Dragon Attack

The next morning came with a subdued silence. The sun rose slowly, casting its golden light over the endless expanse of desert, but it did little to warm the spirits of the remaining students. Their numbers were fewer than usual.

Elyonari stood at the forefront, holding the Reliable Compass tightly in her hand. She received it the second she got to the Epoch Cycle and it was the only thing guiding them out of the desert.

And also, into the sandstorm.

The artifact's green needle spun for a moment before settling, pointing resolutely southeast. Around her, the others followed suit, gathering what little supplies they had salvaged and preparing themselves for another grueling day.

Adelasta was at her side, silent as usual.

The desert stretched endlessly ahead, the dunes shimmering under the early morning light. The group began their journey at a brisk pace, their legs moving instinctively.

They knew the scorching heat would soon make the trek unbearable, and they needed to cover as much ground as possible before the sun was above them.

The reduced numbers made their pace faster. With only 133 students left, they moved more efficiently, their formation tighter.

The mages, particularly those who specialized in water and wind magic, worked tirelessly to cool the air around them, creating a barrier of refreshingly chilled air that allowed the group to maintain their speed despite the rising temperatures.

The group ran across the dunes. The desert sand shifted beneath their feet but they adapted quickly. It wasn't long before their initial exhaustion gave way to a rhythm.

Their bodies moved like machines, muscles contracting and relaxing in perfect synchrony. The speed was incredible, leaving sand trails behind them.

The desert, however, was not kind to its travelers. The first obstacle appeared just after midday; a stretch of sinking sands that acted like a natural trap.

The Reliable Compass warned Elyonari of the danger before they walked into it, the needle trembling as if agitated. She raised her hand, signaling the group to halt.

"Quicksand," she announced.

The group groaned collectively but Elyonari's sharp gaze silenced any complaints. She directed the mages to create a temporary bridge of hardened frost and compacted sand, allowing the group to cross safely. It took precious time, but they made it across without casualties, though the effort left the mages visibly drained.

As the sun climbed higher, the heat became oppressive despite the magical cooling. The sands seemed to shimmer with an almost predatory heat and some students faltered. Elyonari pushed them forward as she encouraged and berated them in equal measure.

Later, they encountered a swarm of desert Krepsunas. They were massive, beetle-like creatures with razor-sharp mandibles erupted from the sands, their carapaces shimmering like molten gold under the sun.

The students banded together, weapons and magic cutting through the swarm honed by desperation. The fight was brief but intense, leaving the group shaken and bloodied, though no one was lost.

By late afternoon, the oppressive heat began to wane as the sun dipped closer to the horizon. The group, though battered and exhausted, pushed forward with renewed vigor. Elyonari consulted the Reliable Compass frequently, notifying them of any dangers.

When the sun finally set, the desert cooled rapidly, frost beginning to form on the sands as the temperature plummeted. The mages shifted their efforts, now working to warm the group as they continued their relentless pace.

It was just before midnight when they crested the final dune. Elyonari, leading the charge, stopped abruptly at the top, her breath hitching as she took in the sight before her. The others stumbled to a halt behind her, their eyes widening in awe.

Below them lay a sprawling city, its lights glittering like a sea of stars against the darkness of the desert night.

The city was massive, its architecture a blend of ancient stonework and modern design, their surfaces reflecting the light of the three full moons above.

At the city's edge was the shoreline, the waves shimmering under the moonlight as they lapped against the sand.

Elyonari's grip on the Reliable Compass tightened as she turned to face the group.

"We've reached the end of the desert," she announced despite the weariness in her eyes. "The City by the Beach. Our side quest was to escape the desert and make it here... and we've done it."

A wave of relief washed over the group, some students dropping to their knees in exhaustion. Elyonari's lips twitched into a faint smile as she added;

"We'll take it easy for now. Rest, recover, and prepare for whatever comes next."

As the group began their descent toward the city, Elyonari's gaze lingered on the shimmering lights below. Something about the city felt... off.

Her instincts, honed by the hardships of the desert and the horrors she had faced, prickled with unease.

Adelasta walked alongside her, silent as always, but Elyonari noticed the faint furrow in her brow.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Elyonari asked quietly.

Adelasta nodded, "Something isn't right. We need to be on guard. This city may not be as welcoming as it seems."

Elyonari's fingers brushed the Reliable Compass, the artifact strangely still in her hand. Whatever awaited them in the City by the Beach, she knew one thing for certain.

It wasn't going to be the sanctuary they hoped for.

Still, she kept the thought to herself. Tonight, they would camp by the beach, gather their strength and figure out their next steps. For now, they deserved a moment of peace.

At least, that's what she wanted to believe.

The first sign of impending doom was a faint tremor in the air. The soft, rhythmic sound of waves was interrupted by a low vibration that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Then came the shadow, blocking out the moons as it swept across the city.

Elyonari froze, her breath hitching as her gaze was drawn upward. The students around her noticed her sudden stillness and followed her line of sight. That's when they saw it.

A dragon.

It was like nothing they had ever seen before. Its scales shimmered with a white sheen, reflecting the moonlight as though it were a living mirror.

Massive wings beat with terrifying power, creating gusts of wind that sent waves crashing against the shore even from a distance.

Its form was so immense it seemed to fill the sky. Every detail of the creature screamed magnificence...

And dread.

Elyonari stumbled back, her chest heaving as she began shaking her head.

"No. No, no, no, no!"

The other students turned to her, confused and alarmed.

"Princess Elyonari, what's wrong?"

"It's not possible," she stammered, her wide eyes locked on the dragon as it descended upon the city. "It can't be here. It can't! Out of all the places..."

"Lady Elyonari? What—"

Before the student could finish, a deafening screech tore through the night.

The sound was so piercing that several students dropped to their knees, clutching their ears. Elyonari's heart sank as a series of explosions erupted in the city, lighting up the night sky in blinding flashes of white.

The dragon had unleashed its fury onto the city.

The white flames rained down in torrents, consuming everything in their path. Buildings that had once stood tall and proud were reduced to ash in seconds.

Streets that had bustled with life became rivers of fire, the heat so intense it warped the air around it. Screams echoed from the city, only to be swallowed by the roar of the flames and the roars of the white dragon.

Elyonari could do nothing but watch, her legs rooted to the sand as the scene unfolded. The devastation was unlike anything she had ever witnessed.

People ran for their lives, their silhouettes barely visible against the inferno. Some tried to fight back.

Mages hurled spells, warriors charged with weapons but their efforts were futile. The dragon swatted them aside like insects, its white tail sweeping through the streets and sending debris flying in all directions.

The students on the beach were paralyzed, their faces pale and stricken with horror. One of them whispered;

"We're supposed to go there?"

His voice cracked, and he fell to his knees, shaking.

Another student pointed at the bright light in the sky where the dragon hovered, its maw glowing as it prepared another onslaught.

"It's burning them alive."

The dragon released another wave of white fire, the flames arcing like a tidal wave across the city. Entire districts disappeared in an instant, their structures crumbling under the heat.

The cries of the dying echoed louder now, desperate and filled with anguish. Even from this distance, the students could feel the heat, could smell the acrid scent of burning stone and flesh.

Elyonari clenched her fists.

"Everyone, I know which past we are in. We are in the events 300 years after the Destras Cataclysm."