Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!After spending a day in the desert, Cassian found himself completely exhausted, just like Kiara and Barto, the only ones who seemed to be holding up alongside Princess Elisha and her assistants, Fay included. Barto looked at Kiara and said, "Let's take a break, Kiara. You don't look well." Elisha glanced at Kiara and added, "I think I might delay our trip for another day." "I'm fine. I can keep going," Kiara insisted. Barto shook his head. "No, you're not. If you don't rest, you'll end up collapsing." "He's right," Fay chimed in."We need you strong for what lies ahead." Elisha's servants began to set up camp, driving stakes into the ground, attaching blankets to provide shade, and laying out cushions on the floor. As Barto helped Kiara down from her horse, he cradled her in his arms and carried her into the shade. She was flushed and weary, and after giving her some water, he asked, "How are you feeling?" "I'm just a little worn out from the heat. I'll be fine," she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. Elisha knelt down and used her magic to create a small hole in the ground, filling it with water.In that moment, Cassian realized why the kingdom of Xurt, despite being in the desert, had such an abundance of water. It was because the royal family had the ability to conjure it. She removed the cloth covering her head and instructed her assistants to air out their water canteens. Cassian inquired, "Are we still far from Vaizel's mounts?" "Yes, even though they seem close, it's still quite a trek," Elisha replied. "We can't risk using any teleportation parchment without knowing the destination. We could end up lost in the desert." "This is a desert; there are no landmarks, no clear path.The best option is to travel by horse," Cassian said. Elisha glanced at Vaizel's mounts, which were tethered nearby, and asked, "Do you really believe the rumors about those creatures lurking in the mountains?" "If it's true, I'll have to prepare my army to destroy them," she replied, determination in her voice. "I don't think that's wise. It would be better to fortify your kingdom with barriers to keep the monsters out and gather a strong army," Barto suggested. Elisha sighed heavily."I hope we don't encounter anything in those mountains." "There are no monsters in those mountains," Kiara interjected. "But it's wise to be prepared for when they do appear." "My kingdom may not be large compared to others, but every soldier knows how to defend themselves. One of my soldiers is worth three of Vaizel's men in skill," Elisha asserted. "I know that well, as I've seen them fight," Barto replied, his tone serious. "We must unite against the darkness." "I just hope Todd comes through this unscathed," Elisha said, her voice tinged with worry.They spent the rest of the afternoon resting and went to bed early. The next day, when Kiara awoke, Barto was the first to ask how she was feeling. "Are you feeling better? Should you keep resting?" he asked, concern etched on his face. She caressed the sponge ball of water beside her. "I'm fine now. My magic has fully recovered. We can continue our journey." "Are you sure?" he pressed. "I'm here," she reassured him. Once they had packed up camp, they set off again, though the intense heat made the journey difficult.No one complained; they pressed on through the sandy dunes until they reached the foothills of Vaizel's mountains. Elisha halted and ordered her assistants to prepare camp. "Why are we stopping? It's too bright out here," Cassian questioned. "Yes, but if we push on, we'll arrive at dusk. Those mountains are dangerous, especially at night. It would be suicide to enter after dark," Elisha explained. Cassian understood the risk but remained silent, knowing that the danger of arriving late was preferable to the threat of nightfall.The next day dawned, and as they approached the mountains, Elisha drew her sword, its blade gleaming at her side. "Be very careful where you step. If the ground feels soft, leave immediately. It could be quicksand," she warned. Elisha moved with grace among the rocky terrain, and Cassian asked, "Have you been here before?" "When I was younger, my brothers and I wanted to explore these mountains ourselves, but we were warned against it," she replied, her voice filled with nostalgia.noveldrama"We never saw anyone, just wild animals and the treacherous landscape." "The years you speak of are the ones when the monsters roamed freely," Cassian noted. "Yes, they were forced to flee or perish because of those creatures," she confirmed. "If what they say is true, we'll find out soon enough," he replied. As they advanced through the mountains, an eerie silence enveloped them. Fay suddenly halted and drew her sword. "Something isn't right. There's too much silence. No animals can be heard," she warned. Everyone readied their weapons, and Cassian urged them to stay alert."If you sense danger, stay vigilant," he cautioned. Barto turned to Kiara, his voice firm. "Don't hide behind me. We need to face this together." Kiara felt a surge of anxiety but nodded, determined to stand her ground. "Don't leave me alone," she pleaded. "That's what I should be saying to you. Just focus on your magic," Barto replied, his protective instincts kicking in. Elisha felt a thrill of excitement watching Kiara and Barto. She could never have fought alongside Enzo like this. "Stay sharp.It seems there's something lurking among the trees, and they're closing in on us," Elisha warned. "We have to decide our escape route quickly." Suddenly, a monstrous figure lunged at her, and Fay swiftly severed its head before it could reach her, the creature collapsing at her feet and staining her boots with a viscous liquid. "Don't get distracted, Princess!" Cassian shouted from behind. Elisha regained her composure just in time to fend off another attacker.She raised her sword, ready to fight, while Kiara unleashed her light magic to obliterate the other creatures that emerged from the shadows.