I’m never going to hear the end of this. I grumbled silently to myself as I huddled alongside the trembling form of the red lizard.

A dark irised eye peered at us from outside the crevice, and I wondered if this was how the lizard next to me felt when I’d been peering at him in the same manner not so long ago.

The creature outside was another reptile, this one reminiscent of the Komodo dragons I’d seen in zoos and on nature documentaries. Scratching and sandy debris falling into the crevice alerted me to the predator resuming his attempts to widen the entry point with its sharp claws.

I can’t change back in here and crawling out isn’t an option as that thing will eat me before I manage to wriggle out.

Letting out a high-pitched yip, I shot a small flicker of flame through the crack and the sound of digging stopped briefly before resuming.

This is all your fault. I silently told the trembling creature who was pressed tightly against my side. Maybe if I toss it outside, the Komodo dragon will be distracted long enough for me to make my own escape.

As though sensing my thoughts, the red scaled lizard twisted around and somehow maneuvered itself beneath me, where it cowered, using my body as a shield. That evil little shit, if I’m on top I’ll get eaten first for sure.

Craning my head to stare down at the lizard, I saw it gazing up at me with wide, fear-filled eyes, as though pleading with me to protect it from the predator trying to claw its way inside.

It actually looked kind of cute, if it wasn’t for the scales I’d easily mistake it for a kitten rather than a lizard. Don’t worry, I’m not going to let the Komodo eat you. That would be a waste after all the effort I’ve gone through to catch you. Though, we can’t just sit here waiting to be eaten. We also can’t go out the way we both came in. I mused, sending another flicker of fire through the narrow opening.

The eye appeared again, and I sent out a wave of fire towards it. I was hoping it would burn the eye staring at us, but the predator ignored my attempt to burn it, in favor of continuing to widen the opening.

Digging my own claws into the ground, I contemplated trying to tunnel out of the crevice, but we were surrounded by rock and my claws only scraped against it uselessly.

But maybe there is another way. Tris said transmutation is the magical art of modifying energy and matter, this rock is matter, so let's modify it. First, let's make this gap smaller. I decided, staring at the narrow opening with determination.

Focusing on the rock with all my strength, I pictured it shifting and melding together to close the opening. The fur on my chest felt warm and I could sense that, even though it was not visible, my amulet was still hanging around my neck.

Slowly, inch by inch, the opening shrunk until only a sliver of light could be seen from the now inch-wide crack in the stone.

Relief washed over me and I slumped to the ground, almost crushing the lizard laying beneath me. We didn’t have to worry about the Komodo dragon’s clawed paws reaching us, so I could finally relax my stiff posture. The scrabbling sound of claws digging into rock grew more frantic, and I saw a pale, forked tongue flick in through the crevice.

Tiredly, I shot a flicker of fire at the tongue, causing it to retreat. Sitting up on my haunches, I gazed around at the rock which I’d just entombed myself in.

Should I try tunneling down and see if I can pop up somewhere far enough away from the Komodo that I can make an escape? No, I don’t think that will work. Just closing the opening was almost more than I could manage and tunneling might be dangerous as the tunnel could collapse on top of me. Maybe the Komodo dragon will give up trying to dig us out if we wait long enough?

Sadly, it seemed the predator outside was determined to make a meal out of us, as it continued digging without any signs of tiring.

The Komodo dragon continued digging its way in through the front, whilst I slowly worked on burrowing further back into the rock.

After some experimenting, I found that if I gently coaxed the earth to shift around us it used less power than trying to force a change. By moving the rock behind us and creating space opposite the opening, the lizard and I could move further away from the Komodo dragon.

Soon we reached the back of the rock, and creating an eye sized opening, I peered out to check for signs of the predator outside. Not seeing anything, I contemplated fleeing, but the thought of running around lost in the desert was even less appealing than staying entombed in the rock.

Didn’t Markion say if I got lost in the desert to find a shaded place to bunker down and wait? If I keep moving around, it will be harder for them to find me.

Contemplating my options, I decided staying in the rock was better as it wasn’t as hot in here as it was outside. Darius said many of the Kemet tribes lived in homes dug into the ground and the tents they pitched over the entrance were only used as a gathering space when guests were visiting. It’s a good thing I’ve got my belt and personal bags with me, there’s enough food for about two weeks in my thigh bag if I ration it. But I need to get rid of the Komodo before I try to fortify a safe place to stay. The only way I can do that is by risking a confrontation with it. I need to change back so I can dart it with Scorcher venom.

With a plan of action, I turned my focus to the rock beside me, progressively opening the hole until it was just large enough that the red lizard could fit inside.

Leaning down, I nudged the lizard with my muzzle, pushing it towards the hole and once it obediently scrambled inside, I closed the entrance.

I left a hole just large enough to allow air to flow into the tiny rock prison, but not enough that the creature could escape. A soft whine sounded from the air hole, while a tiny golden eye peered out at me with a look of so much sadness and betrayal that I felt a pang of regret.

Sorry little thing, but I don’t trust you not to run off while I’m trying to take out the Komodo. I promise if I die, I’ll come back and find you. I told the lizard silently, before turning my attention to the gap in the rear side of the rock, and using more transmutation to enlarge it.

Once the crack was large enough for my slender, canine body to squeeze through, I pushed out of the crevice and immediately shifted back into my human form.

Yanking an orange and black tipped dart from my bracer, I checked to the left and right of me for any signs of the Komodo dragon. Seeing nothing and hearing the faint scratching sounds coming from the other side of the rock, I was about to start creeping around the rock when an idea came to me.

Attacking the Komodo dragon head-on would be dangerous, as I was sure it could quickly close the distance between us. I had left both my dagger and wagasa in the tent, so I was left with only my darts to use for defense.

Sliding the dart back into my bracer, I turned my attention to the big rock behind me and began climbing, shifting the rock to create footholds to make it easier to climb. The more I worked at manipulating the earth, the easier it became, though I was quickly tiring. Hunger gnawed at my stomach and the sweltering heat of the desert was quickly sapping my energy.

Even with the thin leather gloves I wore, my hands felt scalded by the burning surface of the rock, as did the entire front half of my body, which was pressed against it as I climbed.

I’m surprised the Komodo dragon hasn’t noticed me yet. I scrambled over the top of the rock, but saw no sign of the large predator that had been clawing at the far side of the rock.

Where did it go? I know it was still there when I started climbing, I could hear it digging.

My ears twitched, and the renewed sound of claws digging into stone had me twisting my head to the side. Eye wide, I saw the Komodo dragon staring up at me from the spot where I’d begun my ascent.

As I watched, the large lizard stretched up on its hind legs, and started to scramble up the rock.

Oh fuck, it can climb.

A pale tongue flickered out of the big lizard's mouth as the Komodo dragon dug its claws into the rock, gaining another few inches of height before it slid down after losing its footing.

Taking advantage of this, I flung an orange dart at the lizard and cheered when the lizard gave a shudder as the dart embedded into the predator's back. The Komodo dragon shook its head, looking disoriented, but after a second it appeared to recover.

Two more darts followed the first, each dyed a pale blue, and this time the lizard staggered backwards. When the fourth dart, with its orange and black feathers, pierced the lizard's side, it let out a pained hiss, collapsing to the ground.

Just to be sure, I flung a second dart with undiluted Scorcher venom and another with diluted venom at it.

As the Komodo dragon began writhing on the ground, I slid down the side of the rock, and shoved a hand into my pouch. Pulling out three strips of beef jerky, along with a bowl which I filled with a small amount of water, I slid the items through the crevice in the wall.

Then I searched through my bag again until I found a three-inch long clay cylinder. Moving a few steps away from the large rock, and keeping a cautious eye on the Komodo dragon, I dug the bottom half of the cylinder into the ground and lit the fuse.

Jogging back to the crevice, I shifted back into the form of a small red fox and retreated into the rock as plumes of white smoke rose into the air.

Hopefully the others will see the smoke bomb and come find me.

As I lapped at the water in the bowl, I monitored the Komodo dragon which I could see rolling around on the ground outside my hideaway.

A scratching noise from the rock beside me brought my attention to the spot where I’d trapped the lizard that had gotten me into this mess. Widening the hole I’d left in the rock to allow for air flow, I watched as the red scaled lizard scrambled out and rushed towards the bowl.

It really looks like a small cat, just with scales and not fur. The tongue isn’t forked like the Komodo dragon, but it moves with its body raised off the ground like the Komodo does. That’s not like the Scorchers who move with their bodies dragging along the ground. It also has sharp teeth that resemble those of a carnivorous mammal, while lizards typically have smaller teeth along their jaw. I chewed on a piece of jerky, concealing a second piece under my paw and leaving the third for the red lizard. The frill is almost like a mane.

The mix of reptilian, and feline aspects gave the little creature an appearance that resembled a scaled lion.

After I finished with my meal, I shrunk the opening down to an inch-wide gap that was just large enough to ensure fresh air would flow into the cave, while being small enough that nothing could get in- or in the little lizard's case- out. With a wide yawn, I laid down with my head resting on my paws, deciding to take a nap while I waited for someone to come find me.