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RIKO BARRETT

Sixteen days until the rings dissolve.

After being taken to the village hall for a quick interrogation with the village chief, our company was allowed to seek refuge in Clint's village.

For today, we got to rest.

We were originally going to have a meeting tonight to discuss the remainder of our journey and leave at first light the next day. Luckily, we were warned by the chief about a phenomenon called Terra Kha'Sim—an annual sandstorm that lasted up to three days. When this happened, the sandstorm ravaged the entirety of the Great Sand Sea, making it impossible to navigate as all bearings would be lost. It was difficult at times to tell the time of day. Travellers who thought the sun was still out would be swallowed up by the sandworms.

To the towns of Roa and Orisa, Terra Kha'Sim was impossible to predict until hours before it happened. But not to Clint's village. They had lived in the heart of this desert labyrinth for so long that it'd be irresponsible if they never noticed the signs for the annual dry storm.

Firstly, the next Terra Kha'Sim could be determined by looking at the previous one. If last year's sandstorm was rather weak, the following year's would show up earlier. If it was strong, then the next would happen much deeper into the year.

Secondly, sightings of creatures and monsters would increase. They were able to sense the incoming sandstorm and would travel to safety, often running into others and ending with one or both sides dead.

So that's why the Nagas were just there. They were in the middle of migrating and were using some sort of mist spell to hide their presence.

Thirdly, the desert's mana would start to feel different. The Great Sand Sea gave off a distinct aura and it changing meant that the labyrinth was gathering mana for something. Ilias and Joji would've noticed this change but seeing as they were unfamiliar with the desert to begin with, they must've chalked this change in aura as something normal.

We were trying to get out of the desert as fast as possible so it was tough luck that we were stuck in this village. Actually, if we were caught out there during Terra Kha'Sim then we never would've stood a chance. So we were lucky to make it here before it showed up.

Of course, Jaime was the only one who attempted to protest the decision to wait out the storm. But deep down, she knew staying was the best move. She didn't bother to argue back when Ilias began listing off the benefits of staying here.

It was predicted that Terra Kha'Sim wouldn't be happening until midday tomorrow. The meeting regarding our next steps was then scheduled for the morning which gave us the rest of today off.

We can finally catch our breath.

Our company was split into two, with half of us taking refuge within the village hall and the other in an almost complete house the villagers were building—a quarter of the roof was still incomplete, but it wasn't anything we couldn't live through.

Uncle Salty was thrown into the village jail. Coleman Trebor himself made sure that the openings to his cell were covered with cloth.

Clint was gone for most of the day, returning at sunset to invite our core group for dinner. He also invited Ilias and Jaime to stay at his place in Odetta's room.

The five of us arrived at the Kino residence to a buffet on the dining room table. The last time I remember having a feast like this was when my old party finished an A-tier quest from the Guild. It was our most successful payout and we celebrated by splurging food.

I wasn't expecting anything like this until I got back home. Especially while traversing through the Great Sand Sea. So these homemade meals were more than a welcome surprise.

The feast featured the village's local dishes, making use of every part of the animals they hunted and the produce they grew. I heard ingredients grown in labyrinths tasted better on a different level due to the mana they absorbed. Even though some of the dishes were common meals in other places, what they were made with brought out subtle flavours your tongue didn't know existed.

During the dinner, Clint's parents listened to our stories and our motives for challenging the desert. His mother comforted us when we were struggling to get words out. Throughout all of this, Clint's brother stuck close and played with Jaime.

Not long after we finished our first round of meals, Clint's parents asked Ilias questions about their daughter. He had no answers to most of them, but they were happy with the few he did have.

With Jaime taking care of Rooster, I made my way to the backyard where Joji and Trebor were sharing drinks. They were already deep in a deep conversation so I stayed hidden and listened.

"Your ability," Trebor said. "Glimpse Of Us, was it called? Was it your idea or was it your wife's?"

"It was Melissa's. Before she took the exam, I wanted to hire a jynx tutor to hone her skills. While I was finding one, she made a list of alchemy abilities she wanted to develop. This one was at the top but with a different name."

"How was the tutor?"

"Don't know. Melissa died before I could hire one."

"I see." Trebor swirled his glass, staring at his drink's mini whirlpool to let the silence linger. After a few moments, he took a sip. "How long did it take you to become a State Jynxist in Melissa's stead?"

"Around twenty years."

"Was it worth it?"

"For me? No. I never wanted to become a State Jynxist. I only have four gates after all. But I didn't do this for me. It was for Melissa. So the Van in my name and the watch in my pocket are worth my life. They're my treasures."

"It must be nice, huh?"

"Quite the opposite. It hurts knowing she'll never achieve her dreams."

"But at least you achieved it for her. You've got that silver lining."

Joji noticed that Trebor was trembling. "Your wife's name was Sherrie, right? How long ago did she die?"

"About five years ago."

"Are you serious about achieving her dream?"

Trebor chuckled. "It took you twenty years to become a State Jynxist. It shouldn't take that long to find lost treasure. Besides, that horse-man gave me a lead."

For a few seconds, Joji was left speechless by Trebor's enthusiasm. "You have to watch yourself, Trebor. It's admirable that you're trying to do something for Sherrie. But if that's what you dedicate yourself to, you'll be lost. What'll happen if someone finds that treasure before you or if it's already been discovered years ago or if it's proven to be nothing but a legend? What if that dedication leads to nowhere?"

The archaeologist didn't answer.

"It's not healthy—"

"I don't know what'll happen. I've considered those possibilities but never took them seriously. At the back of my mind, I would find that treasure. I've locked away every other outcome. So if I'm not able to achieve her dream then... everything will be meaningless."

Joji put a hand on his shoulder. "It won't."

Trebor slapped it away. "Of course you're trying to say that. You actually got to fulfil Melissa's dream. And when you reunite, she'll be so proud of you. When we reunite, I want Sherrie to look at me like that too. But if I can't even achieve her dream, how can I face her knowing I failed?"

"I was lost like you too. Heart aching so hard at what's missing that the only way to fill it is to bet everything on a gamble. I got lucky. That's it. I know what it's like thinking that if you can just fulfil your wife's only desire, then she can rest in peace. That you're responsible to make that dream come true or suffer the consequence of facing her disappointment." Joji paused. "But you're not responsible and you never were. Just know that this isn't just it in life. And if Sherrie truly loved you then she would never have burdened you by making you cling to the past."

It didn't even sound like Joji was talking to Trebor anymore. It sounded like he was talking to a younger, more foolish version of himself.

"You're right," Trebor said, wiping his dry tears. "Maybe I've known that deep in my heart but I never let myself think it was true. But still, I lied about everything. We were fifty when we left Orisa and look at us now."

"It's not your fault. We would've been in the same predicament whether or not you joined."

"But still, I deceived all of you. And I gave you the worst thing of all—false hope."

"All of us decided to cross this wasteland together. We all had our reasons and knew what sacrifices might be made. It hurts, but you have to let go. Of all the guilt and the future you looked forward to. It's gone and the best thing to do is move forward on a different path. Sometimes, holding on can do more harm than letting go."

"How hard was it for you to let go?"

"It wasn't easy. Don't forget about the past and cherish those memories forever. Those moments you shared with Sherrie will be your heaven. But you'll have to move forward one way or another. You can't stay still or else you'll just sink. Change is scary and it's depressing saying goodbye. But sometimes, we just have to accept that things are just... they are. And it's not your fault."

"Maybe it is time to stop. It's just... I feel like if I did find this lost treasure, I will get to be with Sherrie one last time."

"At the end of the day, you get to choose your path. I'm not forcing you to. I'm just an old man speaking on his regrets. If I can help, I don't want anyone to make the same mistakes I have." Joji put a hand on Trebor's shoulder. "I'm going to leave you alone for a bit."

"Yeah." Trebor hugged himself. "Thanks for this."

Trebor stared into the sunset, his mind lost in thought. He may be here in the present, but he never really left Sherrie's side.