Chapter 24 - 21: The Desert
The scorching sun blazed high above the Outer Ring, its relentless heat radiating off the sand and jagged cliffs. The landscape stretched into a desolate horizon, painted in hues of gold and rust. Ellen trudged forward, her steps heavy but determined. Mira lay slumped on her back, her fragile form barely holding on. Her oni-like ethereal features had receded, but her pale complexion and shallow breaths betrayed the toll of her ordeal.
Ellen's shark tail swayed with purpose, acting as a sturdy counterbalance to keep Mira from slipping. She'd looped Mira's arms around her neck and secured her as gently as she could. Despite the glaring sun overhead, Ellen's frost-coated shoulders shimmered faintly, casting a protective chill that kept Mira's body cool. Every so often, Ellen's frost abilities pulsed, the icy breeze she created acting like a natural air conditioner. The cool air rolled off her skin, offering brief reprieves from the oppressive heat.
Her instincts were sharp, guiding her through the barren terrain as if retracing her steps from memory alone. The desert's silence was broken only by the crunch of her boots against the ground and the occasional sound of shifting sands. Ellen's narrowed eyes scanned the horizon, her pupils slit like a predator's, searching for any sign of danger. She felt the weight of Mira's condition pressing on her heart, each labored breath a reminder of the urgency to return to New Eridu.
The heat itself didn't bother Ellen. Her Thiren physiology, particularly her shark traits, made her resilient to extremes—the sun's harsh rays were little more than an annoyance, causing her to squint and occasionally shield her eyes with a hand. But her concern for Mira's well-being was paramount.
Stopping briefly, Ellen knelt on one knee to readjust Mira's position, making sure she was comfortable. Mira stirred slightly, her Ether-like tears still faintly glimmering in the corners of her eyes, even in her unconscious state. Ellen's jaw tightened. Seeing Mira like this fueled the embers of anger still smoldering deep within her, but she couldn't afford to lose focus now.
"You're going to be okay, Mira. I'll make sure of it," Ellen muttered, her voice low but resolute.
With her one hand, she conjured a small sheet of frost along her palm and held it up to Mira's face, letting the cool air wash over her. It reminded Ellen of how people fanned themselves to stave off the heat. The sight almost brought a bitter smile to her face, but the gravity of the situation quickly crushed the thought.
As she pressed onward, Ellen's mind wandered, replaying the horrifying images she had witnessed in Mira's memories. The faceless figures in lab coats, the cold metallic instruments, Mira's screams of agony... it was enough to make Ellen's hand ball into fists. She shook her head, focusing instead on the journey ahead.
The sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting the desert in soft shades of orange and purple. Though the air remained warm, the approaching evening promised some relief. Ellen's pace quickened slightly; she couldn't afford to waste any more time. Her senses were on high alert, attuned to every sound and movement around her. She knew the Outer Ring was teeming with danger—rogue Ethereals, scavengers, biker gangs, and worse—but none of it mattered. She would get Mira back to safety, no matter the cost.