The journey south was tiring from the start.
The heat bore down on them like a heavy blanket, making every movement feel sluggish—not just physically, but also mentally, as the endless desert landscape created the illusion that they weren't making any progress.
Kain, though already accustomed to a warmer than average climate, found himself struggling more than he expected. The dry air sapped his energy, and the constant vigilance required to navigate the sudden arrival of any threats left little room for rest.
Not to mention that the weather at night didn't make it any easier to relax. The temperature dropped drastically after sunset, the desert air turning frigid and biting. The drastic temperature drop forced them to huddle around fires and bundle up under layers of blankets for warmth. When they got further away from the Empire and the Starchasers decided against lighting a fire, so as to avoid drawing unneeded attention, sleeping at night became even more difficult.
