[MillietheWarrior]

The air was dry. The desert was hot. Star was not cut out for this kind of thing. He thick coat and heavy metal plating made it difficult to withstand the heat. But she persisted on. She wasn’t sure what brought her here, or how she’d come to be in the desert in the first place. The sand was hot beneath her paws. it dcorched the pads.

[MillietheWarrior]

The wind was picking up. It brought little relief. It was harsh and grating and the sand was gritty and unappealing. It seemed to be everywhere. She was sure she’d be shaking sand from her coat for days. It was an unappealing idea.

[MillietheWarrior]

What exactly had made her want to come here in the first place? Very good question. She’d heard something about training grounds. She wasn’t entirely certain, but she had an idea that this place would make her stronger. How strong, she couldn’t be sure.

[MillietheWarrior]

But there were times when she was certain it was necessary. Battles, tournaments, and defending her loved ones. It was a good idea. Right? Star was starting to regret the decision. She was getting thirsty and there was no water in sight. Not that it surprised her.,

[MillietheWarrior]

She hadn’t seen a drop of water in hours. She wondered if the stories about finding an oasis in the desert were true. Apparently, not so much. She was sure she’d seen a few mirages that made no sense, and some that did. A monkey on a tricycle, and a soda machine were both equally unappealing.

[MillietheWarrior]

“I can only do so much,“ she said softly as the wind buffeted her fur. The sand stung her bi-colored eyes. “I can only endure so much of this.” She wanted to turn around and march straight home. But something was holding her here. She intended to find out what.

[MillietheWarrior]

There was something about this place. It seemed unappealing, but she couldn’t leave. She was intended to get stronger. And stronger she would be before the day was out. But she didn’t know how to go about it. How did the others do it?

[MillietheWarrior]

How did the other Mekkayena, the others of her kind, become such devils? How did they become so feared, so revered, so strong? How? It was surely not this place. They lived in basantha. It was cold, and snowy there, a far cry from the desert.

[MillietheWarrior]

Yet here, it was similar. The snow and sand were much alike. Their temperatures were different, but they seemed so much the same. There were no ruins, no temples here. Just the endless, vast sea of sand. It stretched as far as the eye could see. She didn’t know if it ever ended.

[MillietheWarrior]

What was on the other side? Was there another side? Did it simply stretch on forever? She wondered if anyone else inhabited this place. Who could live in such a wasteland? Star steeled herself for a long trek. She was about to find out.
[10]