Master Of None

Even though the wind was whipping by them there was a silence that felt louder than any they had known. It was almost another curse to be alone with their thoughts and worries. Alma kept mouthing that she didn't believe what she had been told. She had even gone through the journal that the queen had given Walker. 

The surprise on her face was much more prevalent than they had expected. Apparently, the truth of this desert elf city was hidden. They had known that the city existed and also a desert elf that focused on earth and wind magic existed. However, as forest elves grew up they were taught that the desert elves were naturally a wandering race instead of a settling kind. The ruined city had been explained as a fallen city that never became much. 

Alma had explained it as a perfect way t keep them from ever venturing there in search of lost and rare magic. Many elves would have attempted to leave the forest elf city to explore during rebellious phases. It was very common for the enforcers to drag them back as they explored the forest anyways. 

The sealing sage had been explained as sealing the great demon Greed in the earth but that was the depths of the information. Having everything explained and put together shocked Alma quite a bit. Yet it also brought a realization to the others. The forest elf queen must have wanted to warn and explain this since talk of a mage tower being built had risen. Those that traveled there would have needed to worry about the danger of Greed. Now that wasn't the problem and they wouldn't be searching for the key to creating a mage tower of their own. Not that Walker wouldn't store away everything he came across in case it could be useful one day. 

Just a glance showed how tired Scylla was. She shared mana with the leviathan partners that were wrapped around her body. All had become exhausted and they were holding on tightly to the last one. The speed that the ground flew by beneath them was enough to make anyone's stomach churn. The mountains that had appeared small from a distance were now right in front of them. The sweat dripping off of Scylla's brow was well earned since they would not have managed to get here without her. 

The ground suddenly began to rush toward them. Walker realized that Scylla had lost most of her mana and she was doing her best to lower them slowly before she lost her consciousness. Walker did his best to manipulate the wind around them and help Scylla, however, the leviathan they held on to was reverting to the smaller size so that it could wrap around Scylla and rest. If it did not and was exposed to the building head in the area, it could perish. 

In a blink of their eyes, the four found themselves rolling in the sand. The mountains were some distance behind them since they had managed to glide downwards. Su jumped back up and forced herself to get to Scylla who was barely awake. "Get moving. I want you to be here the second I have rested." This was less of an order and more of a pleading cry. None of them had ever imagined that Scylla could possible be so weak. 

"You gave it your all. I will set up an earth fortress for you. Walker will make sure it can hide you from the sun and protect you." Walker did as Su told Scylla. The earth fortress that rose around here didn't allow for anyone or anything to be able to attack her. Finally, Walker left food and water with Scylla as she faded in to a slumber. She had given everything to move fast and efficiently. They could not have asked for more. 

"Just so you know, I will be useless around here. I lack the water and soil to make my ivy grow. The razor whip weed is out of the picture too." If Alma could find a desert plant to grow, then she would be able to fight. Yet, the sand showed that she had nothing. 

"It's hot here. We were just in the cool snow and breeze, but this…this is hot." The sand was hot enough to burn at the skin. Walker pulled off some layers of clothing but handed out thin cloaks to Alma and Su. they couldn't allow themselves to be exposed to the direct sun and needed a little shade to fight off the heat. This drastic change made them feel sluggish for a few moments before they were able to fight through it with mental power. 

"Walker, where are we going now? We need to head to that tower and find that slate. Alma didn't mind that Su had ignored the fact that she wasn't able to fight. It was mostly because they did have a goal and sidetracking to get her a plant to use as a weapon was time they lacked. 

"This way, I memorized that outcrop of rocks as a landmark. Just remember to pay attention to the sand. If it shifts oddly, shout. If you see something discolored stop and warn us. And if you see what seems like a sand dune growing, run." Walker did his best to recall and share the knowledge he had memorized about monsters that lived in the sand. But this was a rushed explanation and he didn't know all that much to begin with. 

Su was right being Walker. She was still ignoring her aching leg. Alma was watching Su carefully. She would stop her if need be since she knew Su was injured still. But she also knew that Su wouldn't listen to her unless she was slowing them down and would stop them from getting to the metal slate that had the sealing magic on it.

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