"Wait . . . what just happened?"
"In return for your aid, I will bless you in your quest to defeat this malevolent being," Zarathar continued, ignoring Rain's bewilderment.
The Djinn lifted one massive hand, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he waved it through the air. The ground beneath them rumbled, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the camp, carrying with it a swirling cloud of dust and earth. The dust seemed to shimmer with a golden light as it settled over the army.
[Zarathar has blessed you. Your DEF has doubled!]
Rain felt a rush of energy coursing through him, as if the very earth beneath his feet was lending him its strength. He glanced around and saw that the others were feeling it too — their postures straighter, their expressions more composed. The fear that had gripped them moments before was replaced by a newfound confidence.
"And more," Zarathar intoned, his voice carrying the weight of ancient power. "I will lend you the spirits of the earth to aid in your mission, until you defeat the one that threatens the balance of this realm."
The ground shook again, and this time, it felt as if the very earth was coming alive. Dust and rocks began to rise from the ground, swirling together in a chaotic dance. The army watched in awe as the dust coalesced into thousands of small, round creatures. They had puffy bodies, big black eyes that sparkled with curiosity, and tails that split at the end.
Their color was a deep, earthy brown, making them look like living stones, but they moved with a surprising agility.
"These are earth spirits," Zarathar explained. "They are not formidable in offense, but their defensive capabilities are unmatched. They are stronger than any boulder and will protect you from harm."
Helliana bowed deeply, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, great Djinn. We will use your gifts wisely and do everything in our power to defeat Gorm. We will not allow him to open the underworld, to bring chaos to this land, or to upset the balance you protect."
Zarathar nodded solemnly, his form beginning to waver as if he were dissolving into the air. "Remember, mortals, the balance of this world rests in your hands. Do not falter for I, Zarathar, have blessed you."
With that, the Djinn slowly disintegrated, his body turning into a cloud of dust that was carried away by the wind. The pressure that had weighed so heavily on the camp lifted, and a collective sigh of relief spread through the soldiers.
"Are we really here?" Rain whispered to Helliana, his voice tinged with doubt. "I don't see anything."
Helliana chuckled softly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "That's because you're looking at the wrong side of the hills."
"Huh?"
"You'll see soon enough." Santi spurred her mount forward, Helliana and the rest of the group following her lead.
Suddenly, a loud, resonant blaring sound echoed through the canyon, causing Rain to nearly jump out of his skin.
"W-what's going on now?" he stammered, gripping Chi's waist tightly.
"Don't worry, it's just a welcome greeting," Santi reassured him, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Rain let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "For a second there, I thought it was a signal for war or something."
~Chi!~
'My Lord, look!' Chi's voice rang in Rain's mind, directing his attention back to the canyon just as they reached its edge.
Rain's eyes widened as the landscape before him transformed. Where there had been nothing but barren rock moments ago, intricate structures began to materialize — bridges woven from golden sand, spiraling towers rising from the depths, and shimmering pathways that seemed to float in mid-air. There was even a waterfall made of sand.
The entire canyon was alive with hidden beauty, an architectural marvel carved into the very earth, hidden from view until the precise moment they arrived.
"Whoa!" Rain gasped, his earlier doubts washed away by awe. The Sand Elves' home wasn't just a place — it was a masterpiece of nature and magic, concealed in plain sight until the right eyes beheld it.