El wrapped herself in her long, knitted cardigan. The legion had already established a uniform, but the redhead didn’t even try to obey it. She preferred loose jeans, boots with heels, and a whole bunch of rings, bracelets, and pendants. Arcada gazed at the girl judgmentally.

- I am not sure, that it is suitable clothing in case if you have to fight with those creatures again. – he automatically stroked his mustache.

- Come on! If I die, I want to look gorgeous! – laughed the young woman. – Are you ready?

The old wizard nodded. He was dressed more suitably for the occasion. In his case, loose pants and a blouse were a good decision for a trip to desert lands. Now he only needed to wait for Listra. The young Solisian promised to come right after she would bring her sister to school.

- He has changed a lot… - Arcada said slowly.

- Sure, he did. The last time you saw him was 200 years ago.

- And he has left quite an impression back then. I thought he would never be able to cope with his anger.

- Hmm…I don’t know about his anger, but he has learnt to cope with his pain…More or less.

- Maybe, not everything good is dead in him, after all… – big man said it quietly as if he didn’t want El to hear this phrase.

- I told you. He may be not the kindest man alive, but he is not even half as bad as the council claims. – the redhead smiled.

- I guess, now I can better understand why you protect him…He also cares about you, though.

- As he said, only because teaching me cost him a lot of effort… And because I’ve always believed him.

The redhead looked at herself once again in a mirror and headed to the exit. She was already 5 minutes late for the legion’s meeting and since she wanted to be minimum 15 minutes late, the young woman decided to walk instead of teleporting.

- Be careful there. Don’t let The Prophet’s evil harm you. – El said before leaving the mansion – Return safe and sound, big man. I’ll be waiting for you.

It had been 138 years and 84 days since Arcada had left Terra Solis. He thought it would be much easier to return. Nevertheless, now he suddenly got a stomachache. The old wizard could feel how unpleasant burning anxiety wrapped around his guts. He looked at large portraits on the walls. Most of them were carefully covered with silk veils.

A neatly dressed butler let a young beautiful woman inside. Arcada’s stomachache increased. He finally realized how much he feared returning to his home Terra. He feared that his memories would overwhelm him, opening old, deep wounds.

Few moments later Arcada and Listra were already standing in the busy central street of the capital of Terra Solis. It smelled like exotic spices and delicious local specialties. Loud music, bright clothes, smiling people, and hot sun. The old wizard remembered why he missed this place so much. Arcada’s heart sank with longing for the past.

- Every journey starts with proper knowledge. – Listra stepped forward, trying to figure out where to go.

- You are right. Do you know anybody, who could help us?

- The market square can tell you stories of many lands… - seemed like the young woman had an idea.

The two headed down the street. Arcada attentively examined everything around. This city was so familiar and yet so much had changed since he walked here last time. The old wizard noticed every new building richly decorated with flowers, every new fountain with fresh cold water, every new neatly paved road.

The music was getting louder. The smells were getting more intense. The central square was filled with people. Dozens of colorful stalls were surrounded by crowds of potential buyers, who were desperately trying to bargain with sellers. Tall, long creatures covered with thin beige fur and decorated with flower wreaths were walking around the market square. Some of them were already fully loaded with newly bought goods, another – had just arrived with their owners from desert lands and were carrying stuff for sale.

Listra knew where to go. She ran through the whole market so fast that Arcada had difficulties trying to catch up with her. The woman truly loved Nulla City but still, she missed the lively energy of Grantara. And now for few moments, she was completely overwhelmed with it.

The young foreteller stopped in front of a spacious tent with carpets. Arcada looked inside and instantly felt sick for a second from variegated colors. Listra silently pointed at an old, bearded man sitting in the corner of the tent.

- Do You want to buy something? I have carpets, tapestries, and pillows embroidered by the best craftsmen of desert lands. – said the man shaking his head from side to side.

- Maybe. I see, you had to travel a lot to collect all those wonderful exemplars of weaving. – Arcada replied to the seller.

- Oh yes, my dear guest! I’ve spent my whole life wandering from one oasis city to another.

- Those are priceless experiences. You must know the desert quite well.

- I do. I have to as my humble business depends on the mercy of the sand land.

- Understandable… - Arcada carefully stroked one of the carpets – And have you ever seen The Prophet’s Oasis?

- Ah… The wandering, mysterious oasis…My distinguished guest, there are very few people, who have ever faced it and survived Prophet’s guardians. – the old man narrowed his eyes and gazed at the wizard with suspicion – So do You want to buy something?

- What is your most expensive carpet? – Arcada took out a little bag with golden coins.

- Aaaya! This amazing work of Jurnada’s masters, my precious guest! Intricate muster combined with the finest wool! – the old man smiled broadly.

- Wonderful! And I will take it and a set of Jurnada’s pillows as well…

- My beloved guest!

- If! – the old wizard pronounced strictly.

- If? – repeated the seller.

- If you tell me everything you know about The Prophet’s Oasis?

- Ah, my curious guest! – the man smiled slyly – maybe I know something…But also maybe I don’t. My age is ruthless to my memory… - the man spread his hands.

- I was thinking of taking this silk tapestry from Mardura as well. – the old wizard stroked his mustaches.

- My generous guest! Well, maybe I do know something. I just remembered, an old friend of mine has recently told me, that he…Ugh… Some treasure hunters, he knows, have witnessed anomalies foreshadowing the wandering oasis in the southeast part of Prosbuda Desert, not far from the Runra town.

- You indeed have the best goods here. Give us two capes as well. – Arcada handed the bag with coins to the seller.

Two companions collected all the things big man had to buy and headed towards the exit. Before leaving the market square Arcada bought a big bottle of water and borrowed one of the tall creatures. He believed they were the safest and the fastest mean of transport in deserts.

- Where do you know this man from? – the wizard asked his friends as they left the city gates.

- This man has good friends, those who never return with empty hands. – Listra mysteriously smiled.

- Be careful dealing with people like him. He cares only about his own income.

- You speak of a risk that is secondary now. The nearest future is vague. – the woman’s eyes filled with anxiety.

- I know, The Prophet won’t let us take what we want that easily. Don’t worry; I will deal with it.

The creature glided nimbly between sand dunes and rare stone rocks. The two were already quite far from the city when Arcada suddenly stopped the mighty animal. The man looked around. This place was very familiar to him. Sand had already destroyed all the buildings, but there was still a small oasis covered with bright red flowers. The old wizard felt a sharp pain. This was the worst sort of pain: it was not a physical one; Arcada couldn’t cure it with a spell or a pill. It was heartache.

- Your aunt planted those flowers here ages ago… - he said to Listra.

The young woman lowered her eyes. They stayed for few more seconds in front of the oasis and then the tall creature carried them further to the desert.

A long hot day was slowly coming to its end. Those sunset hours were a short time of relief in the desert. A cold ruthless night was already waiting for its turn. The two travelers stopped their animal and started a little fire. They both wrapped themselves in their capes and put a huge, majestic carpet on the ground. The tall animal curled up on it. Its thin fur was very warm, so Arcada and Listra were safe from night’s frosts near the creature.

- El allows you to see her destiny. Tell me, is it possible that this man will become dangerous for her one day? – the wizard asked the foreteller.

- Your burdens don’t let you see clearly sometimes. Banish your fears and you will know the answer. – Listra looked up in the sky.

Here, at Terra Solis, the night sky never turned completely dark, lit up by two big moons and thousands of shining stars. This was rather unusual after Nulla Meridianus. The two quickly fell asleep listening to the crackling of coals.

Unbearable heat made Arcada wake up long before sunrise. He sat on the ground and looked around. The wizard heard some weird long squeak. Horrible heat instantly turned into thorny frost; the squeaking noise increased. Big man shook Listra’s shoulder.

- The anomaly! – he whispered.

The woman silently nodded and quickly jumped to her feet.

Two travelers packed their things and loaded the tall animal. They carefully moved forward looking around. A huge cloud covered moons and stars, leaving the companions in the darkness. Listra had to cover her ears, as the squeak got way too loud. The creature stopped and refused to move further. Arcada jumped down from its vast back and tried to drag the animal, but it stubbornly remained on the same place. Eventually, the two had to leave the creature behind.

- How do you think, what demonic monsters will The Prophet send to stop us? – Arcada whispered.

- Courage and honesty are the keys to defeating any demons, no matter what form they take. – Listra replied quietly.

Two travelers kept walking through tall sand dunes. Sometimes they had to crawl up on all fours. Their hands and legs were sinking in the sand. Strong wind blows threw them back and raised thick clouds of dust. The squeak was only getting louder and louder, and soon enough complete darkness swallowed the companions up. Arcada tied one end of his long belt around his arm and another one around Listra’s arm. They couldn’t see each other anymore but the belt helped them not to separate. The two didn’t know how long they kept walking like this. It felt like the time stopped and turned into a sticky, suffocating mass that enveloped them.

Bright light from the west made Listra stop. She pulled the belt to attract Arcada’s attention. The old wizard neared to his friend and looked the same direction she did. After a second, they both moved towards the light. As they were coming closer, the two could distinguish tall palms and exotic, colorful flowers. The light was getting brighter and brighter. It was coming from a big fountain right in the center of the oasis. Listra and Arcada carefully stepped on the soft, fresh grass of the oasis and looked around.

- Suspicious. Where are the guardians of The Prophet’s Tears? – big man wondered.

It was quiet and peaceful. Warm wind was slightly swaying the flowers. There was no sign of horrible monsters that were usually protecting The Prophet’s Oasis from rare treasure hunters. Arcada went forward looking around and covering Listra with his massive back. They had almost reached the fountain when the two heard steps behind them.

The old wizard turned his head back and saw a beautiful woman looking kindly at him. She was wearing a long white dress and her thick dark hair was decorated with bright red flowers. As she held out her hand to the wizard, her beautiful brown eyes filled with sadness.

-My love! How long has it been… - she said smiling.

Arcada backed down. A sharp pain shot through his heart once again.

- Did you come to join me and our kids? – asked the woman.

- No. – the old wizard answered dryly.

- Why? Didn’t you miss us?

- You are just a shade of his memories! – Listra stepped forward putting her hand on Arcada’s shoulder.

- Who are you? Your face looks familiar…No, not the face. Your blood. – the woman pointed at the young foreteller.

- Leave! – Listra shouted out.

- Ah, I see. You are a daughter of my younger sister. How is she? Her health was always so weak…

- Go away. You are nothing more than just an illusion! – the old wizard said in a trembling voice.

- Why? I thought you will be happy to see me… Or are you afraid? Afraid of what I could tell you? – the woman frowned.

Suddenly, it became dark again and the air turned thick and heavy. The woman stepped closer to the travelers and looked Arcada in his eyes.

- Do you want me to leave?

- Yes! – he tried to sound unwavering.

- You don’t want to talk to your own wife? – the woman was about to cry.

The old wizard froze. He had no powers to move even with a finger. Pain and sadness paralyzed him. He knew that it was only an illusion in front of him now, but his longing and guilt spoke louder than his mind.

- You must stay strong for those who wait for you! – Listra shook her friend’s hand.

- You mean that small orphan? – the woman laughed – She doesn’t wait for you! You failed her; she is doomed. You couldn’t protect her just like you couldn’t protect us!

- No loving heart is capable of such words, that is why there is nothing true in your being. – the foreteller said angrily.

- I was a loving heart! But he failed me and now I and our children are lying dead in the ground! – the woman raised her voice.

A strong wind blow knocked the two travelers down. Heavy clouds of sand rose into the air and fell with force on them. The woman didn’t look that kind and small anymore. Her face changed. Now it was a face of a corpse. Half rotten, the one that had spent ages in a grave. She waved with her hand and another cloud of sand smashed into two magicians.

- You weren’t here! That is your fault that I am dead now! That is your fault that our youngest daughter was never born! – she furiously shouted out.

- Destiny ended their lives with an accident. You have no responsibility for destiny, but you have it over given promises! - Listra shook Arcada’s shoulder trying to take him out of his daze.

- Give me your life and you will earn my forgiveness! – the woman waved her hand and a wind blow threw the young foreteller some meters away.

- You are just an illusion… - whispered Arcada trying to stand up – If I give up to you, I will indeed fail the one I gave promise to!

- You will never find peace! – screamed the woman.

- Vetus Amicus! – Arcada pronounced and a sharp, long saber appeared in his hand.

The old wizard ran towards the woman. A sandstorm knocked him down again, but he quickly jumped back on his feet. The ground started to shake, and the wind became so strong that it was almost impossible to move. Arcada heard how Listra screamed somewhere behind him. Big man gathered all his last powers, swung his saber, and pierced the woman through. She furiously gazed at him and instantly turned into sand.

The two travelers were sitting on the fresh grass of the oasis. The sun had already risen and was shining brightly. Listra stood up and hurried to her friend. She gave him her hand helping him to get on his feet. Everything was quiet again. The companions could hear only a slight murmur of water in the fountain. Arcada took some small bottles out of his bag, filled them with the water, and sat down on the grass again.

- One is enough for us. You can sell the rest in your shop… - he handed three bottles to the young woman.

- I thank you. – she nodded.

- Do you really think, there was nothing I could do to save them? – he raised his eyes full of sadness to the girl.

- The Destiny didn’t leave you such chance… - she sat down near him.

The tall animal was slowly nearing the oasis. Now, when the darkness was gone, it returned to bring its masters back to the city.