The magic fog slowly faded behind them, like a curtain closing on the past.
Zeo, Ravyn, Alice, and a flame-shaped pendant—actually a transformed Ifrit warrior—stepped out of the protected realm and into the outside world.
They moved in a loose formation, descending the rocky eastern slope of the Forbidden Forest, heading west.
The sky was clear, but the wild scent of nature still lingered in the air.
Low- and mid-tier beasts continued to roam freely, disturbed by the ecosystem's chaos following the recent appearance of a colossal entity.
Zeo led at the front, his pace brisk.
He occasionally touched the ground, scanning energy waves beneath the surface.
Ravyn flanked the left, alert and swift with her blades.
On the right, Alice walked silently, occasionally glancing at the small golem walking beside her like a loyal pet.
Several wild creatures crossed their path—giant fanged lizards, two-headed forest wolves, and a razor-legged forest spider.
But each encounter ended swiftly.
Ravyn struck first, Alice summoned her golem to shield, the Ifrit returned to his original form to fight with fire, and Zeo finished things with a concentrated energy blast.
Within two hours, they broke through the last tree line.
The scenery changed drastically.
From damp green and choking fog, they emerged into an open plain—dry, rocky ground swept by hot winds carrying fine dust.
A vast desert stretched as far as the eye could see—an endless ripple of heat and shimmering illusions.
Zeo stopped briefly.
His eyes narrowed as sunlight hit his face.
"It's been a while… since I've smelled the dry scent of desert air," he murmured.
Ravyn walked over to Alice.
"Alice, are you sure your hometown is this way? This place looks… brutal."
Alice nodded slightly.
"Yes. From here, we head southwest—about a seven-day journey. But…" she hesitated, "…we'll need to pass through a major city first. It's called Leymora—one of the cities under the Romania Empire. I used to live there, back when I was still an active adventurer."
Alice's expression slowly darkened.
Her eyes no longer focused forward but drifted toward a past she couldn't reach.
Erik…
The name echoed in her heart.
Her closest friend.
A trusted party member.
The one who left her behind when she was on the brink of death.
Her body had healed—but not that wound.
Zeo glanced at her.
Even without words, he could read her emotion.
"Is there another route?" he asked gently, offering her a choice.
Alice paused, then exhaled deeply.
"There is… but it's far more extreme. Takes much longer," she finally said.
"Let's go through Leymora. I'll be okay. Honestly… I think it's time I returned there and faced what I left behind."
Ravyn gently wrapped her arm around Alice's.
"You sure? If you're not comfortable, we could go the long way and—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, picturing the searing heat they'd face if they took the harsher route.
"—eh, I mean… we could just go back to the fog zone. We'll protect you there, hahaha."
Zeo simply shook his head at Ravyn's words, then gave a faint smile.
"Alright. We'll follow your lead. A big city's probably no more dangerous than a wild forest," he said to Alice.
Alice gave a small smile in return.
"Thank you, Mister Zeo."
The fire-shaped pendant around Zeo's neck suddenly twitched.
Its red eyes lit up.
"This environment suits me well," it said.
"I'll monitor the area, Master Zeo."
"Alright," Zeo replied.
The Ifrit transformed into a small flame and began circling the area.
And with that, their determined steps carried them beyond the final edge of the Forbidden Forest, into the vast barren plains—where a new journey awaited.
---
The midday sun blazed fiercely.
Their steps grew heavy upon the scorching sand.
The sky was nearly cloudless. Only waves of heat blurred the horizon.
Desert winds blew sharp and dry, carrying dust and searing heat.
Ravyn began to look visibly drained.
Though she'd hidden most of her beastkin traits, her naturally fur-covered body made her extra vulnerable to the heat.
"Haah… haah… This… sucks…" Ravyn groaned, opening half her cloak and fanning herself limply.
"How can the sun be this cruel… it's like being roasted alive…"
Alice glanced at her, then up at the sky.
"This desert isn't just harsh… it's merciless.
No shade. No boulders.
Even shadows seem to evaporate."
Zeo, still walking in front, stopped and turned.
"Alice, can you check… if there's any water nearby?"
"Water?" Alice furrowed her brows.
"My elemental affinity is earth.
I can't sense water like water users do."
Zeo narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled.
"Try anyway."
Alice frowned.
Does he know something?
She had never told anyone—not even her old party—that she had a strong latent affinity for water… and also lightning.
It was a secret she kept, as she hadn't mastered them yet.
But how did Zeo…?
She turned toward him, about to ask.
But Zeo simply looked back, calm and silent…
As if he knew.
Alice sighed.
"Alright, I'll try."
She placed her palm on the sand, already knowing which direction to probe.
She closed her eyes and pretended to spread her earth wave scan.
The heat messed with her concentration—but not too much.
The sand beneath her fingers quivered gently.
Not far… there was water. A fair amount.
She feigned surprise.
"I… I sense something. Maybe a small oasis. This way."
She pointed northwest.
Zeo nodded.
"Good. Let's move."
It took less than ten minutes before they saw it—a small oasis, surrounded by desert palms and rare patches of green.
The trickling sound of water reached their ears, and the shimmer of sunlight on the surface looked like paradise.
"Ohhh! There it is!!" Ravyn leapt up.
"Hurry!! Before I turn into grilled meat!"
But just as they neared, the sands around them began to rumble.
The wind halted.
Then—
WHRUUUUMMM!
A wave of sand exploded from the surface, forming a miniature sandstorm encircling the oasis's northern edge.
From behind the swirling wall emerged a group of robed figures—cloaked in red and black.
Their faces were wrapped in cloth, leaving only sharp, suspicious eyes exposed.
One of them stepped forward, raising a hand.
A wave of sand flowed from his palm.
Element of sand.
"You've crossed the boundary," he said coldly.
"We found this oasis first.
It belongs to us now."
Zeo looked at them blankly.
Meanwhile, Ravyn and Alice were already preparing to fight.
But Zeo raised a hand—halting them.
A new problem… or a new test? he wondered, stepping forward slowly.
---