The tree.

Safiya stared at the tree with her mouth wide open.

This must be it, this must be the tree that her father plucked its leaves. But then, only the leaves resembled it. What if this is not the tree?

But then, this was where the desert directed her to, she didn't have any other option to climb this tree and plug its leaves.

She inhaled and gripped on her sword tightly then started walking towards the tree.

She had no other choice, even though this wasn't the tree; she still had to pluck its leaves. After all, what would she gain by leaving here empty-handed?

As Safiya was nearing the tree, suddenly a shadow came out from nowhere and flicked its hand, sending her flying until her back hit against a rock.

Safiya winced when she fell on the cold ground. Now it was her back and her leg. Could this day get any better?

'Is this what her father faced while trying to come here? Is this why no one has ever escaped here?' Safiya wondered.