GODFORGED

A vast expanse of sand stretched endlessly beneath the dim sky, the wind whispering through the barren wasteland. Five figures moved in a slow, steady march across the cracked earth, their dark cloaks fluttering with each step. The Forsaken did not belong here, yet here they were—walking.

The one with the skull mark on his arm clicked his tongue. "We should have just teleported. This heat is ridiculous."

The pale-skinned, bald one chuckled dryly. "Teleportation leaves traces. You want the seekers on us?"

"The seekers are blind fools," the one with the red jewel in his left eye muttered, adjusting his hood. "Besides, we're already late. If we don't get there soon, the leader will—"

"Do you even know what he truly wants?" The one with claws interrupted, his sharp nails flexing. "We carry out the will of someone none of us have even seen. Doesn't that bother you?"

Silence followed, save for the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps against the sand.

The quiet one, wrapped from head to toe in black, walked a few paces ahead. His movements were strange, almost distorted—like a shadow struggling to keep its form.

The skull-marked one smirked. "What about you? Ever wonder what happens when this is all over? What will you do?"

The quiet one did not respond.

A long sigh escaped the red-eyed one's lips. "Forget it. No use asking him."

Before another word could be spoken, the ground beneath them trembled.

A massive dark orange beast erupted from the sand, shaking dust into the air. It stood on four powerful legs, its thick hide rippling with raw strength. Towering over them, it let out a guttural roar, revealing jagged teeth.

The skull-marked one grinned. "Oh? A sand beast?" He cracked his knuckles. "It's been a while since I stretched."

The creature lunged.

The fight was savage.

The bald one sidestepped with unnatural speed, slamming a fist into its side. The beast barely flinched.

The red-eyed one leaped onto its back, using his enhanced strength to drive a blade deep into its hide. The beast bucked wildly, throwing him off with terrifying force.

The clawed one ducked under a sweeping tail, then raked his nails across its leg, drawing thick, dark blood. The creature howled in fury, twisting to bite at him.

The skull-marked one charged in, grabbing the beast's head with both hands. With a roar of his own, he forced its mouth open, straining against its sheer power. "A little help?"

The bald one drove a knee into the beast's stomach. The red-eyed one rolled back to his feet and slashed at its exposed throat. Blood sprayed into the air.

The beast staggered, swayed… then collapsed, gasping for breath.

The fight was over.

As they stood over the corpse, the quiet one finally moved.

Slowly, he raised his arm, black tendrils slithering from his cloak. The Forsaken stepped back as the tendrils wrapped around the beast's body.

And then—it disappeared.

Absorbed. Devoured. Vanished into nothing.

The Forsaken stared, but the quiet one simply turned and resumed walking.

The quiet one resumed walking, his movements as unnatural as ever. The others followed without question. They knew what walked among them.

The wind howled across the barren sand, kicking up thin veils of dust around their feet. The one with claws finally broke the silence. "Where's the girl?"

The red-jeweled eye flickered under his hood as he lifted his left hand, revealing a silver ring etched with intricate symbols. "She's stored safely." He twisted the ring slightly, and a faint pulse of red light shimmered from within. "Still breathing. Still intact."

The skull-marked one scoffed. "Intact? Hah. She's a child, not some artifact."

The red-eyed one smirked. "Is there a difference?"

The bald one let out a dry laugh. "Not to us."

Their footsteps were the only sound for a while, aside from the whisper of the shifting sands. The Forsaken did not tire, nor did they complain about the endless walk. Each step brought them closer to something greater—something only they understood.

Then, without warning, the quiet one stopped.

The air in front of them rippled. The space itself twisted, bent, distorted—and then, as if reality had torn itself open, a door appeared where there had been none before. Its frame was jagged, pulsing with black veins that oozed an eerie glow. Beyond it lay nothing but darkness.

The bald one grinned wide, his pale face stretching unnaturally. He took a deep breath, savoring the moment. "Home sweet home."

With that, they stepped inside.

And the door vanished.