Spirit Game

"Wait . . . what just happened?"

"In return for your aid, I will bless you in your quest to defeat this malevolent being," Zarathar continued, ignoring Rain's bewilderment.

The Djinn lifted one massive hand, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he waved it through the air. The ground beneath them rumbled, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the camp, carrying with it a swirling cloud of dust and earth. The dust seemed to shimmer with a golden light as it settled over the army.

[Zarathar has blessed you. Your DEF has doubled!]

Rain felt a rush of energy coursing through him, as if the very earth beneath his feet was lending him its strength. He glanced around and saw that the others were feeling it too — their postures straighter, their expressions more composed. The fear that had gripped them moments before was replaced by a newfound confidence.

"And more," Zarathar intoned, his voice carrying the weight of ancient power. "I will lend you the spirits of the earth to aid in your mission, until you defeat the one that threatens the balance of this realm."

The ground shook again, and this time, it felt as if the very earth was coming alive. Dust and rocks began to rise from the ground, swirling together in a chaotic dance. The army watched in awe as the dust coalesced into thousands of small, round creatures. They had puffy bodies, big black eyes that sparkled with curiosity, and tails that split at the end.

Their color was a deep, earthy brown, making them look like living stones, but they moved with a surprising agility.

"These are earth spirits," Zarathar explained. "They are not formidable in offense, but their defensive capabilities are unmatched. They are stronger than any boulder and will protect you from harm."

Helliana bowed deeply, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, great Djinn. We will use your gifts wisely and do everything in our power to defeat Gorm. We will not allow him to open the underworld, to bring chaos to this land, or to upset the balance you protect."

Zarathar nodded solemnly, his form beginning to waver as if he were dissolving into the air. "Remember, mortals, the balance of this world rests in your hands. Do not falter for I, Zarathar, have blessed you."

With that, the Djinn slowly disintegrated, his body turning into a cloud of dust that was carried away by the wind. The pressure that had weighed so heavily on the camp lifted, and a collective sigh of relief spread through the soldiers.

Encounters with Djinns were rare, and their appearance was always a sign of great importance.

But Rain was left with more questions than answers. Who exactly was Gorm? Why was he so intent on opening the underworld? And why couldn't the combined might of the Sand Elves, Gnomes, and even the Goliaths break through the defenses of the Gnomes' stronghold?

And now, even a powerful spirit had emerged to aid them — a being so ancient and formidable that its very presence signaled the gravity of the threat they were about to face.

What could be so dangerous that it required the intervention of a Djinn, a guardian of the elements, to tip the scales in their favor? Just how strong was Gorm, really? Or was there something else lurking in the shadows, something even more sinister that they hadn't yet uncovered?

The questions gnawed at Rain, each one a thorn in his mind. The arrival of Zarathar, a being of such immense power, only underscored the seriousness of their situation. If a Djinn saw fit to intervene, what did that say about the true nature of the enemy they were up against?

Was Gorm simply the face of a greater, more malevolent force? And if so, were they truly prepared for the battle that lay ahead?

Rain's thoughts raced as he tried to piece together the puzzle. The weight of the unknown pressed down on him, heavier than ever. They had faced many dangers before, but this — this felt different. The stakes were higher, the threat more elusive and deadly. What dark secrets were still hidden, waiting to be uncovered? And could they survive long enough to reveal them?

Only time would tell. But one thing was certain: whatever awaited them, it was far beyond anything they had faced before. And it would take all their strength, and then some, to prevail.

Santi and Helliana exchanged a glance, both of them seemingly aware of the questions swirling in Rain's mind. But when he tried to voice them, they simply shook their heads, telling him to wait until they reached the Sand Elves' home. Only there, they said, could the full story be revealed.

Rain sighed, running a hand through his hair as he watched the last of Zarathar's dust disappear into the horizon. "I guess we'll just have to find out," he muttered to himself.

The group resumed their journey at dawn, the cool morning air invigorating their spirits as they pressed onward. It didn't take long before they passed by Helliana's clan, making a brief stop to gather more soldiers and weapons, before continuing until they finally reached the Sand Elves' homeland.

Upon sighting the place, Rain's expectations faltered. He had imagined the Sand Elves would live in a majestic castle, something out of the grandiose scenes he'd seen in movies. But as he scanned the horizon, all he could see was a vast, wide canyon, stretching out endlessly before them. There was no bridge, no visible path across, leaving Rain perplexed.

"Are we really here?" Rain whispered to Helliana, his voice tinged with doubt. "I don't see anything."

Helliana chuckled softly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "That's because you're looking at the wrong side of the hills."

"Huh?"

"You'll see soon enough." Santi spurred her mount forward, Helliana and the rest of the group following her lead.

Suddenly, a loud, resonant blaring sound echoed through the canyon, causing Rain to nearly jump out of his skin.

"W-what's going on now?" he stammered, gripping Chi's waist tightly.

"Don't worry, it's just a welcome greeting," Santi reassured him, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Rain let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "For a second there, I thought it was a signal for war or something."

~Chi!~

'My Lord, look!' Chi's voice rang in Rain's mind, directing his attention back to the canyon just as they reached its edge.

Rain's eyes widened as the landscape before him transformed. Where there had been nothing but barren rock moments ago, intricate structures began to materialize — bridges woven from golden sand, spiraling towers rising from the depths, and shimmering pathways that seemed to float in mid-air. There was even a waterfall made of sand.

The entire canyon was alive with hidden beauty, an architectural marvel carved into the very earth, hidden from view until the precise moment they arrived.

"Whoa!" Rain gasped, his earlier doubts washed away by awe. The Sand Elves' home wasn't just a place — it was a masterpiece of nature and magic, concealed in plain sight until the right eyes beheld it.