Path toward

The light around them was faint. It was difficult to see what was in front but they travelled through the night. They had no choice but to move forward.

Three people slowly and steadily walked.

Aaron lifted his head to gaze at the beauty of the sky. It was pitch black as if the stars were painted in black. Or they fleet.

' Just a few more. ' Aaron thought as he encouraged himself. He didn't like this atmosphere. But Father needed Sandwalker's strength.

Ravenwood needed them as well. Klytie, Duke and Aaron were forced to travel to the desert. Their order didn't reach them.

Duke carried Feather, a sword. Their family symbol is strong and sharp and yet weightless. His body was covered by a heavy layer of cloth on top of that long black coat.

The desert was cold at night. The air around was wet and foggy.

Aaron felt something was watching him, something dark and cold. His pace fasten at that thought.

" Something bothering you? " Duke asked.

Aaron inhaled slowly before replying, " Nothing, Father. "

The duke nodded and walked away from him as he was leading the path. Behind Aaron, Klytie was observing the surroundings with keen eyes. Nothing escaped his eyes, even bugs and small dust.

He too felt the same way as Aaron. Perhaps his instinct gave him a hint.

He knew that feeling. The death. It was the home feeling for the knight. He didn't speak about it to the duke. His duty was to guard the Ravenwood. He will fight the death. He didn't need to avoid it.

As time passed, at night. The moonlight at its peak.

The sand vibrated. Klytie took out his sword and jumped in the front. " Stand behind me, my Lord. " He said as his breath slowly become more powerful.

His sense picked up something large hiding under the sand. Before Klytie could think, his body moved.

He swang his sword downward. With enough force, the sand around him moved away.

The howling of incest could be heard.

Aaron and the duke activated their force field. Klytir didn't have any of those so he relied on his sword. The creature revealed itself.

It has a dark, sliver colour scale. Along with tiny eyes attached to its back, small crimson eyes. Aaron could see the sliver far from the creature under the moonlight.

It had spider-like legs. From the back, he saw a large tail. He could tell that it had poison in it.

Its back was covered by green blood. Probably because of Klytie's earlier stab. Klytie took a stance, holding his sword in both hands. He lowers the tip of his sword. His body slowly lowered. Focusing all of his strength on his legs, and knees.

His sword glowed slightly white. His breathing becomes more stable. Klytie disappeared under the watch of Aaron.

The legs of the creature cut off instantly.

That is the strength of the proper knight. Aaron dreamed of learning that strength but as the heir his training was much different from the real one.

The creature stabbed its tail at multiple areas. It can't think about retreating anymore. Blinded by pain, it struggled to kill the thing it hurt.

Aaron watched the killing. He thought that is what supposed to be like when animals battle humans. It was stupid.

Four creatures emerged from the sand.

" Seem like they move in a group, " the duke said. He didn't waver. He didn't scare. Perhaps he believed in Klytie's strength and skill. Or under his face was there another reason?

Aaron nodded. Klytie on the other hand moved forward to kill the remaining creature. As he danced his sword bathe in green blood.

***

Klytie swung his sword with a fast force all the blood on his sword disappeared.

" Phew. That was a close call. " Klytie said as he wiped out the sweat off his forehead.

"Don't lie. I know you can kill those with ease. " Aaron ensured.

Klytie laughed as he nodded. " True. I can kill those creatures without moving but you see. " He stomped the sand. " This place is not my home. The sand and the air are all different. I want to get a feel first before we are going to the Sandwalker base. "

Their journey moved forward again.

The tension in Klytie disappeared. The instinct he honed also melts into the atmosphere. The warning also flashed.

But the same can't be said for Aaron. His blood boiled. The fear of the dark is intense over time. He felt weak as well. Something is coming he murmured in his mind.

Something scary.

The shadow of his moved, following Aaron. He looked up at the sky. He frowned. He grabbed his dagger unconsciously.

His whole body tensed from time to time. It hurt.

" We finally arrive. " Duke said.

Aaron looked at the rock. The small rocky plane was surrounded by sand. Some large boulders, some small.

His disappointment was immeasurable. He thought they would live in the sand.

" I will inform them first, my Lord. " Klytie said.

The duke stopped Klytie. " No need. We are not the lord of the sand. They are. We are the guest here so beware of your manner. "

Klytie bowed. " Yes, my lord. "

" How will we enter the place? They will mark us as intruders. And looking at this place, it is hard to find the guard. When the conflict emerges, there will be no words to discuss. " Aaron suggested. His worry was reasonable.

The duke nodded. " I understand but no need. They will arrive. "

How does he know? Aaron thought. His worried raise even more before. Adding to the previous sense, he felt more unsure.

After a minute, three people came from the rock behind. They carried spears, coloured gold. The tip was so sharp that Aaron could tell that they had pierced solid rock.

Klytie took out his sword at the unknown men. The duke placed his hand to stop.

Three men stopped. The middle one stepped out.

" Welcome, great hero. " He looked at Aaron.