Chapter 72: Oasis

Imagine a landscape dominated by a single, monstrous wave, not of water, but of sand. The colossal sand dune stretches before you, a seemingly endless cascade of golden grains. The wind whispers secrets through its sculpted form, constantly reshaping its curves and ridges.

Towering high above you, the dune could easily reach hundreds of feet. As you approach, its scale becomes overwhelming. The once gentle slope now appears daunting, a steep ascent of loose sand that threatens to slide beneath your feet with every step.

The sun plays a dramatic role on this sandy giant. Depending on the time of day, the dune's color can transform. At dawn, the rising sun casts a warm, rosy glow, highlighting the dune's rippled texture. As the day progresses, the sand intensifies to a golden yellow, radiating heat. In the cool of the evening, long shadows stretch across its slopes, creating an illusion of movement and depth.

The silence on the dune is profound, broken only by the sighing of the wind and the occasional skittering of a desert creature. It's a place of stark beauty, a reminder of the immense power of nature to sculpt and reshape the land.

Looking at this paysage, Noah could not hide his admiration.

''Wow! I can't help but admire this.''

''Ah! Time to climb!"

Noah reached the peak of the final sand dune, collapsing onto the scorching grains in exhaustion. His breath was a searing fire in his lungs, and his legs felt as heavy as lead weights, threatening to drag him back down. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but as he looked ahead, his weariness was washed away like a desert wind cleansing a dusty slate.

Below him, nestled in the valley cradled by the massive sand dune, lay a sight that defied the harsh reality of the surrounding landscape. It was an oasis, a jewel sparkling with an impossible brilliance amidst the unforgiving desert.

The pond stretched out before him, its surface a canvas of vibrant blue under the relentless sun. It shimmered like a shattered sapphire, occasionally disrupted by the playful leaps of fish or the lazy glides of water beetles. The shores were adorned with lush greenery, a riot of emerald and jade unlike anything Noah had encountered in his parched journey.

The stark contrast between the unforgiving sand and the vibrant life at the oasis took his breath away.

''Beautiful!"

Palm trees swayed gently, their fronds rustling like whispered promises of cool shade, while a gentle breeze carried the heavenly scent of damp earth and life – a striking contrast to the dry, metallic tang of the desert wind.

Noah's ears were filled with a symphony of sound that had been absent for a while. Birds, their feathers flashing white and scarlet against the azure sky, dipped and soared above the water, their calls echoing like joyous music.

A warmth, deeper than the desert sun, bloomed in Noah's chest. He had found an oasis, a haven in the heart of the unforgiving desert. It was a place of respite where life, in all its vibrant glory, thrived. Relief, profound and overwhelming, washed over him, mingling with a growing sense of wonder. This hidden oasis, nestled within the vast expanse of sand, offered more than just survival.

It offered a chance to heal, to breathe before continuing on his journey.

It was his second time seeing an oasis, the first time it was with his father.

~

Upon catching a glimpse of the oasis, young Noah's heart filled with sheer delight.

Believing he could quench his thirst without restraint, he sprinted towards the oasis without a second thought.

Until now, he had successfully suppressed his longing for water, but the sight of an abundance of it shattered his self-control.

"Tsk!" Logan's disapproving click of the tongue accompanied his amused observation of Noah's reckless dash towards the oasis. He couldn't help but chuckle at his son's impulsive behavior.

Noah reached the oasis in record time.

Dipping his head into the water, he greedily guzzled it down.

With each gulp, an overwhelming sense of bliss washed over him.

As he mindlessly consumed the water, a faint glimmer caught Noah's attention beneath the surface.

A spherical object softly emitted a luminous glow, resembling a gentle lamp in the depths.

Logan grabbed the Sand Angler's tail and made his way out of the oasis.

Thud!

He threw the massive body of the Sand Angler beneath Noah's feet.

"Whoa!" Noah took a surprised step back, feeling as if the Sand Angler could strike at any moment. Even in death, the awe-inspiring presence of the Sand Angler remained.

It was truly unbelievable that such an enormous monster had made its home in an oasis.

Having thrown the monstrous corpse beneath his son's feet, Logan felt compelled to issue a stern warning.

"Take this creature as a lesson, Noah. It is an inhabitant of oases that can be found sporadically in deserts. It lures in fools like you with the light on its forehead and devours them in one gulp. So, never approach an oasis in the desert so carelessly. You fool!"

"Yes..." Noah responded weakly, his guilt evident.

''Skin it.''

Noah hesitated, his voice trembling as he spoke,

''Wait, Father, why would I have to do that?''

He felt a surge of rebellion well up inside him, resenting being abruptly taken away from his time with Stilson. The thought of not being there with Stilson cracking a few skulls had ignited a fire of anger within him. He had reluctantly accepted his fate, but never did he anticipate his father's request to skin a monster. It was simply too much to bear.

Logan's smile widened as he observed Noah's defiance.

''Oh? Look at this display of rebellion, isn't it?''

His words sent a shiver down Noah's spine.

''I told you to skin it,'' Logan's voice was firm.

''The Sand Angler is a C-rank monster. Its skin is soft and pliable, perfect for crafting robes. Cut it up and make a robe. I won't repeat myself, son.''

Noah's throat tightened as he swallowed nervously, his fear outweighing his rebellion.

With a gulp, Noah reluctantly obeyed and began to work.

Noah swiftly turned the Sand Angler over, revealing its rugged back with multiple brownish bumps. Its belly, on the other hand, was sleek and black. Surprisingly, despite its appearance, the creature possessed an extraordinary toughness that even a dagger struggled to pierce.

Determined to overcome this obstacle, Noah channeled mana into his dagger, finally managing to breach the creature's resilient skin.

"Huff! Huff!"

Noah's body was drenched in sweat, but his task was far from complete.

He still had to fashion the robe.

It was not easy but he succeeded.

~

Returning to reality and snapping out of his reminiscing, Noah shook his head and gazed down at the oasis below. It was time to descend.