《Tank》Chapter Four- City of Sand
Advertisement
Hot breeze pierce her vision. The ground underneath her was like a hot stove. Sunlight bore unmercifully with killing intent. The minuscule oasis was the the only relief. It was filled with short shrubs, bristle grass and lengthy palm tree that provide bare some fruits.
She made her way to the pool of lucent water. When splashes of water hit her face a cooling sensation overtook her. The relief also cleared her mind. At least prevented her from exploding.
"Where are we?" Was the only question she managed to squeak out from her unstable state.
"Aledah City."
City?
Waving her head to the side she was faced with a floating trees. Intensely, she looked again and found the same thing.
"Your eyes don't deceive you." She felt his cool shadow.
Fully she couldn't accept the fact of the matter as she stood up, never once taking her eyes off it? It didn't look like a city but a giant garden in a wasteland. She force her eyes away to pursue more pressing matters,
"Where is the train? I need to go back." Facing him she could see he was considerably taller than her.
His skin was fair as the sands blown in the dessert and his face was hard yet youthful. A face made full of mischief. Each flex of his facial muscles would leave a dent on the left side of his cheek.
"If you want to return it best be you forget it. Even if you did, how will you run it back home?"
His eyes gave away much what she subconsciously know. It would be better if she didn't get involve with whatever this is.
"They were after you. I was just bait." She figured as much. Nothing in the situation made sense.
Up till now the source of her misgivings was when she decided to go back to that house, except, she didn't. Or did she?
Pain scrunched her brows and throbbing assaulted her head with that thought.
"Who are you really." It was the same guy.
All the events previously came back. It wasn't a dream.
Heat seeped through her soul. The same heat could still be felt.
"Even back then, it was you they were searching for."
Speechlessness befell the other.
Taking his silence as a yes, she could piece together what was going on. Clearly, he did something unmentionable and now she was in the middle of it all.
"Is there a place I can go?" To get out of the heat was a given. Staying hidden and out of sight was primary.
"The city can hide you for a few days. However, the best place would be to go to Sahra. I have a friend at the port that can take you there."
Advertisement
He started to unravel his scarf, revealing cascading shaggy flaxen hair.
"Here. To hide your face. You won't need your coat. Sell it."
Although startled by gesture she didn't stop him when he tied the wrap around her. Tucking in any loose strands of hair.
"Use this to gain access into the city. I am well known so they will help you."
He showed her one of the clear blue rhombus clips. With a flick of the wrist it turned into a small blade then back to normal. It was attached to the side of her head.
"Do not draw attention to yourself. Blend in." Firm hands grab her shoulder and stern eyes met hers.
"What will you be doing?" Somehow she felt like she already knew the answer to that.
Not a word was said from the man. She respected his silence. It kept her ignorant, which in some cases the best. Her eyes rested on the floating city to her right. It didn't look far but she couldn't tell.
"How long would it take to-" No one was beside. The sandy wind grated her face as she set her eyes far. It was time to go.
Each step felt like a battle. In front of her a haven that could never be reach. Sweat fell like a waterfall. Her breath hitch from the humidity and her throat grown dry.
Am I being prank?
She could only wish it was the most likely answer.
Is this a show set?
Numerous possibilities for the circumstances tugged her brain left and right. The only logical one was that it was all on film.
Assuming if that the, this is a very big set then.
Looking side to side she tried to spot a camera. Grains of sand was all she found. Either they were really good or she is being led to her own doom. Could she really trust anything that had happen in the past day? Even the guy from before, he could have been apart of it all along. Yes, all part of the world's most elaborate prank.
In her mind she commended them for how real everything felt but she really wanted it to be over.
Her eyes reconnected to the floating prize ahead, then to the vast dunes that was swirled around her.
There was nothing around for miles except for the never-reaching-city.
It was the only place to go.
Maybe the camera crew will jump out and surprise her once in the city.
Setting her mind on the task ahead she puddle through the desert for hours. At times she would collapse to the unforgiving ways of barren land. Yet, the touch of the searing terrain provided motivation to get go on. She didn't want die here.
Advertisement
The sun hung high in the sky before the shadows of the city caress her, pulling her out of a trance. It stood there, unimaginable to her. Its structure grand and ostentatious.
A gate seemed to encircle everything. Large camels horned that carried small tent clatter the gate of the city. The building was like a large multi-tier cake. Palm trees and many plants embellish the tall architecture with each level. Arcs, domes embroidered in all sorts of geometric shapes distinguished the buildings.
What?
The conclusion she extracted only made things worse. Had she had been trafficked to the other side of the world? Where else had she seen something so, something so...familiar. While quietly overthinking it didn't occur to her that crowd had form and she had been pushed in line for entry. By the time her thinking had fade a new one emerged.
Peering in front of her she noticed many giving objects to me in long-wind cloth and leather armor. In one hand they behold a shield and a spear. They stood at both side of the threshold. White turbans shaded their burnt sienna skin from the rays of light.
With each passing moment more and more people gave away heaps of priceless artifacts. It was getting closer and closer to her turn and she never had anything of great value. The sun was raining down on her didn't help with the hotness she was feeling in her coat. It was high time for her to take it off.
All she could do was hold it in her arms while her appointed time grew hair length.
Cold eyes and a stoic voice greeted her at the gate. They wanted to see what she was offering. The same could be said for herself. Shakily she stretched out the hand with the coat.
The taller gatekeeper grabs it and sniff it. He looks to the other for confirmation. They both continue to scrutinize the the article of clothing.
Sweat drip down her neck and all she could hear was her own breathing.
"كما"
Finally, the squeaking of heavy doors alerted her nerves that she had made it. Barely.
In no time at all she gave a small bow of thanks as she made her way into the inner city.
A few meters from the entrance bustling city life invaded her ear drums. All around her people went about their business. Music reverberated in the streets, laughter of children jingled in with the market. Groups of friends chatter joyously and the mothers could be seen dragging their little ones along . Holding them tightly as they would wandered around if she budge an inch. Shouts could be hear all around as merchants tried to sell their goods.
Everywhere she look was alive. It taunted her with aromatic perfumes, savory smell of food and rhythmic music. Beating of drums and clanging of bells was dribble in the noise of the people. As she made her way down flickers of stares caught her. They quickly dial down as the people excepted her as another foreigner.
Another thing she noticed about the place was its abundance of wealth. Necklaces of light, potteries of gold, rugs, fine fabric, gorgeous artwork was strewn everywhere. Not too far ahead two men could be seen arguing about a novel pot laced with rubies containing a set of curved golden handles. The buildings were magnificent. Each gleaming with bold colors and patterns. Beautiful mosaic lanterns of various shapes hanged around the whole place and they seem to glisten. The same could be seen with the marble and quartz pavement.
The grandness of it all made her feel small. Not just the framework but also but the general public. They were all on average much bigger than her, including the women and children. Her height was 5'6, it was wasn't much but compare to the people here she was a midget.
They looked incredibly healthy. Their faces were glowing and buoyant. She spied the richness in their attire. Robes of luster plaited with exquisite designs. Women fashion with manifold ornaments styled intricately. The men were less alluring but radiated vigorous and emanated strength.
Passing through the crowds she tried to stay in the shadows. The cultural shock was huge. She had never traveled anywhere so...so different. Accumulated stress from the day began to take its toll on her. Sensations from the bustling plaza hit her senses and made her a bit woozy. It felt like a beehive with the populace as the worker bees. Individual noise and movement like the buzzing of wings that further the heat. Her eyes couldn't pick up.
A loud trump stopped the very molecular fabrication of shopping center. It froze everyone on the spot and immediately fell to their knees headfirst. After a few seconds she regain her composure and almost lost it to the sight around her. Realizing the predicament she tried to correct herself.
"اللخم" Chorus of the people erupted.
It made her jump slightly but that was just enough for her to trip over her own feet and bumped into something hard.
Damn.
Sharp pain struck her forehead. Drawing her vision up, it came to the face of a gelid guard. In spite of his youthful face, years of sadness was etched upon it. Amber eyes shot her a daring look.
Advertisement
- In Serial12 Chapters
My Sister The Villainess
Tell me, what does one do when they discover they were reincarnated into an Otome game as the villainess' playboy older brother? Of course I had always been aware of my situation as a reincarnated person, but it was only when my sister's engagement to the Crown Prince was announced that I finally encountered a piece of my first life after all these years. I thought, "Hey, this is exactly the same situation as that Otome game I was playing that day!" But wait. My sister becomes the evil, hated villainess whose fate doesn't ends well at all, you say? As if I'd allow that! The protagonist wants to steal your man and ruin you? Too arrogant! This daddy(brother) will mess her up good! I'll completely crush all the people that want to harm my precious, adorable little sister! Just fall in love with the Crown Prince and achieve your happiness, my sweet sister! This is such a story. ...Except my sister seems to be a blooming bro-con? And the heroine keeps looking at me funny... ********* If you guys like my story and want me to continue writing for a long, long time then feel free to donate, like, a dollar and help support my soda addiction. Or maybe I should stick with Agua de Sandia drinks. Y'all ever have one of those before? Basically watermelon juice with ice, sugar, and sometimes other flavorings. Fucking. Amazing. You should try it. Report back.
8 95 - In Serial21 Chapters
An Awful Story
An Awful Story makes use of polls and reader comments to decide the direction of the story. You awake in an unfamiliar tent. You have been called here, but by who and for what? Violence flares all around you, but are you an instrument of (peace) or (war)? An Awful Story currently receives a new chapter once a day to allow for readers to participate in polls and discussion.
8 358 - In Serial31 Chapters
Emerald Forest
A nymph out to save the world from her kind and a mortal conquering her heart. Kiri’s a young dryad sent on a dangerous quest to explore a series of irregular portal openings and earn her place as a Warden, a protector of worlds. A fresh trail leads her to a planet long since abandoned by the dryads and a human soldier putting more than her mission at risk. Johann’s had his fair share of war, only for life to take on a whole new dimension when a group of mystical nymphs appear on the battlefield. His only hope in escaping the Emerald Forest and returning home lies with the stunning Kiri. She’s keeping him at bay for now, but he’s sure he can break the ice between them in time to defeat the new enemy. A part of Kiri regrets saving Johann from the clutches of evil nymphs. Not only is he loud and shows a complete lack of respect for the environment, a complete no-go by her books, but he’s also dangerously attractive for a human. Kiri’s heard plenty of stories about falling in love with mortals to know she shouldn’t.
8 136 - In Serial22 Chapters
forever | sugawara x reader
sugawara was content playing volleyball and grabbing meat buns with his friends before he met (y/n). sugawara didn't even think about how he'd never had his first kiss, or been on a date, or fallen in love before he met (y/n). sugawara never even considered what forever meant before he met (y/n).-TRIGGER WARNING FORphysical and emotional domestic abusealcohol usecheatingsexual situations-cover art belongs to the original artist. i only own the story, not the characters.-sequel is ongoinghttp://my.w.tt/UiNb/iZ0iZ8O95C
8 144 - In Serial72 Chapters
Summoned Hero
This is your typical summoned hero type of novel But not your usual hero summoned at the human king side. This time, the demon king decided to summon a hero. If mere human can do it, why the demon king can't? What kind of hero will be summoned for the demon king?-------------WARNING-------------This series contains ero-scene and the main theme is comedy... 18++ PG rated (parent guidance advised but seriously don't let your parents know you read this lol)Ps:those who dropped the series because of short early chapter, it has been made longer.. For those who dropped the series because you can't handle the ecchi-ness, I feel sorry for you..Cover art was a work of: Xyee.deviantart.comIf you would like to help you can do it by reading this thread:http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=13939
8 202 - In Serial28 Chapters
Prince of the Underworld
I am Haden Deimos, Son of Hades. I'm the Prince of the Underworld. I'm a VK. The kid of a villain...obviously. I used to be the most feared kid on the Isle. Having Hades as a father gives you reason to be. Now...I live on Auradon...since Mal's mother, Maleficent was turned into a lizard. And my father was sent back to the Isle after he escaped when the barrier wavered. After having a brief fight with the God of the Underworld...Zeus sent him back to the Isle. The Cotillion is coming up and the 'good' life just got more stressful trying to be one of the good kids. After Descendants 1. Takes place during Descendants 2 and Descendants 3.I do not own Descendants or the characters...that is property of Kenny Ortega, Disney, and the creator of the series De La Cruz. I do, however, own Haden Deimos; his character and his storyline. Along with any original characters that I introduce in the story.Do not steal my story.© CORPSE_IS_GODAll Rights Reserved.Any songs used in this story go to either Disney's Descendants or to the rightful owners of the song.
8 192