Bond Of Blood

Chapter 7: The Desert of Illusions

The sun beat down mercilessly as Adam, Jack, and Eldric stepped into the desert, a vast, endless expanse of golden dunes and scorching winds. The land stretched on, as though eternity itself had been unrolled before them. Sand swirled around their feet, and the sky above was a harsh, relentless blue, free from even a wisp of cloud.

Adam squinted against the brightness, feeling the heat radiate off the sand like fire. He glanced back, realizing how quickly the verdant forest they’d come from had disappeared. It was as though they’d been swallowed whole by this barren, unforgiving landscape. “Eldric,” he began, wiping sweat from his brow, “are we… are we even on the right path?”

Eldric, leaning heavily on his staff, peered ahead with a thoughtful expression. “The Desert of Illusions is a test, one that doesn’t end until you face what lies hidden within yourself,” he said. “But worry not. I know this path well.” He tapped his staff on the ground, sending a faint shimmer across the sand.

Jack’s face twisted in skepticism. “So, this place… it’s going to mess with our minds, right?” His voice held a hint of challenge, as though daring the desert to throw its worst at him. “We’ve fought goblins and shadow-wraiths already. How bad can a little sand be?”

Eldric chuckled softly. “The mind can be a more dangerous opponent than any monster. It knows where your fears lie… and how to make you believe they’re real.”

Adam and Jack exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. The three pressed forward, their footsteps sinking into the hot sand. They had barely walked a mile when the landscape began to shift. Out of nowhere, a faint figure appeared on the horizon, shimmering like a mirage. The brothers stopped, blinking in disbelief.

“Is that…?” Adam whispered, his heart pounding as he strained to make out the figure. It looked like their father, tall and broad-shouldered, standing still as though waiting for them.

Jack’s eyes widened, his face a mixture of shock and desperate hope. “No… no, it can’t be him. He’s… gone.”

Eldric placed a steadying hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Remember, the desert will prey on what you hold dearest. It knows the power of illusion.”

But Jack shrugged off Eldric’s hand, his gaze fixed on the figure. “Maybe it’s not an illusion,” he argued, his voice thick with emotion. “Maybe… maybe he survived somehow, and he’s been waiting for us.”

“Jack, think about this,” Adam said, gripping his brother’s arm tightly. “We can’t get distracted by… by memories. This is exactly what Eldric warned us about.”

The figure began to walk toward them, each step deliberate. Jack wavered, caught between logic and longing. He took a shaky breath, his gaze never leaving the approaching figure. “I just… I need to know,” he whispered.

Adam’s grip tightened. “If it really was him, he would have found us long before now. Don’t let this desert twist your memories.”

Jack hesitated, his face a mask of torment. Finally, he nodded, forcing himself to turn away. As they continued walking, the figure melted into the sands, a trick of the desert’s relentless illusions.

Hours passed, though the sun’s position seemed to remain unchanged, hanging high overhead like a merciless overseer. The heat was suffocating, draining their strength with every step. Shadows flickered at the edge of their vision—sometimes taking the form of people they’d lost, sometimes revealing hidden pools of water that vanished the moment they approached.

Eldric moved with calm focus, his gaze steady and unyielding. “The desert thrives on doubt,” he murmured, glancing back at Adam and Jack. “If you question your path, it will lead you astray.”