstorms—you name it, the Wastes have it."
Ryan followed in silence, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His HUD displayed faint readings of the environment, but the interference from the Core's energy made it unreliable. The sense of unease gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. He couldn't afford distractions.
By midday, the sun was merciless, its rays beating down on them as they trekked across the dunes. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the crunch of sand beneath their boots. Ryan's water supply dwindled faster than he liked, and his exhaustion grew with every step.
"Do you hear that?" Arya asked suddenly, her voice cutting through the monotony.
Ryan strained his ears, but at first, he heard nothing. Then it came—a low, rhythmic thudding, like distant footsteps. The sound grew louder, accompanied by a faint tremor in the ground.
"Trouble," Grent muttered, gripping his hammer tightly.
The source of the noise soon became clear. Cresting a nearby dune was a massive creature, its body resembling a cross between an insect and a reptile. Its chitinous armor glinted in the sunlight, and its multiple legs moved with unnerving speed.
[Dune Ravager] - Level 12
Arya drew her bow, her eyes narrowing. "We take it down fast. Grent, keep it distracted. Ryan, aim for the joints. I'll go for the eyes."
Grent let out a battle cry, charging forward without hesitation. His hammer struck the Ravager's leg with a resounding crack, momentarily halting its advance. The creature let out a shriek, its massive pincers snapping at him.
Ryan darted to the side, activating [Quick Strike] to close the distance. His blade slashed at the creature's leg joint, sparks flying as he found a weak spot. The Ravager stumbled but quickly recovered, its tail lashing out in a wide arc.
"Watch it!" Arya shouted, loosing an arrow that struck one of the creature's many eyes. The Ravager reared back, its shriek echoing across the dunes.
Grent took the opportunity to land another heavy blow, this time cracking the creature's carapace. "It's tough, but it's slowing down!"
Ryan activated [Power Slash], his sword glowing as he targeted the exposed crack. His strike landed with precision, driving deep into the Ravager's armor. The creature let out a final, pained shriek before collapsing into the sand.
+200 XP.
The group stood over the fallen Ravager, their breathing heavy. Arya retrieved her arrows, wiping sweat from her brow. "Not bad. But if that's just the beginning, we're in for a rough time."
Grent chuckled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
Ryan sheathed his sword, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the rush of victory. "How much farther to the Core?"
Arya consulted the map projected from her HUD. "Another day, maybe two. If we're lucky."
Grent snorted. "Luck's not really our thing."
The group pressed on, the dunes giving way to rocky terrain as the sun dipped lower in the sky. They found shelter in a narrow canyon, the towering walls providing some relief from the heat and wind. Arya set up a small campfire while Grent secured the perimeter.
Ryan sat down heavily, his legs protesting the movement. "Do you think there's another Guardian waiting for us?"
Arya nodded, her expression grim. "There's always a Guardian. And if the energy signature is as strong as the mages said, this one will make the Warlord look like a training dummy."
Grent returned, dropping a bundle of dry wood near the fire. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
Ryan managed a small smile, though the weight of Arya's words pressed heavily on him. He stared into the flames, his thoughts drifting to the battles ahead. The challenges were growing, and the stakes were higher than ever. But as he glanced at Arya and Grent, he found a spark of determination rekindling within him.
"We'll handle it," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Arya looked up, her gaze steady. "We always do."