The Venture

"We're awful happy for a lot for kids in the desert, ain't we?"
Gecko needs to prove himself, in the deadliest way possible.

"To our brave boys this year," Cyrus's eyes gleamed. "It is the same as always, the same that it has been for the past one hundred and ninety-nine years. You must journey north until you find the temple. Inside, a rare plant grows, one made of gold. You must take from it a gleaming leaf as proof of your journey there."

He, along with six other boys, will be sent into the desert surrounding their village. They have six months to come back, but most don't come back just like they were before. In fact, some don't come back at all.

"Those are for the Deathstalkers." Ant clarified grimly.
"The what?"

In the desert, lurks deadly foes taking cover amidst the sand during the day, and striking at night.
Cyrus, the town mayor wishes them good luck with a smile. But behind his warm eyes, he hides a secret that he would kill to keep.

Six boys. At least one won't come home.
And for the ones who live, they have to figure out what home even means anymore.

Six months. Six lives. Secrets that can't hide.

The game is on.