The rolling dunes of Caeldora stretched endlessly, a sun-scorched sea of danger and beauty. Beneath the golden sand slithered venomous beasts—predators as ancient as the desert itself. Life on this planet was no gentle thing. Its people were hardened, born and raised for battle, which made sense given how many elite soldiers hailed from Caeldora. Their settlements, forged from stone and steel, were built to survive the brutal Sandstorm Season. According to legend, the war god Hollain once walked this land, and the locals honored him with every breath, blade, and battle cry.
Now two years old, Ambrose had grown into a whirlwind of energy, wide-eyed and endlessly curious. Life on Caeldora fascinated him. He quickly learned that the customs here were very different from those back in Ysolara. For one, birds—especially chickens—were considered sacred to Hollain and rarely eaten. Clothing was loose and breathable, designed to protect against the relentless heat. Even the children here were different—many began their combat training as soon as they could walk.
After a day of playing with a group of local kids, Ambrose returned home atop a trader's cart, dusty but thrilled. Their home was tucked away along a lesser-known trade route, hidden between two towering buttes and carved into the rock face itself. An oasis glimmered nearby, offering water and shelter—an impressive sanctuary by Caeldora standards, and something Ambrose would grow up fiercely proud of.
Inside, Hangyeol sat polishing a new weapon: a sleek sword crafted from the thorn of a Thorned Rattler—a monstrous desert predator not to be trifled with. The weapon gleamed, dangerous and elegant.
"Uncle Hangeyolie!" Ambrose called out as he burst through the door. "Can you start training me?!"
Hangyeol flinched at the sudden excitement, nearly dropping the blade. "Indoor voice, Brosey. And did you ask your mom first?" he replied, giving the boy a knowing look. The last thing he wanted was to step on Rae's rules when it came to her son.
"Nope, but I will now!" Ambrose shouted, already spinning toward the kitchen.
Rae was there, humming softly as she sliced into a bundle of Spider Cactus she'd bartered from a local trader. The juicy fruit was laced with seeds and packed with nutrients—a desert staple.
"Mom! Can I train with Uncle Hangyeol? Please? I promise I'll be good!" Ambrose blurted, nearly tripping over his words.
"Whoa there, pumpkin," Rae said with a soft laugh. "Try that again, slower this time."
He repeated the question, this time with more breath.
From their perch near the ceiling, Mystie hovered and chirped, "Let the cub train. He should know how to defend himself if he's running around the dunes with those other kids."
Rae sighed and glanced down at the cactus she was slicing. Her expression softened. "Alright," she said, "but only if you eat the Spider Cactus first. Every bite."
Ambrose nodded eagerly as she handed him a small plate.
A moment later, Hangyeol appeared in the doorway, casually awaiting the verdict.
"He can go," Rae declared, handing him a chunk of cactus. "But he eats every single piece first."
Hangyeol didn't argue. He knew better than to cross Rae, especially with news of Thorned Rattler sightings increasing. Besides, she wasn't just protecting Ambrose. She was preparing him.
The Spider Cactus had a subtle sweetness, dotted with soft seeds and a hint of something earthy. It wasn't the tastiest snack, but it was packed with everything a desert-born warrior might need.
Ambrose chewed dutifully, eyes sparkling. Today was the beginning of something big.
They trained in the shaded edge of the oasis, where the desert winds whispered through dry leaves and the sand shimmered beneath the sun's gaze.
YOU ARE READING
A Wandering Story
FantasyOne morning, a young woman awoke-still caught in the same endless cycle that had haunted her for lifetimes. Her day began as it always did: quiet, methodical, devoted to mending the broken world she currently called home. But then she heard voices-u...
