The yellow sand grains of the desert below along with the howling wind. In this lifeless desert, none would dare to venture – yet there was a party of five were traversing across the grainy lifeless dunes.  To traverse on foot would be crazy, to traverse with animals would be crazies yet these people rode on mules through the desert. Their speed was slow – as if they were in no rush to get out to the desert. The party were all dressed in the same attire; a brown leather cloak – one would be crazy to wear it in this heat. However, this group did not seem to mind the heat. They were unperturbed by the scorching heat or dusty winds.

Three of the five had builds of a toughened warriors. With their muscles bulging out, they clearly appeared to be oversized for their mule. The poor animal appeared to be struggling under the three’s massive warriors weight. The other two mules were secretly happy that they were carrying the lighter passengers.

The party had a destination in mind and came with no intention in stopping in the desert when they noticed a desert worm in the distance, swimming through the desert. Ordinarily, they would not care for weak creatures like the desert worm however they had to be cautious.

One of the two, thin framed members of the group stepped forward and raised binoculars to his eyes. His gaze was fixed on the worm.

“Crayford! Come see this!” It was a woman’s voice that rang out of the tiny frame. “I haven’t seen anything like this!” her voice was excited and eager.

The other thin framed member got of the mule and took the binoculars from his companion. As he peered into the binoculars, he could see the desert worm had had massive concentric rings of light around it like a collar.

“What in the world…” The young man, known as Crayford muttered. Finally, after searching for it all this time, they finally found it. But what were those rings of light? Isn’t that something one sees when taking a test of strength? What could possibly give of rings of light that big? Dungeon Boss? Or an explorer? Could the information they had, have been leaked? 

'No! That shouldn't be the case....my rules are perfect....my planning is perfect...' Crayford thought - there were many visible creases on his forehead.

The circles of light disappeared the next instant. The young man frowned as he lowered his binoculars – what was that light?

“Sire, is that the dungeon?” A deep masculine voice roared. One of the three big warriors spoke up.

The leader, Crayford, nodded – “Looks like it. We cannot lose a moment!”

The leader jumped back up on to his mule and the party began making its way towards the worm.

Though at their slow pace – it was uncertain if they would be able to catch up to the worm…ever?

***

Omake

The current situation:

“LoooooK….I I I….saaaaiddd…I …. Aaa ammamm… sorrrrryyyy” Sora begged as Mizuki choked him by the neck (bone) and shook him like a cocktail shaker ~ probably worse – a cocktail would get out alive not Sora.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“I told you be careful. Be careful. Be careful. Be careful.” Mizuki was muttering like a spoilt tape player on an eternity loop. “but did you listen to me…..”

“I…..diiiiiddd..nnn….t k….nowowowow….annnnnnyyy .....ebbebetttrrrr” Sora pleaded.

Kuro was the next to recover, the moment he opened his eyes and noticed his mister strangling Sora – Kuro jumped into action. Kuro flew through the air, with a kick pose, screaming ‘kuuurroooo powaaa’ and knocked off Sora’s skull.

Sora’s skull flew several feet in the air – much to the surprise of Sora; who knew the little Mokana had such strength in his legs?

If Sora thought this was going to be the end of it, Blanche woke up next and without a moments pause, dashed towards Sora’s body. The white Mokana, then ripped of the leg bone and stopped at the sweet spot….

“Nooooo!” Sora was drenched in dread as he began descending towards Blanche. Surely…the Mokana wouldn’t…

but the Mokana did…Blanche swung the leg bone like a baseball bat (pro-styled) and whacked Sora’s skull out the room. Sora’s skull landed on the ground and then rolled out the door….

After which, it fell down the spiral staircase…..about twenty hundred floors (not dungeon floors) down.

If Sora thought the worst was over – it wasn’t.  A passing by Orc noticed the skull and couldn’t help indulge in skull bowling…

“nooo…noooo…noooo” Sora screamed in horror as the orc wrapped Sora (the skull) around his armpit as would a soccer player hold a football. The orc, then went to look around for pins to strike out.

As readers of many fantasy novels, you would know that words would fail to describe the fragrance of an orc’s armpit. However, what one can describe is the habits of an Orc. Orcs, typically, never take a shower. They enjoy the stink their body odour gives off. That thick musky scent, which tends to attract all sorts of skin infections….*details of which are too gross to be mentioned* … What made this particular orc…strongly “fragrant” was for the fact he worked part-time in the sewage cleaning crew….monster sewage…  let me just add they don’t have any concept of hygiene or body protection when they go cleaning down there….

By the time Kuro and Blanche found Sora’s skull (which was several hours later), Sora’s skull had been touched by many indescribable things….and unwashed hands…it had been places where no monster had gone before…

Sora was now scarred for life in more than one way.

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Author's Note:

1. T_T I am just feeling so bad, why ? why ? why ? do I not write more?

2. This chapter is dedicated to deathbypingvin.

3. Happy Reading!