The guard looked at Raven. "You can see in the dark?"
Raven, not wanting to reveal his cards, simply said, "I can see its silhouette."
Trusting Raven's judgment on the monster, the witch was already putting out the fire. The trio started going up the sand dune, moving towards the sea.
Raven brought his water flask to his mouth and took a few gulps. In his mind, he ran a simulation, testing how his (Theft) ability could be used against the monster. He spent a while trying to come up with the best strategy.
When his mind came up blank, he began to think about the reward they would receive at the end of this trial. The boon of the First Trial was the most important thing for an Orbiter. While later trials would grant more powerful abilities, this first one determined an Orbiter's potential and provided them with the tools they needed to survive and grow in the Singularity Realm.
After completing their trial, Contenders were granted the ability to perceive and interact with Neula Cores and Neula Essence. Neula Cores were the foundation of one's rank and power. The stronger the Core, the greater their might would grow. Neula Essence was a mystical soul energy that naturally accumulated in the Neula Core.
The same was true for Orbit Creatures, though their Neula Cores were corrupted. The only way to improve one's own Neula Core was to consume Neula shards scavenged from the corpses of other inhabitants of the Singularity Realm. This was why Orbiters went out of their way to risk death and battle strong Orbit Creatures.
This was all Raven Scott knew with his limited education. "I will educate myself after passing this trial," he thought.
The night passed as the trio walked. By the time the sun hung in the blue sky, Raven and his allies were sweating heavily under their cloaks. No one spoke, trying to conserve every last bit of energy. Raven and the witch were the worst off, their cloaks soaked through as they struggled to keep pace with the guard.
Suddenly, the wind picked up.
The guard glanced at the sky. "A sandstorm is coming."
Raven pulled out his spyglass, looking back to confirm the Reaper's whereabouts. The howling wind and the sand whipping through the air confirmed the guard's words. He could barely see anything, but then something caught his eye: sand covered in dried blood. He scanned the area, his heart sinking as he found no sign of bodies—not even the camels' corpses. A chill ran down his spine.
"The bodies are gone!" Raven's voice was filled with horror.
The witch, not understanding, asked, "What bodies?"
"The bodies of the criminals, the guards, and the camels!" Raven replied, his face pale.
The witch's expression immediately shifted from confusion to pure dread. Before she could speak, Raven asked, "How far is the sea?"
The guard answered, "A couple of hours if we keep this pace."
"We have to leave someone behind to keep the monster occupied!" the witch said, an evil glint in her eyes. "It's the only way we can escape!"
Raven ignored her, speaking directly to the guard. "How long would it take if we ran?"
"Half an hour, I'd say," the guard replied, his pace quickening.
"We have to leave someone behind, or we'll all die!" the witch repeated, her voice rising.
Raven turned his gaze on her, his voice flat. "We're not leaving anyone behind."
"You're the one who's struggling to walk," he thought.
The witch didn't retort, but her blue eyes were fixed on Raven in a cold glare.
"We run as far as we can," Raven said, his voice a command. "Then we find a place to rest."
With that, he burst into a sprint. The sand immediately assaulted his face, stinging his eyes and whipping at his skin. The tranquil desert was instantly transformed into a turbulent sea of swirling particles. He pulled his cloak up to cover his face, the rough fabric offering meager protection.
The guard was a few steps ahead, his form barely visible. The witch was right beside him, her pace steady. Visibility was dropping by the second.
"Keep close!" Raven screamed, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.
The guard slowed, matching their pace as they ran.
After some time passed, the sandstorm began to calm, and the trio finally arrived at the crest of a large sand dune. Their clothes were thick with dust, the grit sticking to their sweat-soaked skin.
The witch stumbled and dropped to the sand, her chest rising and falling as she fought for air. Raven, also breathing heavily, instantly looked away, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
The guard also took a moment to catch his breath, pulling a water flask from his bag.
Raven did the same, taking a long drink. As he drank, he thought, "The sea should be visible over this dune."
The witch sat up and took out her own flask, splashing water on her face.
The guard eyed her. "You should ration your water."
"The sea is close," she retorted. "Why would I?"
A small smile touched the guard's lips. "Seawater isn't drinkable."
"I know how to make it drinkable," the witch replied, a confident smirk on her face.
The guard simply nodded at her, a gesture of quiet acceptance.
Raven, chewing on a piece of dried meat, walked toward the peak of the sand dune. He crested the rise, and his eyes widened. In the distance, a vast, glittering expanse of turquoise and sapphire reflected the blue sky. On the distant beach, an ancient domed shrine stood, its silhouette a stark contrast to the endless dunes.
The sight mesmerized him. "This is what I saw at the start of the trial," he thought. "I just need to reach that shrine. Then the trial will end."
Suddenly, a barely audible sound reached his ears: a series of rhythmic thuds. His eyes dilated in horror, and he looked back.
A black silhouette was moving in the distance, a blur of motion tearing toward them at a terrifying speed.
A slow grin spread across Raven's face.
"I was waiting for you," he thought