Xiang is curled up in bed, snoring and mumbling.

“AWAKE!” Gray said, jolting Xiang awake.

Xiang looks around, still disoriented. This was his first true sleep in a bed since he started his Aura training five months ago.

“Come on, we leave,” Gray said, hurriedly.

“How even will 5 things take us to David’s Castle?” Xiang asked.

“It build something… It will take one… Out of planet… To Castle,” Gray responded. “Now, move. We go soon.”

Xiang got ready and went outside to see two camels on the grass. Gray was riding one, and the other was eating grass.

“Get on, we go,” Gray said.

Xiang trots over and gets on the camel who is just eating grass.

“You’re surprisingly light!” the camel exclaimed.

“AHHD!” Xiang exclaimed, jumping off the camel.

“Why’re you so scared? I’m just talking,” it replies.

Xiang gets back on, and they set off towards Afar.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“So, why are we riding on these camels?” Xiang asked.

“Ayo, I ain’t a camel. I’m a Mimicsmule!”

“That right. This transform and be anything,” Gray replied. “It look like a Sand Mule because Afar is desert.”

“So, why are we even going to Afar?” Xiang asks.

“We need to get 5 things. To go David,” Gray replies.

“Woah. Sir Granite, you’re not-” the mimicsmule Gray was riding said.

Gray just nods. The mimicsmule just shakes its head.

“So I gotta explain this to you? Wonderful,” the mimicsmule said. “Sir Granite wants to go find the five particle components. People like to think it's just a myth, but they do exist. And legends say that collecting all five will lead whoever uses them outside of our world. What Sir Granite thinks is that you could use it to go to David,” it says. “Whoever that is.”

Xiang heard that and was only filled with more questions. Why does Gray want to help Xiang? Why do the mimicsmules call Gray “Sir Granite”? What are the five particle components?

As they rode towards the sand, night began crawling in. In the distance, there was a warm yellow light.

“That Afar City!” Gray exclaimed happily.

“It sure is, Sir Granite,” both mimicsmules said in unison.

Meanwhile…

Xinhui was worried. He hadn’t seen his younger brother in months. His parents didn’t seem to bat an eye to the absence of Xiang. Xinhui knew he had to do something. Leaving the house, he walked around his neighborhood.

“Xianghui! Xianghui Lu!” Xinhui yelled in vain.

“Hey.” a voice said to him from the alley near him.