Chapter 124: The Shadowed Desert.

Chloe and Liam exited the temple. The light of the artifact continued to shine brilliance upon their path. Their journey had passed through ritual forests, mountains, and ancient ruins, but then it became more challenging. On the map, their starting point was a vast desert called the Shadow's Desert. Their eyes met the desert—an infinite expanse of golden sand in the burning sun. The heat was extreme, shimmering with mirages in the air. Chloe and Liam knew what had to be done—preparation for the complex conditions ahead. "We need to ration our water and food," Liam said, checking their supplies. "This desert is known for its harshness. We must be careful." Chloe nodded, shrugging off her pack. "We'll need to remain focused. The heat and endless sand can mess with one's mind." They started into the desert, the sun pounding down on them with relentless force. At the same time, their walk was extraordinarily laborious and dragging, as the sand would yield with each step and throw one