At night, flickering flames dance around the campsite, illuminating the faces of triumphant soldiers who chatter and sing with joy [https://img.wattpad.com/75c4c7ecbc02694494afec6c4ce469074604ec04/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f743436414a6e2d495a51506841513d3d2d313430363339323030352e313761316666623933333037386566663534393939323832323832342e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

At night, flickering flames dance around the campsite, illuminating the faces of triumphant soldiers who chatter and sing with joy. Darius sits alone at his campfire, quietly savoring his meal.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Basir asks.

Darius motions with his hand, making room for Basir on the large boulder. Basir carefully turns the stick to make sure that his meal is cooked evenly. He leans in and blows away a small flame that lingers on his food before taking a bite.

"You saw it didn't you?"

Darius takes a sip of water, "Ye...yeah, I think so"

Basir hears the tremble in Darius' voice, "I warned you, unpredictable, unsettling."

"He may have overreacted but surely it was the right move.", Darius defends.

"That's how it starts, his drastic choices are ignored and the consequences will grow."

Darius stops eating and turns towards Basir, "What do you truly know, why do you have so much hostility towards him?"

Basir sets down his plate of food and looks over at Spero, who indulges in his meal with Cyrus.

"Because I've seen what he truly is.....a daeva."

Darius's eyes enlarge as he chokes on his sip of water, "A daeva? His powers are questionable but there's no way he's one of them."

Basir's hand begins to shake, "Do you want to know why our soldiers, our people are wary of him?"

Darius, intrigued, nods his head. Basir continues,

"We were deep in the desert, many decades ago, the journey home was arduous and a fierce battle raged between us and the elves. We managed to escape their clutches, but not before half of our army had been wiped out. Their magical powers were far beyond ours at the time."

He pauses for a moment before continuing.

"On the fifth day of our journey back, at sunset, we were ambushed...Dune Dwellers crawled from the depths and attacked us out of nowhere. Our mages were killed instantly and our cargo was destroyed. We fought hard, hoping for a way out, but it soon became clear that Spero, Cyrus, and I were the only ones left standing. We were surrounded, I thought I was surely done for and at times...wished it would be over. But what happened next is forever etched in my memory - a sight so horrifying that I wished to burn it out of existence. With my left knee broken, I collapsed onto the ground while Cyrus was stabbed through his hip and could no longer move."

Basir takes a deep breath, his bottom lip begins to quiver,

"Spero...it was the first time he had revealed his powers, which had been hidden from us. I wondered if their use earlier would have saved us all, but then again, when faced with that dark presence, death seemed preferable. His fighting was effortless...every movement was as natural as water flowing down a stream...he sliced through enemies without resistance or thought. I could feel the horror radiating off of him as he killed them without a hint of remorse. When a warrior takes an enemy's life, we usually feel some regret - I'm sure you did today. We may become accustomed to it over time, but that feeling still lingers in our minds...but with him...it was second nature. His eyes were ablaze with a ruby-red hue, and his body was obscured by shadows darker than obsidian. He snapped their bones with a single hit, cut their bodies up like ribbons, and tore their limbs with ease. His face - it was blank... no, I take that all back. What I saw was...suppressed rage. The glow in his eyes flickered with every kill. I saw a ravaging beast whose hunger will never be satisfied. The remaining enemies fled in absolute terror. He stained the desert in blood, the dunes as crimson as his eyes...Spero of the Red Sand."

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Darius, unable to fathom Spero in this light, notices the fear that has overwhelmed Basir [https://img.wattpad.com/d5841a9a1910c33ce079503bb1db427995b68877/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5476635837526a5848504c5f39773d3d2d313430363339323030352e313761316666633466353334336562643238343935313139333037392e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Darius, unable to fathom Spero in this light, notices the fear that has overwhelmed Basir.

"You saw what he did, how shamelessly he executed the prisoners!", Basir says raising his voice.

"Yes of course I saw that, but we can't pin him as our enemy."

"The only reason he is still with us is because of the prince. He would never abandon his brother, but he is blinded by their bond. What happens if Cryus is no longer here? Who will be able to keep this monster tamed? The only reason Spero hasn't retaliated is because he believes Cryus will be by his side for centuries to come."

"If you're worried about this outcome, berating and making him your enemy is the last thing you want to do."

Basir's anger slowly ebbs away, while Darius tries to finish his meal, but his mind is filled with worries and uncertainties, robbing him of any appetite.

The following morning, the soldiers begin to break camp. Cyrus kneels by his horse, tightening his saddle straps with care.

"I'm off, I have something I need to do", Spero announces.

"Very well, I'll make sure the cargo is dealt with correctly and I'll let Father know..."

"No, this is not one of his assignments.", Spero interrupts.

Cyrus, confused, replies, "...Alright."

"I will see you in a week, maybe more." Spero begins walking away.

"Brother, I never ask for any details of your missions and I trust your judgment. All I ask is that you watch yourself and only use it when necessary."

Spero nods and walks away.

After a day of trudging across the land, Spero peers into the distance [https://img.wattpad.com/180c0869d0739d3c6e006281a588f3af737d2fa9/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4c5a45434630556b6f766a6371413d3d2d313430363339323030352e313761316666643731373135663234633333323232353930363237372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

After a day of trudging across the land, Spero peers into the distance. A shape is visible, but its outline is distorted by the heat waves that shimmer across it. As he draws nearer, he begins to make out a figure. It's an old woman in a long cloak holding a staff that was crafted from branches and roots; she sits upon a log taking respite from her travels.

Spero approaches cautiously, "Good afternoon, I was wondering if you could help me find something of importance?"

The old woman looks at him, "Why do you assume that I would have that knowledge?"

Spero spots a rock and takes a seat across from her, "I know a Druid when I see one, why else would an elder be in the center of the beast valley?"

"AHAHA, Not surprising from the Assassin of Anshan himself. Now Spero, what would you like to know?"

"I need information about someone or something, a daeva to be precise."

The Druid looks at Spero with worrying eyes, "I may know all the myths that cross these sands but daevas are a path I stride through very carefully."

"I just need to know how to find them. Any information would suffice."

"I see, well there have been tales of a connection with the daevas and your powers for many decades. The unknown similarities and the aura that is portrayed. The daevas are scattered through these lands, and the gods have tried eradicating them but to no avail. But the one you seek.....I do not dabble with such matters concerning this dark entity, but I do know of someone who will be of greater assistance."

Spero leans forward, and the Druid points to her right, "Travel to the far end of the Babylonian empire that touches the seas, there in its highest mountain you will find a hidden entrance to a being who will guide you."

Spero stands up, "Thank you"

As Spero is leaving the Druid warns him, "The journey you are on is a risky one. Those who seek the daevas are a threat, the gods will be listening, and they will be watching."

As Spero turns and strides away he mutters, "I plan on it."