(Two semi-rotations later)

As the first rays of dawn pierced the wilderness, Sutaro, now donning the title ‘Suki’ stirred beside her tent, her once-delicate frame now honed into a warrior's physique. Months of rigorous training had transformed her, not just in body but in spirit. As she rose, the crisp morning air nipped at her skin, invigorating her senses.

Grasping her sword, its weight now familiar and comforting, she ventured into the lush forest. The verdant canopy above filtered dappled sunlight, painting the forest floor in a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. Crystal-clear water babbled over smooth stones in nearby streams, its melody a soothing backdrop to the rustling leaves.

Her heightened senses led her to a secluded riverbank where she spotted a group of peculiar creatures - muscle crabs. Their iridescent blue shells gleamed in the soft light, powerful claws raised in defense.

"Well, hello there, you beautiful blue beasts," Suki whispered, a grin spreading across her face. Moving with the stealth of a seasoned hunter, she approached the largest crab.

Moving with the stealth of a seasoned hunter, Suki approached the largest of the muscle crabs. In one swift motion, she brought her sword down, cleaving through the crab's tough shell. The creature let out a shrill cry before falling still.

"Sorry, buddy," Suki whispered, patting the crab's shell. "You'll make one hell of a breakfast!"

Back at camp, her mentors - Kori, Jack, and the ever-faithful Charles - huddled around a crackling fire. Charles's eyes lit up as he spotted her return. "Ho there! Look who returns, and with breakfast no less!"

Kori beamed with pride. "Most impressive, Lady Suki!" she exclaimed, eyeing the sizable muscle crab.

As Suki prepared her meal over the flames, the aroma of sizzling crab meat filled the air. "Remember your first taste?" Kori reminisced. "Thy face turned as bright pink as a summer rose!"

"Oh man, don't remind me," Suki laughed, shaking her head."

Jack, his weathered hands working a spear to a razor's edge, looked up with a glint in his eye. "The time has come, young squire," he declared. "Art thou prepared for a true test of thy mettle?"

Suki's heart raced with excitement. "Wait? will I get my own armor? Like yours?" she asked, barely containing her enthusiasm.

"Indeed," Jack nodded solemnly. "Complete this next quest, and thou shalt have earned thy place among us."

As they packed up camp, leaving no trace of their presence, a sinister plot unfolded elsewhere. In a chamber shrouded in darkness, mysterious figures exchanged whispers and a hefty sack. "Bring her to me," a hooded figure commanded, voice dripping with malice.

"She's more valuable than you know."

As they prepared for their journey through the Badlands, Suki's eyes widened with a mix of fear and excitement. "The Badlands? I've heard tales of a monstrous sandworm that lives there – an unkillable beast that devours everything in its path. What if we find it?"

Jack's face lit up with a daring grin. "Then, my young squire, we shall make history as the first to vanquish it!"

"Awesome!" Suki exclaimed, her enthusiasm matching Jack's bravado. "We could show that overgrown worm what we're made of!"

Their journey through the vast desert was grueling. The relentless twin suns beat down upon them, their heat seeming to sap the very life from their bodies. Every step was a struggle against the shifting sands that threatened to swallow them whole.

As they trudged on, the group remained vigilant, their eyes constantly scanning the horizon for any sign of disturbance in the dunes. The threat of the sandworm kept them on edge, turning every whisper of wind into a potential harbinger of doom.

Jack clutched his helm tightly, his usual confidence tempered by the harsh reality of their environment. Kori's delicate webcloth was in constant motion, dabbing at the rivulets of sweat that streamed down her face. Suki, despite her newfound strength, found each breath a challenge in the searing heat.

Charles, ever resourceful, had taken up position on Suki's shoulders, using his body to shield her from the worst of both sun's rays.

“By the stars,” Kori gasped, “ne’er have I encountered such unforgiving terrain.”

“Stay strong,” Jack urged, his voice rasping from the parched air. “We shall conquer this trial as we have all others.”

"Geez!" Suki grumbled, wiping sweat from her brow. "I feel like I'm being cooked alive!"

As they pushed forward, the group couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched – or worse, hunted. The legend of the sandworm was more than just a story here; it was a palpable presence, as real as the sand beneath their feet and the sweat on their brows.

Their nerves were stretched to the breaking point, every distant rumble a potential sign of the beast's approach. The Badlands were living up to their reputation, testing not just their physical endurance but their mental fortitude as well.

As the group trudged through the harsh landscape, Kori’s eyes suddenly sparkled with recollection. “Halt!” she cried, her voice barely carrying over the howling desert wind. “I remember now. There is an inn not far from here, a sanctuary for travelers bound for The Square. They even offer a warrior’s discount, and by my count, we are but three!”

"An inn? With, like, real beds and maybe even a bath?" Suki perked up, her eyes shining with hope. "Count me in!"

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The news breathed new life into their weary bones. With renewed vigor, they pressed on, the promise of respite driving them forward through the scorching sands.

"Hey there, travelers!" The woman greeted them with a lazy wave. "Name's Lief, and you lot look like you could use a drink. Or ten."

Suki, still catching her breath, stepped forward. "Oh man, please tell me you've got rooms available. I'm dying for a real bed!"

Lief chuckled, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp. ""Depends. You got coin?"

Lady Kori, ever proper, interjected, "We seek lodging for the night, good Lief. Pray tell, what is thy price for such accommodations?"

The orc guard, her voice surprisingly soft yet commanding, murmured, "Twenty per night." Her four yellow eyes fixed intensely on the group, a hint of allure in her gaze.

"Right, cool," Suki fumbled with her pouch. "Here, will this cover it?" She produced a handful of royal ingots, enough to cover several nights' stay.

Lief's eyebrows shot up behind her mask. "Well, well! Looks like we've got some high rollers here, Rox," she said, nudging her orc companion. "Tell you what, for that kind of coin, I'll throw in our deluxe package. Hot baths, fresh linens, the works."

"Sweet!" Suki exclaimed, her fatigue momentarily forgotten.

As the group settled into their rooms, Charles, ever curious, decided to do some exploring. He phased through walls and floated down corridors, taking in the sights of the inn.

"Fascinating architecture," he mused to himself, admiring the blend of desert practicality and exotic design.

As he rounded a corner, he came face to face with Rox. Lost in thought, he didn't notice until he quite literally phased through her. The orc didn't flinch, her eyes tracking his movement with eerie precision.

“Mama ever teach you it's rude to walk through a lady?" Rox's tone was teasing, but there was steel beneath it.

Charles froze, then slowly materialized. "I, uh... How can you...? I was just admiring the layout, you see" he stammered.

Rox's laugh was low and rich. "Orc eyes see what others can't, ghost. Now, you gonna introduce yourself properly, or do I need to get creative with this exorcism scroll? And here I thought you might be admiring something else," she teased.

Charles, catching on to her flirtatious tone, decided to play along. "Well, now that you mention it, the view has certainly improved," he quipped.

Rox laughed, a deep, rich sound that echoed through the hallway. "Smooth talker, aren't you? I like that in a man... or what’s left of one."

They shared a few more laughs and witty exchanges before Rox's expression turned slightly more serious.

"Look, I'll let you off the hook for sneaking around." she said, her voice still carrying a hint of amusement.

Back in their room, Suki flopped onto her bed with a groan of pure bliss. "Oh sweet merciful gods, I'd forgotten what a real mattress feels like."

Sir Jack chuckled as he carefully removed his armor. "Savor it, young Suki. The Badlands rarely offer such comforts."

Later the next morning, the suns had barely crested the horizon when Suki burst into the common room, eyes bright with excitement. "Come on, guys! One last adventure before we hit the road tomorrow!"

Jack raised an eyebrow, amused by her enthusiasm. "And what adventure didst thou have in mind, young squire?"

Kori chimed in, her voice tinged with caution. "We mustn’t stray too far from our path, child. Perils await us on the morrow."

Suki waved off their concerns. "Just a quick jaunt into the forest. I heard some locals talking about these weird glowing berries. Could be tasty, right?"

After some good-natured grumbling, the group set out, leaving Charles behind to ‘keep an eye on things’ at the inn.

As the day wore on, Rox found herself at the bar, nursing a strong drink. The common room was empty save for her and the form of Charles, who hovered nearby.

"Not joining your friends on their little expedition?" Rox asked, her voice a low rumble.

Charles shrugged, a wry smile on his transparent face. "Someone's got to make sure you don't drink all the inventory."

Rox chuckled, raising her glass in a mock toast. "To absent friends and present company, then."

As they talked, the conversation flowed as easily as the spirits. Rox found herself drawn to Charles's wit and the glimpses of a deeper, more complex personality beneath his easygoing exterior.

"So, tell me," Rox said, leaning in conspiratorially, "what's a charming specter like you doing with a bunch of wannabe heroes?"

Charles's smile faltered for a moment. "Truthfully? I'm not entirely sure. My memories... they're not what they used to be. Hazard of being dead, I suppose."

Rox's expression softened. "Nothing? No family, no past life?"

Charles closed his eyes, concentrating. "There's... a name. Ri. It feels important, but I can't quite grasp why. It's like trying to hold onto smoke."

Rox reached out instinctively, her hand passing through Charles's form. She drew back, embarrassed.

"It's alright," Charles said softly. "It's been a long time since anyone's tried to comfort me. I appreciate the gesture."

A comfortable silence fell between them. Rox swirled her drink, lost in thought.

"You know," Charles said suddenly, "if I had one wish, it'd be to dream again. Maybe then I could get close to that memory I'm letting slip away."

Rox met his gaze, seeing the depth of longing in his faded eyes.

As the day faded into evening, Suki and the others returned, muddy and triumphant, brandishing a sack of glowing fruit They found Charles and Rox deep in conversation, an unlikely pair bound by shared loneliness and unexpected connection.

That night, as the inn settled into silence, Charles found himself wondering about the name that haunted him. Ri. A friend? A lover? A part of himself he'd lost? He couldn't dream, but for the first time in ages, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, with friends both old and new by his side, he might one day unravel the mystery of his past.

The next morning the inn stirred to life. The group gathered their belongings, a mix of excitement and trepidation hanging in the air. Suki, still bleary-eyed, fumbled with her pack while Jack and Kori double-checked their supplies.

Charles drifted away from the bustle, finding Rox leaning against the bar, her yellow eyes following his approach.

"So," Rox said, her voice a low purr, "come to say your farewells?"

Charles gave a theatrical bow. "My dear Rox, how could I leave without bidding you adieu?"

A smirk played on her lips. "Careful now, or I might just decide to keep you here."

"And how would you manage that?" Charles asked, intrigued.

Rox's eyes glinted mischievously. "I've picked up a few tricks over the years. Binding spells, spirit traps... or maybe I'd just ask nicely."

Charles felt a familiar thrill run through him, an echo of what it was like to have a heartbeat. "Tempting," he admitted. "But I'm afraid duty calls."

Rox's expression softened, almost imperceptibly. "Before you go, I want something from you."

"Oh?" Charles raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"

Rox leaned in close. "When this quest of yours is over, when you've faced whatever's waiting for you out there... you come back here."

Charles blinked, surprised by the intensity in her tone. "For a drink?"

"Yup," Rox said, her eyes locked on his. "Y’know in all my years guarding this place, you're the first thing - living or dead - who's made me want to look beyond these walls. So come back, Charles. And maybe, just maybe, we'll figure out who you really are."

Charles was speechless for a moment, touched by the unexpected offer. Finally, he nodded. "It's a deal," he said softly.

As the group prepared to depart, Charles cast one last look at Rox. She raised her glass in a silent toast, her eyes promising secrets yet to be uncovered.

And somewhere in the depths of his spectral form, Charles felt the faintest stirring of what might have been a heartbeat.