The 9th Desert

A millennium ago, a catastrophic war reduced the world to an endless expanse of arid wasteland. In the first of these desolate regions, known as the Water Nation, a young hunter named Mao struggles to survive against the unforgiving climate. To eke out a living, he hunts Hydra—sacred beasts formed entirely of water that roam the barren terrain. His existence is defined by hardship and routine until a fateful discovery at a remote oasis shatters his understanding of the world. Hidden within the waters, Mao unearths an ancient relic containing a recorded message from his long-lost father. The transmission carries a desperate summons, urging him to travel toward the origin point of all creation. Driven by the hope of reuniting with his father and uncovering the truth behind the ruined world, Mao abandons his life as a hunter. He sets forth on an ambitious expedition across the treacherous sands, embarking on a journey that will ultimately lead him beyond the known frontiers and into the unseen realm of the Ninth Desert.