After a long walk through the dunes, Efa and Rin finally reached Ends'ky.
The artificial night bathed the city in a soft bluish glow.
Two colossal lampposts, tall as towers, guarded the entrance.
Inside sprawled large stone houses, shimmering fountains, and most notably… a massive market pulsing at the heart of the city.
Exhausted, Efa looked around for a place to rest and spotted an inn.
She pushed open the reception door.
A man behind the counter was dozing off, head hanging forward.
Efa: "Hello!"
The man jolted awake, startled.
Receptionist: "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU STUPID GIRL?!
I spent HALF my salary on a luxury dream!!"
He collapsed to the floor, sobbing.
Rin beeped and addressed Efa:
Rin: "I should remind you that you don't have aaaaaaany money to pay for a room."
Efa froze, struck by the painful truth.
Taking advantage of the man's dramatic crying, she quietly slipped toward the exit.
But the man suddenly lifted his head, furious:
Receptionist: "COME BACK HERE! YOU OWE ME MY DREAM, YOU LITTLE BRAT!!"
Efa and Rin sprinted away, chased by the enraged man, until they reached the central market square.
There, she managed to lose him in the crowd.
Out of breath, Efa stopped before a dazzling alley.
Stands overflowing with vibrant colors lined each side, their merchandise glowing like tiny galaxies.
She approached one of the displays, eyes widening.
Efa: "This is… sand?"
The merchant woman smiled proudly.
Merchant: "You must be a tourist.
Welcome to the world of dream sand."
Efa frowned slightly.
Efa: "Dream sand?"
Merchant: "It's Dream Desert's specialty.
Each type of sand grants a specific dream.
Everything depends on the color, the quality… and the price, of course."
She lifted a green vial.
Merchant: "This one gives you a farmer's dream for four hours. Not very glamorous, but the cheapest."
Then she pointed to two others—one pink, one gold.
Merchant: "Pink sand offers erotic dreams.
Gold sand grants wealth and prosperity.
Those two cost a small fortune."
She tilted her head.
Merchant: "So, want to buy some, little one?"
Efa politely waved her off.
Efa: "No thanks. Buying dreams? I'd rather create my own."
She walked away, legs heavy with exhaustion.
Every step felt harder than the last.
Finally, she slumped onto a small stone block and placed Rin on her lap.
Efa: "I'm way too tired to keep going… A tiny nap would be perfect."
She closed her eyes.
A minute passed.
She opened them.
Closed them again.
Opened them again.
Nothing.
Not even the slightest hint of sleep.
Annoyed, she growled:
Efa: "What is wrong with me?!"
Rin replied sharply:
Rin: "In Dream Desert, you can't sleep or rest without dream sand."
Efa froze.
Then screamed:
Efa: "WHAAAAAAT?!!"