The endless desert stretched on before them, the golden sands glimmering beneath the blazing sun. Day after day, the Rising Heroes pressed forward, their boots sinking into the soft ground, their cloaks fluttering lightly in the dry wind. Every step felt heavier, not just because of the terrain but also because of how long the journey had become.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the jagged outlines of stone posts and old watchtowers appeared in the distance. They had reached the borderlands of Jagareth—the frontier that separated the Kingdom of Cero from Wyali. Relief washed over them, but it was short-lived.
Adrian glanced at the others, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "We're close, but not there yet. The actual handover point is still some distance away. We'll need to keep moving for a few more days."
Lila groaned, letting her shoulders slump for a moment. "A few more days? I thought we were already done…"
"Cheer up," Doran said, trying to sound encouraging, though his own face was tired. "At least we can finally see the end."
But soon, another problem revealed itself, one far more urgent than the distance ahead. After nearly a week of traveling, their food supplies had thinned to almost nothing. Rations that had been carefully measured at the start were now gone, leaving only crumbs and scraps.
Fizzle hovered in the air, floating in air weakly. Her tiny face scrunched up in frustration. "This is bad! This is terrible! This is the end of me!" she wailed dramatically. "I'll starve! I'll shrivel up into a poor, pitiful husk and blow away with the sand!"
Sera tried to calm her down, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "It's not that bad, Fizzle. We still have some water, and… well, we'll figure something out."
But Fizzle turned away with a huff. "Easy for you to say! I'm small, I don't have the luxury to skip meals. If I starve, who's going to brighten your days, huh? Who's going to warn you about danger? You'll miss me when I'm gone!"
Her exaggerated tone made the group chuckle despite the situation.
"We can hunt," Adrian said at last, his tone practical. "There are animals in the desert, though not many. Still, if we're careful, we can find something edible."
Lila perked up. "Really? We can actually eat animals from the desert?"
Adrian nodded. "Yes, but only certain ones. Some are poisonous or too dangerous to approach. But I've studied enough to know which are safe."
Doran cracked his knuckles. "Good. Let's find something to eat before Fizzle faints from drama."
"Drama?!" Fizzle gasped, as she show her chest to point at her heart. "This is survival!"
The group searched carefully, guided by Adrian's knowledge. After some time, they spotted a small, agile creature darting across the sand. It was lean and fast, with sharp eyes that scanned its surroundings. Its movements were quick and unpredictable, making it a tricky target.
"That's it," Adrian said firmly. "That one is safe to eat."
"Alright!" Lila's eyes lit up. "Then let's make this fun. Instead of just hunting it, let's turn it into a competition! We'll all try to catch it, and let's see who's the fastest!"
"Competition?" Sera tilted her head.
"Yes!" Lila grinned. "But there's a rule: no powers, only weapons. That'll make it fair."
Doran smirked, gripping his hammer. "Now you're talking."
Adrian adjusted his gloves, already thinking of strategies. "Fine. Let's see how this turns out."
Even Drakar, who usually stayed quiet, gave a small nod, his hand tightening around his axe.
Sera sighed but smiled as well. "I suppose I'll join too."
Fizzle groaned. "Great. While you all play games, I'll be over here dying of hunger."
"Don't worry, you'll get food soon," Lila said with a laugh. "Now, let's go!"
The hunt began.
Lila crouched low, her eyes following the swift creature's every movement. She pressed herself against a rock, waiting patiently for the right moment. She held her sword tight, her breath steady. Her plan was to strike when the animal came close, relying on her timing rather than speed.
Adrian, meanwhile, worked differently. He pulled out rope and small pieces of metal, setting up a quick trap in the sand. He placed them carefully, choosing the path the animal was most likely to take. His movements were sharp and precise, his mind focused on luring the creature into his trap.
Doran, in contrast, had no subtlety at all. The moment the animal darted across the sand, he charged after it, his hammer raised high. Each time he swung, the ground shook, sand flying everywhere. He missed again and again, but he didn't give up, chasing it with brute force and determination.
Drakar took to the skies. With a powerful flap of his wings, he soared upward, his eyes locked onto the small target below. From above, he watched carefully, waiting for the perfect moment. Then, with the speed of a dragon, he descended, his axe gleaming in the sun as he swooped down at the creature.
Sera used yet another method. She pulled out a small piece of their leftover food—barely enough for a meal, but enough to serve as bait. She placed it on the sand and stepped back, her calm eyes watching carefully. Slowly, carefully, the animal crept toward the food, its nose twitching as it sniffed the bait.
One by one, their methods played out. Lila's patience paid off as she lunged at the right moment, nearly grabbing the creature. Adrian's trap snapped shut with sharp precision, catching the animal as it tried to escape. Doran, after several missed swings, finally landed a solid hit with the flat of his hammer, knocking it out without crushing it. Drakar's swift dive was clean and accurate, his axe pinning the creature's path without harming it. And Sera's bait trick also worked, the animal approaching close enough for her to snatch it.
By the end, they had more than one catch, their different methods all proving successful.
Lila laughed, holding up her prize. "See? That was fun!"
"I still say my way was the best," Doran declared proudly.
Adrian shook his head. "If we relied only on brute force, we'd starve in the desert."
"Not true!" Doran argued.
Sera smiled, holding the small animal she had caught. "What matters is that we have food now. That's enough."
Drakar simply placed his catch down, saying nothing, though a small glint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
Fizzle, meanwhile, cheered loudly, zipping around in circles. "Yes! Finally, food! My life is saved!"
That night, the group gathered around their campfire once more. The smell of cooked meat filled the air, making their mouths water. They ate gratefully, savoring every bite after days of near-empty stomachs. The flames danced in the cold night air, casting warm light on their faces.
Their laughter echoed once again as they shared jokes and teased each other about their hunting styles. Lila laughed until her sides hurt, Adrian smirked at Doran's overblown confidence, and even Sera giggled softly. Drakar, as usual, sat quietly, eating in peace, but his presence was steady and reassuring.
When the meal was finished, they leaned back against the sand, gazing at the star-filled sky. The desert was harsh, but under the glittering canopy of stars, it felt almost magical.
One by one, their voices grew softer, until silence settled over the camp. With full stomachs and warm firelight, they drifted into peaceful sleep, ready to face the next stretch of their journey.