The journey continued as both of them travelled deeper into the dunes.
Tall rib cages of ancient beasts loomed over them like broken cathedrals.
Kai led his horse carefully through the bone yard while listening to the strange, ghostly whispers echoing across the shifting white sand.
The environment grew more oppressive with every mile they traveled south.
"This wasteland was actually a prosperous kingdom a very long time ago," Yena explained, pointing her spear toward a half-buried stone pillar.
"The people here worshipped celestial beings because they thought the stars brought life to the fields. But the stars betrayed them and drained the land completely dry. They turned everything into a graveyard to feed their own power."
Kai nodded slowly and offered her his canteen.
"And what about the Scarlet Matriarch ruling Sunfall Oasis?"
"Rumors say she carries the old royal bloodline in her veins," Yena said, taking a long drink of warm water.
