Chapter 45 – Desert

(Zeki) "This is fucking horrible, flying sucks"

(Ariza) "It's not great"

After having a meal in their cave, spending the night on the sofa and waking up having breakfast, we all set off towards the desert continent. We've been flying for about a good hour now.

I'm currently flying high with both the other two phoenixes alongside, both those two's phoenix form match with their hair colour so I've got a blue and red bird flying both sides of me, they also share similar sizes to me as well. Petra is on my back since there wasn't any chance I'm going to force her to fly if it hurts to.

Petra somehow managed to convince these two to come along with us, I'm guessing she's offered them massive bribes to do such a thing. This isn't going to get annoying fast; no one is freaking normal on this continent. That expression doesn't work anymore, we've just crossed the river into the desert continent now.

"Why is it fair that you get to ride on orangey and we don't?"

I'm unsure if I like being called orangey or not but I'll give him an answer to that question despite him asking it to Petra anyway.

"That's because I like Petra kid, you're a colossal pain in the arse"

"Heh, I like you too Ikarus"

Okay, that wasn't meant to come out that way but I can't exactly take my words back now, I'll just pretend I didn't say that.

(Zeki) "Urr, I'm going to turn you into orange chicken one day"

It turns out, those two really don't like going outside in the slightest, it's actually a little sad thinking about it. The cave is nice and all but still, there's not even a window inside, it must get a little stuffy. It's not like my parents cave where you can actually get a breeze come in on windy days since they have a small tiny doorway but oh well, the place is more than nice enough I guess.

Ariza seems more anxious over the entire thing, Zeki is slightly different but similar to me when it comes to moaning but is ten times worse, there might be a new contender for the most annoying person I've come across now.

"Petra, why did you suggest taking these two with us anyway?"

Seems a very reasonable question seeing that those two don't like the outside world.

"It'll be much safer Ikarus. Despite their quirks, Zeki is a brute when it comes to fighting and Ariza is a brilliant healer. We're unsure on what the upcoming dungeon is so doesn't hurt to be cautious"

The prince never actually gave a detailed explanation on the dungeons in the elven continent and the desert, the only info we've got to go off right now is that some residents of a town should know of the location where to go.

(Zeki) "Hah, I'm a proper brute and excellent fighter, my skill is even maxed out for fighting"

(Ariza) "That's too much praise Petra"

Zeki seems to like being called a brute and Ariza doesn't like the idea of being praised, maybe me and Ariza have a slight amount in common then.

I do wonder if this party of four phoenixes will be stronger than the other four. Actually, of course it will, none of us have to rely on a God who may or may not be taking a nap or unable to communicate inside a dungeon. This should be much easier if I can stomach the obvious irritating red elephant in the room.

"Seriously older sis, we don't have to go out in so long and the first thing you do is make us go to the desert as well as help out a stranger"

"Zeki is being over the top like usual but even I'm not a fan of this"

Petra must be getting annoyed at those two now, can't tell from being under her though.

"You two need to come outside once in a while and stop complaining, you don't spend enough time out as it is"

"But we do go ou-"

"Hunting doesn't count Zeki, you two would never go outside if food and water came to your door"

"That's the entire point of ordering takeaway food though!"

Both the other phoenixes look like they're pouting from Petra's words and she even has to cut Zeki off through their little conversation as well, at least what I think pouting would look like on two bird beaks flying in the sky.

"How long is this trip anyway? I'd prefer not to spend too long in the desert as well if I'm being honest"

"Shouldn't be that long a trip Ikarus, the village itself shouldn't be more than two days but that's only if we keep a decent pace and don't get distracted"

I think she glares at the other two while finishing her sentence, Zeki also glares back at her.

"Let's get to that town then"

__________

(Zeki) "I want to die right now, you're so horrible older sis!"

(Ariza) "It's too hot"

I can't help but smile at their misfortune, maybe I feel a little sorry for Ariza but Zeki deserves every second of the blistering heat out here. As for why I'm not complaining, it turns out, I'm not as bad with heat as I first thought. It might just be down to the fact that they both have to be outside as well that's playing them up, they do look a bit hot and bothered though.

We've stopped and set up a quick camp and it's roughly early in the evening, we should only be stopping once before we make our way towards the town so this seemed like a good spot to stop. A camp in the middle of an endless desert, tis a great place to stop, at least we can see any approaching bandits from miles but it seems more than safe enough right now.

Ah, this seems like a good time to give a brief explanation of the desert continent as well. First off, I'm pretty certain it's called Krieger but I know it's definitely home to the beast races. I'm not sure how many types of beast races there actually are but it should be pretty diverse given what I've read up on it.

Oh, can't also forget it's made up of three countries, the names slip my mind but we're definitely in the north of the middle one right now.

"You two are just annoyed that I've made you come outside, you'll be happy once we're inside the dungeon"

(Zeki) "Yeah but that could be days away"

(Ariza) "Uh huh"

Both those two have changed to human form and have gone shirtless trying to get rid of the heat, I can definitely tell they're male now. I wonder if phoenix species have a natural tendency to look female, even the males. I've changed as well since skin is better for heat than feathers, I can handle the heat but still doesn't hurt to keep myself even cooler. Petra is obviously in human as well.

"How you fairing Ikarus?"

"It definitely is hot but I don't think I'm melting like those two"

Both those two are laying under an open tent in the shade right now as well, they really can't handle the sun all that well.

"It sounds a little stupid but that stamina potion helps heatstroke"

Is she serious? I thought energy drinks are supposed to give you energy, that wouldn't cool you down, I think. I know it's different but the taste is the same anyway.

'Aesa, is she teasing me or being serious?'

[<Aesa is unsure>]

I very quickly find out they might have some cooling down properties judging by other two's reaction to finding out I'm holding onto some potions.

(Zeki) "Wait, orangey has love potions? Share the wealth then, I'm thirsty over here"

(Ariza) "Could I have one please?"

Of course, Mr obnoxious wants one of my potions, I'd give him one but I'm unsure if it's a great idea for both of them though.

"Ikarus, pay you for some, just anything to shut those two up right now"

Maybe it might be a decent idea then.

"Fine fine but I'm not charging you. If it helps shut them up, then take as many as you want"

I take two out of storage but before I have the chance to pass them over, Petra has another question.

"Actually, do you mind if you get another out?"

Petra want's one? I know it's hot but... okay, she's being weird again, she definitely remembers drinking that last love potion.

"Are you forgetting what happened last time?"

"Heh, you make it seem like it was a regretful experience"

She smiles at me while answering, I now know I definitely wasn't mistaken back then, she's literally just going to have the exact same type of reaction once again.

"Fine but just don't be going 'asleep' like last time, I don't trust you"

I look at her in a judgmental way while saying that and purposely put emphasis on asleep.

"What do you take me for Ikarus? Nothing happened other than sleep, was something else meant to happen?"

Does she actually understand what I meant or not? I feel a little embarrassed saying that now, it was meant as a joke but I think she took it literally. Shouldn't I take that as a compliment as well if... no, forget it, my mind's in the gutter right now.

Anyway, I pass Petra three potions and she gives them out. Once everyone has one, they all start drinking the stupid aphrodisiacs, I'm not buying any more of these in the future.

"Ahhhh, these things remind me of my computer, so many all nighters grinding with my pals keeping awake with energy drinks, happy memories"

"They are quite nice Zeki"

"..."

All three of them look to be enjoying the drink, I'm not getting involved in this type of situation again. This time, it will have an effect on me, I'm sure of it.

"Heh, you're not going to join us then Ikarus?"

I know what she's doing and I'm not falling for it.

"Considering that all three of you are taking one, I'm not joining in on the shenanigans that might go down"

"Is orange just extremely stup-"

"Zeki"

Petra's cuts him off, I guess she'd rather people not call me stupid then. Don't really see the issue with it, I am a bit on the dumb side most of the time.

(Ariza) "What Zeki was trying to say in a rude way is that these potions don't make you go crazy or anything like that, all it does is enhances feelings"

I already know what they do, that wasn't what I was getting at. I already know how Petra will react, no idea on the other two and I'd rather not have any more stupid thoughts go through my mind.

"You seriously not going to join us Ikarus? The potion has no effect on you, remember?"

Is she now being dense or is this a new way of teasing? There is definitely no way I'm drinking that now, especially when I already know it enhances feelings.

...

Yeah, that's basically me admitting to it, whoop dee freaking doo, I actually kinda like her. Wait, that's the first time I've properly admitted to it in that way, I think.

What am I even supposed to do about it anyway? I get the feeling it's mutual but still, this type of thing passes my mind, too many bad memories and unhappy relationships come to mind.

Damn it, this is why I don't like to think on this type of crap, just going to let it go with the flow and see if anything happens. I've had bad experiences with this type of thing before so it's better not to overthink it, everything seems to get ruined that way. It's making me depressed thinking about it as well now.

The sun is starting to go down, I'd rather not stick around and see Petra get flustered again.

"I'm going to get an early night"

__________

"Ikarus, are you alright?"

While flying over to the town the next morning, Petra asks me this quietly while on my back, I think she can sense I'm not in the greatest of moods.

I guess I've been a little quite this morning, even when I got out food from storage that we ate for breakfast, I still wasn't all that talkative, can't help but feel a bit crappy.

In all honesty, I feel more awkward now. I really don't know what to do, do I just come out and say it or stick with what I was telling myself last evening?

"She's probably questioning her feelings for you or something dumb like that older sis"

Damn it, this fucking kid is pissing me off now.

"Petra, can I cut out his tongue?"

"You're not denying it orangey?"

I swear, I'm going to end up killing him if he doesn't stop, even if he's a much higher level, I'll find a way. I have my giant power after all, got to use it at some point.

Thankfully, my temper quickly calms itself down when Ariza notices something off in the horizon.

(Ariza) "I think I can see something"

Off in the distance, a large desert settlement can be seen.

The desert town in question has yellow sandstone buildings all around the place and all have square type roofs, there isn't a triangle is sight. I really don't know what era to compare this place to because there are still some areas on Earth that use buildings like this, I guess the closest thing would be ancient Egypt perhaps?

We all find a place to land far enough out of sight and switch forms. Unfortunately for me, all those three seem to have enchanted clothing and I'm stuck with this choker thing so I switch to naked like usual.

[<-User- does also have enchanted clothing>]

'Sighhh... not this again'

Once I'm sorted, we all walk into the desert style settlement and I can't help but notice the amount of beast race people about, there doesn't seem to be a single human in sight. They do look very human like except from the animal ears and tails they all seem to have but quite a few of them look really tanned as well, the sun in this desert probably being the reason for their skin colour.

Also, to the side of the settlement, I could see an oasis of sorts. Clearly, that must've been where they would've gotten water in the vast, endless desert.

My eyes go onto three women, all have different styled ears seeming to be based on their potential species and barely have any clothing on. Think sports bra and short shorts type of thing, only made of fur or leather. Clearly, it's too hot to be wearing loads of clothing out here.

'Status'

[Name: Wendy | Species: Wolf'oid | Level: 31]

[Health 1,800/1,800]

[Stamina 1,239/1,300]

[Magicka 0/0]

----------

[Name: Collie | Species: Cat'oid | Level: 21]

[Health 900/900]

[Stamina 1,111/1,200]

[Magicka 0/0]

----------

[Name: Raquel | Species: Racoon'oid | Level: 15]

[Health 750/750]

[Stamina 624/750]

[Magicka 0/0]

'It literally is an animal species with oid at the end of it, is this really what beast races are called?'

[<-User's- system is designed around -user- remember. Species names can also reflect that>]

'You mean everything I see is purposely simple because I'm dumb? Okay, that seems even more stupid but let's just move on'

I probably shouldn't be staring at people while we walk but then again, they shouldn't have noticed my eyes glowing a little blue so it's fine, I've been doing it for so long and I'm not stopping now.

Both the red and blue phoenixes have gone quiet now that other people are around, have they got social anxiety or something?

I definitely think Ariza does, he looks really anxious around other people, I'm a little surprised why he took to me so quickly then if this is how he gets around strangers, maybe being a phoenix helped? As for Zeki, no idea what's going through his head but he looks just as moody as hell right now.

"Petra, how would we go about finding the dungeon?"

"Dungeon?"

Before Petra has a chance to respond, one of three beast women I just looked at respond, they're still taking to each other though.

"Did you just say something about a dungeon Raquel?"

"One of those humans said something about a dungeon. Excuse me, is that what you're looking for?"

I very quickly realized they aren't speaking the same language used in the empire, this has a different sound to it and sounds a little more brazen. Of course, having an automatic translator makes it no issue at all to understand though.

"Yeah, we heard rumours about a dungeon being around here"

Petra answers for me, no idea why though.

"You're completely mistaken then, there is no dungeon around these parts. There is one far down in the south but everyone's known about that for the last few years now. You can't miss it if you head over there"

All the three women leave after the racoon'oid finishes speaking to us. Quickly after, both the other two-party members have something to say.

"Is she talking about that stupid place?"

"Yeah Zeki, it probably is that"

Zeki looks to be complaining about something while Ariza doesn't look to have that much of a thought over it, what place could the racoon be speaking of?

"What are those two talking about?"

"You'll understand when we head over there Ikarus, even I'm a little surprised that's a dungeon entrance"

Those three clearly know the location that racoon woman spoke of, I guess I should be patient and enjoy the surprise that awaits, I really have no idea what to expect though, what type of dungeon could be in the middle of a desert?

__________

Several days later...

"Oh my freaking God, it's a pyramid!"