Two days later, the four girls trudged across the desert, aiming for Cosant, where they hoped to secure a boat to Jubai. They could've braved the harshest desert straight to Jubai, but they'd been warned to steer clear unless they had a local guide—passing through there was a death wish. Since the girls were doing their best to avoid that fate, Cosant was their safer bet.
The desert was relentless. The sun rose early, hammering them with its full force, draining their strength. The girls dragged their feet through the sand, sweating profusely. Hana, in particular, seemed hit hardest by the scorching heat, her werewolf curse making the arid environment unbearable.
"Are we there yet?" Hana groaned, trailing behind the others as she dragged herself forward.
"No," Rebecca replied. She was their guide, having been to Cosant before, though by a different route. Still, she navigated better than the rest and was the best at reading maps.
"She's asked that same question close to a hundred times. Aren't you tired of asking?" Rafa said, glancing at Hana as she followed Rebecca.
"She's just tired and uncomfortable," Rebecca said. "I think it's the nature of her curse. I don't believe there are wolves in the desert."
"But she's not a real wolf," Rafa pointed out.
"Maybe not, but she's close enough," Rebecca replied.
Rafa sighed, turning to check on the others. Though Hana was the only one complaining, the rest looked worse. Daisy's hair was a tangled mess, like she'd been struck by lightning. Sida, the last of their group, looked gaunt, her hair caked with dirt. Rebecca fared the best, not that it mattered much; she was just as tired as the rest of them.
"I think we should rest soon. Everyone's tired," Rafa said, staring at her footwear, which was clinging desperately to her feet.
"Indeed," Rebecca agreed, desperate for a break herself. "We'll rest once we find a suitable spot."
As they spoke, Hana's ears twitched, picking up a faint tremor. The hairs on her skin stood up like soldiers on parade. "Scatter!" she screamed without hesitation. Her group had learned to follow orders swiftly, no matter the situation—a trait that made them unique. Hana's strength, wits, and instincts, paired with Rebecca and Sida's intelligence, and Rafa and Daisy's quick thinking, had them on the verge of becoming a well-oiled machine. But they weren't there yet. Kida didn't move fast enough, and a gigantic beast erupted from the sand, its maw snapping shut where the girls had stood. It crushed Sida in an instant.
"Sida!!" Hana screamed, her body shifting into wolf form despite the heat searing her lungs. She lunged at the beast, trying to strike before it could retreat underground, but she wasn't quick enough.
"Sida!!" she cried again, but their friend was gone.
Rebecca sprang into action, grabbing Hana. "We have to go! It's a Narkus worm—we can't fight it!"
Hana gritted her teeth, tears streaming down her face. She broke free and ran, the others following as fast as their weary legs could carry them. But it was futile. The worm burst from the ground again, this time aiming for Daisy. Hana whirled around, blinking to the beast's side and slamming it with all her strength before its jaws could close on her friend. The worm crashed back into the sand.
"Run! I'll lure it away!" Hana shouted, darting in the opposite direction. The others obeyed, trusting her speed—she was the fastest among them.
The beast dove underground, but Hana wasn't letting it off easy. She punched the ground with all her might, sending sand cascading away. The worm surfaced again, turning toward her. The reports about them being drawn to sound must be true, she thought. She slashed her claws through the air, striking the beast's back with a loud bang. It slowed for a moment but didn't stop, still charging at her. That was fine—it gave the others time to escape.
The worm lunged, slamming into the ground with its massive body. A shockwave rippled out, kicking up dust, but Hana stood firm. "Come and get me!" she screamed as it burrowed again, her voice hoarse from the dry air. It erupted beneath her with greater speed, but Hana dodged just in time, though the desert heat was sapping her strength. How many hits will it take to bring this thing down? She wondered. She'd struck it twice, and it barely flinched.
"Dammit," Hana cursed. There was no way she could defeat this beast alone, especially when the heat was unbearable and using her curse under such conditions was… Hana shrugged every form of discomfort off. There was no time to lose her concentration. Using her ability, she bolted, running as fast as she could to put distance between them. But as if it sensed her doubt, a sudden bang echoed, and the ground beneath her vanished. The worm had carved a crater, leaving her with no foothold. She couldn't move.
The beast lunged, its maw closing in. Just before it reached her, a shadow loomed behind it. The figure struck with tremendous force, sending the worm plummeting into the sand. Unfazed, it dove underground again.
Hana regained her footing, trembling as the near-death ordeal shook her. A shadow landed in front of her. At first, she didn't recognize the person—or maybe her exhausted mind refused to, since she was the last person she expected.
Thena stood before her, with an annoying grin on her face.
"Hello little mutt, It seems you are in a Bind". Thena said