The sun was dipping low by the time the first group of disciples reached the outer edge of the Shaying Desert. " It's hotter than I imagined. And I don't like the silence." Feng Wu said, letting out a low whistle.
" There's no wind," Mei Ling whispered,her brows furrowed. " Deserts always have wind."
Liu Yang unsheathed his sword slightly,his usual smile replaced by tension. " And there are no birds. Not even bones."
The five teams had arrived together - scattered but close enough to see one another. Bai Lu clutched her mirror, glancing down as the spirit inside spoke again. "Follow the cracked rocks," the soft voice said. " A few paces more, then you will see them."
" See what?" Jian Wei muttered. The didn't have to wait long. Just over the next dune, a sharp cry rose from Lin Qing, who had run ahead. " Over here!" The others rushed after him - and stopped dead.
A caravan - slaughtered.
Carts broken and overturned. Camels still tied but dead, thier eyes wide open. And bodies.. scattered everywhere. Merchants, guards ,even a child.
All dead.
Wu Chan knelt beside one of the bodies inspecting the wound. " Stabbed. From the front. Repeatedly."
" But look -" Jiang Mingzhu pointed to a trail of footsteps...one man... moving from corpse to corpse. Then stopping. A knife lay buried in his own chest.
" Suicide?" Feng Wu frowned. " Was he forced to do it ?"
Jian Wei's voice came low ." Or possessed"
The disciples exchanged glances. They all thought the same thing but no one dared say it out loud :
" Vaitis has begun."