Takeya

by Yoshi R.

PROLOGUE

Once upon a time, in a world cloaked in mystery, there existed a gloomy, fog-laden field that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, and whispers of forgotten tales danced upon the mist. A lone wanderer embarked on a journey, desiring to explore the secrets hidden within this magical expanse. As the wanderer ventured forth, the landscape embraced them and each step stirred the fog. Even with the desolate atmosphere, the wanderer pressed on, searching for the beauty that lay beyond the cloak of mystery. 

Then as if emerging from a dream, the fog began to lift, revealing a world transformed. The traveler found themselves in a dazzling show of color and light. Sunbeams bathed the field, igniting the flowers in a symphony of vibrant colors. Butterflies floated gracefully, their wings glowing. The once-dark realm now had a god-like brilliance, as if nature had suddenly been revived.

Time became a lost companion, its effect weak in this unreal landscape. The wanderer traversed the field, losing track of hours and days, absorbed in the world’s  beauty. It was a place where they could find rest, where the burdens of the outside world dissolved, with only nature surrounding them. The wanderer wandered, in a journey that knew no end. 

CHAPTER ONE

My name is Ronan.

I live in a world where the sun blazes down with unrelenting fury, where the earth is cracked and barren, and the air carries the taste of dust. Water is life here in Takeya, and every drop is fought for.

Each day begins with the same routine. I rise at the crack of dawn, gather my tools, and prepare for the day ahead. Today, the heat feels especially oppressive, the air drier than usual. My water supply is running dangerously low, and with each swallow, I can feel the sandpaper dryness in my throat. My head throbs, and my vision blurs slightly—early signs of dehydration.

There’s no choice but to make the journey to the well. The thought of it makes my heart pound. We know the risks and the creature that guards it, but our only choice is to not let the fear overcome us. 

As I step outside, I spot something unusual. Is that a man stumbling toward me? His skin is a harsh red, burned from the sun and his lips cracked and bleeding. 

“Hold on!” I shout, rushing to his side. I offer him the last of my water, and he drinks slowly, his eyes closing as he savors the water.

“Thank you,” he whispers, his voice raspy.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Kael,” he replies weakly.

“Come inside,” I tell him, helping him to his feet. He leans heavily on me as I lead him to my shelter, easing him onto the makeshift bed. His eyes close as soon as he lies down, the heat and exhaustion overtaking him.

As Kael sleeps, I gather my tools again, knowing I have no time to waste. The journey to the well still must be done.

I leave the shelter, the glaring sunlight hits my face as I step out. The walk to the well is long and dangerous, not to mention the creature that guards it. It’s a massive, insect-like beast with chitinous armor that gleams in the sunlight. It burrows beneath the ground, emerging to attack people who venture too close to the well. The beast is said to be drawn to the energy of crystals near the well. These crystals emit a faint glow, believed to hold the last of the Takeya’s ancient life force, making the creature territorial and protective of the well.  But we’ve learned to survive by using a resonance stone, a small device that emits a sound to mask our presence. 

As I approach the well, I take out the resonance stone and begin the careful process of masking my steps. The air hums with the sound, and I work quickly, filling my canteen with the precious water. 

Relieved, I start the journey back. The sun is low now, casting long shadows across the earth. When I return to the shelter, I find Kael awake, sitting up and looking much better.

“Feel better?” I ask, handing him the canteen.

“Much,” he says after taking a long drink. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Where are you from, Kael?” I ask, sitting down across from him.

“Veridia,” he replies. “It’s a barren land too, though not as harsh as Takeya. We have small communities around the few water sources we have. It’s not easy, but we manage.”

I listen intently, curious. “How do you survive?”

“We’ve adapted,” Kael explains. “There’s a system of trade and communication between settlements. But recently, things have gotten worse. Water is drying up faster than we can find it. I’ve heard stories of an oasis—a place where water flows freely, untouched by the drought. That’s why I came out here.”

His words stir something in me. The possibility of finding such a place seems like a dream, but in a world like ours, hope is a rare and precious thing.

The days pass in a haze of heat and exhaustion. Kael regains his strength slowly, helping me with the daily tasks around the shelter. But the water we have is running out, and the well isn’t giving as much as it used to. 

On the third day, we go back to the well together. We approach cautiously, but when we reach it, the sight makes my heart sink. The water level has dropped so low it’s barely enough to fill our canteens.

Kael stares at the water. “This isn’t going to last.”

I nod, my throat tightening with fear. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

He looks at me, waiting.

“About that oasis,” I begin, choosing my words carefully. “Do you really think it’s out there?”

Kael’s eyes meet mine, filled with the same desperation I feel. “It’s our only hope.”

I take a deep breath, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. “Then we’ll find it. We can’t survive here much longer.”

With our canteens filled with what little water we can gather, we set out into the vast desert, driven by the slimmest chance of finding the oasis. As we walk, the only sound is the wind and our footsteps, but this quiet determination drives us forward. 

The sun blazes above us, our canteens grow lighter with each passing hour, and the desperation claws at our spirits. 

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we climb a dune and see it—a small pool of water, surrounded by a few sparse yards of grass. 

Kael and I stand there, silent, staring at the reflection in the water. It’s a moment of stillness, a quiet end to the journey.

And then, without a word, we approach the water, our reflections rippling as we kneel to drink.

About the Author

Yoshi loves to read fantasy books in his free time, and only fantasy books. He loves to rock climb as well!