[DAY 1 – DAWN – DESERT BORDER]
The sun emerged over the horizon—brutal, relentless.
The temperature rose from 15 degrees at night to 35 in a matter of hours.
The team had been walking all night.
Alex, Raven, Emily, Grim (small form in a backpack), and now Kira.
Five against the world.
"We need to rest," Emily said, wiping sweat. "We've been walking for eight hours straight."
Alex checked the map Matthias had given them—ironic to use it now.
"There's a rock formation two kilometers away. Shade. We can rest there for a few hours."
"And Matthias?" asked Raven.
Kira activated her tracking skill—her eyes glowing amber momentarily.
[Skill: Predator's Sense – Active]
"He's… six kilometers behind. Moving slowly. His wounds are slowing him down."
"But not stopping him," Alex observed.
"No. He's persistent."
They continued toward the rocks.
Arrived twenty minutes later at a natural formation creating wide shade.
