As the sun rose higher in the sky, so did the desert's relentless heat. Waves shimmered against the horizon, blurring the boundary between earth and sky. Even the faint breeze brushing the group offered little relief. It was at this time that Raeyla longed for the cooler, temperate climate of Heliodor.
The city of Gallopolis was now a distant shape, and though the journey had been uneventful, Raeyla kept her hand near her bow, ever watchful for threats. Monsters seemed to sense the strength of the large group passing through and stayed hidden, but their presence kept her anxious.
"So Sylvando, what do you fight with?" Halden asked, breaking the silence. His question seemed genuine, and mimicked how Erik handled when the twins joined, though Sylvando's smile turned into a grin.
"Oh, don't worry darling - I won't be slowing you down." He replied with a dramatic wink. Sylvando must have thought Halden was questioning his battle prowess.
When she noticed Halden looking confused, Raeyla stifled a laugh. "He's trying to figure out where you'll fit in the group during fights," she clarified gently to the jester.
Sylvando's face lit up. "Ah! I see! Let's do introductions then!" he clapped his hands, spinning theatrically before bowing. "I'm Sylvando, jester extraordinaire! My mission: to bring smiles to the world! And in battle, I wield a rapier with dazzling speed!" His grin widened as he turned to Serena. "And you, sweet thing?"
Serena smiled warmly. "I'm Serena. I'm a healer - if you should ever need anything, I'd be happy to fix you right up!"
"A healer!" Sylvando gasped. "How marvelous! No wonder you're such a darling." Then, his gaze fell on Veronica.
"Veronica" she announced, arms crossed. "Most powerful mage of Arboria."
Sylvando's eyebrows shot up, but a playful smirk followed. "Oh, so fiery! I love it." He turned to Raeyla next, eyes landing on her bow. "I take it you're our archer?"
She nodded. "Raeyla."
"And I'm Erik." Erik pulled his daggers from his belt and spun them with practiced ease. "These are my tools of the trade."
"I'm Halden," the Luminary said quietly. "I use a sword."
The jester beamed at the group. "Such a balanced cast! Now, where do I fit on the stage, darlings?"
"Stage?" Halden tilted his head.
"He means our strategy for fighting," Raeyla explained, earning a nod of understanding from her friend.
Sylvando snapped his fingers. "Exactly, honey! I wouldn't dare upstage anyone."
Erik frowned, clearly skeptical. "Halden and I take the front. Raeyla and Veronica on the flanks, and Serena stands in the middle of them."
"Hmmm." Sylvando tapped his chin. "How about this: I join Halden at the front. A dashing duelist like me can complement his swordsmanship beautifully. That gives you the opportunity to protect our wonderful ladies."
Erik's jaw tightened, his annoyance evident. He looked over toward Raeyla for a moment before relenting and nodding his head. "Fine. Sounds good."
They continued to walk quietly until they reached a checkpoint, where Faris and his guards took a short break. It was here, along the base of the mountain, that Halden saw an interesting glint in the rock face. Raeyla didn't notice what he was doing until she heard the sharp clang of his sword hilt against stone.
"Whatcha doing there?" she asked, approaching the boys, who were both inspecting the rock and chatting.
"Erik and I found a deposit of ore!" Halden said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. When Raeyla tilted her head in confusion, he explained further. "We thought we could take it back to town - see if a blacksmith can use it to make us a better weapon!"
The girl's brow furrowed, but after a moment, realization dawned. They were trying to be more self-sufficient for the journey ahead. "That's a great idea. Is there any more?"
"Nah, just this chunk," Erik replied, brushing dust off his hands. "But it's enough for at least one weapon.
"Then we should keep an eye out for more," she said. "I'm sure we'll need better weapons soon." Her suggestion earned enthusiastic nods from the two men before Faris called out that it was time to move.
The path led them deeper into the desert, toward a region Faris called the "Celestial Sands." Here, a lush oasis bordered the desert, creating a striking contrast between the greenery and the barren sands. The shimmering water reflected the sun, giving the area a surreal, dreamlike quality.
While the others marvelled at the oasis, Raeyla's attention was drawn elsewhere. Across the sands, a ring of ancient ruins stood on a raised stone platform. Weathered stone pillars surrounded an open center, the remnants of something long forgotten. The sight rooted her to the spot, her pulse quickening. The ruins seemed to whisper to her, calling her closer.
"What's wrong?" Erik asked, his sharp gaze catching the way her eyes remained fixed on the distant structure.
Raeyla hesitated, not understanding the strange pull herself. "I don't know. Those ruins… I want to see them."
Erik studied her, his expression shifting from concern to curiosity. He glanced at the ruins and then back to her, keeping his voice low as he spoke, "Did you have another vision?"
"No, but…" She trailed off, unsure how to explain the strange compulsion. Erik looked at her, contemplating what she was trying to say.
"How about we come back after we get the Rainbough?" He finally suggested, his voice calm but firm. Raeyla's jaw tightened, her curiosity battling with logic. Erik was right, the mission came first. She nodded reluctantly. "Alright. After the Rainbough." Erik accepted this response and continued to chat with Halden.
The desert winds cooled slightly as the group trudged onward, but the oppressive heat lingered in the sand and rocks, radiating back at them with every step as the trek toward their target continued in silence. As Raeyla fought to keep her eyes from straying to the distant ruins, the group's shadows grew longer, and the sun dipped below the horizon.
When the group reached a natural opening in the rocks, a vast cavern could be seen. Half-filled with sand and dotted with strange, glowing purple plants that pulsed faintly in the dimming light.
It was here that Faris collapsed dramatically to the ground, his voice rising in a theatrical command. "The heat… the dry air… it is too much! Too, too much! Let us spend the night here – the monster will have to wait!"
Reayla's initial reaction was to protest, but as she glanced up to the sky, she could see the pink and orange hues of twilight stretched across the sky. Night was coming quickly, and she knew they couldn't risk facing the Slayer of the Sands in the dark. She agreed, even though the decision frustrated her.
Faris's guards began setting up camp, moving with efficiency their prince lacked. Sylvando took the opportunity to jab at Faris, his tone light but sarcastic. "That's right, you get your beauty sleep, Princey dear. You've got a hard day of getting us to do your dirty work for you to prepare for."
When Faris missed the insult, the jester turned toward Halden with an exaggerated sigh. "Now then, darling, let's make ourselves a cozy little corner away from His Royal Highness, shall we?"
The group set to work. Raeyla gathered stones to build a fire pit while watching Sylvando flit around the camp, creating his own comfortable space with surprising attention to detail. She couldn't blame him for wanting to stay separate from Faris; the prince's entitlement grated on all of them.
After the fire was built, Raeyla joined Halden and Serena to collect grass for bedding, ensuring there was enough for everyone. With the open space of the cavern leaving them exposed to potential attacks from all sides, they set up their camp with their backs against the mountain wall, minimizing the directions from which monsters could approach.
Despite having more room than they did in their first night in the desert, the group still chose to put their beds close together for additional comfort and security.
Thankfully, Faris's guards displayed more competence than their prince. They offered to take shifts guarding the camp, allowing the group a full night's rest before their confrontation with the Slayer of the Sands.
When night fell, the group gathered around the fire, the flickering flames casting long shadows on the rocky walls. Erik's cooking filled the air with a savory aroma, and light conversation shifted toward Halden's victory at the Sand National. They cheered his triumph, though Raeyla's mind was elsewhere, her gaze drifting again to the ruins she'd spotted earlier. Erik caught her looking numerous times, but chose to remain silent.
The jester's voice cut through her thoughts. "So, two boys and three girls out on a lovely adventure together, eh? How romantic! But what kind of adventure, I wonder?"
No one responded, the group exchanging wary glances. Undeterred, Sylvando pressed on, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Come on, darlings, spill the beans."
Raeyla tensed, suspicion prickling at the edges of her mind. Sylvando's curiosity was too pointed, his questions too persistent. They barely knew him.
Serena hesitated before answering, her voice gentle. "To be perfectly honest, we're none too sure ourselves just yet. We're trying to get to Yggdrasil. We need to understand more about the mysteries of the Luminary."
Raeyla frowned as Serena continued, the healer's openness startling.
"Yes," Serena added, "it's all to do with a horrible being called the Dark One. He wants to bring death and destruction to the world, and we want to stop him."
Veronica's sharp voice broke in. "Alright, bigmouth, that's enough! No need to tell the Jolly Jester our whole life story. We barely know him!"
Raeyla silently agreed. Serena's candor, though well-meaning, was dangerous. The rumors of the Luminary being the Darkspawn had spread as far as Gallopolis. Who was to say Sylvando wouldn't turn them over to Heliodor?
Sylvando placed a hand on his chest, looking genuinely concerned. "My, my, such a gloomy tale. And here I thought we'd have a little fun. But don't worry – I'm on your side, darlings. We can't let some big bad ruin all the smiles in the world, can we?"
The brunette female couldn't help but stare at Sylvando with a strange look on her face. Fun?
Erik snorted, rising to clear away the remnants of their meal. "You've got a strange idea of fun."
The conversation dwindled after that. Veronica and Halden prodded Sylvando with a few more questions, but his answers were evasive, deflecting attention back to them. Eventually, he stretched out dramatically and declared, "Beddy-byes, everyone! Big day tomorrow!"
Raeyla seethed at his nonchalance. "Absolutely not," she muttered, stalking over to where he lay. "Wake up!" She kicked his leg lightly, enough to rouse him. "They answered your questions. The least you can do is answer one of ours."
Sylvando yawned theatrically again, sitting up and giving her a sly grin. "Fiery, and fair. I like it. Fine, my reason is simple – I want to see the world smile. That's all. Now, goodnight, darlings!" With that, he flopped back down, feigning sleep once more.
Raeyla glared at his prone form for a moment but let the matter drop. At least he'd answered.
As the others drifted to their beds, Raeyla found sleep elusive. Her thoughts raced, pulled between the impending battle and the nagging curiosity of the ruins. Their proximity was maddening to her. She lay still, staring into the darkness, her mind whirling.
Finally, unable to resist any longer, she sat up and stared into the distance where the ruins lay, barely visible under the stars. They called to her like a whisper on the wind.
She couldn't wait any longer. She had to go. She needed answers, and she needed them now.
Raeyla thought about waking up Erik, but she knew he would stop her if she confessed her plan now. He'd urge patience, and caution - none of which she was willing to listen to at the moment.
The desert night was cold, the air sharp and biting as she slipped away from camp. She moved cautiously, bow in hand, footsteps silent on the shifting sand. The soldier on watch from Faris' camp glanced her way, but when she gave a vague nod, he returned to scanning the horizon. She exhaled a shaky breath, hoping that meant no questions later.
The trek felt longer than it should have. The sand whispering with every step, a ghostly accompaniment to her growing unease. Shadows stretched across the dunes, and her nerves tingled with every movement in the corner of her vision. Once, a cactus monster rose from the sand ahead of her, its spines twitching ominously. She loosed an arrow, her aim steady despite her pounding heart. The creature fell silently, leaving her alone once more.
The anxious silence was replaced with the sound of her pounding heart however, as she finally reached the ruins.
Stone replaced the sand beneath her feet. The air thickened, pressing on her chest, while a strange, buzzing energy hummed in her fingertips. The ruins were barely visible in the moonlight - tall, crumbling arches, and worn stone carvings almost swallowed by time. Yet they seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive.
Raeyla approached the nearest arch and reached out, her fingers brushing the ancient surface. It was cold, unnaturally so.
Her vision flickered.
Laughter echoed, sharp and manic, bouncing off the walls of her mind. She staggered back, her head spinning. A woman's scream followed, high and anguished, making her stomach twist.
"NO!"
The shout rang in her ears, dragging her vision into a montage of shadows and flashing lights. The ruins dissolved around her, replaced by formless shapes, overwhelming voices, and the phantom weight of grief. It pressed on her chest, choking her. She clawed at her senses, trying to will herself back, but the voices only grew louder, and the air around her became colder.
The chanting began then - an arcane chorus that vibrated in her bones. Raeyla crumpled to her knees, clutching her head as tears threatened to fall. The magic here wasn't just ancient - it was saturated with sorrow. Images battered against her mind; a blazing light, a golden tree with her and her friends, Sylvando and two others standing beneath it. And then it flickered, replacing the radiant image with a nightmarish one. In this image, she stood alone with the tree blackened in front of her, its leaves wilting into ask. Yggdrasil was dead.
"No…" she whimpered, her voice lost in the chorus of anguished screams.
The golden tree finally left, as the ruined Yggdrasil burned before her permanently before it started to flicker once more. This time, in its place rose a dark, monstrous castle, looming over a desolate wasteland, and flickering in and out of existence like a nightmare refusing to fade. She felt her chest tighten, the cry of monsters tearing through her thoughts as she tried to will the images away. Something heavy and unseen bore down on her, as if it were trying to suffocate her.
Erik.
His name was a whisper in her heart as her body gave into the crushing weight. Darkness consumed her, and the last thing she felt was the icy temperatures of the stone beneath her.
She woke to a familiar voice calling her name, insistent and panicked. A hand gripped her shoulder, steadying her as the fog on her mind lifted. She blinked, her gaze meeting Erik's. Relief and frustration present in his blue eyes, his arm holding her upright as she leaned against him.
"Are you alright? Say something!" he urged, his voice thick with worry.
"I… I think so," she muttered, though her heart still raced. Her limbs felt weak and her thoughts were disjointed, but she was back. Erik had found her.
Behind her friend, Sylvando stood guard at the edge of the circle, his rapier gleaming faintly in the moonlight. "Darling, you scared us half to death! What were you thinking, wandering off like that?" His usual flair was dampened by genuine concern.
Raeyla looked down, shame heating her face. She had no good reason. "The ruins… I thought it might be important."
"Important enough to risk your life?" Erik's voice cut sharply, though the worry evident in his voice softened the blow. "We were going to check it out tomorrow. Why now?"
She hesitated. The images of Yggdrasil burning, the dark castle, and the voices still swirled in her mind. How could she explain what she barely understood herself? "I just… I couldn't wait," she admitted, her voice small. "I had to see."
Erik had a moment of understanding and sighed, his hand dropping from her shoulder. "Next time, tell me," he said, his tone less harsh. "You're not in this alone."
Sylvando, however, was less forgiving. "You could have gotten yourself killed, darling! And we had to fight off a nasty little monster to get to you, too! Honestly - "
"Drop it," Erik interjected, his tone permitting no argument.
"No, he's right." Raeyla's voice was quiet but firm. She looked at Sylvando, guilt settling in her stomach. "I'm sorry. Thank you for helping Erik find me."
Sylvando's expression softened, and he gave a theatrical sigh. "Oh, fine. Just promise you won't go sneaking off again, alright? A girl like you needs her beauty sleep!"
Erik offered his hand to help her stand, and she took it, her legs trembling as she rose. After collecting her bow, the trio began the quiet trek back to camp, Sylvando in the lead and Erik keeping close to Raeyla's side.
As they approached the dying embers of their campfire, Erik glanced at her, tapping his head in question. It was a silent question, so that Sylvando couldn't understand. He wanted to know if she'd had a vision. She nodded her head, earning an expectant look from friend. He'd want her to explain it when she could. After nodding once more in agreement, Erik spoke. "Next time," he murmured, "remember - we're partners."
Raeyla met his gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her exhaustion. "I won't forget."
Sylvando wasted no time in returning to his bed, and after a small wave to the duo, he drifted off into sleep once more.
Erik and Raeyla managed to reach their beds shortly after, offering a quiet nod to each other, wishing each other good night without risking waking up the others.
As the brunette girl lay down, the weight of her visions lingered, and the fiery image of Yggdrasil haunted her dreams. She wasn't sure if her visions were something to rely on, but she wouldn't let it become a reality. Not if she could help it.