Chapter 12: Lost in Desert (Arc: Sandx Kingdom)

After entering the Sandx kingdom, Crusadia team got lost in the Sandx desert. Under the hot sky, all the sand dunes were the same, only a few snakes or bugs moving on the sand and no humans but the four of them in the desert. Zed said angrily:

"What the hell? We've lost our way, who's got the map?"

Julia was looking at the map, she replied:

"According to the map, keep going straight and you will reach Sandx city."

Zed, Eva and Elastor shouted:

"It's a map of the whole Continent, we need the Sandx map!"

Julia replied:

"Oh right, we only have the Continent map."

Elastor said:

"All dunes are the same, I don't know which way to go or where we are."

Eva replied:

"Where's my compass? I kept it in my pocket."

Zed was flossing with a needle. Eva looked at him and said:

"Zed, is that?"

Zed replied:

"Huh? Yeah, this is a compass needle, I had a toothache so I broke it to get the needle."

Elastor, Eva and Julia shouted:

"What the hell? You idiot!"

Eva said dejectedly:

"Too bad, we have nothing to find our way around."

Elastor replied:

"You know what's the worst in this desert. Nomads enslave people, venomous snakes kill with a single bite, the nights are bitterly cold and the worst of it is"

Eva and Julia said fearfully:

"That is?"

Elastor pointed at Zed who was dumping empty water bags on the road behind them and said:

"We'll be thirsty because of this idiot."

Eva grabbed the water bag from Zed's hand and said:

"Hey, you drank too much water!"

Zed replied:

"Because I'm thirsty."

Eva said:

"The journey has just begun but has already ended."

Suddenly their horses got a little nervous and neighed. Zed said:

"What is it? Why are they so scared?"

Elastor looked around and saw a sandstorm approaching them. Elastor said:

"Sandstorm, let's set up a tent here to avoid the sandstorm."

Eva replied:

"Agree."

The Crusadia team quickly dismounted and set up two tents. The horses they put them on their knees and covered them with a large cloth. Then Zed and Elastor entered one tent and Eva and Julia into the other. Zed and Elastor sat staring at each other, Zed said:

"You go first."

Elastor replied:

"No, you go first."

Zed and Elastor said together:

"The Knight/The Star."

Tiny The Knight and Tiny The Star appeared and banged their heads together. Then Zed and Elastor cheered for them to pull their tails to see who would suffer the most. On the other side, Eva and Julia heard Zed and Elastor's laughter. Eva said:

"What are they doing over there to be so funny?"

Julia replied:

"Probably doing their antics, those two share the same brain cell. Oh yeah Eva, you don't worry about the journey ahead."

Eva smiled and said:

"I don't want to worry and fear anymore, it's time for me to fight for myself. With everyone joining this journey I don't feel lonely, but more confident in saving the kingdom. "

Julia replied:

"I'll help you with anything I can."

Eva said:

"Thank you, Julia."

When the sandstorm passed, it was already dark. They set up camp there to rest for the night. Sitting around the fire they ate and drank together. Zed gave the horse water to drink and then sat down with everyone. You said:

"We're lost in the desert, is there any way to find the right way?"

Eva replied:

"I don't know, because I remember the last time the compass was taken out was when some idiot picked up a needle to floss."

Zed said:

"Huh, all right, I'll take a look around, we're probably near Sandx city by now."

Zed went up to a nearby dune to observe. It was a little chilly, Julia shivered and said:

"Oh, the wind is so cold."

Elastor covered Eva and Julia with blankets and said:

"Here, it'll be a little warm."

Julia replied:

"Thank you. Ah yes I remember 13 years before when the first battle began. Sandx is the kingdom that has had the most battles and is led by the Horsemen of Death. There are many stories of evil and his belligerence. There are so many of them that I don't even know which is the truth."

Eva said

"Some people said that he single-handedly destroyed an entire army. Then another said that he and his soldiers burned down the whole city and killed everyone including children and the elderly. All those who died unjustly, their souls never escape, but stay here screaming in pain. The winds here are actually the souls of the dead."

Elastor replied:

"So do you know the song "Prince fights Death"?

Eva said:

"What's that song?"

Elastor replied:

"The song is about a Sandx prince's battle against the Horsemen of Death. An epic battle between two skilled warriors. The song is sung by the people of Sandx at festivals to pay their respects to the prince who bravely fought for the kingdom."

Julia said:

"How do you know so much about the four kingdoms?"

Elastor replied:

"Before I left Newlaphine for Gloria I passed through the Sandx and was taught that song and the culture by the nomads there."

Eva said:

"How did you meet the nomads?"

Elastor replied:

"I was captured and thrown over the kingdom of Gloria by them."

Julia said:

"Can you sing that song?"

Elastor replied:

"Okay, let me remember the lyrics."

Then Elastor began to sing in a warm and low voice:

"Once there was an army with black armor

They are brutal, cruel and fearless

Their commander Horsemen of Death

The one who spread nightmares over this desert

One who only needs one slash to defeat an army

The devil must be afraid of him because he is the demon king

Children, women, old people and soldiers

Their souls were held captive by him and tortured painfully

The castle was surrounded by him

The end of the kingdom has come

But only one person dares to step out from the city gate

To challenge the Horsemen of Death

Great Prince Edengaz

As strong as hundred people

Not afraid of any enemy

The brave prince who fought for his people and the kingdom

They rush into each other

One lose one stay

Their swords slashed at each other making the ground shake

They fight with everything they have

Slash, dodge, kick

Tiger fought against Wolf

Defend, strike, destroy

Never give up

Three days and three nights without eating or resting

Three glorious days

Three days can end war

The last three days

He has won and is still standing

Horsemen get scared and retreat

He raised his hand in front of everyone

Take it as a goodbye

He stood there and smiled

A great smile

And he stood there forever

Back to the desert."

Elastor finished singing, he said:

"It's the song "The Prince Fights Death"."

Eva and Julia were emotional, Eva said:

"That prince fought with honor for his people and the kingdom."

Elastor looked over at Zed, he was looking at the stars with a cold expressionless face but Elastor understood Zed. Elastor said:

"Eva, you said you wanted to know Zed's past, right?"

Eva replied:

"Yes, will you tell me?"

Elastor said:

"That's right? When we get to the city. I'll go to bed."

Elastor said to Zed:

"Zed, you're on night duty. I'll change shifts in two hours."

Zed nodded and continued to look around. Then Elastor, Eva and Julia went to bed. Zed sat on a sand dune and looked at his left hand, he said sadly:

"I will get there again."

Zed looked up, he saw in the distance a group of nomads setting up camp there. Zed said:

"Wait for me, I'm back."

Meanwhile Alata and the assassins were still searching for Crusadia team, they did not rest and continued to walk on the sand dunes. The next morning everyone packed up and got on their horses and continued on to the Sandx city. This time it was even hotter, everyone was sweating and drinking a lot of water. Zed said:

"Damn, I'm getting tired. Isn't there an oasis around here?"

Elastor replied:

"Let's stay calm, we don't want to be hallucinating."

Julia said:

"Can we make it through this desert heat?"

Suddenly an arrow shot from nowhere near Eva's horse. It was taken by surprise and jumped up, causing Eva to fall off her horse. Everyone immediately dismounted to help Eva, she said:

"Where did the arrow come from?"

Zed and Elastor looked in the direction of the arrow, they saw a group of nomads who had spotted them. Zed said:

"Ready to fight."

Crusadia team summoned their weapons and stood back to back ready for battle. The group of nomads led by a girl rode down to the Crusadia team. They quickly surrounded them but did not attack. Eva raised her bow and pointed it at them, but Zed stopped her and said:

"Don't, leave this to me."

The leader girl rode up to Zed. He put away his sword and approached her. The girl dismounted and rushed to punch Zed in the face and she kicked him in the chest. Zed didn't fight back, he suffered. Zed lay down in the sand. The other girl summoned her weapon which was a set of claws for hands and feet. She raised her claw to scratch Zed. Eva immediately shot an arrow at the girl. She dodged quickly and waved her hand. The nomads pointed their bows at Crusadia team. They were surrounded and could not attack. Then the girl said:

"Lock them up, take them to the Arena of Champions. And this guy too."

And Crusadia team tied up and mounted on horses were brought back to the city of Sandx by those nomads. Eva looked at the city and said:

"We've arrived. But is there a way to escape?"

Elastor replied:

"No, nomads are full of people, even if we try to hide, it will be difficult."

Julia said:

"What is Arena?"

Elastor replied:

"Probably where we will have to fight to see who is the strongest."

Julia said:

"It's scary. Right, why didn't Zed fight her back?"

Elastor replied:

"I don't know, but will he be able to hold it when he gets there."

Elastor, Eva, and Julia watched Zed was dragged by the leader girl by horse, he endured and didn't scream in pain. That girl said:

"You shouldn't have come back here."

Crusadia team had arrived at Sandx city but what difficulties would come.