One of the warriors wasn't ready to give up on vengeance just yet. He formed a small blast of chaos from his comrade's corpses and launched it toward's Zack's back. The blast halted in the air, but it wasn't Zack's doing.
"She's one of them!"
The Apophis glanced at Octavia approaching and froze upon seeing her eyes. It wasn't the first time they've seen black eyes, and their tribe has never forgotten the horrors of that night.
Twenty years ago they were hunkered down to wither a storm when the desert went into chaos. A devastating storm was sweeping the land, but being no stranger to such storms they hunkered down. When it struck their village an eerie aura appeared, and in an instant, their tribe littered the land.
All around them once could see the land stained black, and no signs of their thriving city remained. While they laid on the ground struggling to breathe they witnessed a cloaked man glancing back with the same lifeless eyes.
That night they barely escaped extinction, but none of them were the same. The fear of the visage returning was their reason for expanding their military. Recalling that night most of the warriors desperately fled, but the man who attacked Zack wasn't so lucky.
"No one will take him from me again." Octavia declared.
When Octavia's hand clenched the ground beath him shattered, and chains of chaos lodged into his flesh. In a matter of seconds, only its skeleton remained as the hole sealed. The remaining Apophis began bowing immediately and trembling. A woman named Jasmine carefully glanced at Octavia.
'Why didn't the storm appear?'
While Zack was struggling to negate the impending explosion Kaya sprang up the earth beneath Octavia. She extended her hand to the forces colliding and took control of the chaos. With their combined effort they nullified the explosion.
When Jasmine saw this she knew Octavia wasn't the same entity that wreaked havoc on their tribe. It was determined to destroy the land, but Octavia just saved it. Zack landed next to Octavia pulling her in by the hips and flying back.
"Thank you." Zack kissed Octavia.
"I wo-won't let anything happen to y-you." Octavia blushed.
"Neither will I." Zack smiled while caressing her cheek.
"Thanks for the help."
Approaching Zack was the leader of the basilisk Kamila. She had short purple bangs and scales. Along her forearms, and the tip of her tail was purple fur. The bird-like claws could tear flesh like paper and they gestured at Zack to come closer.
When approached he noticed the scales along her belly were teal, and they led to a tiny gold skirt. Zack tried his best to keep eye contact to keep from staring at the pink tips exposed by the breeze. Kamila noticed the glances and wanted to tease Zack.
"It's not wise to match our gaze." Kamila removed the visor revealing the golden serpent eyes.
"It's a shame you have to keep such beauty hidden." Zack teased back while lifting her chin.
No one ever looked directly into her eyes before and once Zack's armor faded she could see the toned body. Kamila blushed and rapidly put on her visor.
'So an angel can resist.'
"What was that about?" Kaya relayed with an irritated look.
"You know I don't respond well teasing." Zack pulled Kaya close.
"What are you gonna do about them?"
The leader of the Eryx was motioning her soldiers around Jasmine's group. Their scales were orange with dark brown spots, and their tails were much larger than the other species. They had pointy ears and orange scales along their neck to their cheeks.
While Rosa approached Zack he admired the toned body that swayed from side to side. Her hair was a little messy from the battle, but the black bangs clashed well with her orange eyes. Feeling the sensual gaze Rosa covered her abs.
"Sorry," Zack replied while rubbing the back of his head.
"It's f-fine." Rosa looked away.
"We wanna end this conflict not add to the death toll." Zack motioned Jasmine to rise.
"They've been killing our kind," Rosa argued.
"You seemed to have no problems doing it on your own. I'm not shrugging off what they did, but everyone here has blood on their hands." Zack replied.
No one could deny Zack's claim because the withered bodies on the ground speak for themselves. Rosa's warriors sheathed their weapons, and Jasmine's group approached to offer their thanks. They still seemed cautious of Octavia, but they weren't hostile.
"We won't be able to use this place for a while." Kamila examined the oasis.
"There's a lake to the east and a city in the works. We also have room in our kingdom for those okay with leaving the desert." Zack offered.
"There are only small villages out here," Rosa stated.
"It was recently built. If you have some time to spare we can show you." Zack replied.
While the others went to visit the new stream the leaders entered the wagon. Jasmine's group entered together for they didn't wanna risk fighting with the others. Jasmine was in a hurry to get home and left through the array, but wouldn't say why.
The remaining apophis stuck around to hear the pitch, and reach an understanding with the leaders. To make use of the daylight remaining Octavia controlled the reigns while the others kept watching the perimeter.
"I still think one of us should've gone inside," Kaya stated.
"We aren't the best company for diplomacy," Octavia replied.
"At the risk of being attacked, I need to know this. You two share Zack with so many already so why get upset over one more?" Miu asked.
"Lust and l-love are different," Kaya mumbled.
"We wanna make sure they are in his life for the right reason, and not just using him," Octavia replied.
Looking around the tavern it was hard to believe magic like this existed. Their fascination with their surroundings was gone when Aida brought their snacks. Food around here was scarce, and the food before them was foreign.
"I prepped the bath and the room master," Aida asked.
"Why would you do that?" Zack relayed.
"The way you've been glancing at our guest here," Aida smiled at Rosa.
"You have a bath here?" Kamila asked.
"It's down the hall if you would like to freshen up. We also have clothes suiting your species if you desire the master to quit staring." Aida teased.
"I don't mind." Kamila's tail slid under his pants against Zack's thigh.
'The feathers are so soft.' Zack grabbed the tail by the tip making Kamila shudder.
"I wouldn't mind having some of this cleaned off." Rosa glanced at the blood.
"Why don't we go now?" Kamila got up from the table.
"We still have matters to discuss," Zack replied.
"If you want that alliance you need to catch up." Kamila undid her skirt as it fell to the ground.
"I'll keep the troublemakers at bay." Aida smiled.