Chapter 11: The Departure
The day of departure finally arrived. The sun was barely rising, tinging the horizon with orange and pink shades, but the Academy was already buzzing. Kaden and Lira stood in front of the main doors, their bags full of supplies and their weapons ready. Kaela was there too, watching them with a mixture of pride and concern.
"Do you have everything you need?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Kaden checked his equipment one last time: a short sword hanging from his belt, a bag full of rations and tools, and a small compass-shaped artifact that Kaela had given them to guide them through the desert.
"Yes," he answered, trying to mask his nervousness.
Readira, beside him, nodded. She was carrying a bow and quiver filled with arrows, as well as an old grimoire she had insisted on taking away." We're ready."
Kaela looked at them for a moment, then nodded. "Good luck. And remember... the Towers are not your only enemy. The desert itself is a formidable adversary. Stay vigilant."
Kaden and Lira exchanged glances, then nodded as a nod of acquiescence.
"We'll come back," said Kaden, trying to appear more confident than he really was.
Kaela smiled slightly." I'm counting on you."
---
They left the Academy, marching with a determined step towards the desolate lands that extended beyond the mega-pole. The landscape changed rapidly: ruined buildings and debris-strewn streets gave way to arid plains, then sand dunes that seemed to extend to infinity.
The first day of travel was relatively quiet. They walked in silence, saving their strength and keeping an eye on the horizon. The desert was silent, almost oppressive, but Kaden felt a strange serenity in this hostile environment.
In the evening, they set up a camp at the foot of a dune, lighting a small fire to warm themselves. Readira pulled out the grimoire and began to flip through the pages, looking for clues about the Eye of Truth.
"Do you really think we'll find him?" asked Kaden, breaking the silence.
Lira looked up, her green eyes shining in the light of fire." I don't know. But we have to try. If this artifact can help us understand the Towers, then this is our best chance."
Kaden nodded, feeling a new determination in him. He didn't know what to expect, but he knew he couldn't back down
On the second day, things got complicated. The sun burned mercilessly, and the sand seemed to absorb any trace of moisture. Kaden and Lira were moving slowly, their steps weighed down by heat and fatigue.
That's when they saw them.
Dark figures moving on the horizon, too big to be human.
"Monsters," whispered Lira, grasping her bow.
Kaden drew his sword, feeling his heart beating faster." Rank 2, maybe 3. We must avoid them."
But the monsters had already spotted them. With piercing cries, they rushed towards them, their claws sparkling in the sun.
Kaden and Lira prepared for battle, their minds focused and their weapons ready.
The first monster, a black-scaled reptilian creature, leaped towards Kaden. He narrowly dodged, feeling the claws brushing his face. With a cry, he struck with his sword, cutting off a creature's paw.
Next to him, Lira was shooting arrows with deadly precision. Each projectile found its target, piercing the eyes or weak spots of the monsters.
But there were many of them, and fatigue was beginning to be felt.
"Kaden!" cried Lira, pointing to a monster larger than the others, with curved horns and bright red eyes.
Kaden understood immediately. He was the leader of the pack. If they killed him, the others could flee.
He rushed to the creature, feeling his gifts awaken in him. Zeus' lightning danced around his sword, and he struck with all the force he could gather.
The monster howled, its body shaken by lightning, then collapsed into a cloud of dust.
The other monsters, seeing their leader fall, retreated with grunts of fear before disappearing into the desert.
Kaden and Lira stood there for a moment, panting and covered in sweat.
"We must go on," Kaden finally said, wiping his forehead.
Lira nodded, picking up her bow." Yes. But we have to be more careful."
---