The trio left the cave.

The engravings Adrian saw on the walls had been burned into his memory, which gave him a chance at entering the true Uduma Desert now that he had a complete map of the location.

***

After leaving the cave, Adrian said, "Strider, I need you to come with me. I need your abilities to help me investigate this matter. This isn't about yourself anymore, but all of Novemton. Do you understand?"

Strider stared at his hands. After a while, he said, "My grandmother and my sister… Who would care for themselves if I leave? We're really poor and they won’t have any source of income without me."

Adrian patted his shoulder. "That's not a problem you have to worry about, neither is it a problem at all. Remember that this isn’t just for yourself but for them and everyone else. You've got a long road ahead of you."

Adrian continued down the mountain.

Mya nudged Strider on the shoulder and smiled. "Why didn’t you just listen to me before? You know that War Legate Draco’s a