The Feast Before The Storm  

Three hours later after setting out from the cavern, they arrived at a small, secluded stream that trickled down from the mountains. The water was cool and clear, and the surrounding vegetation was lush and vibrant. It was a welcome respite from the harshness of the desert landscape.

"Let's stop here for a while," Sorah suggested. "Our steeds need to rest and replenish their water supplies."

The others readily agreed and began dismounting their Geoderors and letting the creatures drink from the stream. Woodworm, still in its larval form, inched its way towards a patch of soft, moist earth and began to burrow beneath the surface.

"Where's that glutton going?" Daichi asked, watching Woodworm disappear into the ground.

The Rice Guru said, "Don't worry, young one. He's just taking a nap. He'll emerge when he's hungry... or when he senses danger."

With a sigh of relief, the Aerithrans and the others gathered around the stream, splashing water on their faces and washing the dust and grime from their bodies. They were exhausted from their journey, but they were also filled with a sense of gratitude for having made it this far.

"I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be grateful for a stream," Elara remarked as she cupped her hands and drank deeply from the cool water.

"It's the simple things in life, my dear," the Rice Guru said wisely. "The things we often take for granted until they're gone."

He glanced around at the lush vegetation that surrounded them. "Speaking of simple things... who's hungry?"

With a mischievous grin, he began plucking fruits from the nearby trees and bushes - plump mangoes, juicy papayas, and sweet starfruits. He piled them onto a large, flat rock, creating a colourful feast.

"Dig in, my friends," he said, gesturing towards the fruit. "We need to replenish our strength for the ride ahead."

The Aerithrans and Brokk's group eagerly helped themselves to the fruit. They ate with gusto, savouring the sweetness and the refreshing burst of flavour.

"This is delicious," Lukio remarked as she bit into a juicy mango. "I haven't had fresh fruit in... well, I can't even remember how long."

"It's good to have some vitamin C in our bodies," Bishane added. "That gruel they fed us at the prison... it was enough to make a man wither away."

Daichi, who had wandered off towards a thicket of thorny bushes, suddenly yelled, "Whoa! Check out this weird fruit!"

He had discovered a strange, spiky fruit hidden among the thorns. It was about the size of his fist, with a leathery, reddish-purple skin and green scales.

"What is that?" Anya asked curiously, peering over his shoulder.

"I don't know, maybe some sort of dragon fruit?" Daichi carefully reached through the thorns, attempting to pluck the fruit from its stem.

Thwack!

Just then, a furry creature darted out from beneath the bushes, startling Daichi and causing him to fall backwards onto his rear end.

"Kyah!" Anya burst into laughter as she watched Daichi scramble to his feet with his face flushed with embarrassment and anger.

"What was that?" he yelled, staring at the retreating figure of a rabbit.

"Just a harmless bunny," Anya giggled, pointing at the rabbit. "It scared you!"

"Shut up!" Daichi growled, feeling humiliated. He brushed the dirt from his clothes and glared at the spiky fruit, still clinging to its stem. "Stupid rabbit. Now I've lost my appetite."

Sorah, who had been observing the scene with amusement, chuckled and said, "Come, Daichi. We've rested long enough. It's time to continue our journey."

They gathered their belongings and mounted their steeds. The Geoderors, their bellies full and their spirits refreshed, were eager to be on their way. Woodworm, having emerged from its nap, lumbered over to Sorah and Daichi, chirping softly as if asking for a treat.

"Here you go, fat worm." Daichi laughed and threw a small log to Woodworm, whose strong mandibles caught it in midair.

"Kyuu!"

With renewed purpose, they set off once more to reach the Rendil Temple and the portal that would lead them back to the Aerithra Kingdom.

…

As they journeyed through the mountains, the landscape grew increasingly rugged and treacherous. The path narrowed, winding its way along steep cliffs and unfaithful drops. Sorah urged Woodworm forward while scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

They were approaching the Rendil Temple, and he couldn't help but think that they were being watched. The Sand Devils might still be patrolling the area, searching for any trace of the escapees.

"We should avoid the temple's main road," Sorah suggested. "It's too exposed. We'll take a detour through those hills." He pointed towards a cluster of rocky outcroppings that rose up from the base of the mountain.

"But that will take us longer," Brokk objected. "And those... those flying lizards might just sniff us out by then."

"I know," Sorah replied. "But it's a risk we have to take. If we're spotted on the main road, we're doomed."

The others consented, and Sorah led them into the hills and away from the path. Their senses were acutely aware as they moved carefully.

Bishane asked, "What if there are Sand Devils still at the temple? What will we do then?"

Sorah's grip tightened on his staff. "We'll deal with them," he answered grimly. "We'll subdue them quickly and quietly, and then we'll activate the portal and escape."

They pressed forward, reaching the foot of a precipitous precipice at a faster rate. In front of them, the steep face of the cliff seemed to defy ascending.

"How are we supposed to get up there?" Daichi asked, gazing up at the imposing rock wall. "It's like... like a thousand feet high!"

"And there's another peak above that one." Brokk added, pointing towards a second cliff that loomed above the first. "How the hell are we going to get up there?"

Lukio smiled at Daichi and Brokk. "Have you forgotten? We have Windweavers among us."

She turned to Bishane and the other Aerithrans. "Shall we show these Terravoltians the true power of the wind?"

Bishane flashed his robe and said, "Indeed, let us dance with the zephyrs once more."

The Aerithrans gathered together, forming a circle on the ground. They closed their eyes, focusing their intent as they channelled their ZenFlow Kana. The air around them began to swirl, and a gentle breeze picked up, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.

"Aire Lift!" they chanted in unison, blending together in a harmonious chorus.

Whoosh!

A powerful gust of wind erupted from the circle, lifting the Aerithrans and the others off the ground. They soared upwards, carried by the invisible currents of air.

"Whoa!" Daichi exclaimed, gripping Woodworm tightly as they ascended.

They rose higher and higher, soaring past the first cliff and towards the second. The wind buffeted them, but the Aerithrans maintained their control, guiding them safely upwards with their combined power.

A minute later, they touched down softly on the peak of the second cliff, landing behind a cluster of large boulders that provided concealment. They quickly dismounted their steeds and peered cautiously over the edge of the cliff.

Ahead of them lay the Rendil Temple. Its once-proud spires were now cracked and broken, and the walls surrounding the courtyard were crumbling and scarred. But despite the damage, it still held an aura of ancient power and mystery.

"There it is," Sorah whispered. "The gateway to our freedom."

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he focused his intent. The amber glyphs on his skin pulsed with a faint glow as he activated Wind Sight. His awareness extended outwards, encompassing the entire temple complex, scanning every nook and cranny, every shadow and crevice.

He saw the dust motes dancing in the sunbeams that streamed through the broken roof of the main chamber. He saw a family of bats huddled together in a dark corner, their leathery wings twitching as they slept. He saw a colony of ants busily marching along a crack in the stone floor, carrying tiny crumbs of food back to their nest.

But he saw no Sand Devils. No guards. No signs of life, save for the wind and the creatures that called this ancient temple their home.

Sorah opened his eyes and turned to the others. "It's clear. The temple is abandoned."

A wave of relief washed over the group. They had made it. They had evaded their pursuers and reached their destination.

"Let's go," Sorah said, leading the way towards the temple. "We need to find the Cloud Portal and activate it before the Sand Devils discover our location."

…

As they hurried towards the temple, an inconspicuous presence surfaced from the edge of the cliff they had just left. It was a small, metallic sphere, no larger than a pebble. It hovered for a moment, scanning the surroundings with unseen sensors. Then, with a soft hum, it began to move, following the trail of Sorah and the others.

The sphere darted and weaved between the rocks and trees with incredible speed and agility. It was a reconnaissance drone, a device used by the Dune Empire to gather information and track their enemies.

As it neared the temple, the sphere paused and scanned the area. It detected the presence of multiple life forms, their energy signatures pulsing with the telltale signs of elemental affinity.

The sphere recorded the data, transmitting it back to its controllers at Nathor Prison Camp. Then, with a final burst of energy, it self-destructed, disintegrating into a cloud of molten metal and Aether Steam.

…

Beep! Beep!

Warden Poahf, who was leading the pursuit party on her Sand Krayt Dragon, received the transmission just as they were about to give up their search. She studied the data with a critical eye.

She announced with a triumphant smirk, "They're at the Rendil Temple. Isn't that where that party was a few days ago?" she pondered briefly. "Tsk, those fools think they can escape through the portal. But I won't let them."

She spurred her dragon forward, urging it to greater speed. "Onwards, men! We have prey to catch! And somebody hurry and send a transmission to Vice-Marshal Commander Kahless! I think he's going to be delighted about this."

The Sand Devils and Pyro Warriors whose spirits were renewed by the prospect of vengeance, followed close behind. They were determined to capture the escapees and deliver them to Warden Poahf, to prove their loyalty and to earn her favour.

The race was on. And the fate of Sorah and his companions hung precariously in the balance.