10 AP marble and euphoria by Starai

It had already been hours, since the sun has reached the highest point of the sky and the temperature has risen to its peak as well. Below their feet and as far as their gaze can reach there was sand – gigantic dunes as white as sugar that covered the land in a cloth that seems as if it is sparkling in the sun. The two Dracostryx didn't have much time to take in the breathtaking scenery laid out in front of their eyes. They had to take chance of the moment, in which the spirits of the winds were deep asleep and they could finally fly again.

This desert was a natural trap to catch Dracostryx in. As soon as some naive birds flew into its vicinity strong winds started to blow, swirling up tons of sand to blind those fools and kept them from ever leaving again. 

It is said, that countless Dracostryx and their riders had already fallen prey to the desert and with them riches unheard of. Riches, that lure in even more prey to be consumed by the endless sand - a perfect trap for careless Riders and their birds.

Those that got devoured by the sands became the spirits of the wind. Ghostly spectres that would howl and screech inside the sandstorm... 

Neither Marble nor Euphoria counted themself as careless or naive. They had already scavenged through countless ruins and brought back riches of plenty. But this time even they might have reached their limits. 

The once so shiny snow plumage of the Galyx hawk had become dull and lost its shimmer. Dust and sand has clogged her feathers and even if she shakes her body over and over again, she couldn't get the tiny particles out. Marble herself had to fight her own battle against the sand, that tried to devour them both. Her soil coloured coat has long been encrusted by the sand and her cloud like markings have almost vanished from her body. 

Marble screeched loudly and flapped her wings to free herself of at least a part of the dust on her plumage. They didn't have much time left. As soon as the spirits of the wind howl again, it would be impossible for both of them to leave this desert again... Or so that has been said. 

The two Dracostryx started moving again towards their goal – the heart of the desert. In the middle of this ocean of sand rests an ancient ruin, forgotten by time itself it seems. It didn't take long to reach the old stone structure. After landing softly on something that might have been some kind of balcony at one point of its long existence, the two Dracostryx looked around carefully. Every step of their feet was well planed, since way too often had they encountered the ground giving up below them after a careless move. 

When they finally reached  a giant doorway, they sneaked inside carefully and roamed through the hallways. It took a while until they found a room that has been filled to the brim with treasures. Old chests, barren open and filled with gold and silver. Some trinkets laced with gems that even matched the glimmering plumage of Euphoria. Scrolls of ancient knowledge as well as old armory and weapons. The riches in front of them made their eyes sparkle and they hopped around eagerly to grab as much as they can carry in their specially made Scavenger bags.

“You shouldn't be too greedy, or the spirits of the winds will devour you!” A soft, female voice behind them startled the two Dracostryx who immidiately snapped and turned around to be aware of the stranger. In the doorway stood a person that was covered in cloth completely to be shielded from the sand. Googles protected her eyes and a neckerchief helped her breath in the sandstorm. Next to that small figure was a soil coloured Tyto, that cooed shyly and turned its speckled head around to see who those intruders are. The soil Tyto named Potato was no fighter at all, but even a little trashbandit like her was able to protect her rider if needed. But her rider – Eleonore – was in no danger whatsoever. Those two Stryx that found this place weren't here to harm them... It even seemed, that they had the same goal. Marble screeched nervously, as Euphoria stood in front of her to protect her friend. But Eleonore tried to calm them as well. “I am only here to warn you. This place has been cursed and if greed overcomes you, this desert will devour you as well. Take your time to choose what you want and once you found the one treasure that speaks to your heart, you should leave immediately.” The tiny sealmorphed smiled and petted her own Tyto that had sat on the ground for a while now. “If you leave with what your heart desires the most, the lost souls of the wind will guide you back... But if you dare to even look back, they will hunt you, drag you down into the sands and you'll become their ghostly allies as well.” Eleonore smiled calmly towards those Dracostryx, who obviously didn't know whether or not they could trust this stranger. Would the words of this person lead them to their demise or would it be the key to leave this place?