Pale gray sand stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions, rising in small dunes. A couple of small dust devils danced under the dull blue sky, an odd addition of wind and movement in an otherwise still landscape.

There wasn’t a cloud above Peacock to hide him from the blazing sun, and the oppressive heat bore down with palpable force.

It only seemed natural that Zenith Flight’s base would be in the middle of a burning hot wasteland. Not that he knew for sure if he was still near Zenith Flight. He’d blacked out next to Alainn and reappeared in the middle of nothing. There weren’t even plants or vultures.

Alainn… She’d only had one orb, and the way it vanished when she’d used it made him think it was single use. Which meant…. Peacock pushed the image of her away. No, I can’t dwell on what happened to her right now. I have to get stronger. I have to learn to cheat like Zenith Flight. Then I’ll avenge her. I’ll avenge everyone Nex and Zenith Flight have ever hurt, and everything they’ve ever done. He grinned. So many ways to hurt someone, and they’ll experience them all.

Peacock trudged to the top of the latest dune and gazed over more wasteland. Have to get out of this damned place first. He groaned. But I will. I promise you, Alainn, they’ll pay. They’ll all pay.

Every step felt a little heavier, every minute draining a bit more of his energy, yet he forced himself onward. By the time Peacock stumbled onto something new, he was nearly on top of it before he noticed.

A massive metallic scorpion twice the size of Nex blotted out the sky, casting a long shadow. Peacock’s heart went from sluggish to hyper in a second as he took in the giant insect. Fortunately, it had its back to him. Unfortunately, it was turning.

Shit, shit, shit. Peacock backed up a few steps, his head swiveling as he searched for anything resembling a hiding spot. Other than the massive scorpion he should have seen miles away, there was nothing… except….

He dived into the base of the dune behind him, digging frantically. The sand gave way with ease, then immediately filled back in.

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No! Peacock didn’t dare look back. If the scorpion was about to eat him, he didn’t want to know.

He pushed his head into the sand, using his claws to make room for his body. It worked. The top of the dune slid over him like a blanket, blotting out all light.

Peacock went still. He didn’t know if hiding in the sand would work. Maybe the scorpion could smell him or had heat vision. Did heat vision work in the desert? Whatever the case, it was the best and only option he had. Please be enough. I can’t die now. Alainn saved me. I can’t let her down.

A loud click sounded from behind. Peacock resisted the urge to jump. Don’t move. Can’t move.

More clicks, followed by chittering that grated against Peacock’s ears. I’m not here, I’m not here, I’m not here! He repeated the mantra until it lost meaning before realizing everything had gone silent.

He waited longer, just in case, straining to hear a hint of a giant insect about to attack. All was quiet. Still, he didn’t know how mobs worked. Were they free roaming? Set paths? Static? Regardless, scooting back out to where the scorpion had been seemed like a bad choice. Peacock burrowed forward instead.

Like getting into the dune, digging through was easier than he expected. I guess sand is a lot softer than rock, and I dug through plenty of that with Arianrhod. Peacock scowled. The memories felt so faded, like another life. One ended by Zenith Flight. More reason to excise them from the world.

With a surge of anger, he burst through the other side of the dune and immediately felt idiotic as sand skittered down around him. Stupid! The dune might keep the scorpion from seeing me, but I bet it isn’t deaf.

Peacock flattened his belly to the ground, slowly pivoting until he could see the top of the dune. Well, no clacking claws or giant head appearing. He let out a slow breath. Time to get out of here.

Belly to the sand, he slithered in the opposite direction of the mob, keeping between sand dunes. It was more exhausting than walking, but it was a small price to pay to not die on his first day of freedom.

ABILITY UNLOCKED: STEALTH

He yelped. After so long having his xp drained and his actions restricted, he’d forgotten he could unlock new things.

After a quick scan proved he was alone, Peacock slithered on. As much as he wanted to check out his first new ability in ages, if there was one giant mob in the wasteland, there were more. No need to wait for another.

Peacock glanced up at the sun. It was to his right, and on its way down. A vague memory told him that meant he was going south. However large the wasteland was, if he moved in the same direction, he should eventually get to a new area. That was his hope, at least, and the only one he had.