Chapter 161 - The Roaming Hermits

(The Sahara Desert, Border of Egypt)

Four people were roaming the places, and their robes were filled with sand. One of them had a conical hat on their head, while the others followed behind him. 

He was looking at something that was on his hand, and when he reached a certain place, he stopped. He took a seat and was looking around the place. 

"Seems like it", he muttered as he sat down. The other three that were following behind sat down, and one of them began to massage their legs. 

"You never told us why we were here", he asked as he looked at the man under the conical hat. The other three were wearing normal straw hats, as they had to shield themselves from the heat that was around them.

"You will understand at nightfall", he replied. He pulled out a sac in which he had water and sipped on it. He circulated it through his mouth, and wet his lips. After thorough circulation, he swallowed it.

It was one of the tips he had picked up while roaming this desert for the past two years. And along with him were his three companions, who were family to him. 

He looked at the person who was next to him, and she was holding onto his arm tenderly as she laid her head on his shoulder for rest. He looked at the woman, and his eyes were filled with nothing but love.

"Hey, that's not fair. I don't get that look ever", said another woman who was behind him. The man placed a finger on his lips, indicating her to be silent. 

"Sister-in-law is asleep", she muttered as she nodded her head in understanding. The man looked at her, and he was reminded of home. 

"Are you sure little brother will be able to awaken his innate traits here?", she asked. The both of them were out here on the search of something, and after their long search of eight years, they had finally reached the place.

The man pulled out a pin from his pockets and stroked it with his fingers. A longing was seen in his eyes, and the way he stroked the pin was slow and heavy.

The pin had the symbol of the Heart Family, and the man and woman who were speaking were part of that family.

"Zephyr, we have been searching for eight years. And the last time we spoke with Dad, he told us he didn't awaken yet. And his eighteenth birthday has passed. I am sure he must have gone through the Test", said the woman. 

Zephyr nodded his head and began to think about his brother. He looked at the woman and flashed a smile.

"Well Maxine, seems like he has grown up now. Maybe he could have awakened, it has been eight years since we last saw him", said Zephyr to her. Maxine smiled, and the both of them began to think about the beautiful times they had back at home.

"Vanessa is asleep, and she needs that a lot. Since we have been in this place for the past two years searching for the entrance. And now that we have found it, I can't see Jasper anywhere", he said.

A man came up the dune they were on, and he was panting hard as he reached the three of them. After reaching next to them, he plopped down and laid his head on Maxine's lap.

"How in the world do you guys walk so fast? And I have been traveling with you for the past two years ever since you guys entered this desert!", he exclaimed whilst panting. Maxine began to stroke his hair as she covered his face with the hat.

"Just take a nap, and we will switch after a while. Even we are tired too", she said to Jasper and gave him a little peck on his forehead, and he went to sleep with a smile.

"So, what are you planning to do? You guys have been together for like two years now", asked Zephyr with a chuckle. Maxine smiled as she looked at the sky.

"I don't know, Dex. I do love him, but I think I am not ready to get married yet. Unlike you, I want to enjoy my youth", she said with a wink. Vanessa yawned as she woke up, and Zephyr made her sleep on his lap, using his legs as a pillow.

He took out his GlassPad and looked at the picture that was on it. It was an old picture, and it was the only picture he had of everyone from his family together. 

There was Martha, Ben, Zephyr, Maxine, Sam, Kate, and Lucas. It was a picture he had taken before he left the palace. He missed everyone in that picture, and he wanted to meet his little brother soon.

"Let's just see what Fate has in store for you, little brother", he muttered as he looked around and saw Maxine falling asleep. He smiled and laid her head on his shoulder, allowing her to get the rest she needed.

"And I am the only one left on watch again", he chuckled. There was plenty of time for nightfall, and he was waiting for something to happen at the right time.

The hours passed by smoothly, and he was now sleeping while Vanessa and Jasper were keeping watch. Jasper was wondering why they were roaming a plain desert for two years, and whenever he asked Zephyr, he would divert the question.

"There exists an Ancient Legend in this desert. Legend has it, that there is a legacy that has been left behind by some great Master, and that legacy will help in a person's awakening."

"If the person is deemed worthy of the legacy, then they will be able to learn all the knowledge of the Master. But if not, then they will need to satisfy one of the Master's requests."

"If the conditions are not fulfilled, then the Master will take us to the Nether Realm, and let us rot there for a few years if they were lenient. For now, this is all but a legend", she said. She looked at the person she was in love with and stroked Zephyr's golden brown hair.

Jasper was shocked when he heard they were looking for an Ancient Legend. But something didn't click for him, and he decided to ask the question.

"But then why does the entrance appear on a specific night? Why not every night?", he asked. Vanessa looked at him like she was looking at a fool and smacked the back of his head.

"The Master is said to be killed by someone she trusted the most in this very desert, on a cold and windy night. Today is quite windy, and you know how chill it can get on certain days in here", she explained. 

Jasper now understood why this was happening. He understood that he was looking for a way to awaken something, and to awaken it he would need the help of this Legend.

He knew that he had Mana and Aura, so he was wondering what he was trying to awaken. He concluded in his brain that if it wasn't for him, then it was for someone else that was close to him.

They were both keeping watch when Jasper noticed something. He tapped Zephyr on his shoulders and he sat up quickly. 

"Who's there?", he asked in his deep voice. His robe was fluttering in the cold wind, and he pulled the conical hat to cover his face from the sand that was blowing in his way. 

There were five shadows headed towards them, and he was looking at them intently. His eyes began to glow crimson, and his palms turned orange. 

"The Roaming Hermits, and you must be their leader, Crimson Hermit. I can tell by your eyes that you are the one", said one of the shadows. 

In a moment, the five of the shadows had surrounded the four of them, and Zephyr was calm. The other five were astonished by his calmness.

"Aren't you too calm for someone who is surrounded?", asked one of the people. A smile spread across his face, and everyone behind him was ready.

"Well, seems like the Shadow Bandits have found us. But I would suggest you use body doubles instead of real ones", he said and left a trail of fire.

He had his palm on one of the men's faces and held him high into the air. The man was squealing in pain, and Zephyr didn't leave him.

"Incinerate", he muttered and the orange glow turned to a blue one. The man was burned to death, and there was nothing that was left behind from the encounter. 

"The time has come, and I was wondering how I would be able to open up the doors", he said and spread his arms wide. The sand that was around them opened up, and from inside came a person made of sand.

"Who is trespassing my lady's property?", came the voice, and from the sand emerged a birdman. He was covered in golden armor, and his wings were spread wide. 

"Those who seek knowledge shall gain prosperity, while those who seek conflict shall perish.. We, The Roaming Hermits have come here seeking knowledge from Her Majesty" said Zephyr and kneeled before the Birdman.