The echoes of Temptations faded, and the arena transformed once more, this time into an unforgiving desert. The lush gardens gave way to endless dunes of golden sand beneath a scorching sun that seemed intent on devouring all life. The air was dry, and heat shimmered on the horizon, conjuring deceptive mirages. Each team found themselves at the edge of this arid wasteland, equipped with meager supplies: a small water flask and a single day's ration of food. A holographic map materialized, marking their starting point and a destination days away. The thunderous voice resounded, unrelenting:
"Welcome to the Third Circle: Famine. Survive this desert for five days, manage your resources, and reach the endpoint… or perish. Let the weak fade."
Gills, leader of the Blazing Skulls, adjusted his cyberpunk red-and-yellow-orange uniform, the blue-and-cyan flaming skull on his back gleaming faintly. He rallied his team: Soehpt, nervous, his spiritual blue flames flickering; Kira, the fiery redhead, ready to strike; Aria "The Wave Singer," a young woman adept at controlling water to locate hidden sources; and Max "The Survivor," a bearded man with piercing eyes and vast desert survival knowledge.
"Listen up," Gills said, his voice steady. "We've got five days to cross with what we have. Aria, find us water. Max, guide us with your skills. Soehpt, your flames might help detect moisture. Kira, be ready to back us up."
Soehpt's eyes widened in protest. "But how? The desert's empty!"
Kira shot him a glare. "It's Famine, idiot. We've got to be smart."
Aria, still wary, nodded. "I can sense water, but it takes energy."
Max, confident, added, "I've survived worse. Follow me, and we'll make it."
Gills grinned. "Good. Stay tight."
Across the dunes, Tyrnat "The Black Prince," leader of the Styx Reapers in their fantasy black-and-white uniforms, strategized with his team: Yulius "The Bloodthirsty," Nera "The Dark Seamstress," Zara "The Shadow," a stealthy figure skilled in infiltration, and Viktor "The Blacksmith," a sturdy man capable of crafting and repairing tools.
"This desert will test our endurance," Tyrnat said, his shadow sickle glinting. "Yulius, your blood control can sense water. Nera, your dolls will carry our supplies. Zara, scout for threats. Viktor, maintain our gear."
Yulius, gripping Massacre, nodded. "I'll feel water if it's near."
Nera, her white hair shining under the sun, smiled. "My dolls can scout safely too."
Zara, soft-spoken, murmured, "I'll find safe paths."
Viktor checked his tools. "Ready to keep our stuff intact."
Tyrnat added, "Stay close. This desert's alive."
The Nephalems, cloaked in mystical white-and-black capes, remained silent. Bhaadon "The Unknown," tonfas in hand, spoke quietly: "The desert deceives. Mira, your visions will pierce mirages. Kron, your strength will carry us. Solom, scout from above. Gota, find water."
Mira "The Seer" nodded. "I'll see through the traps."
Kron "The Colossus" grunted, "I'll carry whatever's needed."
Solom, hovering slightly, said, "I'll watch from the sky."
Gota, summoning an aqueous jellyfish, whispered, "I'll do my best."
The teams set out, their boots sinking into the sand. On the first day, a sandstorm roared in, reducing visibility to nothing. Gills shouted to keep his team together, but Soehpt was swept away by a gust. Kira grabbed him by the collar just in time. "Stay close, or I'll leave you!" she snarled. Aria tried to form a water bubble for protection, but the storm overwhelmed her. Max led them to a natural hollow dune for shelter, where they waited, exhausted.
The Styx Reapers, guided by Yulius' blood sense, found a nearby water source. Tyrnat opened a black passage, leading them to a small oasis, but demonic scorpions guarded it. Yulius dispatched them with blood projectiles, while Nera's dolls distracted the swarm. Zara spotted a giant serpent lurking nearby and warned the team. Viktor repaired a damaged weapon, enabling Yulius to slay the beast.
The Nephalems, with Solom soaring above, avoided the storm entirely. Mira dispelled a threatening mirage, guiding them to a conflict-free oasis. Kron carried their supplies, and Gota uncovered a hidden water source, bolstering their reserves.
On the second day, rare oases appeared, but resources were scarce. The Blazing Skulls reached an occupied oasis, sparking a confrontation. Gills tried to negotiate: "We share. We all need water."
The opposing leader sneered, "Find your own."
Soehpt, impulsive, charged, but Gills held him back. "Not like that." Combat erupted—Gills unleashed red flames, Kira struck with force, Aria conjured water barriers, and Max disarmed a trap with his expertise. They secured the oasis, but tensions flared between Soehpt and Max, the latter scolding his recklessness.
The Styx Reapers clashed with another team over an oasis. Tyrnat summoned Tortegax, his demonic turtle, for an impenetrable defense, while Yulius and Viktor dispatched their foes. Nera, drained, leaned on Zara, who whispered, "Stay strong, for Tyrnat." Nera blushed, spurred onward.
On the third day, a massive storm engulfed the desert. The Blazing Skulls sought shelter, but Soehpt was separated. Gills, frantic, shouted, "Soehpt!" Kira, tapping her regeneration, braved the storm to retrieve him, finding him half-buried and dragging him to safety. Aria's attempt to conjure water faltered as her strength waned. Max found shelter, but their supplies were lost.
The Styx Reapers used Tyrnat's passage for a temporary refuge, shielded by Tortegax. Yulius, injured, was tended by Nera, while Zara spotted rival teams seeking shelter, leading to a tense skirmish.
The Nephalems, guided by Solom's aerial view, dodged the storm but lost provisions. Mira foresaw a giant creature, and Kron battled it to protect the team. Gota found water, but exhaustion weighed her down, eased only by Bhaadon's support.
By the fourth day, resources dwindled. The Blazing Skulls, dehydrated after losing supplies, pressed on. Kira shared her vitality to sustain Gills and Soehpt, while Aria, near collapse, located one last water source. Max, despite friction, urged them forward: "We're close. Hold on."
The Styx Reapers, bolstered by Yulius' water detection, stayed strong. Nera, spent, drew strength from Tyrnat's words: "You're vital, Nera." She blushed, doubling her efforts. Zara and Viktor repaired a tool together, reinforcing the team.
The Nephalems remained enigmatic. Mira charted a safe path, Kron bore their gear, and Solom spotted the endpoint. Gota, weary, leaned on Bhaadon, who murmured, "We're nearly there."
On the fifth day, a narrow bridge over a bottomless chasm marked the endpoint, allowing only one to cross at a time. The Blazing Skulls and Styx Reapers arrived simultaneously, igniting a standoff.
Gills said, "We cross together."
Tyrnat smirked darkly. "Or the strongest goes first."
Battle erupted— reds flames clashing with shadows—but the Nephalems intervened. Bhaadon's telekinesis parted the fighters. "Enough! We all cross, or we all lose."
Reluctantly, they cooperated, crossing in turns: Blazing Skulls first, Styx Reapers next, and Nephalems overseeing. All reached the endpoint, utterly spent.
The voice declared:
"Congratulations to those who've passed the Third Circle. Prepare for Kleptomania."