The wind screamed across the Sahara Desert, dragging heat and sand through the endless golden dunes. The sun was high, burning white in a cloudless sky. Every grain of sand shimmered like glass.
Zahid walked slowly, staff in hand.
His feet sank into the soft ground, and sweat rolled down his back. But his eyes were focused. His flames—Glassfire—glowed lightly at his fingertips. The Rift pulse he felt earlier was stronger now.
He was getting close.
Zahid climbed a tall dune and spotted something in the distance.
Ruins.
Old, half-buried stone buildings—remnants of a forgotten civilization.
And in the middle of it, a shimmering gate of fire and sand floated above the ground.
It spun gently, almost like it was breathing.
[DUNGEON ZONE DETECTED: "Temple of Broken Winds"][DANGER LEVEL: B+][RECOMMENDED PARTY: 4+]
Zahid sighed.
"I'm alone."
He was about to step forward when he heard a sharp whistle.
Shhhff!
Something flew past his head and landed beside him—a throwing dagger with a red tassel.
"Not smart to walk into a dungeon alone," a voice called.
Zahid turned around quickly.
From the rocks above, five people appeared—cloaked in desert wraps, armor made from bone, cloth, and sand-hardened leather.
The woman in front wore bronze rings on her arms and had a curved blade at her side.
She smiled.
"Name's Layna. Leader of the Sandspike Guild."
Zahid blinked.
"I didn't expect… anyone."
Layna shrugged. "Not many do. This desert doesn't forgive fools."
One of her men, a bulky warrior with a spear, nodded. "You glow. That means you're Awakened."
Zahid nodded. "Glassfire."
The group stepped closer, eyes curious.
Layna smiled again. "We could use a Spark like you. But the dungeon comes first. You coming?"
Zahid hesitated for a moment, then stepped beside her.
"Yes."
---
In the sky above the South China Sea…
The engines of a silver airship roared as it crossed the clouds.
Inside the ship's cargo bay, Rin, Ayo, Selene, and Eon prepared their gear. Mila, Theo, and Kai rested in the back.
The System had picked up multiple Rift pulses across North Africa.
And worse—
[ALERT: HIGH-THREAT ENTITY – GRAVELOX – MOVING WEST FROM PACIFIC SHORELINE][ESTIMATED TARGET: AFRICAN RIFT ZONE][RESPONSE URGENT]
"We can't let it reach the Sahara," Eon said. "Too many civilians. Too many artifacts buried beneath."
Rin stared out the window. "Do you think the new Spark will survive?"
Eon glanced at her. "That depends… if we arrive in time."
---
In the Temple of Broken Winds…
The air inside the dungeon was hot and sharp.
Zahid, Layna, and the rest of the Sandspike Guild moved slowly through the sandstone halls. The walls were covered in carvings—images of wind beasts, broken statues, and forgotten kings.
Traps lay hidden in the sand-covered tiles.
Zahid's fingers glowed with his glassfire, allowing him to melt trip wires and reflect dart traps with ease.
"You're useful," Layna said with a grin.
"I've trained alone," Zahid replied, his voice quiet. "But this place… it feels alive."
The dungeon trembled slightly.
Wind howled through the hall like whispers.
[MID-BOSS APPROACHING: WRAITH OF THE EASTERN WIND]
Suddenly, sand rose into a funnel, forming a human shape with glowing blue eyes.
The wraith let out a cry—and attacked.
Layna drew her blade and rushed forward.
"Form up!" she shouted.
Zahid stepped to the side, spinning his staff.
"Shatter Ring!"
He slammed the end of his weapon to the ground.
A wave of clear, spinning fire flew out—cutting through the wraith's leg.
The wind-creature howled and spun toward him.
But Layna jumped over Zahid and stabbed through its chest.
The wraith dissolved into wind and dust.
They had won—for now.
But deeper within, the dungeon stirred again.
---
Far across the sea, in a place of shadow…
N'Zora stood before a stone altar.
She raised her hands and chanted words that twisted reality itself.
The shadows in the air thickened. The ground beneath her cracked.
A second General began to form.
First came claws.
Then legs of bone.
Then a floating serpent made of shadow, its body wrapped in chains.
"General Noctheris," N'Zora said. "You will hunt them. Quietly. Relentlessly."
Noctheris bowed, its glowing white eyes flashing.
"And when you find the Spark of Glass… take his core."
---
Above the Sahara, two hours later…
The airship arrived.
Dust and heat blasted the wings, but Eon stood at the front with no fear.
"Drop us above the dungeon zone," he said.
The pilot nodded. "Yes, sir."
Rin, Ayo, and Selene stepped out to the back platform, ready to drop.
Each wore a cloak and new armor suited for the desert heat.
Below them, they saw ruins.
And in the distance—Gravelox.
The beast tore through sand dunes like a storm, heading straight toward Zahid's location.
"We have to move fast," Ayo said.
"No," Eon corrected. "We have to move smart."
They jumped.
---
Back inside the dungeon…
Zahid and the Sandspike Guild reached the central chamber.
A great glass dome stood before them, cracked and glowing. In the center floated a Dungeon Core—half-formed, pulsing with power.
[FINAL BOSS: LORD OF BROKEN WIND – SPAWNING IN 30 SECONDS]
Layna gripped her sword.
"We hold here."
But the walls trembled violently.
BOOM.
A new hole opened above them—and Eon dropped down like fire from heaven.
Rin, Ayo, and Selene followed, landing smoothly beside Zahid's group.
Layna stepped back. "Who—?"
Zahid grinned. "Help."
ROOOAAARRR!
The boss appeared—a giant made of shattered stone and sandstorms.
Its arms spun like tornadoes. Its voice was a howling scream.
[WARNING: TIME LIMIT – GRAVELOX NEARING RUINS – 7 MINUTES]
They had to finish the boss fast.
Eon charged forward first.
His hands burned with Origin Flame.
"Solar Crest!"
He punched the boss's chest—glass and stone cracked.
Rin unleashed her Verdant Heal, boosting allies and burning the enemy's legs.
Ayo vanished and reappeared behind the boss, slashing its back with Voltstep.
Selene floated above, raining down Star Bolts like a meteor shower.
Zahid stood in the middle, spinning his staff.
His eyes glowed clear white.
"Glassfire Finale!"
A giant spear of pure, clear flame launched from his hands.
BOOM!
The boss shattered into dust.
The dungeon shook.
The core dropped—and Zahid caught it.
[DUNGEON CLEARED][SPARK LEVEL INCREASED][GLASSFIRE RANK UP]
Everyone breathed hard.
But the sky turned black again.
"Gravelox is here," Eon said.