The new water source drew a crowd quickly, and finding it along a solid foundation was a rare sight. Several species wanted to call it home but weren't confident in conquering it. Once Octavia retrieved some food for the locals their opinions changed. Isabel slithered up to Zack and looked around at the buildings.
"Are you sure we can stay here?" Isabel asked.
"We wanted to make an outpost, but a city isn't too difficult," Zack replied.
"Or you can join Eden." Kaya offered.
They were all curious to visit the paradise, and a few species already agreed to join. Some species could only live comfortably in the desert heat after all. Zack reassured them they could alter areas to fit their needs, but it seemed they would need time.
"If we made a city who would lead?" Kiara asked while watching her brother play.
"That should be decided by everyone here," Zack replied.
After a brief discussion, they decided on Sabrina unanimously. Her reputation in the desert gave her an early lead, but ultimately it was Sabrina's abilities. Defending, and hiding the city was a simple task for someone of her caliber.
"How many sentries should we station here?" Aida asked.
"Four should be more than enough to keep the peace, and prevent troublemakers from sneaking in," Zack replied.
"When do we leave?"
Approaching Zack was a Girtablilu named Aisha. The warmth of the desert was ideal for her body, but they had dangers around every corner. She watched Zack build a city from nothing, and that made his claim of making their homes comfortable credible.
"You can go through whenever you're ready." Octavia activated the array as four sentries appeared.
"These will warn you of danger, and help you detain threats," Zack told Sabrina.
"You sure four will be enough?" Sabrina asked.
"The war has been escalating lately," Isabel stated.
"What war is that?" Zack replied.
"Bunch of snakes going at it unbothered by who it affects," Kiara glared at Isabel.
"Who are they fighting this time?" Miu asked.
"The basilisk," Isabel replied.
"You knew about this?" Zack asked.
"They are always fighting for one reason or another so it's hard to keep track," Miu replied.
"We should get back on the road then," Kaya stated.
"If you need anything just send a messenger," Zack told Sabrina.
"Anything?" Sabrina whispered.
After a quick protest from Kaya, they were back on the road. They were heading towards the last location of the apophis. Stopping every conflict was impossible, but they had to try.
"She was a little annoying at first, but Sabrina seems reliable," Kaya told Zack.
"Most of the species out here are new to me," Zack replied.
"That's not too surprising. The monsters' arrival was sudden, but once they started roaming the land new species began appearing all over the world. Shortly after came the demons, and the rest is history. We document them as best we can, but there are new variants around every corner." Miu scanned their surroundings.
"You're a descendant of the Koga clan," Aida stated.
"How did you know?" Miu investigated.
"Only one family posses knowledge that predates the dark ages. I'm happy to see your family alive and well." Aida smiled.
While they were discussing the village's state from that era a familiar sensation caught their attention. Octavia nodded at Zack to go ahead as he flew forward. Once he was a safe distance from the horses a shockwave was produced propelling him forward.
There was a small oasis at a distance being dyed red by two tribes. Basilisk warriors were darting across the sand with blood, and scales covering their claws. They were closing in on the next foe, but springing from the sand behind them is an Eryx.
The warrior rapidly coiled around the basilisk restricting his movement while running a dagger through their heart. While the body was still fidgeting he hurled the lifeless body into a charging adversary. With all the basilisk staring him down, the reinforcements erupted from the desert breaking up their formation.
After revealing their positions an arrow pierced the warrior's shoulder as its body became necrotic, and withered away. Turning back they saw the apophis entering the battle, and one rapidly closed the distance thrusting his spear.
Before the spear met her chest the basilisk's visor opened revealing her eyes as the warrior froze, and its muscles seized up. Before he could recover the basilisk ripped its heart out, and rallied her comrades. They formed a tight formation around their leader with their claws at the ready.
"If they take the oasis we're all dead" The basilisk chief shouted at the eryx.
Their skirmish started over a claimed kill, but the apophis are trying to expand. If this point was lost they would have to travel miles to get water and would possess a severe disadvantage. With this in mind, the eryx sank into the sand and reappeared to flank their common foe.
By the time Zack appeared he witnessed a Warband of apophis with their hands in the air as the minuscule amounts of vegetation withered. Little lizards dashing across the desert reduced to dust in an instant while buzzard bones rained down from the sky.
'They're willing to destroy everything for victory.'
As the desert began taking on a murky grey prepared to void life within its grasp a beacon of light broke through. Crashing into the center of their formation Zack's wings unfurled. The radiances from his wings restored vitality to the land. The chaos accumulating in their chief's hand was surrounded by holy orbs.
"You're too la..."
Zack rapidly appeared before him as the chaos was engulfed, and launched into the air. Zack placed his hand on the chief's chest to smite him as his wings forced their formation apart.
"Take cover!" Zack shouted while conjuring his spear, and slamming it into the earth.
Several warriors charged forward to avenge their chief, but the rest coiled up and hunkered close to the earth. Before the warrior's reached striking distance a simple hand raised in their direction formed spears of sand. With their current speed, and the placement of the spears they skewered themselves.
The forces above began to collide, and the warriors below struggled to keep their positions. The coiled bodies began to slide away from the sandstorm erupting. One of the apophis was being swept away along with a basilisk, but their bodies halted in the air.
'Why is the enemy helping?'
Zack was holding them in place with one hand while the other twisted the spear. The sandstorm dissipated, and they looked up to see the forces still fighting. Zack rapidly dashed out of the barrier to balance the forces before others suffered.
'Their leader wasn't bluffing.' Zack began sweating.