Aldweck leapt over from the ship to the small and rocky cliffside. Erick’s feet made contact with the rock and the others followed his lead. By the time their group had tied down the ship, Naomi’s group had tied down the other ship at the opposite cliff face a few hundred meters down. Naomi walked up, her boots getting solid traction as her eyes darted between Aldweck and Chammie who had just given his seal of approval on the docking.

The island of Zubikai was barren. On the rocky terrain that was superimposed upon the flowing water was dried out branches and a long barreling heatwave that distorted the distance. Erick was uneasy about the road ahead. He felt himself losing against the waves. His heart was not in this adventure that was forced upon them. His eyes locked with Chief Zaberdack who stood toward the center of the group that had huddled toward his leadership.

“There will be no road in Zubikai for a long trek. The Jagged Desert is an unnatural spawn of dark cultists and their rogue experiments. We must cross this path to meet victory at the end of this long road.” He put his fist toward the air and everyone followed his fist with theirs.

Aldweck was the last one to put his fist to the air. His energy was similar to Erick’s. He didn’t know what the roses meant in that near-death state. He hadn’t known what Alex had meant, or what truth the book was concealing behind all of this. He felt that he was finally close. The moment was coming. He knew that if he was ever going to get home, it would be soon, and all the answers were beyond this arduous journey. With that in mind, he resolved his fist once more to take himself through this painful odyssey.

They split into three groups. Naomi led a group of ten warriors and Chief Zaberdack led the other ten. Aldweck was in charge of Erick, Chammie, Velis, and Steilart.

“Aldweck, you take the middle formation. If we are to be attacked, it is best that we can keep you safe. As we are warriors and many of your companions are not.” Chief Zaberdack said.

The sun beat down on the group as everyone got in their positions. Aldweck put his hand over his brow and looked toward the distance. There was nothing for what seemed like an eternity. An endless rolling hill of sand that held its own against the wind that breezed ever so slightly. Their footprints were left as the only thing living in a perpetually empty microwave.

They moved and kept on moving. Aldweck was soon losing his concept of time, the sun did not move in the sky. It was suspended in place like glue, ready to melt them as if they were the wax in a candle. His feet made contact with the sand, pushing off of it and moving one step forward. Chief Zaberdack’s back was rolling with sweat as he turned around and looked at the group who were all but ready to keep going.

“We have to push forward. If we do not keep moving, we will die here in this sand valley of death.”

“I know...don’t tell me what’s obvious,” Velis said, his body loose as he slipped by Chief Zaberdack. His shirt was soaked with sweat and his body looked weak and frail as if he had been rung out like a sponge. Many of the warriors were starting to show signs of weakness, but Naomi remained headstrong. Her eyes never wavered and her body never stopped moving in the sand. She led the groups. Her back was a sort of motivation for Aldweck, a sign to keep working hard because there’s always someone who doesn’t give up on their goals in life.

Aldweck’s eyes rolled over to Erick. He was the same way. Not nearly as strong as Naomi, but his eyes were the same and his movements were sharp, with purpose. Velis was the exact opposite of them, he was everything Mitch was trying to prevent being in that moment, but under the beating sun, it was a hard task.

Steilart was behind Aldweck with his rifle. He had taken his shirt off and was wiping his sweat with it like a rag. Chammie looked upon the sand, wondering how he had ended up in such a hell. Being a part of a pirate crew had been a much easier life than the number of times he had nearly lost it on this journey, but he would follow through until the end. He had little choice in the matter, and giving up now would prove to everyone and himself that he was weak.

As if lost in a trance, that focus was broken as a geyser of sand exploded up in front of Chief Zaberdack. Out came a short-statured gnome with a red cap and jolly cheeks. The light from the sun reflected off of it as if it were plastic as it turned jaggedly toward the group. Its eyes traveled up and made eye contact with Chief Zaberdack.

“What the hell are you?” Zaberdack took a step back, motioning for the rest of them to fall back.

Naomi came back from up ahead and stood over the gnome. The gnome’s eyes rolled uncontrollably with its wooden physique and turned around to look at Naomi. Its eyes made eye contact with Naomi’s before her boot came down onto the gnome and made it explode into splintered wood in every direction.

“What the hell was that?!” Erick exclaimed.

Several more geysers of sand exploded around them and gnomes started crawling out of the sand, latching onto their feet. A few of the gnomes ran around and started laughing, causing the group of warriors to be on high alert and try to kick them off.

A gnome with a yellow hat appeared and scratched his wooden face, “It’s been nearly two months since we’ve last had a victim enter this desert of no return. Much obliged, much obliged.”

Aldweck kicked one off, breaking its neck.

“What the fuck!? Are you gnomes?” He blurted out.

The yellow hat’s eyes widened and shone brightly, “Yes we are, how is it that you know about our race of people?”

“Nevermind that. I will take you to my leader and have you explain to him why you know about us.”

The yellow-hat gnome jumped up and kicked Velis in the face, knocking him over as he squealed in pain. There were easily a hundred gnomes surrounding them. All of the Caraha warriors were fighting bravely, they drew swords on the gnomes and cut them like firewood while some exploded like vases.

“They move so well!” Erick exclaimed, casting a blue magic dart and shooting it at each gnome he could see.

“He can use magic! Take care of him first.” The yellow hat said.

A bunch of gnomes lept on him, one jumping on his shoulder and knocking him out with a rock. Many of the other warriors were also falling in battle.

“Erick!” Aldweck screamed.

Chammie was doing his best to throw the gnomes off but was made quick work of as he was tackled to the ground by seven of them. Chief Zaberdack was coming to help when one of them exploded into powder dust, when the dust settled, Steilart was there behind the heatwave with his rifle. He reloaded and shot another round, destroying another gnome.

Three gnomes stacked up on top of each other, threw one across the small battlefield, and tackled Steilart, taking his gun and knocking him out with a rock.

“These fuckers are strong!” One of the warriors cried, before being knocked out cold from behind.

Chief Zaberdack was being tackled by nearly twenty as he struggled to throw them off. Aldweck intercepted, tackling Zaberdack and removing most of the gnomes in the process.

“Don’t take it personally. I’m looking after you.”

Zaberdack sent a punch at Aldweck, only for Aldweck to dodge and for Zaberdack’s punch to connect with the gnome that was on top of Aldweck with a rock. The gnome exploded into several pieces, “I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine. I trust you.” Zaberdack said.

They nodded and smiled, Aldweck grabbing his hand and pulling him up. He turned to Velis who was doing his best to fight off the endless swarm of gnomes. Chammie was at his back as they fought to a bitter end. Off in the distance, an incalculable amount of gnomes had swarmed Naomi as a gnome graveyard began to build at her feet.

Her twin blades soared through the gnomes and brought fear into the hearts of those small devils who seemingly did not fear death itself. She had a smile dancing on her lips as if she were enjoying herself. The yellow-hat gnome frowned, “Guess there is always a bigger fish.”

The yellow hat pounced on the ground and began chanting something in a foreign language. His body glowed with a yellow hue as his muscles seemed to grow larger. The sand around him propelled into the air as he disappeared and reappeared in the air, level with Naomi’s face. The yellow hat had a roundhouse kick aimed directly at Naomi’s face, and it looked like it was all over, as if Naomi didn’t have time to react.

To the gnome’s surprise, Naomi dodged with ease and sliced two more gnomes into wax paper. She twirled on her blades and slapped the yellow hat away with her foot, pointing her twin blades at him.

“You’re going to have to do better than that. Bringing me down would be an accomplishment unrivaled, today just isn’t your lucky day.” She laughed.

“You’re very cocky for a human.” He scoffed, disappearing and reappearing once more with the same move. Naomi reacted with her blade this time, attempting to slice the leader gnome in half. When her blade made contact with the gnome, she was met with resistance. It felt as if her blade had made contact with another one.

She was thrown back against the gnome and stumbled to catch her footing, “What the hell are you made of?”

“I’m a metal gnome. Few and far in between, more powerful than most of my kind.” He grinned, knocking his metallic chest.

“Hmph. We will see what kind of power that gives you over me. I have never been defeated.” They clashed once more, making desert sand fly in every direction. The yellow-hat gnome was keeping up with Naomi’s movements now, his soulless eyes made chills run down her spine but she refused to let that slack her resolve.

“We are going to win! Keep pushi--” Chief Zaberdack was interrupted as a rock flew to his temple and made him wince.

“Watch your head! They’re throwing rocks!” He said as he got pummeled with rocks by the gnomes who had backed up and chosen to play more strategically. Zaberdack did his best to cover his head but was still knocked unconscious by a rogue rock. Aldweck had been lucky to have made it this far, when he saw Zaberdack get knocked unconscious, his heart sank.

“Keep destroying them! We have the upper hand!” Aldweck shouted to Velis and Chammie and the three other warriors who hadn’t been knocked out.

“Chammie, don’t let your guard down! There’s too many!” Velis screamed at him, punching one of the gnomes into ceramic bits as another wave of sand exploded from the earth. More gnomes came out, holding Chammie and Velis by the feet as they struggled to get away from them. They had several gnomes climbing up their bodies as they shook to throw them off.

Aldweck was dashing as fast as he could over to help them, “I’m coming guys! Watch your heads! They’re targeting our heads with rocks!” He screamed and then was tripped over by a rope that had the slack pulled out of it by the gnomes. He crashed forward and landed on three gnomes, their bits flying in every direction.

In the distance, the fighting between Naomi and the leader gnome had heated up. Every time they made an impact on one another, the sand exploded throughout the battlefield and the air became hotter under the intensity of the sun. The desert that shouldn’t exist, and the unexpected battle that came to be were all unpredictable elements that had curb-stomped the momentum they had built up against the Cariqueys.

Naomi was sweating as her arms trembled, the leader gnome was smiling even though he had dents in his figure, “Even if you dent me, you can’t destroy me. I cannot be swept under a rug. I am forever! You underestimate the gnomes and you’ll pay the proper price.”

“Who's underestimating who again?!” She crossed her twin daggers and took a stance. She spun her daggers and created a whirlwind, throwing one of the daggers at the leader gnome. He easily dodged, but she was upon him at an angle he couldn’t avoid her. His eyes widened, but he reaffirmed his resolve to block her blades.

“No one said I couldn’t pierce metal!” Naomi suddenly stopped spinning her blades and changed the angle of the first blade to come from under the leader gnome. He had to change his block at the last second to block the piercing of Naomi’s dagger.

“Fool!” He grinned, the dagger hitting his arm and getting stuck inside his metal arm. With his grin, he looked up at Naomi who was unwavering at this display. The gnome’s eyes shriveled up and he shrieked as he realized what was happening.

He had blocked one dagger that had come from below, but the soaring tiger that rose from above and was ready to pounce on him, stabbed through the back of his head and left him motionless. Naomi pulled her blade off of the fallen leader and looked at him before turning to help the rest of the group.

Before she could take her first step, one of the other gnomes had managed to sneak behind her. He threw a rock hard at her head and left her unconscious as she collapsed to the ground.

Chammie was slumped to the ground, fallen unconscious as Aldweck fought off the rope that the gnomes were trying to tie onto his feet, “Get the fuck off of me!”

Velis had picked up Steilart’s rifle and was firing at the gnomes. Aldweck was stepping on as many as he could. Rocks flew through the air and gnomes climbed up the two’s bodies. They did their best to withstand the horde of gnomes, but there had been too many after all. Velis soon slumped to the ground and Aldweck followed after into darkness.

The battle was lost, and to what destination they would be taken, well that was a mystery.

~ - ~ - ~

The sound of dragging could be heard as Aldweck’s heart and mind raced back into existence all at once. His eyes fluttered open as his body was tightly bound with rope and meshed together against Velis and Chammie. Velis was looking back at him as he struggled not to slide against the sand. They were confined by rope bags like animals, being dragged against the sand like livestock by gnomes of all things.

“What the hell man. How did we lose against a bunch of gnomes?” Velis groaned, holding his hand to his head.

Chammie woke up briefly after Aldweck, looking around and freaking out silently as they were being pulled along uncomfortably on the sand.

Velis looked at him and bunched his cheeks, “It’s exactly how it looks, hey!” he paused, “be a bit easier could you?” They fell over, the rope prison holding them like a bag of weird congelation of flesh. It was tight and unthinkably hot against the sand, Mitch was extremely uncomfortable. More than anything, he felt extreme discomfort that evil gnomes existed and that they could hurt him. This was beyond his wildest imagination, not that he hadn’t seen pretty much everything at this point.

The desert soon rolled over and transitioned harshly into a green forest. The unnatural transition was so stark that it left Aldweck gazing in wonder despite the destitute situation he had been left in. Everyone had woken up at this point, but they were unable to fight against the bindings and the rope entanglement. Naomi was the only one who did her best to struggle against the gnomes. She even managed to stop them for a second, but this was quickly stamped out after they threw a few rocks at her.

“Stop moving so much! We’re almost there.” One of the gnomes said.

They arrived at the center of a tent camp. A large tent was pitched in front of a fireplace. A bunch of dark-robed figures appeared from the outskirts of the forest. One of them disappeared into the tent and out came a long-haired man with braids. He looked around at the gnomes before speaking, “Where is Yellowhead?”

“He died in battle, my lord,” one of the gnomes spoke.

“I see. That is unfortunate. What have you brought us here today? It is rare that you gnomes bring an offering to the God of Hell.”

“Lord, we have brought several humans who were trying to cross the desert. One of them can use magic, two are proficient fighters, and one has a gun. There is also a man who knows about our gnome race but refuses to explain himself.” The gnome bowed.

The long-haired man’s eyes peaked at that last bit of information, “Knows about the gnomes? Show me this man.”

The gnome nodded and walked around to the bag where Aldweck was complacently sitting and looking at the man who had found some sort of interest in him for his knowledge of gnomes.

“How do you know about the gnomes?” The man asked.

“I’ve traveled the world. I’ve seen gnomes before.” Aldweck responded plainly.

“That’s not possible. The gnomes are not from this world. How could you possibly know about them?”

Mitch gulped internally, he didn’t want his cat out of the bag over something like this. He didn’t feel like explaining it to the group, “I’ve seen them before.”

“That’s impossible. The southern cultists are the only ones who have summoned gnomes to this world. These are the only gnomes in the entire world and you dare lie to me?”

“You don’t have to believe me, but don’t expect a different answer because the truth doesn’t line up with your expectations.”

“You’re one to be talking in such a sorry state. These gnomes are evil. They kill on sight. For them to bring you in alive is only because you know of them. Now that I think about it...you look oddly familiar.”

The man’s eyes widened, “Knight Aldweck!” he stumbled backward and into one of the tents, scrambling to pick up his feet.

“What the fuck! What’s a national knight doing down here. I’m so fucking dead.” He scrambled to his feet when a bunch of the gnomes stopped him in his tracks.

“Wait, Lord Jebediah. This could not be a national knight worthy of hurting you. We were able to take him down with ease.”

Jebediah patted himself down and looked back toward Aldweck, “Yes, I suppose that is true. Maybe the rumors weren’t true after all. Good work.”

“Yes, my lord.” One of the gnomes bowed before walking back in line with the rest of the gnomes who waddled away toward the forest line. They were like free kindred spirits with evil intentions to follow Jebediah’s orders.

Jebediah squatted next to Aldweck and sighed, “So, you already know we’re dark cultists as they call us around the world. I happen to be the leader of every cultist in the Southern hemisphere. I guess as the one in charge, I’m wondering what put you in my lap? Were you coming for my head or was there some other goal in mind?”

He paused, before tapping his lip, “There’s no reason for a strange party like yours to be crossing the Jagged Desert, where the sun does not set. Please, do tell.”

Aldweck looked toward the others and they nodded, “We’re here to incite a rebellion against the Cariqueyan government. These people here are tribe members of the Caraha clan, and we were going to liberate the Zubikai people.”

“Interesting! Interesting!” Jebediah clapped his hands, pulling a small rat from his pocket and letting it run throughout the rope nests that kept everyone inside.

It sniffed them and clawed at them innocently before returning to Jebediah, “It seems Sebastian says you’re telling the truth.”

“Sebastian? How can a rat know if we are lying or not?” Aldweck asked.

“That’s a rude thing to say to my brother.” Jebediah’s eyes narrowed on Aldweck.

“Your brother?”

“When we were young, I used this cursed book from a witch to turn my brother into a truth-detecting rat.” He grinned, “I still am not sure how much of my brother is left afterward, but his ability to communicate with me sparingly is intact. Does he cry at night? That is the question isn’t it?” Jebediah pet Sebastian’s fur.

Aldweck’s skin crawled, “What the hell man, you’re screwy in the head!” He struggled against his restraints.

“Sure, call me what you want. Just don’t think you have the right to do anything but complain in your current state. Speaking of state, what should I do with you new play toys?” Jebediah rubbed his chin.

“You have to have a reason to be down here in the Cariqueys. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made this desert, would you? Help us take down Lord Warner, I beg of you!” Aldweck said.

“Even if that’s true, I’m not going to help you. Not without a price.” Jebediah said, “The Southern Cultists are stationed down here because it is an isolated playground away from the Harbrights or Mariotta. We would rather not deal with actual armies.” he waved his hair around.

“Name your price,” Erick said.

“Your souls. Sell your souls to me, and I will help you in taking down the Lord of the Cariqueys.” He pointed at them.

“Unacceptable! You think we would just easily undergo such an unfair deal?!” Aldweck pried against his ropes, looking at Jebediah who was unfazed by his outburst.

“You heard the knight say it! Unfair. You seem to be in an unfair situation already. It couldn’t be so much to sell your soul for the thing you desire so much, could it?” He started to walk away, “Take them to the pit. I can’t deal with this back and forth banter. If I can’t have their souls, at the very least, you can serve as brief entertainment for me.”

Mitch’s mind started to race. Any sort of pit that had been presented in the media back on Earth, had not been a swell time. Each variation of some sort of pit involved death. He sort of had an idea of what to expect, while the rest of the group looked on and at each other with confused faces as the cult members approached. They grabbed hold of the ropes and started dragging the bag of people through the forest. The forest briefly became thick and then just as briefly as it had thickened, a man-made clearing became present.

A large square hole in the ground appeared in the forest, devoid of trees and life. It was several meters deep. The sloping of the hill down to the pit was virtually impossible to climb.

“Cut their restraints and throw them down,” Jebediah ordered.

As soon as they started cutting the restraints off of Aldweck, Erick revealed his free hands and shot a magic arrow through the man’s throat. He then cut open the rope bag and freed himself, Aldweck, and the others from the bag.

“Quick! Get him! He uses magic. Take him down!” The cultists went to tackle Erick but were left as corpses on the ground as Erick made swift work of them.

“Fuck it! I’ll do it myself.” Jebediah said, opening his cursed book and chanting a line of words.

A hex appeared and branded itself in the air around Erick. Erick coughed, a strange sickness immediately taking him over as the men tackled him into the pit. Aldweck, being free from those restraints, fought off two of the men who had come at him. He looked toward Jebediah and went to grab him when a gnome appeared and kicked Aldweck into the pit.

“Shit!” He said, his eyes making contact with Jebediah, who felt no inhibition about what he was doing.

Aldweck’s back made contact with the solid ground as he watched the rest of the group being dropped down into the pit. Erick had started coughing up blood, his skin was white and pastel with sickness.

“Erick! Are you okay?!” Aldweck stumbled up toward Erick who had been cursed by Jebediah.

“You’re lucky the boy doesn’t have to suffer anymore. Using that curse costs me my own livelihood, you know?” Jebediah wiped a small droplet of blood from his mouth as he released the curse, Erick’s color returning back to his body slowly.

“Seriously, you brought a troublesome bunch.” Jebediah sighed, putting his hand to his face.

Aldweck stood up and pulled Erick up, “Don’t worry. I won’t let things end like this Erick. We have a mission and we will see it through...I promise.” He patted him on the shoulder after checking him out. Erick still had dark rings around his eyes, but he smiled faintly.

“That sounds more like the master I know.”

“You got that right.”

“I don’t mean to be a downer, but Netar is waiting on you. My other brother isn’t one for patience.” Jebediah grinned.

A large white mangled hand with long and protruding skinny fingers slammed against the ground and caused the group to fly in every direction. Aldweck’s back slammed against the sloped hill beside Erick who had to pull Aldweck to him. The grey hand had followed Aldweck to the wall and slammed against it. Aldweck scrambled up and looked toward where the hand was coming from. At the center of the pit were an amalgamation of human flesh and rotten smell. The creature looked like a hunched back gorilla with three bodies and a spinosaurus top fin. It had several hands that lingered across the pit like balls on a chain.

“What the fuck is that thing?!” Velis stumbled.

Steilart shuffled beside Velis alongside Chammie.

“Bested by these gnome creatures and now I must fight against such a tumor. The Caraha tribe cannot carry this shame, I will carry it alone.” Naomi took a step forward.

“Y-You expect me to believe you turned your brother into that!?” Aldweck pointed at the creature while looking at Jebediah.

“Don’t talk about Netar in such a negative fashion. He has excellent hearing!” He motioned his arms out with a big smile on his face.

The creature jumped into the air, high into the sky, and used its hands on the ground to make it perpetually fly above the group. Many of the warriors scrambled, while Naomi did not shy away from the challenge as the shadow slowly shrunk, the monster closing in on her.

Naomi narrowly dodged the monster’s explosive land dive. Debris from the shockwave flew in every direction as the group guarded their heads.

“What the fuck!” Steilart grimaced, being pushed back by the sheer power of the creature that had been transformed by Jebediah.

Naomi appeared at Netar’s side and sent a punch into its stomach. Her fist disappeared inside the flesh. Her arm began to slowly be sucked up by the creature, as she buckled against it. Her eyes were filled with concern as she planted her feet to try and pry herself free from the grasp of the monster that was determined to suck her up as if she were in a straw.

“Watch out! I’m going to try and free you.” Erick said, pointing his palm out at the beast. He summoned several lightning arrows and sent them traveling toward Netar at high speeds. The arrows landed, making the beast roar in pain as Naomi’s arm was suddenly freed from the suction-cup like flesh. She took several steps back as Netar shuffled around and looked at Erick who had summoned the arrows.

“Oh no. You really shouldn’t try to upset him. He hates when his food tries to play back!” Jebediah groaned.

Netar roared, making the birds fly from the trees in the forest. He planted his feet and began to spin his arms throughout the arena, decapitating one of the warriors immediately and causing many of the group to duck for cover to try and protect their heads. Aldweck hid behind Naomi who casually flicked the hands away with her raw power.

“Hmph, not much of a man to hide behind a woman, are you?”

Aldweck didn’t respond. He didn’t feel like arguing with Naomi, even though in his heart he only wanted to thank her for having the strength and courage to do what he could not.

Erick summoned a flying disk and got on top of it, after soaring high above Netar, he cast a large fireball and sent it flying down on the gorilla amalgamation. Netar shrieked in pain, his legs stopped spinning and his attack came to a sudden halt as he patted himself down to try and extinguish the fire that had lit him ablaze.

“Don’t think I’m done here!” Erick clasped his hands together as two rock pillars pierced through Netar’s body and left him erected in the air.

Nobody celebrated early. Naomi ran up the pillar and was going for the finishing blow when Netar turned into a liquid pool of flesh and reformed behind Naomi, smacking her into the wall at high speeds. Velis dropped to his knees, “What the hell...is that thing? It can just casually reform itself even with those injuries?”

Chammie’s eyes narrowed, setting his hand on Velis’s shoulder, “Don’t give up so easily. There has to be a weakness we’re not seeing. It will appear. This battle isn’t over.”

Velis felt weak compared to Chammie, who had consistently shown himself braver in each moment. The boy had been through the wringer. It was only to be expected, Velis told himself. He was battle-hardened after everything he had seen.

Aldweck was running through the hands that had started their chaos once more, “Erick, try the opposite order. If we burn it while it’s in its slime form, we may be able to win!”

Erick looked down at Aldweck, nodding.

Jebediah laughed cynically, “If you think that’s enough to stop Netar, then you truly need an eye-opener!” He stomped, “Netar, show them what you’re really capable of!”

Netar stopped mid-stride and looked at Jebediah before taking in what he had said. In unison, Netar’s hands were all sucked into his body. The sound of cracking muscle and bones permeated in the air as Netar began to grow. His body became more aerodynamic and his legs grew longer, his arms sharper like two-woven claws. He turned to the group, looking like a bipedal alien that had just transformed.

Chief Zaberzack scoffed, “As if that’s enough to stop the Caraha tribe!” He leapt up into the air, his fist coming into contact with Netar’s face. Netar’s face was smashed inward as the monster was rocked back to the wall. Zaberdack’s power had rippled through and caused the suctioning aspect of the flesh to be negated by sheer power alone.

“We can avoid being entrapped by its flesh by simply carrying enough force to pummel it away from ourselves.” Chief Zaberzack said.

Everyone raised their fists in unison, charging toward the beast. They finally felt as if they had an advantage. A way to fight against this demon of a creature.

“Right! More force. I can give you that any day of the week.” Naomi smiled, jumping into the air and coming back to the ground. She planted her feet and twisted her entire body as she grunted. She grimaced, pulling the air back with her fist as she made a full tidal wave carry throughout her form.

A gushing amount of air followed her fist back as it followed through like a tornado and sent Netar crashing into the side of the pit, causing it to slump over.

“That’s why she’s the unofficial Queen of the Caraha tribe…” one of the clansmen said.

Velis looked on in shock, “All of you are monsters, too powerful for your own good!” He walked away from the battlefield and did his best to hide behind Aldweck.

Erick was summoning another large fireball when Netar snapped up and grabbed Naomi with his long arm. He swung her across the pit and sent her crashing into the other side, causing her to cough up blood. Her eyes creaked open as she watched the beast go for Chief Zaberzack who was ordering everyone to retreat.

The beast had been much stronger than she had anticipated, much stronger than anyone could have anticipated. They had underestimated the power of the dark cultists, and to do it again was asking for death. She got up, holding her abdomen, “Erick, hurry up with that fireball!”

She ran out toward Netar who was chasing after two men who were running for their lives.

“Split in different directions! I’ve got a date with this ugly monkey!” Naomi commanded, the two men splitting off in opposite directions as her uppercut landed and caused Netar’s head to fly up toward Erick who sent the fireball into the body of the beast.

Netar screamed out once more as the fire consumed his body.

“Stop hurting my brother! You’re hurting him!” Jebediah screamed angrily, from the top of the pit.

“Like you ever cared about your brother.” Aldweck flipped him off while no one else was looking.

“Did you just curse me? What was that magic sign? Explain yourself!”

Aldweck ignored him, feeling good about something he had done for once.

Though he was starting to feel left out of this fight. He ran toward the battlefield and grabbed a rock, throwing it at the beast and causing it just a tad bit more grief as it cried under the flames.

Chammie’s eyes narrowed, “Wait... I don’t think it can transform while it’s on fire!” Chammie looked up to Erick and cupped his mouth, “Erick! I don’t think the monster can revert itself while it’s on fire! If you keep it on fire, we can win.”

After hearing this from Chammie, Erick started to cast several fireballs in the air around him as the fire on Netar began to cease.

“Just what kind of monster did you bring back!?” Jebediah screamed at the gnomes, “The real problem wasn’t the knight but this magic user who is far more capable! I must end this before he kills my Netar…” He opened his cursed book.

As soon as he started to chant, Chammie had overheard Jebediah’s intentions. He started to climb up the impossible pit’s hill. He had to put a stop to Jebediah for Erick’s sake. Suddenly, the weight of their lives fell to Chammie’s shoulders, and the burden couldn’t be heavier. He gritted his teeth as his hands searched for the rock that would carry them out of this hell.

Jebediah had begun chanting some words, his hand moving in a fixed and choreographed position as he read the lines from the book. His eyes occasionally glanced up to Erick, but failed to see Chammie climbing up the hill at a fast rate. Two men were guarding Jebediah, but their guards were anything but up. The idea of anyone climbing this pit’s hill was beyond comprehension in their minds.

Would he make it in time? Chammie could only hope.