The Oracle, with slow and uncertain movements, prepared his tea before bedtime. He wore his old and tattered, yet comfortable, pajamas, with mismatched socks. A simple cap, made of smooth fabric, covered the top of his head, preventing him from losing heat through his wrinkled scalp. He sighed, feeling a bit sad, but soon cheered up, reminiscing about the long conversation he had with the eagerly awaited Warriors of Destiny. Although he had made almost no physical effort, the day's events had left him quite tired. But now he only had one more commitment before sleeping.

After his infusion was ready, Hakim walked slowly, with dragging steps, to his room, which was illuminated by a small lantern containing a weak fire crystal. It was impossible to distinguish the color of the walls or the rug beneath the large bed. The air was heavy, making the room warm, just the way Reptoids like it. The Oracle placed the tea on the small table next to his bed and sat on the thin mattress. After adjusting himself, leaning against the headboard and facing the door, he waited patiently.

His wait was not long, however. In a few seconds, the door handle turned, and, slowly and cautiously, Hiner entered the room. The Oracle looked at the Wizard with a smile on his lips, amused to see the expression of uncertainty and reluctance on the young man's face. The Reptoid picked up one of the tea cups from his bedside table and, looking at the man in front of him, said:

"Good evening, Hiner. I missed you earlier today when the Warriors of Destiny came to meet me," and took a sip of the lukewarm drink. "I hope the guard who was watching over me is well."

"Yeah, I guess it's still not time for me to mingle with the others, is it? And don't worry. Your guard will only get a scolding for sleeping on duty," he said, trying to feign naturalness and calmness, but his nervousness was evident. "Could you tell me what I have to do from now on? I've followed your prophecy this far without fail. From here on out, I'm in the dark."

The Oracle calmly offered a second cup to Hiner, who accepted the offer and sat on a chair near the old man's bed. The drink was yellowish, almost transparent, with a shy but pleasant taste. Hakim then said:

"I can't help much at the moment. My visions no longer manifest, my powers have almost disappeared. Now I am just a spectator, like the rest of the people of Kairos. You are the actors in this improvised play, everything depends on your actions."

Hiner raised his eyebrows and crossed one leg over the other, seemingly analyzing the Oracle's words and gestures. Hakim knew, from the visions he had, that the Wizard was very distrustful, not believing everything told to him, always looking for any sign of falsehood or deception. That's why the young man didn't seem to accept this answer.

"I think you know more than you're letting on, Hakim," Hiner said.

The old man shrugged and chuckled, sipping his tea again. Hiner visibly became irritated, controlling himself from throwing his cup against the wall, subtly trembling in his chair. However, he merely copied Hakim's action, taking his drink and controlling his anger.

"Everything is written, Hiner, depending on your choices. You, better than anyone, know that all your actions have consequences. I believe you have enough wisdom to make the best decisions to create a fair story."

"Fair? What do you know about justice? Letting your own people suffer for so many years, having the power to stop all of it with a snap of your fingers. You're just lucky the Reptoids blindly believe everything you say. I would have rebelled long before."

"That's why I'm the Oracle and you're not," Hakim said, laughing a bit and then having a coughing fit. He composed himself and straightened up, placing his cup on the dresser again. "And what are your plans regarding Baruc?"

Hiner was taken aback, not expecting the Oracle to ask this question so directly. The Wizard looked away, clearly knowing that his answer wouldn't please his listener. Nevertheless, he responded:

"I'm going to kill that damn man. I just need those idiots, those Warriors of Destiny, to capture him so I can execute that tyrant."

"Hiner, please, don't do that," Hakim's voice sounded worried, with a certain urgency. "You know, deep down in your heart, that it's not the right thing to do. Be smarter, think about the consequences."

"But I do think, Hakim. Unlike you, I'm not a coward who waits for others to do the job for you. I don't hide behind a position of superiority, deceiving others for a 'greater good'."

"Oh, no?" And the old man gave a sarcastic smile, leaving Hiner livid, but soon returning to his serious expression. "Hiner, I trust that you will do the right thing, even without the help of my prophecy. You have a good heart beneath that tough exterior you've built. I know it was to protect yourself from others, I know you've suffered a lot. But, don't forget, kindness is more powerful than anger. Building is harder than destroying, but the results are more rewarding."

Hiner got up from the chair, angry at being contradicted. Hakim realized he had entered the Wizard's mind, making him weigh his choices. His eyes now expressed more doubt than hatred after being confronted with the truth. He went to the door of the room to leave, but before that, he turned to the Oracle and said:

"Thank you very much for the prophecy, for guiding me this far, but now I am the one writing my story."

***

"Wait, you guys can create food? That's bizarre, but at the same time, cool!" Spes said, scratching his head, impressed, as he had breakfast with the others, sitting on the floor on a patchwork towel.

"Yeah, Elementalists are an extremely useful class for us down here," Anala replied. The group laughed at the way the Mage expressed himself, but she remained serious. Although the Guardian had quickly become fond of him and her other new friends, she still maintained a direct and professional demeanor. Nevertheless, the conversation flowed naturally, and she felt quite comfortable. "They help with our plantations and can also modify the entire physical structure of the caves. That's how we manage to hide from Baruc's soldiers."

"How so?" Orkan asked, his mouth full of bread, apologizing afterward.

"I think you've noticed that our living situation isn't the best," the Guardian explained, sounding somewhat frustrated. "We're living like a kind of underground nomads, so everything here is either collapsible or easy to carry. Whenever we risk being discovered, the Elementalists can change the terrain and landscape, creating some walls, destroying others, flattening the ground, making a stream appear... And that's how we survive, from hiding place to hiding place."

With this information, the group looked around, amazed, seeing everything in a new light. All of it was the result of the effort and skill of the Reptoids, doing everything to survive the violent and practically incessant attacks. Anala felt proud of her race, for their resilience, creativity, and ability. This motivated her to strive to the fullest to fulfill her role as a Warrior of Destiny and, finally, improve her people's situation.

She spent some time explaining to the group how the gardens worked, with vegetables growing rapidly and no need for sunlight. She also spoke about the daily life there in the desert, making incursions trying to weaken the enemy army and surviving as they could underground. Life wasn't easy, but the Reptoids, unfortunately, had already become accustomed to that condition. After talking for some time, Anala was curious to know more details about the lives of the other Warriors, their journeys to that point.

Aestus took the lead, recounting their entire story, briefly describing the cities they had passed through. The Reptoid listened attentively, her gaze often drifting, imagining how everything would be. A life full of comforts, with a routine and without worrying if she would be alive the next day. It seemed like an unattainable dream. After the Knight finished his account (being interrupted a few times by Spes' comments), Anala asked:

"And this Hiner who led you here. From what my grandfather said, he's also a Warrior of Destiny, but Orkan mentioned that he was a bad person. What did he do?"

When Aestus drew in a breath to begin speaking, Orkan interjected and answered. He recounted the various attacks attributed to him. Raided trade caravans and murdered merchants, some of Baruc's bases and mines destroyed, some random appearances, with seemingly senseless victims. Everything spoke against the Wizard, making him an almost mythical figure in the history of Kairos. Orkan concluded his monologue by recounting the battle in Silvi, the burning of the Grandiose Hotel, and, worst of all, the orphanage attack. This was Hiner's first known appearance and also the most despicable.

"Yeah, he'll be our next target then, after dealing with Baruc," Anala replied, pensive but determined. Just imagining a person like Hiner, who didn't care about the consequences of his actions, made her blood boil with cold fury. She took a deep breath and changed the subject: "But let's focus on the current mission. We need to divide the teams and decide the best time to put the plans into action."

"I've been thinking about that, the best time, I mean," Hadria said, sounding disinterested in the conversation but paying attention to everything being said. "Getting to Baruc will be the hardest part of our plan, as he spends most of his time inside his company base or something, I don't know what to call it. Then I remembered something we saw in Reganta, on the way to the Crystalarium. Do you guys remember?"

Orkan and Aestus frowned, trying to remember, but Spes, in a matter of seconds, widened his eyes and exclaimed:

"The anniversary parade! Baruc's going to participate in a parade in the middle of the city! He'll be surrounded by his guards, full of security, but I think it's a perfect opportunity."

"Exactly what I thought," Hadria resumed, sipping her coffee, holding a chipped cup elegantly. "And if I'm not mistaken about the dates, the event will take place in seven days. So we need to hurry if we want to seize this chance."

Everyone agreed, thinking about how to optimize the little time they had and make the plan work. Anala then determined:

"Alright, let's split into two groups, as I suggested yesterday. Three will infiltrate an enemy base for resources, and another three will accompany Scula to the Antlions' nest to get parts from the plane."

"Infiltration is right up my alley. I'll go to the base," Orkan said, puffing out his chest, running his hand through his blond hair.

"I think I can protect Scula while he scavenges the wreckage," Spes said softly, sounding a bit hesitant and uncertain.

"I'll go with Spes," Lithor said quickly, before anyone could say anything. Realizing he had sounded a bit desperate, he added, stuttering: "I think I can help fight against Creatures that will... Um... You guys understand."

The Lagomorph looked at the Magnor with a shy smile on his face, seeming happy and grateful. Hadria soon spoke up:

"I'll go with them too. I think you guys need more offensive power to deal with these Creatures."

"So I guess the other team is formed, right?" Aestus asked.

"Yes, I need to go with you guys to show the way to the soldiers' base, so it looks like everything's settled. We leave a few hours before sunset. It'll be easier to go unnoticed in the darkness, and the Antlions are less active at night," Anala concluded.

The Guardian finished her meal before the others and bid farewell, saying she needed to organize some things for the journey later. Lithor, Hadria, and Spes also left, heading to find Scula to inform him about the night mission. Aestus and Orkan stayed behind, sitting in silence, lost in thought.

The Rogue observed the movement of the Reptoids, repeatedly turning his gaze to where Anala had gone, following her movements. She issued orders and commands assertively to some other Reptoids, but without seeming rude or disrespectful. Aestus followed his friend's gaze and began to watch Anala in her tasks. Orkan said, without even turning his head:

"That Anala is quite..."

"Bossy, right? I was going to say that too," Aestus interrupted, a mixture of envy and admiration in his voice.

"Actually, I was going to say that I think she's badass, but I guess that works too."

Aestus laughed, thinking Orkan was joking, but it seemed he was serious. The Knight shrugged and stood up, going to check his equipment, leaving the other guy alone. The Rogue spent quite some time there, with an unreadable expression on his face.

The rest of the morning and early afternoon passed without much happening. Everyone rested and prepared to leave. Spes and Scula didn't seem to like each other very much, constantly exchanging barbs, as if competing to see who could speak more. Poor Lithor tried to reconcile the two, but to no avail. Despite being so different, they were still very alike in some aspects. In contrast, Hadria, undisturbed, mentally trained which spells she would use while accompanying the three guys.

When it was time to leave, the two groups met to bid farewell. Spes, emotional, hugged Orkan and Aestus, worried about how they would fare without his help. When he went to hug Anala, he didn't know how to act, due to lack of familiarity, so he just patted her on the shoulder. The Guardian only responded with an almost imperceptible nod of her head and turned her back, leaving. The others waved their hands and followed.

The two groups would make the entire journey underground. The whole desert was practically made up of tunnels and underground galleries, ranging from narrow corridors to large spacious caves. The Reptoids' hideout was located practically in the middle of the desert, with the enemy base located to the east and the Antlions' nest to the north, at similar distances.

While in one of the groups, chatter was almost constant, in the other, conversation was punctuated by several moments of silence. Anala, maintaining her professional and direct style, kept her focus on the mission. When she spoke, it was always something important, trying to describe the layout of the camp they would infiltrate, predicting possible dangers and what they could loot from there. Scula, on the other hand, lectured about the technicalities of each of the pieces and equipment he needed and where they would be, unconcerned with strategic aspects, sometimes talking more to himself than to his companions.

A little over two hours later, Anala checked her electronic map and, confirming their position, found an exit from the underground tunnel. Even though they searched carefully, there was no sign indicating that there was a passage to the surface. They passed through a narrow hole in the rocks and climbed a steep wall, emerging in the middle of the desert, in an opening in the ground, near some loose rocks. The three of them emerged, one by one, finding themselves in the middle of nowhere, in a vast expanse of sand under a starry sky.

They brushed off their clothes with their hands as best they could. Aestus and Orkan had borrowed clothes from the Reptoids, made of fabrics with a similar tone to the surrounding sand and with turbans leaving only their eyes exposed, to blend in more inconspicuously. The two moons, floating in the sky, were dark that night, aiding the mission. A light breeze whispered in the cool air, so different from the scorching heat of the day.

Anala drew the attention of the other two and pointed to the horizon, indicating the direction of their destination. In a few more minutes, they would be able to see the camp. Thus, they soon resumed walking. Aestus, feeling a bit tense, questioned:

"I know they're our enemies and they've done terrible things to you guys, but I don't think I can kill a person like that, in cold blood. Can we manage to do everything without having to reach that point?"

"Aestus, we can't chicken out now, man," Orkan tried to sound braver and more determined than usual, raising his voice.

"Don't worry, Aestus. You won't be able to kill any of them. Believe me, I've tried."

The two stared at the Reptoid as they walked, unsure if it was a warning or a mockery, but she quickly explained:

"Most of the soldiers use a device similar to the wrist materializer you guys use, but attached to their chest. When their heart stops, or even if they're badly wounded, they're transported somewhere else. Probably to a room with Light Mages, ready to assist the injured soldier. That's why we haven't been able to kill any of them or even have one prisoner to interrogate."

The boys were dumbfounded by this information, unable to believe the military power Baruc possessed with such advanced technologies. Meanwhile, the Reptoids survived using scraps, parts, and improvisations. Stepping up their pace and facing the large dune they were climbing, Anala concluded:

"So you can use your sword freely and without guilt because you won't kill anyone."

The climb they were on was quite steep, requiring concentration and effort from them. When they reached the top, the view was breathtaking. The vastness of the desert was unbelievable, stretching for kilometers, with occasional rock formations and practically no vegetation. At a relatively short distance, lay the camp they were heading towards, larger than Aestus and Orkan imagined.

It was surrounded by fences covered with tarps, attempting to keep the sand out. Some tents, of varying sizes, occupied the perimeter, ranging from the size of a large house to a small tent. People and cargo transport vehicles were scattered throughout the area. However, what caught their attention the most were two tall and imposing metal structures, practically in the middle of the complex. Seeing that Orkan and Aestus were trying to decipher what they were, Anala stepped forward:

"Drilling and excavation equipment. They're actively searching for the Power Crystal. At least the searches for our people have decreased somewhat lately."

Lying on the sand, they spent some time observing the soldiers' movements, which seemed like small ants bustling back and forth. Even at night, they appeared to be in full operation. Anala called the two young men over and began to devise a strategy, receiving suggestions from them, making drawings and diagrams. After agreeing on a plan, they got up and headed towards the camp.

***

"So, this energy condenser, which is the last thing I need to finish my aircraft, will greatly aid in the process of converting all the energy potential of the crystals into kinetic potential," Scula explained, speaking very rapidly and gesturing a lot. "Then, I can make it take off from inertia to a speed of approximately 16 meters per second. But of course, that can be adjusted, I'm not reckless."

Spes and Lithor exchanged glances, shrugging, not understanding anything being said, as they continued walking. During the journey, they mainly passed through narrow, winding corridors, but also through larger caverns where their footsteps echoed loudly. Just as Spes was about to ask the Reptoid to stop talking, Hadria responded:

"But wouldn't it be more interesting to connect the condenser to a purified amplifier? That way, the energy wouldn't dissipate so easily, and we could even manipulate the artificial gravity system. I think with that, the takeoff process would be much smoother and safer."

Scula stopped in his tracks and spun around suddenly, staring at the small Witch, surprised. He adjusted his aviation goggles on his head and his white scarf around his neck, trying to keep his hands busy as his mind worked. He began to respond, raising a finger, but stopped, looking away. He repeated the gesture and again reconsidered what he was going to say. Finally, he said:

"You're right, little Witch. You're right. Come over here by my side, let's discuss this further."

And Hadria, who had been walking silently behind the group, joined the Engineer, engaging in a debate of ideas. Surprisingly, the girl knew a lot about crystal processing and usage, bringing great knowledge to the discussion. The other two drifted away a bit and also began to talk, but about other subjects, ranging from Lithor's childhood to Spes's favorite recipes he used to prepare in Silvi.

Since they were all engrossed in their respective conversations, they didn't even notice the change in scenery, reaching a system of larger interconnected caves, with towering stone columns and a high ceiling. It wasn't until Lithor felt something sticky under his feet that he realized where they were, drawing the attention of his companions.

"Guys, what is this stuff here?"

Everyone looked down, noticing a whitish, almost transparent slime spread throughout the area, making the ground sticky and tacky. Lithor held the fire crystal he used to light the way above his head, casting a yellowish glow that illuminated the cave significantly. With this, they could see that huge clusters of eggs, larger than a Humanoid, occupied much of the walls and stone columns, held in place by what looked like thick webs. Enormous cocoons hung from the ceiling, forming a sort of grotesque organic decoration. In addition, vehicle wreckage and metallic carcasses were scattered around the area, completing the eerie scene.

"Do Antlions lay eggs? But Creatures don't reproduce," Spes observed, lowering his voice to a whisper as if they hadn't been chatting calmly just seconds ago.

"Yeah, the last time I was here, there was nothing like this. It's new to me too," Scula replied, more interested in rummaging through an old engine, using his hands to remove a layer of webbing covering it.

"Interesting," Hadria said, arms crossed, looking around, sounding apprehensive.

Spes shrank back, instinctively moving closer to Lithor, who sheltered him, bringing the Lagomorph closer to himself. That place didn't seem safe at all, and they were all very uncomfortable there, except for the Reptoid, who seemed as excited as if he were in the Colorful Crystalarium. Despite the eerie silence, they could swear they heard the sound of insect legs scratching against the stones. The Mage swallowed hard and spoke, almost pleading:

"Let's grab the part we need and get out of here quickly, please."

Lithor agreed and hurried Scula, who was quite upset about not being able to thoroughly search all that potential treasure there. He assured the others that the Creatures would be inactive at that time, sleeping or something like that, so they didn't need to worry. Still, they proceeded with caution, tiptoeing, trying not to touch the large quantity of eggs.

The darkness of the cave hindered their search for the wreckage of the aircraft, so Scula pulled something resembling a long metal pipe from his utility belt. He pointed it into the darkness ahead and twisted its base, causing several fire crystals to be launched in various directions. They adhered to the ceiling, walls, and columns of the cave, illuminating practically the entire environment with an amber light, but maybe they were better off in the dark.

The number of eggs and cocoons was much larger than they had imagined, covering almost every surface. And, perhaps due to the heat or the light, they now seemed to sway, with their contents stirring inside. At least there was no sign of the Antlions, which was a relief. Even without exchanging a word, the group hastened to search for what they were looking for.

After a few tense minutes wandering around the area in silence, they spotted the wreckage of the airplane cabin. As if their situation wasn't already dangerous enough, the twisted metal structure was on the edge of a precipice, seemingly about to fall, balanced on some unstable rocks. While Lithor, Hadria, and Spes analyzed the situation and assessed the risks, weighing the best course of action, Scula went straight there without pause.

Spes soon followed the Engineer, but stopped shortly after. Some cracking sounds began echoing, spaced and distant from each other. The Lagomorph searched for the origin of the sounds, looking around, but already knowing before even finding out. The eggs had started hatching, initially slowly, but increasing exponentially in pace. In no time, the noise was deafening, with an army of larvae emerging from every corner of the cave. And they seemed fierce.

***

Using the complete darkness of the desert to their advantage, Anala, Orkan, and Aestus descended the dune from where they were, circling the enemy base. The absence of watchtowers made their approach easier, but still, they were very cautious. The wind intensified as they descended, kicking up sand and hindering their vision, but also helping to muffle any sounds they made. Taking longer than they expected, they finally reached the perimeter fence surrounding the entire complex.

Anala appeared calm, having done this several times before, but Orkan and Aestus were quite apprehensive, more so than during the infiltration of the airbase on the other continent. The Reptoid tried to observe the interior of the camp through the gaps in the tarps covering the wire, attempting to confirm their exact location. She had memorized the layout of the tents and vehicles while they planned, but even so, it was difficult to be certain from so close.

They continued to skirt the perimeter of the camp, soon finding the agreed-upon point of entry. They climbed the fence and jumped over, hiding behind four small tents, located practically in the middle between one end and the other of the complex. Anala, in a slow and precise movement, cut the fabric of the tent and observed its interior. There was no one there, so Anala widened the cut and entered, illuminating the area with a small fire crystal to avoid drawing attention.

Familiar with the operation of this type of base, Anala hit the mark with the initial point of infiltration, finding herself inside one of the camp's food stores. Many cans and packets of dehydrated food occupied the shelves there. They weren't the tastiest, but they had essential nutrients for the survival of her people. There were also some non-perishable foods, but in smaller quantities. Aestus and Orkan entered shortly after, impressed by Anala's precision and knowledge, immediately finding the target.

They filled the backpacks and bags they had brought, but even after filling them, there was still plenty of food left. Anala looked around, her desire to carry it all evident in her eyes, sighing deeply. Orkan noticed this and nudged Aestus, trying to communicate with his friend through gestures. He didn't seem ready to leave after seeing the discontented Reptoid.

The Guardian was leaving the tent when she was interrupted by a discreet call from Aestus. She turned back and saw Orkan with his head outside the entrance, looking around. Promptly, he returned inside and said, with a naughty expression on his face:

"I think we can take a lot more stuff for the people in the cave. There's a cargo vehicle parked right here in front! We can load it with food and anything else we find around! I just need to find where they keep the activators to start it."

Anala, who always acted very prudently, was ready to reject that suggestion, but the possibility of taking a truckload of resources seduced her. She pondered for a brief moment and agreed, but suggested:

"Let's check what's in the tents next to us. There might not be anything very useful there."

The two men agreed, and they all went out through the back of the small tent, heading to the one next door. Inside, they found crystals of different elements, potions, and some weapons, such as swords and arrows. Orkan's suggested plan seemed even more promising. In the next tent, there were soldiers' armor and uniforms. This time, the Rogue's eyes sparkled. If they managed to dress in those clothes, walk through the camp, and consequently leave it, it would be even easier.

Without waiting for any guidance, Orkan jumped into the tent and began to look for a uniform of his size. In no time, leaving a small mess behind, he was already putting on the black outfit with red details that covered his whole body. The oval, smooth, silver mask, which turned those people into indistinct soldiers, completed the attire. The blond looked identical to any of Baruc's lackeys wandering around the camp.

"Stay here, hidden. I'll go after the truck's activator. If I don't come back..." And he started laughing, mocking. "Who am I kidding? Of course, I'll come back. See you in a bit." And before either of them could say anything, he exited through the front opening of the tent.

The Rogue walked confidently through the camp in his disguise. The place was larger than it seemed from the inside. Nearby, there was one of the huge drilling machines. It was a tall, brown and black metal structure, with a column at each corner. In the middle, some cables descended into a large dark hole. Two soldiers were talking there, at the base of the structure. Orkan stood at a distance, observing their behavior, devising a strategy to approach them. In the meantime, another person approached the two, and from their body language, they didn't seem very pleased.

The uniformed man ranted at the other two, gesturing and pointing to the side. The other two lowered their heads and agreed, without retorting. The wind carried the sound to the other side, making it difficult to understand, but it seemed to involve carrying some boxes or something like that. As soon as the irritated person walked away, the soldiers seemed to mock him and complain amongst themselves. Orkan seized the opportunity and approached, creating a dialogue in his mind.

"I can't stand that guy! Always acting like he's in charge, right?" Orkan said, with convincing nonchalance.

"Well, he kinda is in charge, but you don't have to talk like that," one of the soldiers replied. He had a somewhat whimpering voice, speaking slowly.

"And those boxes are really heavy. I've been putting off storing them," the soldier next to him said languidly.

"Look, I've pretty much finished what I had to do," Orkan said, casually, hands on his hips. "I just need to move that truck over there, and then I can help you with the boxes. Do you know where its activator is?"

The two began conversing among themselves, trying to remember where the activators were kept, narrow metal plates that, when inserted, powered up the vehicles. Orkan looked around while the two fools discussed, afraid that their superior would return, but they soon recalled, informing him that they were organized by number in the main tent's office. It was the largest one, located practically on the other side of the base. The Rogue was about to leave when the soldier said:

"But I think you can't go in there; you have to ask a captain. And if he sees you without your name and Class sticker, you'll be punished."

Looking at his chest, Orkan noticed that they had this information stuck on their chests. He made up some excuse, saying he forgot to put it on, and quickly walked away, trying to sound like a careless youth rather than an intruder. Now realizing that his disguise wasn't perfect, Orkan made his way to the large tent, avoiding other people but trying to appear natural and unconcerned.

He quickly reached his destination, but the situation wasn't very favorable. A large group of soldiers and some superiors were there, right at the entrance. Accessing the tent from there without attracting attention wouldn't be possible. Trying to devise a plan, Orkan passed by the tent a couple of times, maximizing all his senses. With this, he managed to see someone entering a back room carrying an activator in their hands and then leaving without it.

Without wasting time, Orkan circled back and found the spot where he should infiltrate. He materialized his daggers and made a cut at the base of the thick canvas, trying to keep the damage as discreet as possible. Sneaking through the small hole, Orkan entered the dimly lit small office, minimally illuminated by the lights of the crystals from outside that entered through a small window on the door. He felt along the wall as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Soon he found the activators hanging and picked up the number 16, the same as the truck parked in front of the storage tents. At that moment, Orkan heard two people approaching the door, trying to unlock it. He looked for a corner to hide in since he wouldn't be able to exit in time through the narrow hole he had entered. Nothing. The small room had no possible hiding place and he was clearly visible to anyone entering. The Rogue stared at the door and leaned his back against the wall, desperate.

The door opened, and a captain and a soldier entered, chatting excitedly about how tasty their last meal was. Orkan frantically shifted his gaze between them, waiting for their reaction to decide how to act. Lie and pretend to be natural or fight? He couldn't decide what would be more difficult, remaining frozen in place.

The captain and the soldier entered the office and went to where Orkan was. One of them reached up and took an activator hanging on the wall just to the left of the Rogue's head. The blond didn't even breathe, motionless and silent, not understanding what was happening. Soon after, the two left the office, locking the door behind them.

Orkan still hadn't figured out what had happened. It was as if neither of them saw him standing there. Confused, he looked at his own hands. Nothing. Where his arms should be, there was only a discreet and transparent flickering. He was practically invisible. With shock, he panicked, quickly reappearing completely, standing in the middle of the office.

"How is this possible?" He thought. "Rogues can't become invisible like this. Did I discover a new ability?"

He wanted to repeat the feat, but without even knowing where to start or what to try. A bit frustrated, he resumed the original plan, stealthily leaving the office and heading towards his friends who were waiting for him. Walking quickly, too hurried to care about not drawing attention, he soon returned to the vicinity of the truck. He found Aestus and Anala outside the camp, deciding it was better to hide there than risk being caught. Aestus was wearing the soldiers' uniform, but Anala was still in her normal clothes.

Orkan displayed the activator in his hand, juggling with it, as showy as ever. His allies showed approval, silently celebrating with gestures and smiles. Anala was genuinely impressed by Orkan's audacity, having initially doubted his success. However, with no time to waste, they immediately got back to work, re-entering the camp.

Anala remained inside the small tents, sorting and passing materials to Orkan and Aestus, who loaded the back of the truck with all kinds of supplies found there, mainly food and potions, but also armor and soldiers' uniforms. They acted as if they were following orders from a superior in the camp, working diligently. So, after a few minutes, they already had enough to supply the Reptoids for a long time.

Aestus and Orkan entered the tent where Anala was, agreeing that they should leave now. At that moment, they heard a deep voice coming from one of the tents nearby, bellowing:

"What the hell is this? Did they clear out the entire food stock?"

***

The cave, once silent, was now a cacophony of noise, with sounds of hatching eggs and sharp squeals emitted by the larvae. They were grayish Creatures, with a wide mouth and a slimy body that tapered into a narrow tail. They crawled with great agility, leaving a trail of almost transparent slime wherever they went. They weren't very large compared to the adult Antlions, but still posed a risk due to their numbers and voracity.

"'Spes, you go protect Scula," Lithor ordered, pointing to the cockpit of the plane. "I'll stay here with Hadria, drawing attention and exterminating these things!"

The Lagomorph nodded, holding his staff against his chest with a concerned expression on his face. He bolstered his friends' defense with a spell and ran after the scatterbrained Engineer. Lithor cracked his knuckles and neck, assuming a combat stance, while Hadria materialized her grimoire, eager for some action, a smile spreading across her lips.

They stood back to back, ready for the large number of small Creatures approaching. Hadria conjured a fireball that hovered above her head, tethered to her fingers by small orange beams. The orb gradually grew in size, sizzling like a kettle and heating the air around it. When the first group of larvae descended from the walls and scurried across the floor rapidly, the Witch cast her spell, exploding several enemies at once.

Lithor advanced a bit, heading toward the swarm of disgusting critters. The larvae easily attacked his shins, but they could also leap into the air, reaching even his head. The Fighter blocked the relentless onslaught of the Creatures, attacking with kicks and stomps those coming from the ground, and with punches those leaping toward his face. Although easily defeated, their bites were painful, with an acidic saliva that burned the skin.

Hadria began casting various quick spells, alternating between fire, lightning, and water, creating synergy between the elements. Since the larvae were fast, there was no time to prepare stronger attacks, but the simpler ones got the job done. The girl let out small giggles as she watched her targets disappear with each delicate movement of her slender fingers. She missed using her powers like this, so freely, causing destruction and chaos.

Spes watched his colleagues from afar, standing at the entrance of the aircraft cabin, on the edge of the cliff. Several Creatures were heading in his direction, but still fewer compared to the amount Lithor and Hadria were facing. The Mage managed to dispatch them using his staff and by casting his orbs of light, which, while not very powerful offensively, were strong enough. Worried, he asked, keeping his focus on the battle:

"Scula! Are you done there?" The nervousness in his voice was palpable.

"I haven't even started properly. None of my tools can remove this panel here," the Engineer replied, sounding more disappointed than concerned.

The Lagomorph looked indignantly behind him, seeing Scula sitting on the dirty floor of the spacious cabin, trying to unscrew a metal plate. Impatiently, 'Spes approached, and as he did, the whole structure swayed, unstable. He stopped in place, and when he saw they wouldn't fall into the ravine, he raised his staff above his head and struck the panel hard, opening a hole large enough for the Engineer to work on. The Reptoide startled, jumping back, retorting:

"Are you crazy, Rabbit?! You're going to break the machinery!"

"No time, Lizard! Hurry up!" He said, turning around, returning to the door and striking a group of larvae that had approached.

"The capacitor is very sensitive! Now I need to be very careful, I can't do this quickly here," Scula replied, delving into the mess of wires and equipment under the aircraft controls.

Hadria and Lithor were doing a good job, swiftly decimating the small Creatures. They exchanged positions, sometimes fighting together and other times completely independently. However, the flood of monsters seemed never-ending, and they were already showing the effort the battle demanded. They were sweaty and panting, needing to end it soon. Suddenly, the Fighter felt a surge of energy and had an idea, catching the Witch's attention:

"Hey, climb up on my shoulder and get ready," he said, kneeling down while still striking around, driving the larvae away.

Without even questioning why, the girl climbed up the big guy, blindly trusting her combat partner. As soon as she was secure, Lithor stood up and tossed her high into the air, like an acrobat. In one continuous motion, he raised his fist and slammed the ground hard, exclaiming:

"TECTONIC IMPACT!"

His fist emanated a strong orange glow at the moment it collided with the rocky ground. For a few milliseconds, it seemed like nothing had happened, but suddenly, a shockwave formed in all directions, annihilating practically all remaining Creatures. The larvae disintegrated in succession, leaving behind small crystals, practically worthless. The shrill noises that dominated the cave abruptly ceased, leaving everything in silence. Lithor composed himself and, without hesitation, picked up Hadria at the right moment, matching her falling movement and setting her down unharmed.

The Witch thanked him and looked around, casting small fireballs at the larvae that managed to escape the Fighter's ability. She smiled sadistically as she eliminated the Creatures, which now seemed lost and harmless. Everything was under control.

Lithor's attack affected the wreckage of the aircraft, which now seemed even more unstable. Spes didn't even want to move, afraid of destabilizing the structure. He looked around, trying to see if the metallic corridor where he was standing was moving or if it was static. Once he assured himself that there was no risk, he turned to the narrow door leading to the cockpit, seeing Scula still lying down and working.

"Scula, please tell me you're almost done," the Mage pleaded, his voice almost tearful.

"Yes, yes! I managed to remove the condenser, but I saw they have an accelerator in perfect condition too! This will greatly improve my baby's performance. Five more minutes and I'm done."

Spes sighed heavily. He turned again to Lithor and Hadria, warning them that they needed to wait a little longer. The Magnor signaled that it was okay, and he began to walk towards the destroyed aircraft. Now it was just a matter of time.

A loud metallic noise echoed in the cave. Spes felt the wreckage where he was standing sway slightly. He looked again in Scula's direction, but the Engineer remained in the same position. The sound didn't seem to have come from there; it seemed to have come from above, from the ceiling. As the Lagomorph raised his head, he heard the same loud sound again, accompanied by an impact. He went to ask Scula what was happening, but he couldn't even manage that. A shiver ran down his spine as he saw, entering through the broken glass of the cockpit, what was causing all of this.

Lithor ran towards his friend, horrified by what he saw. The cocoons from the ceiling were opening, and the Antlion nymphs began to fall around them. The battle was far from over.

***

Anala grabbed the two guys in front of her by the collars of their uniforms, pulling them forcefully closer to her. With urgency in her voice, she whispered in their ears:

"No matter what happens, these supplies will reach the camp! Take the truck west, I'll meet you later."

And before they could protest, the Reptoid grabbed any bag she could find and tore the side of the stuffy little tent they were in, leaving in a flashy manner. She rushed out noisily, attracting the attention of the soldiers in the neighboring tent, starting a commotion and chaos outside.

Orkan and Aestus stood still, listening to the uproar fade away, waiting for the best moment to sneak out. They both wanted to go help Anala, but they knew the mission needed to be completed. After endless seconds, they exited the tent, trying to act naturally.

The sounds of a battle echoed through the camp. Metal scraping, blows being blocked, spells being cast. Anala was causing a great commotion, drawing practically all the guards away from there. As long as those sounds were heard, she was still alive. Orkan got into the truck, sitting in the driver's seat. He was the only one of the two who had experience driving, as he did it in his old job at the dairy in Comanse.

The Rogue trembled as he inserted the activator into the panel, starting the vehicle. Aestus opened the passenger door and, before getting in, looked toward the ongoing fight. He couldn't just leave his newest friend like this. With a commanding tone, he said:

"Orkan, only you can get this truck out of here. I need to go help Anala, I'm sorry."

The blonde nodded nervously. He didn't even finish wishing his friend good luck before the Knight had slammed the door and ran off toward the still ongoing confrontation. From the movement, Anala had taken the battle toward one of the drilling towers of the camp. Aestus quickly reached the structure.

The Guardian had climbed one of the beams, reaching a walkway about 15 meters high. In this way, she had reduced the number of opponents who could attack her simultaneously. She defended herself masterfully, attacking slowly in the rare windows of opportunity. Even so, it wasn't easy. Aestus could see her being hit by some blows and spells that, although they didn't seem to have caused much damage, were affecting her performance. The young man took a deep breath, materialized his large and heavy sword, and made his move.

Aestus gathered his courage and attacked a Wizard who was in the rear, preparing some kind of ice spell. With just one blow, the soldier fell to his knees on the ground and, as if he were a Creature, dissolved into thin air. It seemed that what Anala had said about them being impossible to kill was true, and that reassured the Knight. Now he could fight without feeling guilty. Aestus adjusted his grip on the weapon and charged at more opponents.

As he was behind enemy lines, he caught them all by surprise, managing to defeat several Mages, Wizards, and Archers. They were Classes with little natural defense, requiring little effort to be defeated. To aid him, Aestus was wearing a uniform identical to the other soldiers, confusing the battalion. It took a while for them to realize that, in fact, more than one person had invaded the base and that they needed to change their strategy.

Anala, after knocking down an opponent from the top of the structure, could see that she now had an ally. She retreated to the end of the walkway where she was and descended the column, jumping to the ground. In the meantime, many soldiers were heading toward Aestus, who was already fighting against some enemies simultaneously. Soon he would be easily overwhelmed by the numerical difference. Knights had good defense, but he wouldn't be able to withstand the attacks he was going to receive.

"Hey! I'm over here, idiots!" The Guardian shouted, using her taunting skills, banging forcefully on her shield, causing almost all the soldiers to turn their attention to her. They seemed to forget that Aestus existed, stopping their blows midway to go after the Reptoid, who ran through the camp's tents.

Taking advantage of the confusion his partner had caused, the young man finished off the group of soldiers that had been left behind, with broad and powerful slashes of his blade. Now free, he went after Anala to help her. It would be quite an honor to fight alongside such an experienced combatant.

While all this was happening, Orkan drove the truck to the camp's exit. Many soldiers were running past him in the opposite direction. The Rogue was sweating under that black uniform, even with the vehicle's air conditioning on maximum. In no time, he reached the exit gate, where a visibly distressed guard controlled an electronic barrier.

"Open it for me, man! I need to get this cargo out of here now!" Orkan shouted after opening his window.

The soldier almost pressed the button without thinking, but hesitated and looked toward the middle of the camp, unsure of how to act. Finally, he asked:

"What's going on? Do you know?" His voice trembled. Apparently, only the most cowardly and inexperienced were responsible for guarding entrances and exits.

"Some crazy Reptoid invaded the base and was stealing food. The captain ordered to take this truck to the other camp before someone steals it. Come on, man, open this damn thing for me."

"Which captain? Are you sure you received that order?" The guard sounded suspicious and more courageous than Orkan thought he would be.

"That angry one, who talks as if... Ah, you know what? I don't have time for this."

The Rogue then, suddenly in a swift movement, removed his mask, revealing his charming smile and bright blue eyes. He ran his fingers through his hair, and time seemed to slow down, enhancing his charm and persuasion. With a roguish wink, Orkan focused all his power to steal the guard's heart.

Initially, the soldier seemed to resist Orkan's ability, raising an eyebrow with a confused expression. But after their gazes connected, the guard trembled all over, taking a deep breath and placing a hand over his chest. He was completely under the invader's command.

"Now be a dear and open the gate for daddy," Orkan said, his voice silky and provocative.

The guard, even wearing the mask, appeared visibly embarrassed and submissive, pressing the button with a trembling hand. The barrier lifted, and after blowing a kiss to his victim, Orkan drove the truck away from there, in the direction indicated by Anala. He didn't even bother to put his mask back on, feeling the wind coming through the windows and tousling his hair.

The Rogue felt no attraction to the same sex, but that wouldn't stop him from completing the mission he was given. If there was one thing he didn't have, it was scruples or limits.

***

Two large Creatures, bigger than Spes and Scula, were perched on the nose of the plane, peering inside through the broken glass of the cockpit. They had a dark brown body, with a flattened head and two outrageously long, serrated outer jaws that looked sharp. Their black eyes seemed underdeveloped, indicating their vision wasn't the best. The antennas, however, were long and constantly moving, as if feeling the world around them. Their thorax and abdomen, unlike the rest, were bulky and oblong, covered in thick bristles and supported by three pairs of very strong legs.

The Antlion nymphs emitted a pungent, almost palpable smell. As they looked around, they emitted a harsh sound, as if scraping two sandpapers against each other, complementing the terror they caused visually. Their exoskeleton seemed resilient, indicating they would be much tougher opponents to defeat than the larvae.

Spes remained still, trying not to attract the attention of the two Creatures. However, their weight was destabilizing the aircraft cabin, causing it to slowly tip towards the abyss ahead. If the Lagomorph didn't do something, the entire structure would fall, taking Scula and him with it. Thinking fast, the Mage pointed his staff towards one of the Antlions and charged a concentrated beam of light, firing it between the eyes of one of those repulsive beings. It wasn't strong enough to cause much damage to it, but it managed to throw it into the chasm.

Now aware of the Mage's presence at the cockpit door, the remaining Creature emitted a loud, shrill noise, releasing acidic droplets that corroded the fuselage of the aircraft. Spes saw Scula's legs just below the panel and knew that if that beast got in there, the Engineer would be an easy prey. Spes wouldn't be able to conjure up another beam so quickly, and not knowing what else to do, he turned and ran for the exit, intending to draw the attention of the Antlion.

His plan worked. He could hear the giant insect's legs scraping on the metallic floor behind him, approaching faster than he expected. To make matters worse, as he reached the opening leading to the cavern, a group of several other Antlions was closing in on the wreckage of the aircraft. He was cornered. The Lagomorph thought about shouting for help from Lithor and Hadria, but they were also fighting their own battle. "Quick, do something," he thought, looking around desperately.

He couldn't create a protective dome around himself, as Scula risked being attacked if the Creatures gave up on Spes. He couldn't go forward or retreat without running into one of those Creatures, so the only alternative left was to go up. The Mage climbed the side of the aircraft, bracing himself on the twisted and torn plates of the fuselage and the remaining metal beams. He felt his cloak being torn by one of the mandibles as he climbed, almost causing him to lose his balance, but he managed to reach the top of the structure.

From up there, he could see the Creatures climbing the same path he had taken. With his staff, Spes struck their heads and released his weak and practically useless orbs of light. He managed to slow down the enemies' progress, but there were too many attacking at once, causing him to retreat slowly while defending himself. He wouldn't last long up there.

"Hey, I'm done!" Scula shouted as he exited the cockpit through the glass. He saw Spes fighting the group of Antlions on the roof and widened his eyes, only then realizing the danger they were in.

"Scula, I think..." Spes began to say but was interrupted by a sudden movement of the aircraft wreckage. Its front was starting to slide and tip over, while its rear was gradually lifting.

The Mage struggled to maintain his balance, as did the Creatures. They needed to get out of there immediately, or they would all be swallowed by the darkness of the enormous hole they were gradually falling into. Spes had an idea that might not work, but there was no other alternative. There was no more time for hesitation.

"Scula, get ready to run! Follow me!" the Mage said, pointing his weapon at the Creatures in front of him, which were piling up almost like a horrifying and deadly wall.

Spes formed a protective shield around the Antlions, as low and flat as possible, trapping them inside. They thrashed and attacked the barrier with their jaws and acidic saliva, corroding it rapidly. Without looking back, the Lagomorph ran and leaped over the dome, hearing it crack and feeling that it would be destroyed by the enraged trapped Creatures at any moment. Scula was right behind him, sprinting, sensing the urgency of the situation.

The two passed the obstacle and jumped towards the cavern, just before the shield broke. The change in weight and the momentum they gave were enough to make the wreckage of the aircraft finally tip over, crashing loudly into the abyss, taking the Antlions with it. Spes and Scula clumsily fell onto the rocky ground, rolling, sore, and panting, but safe.

The Mage propped himself up on his elbows and looked towards Hadria and Lithor. They had retreated against a wall, trying to avoid being surrounded by the Creatures. The Fighter was facing a group of five Antlions, using only his right arm. His left arm hung by his side, injured. Hadria could barely stand, holding her head with one hand while weakly casting spells with the other. Her concentration and performance were visibly affected.

The Mage got up and ran towards them. He cast a healing spell, trying to keep his friends alive, but ended up attracting the attention of some of the enemies. The hideous Creatures turned together and advanced on Spes, their jaws snapping in anticipation of chewing on such a tasty prey. He put his arms in front of his face, panicking and unable to react in time. However, instead of feeling his flesh being torn apart, he felt a rush of hot air beside him.

When Spes opened his eyes, he saw the Antlions engulfed in flames, screeching and then disintegrating. Scula appeared by his side, holding a contraption in his hands. A thin line of smoke emanated from a narrow barrel at its end.

"Well, it works alright. I call this beauty here a fire spouter. Hadn't tested it yet, I'm pretty surprised actually," the Engineer said, pride evident in his voice.

"Thank you, Scula," Spes said humbly. "I didn't realize you knew how to fight."

"I manage. Now let's go help your friends."

After properly treating Lithor's injuries and administering revitalizing potions to Hadria, a new wave of Antlions appeared. With the team complete, they could defend themselves more easily. The Magnor stood at the forefront, while Hadria and Scula attacked from a distance, each in their own way. Spes covered the rear and protected his allies.

The group progressed slowly as they eliminated the Creatures that appeared. When they were almost out of the cave, what they feared most happened. Strong tremors began to shake the entire place. A deep and loud rumble echoed. An Antlion, in its adult form, emerged from a dark corner, positioning itself between the heroes and the exit. Escaping was not an option.

***

At the camp, things weren't looking favorable for Anala. Her arm holding the shield was already tired from deflecting attacks and spells, worsening her performance. Some mistakes had earned her a few wounds, which also affected her combat. She was actually lucky to encounter a battalion with so many inexperienced and poorly organized soldiers. If she were facing an elite group, she would have been defeated by now for sure.

Her taunting ability also helped, as it attracted the attention of almost all the soldiers and disrupted their concentration. She made them act on almost animalistic impulse, attacking without any technique or strategy. This made the Guardian's counterattacks more effective, keeping her enemies under control. But for how long? Her stamina wouldn't last forever.

As a response to her needs, Anala saw, out of the corner of her eye, Aestus circling around the enraged mob chasing her. The Reptoid used another of her abilities, releasing a wave of hot air that stunned the nearest soldiers, then running to try to shake them off. She entered a nearby tent and exited through the side, reaching the Knight. Now, with two of them, the fight would be easier.

"We need to get out of here fast!" Aestus exclaimed, his apprehension palpable in his voice.

"I think we can handle them, but you're right," Anala replied, looking back and seeing that a group of soldiers had found them. "But let's get rid of a few more of these idiots."

The Reptoid adjusted the grip on her sword and positioned herself in front of Aestus, facing the small group of enemies. They became disorganized very easily every time they lost sight of Anala, having to split into smaller teams to find her. Complete amateurs. Something seemed suspicious, but Anala preferred to believe it was just luck. That chance wouldn't come again soon.

Even without having planned anything, Anala and Aestus advanced simultaneously, hitting the enemy's front line. Knights and Fighters were defeated without much effort, unable to defend themselves against Aestus's unstoppable attacks and Anala's precise thrusts. The commanders, who usually stayed in the rear dictating orders, were more proficient in combat. They demanded more effort, but they were dispatched just like the others. When the situation calmed down, Aestus spoke:

"I have a plan; let's get out of this camp now. I think we can put some distance between us and them if everything goes well."

Anala nodded and asked Aestus to lead the way. They moved through the tents, trying to avoid unnecessary fights, heading to the point of the fence where they had entered. After a short time (and a few more defeated soldiers), they arrived at their rendezvous point. As they were preparing to climb the fence, a strong wind blew away the supply tents that had hidden them. The most experienced commander of the camp, a powerful Wizard, was atop one of the drilling structures, looking down with his grimoire by his side.

After being exposed, Anala and Aestus realized they were surrounded by all the remaining soldiers from the camp, cornered and with nowhere to go. The officer gave an order, and all the Archers released their arrows against the invaders. The Guardian pulled her companion behind her and used her shield to protect herself. Caught off guard, she couldn't prepare a better defense, being hit in several spots on her body.

The pain was excruciating. Her right arm and both her legs were severely wounded, practically incapacitating her. Anala felt her energy draining from her body, and she nearly passed out. Aestus prepared to support her, but it wasn't necessary. The Guardian's body was engulfed in a sudden, intense red light, much like the crystal in her shield, and she stood up. The soldiers watched her, astonished.

Obeying a second command from the commander, the Knights, Rogues, and Fighters recovered from their shock and advanced against Anala and Aestus, but they didn't get far. The Reptoid shouted at the top of her lungs:

— INCANDESCENT BARRIER!

As she opened her arms and puffed out her chest, a wall of fire formed around her and expanded. All the soldiers were pushed back by a wave of heat that left most of them unconscious. The others who remained standing couldn't even see the two invaders, who stood behind the barrier created by Anala, which burned fiercely. Moreover, the soldiers also had another concern: fires broke out in some tents of the camp. A great confusion ensued.

Anala looked around, shocked by the power she never imagined she had. Remembering her wounds, she checked her body and was again amazed to see the arrows, which were previously embedded in her flesh, lying on the ground. The wounds were cauterized, stopping the bleeding and allowing her to move, albeit still feeling considerable pain. She heard Aestus calling her and realized that her friend was taking advantage of the situation to climb the fence and escape. She followed him immediately.

Outside, it was possible to see that her incandescent barrier still burned inside the camp, illuminating the entire desert around and creating a black cloud of smoke that rose high in the sky. The strong smell of burning canvas and rubber stung her nose. Disorderly screams echoed, trying to organize the chaos to go after the two fugitives, but no one could overcome or extinguish the wall of fire. It was the opportunity they needed to escape.

Aestus dashed off, but Anala was still incapacitated. Climbing the fence was too much of an effort, and she couldn't run. At most, she would limp slowly, making her an easy target for the soldiers. The Knight stopped and looked for the Guardian, seeing his companion falling behind. He returned, apprehensive, alternating his gaze between Anala and the camp ablaze.

"You can go, Aestus! I'll manage! Take my communicator and find Orkan; then you can locate the entry point to our base. The mission is more important!" the Guardian said, holding her throbbing thigh.

"No chance! I just wanted to get away from danger before trying this, but I guess it'll have to be here," Aestus replied, reaching into the shirt of the uniform he was wearing.

The young man pulled out his caller and pressed the button. He pressed his lips together, hoping it would work. A few seconds later, a furry vortex formed beside him, from which Seaquake emerged. The Lebreton seemed a bit apprehensive, sensing the imminent danger, with its black and orange fur gleaming in the nearby blaze. Aestus stroked his furry friend, trying to calm him down.

Anala was impressed by the sight, not having seen Lebretons since she was a child. Those creatures had disappeared from the region since Baruc's attacks. She approached, limping, a bit hesitant to touch such a large and beautiful creature. Aestus spoke, breaking the tension:

"We'll interact with him later, okay? Let's mount him and get out of here as soon as possible."

The Guardian agreed, feeling a bit embarrassed. She mounted the creature with difficulty, right behind Aestus. Once the two were secure, the Knight gave the order, and the Lebreton darted off quickly. After getting used to the situation, Anala instructed her companion on which direction to take to meet Orkan. She wondered if the Rogue had managed to get away with the truck safely but quickly pushed these thoughts out of her head. Somehow, Anala believed in Orkan's ability, who had earned her trust and admiration.

After a short time traveling through the desert, they found traces left by the truck's wheels. Following them, they soon reunited with Orkan, who had parked the vehicle in a rocky canyon. The wind that night was strong, quickly erasing the traces they left. Thus, Baruc's soldiers wouldn't be able to track them so easily. The plan had worked; the Reptoid camp would be supplied for some time.

Aestus hugged his friend tightly, relieved to see him safe. Seeing Anala struggling to dismount Seaquake, Orkan ran over to help her. Anala thanked him with a discreet smile but quickly composed herself, her serious and direct expression returning to her face.

"Let's get into this truck and head that way," she pointed to a path between the rocks. "There's a large disguised entrance further ahead, where the truck can fit through. We'll reach our base in no time."

Aestus bid farewell and thanked his Lebreton, who seemed happy to have helped his tutor. The Creature disappeared shortly afterward, likely returning to some lush field near Silvi. The Knight climbed into the truck and sat in the comfortable seat next to Anala, who sat in the middle between the two guys.

Orkan skillfully drove the vehicle, dodging several rocks, while asking about how they managed to escape from the enemy camp. While Aestus answered his friend's questions, Anala remained a bit quiet, trying to deal with the pain, absorbed in her thoughts. As satisfied as she was with having plundered that base, she felt that something wasn't right, leaving her worried and wary at the same time.

***

The pages of Hadria's grimoire, which floated near her head, began to turn frenetically. Lithor raised his fists and stared at the giant Creature ahead of the team. The adult Antlion stood at around 10 meters tall, its six legs as thick as tree trunks, its mandibles covered in acidic saliva that could easily cut through any of them in half. Despite its gigantic size, it was very agile, moving its massive head with short, rapid motions, seemingly choosing its next prey.

Before the Fighter or the Witch could attack, Scula pulled them back by their clothes, foreseeing what was about to happen. Suddenly, that monstrosity attacked, hitting the spot where the two were standing, causing the ground to crack and the entire cavern to shake. Rocks and stalactites fell from the ceiling in a fatal rain, but none of the heroes were hit.

"With these creatures, we can't afford to play around!" Scula warned, helping his colleagues to their feet. "Let's try to distract it and escape."

The four began to run through the cave, dodging the Antlion nymphs while keeping an eye on the advancing adult Creature. Hadria cast random spells, pushing away and killing the smaller enemies, trying to keep up with her friends. Being a Minati, and consequently much smaller than them, she couldn't compete in terms of speed. Seeing the girl's effort, Lithor picked her up and placed her on his shoulder. She adjusted herself and balanced, using her powers from up there, like a cannon on a warship.

The group decided to circle around a large column in the cave, hoping to be followed by the enormous Creature and then head towards the exit. But luck was not on their side. When they were almost reaching the column, they found themselves facing the abyss where the plane's cabin had fallen moments before. From there, two more adult Antlions emerged, climbing the rocky wall and facing the four combatants.

Lithor tried to change direction, but missteped and lost his balance, falling heavily and knocking Hadria down in the process. They rolled painfully on the ground covered with pebbles, which pierced their skins and clothes. The earthquake caused by the newly arrived Creatures made more rocks loosen from the ceiling. Spes created a barrier over them that was shattered by the impact, but managed to divert the debris that fell. Scula used another of his contraptions, launching a fireball that exploded against the Antlion that was chasing them, momentarily stunning it.

"Guys, we have nowhere to go!" Spes exclaimed, exasperated, joining Hadria and Lithor. The big guy was getting up from the ground and Hadria was sitting, looking dizzy, with her hand on her head.

"I'll try to hold off and distract these beasts. You guys run while I do that," Lithor said, pragmatic.

"No way! I'm not leaving you behind!" The Mage retorted, even sounding angry.

"There's nothing more to be done," Scula said, collapsing beside them. "It was a pleasure fighting alongside you."

The Fighter shook his head and stood up, refusing to give up. He hadn't come this far to surrender so easily. Lithor stared at the Antlion that had been chasing them before, which had just recovered from Scula's attack, and fixed his eyes on Magnor. The moment he raised his fists, a huge rock fell from the ceiling, crushing the Creature in front of him, raising a thick cloud of dust with an absurdly loud sound.

After recovering from the shock, both from the noise and the extreme luck they had, Lithor hurried his friends to take advantage and flee from there. Spes and Scula were stunned and paralyzed, staring at the immense stone. The Mage pointed a finger forward, in apparent confusion, asking:

"Is the rock... moving?"

Lithor quickly turned his head, seeing that the large object began to sway gently from side to side. Its surface seemed to crack, creating large plates, as if they were scales, with some large triangular spikes. Protrusions formed, expanding and turning into huge legs and arms. From opposite ends, a thick tail and a long snout emerged, opening into a mouth full of rocky teeth. Before them stood a gigantic anthropomorphic stone alligator.

"It's Tyrytyry," Lithor said, bewildered, not understanding how the earth element entity had appeared there.

While the Magnor admired that imposing figure, he saw, from the corner of his eye, Hadria walking towards the entity. The petite Witch raised her arm and turned, pointing in the direction of the other Antlions, which had recovered from the earthquake and were now advancing against the group. Hadria's eyes gleamed white, like the two full moons in the sky of Kairos. Tyrytyry, obeying his Summoner's orders, created two stone spears and hurled them towards the Creatures.

The spears impaled the abdomens of the Antlions, hurling them back into the darkness from whence they came. They rolled noisily down the precipice, roaring in a fearsome manner. However, before they could calm down, the entire cave began to tremble again, and the ceiling started to collapse once more. To make matters worse, more Creatures could be heard approaching from various directions.

Tyrytyry raised its arms, trying to prevent the cave from collapsing, giving the group time to escape. Lithor grabbed Spes and Hadria and ran, hoping that Scula could keep up. He swiftly dodged obstacles in his path and reached the exit. As soon as he set his friends down and checked if everyone was okay, Scula caught up with them. Looking back, he saw the opening at the end of the corridor being blocked by a rock avalanche, protecting them from any danger that might come their way.

"Are you okay, Hadria? What was that?" Spes asked, holding the girl's hands and looking into her eyes, which had now returned to their usual darkness.

"Yes, I'm fine," she sounded uncertain, trying to remember. "I... Summoned that entity?"

"It seems so. So you're a Summoner?" Lithor asked, crossing his arms.

"No, I'm just a Witch. I don't even know how to summon anything, that's strange," and she was back to her usual state, thoughtful.

"You have two Classes, just like Hiner!" Spes exclaimed, jumping up and raising his arms in the air.

"Can we look into this later? I want to install these equipment on my aircraft soon," Scula said, while checking the contents of his bags.

Everyone agreed and began to make their way back, feeling relieved to have completed the mission. Lithor and Spes tried to ask Hadria questions, to understand what had happened and how she had activated this new Class, but the girl was monosyllabic and introspective. She seemed to be trying to process what had happened, so her friends left her alone. After a while, the Witch asked:

"Can we keep this a secret, just among us? I want to understand what happened before others find out."

***

A few hours later, when Scula's group arrived at the Reptoids' base, they found a widespread festive atmosphere. The combat team tested the new weapons, the Chemists stocked various potions and ingredients, equipment and machinery were stored in secure locations to be used later. With the supplies brought by Anala's group, a grand meal was being prepared to celebrate the successful missions.

Upon seeing the Engineer arriving, along with his companions, a round of applause erupted in the camp, causing Spes and Lithor to blush, thanking with shy bows. Scula wanted to head straight to where he was building his aircraft but was stopped by Anala. She thought it best for them to eat and rest, worrying about it later. Unable to hide his frustration, he agreed.

The group reunited, and Spes and Orkan competed to see who would tell their part of the adventure first, talking over each other. After enjoying a tasty meal, they sat around a small campfire, chatting more calmly about the missions. Neither Hadria nor Orkan mentioned their new abilities from other Classes, leaving that to be discussed and tested later on. Then, they went to rest, exhausted.

The next day, they woke up a bit later and began preparations for the journey to the other continent. Their weapons and armor were repaired and improved, potions and supplies were stocked, and some uniforms of Baruc's soldiers were set aside for them. Scula and Hadria took charge of installing the missing components on the aircraft. Everything was going smoothly, with anxiety growing in the chests of the six Warriors of Destiny.

The day passed quickly. They would depart that night, trying not to attract the enemies' attention, crossing the dark sky. All the Reptoids greeted Anala and the others during the day, wishing them luck and courage. Hakim, however, seemed more reserved and quiet, sitting alone almost in the middle of the camp. The Guardian went to him to talk.

"I'm coming back, Grandpa. You can trust your granddaughter."

"I know, Anala. I know," and he gently patted the top of her head. Hakim remained silent for a while, seemingly weighing the words he was about to say. After a long moment, he took a deep breath and said, "I just hope you'll forgive me someday."

As soon as he finished saying those words, an explosion occurred above them, bringing down part of the cave's ceiling where they were. Several ropes were thrown from above, from which descended numerous soldiers of Baruc. The Reptoids all ran, trying either to flee or prepare for combat. A very strong man jumped from the surface, landing noisily. He got up and put his hands on his hips.

"You really thought you could steal one of our trucks and get away with it," Ariom, Baruc's right-hand man, said. Then he ordered his team, "Kill them all, except the Oracle!"