A New Deal?

Back in their car, Kassius, Arnold and Ulqora along with Bonnie and their prisoner Valeria continue driving on the road.

Kassius: "Is that it?"

Arnold: "It should be. We've made it to the border."

Ahead of them, is a car passageway filled with security all around. Stretching passed it on the sides are wired fences that go on for a while on each side.

Arnold: "Bonnie, do you have identification on you?"

Bonnie: "I do."

Arnold: "Alright, hide Ulqora and Valeria."

Valeria: "I'm not hiding."

Kassius: "Wh-"

Bonnie: "Kas. Don't worry. I have a solution."

As they arrive at the passageway, officers pull in front of them. Arnold slows down the car and rolls down his window.

Border officer 1: "Mhm, I see about three. Identification please."

They pass their ID's to Arnold and he hands them to the officer.

Border officer 1: "OK, John Stone, Alexa Smith, and... Cassius Moore?"

Everyone's eyes open in shock.

Border officer 1: "I swear that name sounds familiar. Wasn't he that kid that kidnapped the president's daughter?"

Kassius: "Yeah. I saw the news too. His is spelt with a K though. Mine starts with a C. I can see where the misunderstanding comes from. I don't want my name to waste your time. You deal with these sort of problems a lot, right? Hehe."

Border officer 1: "Well. I don't mean to brag but if you've worked as long as I have in this line of work, you see a lot of things the regular person does. Some might say I'm the Draghob of nations."

Kassius: "The what?"

Border officer 1: "You know, Draghob. The gatekeeper of Limthen... from Limthen Adventures?"

Kassius: "..."

Border officer 1: "Guess I'm one of the old guys now hahaha! Anyways, all your identification is verified, however we need to search through the trunk. Incase you're smuggling the, well... you know. Pop the trunk for us, will ya?"

Arnold opens the trunk and they bring dogs to the back. They sniff through the trunk. The dogs find nothing and are taken out. The officer walks around, trying to look through the windows.

Border officer 1: "Alright. Everything is clear. Can you head forward for me and the gate will be opened so you can pass. As for you, consider a name change or extra identification. Who knows what that Kassius kid might do next. Stay safe and enjoy your journey guys."

Kassius: "Thanks."

Arnold drives forward and the gate is opened. He drives out and goes down the road. After going fairly far from the border, he starts picking up some speed.

Arnold: "We're clear."

Ulqora gets up from crouching behind the seats. Meanwhile Bonnie lifts Valeria off the ground where she was crouching.

Kassius: "Was that actually tne best you came up with?"

Bonnie: "Hey now, at least we got passed those security guys back there. Besides, I didn't kill her. She's just unconscious. Let's talk about you, Mr. Cassius Moore. What even crawled in your brain to use your criminal name as your identification name?"

Kassius: "I don't know, I couldn't think of a cool name. I just wrote what came to my head. We got away so it doesn't even matter right?!"

Bonnie: "I guess, but it's still risky. Change it later "

Kassius: "Fine, fine."

The sun starts rising.

Kassius: "Finally, it's morning."

Arnold: "We still have a journey ahead of us."

They continue driving down the road. They stop at a gas stop for petrol and snacks and take a quick nap. After that, they continue down the road, until they reach a part of the road that splits up in two opposite directions. Arnold turns on the left road and continues going forward.

Kassius: "Whoa. There's so much sand."

After a long while of driving, the road stops. They all get out the car and look ahead.

Kassius: "I guess we walk from here."

Arnold: "OK let's get our stuff."

They get all their stuff from the car. Arnold pulls out the map and then looks around.

Arnold: "It should be this way."

Bonnie: "Alright. Let's just go forward and see what we find."

Kassius pulls out Valeria from the car and dowses her in water, which wakes her up in shock, panting heavily.

Kassius: "Yo. We're walking."

Valeria: "What the hell is wrong with you?! Do that again and I'll-"

Kassius: " 'I'll kill you' Yeah, yeah."

They start walking through some sand but then cross over into savana lands not long after. They continue walking through the barren land for a long while until it starts getting dark.

Kassius: "Can you guys see that? All the way on the right."

Bonnie: "Yeah, it looks like a small town. Maybe that's where you guys want to go."

Kassius: "I don't know. Something doesn't feel right about that place."

Arnold: "The doctor in Ritetown said it was a coast village. Either way, it's a bit too dangerous to travel through the night."

Kassius: "That's true. Let's just start a fire and wait out the night."

They collect wood and pile it together. Kassius starts a fire with the wood and two stones he picks off the ground. All of them sit around the fire, under an Acacia tree. They bring out the food and all start eating.

Ulqora: "W-would you like some food?"

Valeria: "I don't want any kid."

Ulqora: "It's very ni-"

Valeria: "Can't you hear?! I don't want any!"

Her stomach starts rumbling.

Valeria: "...Fine."

Ulqora feeds her some food. After the eating, later that night, they all fall asleep. Kassius, as he struggles to sleep, opens his eyes and sits up. He notices Valeria still awake.

Valeria: "Why?"

Kassius: "Hmm?"

Valeria: "My boss... he's not some regular criminal. Not even close to the riff raff you've seen. All these people around you are in danger now just because you wanted to play tough. Why didn't you just accept the deal back at the museum? What good did it do you saving that girl? We could've both walked away with riches."

Kassius lies down and looks at the stars in the sky.

Kassius: "I guess... it's because I'm not interested in money."

Valeria: "Hmm? What kind of person isn't interested in money?"

Kassius: "Shh. Did you hear that?"

Valeria: "..."

Kassius: "We're being watched. Ar-"

Something explodes right next to them and smoke covers the area. Valeria passes out.

Kassius: "Wh... who..."

Kassius passes out as well.

Elsewhere in the nation, in a random location of Thari, Ayana arrives at the base of the black sand bandits. She walks through the base. Bandits all around stare as she walks through, cold eyes piercing through her unfazed march. She goes towards a huge open tent and sees a group around drinking and eating. She sees the boss up ahead and continues marching up to him but she's stopped by a bandit. This man is around seven feet, tanned skin, and black hair with a buzz cut. His eyes are covered by sunglasses and he wears the same outfit as every other bandit, brown sandals, long white trousers, long sleeve white shirt with a purple scarf wrapped around the upper body diagonally.

Ayana: "I have business with the boss. Move aside Henzo."

Henzo: "The boss is busy right now."

Ayana: "You think I'm going to waste his time? Move aside!"

Henzo: "And what are you going to do if I don't?"

Boss: "Enough! Henzo, let her through."

Henzo: "As you wish, Sir."

Ayana shoves passed him and walks into the tent. She sees the boss, seated on a sofa eating food.

Boss: "Ayana. How have you been?"

Ayana: "I have the Queen's diamond."

Boss: "Mmm. With Valeria, you know... I can never know what may happen. But you... you, are indeed one of the best I have."

She pulls out the diamond. As he reaches for it, she pulls it back a little.

Ayana: "Don't forget. This isn't a gift. Now keep your end of the deal."

Boss: "Now, now. No need to be so uptight. I'm a man of my word. Relax, enjoy yourself. You've more than earned it."

He gets up and stands right in front of her. He is 6"2, tanned skin, grey hair and brown eyes. He dawns the same outfit as all the bandits as well; brown sandals, long white trousers, long sleeve white shirt with a black scarf wrapped around the upper body diagonally. The boss puts his hand out and Ayana is hesitant at first. But she puts it in his hand and he takes a good look at it.

Boss: "Very, very nice. Alright, bring in one of the three prisoners."

Two bandits bring in one of the prisoners, both hands tied.

Boss: "See? Now, how long has it been? The deal back then was, if you did my bidding for two years, I would free your friends. Today, is that day."

Her hands are untied.

Bandits: "The sun shall be out guiding light. Our death shall free us of our suffering. May the black sand rid you of all sin."

Ayana: "Wha-"

Boss: "Majaanan Ruh!"

In an instant, the boss grabs her head and snaps her neck. She falls to the ground right in front of Ayana. Ayana, speechless, falls to her knees. Tears start flooding her eyes.

Boss: "Alright. Bring in the next one."

Ayana: "W...why?! Why..."

Boss: "Ayana, I am freeing them, just like you asked of me. Is this not what you wanted?"

The bandit brings in the next prisoner.

Clyde: "Jen! What did you do?!"

He tries running at the boss but the bandits hold him back.

Boss: "Untie him."

The bandits untie him and he goes straight for the boss. He throws a heavy swing but then looks up and sees nothing there. He looks to his side and sees the boss just shaking his head.

Boss: "So much anger."

Clyde: "Bastard!"

He tries swinging again but the boss hits him straight in the chin, and he falls to his knees. The boss walks up to him and places his hands around his head.

Boss: "The sun shall be our guiding light."

Ayana: "Stop..."

Boss: "Our death shall free us of our suffering."

Ayana: "Please, stop..."

Boss: "May the black sand rid you of all sin."

Clyde: "I'm sorry, Ayana..."