Covered in scratches dried blood and ragged clothes it was safe to say I felt about as well as I looked, however despite the wretched state I was still elated as a myriad of thoughts swirled inside me. Besides the usual weariness, pride, joy, and relief burned inside me as I spotted a "sanctuary" mostly obscured by a light dust storm.
On the 6th day of scorching suns season, i would become the youngest scavenger in the last 50 years as I neared my 15th cycle in a few moon falls.
True enough it was not a hotly contested profession to begin with, as it was not a glorious job or even a desirable one, known mostly for its high casualty rates with only saving grace being the high amount kr`uh one could earn. however, that was not what attracted me to the job, as my goal was another aspect of the profession that usually went ignored.
Independence.
As an orphan, I had done many odd jobs of morally questionable nature that had me spiraling deeper down that side of the law, as orphans did not have many career choices I usually made a living by fencing goods which was better than most other options, and while I was pretty good at it most orphans did not reach adulthood for a reason, and those that did have to go far past the point of no return.
Alas that was not a road I wanted to go down any longer as I still had something most had given up on ages ago or more accurately it was something that did not exist here anymore, a hope for a better future or known as silly thinking inside the sanctuary, goals, and dreams that were not limited to what I would eat next week.
Glancing at my bulging bag I felt pride swell up inside me again, this would change everything. Lowering down my scarf to take a better look at the sanctuary I grimace uncomfortably as wind and sand immediately take offense to my bared face.
Among the smoldering wastes in front of me laid the sanctuary, a colossal triangle-shaped ruin seemingly made of steel and black stone that stood there for untold ages, stealing breath of anyone looking. sanctuary of the great desert and its citizens knew simply as exiles, a word that had lost its meaning a long time ago.
Unfortunately, this land was cut off from rest of the world, other than the occasional trade caravan from settlements even worse off than ours no help and no visitors ever arrived, aside from an occasional wanderer. Not that it mattered much to me, I have heard tales of distant green lands where summers are pleasant winters temperate, and water abundant as sand.
Thinking about it I cannot help but sigh, almost 14 cycles spent living here and nothing seems to have changed at all, the sands are still harsh the suns scorching and the creatures that rest here only seem to be getting thirstier for blood.
As if to acknowledge my thoughts a familiar sharp whistle suddenly interrupts me as a black shadow whips at me. Letting out a startled gasp I jump back at the last moment avoiding a stinger to the face belonging to the sand scorpion that emerged right beneath me. Almost falling over myself self I barely get some balance before stomping a bump emerging beneath me, right where its head should be. Visibly stunned it screeches in a high pitch as it stumbles out of the sand into view.
A 2-foot-long scorpion with sand-colored carapace and a black stinger waving shakily. Jumping into action I stomp again with my iron inlaid boots, an investment that proved its worth to me many times over the past month.
While it's still stunned I take out a sharpened piece of iron resembling a knife before swiftly plunging between its head and body segments, also known as the lifeline. Trying to kill it any other way either wastes too much energy or will result in both of you dead, they go berserk once their ambush fails after all.
Suddenly giving off a surprising burst of energy it twitches managing to throw me off causing me to roll down the dune while eating a few fists of sand.
Landing heavily I finally get myself together but pain also finally catches up to me causing me to keel over coughing and vomiting sand for a few moments. getting up to my feet shakily I walk over to the scorpion that had stopped twitching in meantime.
Staring at the now eerily still body of the scorpion I shiver. It was at times like this that reality catches up heavily and without guise, all my dreams and goals can be undone by a single careless moment, when I felt the safest.
Sands take me what was it doing this close to the sanctuary anyway? Grudgingly I kick the scorpion before I get myself to dismember it into manageable pieces before wrapping it inside the scar that fell off at some point.
Approaching the entrance furthest to right after half an hour or so i wave towards a well-camouflaged bunker right next to the gate that I know has a few dozen guards inside it at all times. That was a job I did not envy regardless of its benefits, having to fight creatures from the wastes and anything leaving the entrance furthest to the left was a horrible job in my opinion.
Turning back towards The sanctuary I approach the tear that must be over a hundred meters high. But entrance most people use is almost buried in sand at the bottom. Swiftly climbing up a rampart i approach a few guards giving me odd looks, ignoring them I beeline for a familiar face.
A person responsible for taking notes of anyone leaving or entering The sanctuary, also someone that i have a rather complicated past with. Before I could speak up he jumps up with a grin as soon as he notices me.
"Adam! You are back, I thought something out there got a new lover."
Grimacing at the implications I scowl at him, most creatures living around here were parasitic in nature and needed a living host to multiply.
"Fortunately not, I would prefer sands to take me instead, that aside I got some good stuff this time"
Now that put a real smile on his face this time around as he notices my bulging bag.
"oooh you owe me a drink then"
A not so subtle way to say he would take his bribe later, probably has a supervisor nearby
"sure thing Tarik, my treat at the through tomorrow"
Now that gets a laugh out of other guards, through was a vilest and cheapest place around to get hammered with the lowest chances of waking up but at least you knew what you were getting.
Waving him off i enter the sanctuary for the first time in over a month as a blessedly cool air washes over me, air inside the sanctuary was always cool and pleasant, main reason why anyone could live here probably. Brighter minds would ponder why but i am just thankful to be out of the heat for the first time in over a month. Putting my thoughts aside i walk towards the main hall.
Corridor to it was approximately five meters tall and wide same as most other corridors that take up most of space inside the sanctuary, while inside of the main hall itself was around two thousand meters wide in all directions with eight colossal pillars reaching hundreds of meters upwards where sanctuary itself was narrowing towards the top where air was cleaner and rich lived.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
There were a number of districts inside the sanctuary but i usually kept to the bottom one, where most people lived. Districts were arranged to accommodate as many people as possible who could not afford to live higher up or want to be exposed to possible dangers in the corridors and side halls.
Ignoring the view i immediately make a beeline for the closest merchant since i did not feel like lugging this baggage for a minute longer and blood had already started soaking into the scarf, turning away from the main hall i enter a corridor in which i take a few twists and turns that finally lands me in a familiar corner, a shop belonging to Skortz, a well reputed merchant and a reliable fence, Luckily for me the second part would no longer matter after this.
Putting that aside i push the heavy doors aside ignoring an annoying squeaking noise they make, i suspect he uses these old doors as he is too cheap to get himself the bells, pragmatic as always.
Entering the dimly lit shop i stare around my self in slight wonder, there were various items found in desert and deep inside the sanctuary with unknown uses, while many could prove to be valuable most of them were usually crap. Unfortunately they all had sky-high prices forcing me to tear my gaze away as my pouch felt pathetically light at my waist.
Scowling i drop my bag in front of the counter as i take out the scarf containing scorpion carapace and venom glands, artificers could make some good stuff out of it. Meat i would keep for myself, not worth bargaining for it.
"Glands, carapace and stinger 7 kr`uh no less"
Ignoring my brusque offer a smirk appears on his face as he answers in a deep voice.
"Ahhh, Adam i thought you finally stepped into a rahk pit, you were missing for over a month"
Snorting slightly i snap back, you can't get a good deal from him if you let him walk over you.
"Luckily for you i have not, the bag is full this time and there is a lot of things i know have worth and even some of that sozsi shit you so much love"
Rising his eyebrow both in humor and interest this time he leans over the counter.
" IF that is true it will earn you a nice sum regardless of what else you have in that bag. Never thought i would be seeing you bring it from that side of the counter."
Sighing slightly i unwrap the scorpion remains and pass him the bag over the counter while speaking.
"Might have to get used to it now, regardless i want those 7 kr`uh now if you would please, also what time do i find you at tomorrow"
Chuckling slightly at the pleasantry he answers slowly.
"huhuhu, well now that you are a proper scavenger it wouldn't do to bargain with you huh, well alright il give you 7 kr`uh now or just take something of equal value in the shop. Come back tomorrow early in morning and i will have your money ready."
Giving him a suspicious glance at his fair offer i just shrug before glancing around the shop, ever since i was small i have been collecting items that caught my interest and had a verdant or a unique color, since the only color you could see in a desert is either that of sand blood and iron. As such a small purple box size of my palm with an engraved closed eye on it that cost 10 kr`uh caught my eye.
Which was not much at all, considering he deemed it worthy enough to put on display, where most other items cost far more, as my scavenge this time was certain to bring me at least 40 kr`uh i could afford to splurge a little. As my gaze kept coming back toward its beautiful dark purple color i knew it was already mine inside my heart. Sighing i take out 3 kr`uh and place it on the table before grabbing it. Pleasures in the wasteland vary, and i would consider my hobby one of the less lethal ones.
Widening his eyes in surprise he smiles.
" i did not expect to get rid of it so quickly since i put it on the shelf yesterday, and before you ask why its price is so low... My sleep has been troubled ever since i got it. Be careful with it as i had many similar items before and they usually contain some kind of chaotic energy residue"
Corking one eyebrow at him i chuckle.
"Magic is scarce in wastelands old man i doubt your luck is that good, regardless i will take it, its...color is unique."
His eyes become a little gentler as he caresses his beard.
"ahh that hobby of yours, well i suppose its better than inhaling sozsi crap hehe. i can guess why that fulfills you, to be satisfied with little things. Born in the desert and doomed to stay in it forever, but it also makes it easier for you as you don't know any better heh."
Staying silent and staring into his eyes i sigh as i pocket the cube, i wouldn't lose myself to melancholy now that my haul was successful.
"Whatever old man, just prepare my money tomorrow i still have to settle some debts."
Chuckling slightly he slaps my back causing me to stumble as i head out
"haha alright kid, cant have you getting stringed up on me just yet, it will be done by tomorrow. Also, be careful of the cube, i meant what i said."
Waving him off i close the squeaky doors behind me i head towards my room in a corridor next to this one.
There were multiple accessible floors and the more prestigious people were on top floors, and as huge as sanctuary was we couldn't actually break these walls and floor efficiently so the living space was limited and there was always struggle over who gets a better corner.
And while occasionally a new corridor would open but rarely anyone actually entered or tried to live in them since we were not the only residents of the sanctuary, and some things deep inside it were here for far longer than us.
A fresh memory of mine was the time a corridor opened near the main hall which led straight to a nest of giant insects, guards acted fast and dealt with it but over 300 people died anyway. Since then many more barricades and checkpoints were stationed inside the halls.
Putting the old mans advice into recces of my mind i dash towards my own little room that was once a storage for Skortzes shop, but he gave it to me for a certain favor i carried out for him, also the reason for our relatively good relationship as not many orphans end up owning a room.
Entering my room exhaustion finally brings me down to my knees as i sit down on my bed made of scrapped iron panels and cheap cloth creating a hammock of sorts. Looking towards a shelf i mounted on the wall using animal glue containing most of my collection i put the purple box next to a blue bowl containing a red scarf . A small smile washes over my face as i let myself fall on the bed.
Unbeknownst to anyone the purple eye opened as mine closed, the consequences of which would remain unknown to many for a long time.