preparations

The scorching sun bore down mercilessly on the small group as they arranged themselves around a massive circle, carefully drawing intricate arrays over the cracked and sunbaked earth.

The smell of dust and heat mingled with the faint tang of ink as the markings came to life under their practiced hands.

A young man with curly black hair wiped the sweat from his brow and removed the goggles from his tired eyes.

His face was flushed from the unrelenting heat, but determination kept him going.

"That should do it," he said, stepping back to survey their work.

"All that's left now is a powerful source of energy, and we're good to go." He exhaled deeply, his voice tinged with both relief and apprehension.

"Is that so?" a voice came from behind, accompanied by a firm pat on his shoulder.