Explain where you are. I think there is actually more than one city by the desert, what enemies are there (pink rabit things, devils, snakes, bunny things with snakes on there heads). If you are where I am at did you already go to the palace with all the birds. After you walk out there should have been a bird and someone says something and the birds runs out of the village. I am not sure where to go after traveling out in the desert after the bird.
And actually el_venga by the time you see the first magic pillar no matter who you are you should have more than one element. Cause I currently have fire, water, and two more not sure which elements they are.