Today we passed the point of no return. We no longer have enough water toback out of the desert. The only way open to us is forward: through thedesert, to the Burning King. To victory, or to death.

The strain of this journey is taking its toll on Nina. No wonder — this isher first desert crossing. I was born in the desert, but Nina was born in acity, in some land unimaginably far away. She never held a sword before Isummoned her to this world. She never rode a horse. She never slept underthe open sky. The latter, she still doesn't do. Every evening, she vanishesbefore my eyes, and every morning she reappears, guided by the ancient magicthat I have released. And every night I spend in fear, alone, worried thatshe won't come back.

Because I can't do this alone. I know how to use a sword, but I am nowarrior. No hero. Not like Nina. I have seen Nina fight, and I know that Icannot match her, despite my greater experience. She has the instincts of anadventurer. Where I like to retreat into by books, she goes out to face theworld. When I look at her, I see the face of the hero destined to defeat theBurning King.

The heat is not just draining our bodies, but our spirits. I feel hot andtired and irritable. I can only imagine how much worse this is for Nina, whois not used to the desert. I can only imagine, because we rarely talk anymore.

The heat makes speaking painful. I wish I could tell Nina how much she meansto me, how much I appreciate her taking this journey with me, but nothing comesout when I open my mouth.

Soon we will reach the great oasis of Daklath. There we will replenish ourwaterskins, and hopefully our spirits. The way through the desert is long,but we have already made it this far. We will just have to keep going. Tovictory, or to death.

Platforming action and adventure game puzzles. Seven chapters. Lots of sidequests. More secrets than you will ever find.