Secrets In The Sands

The group walked under the harsh desert sun for several hours before the sun finally set, giving them some much-needed relief.

"Ahhh how much further do we have to go?" Amin asked in an incredibly exhausted tone.

"We're almost there," Oz replied "There you should be able to see it. The hidden city of Sakhr"

The town was isolated with no paths connecting it to the outside world but the town itself had a well-maintained system of stone roads. The buildings were a white stone in which the moonlight bounced off of, many of the buildings looked like they hadn't had anyone occupying them in years giving it an ancient look. But the most impressive part of the city was the white pyramid with a gold tip in the center. The area surrounding it seemed to be the most lively, many lights lit up the base of the pyramid. The scale of the city made Iska wonder how this hadn't been discovered by the royal army.

"It's amazing!" Raiha said while staring wide-eyed at the shiny gold at the top of the pyramid. Iska couldn't take his eyes off it either the city was gorgeous, who would've guessed something like this would be in the middle of the desert?

"Seems you like the pyramid. Well, I have good news for you all, that's exactly where we're headed" Oz said sounding pleased.

The group followed Oz through the city. The outer area seemed to be almost abandoned, only the moonlight illuminated the road they were taking. Though it did seem like a few of the buildings in the area were occupied. Every once in a while a person would glare curiously out the windows, peering at the group of outsiders with wide eyes.

Eventually, they broke out of the darkness into the lively center of town. Blinding lights shined all around, people walked throughout the streets. Many voices mixed together creating an unintelligible noise. There were street vendors all around, and ladies of the night lurking around looking for a lonely guy to entice. The dense crowds almost reminded Iska of the capital city, Alsakahr. 

The bustle of town distracted Iska, to the point where he didn't even notice that they had gotten incredibly close to the pyramid. This time he could truly take in how massive it was, he could barely see the giant golden top from where he stood.

"Follow me inside," Said Oz as he entered into the pyramid from a door that Iska hadn't noticed until it had been brought to his attention.

The group followed Oz inside, revealing a massive passageway that lead directly into the pyramid. Several other smaller passages seemed to lead to various areas. Oz walked straight ignoring any of the other paths.

Minutes later the group made it to a large solid gold door. The door had a strange form of writing that Iska couldn't make out, though it seemed familiar to him all at the same time.

"This is the main chamber. Our king is right beyond this door, he will explain everything to you." Oz opened the door revealing a fancy-looking room, in the center sat a throne, and on that throne sat a man who wore a crown that was clad with gems. No doubt this was their king. 

The man wore large gold earrings on his ears and seemingly hundreds of chains around his neck. His teeth were also gold, he wore no shirt with a white cloth covering the lower half of his body.

"King Ur, I have returned with the man you requested. I have also brought his companions" Oz bowed down, urging Iska and the rest to do the same.

Iska bowed his head as King Ur spoke "Good job, Oz have you told them the reason we have brought them here?" He asked in an old and wise-sounding tone. Exactly what Iska imagined him to sound like.

"No, not yet, I figured I should bring them here first."

King Ur nodded. "I see, so you must be confused, right Iska?"

Iska looked up unaware of how his name was known. "Yes, I have many questions."

"No worries. All of your questions will be answered. Now first, let me tell you the story of the Sanjin Clan."

"Alright, make it quick if you can," Iska said slightly annoyed that he'd have to sit through a long story for seemingly no reason at all.

King Ur began his story, completely ignoring Iska's comment. "Over 2000 years ago from a land far to the east, a clan of warriors descended on this land. This was the Sanjin clan, with their superior technology they conquered this land. They used an ancient weapon named Ra to force the natives into submission. They then began their thousand-year reign of terror, that was until a peace-loving king took the throne. His name was Tengen, he sealed the ancient weapon away and constructed a code that hid the location of the ancient weapon. He passed the knowledge of how to crack the code only to his direct descendants whom he then exiled. In return, the natives buried all knowledge on our clan and left us in peace. We are the descendants of the Sanjin clan, we have been waiting to enact revenge on the natives of this land. And you Iska, are the descendent of Tengen. If you can assist me in locating the ancient weapon we can reclaim our rightful lands!" King Ur finished in an excited tone, making it easy to read how much he truly desired this. 

"It sounds interesting, but what makes you think I'm the descendant of Tengan?" Iska questioned.

"I trust you saw the writings on the door?"

"Yes, it looked familiar but I couldn't seem to make it out. It reminds me of something my father once taught me before he died, though I can't seem to remember exactly what it was."

"That's all the proof I need. Now Oz take him to the wall of ancients and I'll arrange for everyone else to be taken to their rooms" 

Oz nodded and looked at Iska prodding him to come along.

Reluctantly Iska broke off from the rest of the group and followed Oz back through the large golden door that they had entered from.

Thump!

The large door closed behind them decisively. Iska took one look back at the writings on the door. It was strange, how could something so foreign seem so familiar to him at the same time?

Iska followed close behind Oz. This time they took a turn down one of the small passages. This one seemed to lead down into the earth. The path was faintly lit by lanterns that were generously spaced apart. 

It took a considerable amount of time before Iska and Oz made it into a large room. The far wall was filled with art that seemingly depicted some kind of story. In the center was more of the writing that appeared on the door to the king's chamber. 

"Does any of this look familiar?" Oz asked.

"Vaguely, I can't make anything specific out," Iska said as he walked towards the back wall, running his hand along the grooves of the writing.

"The pictures on this wall depict the great battles of the first king who made his way to this land. The writing is something that King Tengen added himself. No one has been able to make out what it reads. We don't even know if the ancient weapon is real or not, or if it's just a story our ancestors made up but we're willing to bet our everything on it. It's the only chance to regain the land we've lost. To sum it up, this is our hope." Oz tearfully remarked.

"This land doesn't belong to you people exclusively," Iska said in an angered tone. "Sure, you have the same right to call this land you're own as any other. But the Senjin Clan stole this land, you can't just take it from those who were here before you."

"The blood of Tengen definitely runs through your veins. You even share his ideals. But you aren't exactly a fan of the current kingdom that rules these sands. I think you'll be able to find that it's worth it to help us. But you should sleep on it and get some rest, we'll continue in the morning." Oz smiled at Iska and signaled for him to follow.

Iska didn't trust anything Oz said but he followed him anyways. They went through another passage that lead to a room with a dozen beds. This is where his companions laid in wait. 

"Iska's back!" Raiha yelled ecstatically as she ran over to him. Wrapping him up in a tight hug.

"Get off me!" Iska struggled to get her off of him. Amin laughed watching the two.

"Welcome back," He said smiling towards his best friend. Annoyed as he was, Iska still smiled back.

Iska laid down on the nearest bed and closed his eyes. "We got more things to figure out tomorrow, so get some shut-eye." He said as he drifted off into a deep sleep.