The Eternal Music Hall floated silently over the endless sands of the desolate desert.
In the distance, the faint shimmer of the desert’s exit could barely be seen, but the journey was far from over. Despite the harshness of the world outside, within the grand hall, laughter and the clinking of dishes echoed, bringing warmth and life to the solemn desert.
Kent sat at the head of the great banquet table, his companions surrounding him, each enjoying the lavish spread of delicacies laid out before them.
Platters of roasted spirit beasts, bowls brimming with fragrant rice, and golden goblets filled with nectar-like wine adorned the table. The rich aroma filled the air as Gunji Zing carefully peeled a spirit fruit for her small pet bird perched on her shoulder.
Gunji broke the comfortable silence. “Husband,” she began softly, glancing across the table, “you haven’t told me much about my father. How… How did you two met in the desert?”
Kent paused, setting down his goblet, his gaze softening as memories flickered in his mind. “Old Man Zing,” he said, voice deep with respect, “he was a man good man. I first met him at the entrance to this desolate desert, just as I was searching for the shrine of Eternal Sands.
He was sitting on a rock, smoking that odd pipe of his. He placed a board before him saying that he know the path to shrine of eternal sands.
At first, I thought he was just another strange wanderer, but when I asked about the shrine, he tested me and promised to guide me there.”
Gunji’s eyes glistened with emotion. “That sounds like him,” she said softly, her fingers trembling slightly.
Kent continued, his tone growing more solemn. “We faced many dangers together, but none as grave as the Demon emperor. Old Man Zing fought beside me, but when the Demon Lord targeted me directly, he…” Kent stopped for a moment, his jaw tightening. “He sacrificed himself to ensure I survived. Before that he took the promise from me”
Gunji lowered her gaze, her grip tightening on the spirit fruit in her hand. “He always said he’d do anything to protect those he cared for,” she whispered.
Jean, seated next to her, placed a reassuring hand on Gunji’s shoulder. “He was a saviour, Gunji. His legacy lives on in you.”
Gunji nodded, but the sorrow lingered in her eyes. To shift the mood, Kent turned his attention across the table towards Fatty, who was halfway through demolishing a roasted leg of beast.
“Fatty,” Kent said, a playful smile tugging at his lips, “how exactly did you and Mohini end up in the desolate desert? I thought I asked you to meet me in the Yogic Sage Realm.”
Fatty wiped his greasy hands on his robe, leaning back with a loud sigh of satisfaction. “Ah, you wouldn’t believe it, Master. We tried! But things don’t always go according to plan, you know?” He chuckled nervously, casting a glance at Mohini, who arched an eyebrow in silent disapproval.
“Explain,” Kent insisted, leaning forward with curiosity.
Fatty took a deep breath, scratching his head. “Well, it started when we used that dimensional orb. We thought it would take us straight to the Yogic Sage Realm, but instead, we landed smack in the middle of the Devaria family’s garden.”
Kent raised a brow. “Devaria? Any noble clan?”
Fatty nodded vigorously. “They exist on northern mountain desert side. The problem was that their young master—a fat lump of arrogance—took one look at Mohini and demanded she act as his personal pleasure doll.”
“He did what?” Kent’s eyes narrowed sharply.
Mohini’s lips twitched in annoyance. “Needless to say, I slapped him across his pig face.”
Fatty let out a guffaw. “You should’ve seen it! His cheeks wobbled like jelly. But, well… his father wasn’t as amused. The Devaria patriarch dragged us to the edge of the mountain desert and left us there to die as punishment.”
Kent’s expression darkened. “They left you both in the desert over that?”
Fatty shrugged. “Better than staying and dealing with that brat. But Mohini here saved my hide more times than I can count.” He turned to Mohini with genuine gratitude. “If it wasn’t for her, I’d be roasted beast food by now.”
Kent leaned back in his seat, fingers steepled. “The Devaria family has overstepped their bounds. I’ll make sure they regret it when the time comes.”
Fatty grinned. “I knew I could count on you, Master. That fat young master won’t know what hit him.”
As the feast continued, Kent couldn’t help but glance out the grand window of the hall. The desert stretched endlessly, but with each passing moment, the horizon drew closer.
“Enjoy this feast,” Kent said, raising his goblet. “We’ll soon be leaving this place, and once we do, our journey won’t slow down. The Spirit World still holds many debts to settle.”
The table erupted in cheers, and the Eternal Music Hall continued its silent march through the sands, like a golden ship sailing toward destiny.
–
Times passed fast…
The eternal music hall drifted across the edge of the desolate desert, its shimmering golden exterior reflecting the crimson hues of the sinking sun.
The winds had calmed, and as the floating palace approached the boundary where the wastelands met greener lands.
Kent stood at the grand entrance of the hall, overlooking the vast stretch of land that lay ahead. His cloak fluttered lightly as he turned to address the large gathering of people who had taken refuge within his palace.
“We’ve reached the edge of the desert,” Kent declared, his voice echoing across the hall. “From here, you are free to leave and carve your own paths. The world beyond is not the same as before, but it is your choice.”
For a brief moment, silence settled over the crowd. Then, without hesitation, almost eight hundred people filed out of the palace, their steps quick and resolute.
They barely glanced at Kent as they left, their gazes fixed on the horizon, driven by hope and the desire to find their loved ones. The harshness of the outside world did not deter them; the promise of reunion with family outweighed any comfort the eternal music hall could provide.
Kent watched them vanish one by one, but his keen senses caught something unusual. A flicker of dark energy shifted among the crowd. Before he could raise an alarm, seven cloaked wizards emerged from the dispersing masses, their staffs glowing faintly with concealed power.
Without a word, the seven struck at once.
A bolt of violet lightning surged toward Kent, but before it could touch him, the baby dragon resting near the steps roared fiercely. A blast of crimson flame erupted from its maw, consuming three of the attackers in an instant. They screamed, but the fire left nothing behind but cinders drifting in the wind.
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Kent’s eyes narrowed as his divine chakra flared. Three shimmering blades of pure light spiraled from his back, cutting through the air with blinding speed. The heads of the remaining three wizards fell before they could even comprehend their demise.
The seventh wizard hesitated, his hand trembling as he attempted another spell. But as Kent’s gaze locked onto him, fear overwhelmed the man. He dropped his staff and fled alongside the remaining crowd, shouting in terror. But he also fell lifeless into dust.
The remaining two hundred or so individuals halted in place, stunned by the sudden display of raw power. Whispers rippled through them, and most quickly abandoned any thoughts of hostility. More than one hundred remained, choosing to pledge loyalty rather than risk their lives.
One of the older men, draped in dark green robes, stepped forward. His presence exuded authority, and his gaze met Kent’s without fear.
“We will serve under your command,” he announced, his voice steady. “Not out of fear, but because this hall offers sanctuary in times when the world offers little else. We ask but one treasure in exchange for our loyalty.”
Kent studied him for a long moment, then nodded. “Your wisdom and power will not go unappreciated. Name your treasure when the time is right.”
Another group, consisting of older warriors and magi, stepped forward. “We will remain here,” one of them said. “But we have no desire to follow orders like slaves. We will live our lives as we choose within these walls, but we will not stand against you.”
Kent raised a brow, considering the proposition. The group radiated strength, and their presence could prove beneficial in the future. He finally relented, “So long as you respect the sanctity of this hall, you are welcome to remain. I will not press for more.”
A murmur of agreement spread among the faction, and they stepped back to integrate into the palace community.
–
Tq