The dry arid Istan desert did not even bother to post a warning for any weary persons that happened upon it. One might think that the appearance would speak for itself, but for those unlucky people who became curious enough to venture further out into the desert than advised, you best be prepared. Some insisted that there was nothing that could be found in this vast desert except for sand and the occaisional bones of animals, and even people. Others knew better. No matter how well humans and beings like them believed the desert to be an untamable reminder to natures' power, it was a simple oasis to the creatures that could stand it. People had a tendancy to believe that if they couldn't do it, it was impossible. That shallowmindedness was what led to a simple and boring life. Others who knew that there was more depth to everything than what was just seen at the surface could lead a more fruitful and interesting journey. Those who saw the desert as what it was, a dry and arid place, could not see the true beauty behind it. Others who looked deeper realized the whole circle of life that was situated right in front of their eyes. They were able to accept the fact that even though they may not be able to see it, it was still there. Underneath all the grit and grime was the same process that anyone could see anywhere. It was just a bit more secluded and hidden than one would like to spend the time searching for.

This unforgiving area some thought of as punishment. Many people were sent into an exile in the desert. As usual, they were never seen again. That was simply another case of not looking deeper than the skin. People generally assumed the person dead. No one wanted to beleive that something else could have happened to them and that they were still alive. This density often led to a serious miscalculation and often when a person came back that was supposedly dead, suspicion made them beleive to be an omen or the spirit of the person come back to haunt them when it truly was the actual person. One might ask the question though, how could a person survive in this intense desert scenario? That was a question many wondered and few knew the answer to. The select few who did, in fact, know how those few were able to survive through their exile, were lucky. They had stumbled across a miracle. Just possibly their exile was not just and the greater beings knew they deserved a second chance. This second chance was not one to be discusssed. The people who were worthy enough to obtain one were hushed and soon forgot about it. It simply became a way of life.

Meera had been wandering in this desolate place for a couple hours. It had not been yet a day, but sweat streamed freely down her face and dirt had almost made a smooth layer over her clothing and skin. She had taken off all of the clothing that she could spare, but the sun still beat down harshly. It was not as harsh as it had been earlier in the day, but still the sun was there so it incubated a respectable amount of heat. Closing her eyes, and praying to the gods, she hoped for some deliverance from her torture. As if hearing her, when Meera opened her eyes, at the horizon was the beautiful vision of water. With a new surge of strength, she pushed forwards at a slow jog. It seemed to take forever, but eventually Meera reached the water's shore. Diving in, she gratefully rid herself of the dirt, sweat, and sand that had stuck to her skin. Floating in the middle of the oasis, she scrubbed her face clean and basked in the cool comforting blanket of her element. The desert was just what this water mage didn't need. Without her main source, she felt weak. Creating water would only keep her alive. Without a large lake like this one, she felt foreign. Laughing, Meera floated on her back, momentarily uncaring of the sun that still beat down on her. She eventually finished scrubbing all the dirt off of her. Not knowing what she would do next, she simply floated there and watched the shore, unknowing of what might come to her next.

Everything had been calm so far as Zero traveled his way through forests, towns, and large bodies of water. But as he remained in the desert of Istan several hours just hoping he would have made it out without hesitation. However, the headache that had grown greater as the heat in the desert was strong, Zero immediatley felt as if he were going to collapse. Sweat was trickling down his face and his eyes began to burn. Flying in the air, Zero pressed his hands on his face and wiped off the sweat. It was untill then he realized he could no longer make it. Zero began to decend fast and before he knew it, his body had now collided with the ground. It was hard too, he felt as if his bones were to shatter. He tried hard to open his eyes and when he did, he saw green, or purple-ish spots before him and looked at his arms and noticed they had been covered with both sweat and dirt.

He felt as if right now his body were going to shut down on him, but he could not let that happen. Instead he struggled to get back on his feet. But he really couldnt put as much effort as he though he could. The he was standing on both knees and pressed his hands once more on his face, mainly his eyes, to gain a little of his vision back. It was far in the distance where he thought he might have saw a figure but that couldnt be. Still on his knees, his body fell forward as his arms and knees were the only thing holding him up. His wings began to rise gently and slowly.

Meera looked up towards the sky as if showing her defiance to the sun. Squinting, she scanned the skies curiously for any signs of desert birds. Seeing a large one, she attempted to identify it. As it neared the lake, she became increasingly confused it was indeed very large and it's shape was not like that of any bird she knew. Swimming towards the shore again, she stepped out and watched its descent towards the ground. When she finally wasn't looking into the sun, her vision cleared and she saw that it was a man with wings. Gasping in shock at his spiral towards the sand, she wondered what she could do for him. It was too late to slow his fall, so she could only aid him after. Rushing forwards, she forgot about the heat for a moment and only wanted to help the winged man. Still seeing dark spots from looking at the sun for too long, she wasn't able to clearly identify him until she was a couple feet away. When she finally knew who it was. Her heart jumped. It was Zero! Last time she had seen him was at Odreth and he had given her a glorious cloak. She remembered the bird that she gave him and smiled at the memory. For a second, she was lost in the past. His body hitting the ground brought her instantly back.

Still rushing forwards to get close enough to him, she could only watch as he attempted to get up. Once she was finally close, she slid down on her knees and placed her hands on each of his shoulders. Quickly casting her heal spell, she hoped that would at least ease the pain somewhat for the injuries that were so bad. It didn't seem like so long ago when he had been helping her out. She now stroked his hair comfortingly. She whispered, "Zero...it's me, Meera...let me help you out a bit." With that, Meera attempted to help him stand up. She knew he was too weak, but with her help she hoped that she would be able to get him to the lake. Whiping away some of the sweat on his face, she brought his arm around her shoulder and began to stand up. "Lean on me if you need to," she whispered again.

Zero couldnt believe what had happened. He was lucky today that someone came out of nowhere to help him. Though he did wonder what Meera was doing out in the desert. The desert was on of the places Zero usually did not visit. In fact, Zero might have only visited this place only once. It was insane to be out here like this in the heat and disgust. Zero's eyes had been shut but when he opened them he caught himself starring at the ground. He needed water, and more energy. He tried to cooperate with Meera helping him, he just wasnt sure if he could stand.
Zero tried this but when he did, he found himself now leaning towards Meera. What Zero really needed was to get sleep and get out of the desert. He disliked the place, it was boring to him. There was nothing in the desert once could possibly do, except to walk around and find nothing.

His legs began to move on the ground still trying to cooperate with Meera's help. He appreciated it, but he didnt find it in him to actually tell her this. He was exhausted to say anything. Zero's eyes were slightly open, he could see the progress they had both made making their way to what seemed to be a lake.
His whole body seemed to be really sweaty but his mouth dry. Once he knew he was no okay, when he would not be too exhausted to speak, he intended on thanking Meera for the help and also wondering what she might have been doing here. And also get himself out of this desert. It was too hot.

Meera was pleased that they had made it closer to the lake. She would help him as much as she could. Thankful that he was cooperating, she went on her way. When they were close enough, she eased him down slowly and ran to get her canteen out of her pack. It had no water in it, but that would change soon. Taking off the top, she created the water inside of it. Making sure Zero was comfortable, Meera handed the canteen to him and said "drink. Don't worry, it's clean." Giving him a hopefully comforting smile she left to walk to the water again. Ripping off a piece of cloth from the bottom of her pants, she doused it in the water. Slowly she brought it back to Zero. While waiting for him to finish drinking, she tried to whipe some of the disgusting dirt and grime on his face off. There was no way she could get it all off, and he had to go in the water if there was any hope of clearing it all off, but she still found that it was at least somewhat comforting to have if off your face.

Finishing one cheek Meera moved to the other one. Knowing that he would finally be able to talk to her after his mouth was nourished, she began to talk to him. She said "it's so good to see you again my friend. I hope you are well." With that she laughed. That was how people normally started conversations with old friends, she only said it because she found it ironic that he was in fact, not, well. Flipping the cloth over because a lot of dirt had built up on it, Meera continued to whipe off his face. Telling him her plan, she said "it might be helpful to get in the water. I always found it to have healing properties wether it be only in my mind or for real." Shrugging at her own suggestion, Meera cared not wether he would try it.

Zero was not used to having people scrub things off his face, and for the the first time he really didnt like it. But he didnt say anything. He kept quiet for now and drank out of the canteen very fast. And before he knew it, there had been no more water in the canteen. Zero took Meera's advice and began to slowly make his way to the body of water in front of him, though he didnt find it in him to make it all the way there. His legs were shaking tremendously. He didnt think his wings would be able to fly him over there either.

It was difficult but he actually managed to make his way. Zero didnt want Meera to feel to sorry for him because he was fine, he didnt want to be bothered too much, though half the stuff he tried to do failed. Slowly he removed his shirt only and made his way into the lake. He soaked his head into the water and stood underwater for as long as he could. It somewhat refreshed his body and it felt good. He wanted to giggle but it was weak. Zero came back up from the water and watched Meera. He wasnt sure if he was ready to talk now though....