The day before their departure, Lila found herself standing in front of her father. Zora had been listening quietly as she explained the quest they had accepted from the Guild Master.
"So," Zora said slowly, his brows furrowed, "you are telling me that you and your group will be traveling all the way to the western border? To the Jagareth desert?"
"Yes," Lila replied firmly, her voice steady but gentle. "We have to deliver goods to the border and make sure they reach safely. It's important for the kingdom, Father."
Zora crossed his arms and studied her carefully. Ever since she had started her journey as an adventurer, he had worried about her every step of the way. He had seen her grow from a cheerful, stubborn little girl into a strong adventurer who now carried the title of A-Rank. And yet, no matter how strong she became, the thought of her leaving for dangerous lands never became easier for him.
"The desert is no ordinary place, Lila," Zora said, his tone filled with concern. "The heat during the day is harsh enough to burn the life out of you, and the nights can freeze you to the bone. Bandits, beasts… you'll find all kinds of danger there. You may be strong, but I still fear for your safety."
Lila stepped forward and looked straight into his eyes. "I know you're worried, Father. You've always worried. But I've grown stronger now. I'm not the same girl who once only dreamed about adventures. I can protect myself… and my friends too. Please trust me."
Zora hesitated. His hands, which had been crossed tightly, slowly lowered to his sides. Her words carried the weight of her growth, and her eyes shone with determination. For a moment, he wanted to argue, to tell her to stay , to beg her not to go. But deep inside, he knew she was right. She had chosen her path, and it wasn't fair for him to hold her back.
"You've become much more stubborn than you were" he muttered softly, almost to himself.
Lila smiled. "Maybe that's true."
Zora sighed heavily. "Fine. Go, then. I won't stop you. But…" He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. " But be careful alright"
With that, their conversation ended. Though concern still weighed on his heart, Zora allowed her to leave, trusting her strength and her companions.
---
The following day, the group set out on their journey westward. The air was filled with anticipation as they left the familiar streets of the Capital behind and began traveling toward the desert border.
The journey at first was pleasant. Roads stretched long and wide, with greenery on either side. The sound of wagons creaking and the clip-clop of horses filled the air as traders and travelers passed them by. For the first few days, the climate was manageable. The sun was warm, and the breeze carried the freshness of open land. The group spent those days chatting, laughing, and discussing the adventures they had already gone through.
But soon, as they approached the western regions, the scenery began to change. The grass grew thinner, the soil turned sandy, and the air became heavier and hotter. The once-green horizon slowly transformed into vast stretches of dry land. The closer they came to the Jagareth desert, the more intense the heat grew.
When they finally stepped into the desert, the difference was immediate. The blazing sun shone overhead without mercy, making the sand beneath their feet scorching hot. Each breath felt heavy, and sweat formed quickly on their foreheads.
"This heat is unbearable," Doran muttered, wiping his face with a cloth. "I feel like I'm melting."
"Melting? You look more like you're boiling," Adrian teased with a grin.
Doran glared at him. "Oh, shut up. I don't see you handling it much better."
Adrian chuckled, though he, too, was clearly uncomfortable.
Sera fanned herself with her hand, her cheeks flushed. "It's… hotter than I expected. I knew deserts were harsh, but this is something else."
Meanwhile, Drakar walked calmly beside them, completely unaffected. His expression remained as calm as ever, and not a drop of sweat touched his brow.
"How… how are you not bothered by this heat?" Fizzle asked, his voice filled with disbelief. She floated low and slowly, as though even they were tired.
Drakar took another step, his boots sinking slightly into the sand. "I don't feel much difference," he replied simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"That's not fair," Sera said, pouting slightly.
Lila laughed despite the heat. "Well, I guess Drakar has the advantage here. He is a Dragonkind, that too a fire one afterall. But we'll manage. Come on, everyone, don't let the desert win."
Despite her cheerful encouragement, the group felt the weight of the desert pressing down on them with every step.
When night finally came, the desert revealed its other face. The scorching sun vanished, replaced by a sky full of stars. The air grew cold, almost painfully so. The sand that had burned their feet during the day now radiated a chill that bit at their skin.
Around a crackling campfire, the group huddled together. The flames provided warmth, their light flickering against the endless dark around them.
"This is better," Sera said with a soft smile, holding her hands close to the fire. "I can finally breathe again."
Doran leaned back on a small rock, stretching his legs. "Yeah, at least the sun isn't trying to cook us alive now."
"But now the desert wants to freeze us instead," Fizzle muttered, shivering as she wrapped herself in a cloth. "First boiling, now freezing. Can't this place ever be normal?"
Adrian chuckled, tossing a small twig into the flames. "If it were normal, it wouldn't be called a desert."
The group laughed, their voices echoing softly under the night sky. The mood lightened as they shared jokes and stories. Sera recounted a funny incident from one of their earlier quests, making Lila laugh so hard she nearly spilled her drink. Doran and Adrian exchanged playful insults, their banter filling the air with amusement. Even Fizzle, despite her complaints, managed to make the others laugh with her dramatic expressions and exaggerated shivering.
Drakar, as always, remained mostly quiet, sipping from a cup as he listened to the others. But when Lila made a particularly silly joke, even he let out a small chuckle, which surprised everyone.
"Did… did Drakar just laugh?" Doran asked, pretending to be shocked.
"I heard it too!" Sera said, her eyes wide.
Lila grinned. "See? Even Drakar knows when something is funny."
The group burst into laughter again, their worries about the desert fading for a while. The warmth of the fire, the comfort of companionship, and the joy of laughter carried them through the night.
Though the desert was harsh and unforgiving, as long as they had each other, the journey didn't feel impossible. Together, they pressed on, step by step, toward the border of Jagareth.
And so, their travels through the sand continued, filled with challenges but also with laughter, courage, and the unshakable bond of friends.