Desert/Story

Desert's story narration:

After leaving the Grassland, Carto got into the Desert.

> **Aruha**Whew.**Aruha**You must be parched, young sister. I wish we had more to offer you!
> We're down to our last few cacti, and Granny Nua is looking a bit worse for wear.**Nua**I'm fine!**Aruha**Yes, yes, of course you are.
> We were barely able to set up this camp in time, before the sandstorms rolled in.
> The rest of our unit headed west, across the yellow sands.
> Are you familiar with our desert?**Carto**\*shakes her head\***Aruha**Be careful in the yellow sands - they're every-shifting, and the landscape around you can change in a heartbeat.
> The white sands around us are calm, you can always use them to find your way back.**Aruha**If you brave the yellow sands, keep heading west to find the rest of our sisters.
> If you do, please tell them we haven't seen the Captain yet.
> She's a strong woman, but this sort of thirst can break even the strongest of us.**Aruha**Head west across the yellow sand, we won't be far behind...

* Granny Nua:

> **Nua**\*Sigh\***Nua**When did I get so old?
> You'd better believe I'm sharp as a cactus, but my body feels like an ancient temple these days.
> Sandy and full of skeletons!
> Enjoy it while you can, kiddo.**Nua**Beautiful, isn't she? This golden desert of ours.
> Curves as far as the eye can see. Hah!
> We used to have a lush oasis all to ourselves, but it dried right up.
> We've been searching for another water source ever since...**Nua**The elders told of a "Desert Haven." We're hoping to find water there to sustain us.
> Yes, even your elders have elders!
> Captain Samala went looking for the Desert Haven, but we haven't heard from her since...
> I do hope that girl's alright...**Nua**We'll join the others to the west, just as soon as I'm rested.

Carto crossed the yellow sands and met the rest of the Water Seekers.

> **Shydaa**\*Gasp\***Shydaa**Our captain went missing a few weeks ago, during an especially strong sandstorm...
> She's the best Water Seeker we have...
> I'm sure she can survive on her own, but it's been so long...
> Granny Nua must be so worried about her.**Shydaa**The Captain left signs along the way so we could follow her, but some got swept up by the sand.
> Could the Haven be real? Maybe she's already there...**Shydaa**Keep an eye out for clues in the yellow sands, Captain might have left a message...

* Isaouas:

> **Isaouas**\*Cough\***Isaouas**Hello, little sister.
> You have the blood of a Water Seeker in you, I can tell.
> Not everyone can read the desert so well...
> We lost track of Captain Samala, but we WILL find her.
> Just as we'll find some water, soon...
> We Seekers use all of our senses to locate water.
> We inspect the appearance of the plants, we sense the movements of the animals, the density of the air...
> Clues are everywhere.**Isaouas**Sometimes water can be found near where vegetation grows in clusters.
> Keep an eye on those cacti in the yellow sands!

### Finding the Captain

After searching in the yellow sands, Carto found the Water Seeker Captain under an ancient ruins. But she was dehydrated and hallucinating.

Dialogue:

> **Samala**...I see it...**Samala**...through the sand, so hazy...
> ...built up from the earth, cool stones...
> ...wrapped around water, deep below...
> ...and somewhere beyond...
> ...
> ...the Haven.**Samala**I'm...
> ...so thirsty.[Carto found some water from a well nearby and gives it to Samala.]**Samala** *(drinking)*\*Gulp\*
> \*Gulp\*[Samala becomes normal.]**Samala**Ahhhhh...
> Thank you for saving me, sweet sister.
> I almost made it to the Haven, but I lost my unit along the way...
> Please give me a moment to contact them...[Samala takes out a little bug and puts it on the ground. The bug runs away.]**Samala**With haste, my friend.**Carto**??**Samala**Oh, apologies, I was sending a message via sand beetle. They're a great tool for communication.
> We mark our position on their shell, and they burrow towards the footsteps of others.
> They shed their shell every few days, so it doesn't bother them!
> You must be very brave and resilient to have found me here.
> Did you pass my sisters along the way, might I ask?**Carto**\*nods nods\***Samala**I'm so relieved. I knew they'd be fine, but I wasn't sure how far my clues would get them...
> If I'm right, this is indeed the gate to the Desert Haven.
> But to open it, I need a special artifact...
> Our tribe has passed it down through generations, knowing it would show us the way when we truly needed it.
> I believe that time has come.
> Sadly, I was harangued by a group of Sand Rogues, and one absconded with the artifact...
> While we wait for my sisters, could you please have a look around for them?**Carto**\*agrees\***Samala**Thank you kindly. I am truly in your debt.
> If you find one, remember: they're too fast to catch, unless you can distract them somehow...
> One stole a bracelet right off of my wrist, once. Those wily devils are attracted to shiny things!**Samala**The Sand Rogues should be in the yellow sands. Use something shiny to lure one out!
> If you don't have anything shiny, you can probably find something in the abandoned camp...

### Finding the Haven

Carto found the special artifact. When she went and gave it to the Captain, all other Water Seekers were there, at the ancient ruins.

> **Nua**Haha!**Nua**Didn't think I'd make it, did ya kiddo? I've still got some pizzazz!
> Or whatever the kids are calling it...
> And I wasn't going to let my only granddaughter go thirsty!
> She maybe my Captain, but I love her just the same.**Nua**There's some ancient writing on that gate...almost as ancient as me!
> It says something about the light...**Nua**"Reveal the Haven, under the light." But which light?

* Isaouas:

> **Isaouas**Wow...**Isaouas** *(shivers)*Did you see that band of Sand Rogues scurrying by?
> They make my skin crawl!
> Who knew the desert would be full of rats? Don't we have snakes for that?**Isaouas**\*Shivers\*

* Aruha:

> **Aruha**Hey...**Aruha**We made it!
> That gate, it's...incredible!
> Centuries of weathering, and yet still it stands.
> But what do those symbols mean?**Aruha**Is the Haven really beyond that gate? How exciting!

* Captain Samala:

> **Samala**Hmm...[Carto gives Samala the Ancient Lens.]**Samala**The artifact! You found it!!
> I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. You are truly a miracle, sister.
> Now if I'm right, we just have to put the artifact in place, like this...[Samala jumps to the top of the ruins and insert the artifact. A strange beam of light comes from it, illuminates the ground beneath.]**Samala**The artifact is set...
> So...what's the final step?

Carto did something and the gate got destroyed.

Dialogues:

> **Samala**This is our moment, sisters! The gate has opened!
> But...where's the Haven?**Nua**I can feel the moisture in the air, we must be close!**Isaouas**Ha-ven! Ha-ven!**Aruha**Everything shifted! Do we go through the gate?

Carto and the Water Seekers found the Haven.

### Saying goodbye to the Water Seekers

Turned out the the story in the Chalet was about Granny Nua and her granddaughter Samala, not Carto's Grandmother. Carto said goodbye to the Water Seekers and get out of the Desert.

> **Shydaa**Hrm.**Shydaa**I guess our drinking water is also a camel bath?
> I'm just going to not think too hard about that. Yay water!

* Aruha:

> **Aruha**Well well well.**Aruha**We don't even need a well anymore!
> Maybe we'll turn it into a wishing well, and finally have a use for those coins.

* Isaouas:

> **Isaouas**It's amazing.**Isaouas**We're going to need a bigger camp! And a boat!

* Samala:

> **Samala**Wow!**Samala**I always knew the Haven was out there, but it still feels surreal to be here.
> We couldn't have done it without you.
> As soon as we track down some more beetles, I"ll send messages out to the rest of our tribe to join us.**Samala**And next on the list after that: waterslides.

* Nua:

> **Nua**Water, at last.**Nua**I'm grateful to you, kiddo.
> You helped track down my granddaug...I mean, the Captain, and then helped her find the Haven!
> You're an honorary Water Seeker as far as I'm concerned.[The earth suddenly rumbles violently.]**Nua**Woah ho!
> Did you feel that earthquake? It could only have come from the volcano...
> There must be a major eruption brewing to feel it all the way out here!
> There's no rest for the wicked, I tell ya! Out of the frying sand and into the lava...**Nua**Drink deep of our new oasis!

After saying goodbye, Carto got out of the Desert...