Tempest War

Chapter 2

I was sitting in my room packing her bags. I hadn't heard from Dax after the incident, but I didn't expect to. I was leaving in the evening to escape the heat. I wrapped an extra scarf around the flannel that I had put over the top of my white T-shirt. I wore a pair of black shorts and floral-patterned high-top sneakers. This would compensate for the frigidness of night-time.

Outside, the streetlamps cast a soft glow on the two-lane road in and out of town. Small clouds of dust puffed up and drifted across the road. I sighed, this was possibly the last time I would see my home in a while, maybe even forever, however, I wanted the satisfaction of an adventure.

At the edge of town, a small dust storm had kicked up. It was nothing major that would prevent travel, but it would prove meddlesome. As I progressed into the desert, one thing became exceptionally clear, not a single animal roamed. The night was dead. Usually, you could hear an owl or two, maybe even see a desert fox or a scorpion. Tonight, the desert was completely dead.

The monotony of the dunes was starting to bore me. I checked my watch and realised the sun was about to rise. I made a makeshift camp on top of a rock so sand wasn't flying into my tent while I slept. The tent I had stuffed in my backpack was a faded and dust-stained orange. The poles bent easily as if they were accustomed to supporting the canvas. I brought my father's fluffy sleeping bag that he used when he went camping. The material was still shiny and its original light grey colour. I set up a small heater in the tent and went to sleep.

When I woke up a slight breeze fluttered at the opening flap of the tent. I woke up and set up a tri-post pot holder. It was time for a breakfast of dehydrated food. The water purifier I had packed would only last me two days including uses for bathing and drinking. At the rate I was travelling I would make it to the ruins by nightfall tomorrow. Plenty of time to get picked up by Perun or one of his associates.

I packed up after shovelling down a breakfast of rehydrated beans and eggs. I prayed there was better food in Taigea. The trek during the day was excruciatingly hot. I had changed out of my jeans and into a pair of running shorts. The flannel had been ditched as well as the scarf. My phone binged as I crested a hill to see ruins in the distance, the image wavering due to heat and dizziness. Dax had just texted.

When can I expect you to come back?

I didn't reply. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to return nor would I return even if I did have the choice. When I crested the final hill my step was wavering. The onslaught of dizziness had only worsened. I had chugged my water purifier empty in desperation. At the base of the ruins, the Thunder Crown half out of my backpack, I collapsed onto the soft sand below.

"Wake up," A soft and delicate finger prodded my cheek, gently stirring me back to reality. As my eyes readjusted, a pair of hazel eyes stared into mine. The face of an alluring woman inches from mine. Waves of light ginger hair fell over her shoulders, tickling my nose. I sneezed.

I tried to speak and failed. My throat was dry and my tongue was tied. I tried again. I asked, "...I-where am I?" Pushing up on the palms of my hands to lift off the sand, the woman rose and reached out her hand. As I grabbed her hand, a cardigan slipped off my shoulders.

"You are still in the desert," The figure replied. She had wrapped her sweater around my body to keep me from freezing. "My name is Asami." She was wearing a tight-fitting black crop top and a pair of jean shorts.

"Thanks—for—saving—me," I couldn't find the words. It was like my tongue was tied. This had never happened before.

"No problem, but why would a girl like you be out in the middle of the desert?" Asami asked.

"A man named Perun stumbled upon Araiya a few days ago. He came bearing cryptic messages about the end of the world and the Thunder Crown," I pulled the artefact out. I was also thankful I wasn't stumbling over words.

"That son of a gun," Asami cursed softly under her breath. "Perun is not to be trusted."

"Why would that be?" I asked. Asami just shook her head and looked in disbelief. A subtle breeze drifted across the desert, blowing the scent of Asami's perfume towards me. It was floral and sweet, a perfect match.

"Perun is the first son of the King of Suvara. He has been bitter since he was named second heir to the throne. Perun's younger brother, Rai was named heir instead of him," Asami explained. "He plans on using the power of the Thunder Crown to become king of all of Taigea."

"And how am I supposed to help?" I asked.

"You will be the tool Perun uses to control Taigea," Asami replied. "However, if we can outrun Perun you can save Taigea. His ramblings weren't all false. However, an ulterior motive lay behind everything."

"I want to help," I protested.

"And for what reason?" Asami looked sceptical. "I doubt your family knows you're here."

"I don't talk about my family," I replied quickly. Asami looked shocked to hear the sharp tone of my voice, but she pressed on further.

"I can help you, but only if you can trust me completely," Asami finally made a decision.

"I don't think I'll have a problem with that," My heart fluttered lightly when I said that.

After a brief conversation about what was to be expected in Taigea. I wasn't really sure what to do, was the Thunder Crown just going to dump me in the closet kingdom? Or did I have to envision a place to go?

"Do you have a place in mind?" Asami asked. She had picked up on my rigid frame.

"Speaking of, how did you get here?" I asked. She pulled out a necklace with an embedded gem. "I should've figured." Asami chuckled and it was the most melodious and beautiful sound in the world.

"If you want, I can do the hard work and you can sit back and relax," Asami offered. Her hand was outstretched and welcoming. I took it. The gem in the middle of the pendant glowed softly. The world blurred before my eyes. When I opened them a lush and vast expanse of land stretched before me.