"What, you're famous?" asked Zander.

"Yep, that's right! I'm Barto, the famous water carrier of the Scorching Wastelands!" Barto said with a grin. "I've traveled far and wide, searching for the finest water in the universe. When I was just a young lad, lost and parched in the desert, I thought it was my end. I was on the brink of collapse, desperate for just a drop to drink. But then, out of nowhere, I stumbled upon a mystical pond. I took a sip—it was the most incredible thing I'd ever tasted. It cured my thirst completely. Now, I don’t need to drink water at all."

“Sounds like a make-believe story. Besides, why didn’t we see this pond?” said Leo.

“Oh, my tiger friend, it’s real—genuine. I believe I was heading east when I found it.” Barto countered.

“So, I guess that’s another legend. I want to see if it’s real,” said Zander.

“I don’t believe it is, Zander,” replied Leo.

“You don’t know that, Leo. We might find it—and take a sip of that water ourselves.”

“Yes! Yes! You two should go and seek it! But before you do. Would you like to buy some water from me?”

“Oh... we don’t have any money.”

“No money? That’s perfectly fine! Here, take two on the house.”

“Wow, thank you so much! See you later, Barto!”

“Wishing y'all a wonderful journey ahead!”

Leo takes a sip from a brown flask. “This is incredible! I feel so refreshed.”

“Yeah, it’s delicious,” Zander replies, smiling as he sips himself.

Then, a fast figure darted past them. “Why are they running?” Zander wondered, his curiosity piquing his mind.

“She's killed him! Guards!”

Countless guards began to chase after the fleeing figure.

“Who was that? She was so fast I couldn’t even see her,” Zander muttered.

“Whoever it is,” Leo replied, “looks like trouble. Best we stay far away from it.”

“Agreed,” Zander nodded.

“Oh, ruler, this is terrible,” said Xen, the ruler’s messenger, his voice urgent.

“What has happened, Xen?” asked Havasu, the ruler of the City of the Scorching Wastelands, leaning forward with a concerned expression.

“Hasbo, the commander of the Oasis Squad… he was murdered in cold blood,” Xen replied solemnly.

“What! Was it an assassination?” Havasu demanded.

“Possibly, my ruler. He was pierced through the heart and died instantly,” Xen confirmed, his face pale with worry.

“This is not good... this is terrible. Does anyone have any leads on who could have done this?” Havasu asked, tension clear in his voice.

“We may, ruler,” Xen replied. “A woman in white robes, with what looked like a basket covering her head, running with a bloody sword. She may have been the one; her face was hidden.”

“Did any of the guards manage to catch her?” Havasu pressed.

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“No, ruler. She was too fast,” Xen answered, frustration evident.

“We must find this killer,” Havasu commanded firmly. “Put the city on lockdown until this assassin is found.”

Xen bowed. “Yes, ruler. I will inform the guards at once.”

Zander and Leo walk through the city and then see thousands of guards enter some vast palace. “ What’s going on?”

Aster, the general of the Oasis Squad, addressed the crowd with a commanding voice. “Citizens of the Scorching Wastelands, a killer is on the loose in our city. No one is permitted to leave until this matter is resolved. Your safety is our priority, and we will not rest until the threat has been eliminated.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd, but Aster raised a hand to quiet them. “Remain vigilant and report anything unusual to the guards. Together, we’ll restore peace to our home.”

“A killer?” Zander thought, unease creeping into his mind.

Zander approached a guard. “So, there’s a killer on the loose?” he said.

“Yes, sir,” the guard replied. “The killer murdered Hasbo, the commander of the Oasis Squad. He was a fine commander—well-respected. It’s sad to think about his untimely death.”

“Do you have any leads?” Zander asked the guard.

“No, not yet. We know a woman in white robes with a basket for a head.”

“Maybe we and this tiger could help,” Zander suggested.

“Really?” the guard replied, surprised.

“Of course! We’ll find this killer and bring her to justice. Right, Leo?”

“All right,” Leo chimed in. “We’ll scout for this woman. And maybe I can challenge her to the death.”

“Okay, but first, we need to speak to the ruler. That’s the only way we can officially join the hunt. He’s in the palace,” the guard said, pointing toward the grand structure rising in the distance.

Zander nodded. “Let’s go, Leo.”

Havasu stood over a large map of the city in a room lined with maps and ancient scriptures. Beside him were Aster, his trusted advisor, and Leon, the city’s celebrated hero.

“We need tighter security,” Havasu said, tapping the map at the four city gates. “Station fifty soldiers at each gate. That should make it much harder for the killer to slip past us.”

“Understood, my ruler,” replied Aster, nodding.

“Ruler, is this essential?” Leon asked. “I could find the killer myself. It’s just one person. Surely, we don’t need all this security.”

“You don’t understand, Leon,” Havasu replied firmly. “The killer could be anywhere in this massive city. Without this lockdown, they might have already escaped. We have to make it harder for them to slip away.”

“Now, you two, take your leave,” Havasu commanded.

Aster and Leon bowed before leaving the room. Just as they exited, Zander and Leo entered, escorted by a guard.

Havasu looked them over, frowning slightly. “And who might you two be?”

“Ruler, these two wish to assist with the case,” the guard announced.

“Leave them here. Return to your post,” Havasu ordered.

The guard bowed and left. Zander stepped forward. “We’d like to help with the investigation.”

Havasu raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“What do you mean?” Zander replied.

“You can’t possibly be doing this out of the kindness of your heart,” Havasu said, his tone skeptical. “Is it a reward you seek?”

“No. Actually… yes. I want a carmel—and so does this big tiger here,” Zander grinned.

“A carmel? And for what purpose?” Havasu asked, eyebrows raised.

“To find a magical pond,” Zander said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“A magical pond?” Havasu scoffed. “You mean to tell me you believe that fool, Barto?”

“You know of that water carrier?” Leo chimed in with interest.

"Yes, everyone knows about him," Havasu replied, shaking his head. "He's told that story to almost everyone who crosses his path. I'm telling you, boys, it's just a tale to get people curious. He probably says it to sell his overpriced, bad-tasting water. There is no pond in this hot desert."

Zander stood firm. "No, I believe him. Right, Leo?"

Leo shrugged. "Can’t say I put much stock in that water carrier's tale, but I'd need to see it myself to be sure."

Barto, hearing their doubts, leaned in with a wide smile. "Oh, you don’t believe me, huh? That’s what everyone says until they’re out there, mouth dry and wishing for just a sip. I will show you that my tale is not a fake.”

Hidden in the bushes, Barto watched their exchange, his expression shifting between frustration and determination. After a moment, he muttered, “I’ll show them. I’ll prove it’s real.”

With a final glance toward Zander and Leo, he slipped away quietly, a plan forming in his mind. He'd find that mystical pond again if they doubted him and brought back undeniable proof.