As per Aden's words, the students found themselves on a dune peak the following day. Helmets and protective gears like glasses, knee caps e.t.c were given to several students who would be the first batch to slop down the dune. Prince Alu took it upon himself to be exemplary to the rest of the students around by demonstrating how all the gear are supposed to be worn before stepping on the surfing composite board and strapping his feet.
Students followed instructions and correctly put on their respective gear as the first batch of students to go stepped forward. Aden and another instructor gave them a final inspection before helping them get strapped on the boards.
"Listen up everyone, these will be the first students to make a go at it, sand-boarding is fun but also technical, some students have already informed me that they will not be participating and I respect their decision, If you aren't comfortable with this activity, it's alright not to take part in it," Aden said.
The students nodded in understanding at his words. The other instructor stepped on his board and stood beside Prince Alu.
"Umorot will lead the first batch of students together with Prince Alu down this slope. Remember, don't panic, this slope isn't that steep. Stay calm and composed as you slid down, " Aden instructed the students behind Umorot, the instructor and Prince Alu who took in his words with understanding.
A whistle blew and the students readily became alert, Alu and Umorot headed the journey, their turbans that were strongly secured by the helmets blew wildly in the air as students joyously slid down the dune behind them. Seeing their enthusiasm, students who were left on the dune peak clapped and cheered in excitement.
"It suddenly doesn't seem that complicated, I was a little scared for no reason," Ewe said to Nandi, Renny, Joanna, Edi and Chedi who were standing in the same vicinity-their gazes on the students now midway the slop.
"You shouldn't be scared, Aden and the instructor are all present, when Sand-boarding, the temperature of the sand is tested hence even if you fall, it won't cause any grievous harm," Chedi replied.
"Have you ever taken part in this activity?" Nandi inquired.
"Yes, but it was some time back, around 2020 in Namibia, Sossusvlei," Chedi replied.
"On our trip down, we shall trust you with our lives then," Ewe said.
"It's really not a battle, Renny is from America, there is snowboarding there if I am not wrong, so such activities might not be rare to her too," Chedi helplessly replied.
"Have you ever gone for snow boarding?" Ewe inquired, looking at Renny specifically.
"Not really, but I have witness the activity, protective gears are given to people who participate in the activity. Chedi is right, people are rarely hurt even if they fall," Renny replied.
"See? just be confident and trust the process," Chedi remarked.
"Alright, I will take all your words to heart," Ewe replied.
"They have reached the bottom of the dune, " Joanna noted in a whisper like voice. The rest immediately looked in the said direction and true to her words, the students were now laughing, their faces showing their happy mood.
"I guess we are next, " Edi said.
A few minutes later, students going down in the next trip orderly stood in line, Aden, taking the lead as their instructor. The first batch of students had returned to the top of the dune peak. Renny slightly looked at them and noticed that some of them were inquiring if they would have a second trip , it was obvious that the first round was fun.
"So just like the first group, follow behind me, the instructions aren't that complicated. You all saw how Umorot and Prince Alu lead their group, slowly stay behind me and follow my lead," Aden said as he put on his element, his sharp eyes now the only visible future on his face, Students nodded in confidence at his words.
The whistle blew, marking the start of their trip. Ewe felt the light and fresh sir around her, it felt as though she could fly. Chedi and Renny hadn't lied, this activity wasn't that complicated! It reminded her of her childhood days, when her elder brother used to put her in a cut out big jerrycan and push her around and down some roads in their village, recalling her brother in the moment, she had no doubt the he would enjoy this activity if he were around.
"Waaaa, wow, this is fun! haaaaaaa" Chedi wildly laughed ahead of them, a close distance behind Aden. The other students also followed suit after getting a hang of the activity, suddenly increasing their speed just like Chedi.
"Is everyone Okay? don't increase your speed if you aren't comfortable," Edi said to Ewe,Nandi and Renny who were close to him.
"I am Okay," Ewe replied.
"I think we are separated from the rest of the group?" Suddenly, Renny's voice cut through their exchange as she paused the board. Others also followed suit.
"What? Aden and the other students are right in-front of us and so are other students behind," Edi remarked as he turned his focus to look ahead. True to Renny's words, Aden and the other students were no where to be seen! Edi immediately turned to look behind and the same result applied.
"Don't panic, we should just continue down the slope, Chedi, Aden and the rest were just in-front of us talking just now. You all heard them right?" Edi said, it was impossible to separate from people who were a stone's throw away from you.
"Yes, " Ewe replied.
"I think Edi is right, there is no way we could suddenly separate from people who were right in-front of us," Nandi said.
"Alright then," Renny replied and the group resumed their journey downwards.
Reaching the base of the dune, Aden and the students were no where in sight: smooth, endless sand that had a golden glow under the sun rays greeted their eyes instead. The group immediately grew tense at the view, just as Aden had previously warned everyone, getting lost in the desert wasn't a joking matter!
Renny immediately checked her phone that she brought with her everywhere she went in the left side pocket of her pants.
"Damn, I didn't bring my phone!" Nandi exclaimed.
"It doesn't matter, there is no signal," Renny replied as she held up her phone showing the bright screen to them.
"What do we do now?" Ewe inquired as she scooted down, attentively undoing her sand board. The other three also followed her actions.
"Let's just walk around and see if there are any people. Maybe the others are on the other side of the slope, after all, this is the same dune everyone else took," Edi said, standing up and holding his sand board under his armpit as he turned to his left. The girls quickly followed behind his footsteps.
Five minutes ahead, the group was stunned at what was in-front of them: a giant castle that blended with the sand, glowing a golden shade. It's pillars were towering to the sky-endless, the roof they were supporting, blending with the sun's rays, impossible to see.
"Wow, there is such a big castle in the Sahara? How come I have never heard of it? Such a magnificent structure should at-least be documented," Ewe exclaimed.
"Let's go and have a look, if there is anyone there, we can ask them to help us reconnect with the others," Edi said.
"Alright," Nandi replied and the group moved towards the building.
It was only when they stood right in-front of it did they discover what a marvel it was. Twin doors, taller than some skyscrapers and wider than Canyon mouths stood framed by archways carved with bas-reliefs of endless lifelike sand and a wide sun. Each panel depicted some sort of events like oceans swallowing cities, people harvesting, children playing e.t.c. The handles were absent-instead, a labyrinth of glowing runes circled the center.
Renny was astonished at such magnificent craftsmanship, she had traveled to several countries and seen different architecture but this was new. She slowly looked up, trying to see where the doors ended but just like the roof of this fascinating building, the doors ends couldn't be seen, it was as though they endlessly spread to the sky!
Suddenly, the ground slowly shook and the doors wildly opened.
"Welcome, son and daughters of Akan and Ewe, we've been waiting on your arrival," a voice cut through the doors, attracting the groups attention, they focused their eyes to observe the owner .
A very beautiful, tall woman with skin as soft as silk and the color of the coca chocolate appeared before their eyes, wrapped in a very well cut out silk dress that hugged her firm chest, round glutes and thighs, everything about her was very tempting to the human eyes. Her afro hair, very round and golden-the color of the sun and so where her eyes. The group were slightly stunned, Edi had seen many women but he had to admit, this woman was very beautiful! Renny focused her eyes on the woman to trace if she had on any kind of contact lenses because surely that couldn't be her natural eye color.
"Why are you not coming in? didn't you come here looking for help?" the woman slowly laughed as she walked towards the group. She then stood in-front of Edi and gently touched his cheek, Edi felt as though he was electrocuted on spot, surely he had too much self-control but that didn't mean he wasn't a man who could be tempted.
"Not coming in?" The woman inquired.
"We shall," Edi loudly said. A small snort came from his left, looking in that direction, Edi spotted Nandi watching him silently, It was a though he immediately came back to his senses, slowly coughing and slightly stepping back-creating a small distance between them.
"How are you able to float like that?" Renny's voice suddenly questioned. It was then that the group's attention turned to the woman's feet. Just as Renny noted, her feet were hovered in the air, not touching the ground! Edi had been captivated by her beauty to even take into account such details. Ewe felt a chill slowly spread to her back as she stepped several feet away from the door. Did they meet a ghost!
"You can really pay attention to details, aren't you scared though? a person is floating in the air in-front of you," The woman noted.
"Not scared, Science has logical explanations for most things," Renny replied making the woman chuckle as she floated towards her with a small smile gracing her face, her teeth were white and when contrasted against her skin, her beauty was blinding. Ewe had long hidden behind Nandi as she held her arm, her sand board abandoned on the ground as she peeked at the woman.
"What explanation have you come up with so far?" The woman inquired.
"Maybe you are using some sort of flotation device, you also have some kind of contact lenses in your eyes then you dyed your hair golden,"Renny replied as she faced the woman, looking straight in her eyes, however, she couldn't keep the eye contact for more than ten seconds because her eyes teared up when she tried.
On hearing Renny's words, Ewe seemed to get back some lost confidence and steeped out from behind Nandi. Renny was right, ghosts couldn't be seen by the naked eyes. This woman might be a trick star trying to play with their minds!
"Who are you?" Ewe slowly inquired.
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Shana-founder and keeper of the sun," The woman said as she stepped on the ground "Renny Smith, Nandi Gutt, Edi Danny and Ewe Rose, I welcome you to Our humble place, please come in, it gets windy,"
Turning around, the woman walked back into the building at an unhurried pace leaving the group of friends stunned.
"How did she know our names?" Ewe exclaimed.
"One way to find out," Renny replied as she followed behind the woman. Edi, Nandi and Ewe also followed suit. Once they were completely in the building, the doors immediately closed behind them. Looking back, the group noticed that the doors had now blended with the walls in the building and one couldn't tell the difference between the two. If this was some sort of a trap, they were done for, Renny thought as she observed the environment around the room.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW2eXoDEGI
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