The world began spinning around us, faster and faster until I thought I was going to hurl. My stomach flipped, and I had to clutch Darius's arm to steady myself. He looked just as disoriented, his eyes wide as he braced himself against the wall.

"Is it just me, or does it feel like the universe is trying to shake us off its back?" I muttered, closing my eyes to stop the nausea.

"I... don't think it's just you," he managed, his voice strained.

The spinning slowed, and when I opened my eyes, we were no longer in the buzzing city with its noise and chaos. Instead, we were back in the desolate ruins of the abandoned town. The air was eerily silent again, the dunes looming like silent witnesses to whatever the heck just happened.

Darius swayed on his feet before steadying himself. "What just happened?"

"You're asking me?" I shot back, letting go of his arm and taking a step away to survey our surroundings. The pendant around my neck was glowing faintly, as if mocking me for not understanding its purpose.

Darius rubbed his temples. "It had to be some kind of illusion. That's the only explanation. Maybe the pendant caused it, or maybe something in this place..."

"An illusion?" I interrupted, turning to face him, my hands on my hips. "If that was an illusion, then explain this!" I pointed to my earlobes.

He blinked, confused. "What about them?"

"I don't have my earrings anymore! You know, the ones I gave to that girl in the city?"

Realization dawned on his face, and his brow furrowed. "Wait, but if it was an illusion, then how...?"

"Exactly!" I threw my hands up in exasperation. "How am I missing my earrings if none of that was real? And don't even try to tell me they magically fell off during the spin-cycle teleportation we just went through!"

Darius opened his mouth, then closed it again, clearly at a loss for words. "This... doesn't make any sense."

"Welcome to my world," I muttered, crossing my arms and pacing in a small circle. "Nothing here makes sense. Dimensions, pendants, magic armor, ancient colonies... I'm starting to feel like I'm stuck in some badly written fantasy novel."

Before Darius could respond, we both froze at the sound of voices. Distant at first, but steadily growing louder.

"Did you hear that?" I whispered, my heart immediately racing.

He nodded, his expression serious as he motioned for me to follow him. We ducked behind a crumbling wall, crouching low to stay out of sight. The voices grew clearer, and soon, figures came into view—men in military-style armor, carrying weapons that looked both ancient and strangely advanced.

They moved in a tight formation, scanning the area with sharp eyes. "Spread out," one of them ordered. "The kids were spotted near here. They can't have gone far."

I sucked in a breath, glancing at Darius. His face had gone pale, and his hands clenched into fists.

"Do you know them?" I mouthed silently.

He nodded, his eyes narrowing. "That's my father's general," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "One of his most trusted men."

"Then why are they hunting us?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice low.

Darius didn't answer right away. His gaze flicked back to the soldiers, and before I could stop him, he stood up and stepped out of our hiding spot.

"Darius, what are you doing?!" I whisper-yelled, grabbing for him but missing.

The general spotted him immediately, his stern face softening with relief. "Prince Darius! Thank the gods you're safe!"

The other soldiers turned their weapons toward him, then quickly lowered them when they realized who he was.

"What's going on?" Darius demanded, his voice strong and commanding. "Why are you looking for me?"

The general stepped forward, his expression a mix of respect and urgency. "Your Highness, we were sent to find you. The situation at the palace has worsened. Your father's condition is deteriorating, and your uncle has begun consolidating his power. We feared you might have been taken."

Darius's jaw tightened, and I could see the gears turning in his head. He glanced back at me, and for a moment, I thought he might mention my existence.

Instead, he said, "I need answers. Now."

The general hesitated, his eyes flicking to me briefly before returning to Darius. "Perhaps we should return to the palace first. It's not safe out here, and..."

"I'm not going anywhere until I understand what's happening," Darius interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I stayed hidden, my heart pounding. The soldiers hadn't spotted me yet, but it was only a matter of time. My instincts screamed at me to run, but I couldn't leave Darius alone. Not when things were spiraling even further out of control.

What was I supposed to do now?

I stayed crouched behind the crumbling wall, my heart hammering against my ribs. Darius was out there, standing tall like the prince he was, talking to the general like he had everything under control. But me? I was one breath away from hyperventilating.

This was a disaster. These men were armed, trained, and clearly not here for a friendly chat. What if they decided I was a threat? What if they figured out I had the pendant? What if they dragged Darius back to that palace and left me here, stranded in a ruin that literally came with its own creepy sand monster?

"Your Highness, please," the general was saying, his voice steady but insistent. "We must return to the palace. Your uncle has declared himself regent in your father's... absence. Your safety is paramount."

Darius crossed his arms, his expression like steel. "My safety isn't the issue here. Tell me exactly what's going on. Why is my uncle making these moves now? And why were you searching for me here of all places?"

The general hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "There were... rumors. Whispers that you and... another individual were seen heading in this direction. It's my duty to ensure your safety, and—"

"Wait." Darius's voice cut through the air like a blade. "What do you mean, 'another individual'?"

Oh, no.

The general shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if checking for eavesdroppers—which was ironic, given that I was eavesdropping right there. "Your Highness, we've received reports of... an outsider. Someone unfamiliar, dressed in strange attire, seen with you. The council is already calling it a breach of security. They're demanding answers."

I ducked lower, clutching the pendant instinctively. Well, this just kept getting better.

Darius's jaw tightened. "And you assume this so-called outsider is a threat?"

"With respect, Your Highness, we can't take chances," the general replied. "The timing is too coincidental. Your father's condition worsens, your uncle rises to power, and suddenly there's talk of an outsider wielding relics of great power. Surely you can see the danger."

"Surely I can see the scapegoating," Darius shot back, his tone sharp. "If my father's condition has worsened, the focus should be on saving him, not chasing shadows in the sand. Or do you expect me to believe that my uncle's sudden rise is unrelated?"

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. The general's face hardened, though he inclined his head slightly. "We act only with the kingdom's best interests in mind, Your Highness."

Darius looked like he was about to retort when the general's gaze suddenly darted past him—straight toward my hiding spot.

My blood ran cold.

"Who's there?" the general barked, stepping forward with his hand on the hilt of his weapon.

Darius immediately stepped in his path, blocking his line of sight. "Nobody," he said quickly, his voice calm but firm. "I came here alone."

The general frowned. "Your Highness, if there's someone—"

"There's no one," Darius insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And if you insist on questioning me further, then perhaps I should question your loyalty. Are you serving the kingdom, General, or my uncle?"

The tension was palpable. The soldiers shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught between their duty and their fear of saying the wrong thing.

The general straightened, his jaw tight. "Of course, Your Highness. My loyalty is to the crown. Forgive me if I've overstepped."

Darius didn't respond. He simply stood there, an unyielding wall between the soldiers and me.

I swallowed hard, my heart still racing. He'd just lied to protect me. He didn't have to, but he did. And now, if I moved a muscle, I'd ruin everything.

"Very well," the general finally said, taking a step back. "We'll escort you back to the palace immediately. Your uncle has demanded your presence at the council."

"I'll return when I'm ready," Darius said curtly. "Until then, I suggest you focus on doing your job. Protect the kingdom. And leave me to mine."

The general looked like he wanted to argue but thought better of it. With a sharp nod, he motioned for the soldiers to fall back. "As you wish, Your Highness."

The group retreated, their boots crunching against the sand as they disappeared into the distance.

Darius let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. Then he turned around and fixed me with a look that was equal parts exasperation and relief.

"You can come out now," he said, his voice low.

I hesitated for a moment before standing up, brushing the dust off my clothes as I stepped out from behind the wall.

"That was... intense," I muttered, my voice shaky.

"Intense?" Darius raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky they didn't find you. If they had, you'd be halfway to the dungeons by now."

"Well, excuse me for not being born royalty," I shot back, crossing my arms. "Not all of us have guards who'll blindly follow our every command."

His lips twitched, almost like he wanted to smile but knew better. "You're welcome, by the way. For saving your life."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Your Highness. You're a real hero."

He shook his head, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression. "Come on. We need to move before they come back."

I nodded, falling into step beside him. My mind was still racing, the general's words echoing in my head. A breach of security. Relics of great power. Demands for answers.

I glanced at Darius, who was staring straight ahead with a determined look on his face.

"Hey," I said quietly. "Thanks. For lying for me."

He glanced at me, his expression softening. "Don't mention it. Just... try not to get caught next time, okay?"

"Noted," I said, managing a small smile.

As we trudged through the endless sand, the weight of everything that had just happened started to settle in. I glanced over at Darius, who was unusually quiet, his brows furrowed in deep thought. His usual composed demeanor had shifted, and I could almost see the cogs turning in his head.

"So..." I broke the silence, my voice tentative. "How did they know about this place? I mean, you didn't even know about it, and you're the prince. Shouldn't this spot be, like, totally off the grid?"

Darius slowed his pace, his expression darkening. "I've been wondering the same thing."

"Seriously?" I stopped walking and turned to face him. "You don't know? How could they just magically figure it out when even you, Mr. Heir to the Throne, had no clue this place existed?"

He shook his head, frustration evident in his tone. "I don't know. That's the problem. It doesn't make sense."

"Well, that's comforting," I muttered sarcastically. "Good to know we're not the only ones stumbling around in the dark."

Darius shot me a look but didn't argue. Instead, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, raising his hands slightly. His fingers began to glow faintly, and the air around us shifted.

"What are you doing?" I asked, taking a step back.

"Checking," he said, his voice tense. "Something feels... wrong."

"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered, clutching the pendant around my neck.

The glow around his hands grew stronger, pulsating like a heartbeat. The sand beneath our feet seemed to hum, and the air grew heavy with an unexplainable tension.

And then, his eyes snapped open, wide with alarm.

"Alexia," he said sharply. "Something's here."

Before I could even ask what he meant, the pendant around my neck began to glow, brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding.

"Oh, come on!" I groaned, shielding my eyes. "Not again!"

The pendant pulsed with energy, and I felt the now-familiar sensation of armor forming around me. The heat, the weight, the strange power coursing through me—it all happened in seconds. When I opened my eyes, I was fully suited up, just like before.

Darius turned to me, his own bracelet glowing faintly. "Get ready."

"For what?" I asked, my voice rising with panic.

As if on cue, the ground beneath us trembled. A low growl echoed through the air, followed by a sound that sent shivers down my spine—something sharp dragging against stone.

Darius's jaw tightened, and he drew himself into a defensive stance. "For that."

I turned, and my stomach dropped. Emerging from the dunes was... well, I didn't even know what to call it. It was massive, towering over us, with a body that looked like a twisted amalgamation of sand and stone. Its eyes glowed an eerie yellow, and its movements were unnaturally fluid, as though it wasn't entirely bound by the laws of physics.

"What the hell is that?!" I shrieked, stumbling back.

"I don't know!" Darius shouted, his bracelet beginning to glow brighter. "But I don't think it's here to chat!"

The creature let out a deafening roar and lunged toward us, its massive claws raking through the air. I barely managed to dive out of the way, landing hard on the sand.

Darius sprang into action, his bracelet activating and enveloping him in armor. He charged at the creature, his movements quick and precise, but even he looked small compared to the thing we were up against.

"Any ideas?!" I yelled, scrambling to my feet.

"Survive!" he called back, slashing at the creature with a blade that materialized in his hand.

The creature roared again, swiping at Darius with a speed that seemed impossible for something its size. He dodged, barely, but the force of the swing sent him sprawling.

"Darius!" I screamed, my heart racing.

"I'm fine!" he shouted, rolling to his feet. "Focus, Alexia! You've got armor—use it!"

Right. Armor. Like I had any idea how to fight in this thing.

The creature turned its glowing eyes toward me, and I froze. It let out another roar and charged.

"Move!" Darius yelled, but my legs felt like they were made of lead.

At the last second, I managed to throw myself to the side, the creature's claws narrowly missing me. I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me.

"Alexia, get up!" Darius was back on his feet, charging toward the creature to draw its attention away from me.

I forced myself to stand, my mind racing. I didn't know how to fight. I didn't know how to use this armor. But if I didn't do something, we were both going to end up as sand monster chow.

Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath and charged.

"Hey, ugly!" I shouted, my voice cracking. "Over here!"

The creature turned, and for a split second, I regretted everything. But then I noticed something—on its chest, right in the center, was a faintly glowing symbol.

"Darius!" I yelled. "The chest! Aim for the chest!"

He glanced at me, then at the creature, his eyes narrowing. "Got it!"

While Darius engaged the creature from the side, I circled around, trying to get a better angle. My heart was pounding, my palms sweating inside the gauntlets of the armor.

Darius slashed at the creature's legs, causing it to stumble slightly. Taking advantage of the distraction, I sprinted forward, raising my arm.

"Please work, please work, please work," I muttered under my breath.

As I got closer, the pendant around my neck pulsed again, and a weapon materialized in my hand—a glowing spear, its tip crackling with energy.

"What the—?!" I barely had time to process it before the creature turned toward me, its claws raised.

I didn't think. I just acted.

With all the strength I could muster, I thrust the spear forward, aiming for the glowing symbol on its chest.

The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the creature let out an ear-splitting roar. Its body convulsed, cracks spreading across its surface like shattered glass.

Darius darted forward, delivering a final blow with his blade. The creature let out one last, guttural growl before collapsing into a pile of sand and stone.

For a moment, neither of us moved. The only sound was the wind, carrying away the remnants of the creature.

I dropped the spear, my hands shaking. "What... what was that thing?"

Darius removed his helmet, his face pale and drenched in sweat. "I have no idea."

We stared at each other, the weight of what had just happened settling over us.

"Well," I said finally, my voice trembling. "I guess we know one thing for sure."

"What's that?" Darius asked, his voice just as unsteady.

"This pendant? It's way more trouble than it's worth."