The vast desolate desert stretched infinitely in all directions. The shimmering Shrine of Eternal Sands glowing ahead, an elusive beacon of hope and greed. The group continued their chase behind it. Two days had passed since the race began, and the desert’s harsh conditions had dried the group down to three: Aran Lam, Jean, and surprisingly the black lady Gunji Zing.
Aran’s face was pale, his once pristine robes caked in dust and sweat. He looked over his shoulder at Jean and Gunji. “We’re running out of time. If we lose sight of the shrine now, it’s over!”
Jean’s eyes remained fixed on the distant glow. “It’s not over until we stop moving. Focus on keeping up.”
Gunji, panting heavily, shot an annoyed glance at Aran. “Easy for you to say, young master. Some of us don’t have endless stamina or fancy treasures.”
Aran scowled. “Complaining won’t get us anywhere. Jean, tell her—”
“Enough. Both of you. Save your breath for running. The shrine isn’t going to wait for our arguments.” Jean cut them off in a sharp tone.
Gunji gritted her teeth but fell silent, glancing at the glowing shrine ahead.
“Fine. But at this rate, we’ll collapse before we catch it. What’s the plan?” Aran shouted loudly.
Jean’s gaze narrowed as she assessed their situation. “We’ll use flying treasures. It’s the only way to keep up. It might be dangerous and we might tire out more rapidly… but there is no choice.”
Aran’s face lit up. “Finally! I’ve been waiting to hear that. Let’s go!” He pulled out a shimmering jade amulet, which transformed into a sleek, golden disc beneath his feet.
Jean retrieved a plain-looking feather from her pouch. As she tossed it into the air, it expanded into a chariot, carrying her to the skies.
Gunji hesitated, her brow furrowed. “I… don’t have a flying treasure.”
Aran scoffed, smirking. “Why am I not surprised? Empty plate rattles more like you. Anyway, You can’t expect to keep up with us if you’re this unprepared.”
Gunji glared at him. “Oh, shut up, rich spoon. Sister Jean, Can I get on your chariot?” Gunji asked loudly while staring at the sky.
Jean nodded, going down to reach Gunji. “Stay silent now! Get ready to defend incase of sudden dangers.”
Gunji caught up and stood beside Jean like an obedient puppy. A moment later, the trio picked up speed.
As the three ascended, the distance between them and the shrine began to close. Aran glanced over at Jean with a confident look. “Don’t fall behind now. I’ll be the first to reach the shrine.”
Jean’s expression remained unreadable. “Worry less about me and more about the shrine. It won’t stop for your ego.”
“I like you for this, sister jean. You are the only one who keeps this rich-spoon in check.”
Aran groaned. But increased the speed
–
Far from the chasing trio, deep within the Mountain Desert bordering the desolate desert…
Fatty Ben and the 7th Witch Mohini struggled to survive. They claimbed through the treacherous terrain, aided by Mohini’s serpent pet, Lambu, who carried both of them on its massive coiled body.
Fatty Ben, red-faced and panting, clung tightly to Lambu’s back. “Master Mohini, are we even going the right way? These mountains feel like they go on forever!”
Mohini, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon, sighed. “Stop whining now. You’ve done nothing but eat and complain the whole time. Why didn’t you carry any good treasures with you? Anyway, Let me think now.”
Lambu, moved effortlessly over jagged rocks, chuckled in a raspy voice. “Master, shall I drop this fat bag here? He’s heavier than the mountain itself.”
Fatty Ben’s face turned crimson. “Oi, you overgrown worm! Watch your tongue! I’m not that heavy!”
Lambu hissed mockingly. “Not heavy? Ha! You’re so heavy, my scales are crying!”
Mohini rolled her eyes. “Both of you, shut up. We’re not stopping until we’re out of these mountains.”
Fatty Ben crossed his arms indignantly. “Easy for you to say, Master. You’re not the one being insulted by your own ride!”
Lambu smirked. “He’s just mad because I’m right.”
Mohini shot them both with a deadly glare. “Enough. I swear, if you two don’t stop bickering, I’ll throw you both off this mountain myself. I’m getting more headache because of you two.”
The two immediately fell silent, though Lambu couldn’t resist a final jab. “Master, he’d probably roll down the mountain and create an avalanche.”
Mohini groaned. “Lambu, shut it.”
Hours later, Lambu came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a rocky peak. Before them lay a vast expanse of clean desert, free from the towering mountains that had plagued their journey.
Mohini’s eyes lit up with hope. “Finally! Open sands. We can make better progress here.”
Fatty Ben squinted at the desert, his face skeptical. “Are you sure, Master? What if it’s another trap? These deserts are just as deadly as the mountains.”
Lambu raised his head, flicking his tongue. “The fatty seems fearing the heat, Master. He’s afraid his fat will melt under the sun.”
Fatty Ben angrily shouted, “Oh, shut up, you slithering sack of scales! At least I don’t have to crawl on my belly!”
Lambu smirked. “Better my belly than your bloated—”
“Enough!” Mohini’s voice cracked like a whip, silencing the two. She shot Lambu a withering glare before delivering a swift kick to his side. “Move. Now.”
Lambu grumbled but obeyed, slithering down the rocky slope and into the sands.
Fatty Ben, still cautious, muttered, “Master, I really don’t think this is a good idea. What if we get lost again?”
Mohini didn’t look back. “Better to die moving forward than to rot in those mountains. Keep your fears to yourself, Ben.”
Lambu chimed in, his tone sarcastic. “My master is right, Fatty. At least you’ll leave a nice shadow behind when the vultures find us.”
Fatty Ben’s jaw dropped. “You—!”
Mohini spun around, her expression dark. “One more word from either of you, and I’ll leave you both here. Understood?”
Both Ben and Lambu nodded meekly, exchanging silent glares as they pressed onward. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire
As they entered the desert, the oppressive heat bore down on them, but for the first time in days, the path ahead seemed clear.
“Do you think we’ll find him, Master?” Fatty Ben asked quietly.
Mohini’s gaze remained fixed on the horizon. “We will. And when we do, this journey will finally make sense. Also, I will definitely take my revenge on that Devarian family who threw us here.”
Lambu muttered under his breath. “If we survive long enough…”
“Lambu!” Mohini snapped, raising her hand threateningly.
“Alright, alright! I’m moving! Don’t kick me master.” Lambu sped up, carrying them deeper into the sands.