Chapter 10 - Chapter 10- Dunes of the Damned

Helios and his mentors stepped into the guild hall, the scent of ale and parchment heavy in the air. Shidan was already at the counter, speaking with the receptionist about their completed quest, while Malvek lingered nearby, silent as ever. Bow sat slouched at one of the tables, staring at his hands. When he noticed Helios passing, he stood and hesitated for a moment before placing a hand on Helios's shoulder. "Hey… Helios," Bow muttered, his voice rough. "I… I just wanted to say I'm sorry about that fight. I shouldn't have done it." He lowered his gaze, shame pulling at his features. Helios rested his own hand on Bow's shoulder, steady and forgiving. "Your name was Bow, right? Thanks for the apology. So… do you want to accept my offer? You're more than welcome to join us." Malvek crossed his arms, watching quietly, as if weighing Bow's every word. Bow clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak clearly. "You know what… I will join you. I've been thinking about your offer for a while. I need a fresh start. I'm a punk, a bandit, hell, I've made more mistakes than I can count. But I don't want to keep living that way. I want to change." Helios smiled faintly, unbothered by Bow's confession. "I don't care about your past, Bow. I'm just glad you've decided to come along. All that matters is that we keep moving forward." Bow's eyes widened. Something about those words struck deeper than he expected. "…Yeah," he said softly, a hint of hope creeping into his voice. "That sounds nice." As Shidan wrapped up the conversation at the front desk, he clapped his hands together with a booming grin. "ALRIGHT! We aren't broke anymore. Tomorrow, we're heading out. I was thinking…" he stretched his arms dramatically, "…Saints Corridor." Malvek's expression instantly soured, his lips curling like he'd just tasted something bitter. "Ugh. No. Absolutely not. The last time we went there, that Holy Knight showed up. I'm not going through that headache again." Shidan barked out a laugh, puffing his chest with shameless pride. "Ha! I forgot about him. I'll admit, he gave me a run for my money. Painful fight, but fun. I wouldn't mind another round." Malvek groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Of course you wouldn't. Look, instead of throwing ourselves at lunatics, let's just hit the underground temple. It's safer, and there's a gateway down there. We can hop straight over to Planet Astrath." Helios, who had been quietly listening, blinked in surprise. "Wait, you can actually travel to other planets?" Bow leaned forward, his arms crossed, answering casually. "Yeah. But it ain't cheap. If you're doing it the normal way, you gotta buy access through an official portal, and those prices will bleed you dry. That's why treasure hunters and mercs look for the old ones, the lost portals. Back in the ancient days, people used them to travel freely between worlds." Helios felt his chest tighten with a thrill of wonder. Whole planets? A thousand stories could exist out there beyond the stars, each one holding secrets, dangers, and power unknown. He'd thought he understood how vast the world was, yet once again, the veil of his ignorance was pulled back just a little more. He whispered under his breath, almost to himself, "There's so much I don't know…" Shidan smirked at him, overhearing. "Stick with us, kid. You'll see just how small your world's been so far." Bow suggested, "I know I just joined, but I do have to agree with Malvek. If this temple is safer, I'd rather go there. And if this knight is as strong as you say… we'd be screwed." Shidan scratched at his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. "Hmmm. You do got a point. I don't think Malvek and I can protect two guys who are far weaker than us. Alright, looks like our only option would be to go to the temple." Malvek gave a sharp nod and began walking toward the door of the guild hall. "Well, I'm going to get us a holy barrier. We'll need it for the trip." Shidan shot him a thumbs up. "Good call. Better safe than roasted or eaten." Helios, who'd been listening carefully, tilted his head, puzzled. "Hey, Shidan… why's Malvek getting a holy barrier?" Shidan leaned back in his chair, hands folding behind his head as if this were common knowledge. "Because we're going through the Whispers of the Sand. A desert so cursed that even the bravest knights avoid it. At night, the undead crawl out of the dunes, restless souls pulled back into the world. During the day, the heat's so unbearable you can feel your skin peeling off, and just when you think that's the worst of it, lightning storms crash down outta nowhere. Some say the bolts strike like arrows fired by vengeful gods." Bow's confident smirk faltered. "That's… cheerful." Shidan continued with a crooked grin. "That's why most folks call it the Cursed Horizon. The hopelessness of crossing it eats at you. Even strong adventurers swear they hear voices out there, whispers in the storm, telling them to give up, or turn back, or bury themselves in the sand." Helios felt a chill crawl down his spine. He swallowed. "And we're… going through that?" Shidan slapped him on the back with a laugh. "Yup! Welcome to the life of an adventurer. Don't worry though, Malvek's good with wards. A holy barrier will keep the undead at bay, at least. The heat and lightning?" He winked. "That part's all you, kid." Bow shook his head in disbelief, muttering, "I should've stayed a bandit…" Shidan chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Nah, Bow. This is the stuff that forges legends. The question is, are you boys ready to risk it?" Helios looked from Shidan's confident grin to Bow's uneasy scowl, then clenched his fists. A cursed desert… different planets… knights and temples. This world is bigger than I ever imagined. He straightened his back, resolve shining in his eyes. "Yeah. I'm ready." Bow sighed, half-annoyed, half-inspired by Helios's determination. "…Guess I don't have a choice then. I'm in too." Shidan grinned wider. "Good! Then it's settled. Get some rest, boys. Tomorrow, we march into the Cursed Horizon." The next morning, the four of them stood at the eastern gate, the sun already blazing down with an oppressive heat. The city walls stretched behind them, but ahead lay nothing but endless dunes and wavering horizons. Sand crunched beneath their boots as Shidan adjusted the straps on his sword. "Alright, from here on, it's just us and the desert. Stay sharp." Malvek walked a few paces ahead, holding the glowing charm that pulsed with faint golden energy, the holy barrier. It shimmered like heat haze, wrapping around the group in a thin, protective veil. Helios wiped sweat from his brow, already feeling the weight of the heat pressing down. "Feels like the sun's trying to cook us alive." Bow gave a dry laugh. "And this is just the start? Perfect." He clenched his fists, scanning the shifting sands as if expecting something to rise out at any moment. The horizon rippled, endless dunes stretching in all directions. The only sound was the hiss of the wind dragging sand across the ground. But as the hours dragged on, the land itself seemed to whisper, faint voices carried on the hot wind, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at once. As the day dragged on, Helios ripped off his shirt and tied it around his waist. Sweat rolled down his chest as he groaned, "MAN! This heat is killing me. Even with mana skin, it's unbearable!" Shidan and Malvek exchanged a glance, eyebrows raised. "I thought you had a good grasp on mana skin, Helios," Shidan said. Helios wiped his forehead and shot back, "I do. I just haven't mastered it." Malvek kept his eyes forward, unbothered by the sun baking the dunes. "Then think of this as practice." Bow trudged alongside, in the same boat as Helios. His mana skin stopped him from crisping entirely, but the relentless heat still gnawed at him. By midday, Helios was parched. Every bit of water he tried conjuring with his mana evaporated into steam before it even hit his tongue. Then, he spotted salvation. A glimmering pond shimmered in the distance. "LOOK, WATER!" Helios shouted, breaking into a sprint. Malvek opened his mouth, but Shidan raised a hand. "Let him figure it out." Helios dove straight into the "pond"… and faceplanted into scorching sand. The illusion fizzled as he groaned, coughing grit out of his mouth and squirming. "I hate this stupid sand." Shidan and Malvek smirked but didn't comment. Bow, on the other hand, casually hacked a chunk off a cactus and tipped the liquid down his throat. Helios, still spitting sand, dragged himself over and tried some. His face twisted almost instantly. "Ugh… I feel weird." Bow burst out laughing. "Helios, you've never had cactus juice before? It gives you a little buzz." Helios staggered to his feet, squinting at him. "No, I've never had cactus juice before, I'm just hot and thirsty!" As night fell, Helios exhaled in relief. The cold desert air nipped at his skin, a welcome relief from the searing heat of the day. But as the sun sank below the horizon and the moon rose high, casting pale light over the dunes, Malvek's voice cut through the quiet. "Guys, stay on guard. The holy barrier will protect us, but it won't hold forever if a horde of undead attacks at once." Shidan rose from the chair Malvek had created with his mana, stretching his arms and cracking his neck. "Alright, looks like we're about to deal with some company." Helios, Bow, Shidan, and Malvek tensed, eyes scanning the shifting sands. The wind whispered, carrying faint groans and rattles that sent chills down their spines. Then, as if on cue, the first figures appeared, limbs twisted, eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. The undead shuffled toward them, slow but relentless. Helios felt his heart thump in his chest. Stay calm. Waves of undead pressed forward, testing the limits of the holy barrier. Helios, sword in hand and mana skin glowing faintly, prepared to strike. Shidan's fists hardened with mana, his sword flickering with light as he met the closest attacker head-on. Malvek's corruption gem pulsed, dark energy flaring from his hands, slamming through skulls like a wrecking force. Bow planted his feet, arms radiating raw power, cracking bones and scattering undead with sheer force. The clash continued, groans and snapping bones echoing across the desert. For hours, the undead pressed, but gradually they slowed, then halted. One by one, the waves receded into the dunes, leaving only the wind and the faint shimmer of the holy barrier. By the time dawn neared, the group was exhausted. Shidan leaned against a dune, breathing heavily. Helios wiped sweat and grime from his face, muscles aching but adrenaline still coursing through him. Bow stayed on watch while the others rested, eyes scanning the horizon with a cautious intensity. The desert was far from done testing them, but tonight, they had survived.