A Land of Legends

The Unknown Cost

Kingdom of @WattpadFantasyAR

***

The arid air has sucked every drop of water from my body, but my water detector is going strong. The device has led me on for miles.

There must be water somewhere in this cursed desert. I could find it if I used my magic, but I have sworn off that. Magic only causes trouble. Look at my home, Afirani, torn apart by what once kept us safe.

No, I'm better off with technology. Magic can't be trusted.

As I walk, my detector beeps faster. The sensor must be broken.

Only a nearby water source could trigger it like this, but there's nothing far as my eyes can see, unless the water-like mirage the air and sand conjure to trick me counts.

I shouldn't have left home. Afirani is overrun by rebels, but at least it has shade and water.

All I wanted was to get away from the war magic caused. Now, home is long behind me, and I don't know how to get back.

Keep going, Ifaaz.

Bumping into something, I stop. I scan the air from my feet to the sky. I don't see anything.

Maybe my mind is deceiving me. I've heard of dehydration causing hallucinations.

I step forward but meet resistance. It's the invisible barrier again.

People who ventured into the desert and survived it are few enough that it has become a place of legend. There are stories of wind-controlling demons and massive burrowing worms. There's even a myth about a kingdom named Sahara'Eden.

Nobody has seen it or met anyone from there in years. We aren't sure if it still exists. What's for certain, however, is that strange magic fills the desert.

Maybe this invisible veil hides an oasis.

The water detector in my hand beeps, confirming my suspicion. Noticing a flashing red button, I squint down at the small black writing around it.

Go to water source.

Nifty. Maybe this can teleport me through the mysterious wall.

I press the button.

The water detector yanks me forward. My face squishes into the invisible barrier. I try to pull back to adjust the settings on the detector, but I can't fight the force.

The next moment, I'm sliding through what feels like jelly. I squeeze my eyes closed. After hearing a pop, I dare to open my eyes.

Before, there was only desert before me. Now, I'm in a city.

The single-storey homes are of mudbrick. Children race about laughing and playing in their dirty cotton tunics. Men carry crates of food and wood suspended above their heads. Women's washing baskets float in front of them as they carry them towards the city centre. A group of them has gathered under a palm tree beside a river, chatting while washing their clothes.