The sun rose over the desert sands, burning off the last remnants of night with its heat, illuminating the sand dunes and dead trees that littered the landscape for miles around them.

The wind whipped at Talasin’s clothes and skin as he walked. His companions followed close behind, keeping to the long shadows cast by the towering dunes.

There had been no more attacks all night, nor any sign of pursuit; but there was still an uneasy tension between them.

Wren and Raithen kept to themselves, muttering to each other under their breath, while Talasin and Garnet walked together, talking quietly about what lay ahead.

Talasin told no one about the severed finger he’d found the night before. He was biding his time as he planned his next move.

If they kept up their relentless pace, they would reach Kadrak by late afternoon. But the failed hunt the evening before and searing heat had drained their energy levels.

Heat, hunger and thirst was starting to get to the companions though and showed in the hostile attitude Raithen showed towards Talasin and Garnet. Especially when Talasin hadn't bothered to wake them up for their shift the night before. He'd let the three sleep whilst he had stood guard alone.

"Something's not right here," Garnet muttered at his side. "Raithen is usually a creep, but now when he looks at me, I don't see lust, I see hatred."

"Keep an eye on him," Talasin said. “But for now there is not much else we can do. We just need to keep moving.”

The sand shifted under Talasin’s feet as he stepped off of a rock. He stumbled forward and Garnet grabbed his arm to keep him from falling.

He was exhausted, his vision was blurring, and his throat was so dry that it hurt to breath.

“You need rest,” she whispered, “If you keep pushing yourself like this you’ll eventually break.”

Talasin adjusted his pack, “I'm fine, we’ll rest when we reach Kadrak.”

He looked back over his shoulder and saw Raithen eyeing him.

Shit, I can't afford to look weak, not now.

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It was around midday when they sighted a massive fin sailing through the sand on the horizon.

"Sand shark?" said Garnet.

Talasin stopped and watched the fin. Moments later, more fins appeared, each one slicing through the sand effortlessly just like a shark through water.

He smiled. "Sand sharks are a myth," he said. "The fins are actually the regulator flaps on the Abyss Wurm."

"Is it dangerous?" Garnet asked.

"Is a volcano dangerous?" he asked.

"It depends."

"Exactly. If we keep clear of it, the wurm will leave us alone."

"Can we eat it?"

Talasin laughed, "No, but if there are wurms nearby, then there might be sand phantoms and those we can eat."

"What are they?"

"Much like any biome, there is an ecosystem in the desert. The wurms are the center of that system. They swallow tons of sand and live off of the organisms in the soil, they excrete a liquid which many creatures live on out here. The sand phantoms feed on those creatures."

"So what are we looking out for?" asked Garnet.

Talasin raised his voice so Wren and Raithen could hear as well. "Dark shapes under the sand, about the size of a bed. Its stinger looks like a snake. It stings the victim, rendering it unconscious, and then it drags its victim underground."

“We should rest here and hunt,” Wren said. “God's know we could do with a decent meal.”

Talasin shook his head, “We can't stop now here, we are too out in the open. Let find some shade, we’ll rest during the hottest hours to conserve our energy and set off again when it cools down.”

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As they continued on their way through the desert that afternoon, they saw several abyss wurms far in the distance and even a pack of basalt foxes.

The creatures kept their distance, satisfied with watching and waiting the humans trekking through their land. Soon enough, the sun and sand would claim another victim and the animals would come out to feed.

An hour later, they had still found no shade and no water. Their legs were weak, their skin red-hot and blistering. They walked in silence, conserving their energy. It was then that they spotted their first sand phantom.

They stood in silence, watching the sand ripple under their feet as the dark shadow moved beneath them.

"This thing’s massive," Garnet said. “Are you sure we can kill it?”

A smarter person might have ignored the sand phantom and kept marching. But Talasin, Garnet, Wren and Raithen were starving, they hadn't eaten in days. All they could think about was their stomachs and how good it would feel to have them full.

A sinkhole appeared behind them and a sand phantom dived into the hole.

Talasin groaned and ran after it, his hand going for his short sword as he followed the phantom into the sands below.

The sand shimmered a moment before the ground opened up underneath them.

Talasin yelled as he fell through the open space to land hard on his back.

The phantom's stinger rose out of the sand like a cobra and struck at him.

Talasin rolled away just in time as the needle sank into the sand above him. He jumped to his feet and charged forward, leaping over the sand that had opened up behind him. His blade slashed down through the air, catching the phantom's stinger cleanly.

The severed stinger bled across the sand and the phantom writhed in pain, as its body became fully visible. It was round and thin, resembling a manta ray, complete with an air hole on its back, it had a single large eye and two smaller ones on either side of its head and a mouth full of sharp teeth.

Talasin stabbed down into the creature's fleshy stomach. Blood sprayed from the wound and the creature screamed.

It released Talasin and turned towards him. It moved fast, ducking beneath the sand, mouth open to grab him.

Talasin threw himself aside and landed in the sand just as the phantom lunged for him again. As it did, he swung his weapon back and forth, cutting deep gouges into the creature's body. The sand parted around the phantom, and for a second it looked like the creature was free.

The sand rustled behind Talasin and he turned to see Raithen jumping towards him with Garnet's sword in his hand.

Talasin flung himself out of the way, rolling to his feet.

Raithen streaked past him and his blade caught the phantom between its eyes. With a sickening crunch, it tore the flesh open, leaving a bloody mess in its wake.

The wind whistled across the sand, sending dust into the air as Talasin stared at Raithen with wide eyes.

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The sun beat down on them as they dragged the lifeless body of the sand phantom out of the sinkhole. The creature's skin was brown and smooth and it smelt like freshly ground spices.

Garnet picked up the creature's stinger lying amongst the sand and tossed it towards the sinkhole. "It would have been nice to roast this thing over a fire," she said.

Talasin shrugged. "The El’bhed nomads cut the meat into thin stripes and dry it on racks," he replied. "We don't have time for that or for a fire."

He drew his sword and cut a thin sliver of meat. He took a deep breath and then popped the rubbery meat into his mouth. He chewed mechanically as he watched Garnet peel off a strip of flesh and stare at it.

"Well?" she asked.

"Tastes worse than it looks," he replied.

Garnet grimaced and tossed the piece into her mouth. She chewed once and swallowed.

"Tastes like chicken," she said, with a smile.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Talasin laughed and cut two more strips of meat from the sand phantom for Wren and Raithen.

He popped another piece in his mouth and chewed it slowly as he watched the horizon.

"Light!" he cursed.

Garnet turned to look.

A haze filled the horizon. It was green with a red glow behind it.

"That doesn't look good," she said.

Talasin nodded and pointed to the sky. "Look there. A flock of birds all heading South."

"Sandstorm," said Wren.

Talasin cleaned his sword on his coat and said, "It's time to leave."

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Talasin had never seen a storm like it, not even when he'd been living on the streets of Astraeus.

This was a storm of death and destruction, every gust of wind sent grit flying into his face and he was forced to wipe his eyes constantly.

His ears rang with the sound of the sand being whipped into a frenzy. The desert floor was already white with so much sand blowing through the air.

Garnet kept pace with Talasin, both of them looking up at the clouds in terror.

"We need to keep moving," said Talasin. "The village should just be up ahead."

"I can't see anything for miles," Garnet replied. "If we can just find some shelter…"

She broke off as a whirling column of sand hurtled towards them from the North.

Talasin flinched as it passed over his head, and then there was an explosion of sand and debris. He shielded his face with his arm and kept running.

Garnet followed close behind.

"You okay?" she shouted.

Talasin wiped the sand from his eyes and nodded. "Fine," he said. "Just keep going."

He looked back and saw Raithen and Wren with their hoods up and keeping pace with them.

"We need to run!" he shouted.

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They ran until their lungs burned, but the sand storm was unrelenting in its fury.

Soon Talasin saw the distant line of the mountain range.

"We're almost there," said Talasin. "Kadrak is at the base of the mountain."

The next few minutes were the hardest yet. Their legs felt like lead and their bodies ached from the exertion. They stumbled forward, moving slower and slower. But the wind howled around them, causing them to stumble and fall many times. Each time they fell, it became harder to stand again.

Then, just as suddenly as it had started, there was a break in the storm. Their vision cleared, and they spied a road leading up to the base of one of the mountains.

Talasin turned and checked on each of his companions. Their faces were mirrors of his own. Tired and afraid.

“This is it,” he said, and his words came out like a croak. “One last push, and tonight we’ll drink wine and sleep in soft beds.”

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At first glance, the village of Kadrak looked empty. The houses were shuttered closed to keep out the sand and the wind. On closer inspection, one could see golden lamp light shining from under those doors and shadows moving inside the buildings.

But whether there were people or not didn't matter. Nobody wanted to open their doors to strangers in the middle of the night.

Talasin knocked on doors, but there was no answer. He didn't have the strength to force them open.

They needed to get out of the storm. The wind had turned fierce, and the sand tore at their skin, cutting thin bloodied lines across their skin.

Talasin knew that if they tarried too long, the sand would peel their skin from their bodies.

As they ran he kept an eye out for the cathedral, he'd never been to the village, but he knew the cathedral would be the largest building in town.

The sand obscured his vision, though, and he couldn't see much further than his hand in front of his face.

"There's an inn," said Raithen, coming up beside him.

Talasin squinted through the wind and saw the swinging sign that all inns had.

New hope fluttered in his chest. He patted Raithen on the back and followed after.

As he stepped up the inn, his heart sank. The doors were barred.

Wren kicked the door, then cursed loudly when it didn't budge. She turned to Talasin, "Can you get us inside?"

Talasin gritted his teeth, they had come too far and gone through too much to die mere inches from food and shelter.

"One way or another,” he barked. “We’re getting in."

He banged on the door with the butt of his sword, but the sound was drowned out by the winds.

"My name is Talasin," he shouted. "I am seeking shelter for my party."

There was still no answer from inside.

Talasin looked at his companions.

"On three," he said.

"One, two."

Talasin and Raithen kicked the door as hard as he could, but it merely rattled and groaned in response. They tried again, but the doors were reinforced with iron.

“Over here,” Garnet shouted, from the side of the building. “There's a servant's entrance.”

The door was smaller, made from light wood. Wren inspected the latch.

“Looks like no ones bothered to set the dead bolt in place,” she said. “It's merely locked by a simple latch.”

Wren backed up and Raithen roared as he kicked the door with all the strength he had.

The seems shattered, and the wooden door crashed inward. Dust flew into the room and the light was blocked.

Talasin stepped inside and saw the innkeeper and a bunch of inn patrons backed up against the wall and staring at them wide-eyed and afraid.

"Desert fiends," cried an elderly woman.

Wren stepped forward and raised her hands, "We just need a room."

Raithen was already trying to close up the broken doors and was pushing a heavy table in front of them.

Talasin glanced at Raithen in wonder. The man was far stronger than he looked.

He walked over to the bar and grabbed a pitcher of ale and poured himself a mug.

"Who are you?" asked the innkeeper with fear in his voice.

"Fifth Order," replied Talasin.

Something heavy crashed to the ground, and Talasin turned to see Raithen watching him.

He'd never told the man that he was of the Order. He remembered Wren telling him that Raithen had a problem with the Talamasca.

The innkeeper snorted, "We want no trouble. There have been strange sightings around these parts these last few days."

"What sightings?" asked Garnet, stepping forward.

The innkeeper sighed, "If you are of the Order, then you may have heard that the Second's Archon is in town. That can only mean—"

"Something serious," Talasin said.

He took a long swig of ale and then filled his mug again and handed it to Wren, who emptied the mug in a single gulp.

"Thirsty work," she said with a smile.

She refilled the mug and took another drink.

Talasin smiled at the innkeeper, "Thank you for your hospitality. We will wait out the storm here. Don't worry, the Order will pay for our expenses and any damages."

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Talasin woke up to the sound of footsteps moving towards him. The room was dark, and he could just make out the faint shape of a female figure standing there, the outline of her body illuminated by the tiniest sliver of moonlight that shone through the window.

"Garnet?" he asked.

He heard an intake of breath.

"No," she said softly, "It's me, Wren."

He felt his bed sink in as she sat down beside him.

Talasin relaxed.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just having a nightmare. I thought..." She ran a finger down his naked chest.

"You thought what?"

Wren shrugged, "That I didn't want to be alone tonight."

"Stop," he whispered.

She pressed up against him, and he felt the warmth of her bare breasts under the thin cloth of her shirt. "Why? What's wrong?" she purred.

"This isn't right—"

Wren cut him off with a kiss. Talasin tried to push her back, but she held him tight and her tongue entered his mouth.

He tried to pull away from her, but her grip was like iron. Her lips were soft and tasted of ale and wine, yet still she held him firm.

Talasin’s breath caught as the moonlight reflected off of her eyes.

“I'm sorry I couldn't protect you,” he said.

Wren’s eyes widened as Talasin drew the sword hidden under his pillow and plunged it into her stomach.

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A dagger fell out of Wren’s bloodied hand and clattered to the ground.

"How?" Wren breathed as the blood ebbed from her gaping wound.

Talasin picked up a small object wrapped in cloth and opened it.

"A woman’s finger," he said, tossing it to her. "You killed Wren in the desert and took her place."

The corner of the skinwalker's lip curled into a smile.

Talasin ripped the sword out of the demon’s stomach and the blade arced through the air, cutting through the skinwalker’s exposed neck. Its head fell to the floor with a dull thud.

[Skinwalker Killed - Progress Towards Next Ascension: 66%]

In the dim light, he watched the blood pooling around the demon. Wren's body slowly changed as scales rippled down her skin and her eyes turned red.

"Garnet!" he breathed as he leapt from his bed.

His heart pounded in his ears as he ran across the room and pulled open the door.

The corridor was a bloody mess. An old woman's body was slumped against the wall, bleeding from her sliced throat.

Talasin stepped over the body and ran down the corridor to Garnet's room.

He flung the door wide and rushed inside, his sword ready and held high.

One moment Raithen was kneeling next to Garnet and the next he blurred and crossed the room. His sword rang out loudly as it collided with Talasin's blade.

Talasin parried the blow and the tip of the sword cut deep into the skinwalker's arm. Blood spurted and the skinwalker howled in pain.

Raithen raised both hands, claws coming free as it screeched at Talasin. The demon slashed Talasin across the face and blood sprayed on the wall.

Talasin rolled across the floor and came up facing the creature. He stabbed again, and this time the blade pierced the skinwalker's leather jerkin.

The shape-shifter snarled and threw itself at Talasin.

Talasin stumbled backwards as the monster barreled into him, his sword clattering to the ground.

Raithen reached for him, talons extended as it clawed at his stomach.

Talasin punched the creature in the face, and Raithen dropped to the floor.

"What do you want from me?" Talasin growled.

"You witnessed the rise of our Lord," Raithen said, blood dripping from his lips. "You have seen too much."

The skinwalker opened its mouth and Talasin saw sharp teeth glistening in the darkness.

“What are you talking about?”

A low growl started deep within the demon, and it lunged towards him.

Talasin staggered backwards and tripped over the fallen sword.

The skinwalker swiped at him with one clawed hand, and Talasin brought up his arm to block the attack.

The claws sunk deep into his flesh, but it gave him the opening her needed. He slashed the demon’s leg with his sword. Raithen fell to one knee.

"Your Lord is dead, and now you join him in hell," Talasin said as he gripped the sword in two hands and severed the demon’s head in a single slash.

[Skinwalker Killed - Progress Towards Next Ascension: 74%]

Talasin leaned against the wall breathing heavily, sweat mingled with blood trickled down his face.

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