Two weeks have passed, and Cypher seems no closer to his goal. The cold winds of the desert night and the endless shifting sands, his only company. The billowy clothes he had purchased in the city were ill suited for traveling in the desert.

His entire body was itchy and dry with sand having gotten everywhere, where he used to pray for an end to his journey, now he prayed for a shower.

Yet on he trekked, any choice of returning had been lost days ago. The path back having been swallowed by the uncaring sands. And so he took the path forward, its ruthless beacons forcing him ever forward.

Warming his hands with his breath, he stared out towards the next obelisk as he hoarded any heat he could. His robes have been tied in multiple places in a futile attempt to keep the sand and wind out.

For a night now, Cypher had noted he had been moving down a gradual slope. With previous beacons he could sometimes see hills behind them as he approached, this one seemed to stand independent of other dunes.

“I hope there’s a plain on the other side of that. I’m done with all this climbing.”

His feet moved automatically, the motion of the desert having become second nature to the man. Where in the first week it would take him all night and sometimes later to reach his target, he now reached with increasing speed and ease.

And while the task was by no means easy, his mind shut out any bothers and thoughts. This focus drove him ever onward as he climbed yet another of a thousand dunes.

At the apex of the hill, he stopped suddenly. His eyes focusing and unfocusing as understanding began to sink in.

Beyond the obelisk the ground suddenly went down fast. And thus he now stood at the top of a cliff. A valley stretched out before him, wide beyond his view and far beyond in front of him. The sight stunned him, the dunes covering the ground were much the same as he had traveled. Yet the vantage point he had, mixed with the moon and stars lighting the world stole his breath.

Amongst the dunes, craters belched lava that created solid ground only to be consumed by the sand carried by the wind. A storm brewed in the distance, massive and angry it tore across the world's surface. Yet in the moment, as lightning struck from its dark clouds. Cypher found a kind of peace in watching the violent beauty of nature.

Watching silently for minutes, he stood there. Until a familiar smell met his nose... smoke.

Slowly panning his gaze around, he searched for the source. Where upon placing his gaze on the base of the beacon he found it. The flickering of a fire danced on the side facing the cliff, a person’s shadow being cast across the sands.

Slowly approaching the mystery fire, the soft sound of crackling met his ears amongst the howling of the winds. Just beyond the edge of the obelisk, he heard the person at the fire clear their throat. A deep and slow voice of a man reached him. “Quit creeping in the shadows, only brigands, thieves and murderers sneak upon a fellow traveller out here.”

Grimacing to himself, Cypher stepped out into the light of the fire. Only to instantly wince at how easy he was to convince.

Before him a small fire crackled softly, a pot cooking away on its stand above it. An old man tended to it dutifully as he remained seated on the beacon's supply box. A pair of tents were set up nearby, with Cypher immediately recognizing one as the box’s tent. Next to it was a brownish gray tent which appeared to be the same kind, yet it was mangy and well used, many patches having been applied to its surface over the years.

The old man looked much like his tent, his clothes were an odd brown assortment of fabrics fused together to robe himself. Yet overall they seemed significantly better suited for the climate then Cypher ever could be. The man's deeply tanned face was shriveled and ancient in appearance, he looked at Cypher through squinted eyes. His face was surrounded by greying hairs with flecks of gold from his youth still occasionally visible.

“Well don’t just stand there boy. Here, have a seat.” The old man said, gesturing to the empty section next to him on the box.

“Who is this guy? Why is he all the way out here? Is this a trap?” Cypher stood still for a moment, his mind racing as he questioned what action to take. The first person he had seen in weeks confused him deeply.

The old man cleared his throat again, shaking Cypher out of his stupor.

“I do need to be here, and it's just one old guy. I can handle that if things don’t work out.”

Having made his decision Cypher spoke up. “Thank yo-” His words stopping as they came out as a dry croak.

The old man grew a warm small and laughed uproariously. Patting the spot next to him he spoke again. “Come, sit. Let’s get some drink in you. Then you can try again.”

Embarrassed by his first impression, Cypher sat down next to the old man who handed him a stone cup filled with water. Turning behind himself, the old man filled another cup with water from the beacon’s tank.

Cypher eyed the cup suspiciously, yet when the old man turned back he drank at the same time. Deciding that hydration was more important than safety, he drank two more cups before clearing his throat. While the scratchy dry feeling was still there he felt he could speak again.

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

“Think nothing of it, this place is hostile to the living. We all have to stick together after all. Also, these resources are not mine. They come from this obelisk here.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve been following them for the past few days now.”

“Oh, I haven’t seen any of your kind in a long time.”

“My kind?”

“Yeah, adventurers, scouts, journeymen. Whatever you call them.”

“Oh.”

The two sat silent for a short while. The old man leaned forward and opened the cooking pot, and after retrieving a pair of matching stone bowls served the gruel from within.

Cypher, exhausted by his continuous travels, took a moment to realize he was being handed a bowl which he took with a quiet thanks.

“I figure it’s been a few hundred years since someone last followed these things.”

“A few hundred years? How old are you?”

The old man gave Cypher an amused smile. “Old enough son.”

“Do you live out here? This place seems pretty dangerous…”

“Yeah, I suppose I do. And it is, but once you live somewhere long enough, you figure out its secrets. Makes it a lot safer to be around.”

“But why though?”

“I serve my master, they send me out here to gather information on their behalf. Also, you ask a lot of questions to strangers whose name’s you don’t know.”

Cypher visibly shrunk, his embarrassment mounting. “Oh, sorry. What's your name?”

“They call me Gyles. By what name do you travel?”

“Uh, my name is Cypher.”

“Hmm, a queer name indeed.”

Lacking a response, Cypher shifted awkwardly as he consumed more of his gruel.

“Is this your first attempt, Cypher?”

“Huh?”

“Is this the first time you’ve made this journey?”

“Oh, yeah. Why do you ask?”

“Hmm, well you see. Many have attempted this crossing, while most give up after their first death. Some people keep trying, death after death. One fella I met, he probably tried ten or more tries before giving up.”

“Why? What's at the end anyway?”

The old man shrugged, having finished his meal he reached into a slip in his robes and removed a short wooden pipe. The wood was roughly cut and clearly poorly made, it appeared very well used and seemed to be as old as the man himself. With great care and with practiced hands he packed and lit the pipe. Turning away from Cypher as he stoked the flame from a lighter that was hidden by his fingers.

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“Everyone’s got their theories son, old world treasure, ancient weapons, one of the last living ancients, old military secrets, traps left from hell, giant sandworms luring in prey. You name it, someone believes it.

“What do you think is at the end?”

The man turned towards Cypher, the blue of his eyes getting caught momentarily by Cypher before he turned back towards the fire.

“The tribes that call this place home, they believe their lord lives at the end of the path. That these pillars are the guide to the afterlife.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.. I thought everyone was a god? That we are immortal.”

“Some people need something greater than themselves sometimes. And while you may outlive the stars, the universe comes for us all someday.”

“You didn’t answer my question though sir, what do you think is at the end of this path?”

The man sat silent for a moment, his eyes focused on some point far off in the sky. His pipe puffing softly as he thought.

“It doesn’t matter what I think is at the end. What I know is that you walk a path of suffering. The end of it is only the beginning of a life of pain. Is this really a path you wish to travel?”

Cypher stared blankly at the fire, his mind wracked with thoughts. His food all but forgotten as he weighed the man's words.

“I don’t really have a choice do I? I either march forward or I die.

“Death is often a much kinder door than living. While it is no guarantee that your future life will be easier, some challenges are insurmountable to some. And in recognizing that, there is no shame.”

“Are you proposing I should kill myself?”

“Nay, I want you to see that you always have choices. And more often than not, living is the harder one.

Cypher sat silently for a time, his gaze casted out at the valley beyond. His eyes watching a storm move across the horizon, the lighting flashing in his eyes.

“If so many people die on this journey, why don’t they just fly?”

“The beacons are older than most people, ya know. They were made back during that great war. When the oceans were turned to salt and sand, they stood as guides. A way for survivors to find their way north or south when the skies themselves were consumed by dust. Their creators however feared what would happen if those beyond learned the planet still lived. Thus, the pillars themselves mask all that are beneath them. From above, they appear as nothing. To prevent any from leaving, they destroyed any craft that flew from above or below their field.”

“That seems pretty extreme... Why are they still active if they are so dangerous?”

“The question on everyone’s lips. Obelisks that have remained silent for aeons suddenly awaken. And so for the last few thousand years many have journeyed to learn why. And now, you join their ranks. Why?”

“..... I owe a debt, and the man who sent me claims if I try then it will be paid.”

“Try?”

“Yeah, he said whether I succeed or not. That I'll be free.”

“Hmph. What is this debt you carry anyway?”

“I got caught breaking into his house.”

“Ah, then he chose to kill you without drawing your blood.”

“Eh… I’m not sure, I mean. If I succeed, then he won’t have.”

“So, you seek to do what not one other has done?”

“Well, if I do then I do. If I don’t then I die. I’d rather do the impossible, than give up and die.”

Gyles nodded his head, a smile crossing his face as he began to chuckle to himself.

“What’s so funny?” Cypher said in a bewildered tone.

The old man’s laugh trailed off slowly before answering. “You remind me of another intrepid explorer that followed these markers before.”

Cypher waited for a moment for the man to continue, but when no words came, he returned to watching the fire crackle away. The pair sat quietly for some time, the sun's rays soon peaking over the horizon.

“You should sleep now boy, you’ll need your rest for the next stage of your journey.”

Cypher looked up, his mind having drifted off on it’s own and was now awake again. “Oh, I assume it’s forward into this valley then?”

“Yes, only that’s no valley. That's the dried floor of the ocean, and we now sit on the edge of this continent's shelf.”

“Huh? How does someone dry out an entire ocean?”

“Antimatter my boy, older bombs woulda boiled it away, only for it to return later. Antimatter, all that leaves behind is energy.”

Cypher nodded his head slowly, unsure as to if the old man was telling the truth or not. “There’s no way this is an ocean. Probably just some weird canyon.”

“So, sir. Why did you set up that tent and make food for me? I appreciate the gesture, but it seems kinda strange.”

“The names Gyles, lad. I’m no sir. And these markers are interesting things. Providing for those that follow their calling. The more people, the more stuff. So when I saw it, I figured I’d meet whoever’s taking the challenge and help them out a bit.”

“Ah, sorry Gyles. That’s very kind of you though. Thank you.”

“No worries son, happy to help any who travel these lands.”

Cypher, deciding to take the man’s advice, went off to his tent. He soon fell asleep as his tired body and mind caught up to him. And while it wasn’t the most comfortable arrangement, he felt he slept better than he ever had before.

Cypher woke as he had for the past few days to the sound of the obelisks alarm. He was surprised however as upon leaving his tent, the old man who he had forgotten about was still there. And to his appreciation Gyles had prepared him food again.

And so, as the night had begun the two ate together. After which Gyles gave a few pointers and pieces of advice. Most of which was directed at changing his clothing to make it protect him more.

This advice soon dissolved into Gyles forcibly modifying Cyphers clothes for him using scissors and thread. And so, Cypher sat mostly nude with bandaged fingers as the old man worked away.

“Sorry again..”

“Don’t worry about it, son.”

“Yeah, but I should have been able to handle it.”

“And you will someday, but until then. Leave the tailoring to the experts.”

“Sorry again.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it. Doing it myself is way less painful than watching you fumble around.”

Cypher smiled at his bandaged hands ruefully. “I’m sure it hurt me more than it hurt you.”

“I disagree lad, the secondhand embarrassment was toture.”

The pair laughed together. After some time, Gyles handed him back his now newly changed clothes. While they were still the same white and yellow outfit he had left with, they now fit his body much more snugly. The ankles and wrists now sealed against his skin to prevent sand from getting inside, while the belt portion fused to provide a defence from the relentless desert.

“It’s not perfect, but it should keep the sand from getting in your skivvies.”

Cypher smiled as he moved around in his new clothes. “Thank’s Gyles.”

After Cypher helped Gyles pack up his belongings into a small backpack. The pair walked away from the obelisk as the new one emerged down in the dry sea bed. As they looked off at the new objective, the old beacon slid beneath the sands as the others before it had.

“So, Gyles.”

“Yeah?”

“How do I get down this cliff?”

Gyles, with exaggerated motion stared down the side of the cliff edge. His feet slowly stepping back as he turned back towards Cypher.

“Simple, you slide down. The sand should cushion you from the rock.”

Stepping forward, Cypher now took his turn to look down the side. And while the cliff was steep, it was significantly tapered by the dunes of sand that rose along its side.

“Uh, pretty sure I'd just roll down that.”

“Not if I help ya.” The old man said with a sparkle in his eye.

“Wait, you're gonna join me on my journey?”

“My master has me traveling the area, nothing saying I can’t travel with another for a time.”

Cypher grew a large smile. “Alright! So, how do we get down there?”

Gyles carefully withdrew two small black metal balls from within his robes, one of which he slowly placed in Cypher's hand. “Watch.” Squeezing the ball between his hands, the ball began squishing and spiraling out until it reached the size of a trash can lid. “Now, you do the same.”

With some trepidation, and a few sidelong looks at Gyles. Cypher squeezed the ball until it too resembled a thin back trash can lid. “Now what?”

“Now, we do the fun part.” He said as he put the disk behind his back and jumped off the cliff.

A panicked Cypher moved to the cliff’s edge. Only for him to realize his worry was misplaced as Glyes sled down the sandy slope. For a moment he thought he saw the smile of a troublemaker on the old man's face.

Throwing caution to the wind, Cypher followed suit and jumped off the cliff's edge. Letting out a “Woohoo!” as he gained speed down the long slope.

The pair finally reunited at the bottom of the descent, the obelisk now a significantly shorter distance than it was before.

“Wow! How far did we go, Gyles?” Cypher said as he returned the disk, which shrunk back into its ball form as easily as it had changed before. His legs, a little shaky from the long ride.

“Oh, I'm not too sure. Around two miles of goin down at least. Builds a whole lot of momentum. So consider this your break day.”

“You sure? You don’t have any other tricks to make the trek easier?”

“Nope, just walking unfortunately.”

Cyphers shoulders sagged, but he already knew the answer before asking.

“Well, I suppose we should get going then. At least I can sleep early today.”

Gyles smiled with amusement as he walked behind the crestfallen Cypher, the men trudging off towards the next marker.