Shiddharth and Himanshu walked across the barren desert, the scorching sun mercilessly beating down on them. The heat waves rose from the sand, distorting the horizon and making the endless dunes appear like an ocean of molten gold. Their throats were parched, and each step seemed to demand more effort than the last. There were no humans, no signs of creatures, no vegetation—just an unbroken expanse of sand as far as the eye could see.
For five days, they trudged onward, their shadows stretching long over the dunes. Each night, the temperature dropped drastically, biting at their skin, and during the day, the sun blazed with such intensity that even their thoughts seemed to sweat under its weight. Shiddharth could feel the limits of his stamina pressing against the seals imposed on him, and he silently cursed his inability to call upon his full strength.
Finally, they reached the edge of a steep cliff. The wind howled around them, carrying grains of sand that stung their faces like tiny needles.
"What now?" Shiddharth asked, scanning the empty desert below with a mixture of caution and curiosity.
"Just jump," Himanshu replied calmly, but there was a spark of urgency in his eyes. Without warning, he shoved Shiddharth forward and followed immediately after. The world seemed to accelerate as they plummeted, the ground rushing to meet them.
At the last second, Himanshu flung a small, glowing sphere beneath them. It hovered briefly, absorbing the impact of their fall and slowing their descent. Shiddharth landed hard, but unhurt—shocked by the precision and effectiveness of the technique. He could barely imagine what would have happened if he had tried to call his stats directly—he would have been annihilated instantly.
"Stop dazing around and come here," Himanshu commanded, his voice sharp and steady. He gestured toward a hidden cave, partially obscured by a massive boulder.
Shiddharth followed him, heart pounding in his chest.
"That's the Firedeer Cave," Himanshu explained, his gaze fixed on a majestic deer standing outside. Its fur shimmered with an almost ethereal glow under the dim sunlight. "You'll distract this one, and I'll hunt the adult inside."
Shiddharth frowned. "Why should I do what you say?"
Himanshu's eyes narrowed, his tone hardening. "Did you forget I saved your life? Now is not the time for argument. Go, or you'll regret hesitating."
With a light but firm kick, Shiddharth stumbled out from behind the stone. The Firedeer immediately noticed him, nostrils flaring and eyes blazing with anger. It charged, hooves hammering against the sand. Shiddharth ran, feeling his limited stats pushing him to their absolute limit. The deer's speed was impressive, but it appeared to favor its injured left leg, allowing him to stay just ahead.
Meanwhile, Himanshu focused on the adult Firedeer. Its antlers were valuable, its hide essential for warmth during desert nights, and there was the potential of obtaining a rare soul stone—a prize capable of summoning a Fire Sphere. His movements were fluid, almost meditative, his decades of survival experience evident in each precise strike. Within moments, he had caught up to the Firedeer, and with a single, clean slice across the neck, it collapsed silently. He quickly removed the horns, examining them with satisfaction, but luck was not on his side today—the elusive soul stone was nowhere to be found.
They ventured deeper into the cave, but the scene that met them was gruesome: blood smeared across the rocky walls and the remains of what had once been a family of Firedeer. The smell was metallic and overwhelming, yet the two men pressed onward, hearts heavy.
Then, in the shadows, they saw a trembling baby Firedeer. Its small frame shivered violently, eyes wide with fear as it huddled against the cave wall. Himanshu knelt beside it, hand resting gently on its head, and whispered a soft incantation:
[See Through You]
Through the skill, he glimpsed the creature's tragic past: a massive predator had slaughtered its entire family. One small child had survived, escaping with minor injuries, now trembling before them. Himanshu's expression softened as he studied the tiny being, and after a moment's thought, he decided to adopt the baby, raising it to safety and promising protection.
Their exploration continued deeper into the cave. For hours, they navigated winding tunnels, until they reached a hidden freshwater lake. Its waters sparkled like liquid crystal, a stark contrast to the harsh desert outside. Both men were elated; Himanshu, having spent decades wandering the desert, had never discovered such a source. He drank greedily, savoring each cool, refreshing sip. Shiddharth followed, replenishing his parched throat and feeling a rare moment of calm. Exhausted from the journey, he lay down on the soft, damp earth, quickly drifting into a deep sleep.
A few hours later…
"Shiddharth… wake up," Himanshu whispered, urgency lacing his tone.
Shiddharth stirred immediately, senses alert. His eyes scanned the cave, taking in every shadow, every flicker of movement.
"Shhhhh… there are around ten people here," Himanshu said quietly, his ears straining to catch the faint echoes of footsteps.
Both men readied their weapons, pressing against the cold stone walls, hearts hammering with tension. The intruders were approaching. When they entered, their swords glinted under the cave light, streaked with thick, dark blood—a sign of their lethal skill.
"Master, look! A baby Firedeer!" one of them exclaimed, pointing at the tiny creature, its small body trembling in fear.
The baby Firedeer stirred, its eyes scanning desperately for Himanshu and Shiddharth. The group's leader, a tall, imposing man named Vikash, noticed the unusual behavior and furrowed his brows.
"Why don't you come out? I know you're hiding here," he called, voice sharp, commanding, and echoing through the cave, suspicion creeping into every word.
Shiddharth and Himanshu exchanged a brief glance, tension coiling like a spring in the pit of their stomachs. The confrontation was about to begin.