Exploring The Desert

Doan, Art and 3 were currently walking around the dark muddy blue waters. They were currently headed for the desert which Art had discovered while swimming with his pet Girby. Technically 3 had discovered it and Art had been too busy swimming, but 3 couldn't speak leaving all the credit to Art. Doan was currently ahead of the duo. He turned around and noticed Art stopping at another tree to gather a few more fruit clusters. After he did that he pressed the button on his dispenser and threw the pink pebble at 3 who accepted graciously.

To get to the desert, they would have to go around the lake and enter the darker part of the Uncharted Lands. This is where the Black Licorice Basilisks resided. It was also where Art was chased from. Fortunately for them, they were closer to the edge of the dark forest than the creatures' habitat, so they didn't have to worry.

As the trees around them darkened, and the light started dimming away. The trees slowly hid the dark blue lake, as they stepped into a dirt path. The dirt was rough and littered with small sharp rocks. Dark blue and purple trees surrounded them from both sides. The full moon was out glistening upon the foliage, casting an indigo light under the canopy. There was no sign of water near, simply wicked chirps in the darkness that made Art and 3 jump into each others' arms.

"Hey Doan, this place is really scary and strange." Art pointed out.

"Bare with it a little longer lad, we aren't even near the desert yet." Doan replied with a chuckle, swatting away a flying pest.

Art mumbled a few incoherent words but nonetheless, the trio proceeded forwards. They curved to the right, where the path smoothened slightly and the jagged rocks lessened. Art threw pink candy balls at 3 every once in a while in various numbers or groupings. Doan looked around, unable to see anything in particular. All that he could see was a dark navy path that led them further into the unexplored side of Sweeten.

He paid no mind to the sudden low pitched chirps that echoed throughout the forest every once in a while. After a long time of walking, the path curved to the right and the dirt path roughened once more. The temperature dropped slightly and the trees slowly spread, clearing the view around them. The path around them changed to a vast undulating sea of sand that had a light purple color due to the moon's reflection. They had finally arrived to the desert.

3 and Art looked at each other excitedly, after consuming many candy balls, and walking through a dark empty dirt path, the desert seemed like paradise. Doan stepped forward into the desert, a cold gust of wind blowing in their direction. 3 had no issue walking through the sand. Whereas, Art was struggling slightly as his feet sunk every step he took. They descended down a trench of thick hard sand, watching their steps carefully.

The night was infested by small buzzing sounds all around the desert area. Art peered in front of Doan and over his shoulder once they reached the top. A singular pronged plant could be seen in the distance. As they reached the plant Art extended his arm forward and touched the plant, pulling his hand back immediately, feeling a sharp pain.

"Hey, what was that?" 

3 tilted its small head to the side, curious of what his blue-haired friend had discovered. Then it hopped on Art's shoulder, quickly hopping on top of the pronged stick-like plant. It stuck its tongue out at Art and jumped in place. Doan caught up to the two and continued leading the way.

3 jumped on Art's head as the boy ran slightly to the catch up to his older companion.

They passed a few more of the stick-like plants along the way, however there was not much life besides the plants. The red purple sand was desolate and empty.

After what seemed like an eternity of walking to Art, he saw a few small huts in the distance with a broken fence bordering it. He was relieved because his feet were starting to feel heavier. As they approached the huts, the two humans and Girby noticed there was light coming through the empty window frames.

They passed the fence and knocked in the door of one of the small huts. A crackling sound of fire and metal screeching quietly against metal could be heard from their right. Doan noticed there were two men sitting by the fire, while one had a blade, the other had a pair of daggers. The man with the blade was sharpening another weapon, much bigger than the one he was using to sharpen with.

As Doan, Art, and 3 approached the two men, the one who had been sharpening his blade came to a halt. He stood up and closed the distance between them, a confident gait to his step.

"You guys must be the survivors of Sweeten." The man said as his lips curled up into a smirk.