Tainted Land (Rysmarin & Shin Majin)

[Rysmarin]

A single man trecked over the harsh desert, making a beeline for the tall mountain range that bordered it as the sun beat down upon his back. He had long since removed most of his armor and wrapped his shirt about his mid-length black hair in a sort of makeshift turban, leaving him in little but the pair of black pants he wore under his scale mail and his gauntlets and greaves. He had to shade his hawkigh grey-blue eyes to scan the horizon, though his sharp features brightened slightly when he spied an oasis.

He took a moment to check his map and compas, making sure he was more or less in the correct place... and, more importantly, that the water and greenery he saw was not simply a mirage he was immagining due to the heat. Asertaining with some certainty that the oasis was likely real, he smiled broadly, packing his map back into the sack that also housed his armor and slung it to his back. He proceeded towards it with all due caution and haste.

Regardless, his lithe, well toned form was tense as he watched the area around him, grasping the hilt of his sword tightly in cas he needed it. He jogged quite a distance across the undulating sea of sand before finally setting foot on the tough, but healthy desert grass that surounded the water's edge. He knelt in the shade of one of the two broad-leafed trees that shaded the area and dipped his hands into the water to drink.

Next, he dipped his canteen in, filling the near-empty vessel with grattitude. "Thank the goddess I found this place when I did..." He muttered. He'd thought he'd have reached it sooner, but the distance on his map was a bit misleading, not making note of how long the desert portion would feel. He splashed a little extra water on his face to cool his skin, then sat back with a sigh.

Hardly a moment after he did, however, he heard a rustling in the brush behind him, a bit louder than the slight breeze would allow. He whirled, grabbing and drawing his sword in a single fluid motion, pointing it at the source of the sound. He held steady for a moment, watching the desert beyond the bubble of green with caution... "If someone is there, show yourself." He waited quietly for a moment, continuing to watch the over-bright desert for a moment before his eyes started to water and he decided he'd simply been hearing things. He sheathed his sword and sat back against the tree with a sigh, deciding to rest for a little while before proceeding with his journey.

 

[Shin Majin]

Marash stretched languidly as she lay down on the sands in front of the abandoned library she called home. It really was an ideal home, being full of history and secrets. Secrets... she mentally repeated to herself. From the books left in the library when her mother had first discovered it for her, Marash gathered that this library was but a tiny piece of an entire ancient city, most of which had likely been buried under the sands. The mere thought sent shivers down her spine. She was a sphinx, and to her, the pursuit of knowledge was more thrilling than sex. Probably.

Regardless, those mysteries would have to wait. As she did most days, she had spent all morning attempting to magically excavate the area, but to no avail. Sand was such a uncooperative medium, and all it took was one strong gust to undo hours of hard work. She smiled to herself as she opened the large book on the ground in front of her. Turning the pages with her massive, tawny-furred paws was difficult, so she'd all-but mastered a minor manipulation spell for that very purpose. It was second nature to her.