Part 1

North of Nezkaria there lay a cactus who had migrated slowly from the south to the north. His ambition was high and he was also a prideful nature spirit.

Just like most of the nature spirit who are born in the forest of Aedelon, they were prideful of the fact that they existed in the greatest place of Eterna; the forest that was rich in nature.

Yet, for this cactus, known as the devil cactus, his abundant pride was seen unusual especially in this desolate desert where the nature spirit here was scarce and pride wasn’t something that could help them in their times of need.

However, ambition flowed in the young arrogant cactus as he slowly laid his root on the ground and twist his long thin cactus body to create another root on the other end as it slowly falls to the ground in a disgusting manner unbefitting towards any form of grace.

Though prideful, the manner in which he walked was ugly. As the root on one end slowly dies out, whilst the other end which had crept towards the direction he was walking had already begun rooting itself onto the ground.

With the end, where the root had died, it again slowly begins to twist itself towards the direction he was moving towards; the squirming movement that cycles itself over and over again could be described as an inelegant display that lacked any form of dignity.

Many who had seen this strange walking cactus could only look at it in disgust as they began to call his kind the creeping devil. With a name of no elegance nor beauty, this prideful cactus spirit could only swallow his own pride knowing he will forever bear the ugly body he possessed.

Usually his kind lived at the south, and normally, the cactus will migrate together in a group. However, this peculiar cactus spirit was different. He instead wishes to travel north, where no devil cactus had ever ventured.

Reasons? He wished to go to the forest of Aedelon, a forest his previous predecessor had spoken vaguely about.

Some might laugh at this ridiculous dream, this ambition that seems so unrealistic but for this pitiful creature, it was everything to him.

As he slowly creeps his way north, his ugly movements carried a sense of pride; the spirit floated above his repulsive body, yet, his eyes could be seen filled with determination staring straight to his goal.

No dream is beautiful, it is through sacrifices and perseverance that could shape the ugly sight of effort into something respectable. It is not beauty but admiration that makes one dream truly mesmerizing. It is through that cycle will another take the torch of another’s dream.

For the desolate region of Nezkaria, each torch carried weight and each dream was an oasis of itself. It was not a star in the night sky that would attract one to another, it was the comfort knowing that there was something that brings life in the harsh emptiness surrounding it.

Jabr, the devil cactus, crawls on this harsh road hoping to meet his goal. Though prideful and arrogant his dream was pure, and eventually, it bears fruit when he encountered a golem and another cactus whose dream was as pure as his.

Part 2

Another day passed as it had already been several days since Zafar and Ali had a brief encounter with the two tumbleweeds. Unfortunately, they had been truly been unlucky to have not found any traces of Ali’s companions.

They had found a cave straight after parting ways with the tumbleweed, but sadly there was no sign of Amir or Kasem or anyone having been in the cave.

The lack of clues made Zafar quite irritated but seeing how stoic Ali was, he knew it was best to stay calm during situations like this.

Wanting to get away from the negative thought, Zafar started to ponder about many trivial things as he began to discuss things with Ali.

Conversation from new sights he had seen throughout their journey, to conversations about Ali’s past came flowing in the discussion they shared. It was then Zafar began to think about the cactus which Hassan and Abbas had spoken about.

“Have you ever seen spirits besides me?” Zafar curiously asked. “I’m quite interested in the cactus which the two had spoken about.”

“The… devil cactus?” Ali replied remembering the name. “I think… I’ve seen them before…”

Tracing his memory back when he was at the southern parts of the desert he remembered encountering a bunch of long cacti laying down on the ground.

He remembered the look of disgust coming from the Azedian workers who guided him towards the next cave they were planning to work at. Who would’ve known he would get lost and ended up in the western desert.

“I remembered… the long cactus... they were able to walk.” Ali tried his best to remember any other details. “Though they walk… the spirits were very… lazy and always sleep.”

“A walking cactus?” Zafar couldn’t imagine it. “That’s… amazing, I wonder if I could walk?”

Ali looked towards the spirit beside him and laughed. “I think… it’s impossible… only if your body is suited for it.”

“Ah, well it’s a shame that most of them are lazy…” Zafar replied, “But wasn’t the one Abbas spoke of a bit mean?”

“Maybe… he didn’t sleep well enough… he might’ve been grumpy because of that.”

“Maybe… hm?” Before Zafar could continue the conversation he spotted a figure that was awfully familiar to what they were discussing about. “Isn’t that the cactus?”

Excitement could be seen as Zafar hurriedly rushed with his spirit body towards the long cactus laying on the ground. Looking at the spirit sprinting ahead, Ali could only follow hastily behind.

Jabr was carefully trudging his body north and was so focused that he was unaware of the little cactus spirit that came rushing towards him. Before he could even react at the sudden event, his concentration was broken abruptly when he heard a voice beside him.

“What are you doing?” Zafar asked curiously towards the spirit who had his eyes on the long cactus on the ground.

Surprised by the sudden voice he couldn’t help but be displeased, but after he had taken a look at the spirit beside him his interest was piqued as he observed the stranger closely.

Before he could settle his curiosity even weirder thing came by, this time it was a golem with a cactus on his back. With several thoughts, he realized that the spirit before him was connected with the cactus on the golem.

“Y-you! How did you persuade the golem to get your body there!?” Jabr asked impolitely at the two stranger.

Blinking his eyes Zafar couldn’t help but feel startled at the urgency in the spirit’s voice. Without much to hide Zafar answered truthfully. “Ali’s a friend he’s helping me find my friend, we’re going to adventure together to find him.”

“A-adventure?” Jabr looked at the spirit who seemed crazy in his eyes. “Why would a proud nature spirit go adventuring? That’s for low-class people!”

“Don’t you have any shame!?” with a voice filled with contempt Jabr pointed at the small spirit.

“S-shame? What’s wrong with being an adventurer!?”

It was the first time Zafar had gotten such a rude response and because of that, it was the first time he felt anger towards another person.

“You’re a nature spirit! Not one of those races that go about in the desert living their life in cities.” Jabr crudely spoke back, “You should set your sight on a more suitable goal.”

“What’s your goal then!” Zafar couldn’t help but be agitated by the condescending voice in front of him.

“Nature spirit should go on a pilgrimage to the great spirit world.” Jabr spat back not caring of the little cactus, “I’m on a journey north to the forest of Aedelon.”

“Forest of Aedelon….” Zafar was surprised by the familiar word. “I wanted to go there with Ori when we planned our adventure.”

“Adventuring in the sacred forest!” Jabr cried out, “Are you trying to disgrace the cacti family!”

“W-what!”

“You heard me, stop your nonsense! What would the spirits at the forest think of a country bumpkin like you coming into their home?” Jabr coldly replied, “Think of the humiliation us cacti spirits have to endure for generations to come!”

Zafar felt furious at the blatant insult coming towards him, “Yeah, I know I’m naïve but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be welcomed there!”

“You don’t know anything about the world huh?” Jabr replied arrogantly. “You think that going about freely without a care will go smoothly for you?”

“You think everyone will welcome you kindly in that forest?” Jabr glanced at the little spirit apathetically. “For a young spirit like you coming from a region where those prideful spirits see us like trash, you’ll be mercilessly treated like one.”

“Grow up a little! The world isn’t nice.” Jabr coldly replied.

Looking at the flustered little spirit Jabr couldn’t help but shake his head as he shifted his attention towards the golem who silently observed him.

“I was going to ask you if I could hitch a ride but since you’re with him, I don’t think it’s necessary to lower my dignity to ask for a favor.”

Ali began to observe the long cactus who twist about with all his effort to go north. He could see the pain and tired spirit trying to hastily crawl towards his dream. After sensing the feelings he felt during the conversation between the spirit and Zafar, Ali nodded as he finally decided what to do.

“Come… with us…” His incoherent speaking came out but the words he spoke out made both Zafar and Jabr surprised.

“HUH!?” The two looked at the golem with no idea of what he was thinking.

“Ali, don’t be so kind! This guy is a devil just like Abbas and Hassan told us.” Zafar quickly tried to dissuade his friend’s decision.

“Tch, if you’re just giving charity away like that because you feel that I’m pitiful then don’t.” Jabr looked away at the golem.

“What? You’re… going to crawl disgracefully… to the north?” Ali spoke out with his monotone voice which showed no expression. “How long… will that take?”

Irritated by the question Jabr looked towards the golem with hostility, “None of your concerns.”

“Like I said the world isn’t nice. I’ll crawl, I’ll squirm, and I’ll drag myself until I reach there. Who cares if I look ugly! This is my choice.”

“The world… is ugly… but that’s not all of it… only half of it…” Ali squatted down in front of the cactus who was creeping north slowly. “Come with us… see the other side…”

Sensing the sincerity in the golem, Jabr couldn’t help but feel confused. Why is this golem trying so hard to persuade me? I wasn’t friendly towards them both.

“I-I said…” Jabr tried to voice his decision but before he could do that Zafar was tired of his arrogance and interrupted him.

“Why are you so reluctant to accept someone’s generosity?” Zafar shouted, “You said the world is cruel? Then why are you still alive? Why are there rain to help us survive, why are there people who we call friends, why does the world give us so much with nothing in return?”

“You told me to grow up!?” Zafar angrily asked, “You should be the one to open half your eyes and grow up yourself!”

Shaking the cactus on his body Ali looked grumpily at Zafar.

With the sudden shake, Zafar felt sick as his body shook about on Ali’s back. “Ah! Stop Ali! I’m sorry b-but he was annoying me!”

Frankly, he was furious at Zafar’s words but after careful thinking, Jabr realized that maybe he spoke to brashly to the two.

He had felt he was the most mature of the three but he realized how wrong he was. Embarrassingly he couldn’t help but notice that he hadn’t grown up since he left his group down south.

“Come… with us…” Ali spoke out again with his monotone voice.

This time Jabr wasn’t able to voice out anything. He was too ashamed at himself to accept the offer, somehow or another the tables had turned and he felt he was undeserving of the invitation.

“Argh! Stop being such a drama queen and come along!” Zafar replied with annoyance in his face.

“Frankly, I don’t like you! But since Ali seems to want you then I’ll get along with you, or is it that I’m right and you’re wrong?”

The cheeky response made Jabr mad as he glared the tiny spirit who he deemed naïve. “Damn it! I’ll show you that your view of the world is wrong. Since you want to go to the forest of Aedelon, I should tag along to make sure you don’t disgrace the cacti family!”

Smiling at the recovered spirit, Ali carefully took Jabr’s long cactus body and cautiously wrapped it around his neck with one end rooted on the back of his neck.

The sight of the golem with cactus on his back and another cactus wrapped like a scarf around his neck was quite unique, as Zafar and Jabr stopped their meaningless quibbling to take a look.

“Don’t get me wrong, I only accepted because of the kind golem.” Jabr glanced towards the spirit near him.

“His name is Ali.” Zafar couldn’t help but feel exhausted after talking to another one of his species. “My name is Zafar, what’s yours?”

Staring at the little cactus who was still reluctant to have him made him feel pleased knowing that his words could be seen correct in this case. “Jabr.”

“Well, Jabr… I’ll explain our situation so that you could help us…” Zafar smiled wickedly at the cactus who had thought that they were headed north straightaway towards the forest of Aedelon.

“W-wait… w-what s-situation?”