The night in the Crimson Wastes was colder than Ryan had expected. The sharp contrast to the blistering heat of the day left him shivering, even with his cloak pulled tightly around him. The group had set up camp in a shallow ravine, the high walls offering some protection from the chilling wind.
Arya crouched by the fire, her eyes distant as she watched the flames dance. Grent leaned against a rock, his hammer resting beside him as he sipped from a canteen. Ryan sat cross-legged on the sand, sharpening his sword and listening to the faint hum of the Core within the reinforced container.
"How far do you think we are now?" Ryan asked, breaking the silence.
Arya didn't look up. "A day's travel, maybe less. But the closer we get, the more dangerous it'll be."
Grent grunted. "If those Raiders were any clue, they already know we're here. Wouldn't be surprised if they've got scouts tracking us right now."
Ryan frowned, his grip tightening on his sword. "Do you think they're after the Core?"
Arya finally looked at him, her expression unreadable. "The Raiders don't do anything without a reason. If they're attacking us, it's either to claim the Core or to stop us from reaching it."
The thought sent a shiver down Ryan's spine. The Core's energy pulsed faintly in his mind, a reminder of its power—and the danger it posed.
The next morning, the group broke camp and resumed their journey. The terrain grew rougher, the sand giving way to jagged rocks and steep inclines. The wind picked up, carrying with it the faint scent of sulfur and decay. Ryan's HUD flickered intermittently, the interference growing stronger with each step.
By midday, the sky darkened unnaturally. Thick clouds rolled in from the horizon, their edges glowing faintly with streaks of crimson lightning. The air grew heavy, charged with energy that made Ryan's skin prickle.
"A storm," Arya said, her voice tense. "A big one."
Grent shielded his eyes, squinting at the horizon. "We'll need to find shelter fast. That's not the kind of storm you can ride out in the open."
Ryan scanned the landscape, his heart sinking as he saw nothing but barren wasteland stretching in every direction. "Where? There's nowhere to hide."
Arya pointed to a cluster of rocky formations in the distance. "There. If we're lucky, we'll make it before the storm hits."
Grent laughed humorlessly. "Luck's not exactly our strong suit."
The storm closed in faster than they anticipated. The wind howled like a living thing, whipping sand and grit into their faces as they ran. Ryan's legs burned with the effort, but he pushed on, his eyes fixed on the rocky outcrop ahead.
Lightning arced across the sky, illuminating the landscape in brief, eerie flashes. The thunder that followed was deafening, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Ryan stumbled but caught himself, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Keep moving!" Arya shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the wind.
They reached the outcrop just as the storm hit. The wind howled through the rocks, carrying with it a rain of red-tinged sand that stung their skin. Grent and Arya worked quickly to secure their supplies, while Ryan crouched behind a boulder, shielding the Core's container with his body.
The storm raged on, the air crackling with energy. Ryan could feel the Core pulsing more strongly now, its glow faintly visible even through the container's reinforced casing.
"This storm isn't natural," Arya said, her voice tight. She was crouched beside Ryan, her bow at the ready. "It's reacting to the Core."
Grent nodded grimly. "Figures. The Wastes never do anything halfway."
Ryan clenched his fists, his mind racing. "What do we do? We can't move in this."
"We wait," Arya said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "But be ready. Storms like this attract more than just Raiders."
Hours passed, the storm showing no signs of abating. Ryan's exhaustion was starting to weigh on him, but he forced himself to stay alert. The air around them seemed alive, charged with a tension that made every hair on his body stand on end.
Then, amidst the howling wind, he heard it—a low, guttural growl. His blood ran cold as he gripped his sword, his HUD flickering to life with a warning: Hostiles Detected.
Shapes emerged from the storm, their forms distorted and shifting. They moved with unnatural fluidity, their glowing eyes cutting through the haze.
[Storm Wraiths] - Level 13
Arya cursed under her breath, already drawing an arrow. "Wraiths. Of course."
Grent hefted his hammer, his expression grim. "Guess we're not waiting this one out."
Ryan stood, his sword glowing faintly as he activated [Quick Strike]. The first Wraith lunged at him, its claws slashing through the air. He dodged and countered, his blade cutting through the creature's shifting form. It let out a haunting wail before dissolving into mist.
"Stay together!" Arya shouted, loosing an arrow that struck another Wraith. "Don't let them separate us!"
Grent roared, swinging his hammer in a wide arc that sent two Wraiths sprawling. "These things don't go down easy!"
Ryan gritted his teeth, focusing on his movements as the Wraiths swarmed around them. His sword struck again and again, each blow dispersing the creatures but draining his stamina. His HUD flashed with each kill: +60 XP.
The battle was relentless, the storm and the Wraiths combining to create a whirlwind of chaos. But the trio held their ground, their teamwork honed by countless battles.
Finally, as the last Wraith dissolved into mist, the storm began to abate. The wind died down, and the crimson clouds faded, leaving the landscape eerily quiet.
Ryan leaned on his sword, his chest heaving. "Is it always like this in the Wastes?"
Arya lowered her bow, her expression weary. "This was tame compared to what's ahead."
Grent chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "And here I thought today was gonna be easy."
Ryan glanced at the Core's container, its glow faint but steady. The storm had tested their strength, but the real challenge still lay ahead. As they regrouped and prepared to move on, he couldn't shake the feeling that the Wastes were far from finished with them.