They were melting like metal in a forge

The scorching sun crashed down relentlessly on the smooth sand as the caravan continued its journey through the vast, unforgiving sands. They had been traveling for a few days now and the scenery never changed. The same heaps of sand that covered everything the eye could see. Ed rode alongside Aric, the caravan master, seeking some respite from the relentless heat. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between them for some time.

"Hey, Aric," Ed began, "I appreciate you helping us out back there. We wouldn't have stood a chance without you and your people."

Aric glanced at Ed and offered a tired smile. "No need for thanks, lad. We look out for each other in these parts. Besides, you're helping us out now, too, with your skills."

Ed nodded in acknowledgment. "Yeah, about that... I'm grateful for the protection you're providing, but what are we heading toward? You mentioned a destination earlier."

Aric leaned forward in his saddle, his gaze fixed on the seemingly endless dunes ahead. "We're headed for a trading outpost called Sandhaven. It's a hub for desert caravans like ours—a place where traders from all corners of this wasteland converge to exchange goods."

Ed furrowed his brow in curiosity. "Sandhaven, huh? What's the plan once we get there? How can I help?"

Aric adjusted his robes and explained, "Well, lad, we'll need all the help we can get, especially in this harsh environment. You mentioned you're handy with a weapon. We might run into trouble along the way, whether it's bandits or desert creatures. Even if we find none so far, your skills could prove invaluable."

Ed nodded "Of course, I'll do my part, but is there a way to get back to Gear Gate? Clayton was only convinced because of this possibility. I swear he would have crossed the desert by himself if he had to”

Aric's expression turned more serious as he glanced at Ed. "Returning to Gear Gate might be tricky. The city isn't known for being forgiving, especially with its laws and enforcers. But I reckon you have your reasons."

Ed sighed, "It's not about the city itself; it's about someone we left behind. I haven’t known Clayton for long but I can tell he’s protective of his daughter. He’s probably devastated being so far away from her"

Aric nodded slowly. "Family's worth its weight in gold, I say. We'll do our best to get you where you need to go. Once we reach Sandhaven, we can gather information, maybe even find a way to return to Gear Gate, if that's your wish."

Clayton found some respite from the punishing sun under the shade of a tattered awning. He reclined against a sand-scarred wooden cart. Her image lingered in his mind, her innocent eyes and her half-mechanical body, a painful reminder of the past.

His fingers traced the scar on his arm, a memento of the accident that had forever altered their lives. He had once been a promising engineer in Gear Gate, working on groundbreaking projects alongside his wife.

Clayton's mind replayed the vivid memories of that fateful day. The deafening explosion had shattered the laboratory, causing chaos and devastation. His beloved Laura perished in the inferno, and Emily, their young daughter, had been left severely injured. It was an event he couldn't forgive or forget.

Clayton's eyes blazed with anger as he thought of the Grand Magister. A man who had risen to power on the coattails of an invention born from tragedy. An invention that had not only taken countless lives that day but had also given birth to the city's most influential figure.

Ed took a seat beside Clayton, who sat in the shade, his brow furrowed with worry. The rhythmic clatter of the caravan's wheels over the desert terrain was calming to him. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had hung between them for some time.

"Clayton, you seem troubled," Ed began, choosing his words carefully. "I can tell there's something heavy on your mind. Alexia had the same face when we traveled together. If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."

Clayton's gaze remained fixed on the horizon for a moment, wrestling with the idea of sharing his past. He had kept it locked away for so long, did he trust a man whom he had only just met enough with this information?

After a deep sigh, Clayton finally spoke, his voice laden with emotion. "I’ve been thinking about something. As you know two years ago an accident killed my wife and left Emily in the state she is in now. Her name was Laura” he started "I’ve never forgiven myself for bringing Emily to the lab, I just wanted her to be proud of her parents. I lost Laura that day, and Emily..." He hesitated, unable to continue for a moment.

Ed nodded in understanding, his past filled with losses and struggles as well. "I'm sorry to hear that, Clayton," he offered softly. "Accidents can change everything in an instant."

Clayton continued, his words flowing like a river held back for too long. "The accident, it was caused by the Grand Magister's reckless pursuit of power. He’s called the Grand Magister now but I knew him as Lucian. He was a friend of ours, we considered him family. Together the three of us worked on our Magnum Opus, Galarium, the so-called lifeblood of Gear Gate. He used my wife's work for his own ambitions, and it led to her death." His voice shook with anger and sadness. "I've always blamed him for what happened."

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Ed listened intently "It's a heavy burden to carry, blaming someone for such a tragedy. But I understand your need for justice," he said

Clayton looked at Ed, a mixture of relief and trepidation in his eyes. "I had plans, you know," he confessed. "To make the Grand Magister pay for his sins, to avenge Laura's death, and to protect Emily from a world that took so much from her."

Ed nodded "Plans can change," he replied thoughtfully. "Our journey, our choices—they've shifted our paths in unexpected ways. But that doesn't mean your goals are out of reach."

Clayton's expression hardened with determination. "No, they're not," he said firmly. "Once we return to Gear Gate, once Emily is safe, I'll finish what I started. I'll make sure the Grand Magister answers for what he did."

Ed gave a reassuring nod. "I'll stand by your side, Clayton. We'll find a way to make things right." The two men shared a silent moment.

The screeching of the caravan's sudden stop echoed through the desert, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. Startled shouts and murmurs filled the air as Clayton and Ed emerged from the vehicle, weapons at the ready. Their eyes widened as they beheld the colossal creatures that approached, monstrous forms emerging from the shifting sands.

Before them stood the desert beasts—massive, reptilian creatures with thick, armored hides and serrated tails that swept through the sand like menacing scythes. Their scales shimmered like sun-baked earth, providing them with natural camouflage in this unforgiving landscape. Each creature's jaws bristled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, their eyes gleaming with a primal hunger.

“Sandstalkers” he began “they live in deserts and prey on passing travelers. I was tasked to kill somebody who bred them once. They are nasty fuckers, hard to kill and they come in packs

Ed gripped his spear tightly, his heart pounding. "We need a plan, Clayton," he said urgently, scanning the surroundings for any signs of escape routes or weaknesses in the approaching beasts.

Clayton's eyes darted from one monstrous form to another as he mulled over their dire situation. "Alright, here's what we'll do," he began, his voice steady despite the impending threat. "First, we'll need to keep our distance. These beasts are slower than they look, but they have a long reach with those tails. We don't want to get too close."

Ed nodded in agreement, maintaining a cautious distance from the advancing creatures. "Got it. What's next?"

Clayton continued, his voice firm and determined. "Our best chance is to lead them away from the caravan. I'll take the left flank, you take the right. We'll draw their attention and try to funnel them into that narrow canyon over there." He pointed to a rocky gorge that could potentially hinder the beasts' movement.

Ed observed the canyon and nodded again. "So, we lure them into the gorge, and then what?"

"Once they're in there," Clayton explained, "we need to find higher ground. These creatures might not be great climbers. If we can get above them, we'll have a tactical advantage."

Ed felt a surge of adrenaline as he visualized the plan. "And then?"

Clayton's face hardened with resolve. "Then, we use our ranged weapons to pick them off one by one. Your spear and my pistols should do the trick. Aim for their eyes or any exposed areas.“

They each dashed towards their respective flanks, provoking the creatures to divert their attention. Ed's heart raced as he made himself the tempting target for the Sandstalkers on the right, the hot desert air filling with their thunderous roars.

However, the execution of their plan didn't proceed without setbacks. The Sandstalkers were cunning and far from the lumbering giants they appeared to be. Ed found himself surrounded as the beasts cunningly maneuvered to cut off his escape routes.

Desperation set in as Ed swung his spear at any approaching creature, fending them off with wild determination. The situation grew dire. Ed glanced towards the main caravan, where the guards valiantly fought the other beasts. The caravan's defense was rapidly dwindling, and Ed could see warriors fall beneath the relentless assault of the Sandstalkers.

Ed, in the midst of dodging one stalker's jaws, was tackled by another losing his grip on the spear. It clattered to the sand, leaving him defenseless on the ground, his heart racing. He scrambled to grab it just in time as a Sandstalker's jaw clamped down on it.

He raised his spear to block the attack but felt the brute force of the creature pushing him to the ground. He was struggling to hold back the snapping jaws of the beast.

Just as the Sandstalker's teeth inched dangerously close, a sharp gunshot pierced the air, and the creature collapsed in a twitching heap. Ed turned his head to see Clayton, steady and resolute, with his flintlock pistol in hand, smoke still rising from its barrel.

Clayton extended a hand, helping Ed up from the sandy ground. "Stay focused, Ed. We can't afford to let our guard down," he cautioned, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any more threats.

Ed nodded gratefully, dusting himself off. "Thanks, Clayton. Let's finish this."

Together, they pressed on with their plan. The Sandstalkers on the right flank had been sufficiently provoked and were now charging towards the rocky gorge. Ed and Clayton raced towards the higher ground, clambering up the uneven terrain of the canyon's cliffs.

As they reached a vantage point above the narrow passage, they finally had the high ground they sought. The Sandstalkers, now bottlenecked, roared in frustration, unable to easily reach their prey. The two companions drew their weapons, Ed with his spear, Clayton with his flintlock pistol, and took aim.

His shots rang out, aiming for the vulnerable areas of the Sandstalkers—eyes, joints, and any exposed flesh. Ed stabbed downward with his spear finding its mark every time. The battle raged on, each beast met with a calculated volley of shots. Some shots found their mark, while others missed. The desert air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the ceaseless roars of the Sandstalkers.

As Ed and Clayton fought valiantly against the relentless assault of the Sandstalkers, their spirits began to waver under the overwhelming odds. The beasts were closing in, pressing them further back.

However, amidst the chaos, their attention was drawn to a colossal figure in the distance, a Sandstalker of unparalleled size and brutality. This gargantuan creature dwarfed all the others, and even the Caravan itself seemed insignificant in its presence.

With horrifying brutality, this behemoth unleashed devastation upon the Caravan. It swiped aside guards and warriors as if they were mere insects, its massive claws snatching up people and carriages alike, tossing them aside like discarded playthings. The sounds of screams and the clash of metal against monstrous might filled the air as panic and despair washed over the Caravan's survivors.

Ed and Clayton watched in sheer horror as the massive Sandstalker wrought havoc upon everything in its path, its rampage leaving a trail of destruction. The ground trembled beneath its monstrous weight, and the desert sands churned as it advanced, leaving death and chaos in its wake.

Then, as if guided by some malevolent intelligence, the colossal Sandstalker locked its massive, predatory gaze upon Ed and Clayton. With a thunderous roar that sent shivers down their spines, it charged toward them, its colossal form closing the distance with terrifying swiftness.

"Run!" Ed shouted to Clayton. They turned and sprinted, their hearts pounding as they fled from the impending cataclysm. The earth quaked beneath the Sandstalker's enormous strides, its roar drowning out all other sounds.

That beast was coming for them and it was coming fast