Emily kept walking until she reached a vast expanse of barren land

[alpacinou]

Is this correct and natural?

Emily kept walking until she reached a vast expanse of barren land, dotted with a few weeds. She sat on the ground with her knees bent and legs to one side. She felt as if the emptiness inside her merged with the emptiness of the desolate land.

 

[emsr2d2]

Is this correct and natural?

Emily kept walking until she reached a vast expanse of barren land, dotted with a few weeds. She sat on the ground with her knees bent and her legs to one side. She felt as if the emptiness inside her had merged/was merging with the emptiness of the desolate land.

See above.