Bring up deserts and beaches.

It'll still be a bit before you arrive at the town in the distance. For now, you and Niki step through the soft sandy ground, and it's rather exhausting. Even Niki hasn't been back here since she was younger, though you imagine she's at least more used to it than you are, as it's in her blood. Sunhearts may look human but they are usually considered a different race just like elves or dwarves. They're far more resilient against **** temperatures, especially the heat. You have water in your bag thankfully, so you don't feel like you're going to die out here.

"It's like one giant beach, though without any of the fun parts of the beach," you say.

"Fun, like when you rubbed that sunscreen on me?" She snickers.

"That was fun for you, huh?"

Caught by her own tease, she glances away. "Maybe."

"You wouldn't have actually burned if I didn't put that lotion on you, right?"

After a pause, she says, "No. I wouldn't have. I just wanted to be like the others, but I also hoped you'd come over and help me. Thanks again for that."

"Yeah, well that lotion was what caused all the chaos later."

"Don't remind me of that!"

The two of you continue to walk. You're not certain what you'll face when you get there, but it's getting closer. You're going to have to deal with it sooner than later. As you think to yourself, Niki turns a eye back to you.

"Prepare for the worst. When you're banished, you're not really meant to come back."

"It's fine. We'll figure something out."

She takes a deep breath. "Thank you for doing this, Kyle. You have no idea how much this means to me. We're going to keep my family safe, and we'll do it together."