A Pleasant Surprise

Ethan opened his eyes, catching the most delicious smell he'd experienced since arriving in this infernal place. For a moment, his mind betrayed him, offering the sweet illusion that he was back home, in his mother's kitchen. But the cold, cruel reality soon crept over his thoughts, like a dark cloud swallowing the sun.

A blanket was draped over him—something he didn't recall taking. "Apparently, deserts get cold too," he thought as he sluggishly sat up and looked around.

Seryne sat with her legs tucked neatly beneath her, exuding a delicate elegance that Ethan recognized as distinctly Japanese. Nearby, Kaerith seemed to be in some form of active hibernation. Her exoskeletal body was partially retracted, as though conserving energy while remaining alert.

The samurai and the elderly cultivator faced each other. Although motionless, there was an intense energy between them, as if they were engaged in some mental training. The scene was oddly mesmerizing to Ethan; the two were as serene as a calm lake yet as powerful as a distant thunderstorm.

On the other side, the "monster" lay sprawled, finally succumbing to exhaustion. Perched on his massive belly was Lenora, quietly observing the Bizarre Sorcerer with an unblinking stare. Ethan couldn't understand how a little girl could remain so composed amid so much absurdity.

Speaking of the Sorcerer, he was crouched beside his cauldron, murmuring to his orbiting books while stirring the bubbling liquid. The cauldron let out an unsettling burble, but the aroma wafting from it was almost painfully inviting. Ethan glanced at the starry sky, where the robot floated above the group, maintaining a constant vigil as the flying carpet glided smoothly across the desert.

"If I didn't know the truth, I'd say this was a relaxing trip," Ethan thought, laced with sarcasm.

The cauldron let out a loud hiss, releasing a cloud of fragrant steam. The Sorcerer raised his arms triumphantly. "Dinner is ready!" he announced, his voice brimming with theatrical excitement. He began pulling skewers out of the cauldron, each one stranger than the last.

Ethan watched, grimacing. He couldn't identify what was impaled on those skewers, but something about their shapes deeply unsettled him. "Maybe if I pretend it's octopus…" he thought with a shudder. "But I hate octopus."

As his thoughts wandered, Lenora calmly climbed down from the monster's belly and walked over to the Sorcerer. To Ethan's astonishment, she extended a plate toward him—a plate that, as far as Ethan knew, hadn't existed before. He blinked, incredulous. "Where did she get that? Was it hidden inside the monster? In her dress? Or… is it part of the carpet?!"

The Sorcerer, unfazed, responded as if this were the most natural thing in the world. He gave an exaggerated bow. "Good lady, how many would you like?"

Lenora raised two fingers, and the Sorcerer promptly placed two skewers on her plate. She returned to the monster, climbed back onto its belly, and resumed her position as if nothing had happened. The creature's rhythmic snoring continued to fill the air, almost soothing.

Ethan shook his head, struggling to grasp how any of this was possible. "This has to be a dream. It has to be," he muttered to himself.

The Sorcerer continued distributing skewers. When Ethan's turn came, he hesitated. The smell was far too tempting to resist, even if the appearance of the food was… challenging. "It can't be that bad, right?" he thought before taking a bite.

The flavor exploded in his mouth, a perfect balance of spices and textures. For a brief moment, Ethan was in paradise. He devoured the skewer in seconds, only for his satisfaction to be shattered as he noticed the Sorcerer reaching into his own translucent navel to pull out more skewers for the cauldron. Nausea rose in Ethan instantly.

Before he could voice his complaint, a low hum captured his attention. Zeta 4 descended from the sky and landed on the carpet with mechanical precision. "My patrol drones have detected a city approximately 50 kilometers ahead," the robot announced, his metallic voice cold and disdainful. "The observed architecture matches an ancient civilization. According to my database, it dates back to the era of the God Machine. It may be worth investigating."

The Sorcerer whistled curiously, still stirring the cauldron. "Oh, ancient civilization? Fascinating. Perhaps we'll find something… or someone… interesting."

Seryne rose gracefully, her movements elegant as she faced the robot. "It's worth investigating. Finally, something other than this sand."

Kiyoshi, who had remained silent until now, crossed his arms. "A city could be a trap, but it could also be a place to rest. I'm willing to take the risk."

Kaerith tilted her head, her antennae vibrating slightly. "If there's a core of corruption there, we must proceed cautiously. Still, answers may await."

Zeta 4 tilted his head slightly, as if weighing her words. "My drones detected corrupted energy emanating from the city's center. I could not analyze further due to interference. However, it is likely we will find something… or die trying. Both outcomes are acceptable."

Ethan, who had been lost in his thoughts, snapped back at the words "ancient civilization." As the horizon began to clear, revealing the city's silhouette, his expression shifted.

He stared at the familiar structures materializing in the distance and murmured, "But… that's the architecture from my world."

And so, the group pressed on, the city growing larger with each step, shrouded in mystery and a palpable sense of impending danger.