Lassim stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, the victorious cries of the defenders of the Sitnalta outpost still echoing in his ears. He turned to Korro, who was busy directing his shark to lift some of the rubble and collapsed buildings to free the survivors and help the healers reach them.
"Korro," Lassim called out. Korro glanced over, a look of understanding crossing his features.
"You’ll be heading to the Southern Continent now, won’t you?" Korro asked, swimming over.
Lassim nodded. "I’m glad I was able to help close the portal, but the Lightning Sect awaits. I don’t think there’s much more help I could offer with all the remaining members of the abyssal legion dead now."
Korro placed a firm hand on Lassim’s shoulder. "You’ve done more than enough here, Lassim. We’ll manage the recovery efforts. Head towards that ridgeline to the south from here, over there where the tide is flowing, and you’ll find the coastline of the Southern Continent after a short distance. Once you hit the shore, follow it west.
It should lead you to civilization or at least lead to finding some travelers that can help you."
"Thank you for the ride, Korro! Hopefully we’ll meet again," Lassim said, gratitude evident in his voice.
"Safe travels, friend," Korro replied, giving him a respectful nod.
With that, Lassim focused on his water mana. He and Mari synchronized their energies, allowing them to move through the water with incredible speed. They propelled themselves through the sea in the direction Korro pointed out, the sea floor around them a blur of motion.
Hours later, Lassim saw the sandy shore of the Southern Continent approaching rapidly. He slowed his pace, the waves gently carrying him toward the beach.
As he stepped onto the sand, he took a moment to free his lungs from their heavy weighted water and took a deep breath of fresh air, savoring the sensation of breathing without the underwater technique. It felt strange at first as he’d spent the last week breathing through the water, but the oddness quickly faded, replaced by a profound sense of relief.
"I never thought I’d miss breathing normally," Lassim said aloud, a smile tugging at his lips.
"[You’re finally on land again]," Mari’s voice echoed in his mind. "[The Southern Continent... it feels different, doesn’t it?]"
"It does," Lassim replied mentally. "It feels... vast. Plus, the ambient mana feels much more dense here. At least twice as much? Probably around that."
Zaphy joined the conversation, her voice filled with curiosity. "[Yay! I want to go out and explore! We’ve been trapped underwater for so long!]"
Lassim nodded, his gaze sweeping over the horizon.
In front of him lay an endless desert, dunes stretching high into the sky. The landscape was stark and barren, with little plant life other than a few unique-looking tumbleweeds rolling across the sand. There were no signs of beasts, and the silence was almost oppressive.
"[We need to find the Lightning Sect, but I’m not sure where it is from here]," Lassim admitted. His map had detailed the Veridian Continent but stopped at the edges of this new land.
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"Korro said to head west once we reached land," Mari suggested. "We might find a town or landmark with people who can point us in the right direction if we follow the coastline."
"Agreed," Lassim replied, "Zaphy, why don’t you travel above us in the air while we head west and let me know if you can spot anyone as we go. They might not be exactly on the coastline and hidden between the dunes. Notify us if you spot anyone."
Zaphy chirped with a loud, almost screech like joy as she appeared and released a wave of electricity. She quickly rose high in the sky and did twirls and loops.
Lassim smiled at her antics and let her enjoy herself as he activated [Tempest Steps], feeling the familiar rush of lightning energy enhance his speed. The desert landscape blurred as he moved along the coastline, scanning for any signs of civilization.
After traveling for some time, Zaphy spotted movement in the distance. "Brother! Up ahead we’ve got people with weird clothing carrying something delicious looking! Come to where I am circling."
He looked up ahead to where she was and hurried over. As they entered within his spirit sense’s range, he slowed his pace, his keen senses focusing on a group of figures carrying a large, tri-headed boar beast tied to a pole.
As he got closer, he realized they were lizard-like people, each with a large horn rising from the tops of their heads. They wore clothing wrappings that covered their faces and bodies, like hooded ponchos, giving them a mercenary-like appearance. The colors were mainly shades of brown and dirty-white that helped them blend in with the surrounding sand dunes.
Lassim approached cautiously, raising a hand in a friendly wave to get their attention. The lizard people tensed at the power radiating from him, their hands moving to their weapons. However, what Lassim assumed was the leader, distinguished by a reddish and purple colored poncho, stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Greetings, traveler," the leader said in the common tongue. "What brings you to our sands?"
"I was hoping you could give me some directions," Lassim replied, lowering his hand and walking closer. "I am looking for the Lightning Sect. Can you help me?"
The leader studied Lassim for a moment before nodding. "The Lightning Sect is to the south west of here, deep within the heart of the desert. There’s a sand less area of just towers of rocks and continual thunderstorms year round where their headquarters are. It will not be an easy journey if you’ve not got leather skins filled with water."
"Thanks, but it shouldn’t be too much of an issue for me," Lassim said with a smile as he controlled the thin water mana in the air to summon a tiny ball of water that he could drink if needed. "Do you mind telling me a little more about this region? I’m from the Veridian continent and traveled a long way. You wouldn’t happen to have a map or anything I could buy off you?"
The leader gestured for Lassim to follow as they began walking together. "Well, our tribe’s wagon circle is in the same direction as you, so follow us for now then. This area we’re in now is the Great Dune Sea, a vast desert that stretches across the northernmost half of the Southern Continent. My name is Bajeel Za Za, but please just call me Bajeel.
We are the Jakool Za Za, a tribe of surviving desert dwellers and mercenaries for hire. We hunt and trade, living off the sparse food we can find and roaming the endless sands. "
Lassim listened intently, absorbing the information. "And the map?"
The leader nodded. "There is a town called Dunesreach not far from where our wagon circle is. Once we reach there, I suggest you wait for nighttime to do most of your travel. The deeper inside the desert we go, the hotter it’ll get during the day. I’ll point out and easy star constellation once the moon rises that should make the rest of your journey easier.
We don’t use maps, but travel by orienting ourselves with the stars. The sand dunes are ever shifting in the winds. You’d be lost for months or years if you tried to follow a map anywhere!" He and the Jakool Za Za behind him let out a strange guttural noise as their heads threw back in what Lassim could only attempt to believe was a group laugh.
He continued, "You can follow the constellation’s direction for a night, and you will find it before the dawn’s light arrives. The townsfolk there are wary of outsiders, but they will trade if you have goods or gift them with some ESS."
"I appreciate your help," Lassim said sincerely. "Is there anything I should be aware of in the desert?"
The leader’s expression grew serious. "The desert is harsh and unforgiving. Sandstorms can appear without warning, and dangerous beasts roam underneath the dunes. There’s groups of wild scavenger Kobolds that will murder you in your tent if they catch you as well. Like I suggested, it’s really best to Travel by night if you can; the desert during the day can be deadly.
Especially to a little Spirit Transformation stage fledgling like yourself."
"Thank you for the advice," Lassim said. "I will be cautious."
"Also, while that silk clothing sure looks fancy and will be nice to keep you cool during the hot day, I’d suggest you get a [Hszamak]," He said while gesturing to the hooded poncho and head covering ensemble he was wearing. "You don’t have scales, but it’ll help keep the sand out of whatever unwanted areas and protect your eyes when the sand storms brew.
I think we’ve got some spares in the circle, so I’ll ask someone to fetch you one if you wish to buy one."
"Sure! I appreciate the help and I’d be glad to buy one or two from you as thanks for the advice and knowledge as well." Lassim replied.
As they walked, Bajeel shared more about their tribe and the challenges of living in the Great Dune Sea. Lassim found their resilience and adaptability admirable.