THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

Cauis held up the relic the hilt of a broken blade and glanced at the others. "Three more. We've already got one before this."

June furrowed her brow. "The Relic from sunken crypt.."

"Right," Cauis confirmed. "This hilt makes two. We're halfway there, but things are only going to get harder from here."

Baskar crossed his arms, smirking. "Harder is an understatement if that guardian was just the appetizer."

Galland looked at the group with a calm but serious expression. "The next relics won't be easy to find or take. But with each one, you'll get closer to stopping the Rift for good."

Cauis nodded, his resolve hardening. "Then let's rest up. We're far from done."

As the dust settled and the tension in the air eased, a voice called out from behind a nearby pillar.

"Is... is it safe now?" The group turned to see their guide, Kareem, cautiously stepping out of his hiding spot. His clothes were dusty, and his face was pale. "I've been hiding since the battle began."

Cauis raised an eyebrow. "Really? You didn't think to maybe warn us about the crazy fast guardian with a death wish?"

Kareem chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I was... observing. Making sure you all had it handled. You know, tactical support from a distance."

Baskar gave him a flat look. "Tactical support, huh?" He cracked his knuckles. "Next time, you might wanna tactically tell them that they're walking into a death trap."

Kareem held up his hands defensively. "Noted! Very noted!"

Galland chuckled. "At least he's honest."

Cauis sighed, turning back to the group. "Alright, let's head out before more surprises show up."

Kareem nodded quickly. "Yes! Excellent idea. I'll lead the way... from a safe distance, of course."

As they emerged from the dungeon, the wind howled around them. A raging sandstorm greeted the group, swirling clouds of sand reducing visibility to almost nothing. The sand hawk ruffled its feathers, clearly agitated but ready to fly.

Kareem raised his voice over the storm, waving frantically. "Hurry! The sandstorm is getting worse! We need to leave now!"

The group quickly mounted the sand hawk, the magical cloaks shielding them from the worst of the storm's bite. Just as they settled in, Cauis glanced back at Baskar and Galland, who showed no intention of joining.

"Hey, you two coming or what?" Cauis shouted.

Baskar smirked, his red hair whipping in the wind. "Nah, we're good. I'm training Galland anyway. A little sandstorm will toughen him up."

Galland crossed his arms. "Toughen me up? I'm pretty sure I'm tougher than you."

Baskar laughed, cracking his knuckles. "We'll see about that. You ready for a nice, long walk through a storm?"

Galland sighed but grinned. "Guess I don't have a choice."

June called out, her voice filled with concern. "Are you sure? The storm's getting worse!"

"We'll be fine," Baskar said confidently, waving them off. "See you back at the capital!"

As the sand hawk took off, rising above the swirling sands, Cauis looked down at the two figures braving the storm below. "Those guys are crazy," he muttered with a shake of his head.

"Completely," Axel agreed. "But you've gotta admit... they're kind of badass."

The sand hawk soared higher, carrying the group away from the storm and toward safety.

As they soared above the storm, Kareem cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "I... I have a confession to make," he began, avoiding their eyes. "When I first saw the real guardian of the relic... I panicked and ran. I wasn't proud of it, but I was terrified. That thing was beyond anything I'd ever seen."

The group turned toward him, listening intently. Kareem continued, his voice tinged with guilt. "After I fled, I knew I couldn't just abandon the mission. So I contacted the King of Desert Ashar for help... and it turns out, the nearest S-rank adventurer was none other than Baskar." He glanced back at the storm, where Baskar and Galland were little more than specks in the distance.

"I wasn't sure if he'd actually come, but... well, you saw how that turned out," Kareem said with a sheepish smile. "I'm just glad I didn't get you all killed before he arrived."

June gave him a small nod. "It was the right call. Without Baskar and Galland, we wouldn't have made it out of there."

Cauis crossed his arms, leaning back with a forced chuckle. "Lucky us, huh? If Dylan was here… he'd be the first to say it." His voice faltered toward the end, and the air grew heavy with silence.

Everyone's gaze dropped, the mention of Dylan's name stirring old wounds. June's hand tightened on the edge of her cloak, while Axel stared at the shifting sands below, his jaw clenched. Even Alisan, usually composed, seemed lost in thought for a moment.

Kareem glanced between them, realizing the weight of what had just been said. "I... I didn't mean to bring up bad memories," he muttered, looking down at the hawk's reins.

"It's fine," June said softly, her eyes distant. "He's still with us. In a way."

Cauis frowned, his arms still crossed, but this time his expression darkened. "That's what I can't get out of my head… Why did the guardian mention Dylan's name? How would it even know about him?" His voice was quiet but filled with suspicion.

June looked up sharply. "You're right. It doesn't make sense. Unless… there's something we don't know."

Axel's eyes narrowed, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a serious edge. "If the guardian's tied to the Rift and it knows Dylan's name, then maybe…" He hesitated, not wanting to finish the thought.

"Maybe Dylan's connected to all of this," Alisan said, her voice calm but with an underlying tension. "And not in the way we thought."

The group fell silent again, the weight of the revelation settling over them like the thick desert air.

Kareem glanced back nervously. "Uh… you're not saying your dead friend is somehow involved in this Rift stuff, are you? 'Cause that's... unsettling."

Cauis clenched his fist. "I don't know. But we're going to find out."

As the capital of the Kingdom of Desert Ashar came into view, the sandstorm began to subside, revealing the towering golden domes and sandstone walls of the city. Sunlight gleamed off the rooftops, and the bustling streets below stretched like veins through the heart of the city.

Kareem pointed eagerly. "There it is! We're almost back! I'll make sure the king hears of your success."

The Sand Hawk glided down toward the gates, its wings kicking up a cloud of sand as it landed. The guards at the entrance saluted upon recognizing the group, quickly opening the gates to let them through.

Cauis stared at the city, his mind still preoccupied with unanswered questions. "Back where it all started… but it feels different now."

June nodded slowly. "It's not just about the relics anymore. We have more to uncover."

Axel patted the Sand Hawk with a grin. "One thing at a time, though. First, we report back. Then we figure out what's next."

As they dismounted, Kareem led the way toward the palace. The warmth of the city's energy greeted them, but a strange tension hung in the air, as though something unseen was watching and waiting.

As they entered the palace, the grand hall seemed to glow under the golden light streaming in from the high windows. Princess Zahira stood at the top of the staircase, her elegant robes flowing as she descended to meet them.

"You've returned," Zahira said, relief evident in her voice. "And with the relic, no less." Her eyes scanned their faces, pausing briefly on each of them. "But something happened… I can see it in your eyes."

Cauis sighed, holding up the hilt of the broken relic blade. "Yeah, we got the relic, but it wasn't easy. The guardian was way stronger than we expected. It even used some kind of time-manipulation magic just like Dylan's."

Zahira froze for a moment, processing his words. "Time manipulation? Like… your friend Dylan?"

June nodded, her voice quiet but firm. "And before Baskar destroyed it, the guardian said something. It mentioned Dylan's name."

The room fell silent for a few heartbeats. Zahira glanced at her father, who sat on the throne, his expression darkening. "That's… troubling. If the guardian recognized his name, it means Dylan may be connected to the Rift far more deeply than we thought."

Kareem nervously stepped forward. "Your Highness, with all due respect… I called for help when I realized the guardian was too strong. Baskar and Galland arrived just in time. Without them, we wouldn't be standing here right now."

The king nodded solemnly. "You've all done well to return alive. This relic holds immense power and history, but clearly, there are secrets tied to it we've yet to understand." His gaze fell on Cauis. "We must get to the bottom of this connection to your fallen friend."

Zahira crossed her arms, her expression resolute. "We'll help you. Whatever it takes, we'll find the truth."

Cauis clenched his fists, determination lighting his eyes. "We won't stop until we do."

The king rose from his throne, his voice calm but commanding. "You've all been through enough. Go rest, clean up, and eat. The maids will prepare whatever you like."

Axel grinned despite the lingering tension. "Anything we like? Now that's a royal treatment."

The king gave a faint smile. "You've earned it. We'll speak again once you've had a chance to recover."

Zahira gestured toward a nearby servant. "I'll have them show you to your chambers. Take your time."

Cauis stretched, already feeling the weight of exhaustion hit him. "A bath, food, and a bed sounds like the perfect plan."

As the group followed the maids down the long corridor, the weight of their recent battle began to lift, though thoughts of the guardian's words and Dylan's name lingered quietly in their minds.

As the group walked through the grand halls with Zahira, their laughter fading into a comfortable silence, a familiar voice caught their attention.

"I'm telling you, we made it just in time," Baskar's confident tone echoed through the corridor.

Galland's calm voice followed. "The guardian was far stronger than anticipated. It's a good thing we intervened when we did."

The group froze, their eyes widening.

"That's... Baskar and Galland," Cauis muttered, turning toward the open doorway of the throne room.

They glanced at each other before stepping closer. Inside, Baskar and Galland stood before the king, deep in conversation. Baskar leaned casually against a pillar, while Galland maintained his composed stance.

"Baskar! Galland!" Axel called out, his voice breaking the moment.

The two men turned, their faces lighting up.

"Ah, you're all cleaned up and alive. Good to see," Baskar said with a smirk. "I was just giving the king my version of how we saved your lives back there."

Galland raised an eyebrow. "His version may not be entirely accurate."

Cauis crossed his arms. "I'm sure it isn't. But what are you two doing here already?"

Baskar shrugged. "Figured we'd report in. Besides, we've got a lot to talk about... like that guardian mentioning your dead friend's name." His tone grew serious at the end, his eyes locking onto Cauis.

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Even Zahira went quiet, sensing the tension.

"Yeah," Cauis said softly, his gaze hardening. "We definitely need answers."

The king raised his hand, signaling to a nearby royal maid. "Escort our guests to the private dining hall," he said with a warm but serious tone. "We have much to discuss. Ensure they're comfortable and bring refreshments."

The maid bowed. "Of course, Your Majesty. Right this way, please."

Zahira walked beside the group, keeping a watchful eye on them. "It seems my father is taking this matter very seriously," she said softly. "That means you'll get the answers you're looking for."

The group followed the maid through a series of elegant hallways until they reached a beautifully furnished dining hall. A long table awaited them, adorned with fruits, bread, and freshly poured tea.

Baskar took a seat first, leaning back with his usual relaxed air. "Alright. This should be interesting."

Galland remained standing, his eyes scanning the room as if assessing the mood. "Let's hear what the king knows about that guardian... and why it mentioned Dylan."

Cauis folded his arms, his jaw tightening. "Yeah, we're done with mysteries. Time for some real answers."

The door opened again as the king entered, his expression calm but grave. He took his seat at the head of the table and gestured for them to sit.

"Now," the king began, his voice steady. "Tell me everything about the guardian, the relic, and why it spoke the name of someone who's supposed to be gone."

The group sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the story hanging in the air before Cauis finally spoke, his tone heavy. "Dylan… he was one of us. One of the heroes summoned by the Kingdom of Drakmire. He wasn't just strong he had the original magic of Temporal Dusk."

The king raised an eyebrow. "Temporal Dusk?"

June nodded, her voice soft but steady. "He could control time around him speed it up or slow it down. It made him nearly untouchable in battle. Without him, we wouldn't have survived half the challenges we've faced."

Axel clenched his fists, his eyes darkening with the memory. "But then… it all fell apart. After we left the Verdant Isles with the first relic, we were ambushed."

"A demon," Alisan added, her voice trembling slightly. "It wasn't just any demon. It had this… strange, suffocating aura. Something about it felt wrong different from any other creature we've encountered. We didn't stand a chance."

Cauis leaned forward, his jaw tight. "It was a massacre. That thing toyed with us, like we were nothing. We were beaten to the ground, barely able to stand. And then… Dylan made the call. He used everything he had to hold the demon back and give us a chance to escape."

June's eyes flickered with grief. "We didn't want to leave him. But he wouldn't listen. He threw us out of danger, and before we could stop him, the demon… it swiped him away like he was nothing. One second, he was there fighting, standing strong and the next… gone. Disappeared into thin air."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Even Baskar, who rarely seemed serious, had his arms crossed, deep in thought.

"So, you've believed him dead ever since," the king said quietly, his gaze sharp. "And now this guardian mentions his name."

Cauis nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's why we're so shaken. We've been trying to move on, but hearing his name in that dungeon… It doesn't make sense. How could that guardian know Dylan?"

The king rested his chin on his hand, his eyes dark with contemplation. "There's more at play here than I imagined. If Dylan is still alive… it could change everything. Or perhaps the guardian's knowledge is a clue about what truly happened to him."

Galland glanced at Baskar. "We might need to rethink our priorities. Finding the relics is one thing, but if there's a chance that kid is still out there…"

Baskar leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head. "Then we find him. Wherever he is. I've got a feeling this just got a lot more complicated."

The king's eyes narrowed as he tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought. "There's something familiar about this… Temporal Dusk. It was the same magic wielded by one of the heroes in ancient times the ones who sealed the Rift long ago."

The group glanced at each other, a chill running down their spines.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" June asked cautiously.

The king leaned forward. "Long before our time, when the Rift first threatened to consume the world, a group of heroes rose to stop it. Among them was one who wielded Temporal Dusk. His mastery of time was unparalleled. It's said that without him, the others wouldn't have been able to seal the Rift."

Cauis frowned. "Wait… are you saying Dylan's magic is directly connected to that ancient hero?"

The king nodded. "It's possible. Magic of that caliber doesn't just appear randomly. It's rare, almost unheard of. But if history is repeating itself… Dylan may have inherited more than just the power of Temporal Dusk. He may have inherited that hero's destiny."

Axel crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "If that's true, then Dylan's disappearance isn't just a coincidence. Someone or something knew exactly what they were doing when they took him."

Baskar rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Looks like your mission just got a lot more interesting. Not only do you have to gather the relics, but it sounds like finding Dylan might be the key to everything."

Galland crossed his arms. "We'll keep digging for answers elsewhere. If there's a connection between Dylan and the ancient hero, we'll find it. But the relics are your task you're already ahead of us on that front."

Baskar smirked. "Yeah, we're not the relic-hunting types anyway. We'll track down leads on Dylan and watch for any Rift activity. You focus on gathering those relics before something worse shows up."

The group exchanged determined glances. Axel nodded. "Got it. We'll take it from here. Just make sure to stay alive while you're out there."

Baskar chuckled. "You worry about yourself, kid. We'll meet again soon hopefully with some answers."

The king's gaze hardened. "Gather your strength and prepare. This is no longer just a quest for relics. The fate of our world might rest on finding Dylan… and unlocking the secrets of the past."