ωнєη тнє ιмρσѕѕιвℓє кєєρѕ уσυ нσℓ∂ιηg ση

[echolight4eva]

Soon, they were in the dark again, feeling the way out. Then, eventually, light began to appear in the cave, faintly outlining things.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder blinked at the daylight when they finally stepped out. He let out a slow, shuddering breath and then laughed. "Fresh air."

[echolight4eva]

Theon sighed quietly. "Good. Let's go."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder shielded his eyes from the red glare of the sun and looked around with a grimace. "Where are we? All I can see is mountains and trees."

[echolight4eva]

Theon looked around, squinting. "We must have gone further than we thought. Well, there has to be civilization around here somewhere. Let's try... this way."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder followed him across the grass, sighing with relief when they stepped into the shade. Despite the ash-filled sky blocking the sun, the day was already heating up.

[echolight4eva]

Theon kept walking for a while as it began to heat up. Finally, after a while he stopped and sat under some shade. "We should find some water."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"I couldn't agree more," Ryder grumbled. "Where do you find water in a place like this?"

[echolight4eva]

"No idea. In lessons, we were always told stories of heroes who listened for it, but I'm not sure how much that would help."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder scoffed, skeptical that any man could find water by 'listening' for it. It wasn't as if water spoke. "It would probably be full of ash anyway. We need to find civilization."

[echolight4eva]

Theon glared at him, but nodded. "Right. Any ideas?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"We go south," Ryder said. He pointed at the sky, more specifically the sun. "Based on the time of year and time of day, I figured out that Luthadel is south of the Pits. So if we head south, we might hit something."

[echolight4eva]

"Sounds like a plan," he said, nodding. He stood again and began walking south.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder walked after him, trying to work up spit and swallow the dryness out of his mouth. Theon was right--again--that they needed water. They wouldn't survive long without it, the way the day was progressing. It was getting hotter by the minute.

[echolight4eva]

The land they were walking in was barren, with little around to provide comforting shade. Theon swallowed, trying to wet his throat. It felt hot and thick without moisture.