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Savior
Chapter 3: Temptations

Coming out of the tunnel, me and my friend emerge into an endless open desert filled with soft pink sand, piled up into tall hills. Above and past it all, we can see the mountain, and not only is it closer than ever before, it's even brighter too. My friend and I continue onward, plodding up each hill and then sliding down on our spindly legs, and I can't help but feel warm inside when I see how much fun he's having. Before long, we come across a metallic husk with a withered ribbon attached to it, identical to the ones we saw in the canyon.

Can I? He chirps.

Be my guest. He runs toward the strange machine and lets out a loud shout, revitalizing the ribbon. The machine grinds briefly before releasing...well, something. It's like nothing I've ever seen before – it's kite-like and quite clearly made of cloth, but it also greatly resembles an animal; maybe it really is one. It flies around us gracefully, singing its own song, one that I cannot understand – unlike the song of my friend – but I can sense its gratitude nonetheless.

Hey, I think it wants to play! My friend shouts, running toward it.

No, wa-

I can't even finish the warning before he's leaped toward the cloth creature. To my surprise – and, I imagine, his – both the creature and my friend begin to glow, and the two rise swiftly into the air before taking off over the hills.

Damn it, wait! I rush after them as fast as my legs will carry me, although unfortunately with all of the hills and such, that really isn't very fast. Eventually, the creature deposits my friend at the top of a particularly steep hill, allowing me to finally catch up.

Did you see that? He chirps erratically, charged with excitement. Did you just see that? I flew! It was awesome! That kite thing gave me a ride and I-

What the hell were you thinking?!

He staggers back as if I'd tried to punch him. What do you-?

You didn't know what was going to happen! You didn't know it was safe! For all we knew it was luring you into a trap, or you could have fallen off or-

Calm down! Why is this such a big deal to you?

Why?! Because I can't save you every time you run off on your own and I-

The words catch in my throat, and nothing comes out. So many emotions are whirling through me now; rage, fear, no small amount of relief, and – for reasons I can't fathom – self-loathing. But my words need to be said. They have to be said. So I gather my strength and force them out.

-I care about you, and damn it, I don't want to see you get hurt!

My rage hangs in the air like a heavy fog as I stare him down. His eyes are wide with shock and fear, and I can feel mine narrowing into pinpricks. His response is so quiet that at first I think I'm imagining it.

...sorry.

Now my eyes widen, and again I fail to form words. I'm barely able to choke out a single, disbelieving What?

He's staring straight down at the ground now. I didn't realize I was making you feel that way. I was just trying to enjoy myself a little, but I guess I got a little carried away. Guess it wouldn't be the first time. I'm really, really sorry.

At that, the anger and fear drain away instantly, replaced by a deep well of guilt. Damn...I didn't mean to yell at him like that. He's so much like a little kid, and deep down he must be so scared. And now...

Slowly and gently, I bring my scarf up and wrap it around him in something of a hug. It startles him greatly. H-Hey, what are you-

Don't apologize. If anything, I'm the one who should be saying sorry. I don't know what got into me. It's just...you're the only person I've met in this entire desert, and to be honest I'm kind of scared.

Scared?

Yeah, scared that you'll get hurt or die, and that I'll be all alone again. But that's no excuse for how I acted back there. I'm sorry.

He looks up at me with awestruck eyes, then quickly nods his head. Okay! I promise I'll be more careful from now on.

All right, then. I nod back and release him. Shall we continue?

Sounds good. We can start there. With a jerk of his head, he directs my attention to what lies on the other side of this hill; to my surprise, it's yet another machine, identical to the one we just saw. The kite creature is flying around it, singing a song of distress.

Another one? I ask. Does it have more of those kites?

I think so. Why else would that one be freaking out so badly?

I nod and turn back to my friend, pride swelling up inside of me. Very well, let's go.

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I don't like the looks of this place.

Yeah, me neither.

After me and my partner freed all of the kite creatures, they guided us to a tall, rather ominous building in the middle of the arid desert. Like most everything else I've seen, it's practically in ruins, yet deep inside I can hear booming noises that bombard my ears even from far away. Is it...a factory? But that makes no sense – what could it possibly be making? For whom? How is it still running? The wind is howling loudly around us, so loudly I can barely think, and the sand is being kicked up so much I can barely see.

It's a grim tableau, and I've never felt so uneasy.

What do you suppose is in there? My friend looks at me fearfully, and I try to stand up a little straighter in hopes that he thinks I'm not afraid. I need to be strong, if not for myself then for him.

I'm...trying not to think about it. I respond carefully, choosing my words so that he can't sense my fear. Let's go.

Aren't you scared? He presses me, not being the tough act I'm putting on. I try to argue, but his tone catches me off-guard, and instead I just be honest.

Very.

With that, the two of us begin to climb. The bridges are out, but the kites direct us to an eroded-out path near the base of the tower, and we're able to use that. Our progress is slow; it's a tall tower, and neither of us have long enough scarves to simply fly everywhere. Fortunately, the kite creatures turn out to be an absolute godsend, gladly lifting us anywhere we need to go. Gradually, we all ascend the tower until we reach the top, breaking out of the sandstorm in the process and re-exposing ourselves to the sunlight. And what else should be at the top but...

Another shrine? My companion chirps in surprise. What's it doing up here?

I'm wondering the same thing. This factory...it seems as though it was built to harvest the kite creatures. Did the same beings that made this factory also make this shrine? Why? What purpose could it serve? The answers aren't coming so I push the questions out of my head for now.

We're not gonna figure it out just standing here. Come on. I'll take the right. The two of us wander up the steps toward the shrine. I turn to the right as my partner turns to the left, and we let out twin cries that ignite the markers around the shrine. We kneel within the pool of light...

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The great white being stands before me once more. This time it doesn't even hesitate to show me more...

The ribbon continues to travel through the shining city, ultimately ending at the side of a mountain. Along the mountainside, more buildings construct themselves, lighting up like miniature stars once they've finished. They continue to build up, soon covering the entire mountain...

--------

Look, look! The creatures are free!

I'm jilted out of my daze by my companion, who's jumping around and singing madly.

What are you- My voice fails me when I see what he's talking about.

Cloth creatures. At least a hundred. All of them flying around in the space around the tower, warbling with joy.

What happened? I ask.

I'm not really sure, but I think we set them free! Now come on! They're waiting!

Waiting? Before he can explain, two of the creatures break off from the rest and glide toward us, stopping at the perfect height for us to jump onto them.

Ready to go? My friend walks to the creatures' side, then turns to look at me expectantly. I begin to warn him to stay away, but then I remember how the creatures were so happy when we freed them, and how they guided us here through the desert, and how they helped us scale the tower, and I swallow my words, just this once.

Of course!

And we're off.

He was right, this is fun!