The stone of power sits alone in the wastes. A wave of magic ripples across the sandy plain and grips the stone, lifting it high into the sky atop a tower of sand. As the tower rises, walls spring forth, crenellations cascading into existence to protect the stone. A series of steps cascade down the tower, leading to the castle being wrought from the depths of the earth.

The sands join, pathways and defensive fortifications materializing from thought into existence. Mana ripples throughout the structure, creating windows, battlements, all the splendor of a fortress at war. The castle defenders spring forth from the walls of sand. Faceless, clad in light armor, they wield halberds of the same material as they were wrought. They move into positions, beginning their patrol around the new fortress. As they gaze into the wilderness, the tower rises behind, the stone of power glinting in the distance. Mana and will created this bastion of defense. They would protect the stone.

And yet, a sandstorm arises, clouds of dust blocking out the sun. Blocking out the defenders view of the horror that awaits them.

Giant chitinous legs puncture the earth, creeping ahead amidst the howling winds. The defenders sally forth, racing to the gate to defend the structure. A barrier rises, blocking the sole means of entry or exit. Pounding on the walls shake the crenellations and the constructs stand in fear. IT is coming. Ghastly legs pierce into the sandcastle walls. The legs ravish the gate, and the defenders brandish their halberds, ready to face the attacker.

The giant creature pulls itself into the courtyard; the violent entry causing the walls to rain down on the defenders. The enemy is revealed as a monstrous crab and its claws slam down on the soldiers. It's strike shatters their bodies upon the firmament.

More soldiers appear, halberds raised to attack the crab. Their forms stand resolute yet their hearts waver; this creature outsized them by twenty times or more. The crab chitters disdainfully and looks away from the meager defenders. The stone is over there. These constructs are no match for its power.

Clouds gather above the castle, the waves of mana blocking view of the sun. The defenders look to each other in fear... fear of the approaching monstrosity.

Gathering their courage, the sand warriors begin their charge, with two of them grasping hands to merge their power. As the crab claws it's way closer, two soldiers become one. Their union yields a knight rising from the ground, armored and riding upon his horse. He sprints ahead, lance brandished to strike his foe.

The lance lowers, and the crab contemptuously blocks the meager strike. The knight disengages, circling around the creature, looking for a new opening to attack. With barely a thought, the crab spins and knocks the soldier off his horse, sending him sliding into the fortress wall.

The sand knight is stunned, struggling to regain his senses as the horrific crab rushes forth. It slams its claw forward, pinning the soldier's arm against the wall. The knight struggles against his capture, gazing deep into the unforgiving eyes of the enemy. Just there, out of the warrior’s reach is his weapon. He leans further, grasping, reaching for the only salvation at hand... his blade.

At the last moment, as those blasphemous mandibles close in, he grabs the weapon, sliding it into the gaping maw of the beast. It releases the knight and recoils, surprised by the sudden attack.

The sand warrior, weary beyond thought, collapses onto the floor; letting his arms sink into the ground. The knight pulls from the smidgen of mana that animates his form. He gives of himself to pull a great sword from the earth, sacrificing defensive measures for a two-handed blade.

The crab and the warrior charge, each ready to end the other. Only one will remain upon this field of battle. Yet before they could join arms, blade against claw, construct against crab... they stop. Far, far above the walls of the sandcastle, a tsunami of water rises, ready to swamp their meager defenses. The strength of its power blocks out the sun and falls upon the castle, wiping away defenders and combatants alike.

A peal of laughter calls out on the beach as Erica says,

"Okay Mr. Crab! That wasn't a fair fight! The wave swamped the castle. Let me recover my mana and we'll go again, okay?"

The crab *snipped* it's claws in preparation. He would let the [friend] make her preparations. Only sand spilled in honor was worth relishing.

The dream faded and Sir Crabby woke up. For a split second, only a moment when he was half-awake, he thought he was back on the beach again with Erica. He let loose a wistful sigh and repositioned himself. He started to count crabs, trying to go back to sleep; hoping he would dream of her once more.