“OK, I didn’t expect an obvious border.”

It was now about 2 weeks since the chaos at Light Capital. They were approaching the Light/Dark divide… though, to be honest, people may not consider it a border soon. It was still freaking obvious… green, luscious grass turned into dark grey sand and black rocks. Jagged mountains rose in the southern distance, and the desert rolled on towards the north. Only a wide gravel road indicated their path.

Lil said, “True. But magic rolls different here. The Dark alignment is much stronger.”

Izuku pouted. “No woods.”

Wonder rubbed his back. “There probably are somewhere, sweetie.”

He looked at Rose. Their relationship had been a steady, comfortable constant. Wonder could enjoy it, but he was still figuring out relationships. Luckily, Rose seemed to understand it, and kept it at a slow, steady pace.

However, they had grown close enough that Wonder felt comfortable with figuring out some of Rose’s emotions.

Rose looked back. “What?”

“You seem lost. Everything okay?”

Rose said, “Oh…”

She looked back over the sands. “…I was born out there. My father found me wandering the sands once my Tribe kicked me out. We have to cross, but… it’s not pleasant.”

Wonder frowned and rubbed her back. “We can find another way.”

Lil glared, but Rose shook her head. “No, this is the fastest way. I’ll be fine.”

Sakura popped up. “Sun.”

Wonder chuckled. “Yes, we are gonna get a lot of sun. Which means new rules! If either of you get too hot, go into the carriage. Deal?”

Both kids nodded. Izuku seemed to debate before climbing into the carriage. Sakura tilted her head. Rose said, “Forest Spirits don’t do good without lots of plants and animals, sweetie. For a while, Izuku might tired quickly.”

Wonder bit his lip and looked at Lil. Lil looked back. “Don’t worry, we’ll only be in the desert a week. And the path goes by an oasis.”

Wonder nodded. He looked at Rose. “I’ll check on him real quick.”

Rose nodded. She then picked up Sakura. “Let’s go scout.”

Sakura chimed. “Ok!”

Wonder climbed in the carriage. It seemed Izuku was a little dazed. Wonder closed the door and sat by him. “Hey, champ… everything okay?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Izuku looked up. He said, “It… wrong.”

Wonder smiled gently. “The desert?”

Izuku nodded. “It… feel wrong. Very wrong.”

Wonder said, “It’s a new place, and not your magic type. I hate to say it, but there are places that feel wrong to people for a long time. Daddy still…”

Izuku shook his head. Wonder froze. “What’s wrong, champ?”

Izuku didn’t seem to know how to say what he wanted to say. He looked outside the window. “No life. All gone. It’s bad.”

Wonder blinked, and rechecked. His skin grew cold. It was indeed too clear cut a line. And he didn’t see brush… which should exist here since rain probably overflowed!

Wonder said, “Be back. Smart looking.” He kissed Izuku’s head and ran out. “ROSE! SAKURA! HOLD ON THAT PATROL!”

Rose and Sakura stopped from right before crossing the border. Rose asked, “What’s wrong?”

Wonder said, “It’s not the environment! It’s a trap!”

He picked up a clump of grass and tossed it over the border. It instantly turned black and shriveled, then was dust by the time it landed.

Sakura whined in fear, and Rose quickly backtracked. Lil said, “What the ffffffffffrap?”

Wonder said, “Izuku could not sense any life beyond the border. That’s why he got freaked out. There’s some sort of death trap here.”

Lil said, “But… why?”

Wonder said, “Who knows? Theft, maybe? An attempt to weaken people? Assassination?”

Wonder scowled. “I know you guys didn’t want to do this, but we are going to have to sidetrack until we get around the trap.”

He indicated the mountains. “I vote south. We have to go that way anyway, so it might help cut travel time.”

Lil groaned, and looked at Kingsley. He was still staring in horror at the border. Lil said, “All right, agreed.”

Izuku was suddenly out, and pointed. “Daddy… beast.”

Wonder blinked and squinted. On the horizon was a moving mass of white.

Kingsley perked and walked up. “Is that… a Decayon?”

“Did I just hear a combination of Decay + Dragon?”

Lil shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Zuuuuuune!” The Myzune had come out and were staring in wonder.

Kingsley said, “A Decayon is one of the rarest Beasts out there! They have a radius of pure death around them and will only bow their heads to those who shall bear their children.”

Wonder said, “I just hear a sentient being, not a Beast.”

Rose said, “That’s because a Decayon is sentient. But it has a tendency to act Beast-like, so many people tend to forget that fact.” She glared at Kingsley.

Wonder said, “This one is pretty powerful. I can’t even really see it, just a horizon of moving white something. How big do they get?”

Rose shrugged. “I have seen human-sized ones, and I’ve seen one the size of a small castle. I’m guessing this is closer to the second.”

Wonder sighed, and squinted. “…it’s moving to the north. We should be able to bypass quicker if we go… KINGSLEY!”

Kingsley had summoned what looked to be a giant phoenix, jumped on it, and was flying up.

Wonder said, “IDIOT!!! He’s gonna get himself dusted!”

Lil flapped her wings. “Agreed! I can fly, so I’ll catch up with you.”

Wonder said, “And if you both die?!?”

Lil bit her lip. Wonder said, “Stay here!”

He looked at his small family. “I have an idea. We may be able to approach the Decayon as a family unit. If we get there first, we may be able to warn it about Kingsley and make sure it doesn’t kill him!”

Rose nodded. She was still holding Sakura, so Wonder picked up Izuku. He looked, and carefully stepped over the border. His skin tickled, but no damage.

“OK! Let’s go.”