"I'll get the horses just worry about yourselves!" Zack declared while lifting a slab from the earth.
"Hurry up!" Kaya shouted while laying down cover fire.
The wagon was under siege by abominations, and there was no end in sight. Ten minutes ago they were riding peacefully through the badlands. This came to an end when a single scorpion came into view.
The colossal's body was covered in a sturdy shell with tiny spikes, its pincers were large enough to seize a bear, and its stinger resembled a dagger dripping with poison. They heard rusting at a distance and witnessed the scorpion's failed attempts to catch its prey.
The coyote was in its prime, and it knew the terrain better, but the scorpion was persistent. Its pincers slammed shut rapidly as the body was sliced in half by a blade of wind. While feeding off the kill it saw Zack's group, and its pincers continued shutting once more. Before the attack could gather Zack hurled his spear through the scorpion's head killing it an instant. When it's blood-soaked the soil an adult khan worm emerged from the desert.
The worm had barbs along its body to help it tear through the rocks and sand. There were rows of serrated teeth in its mouth, and the worm was capable of swallowing a colossal whole. They had no eyes, but their other senses allowed them to hunt efficiently.
Blood on Zack's spear caught its attention, and the worm dove into the sand. The worm reappeared with its mouth parallel to the ground and spiraled forward at tremendous speeds. Kaya and Miu began firing arrows in unison, but its body received minor wounds.
The worm was closing in on the wagon to devour it whole, but Miu's magic took effect just in time. As the body froze Kaya's arrow tore it apart, but that was just the start. With every creature that appeared, and was slain two more took its place.
The area they were moving through had a dungeon nearby that's been unmanned for two decades. With the terrain being altered, and the unusual storms no guild has been able to reclaim it. Because of this, colossal species have been running rampant. With the limited game in this area, and overcrowding they just rang the dinner bell.
Rapidly closing in on their formation are scorpions with elements arcing between their claws. When the claws snapped shut lighting, and the fire laid destruction across the desert. It took a combined force of the three women to ward off the attack.
The next barrage was starting as several scorpions shifted into a crude formation. They were racing across the desert when a large shadow was cast above them. A colossal hawk dove down crushing a scorpion's back while biting the tail off below the stinger.
A stinger lunged at the hawk, but with a simple flick of its wing, the scorpion split apart. As the hawk began to take flight cyclones appeared on the battlefield. The deadly force was heading straight for the wagon.
Chanting in elven was heard, and when the cyclones were upon them they halted. Kaya and Octavia took control of the force and redirected it outwards. Cyclones circled the scorpions as Miu hurled shurikens into them. The cyclones hit with the shurikens were engulfed in flames.
'I need to thank Rolen properly.' Miu crossed her arms as the shurikens reappeared.
When it reached the scorpions the elves clutched their hands, and the firestorm rotated violently around them. Loud popping echoed in the desert as their bodies burst from the heat. The force moved around the battlefield and broke apart into a ring of fire protecting their formation. This narrowed the attacks to the sky until colossal species with a fire nature appeared in the ring.
'That should slow them down enough.' Kaya aimed her bow.
With Kaya, and Miu laying cover fire the enemies making it near the wagon were minimal. Octavia's skills and experience against abominations made quick work of any stragglers to get to close. While her back was turned the hawk circled back and nosedived towards Octavia.
Their attempts to knock the hawk out of the sky were futile due to its evasive nature. The scorpions charging took full advantage of the lack of cover as they pushed through the flames in unison. After gauging their abilities they knew which warriors to strike first.
Blasts were forming from the colossals' when a beam of holy energy swept across the field. When the light subsided the attackers were annihilated, and Zack landed at their side.
"We good to go?" Octavia asked while swinging the blood off her blade.
"It would've taken longer without Aida," Zack replied.
With the horses, and wagon secured they could quit playing defense. Zack raised his spear dissipating the ring of fire to see them fighting amongst each other.
"They're starving," Miu stated.
"I know one solution." Octavia released her sword aura.
Anything that met Octavia's blast was eradicated. With Zack at her side, there was no need to hold back or watch her flank. This allowed her to focus on the task at hand as the barrage continued.
Their battling in the desert didn't go unnoticed. There was a man with short white hair and bronzed skin meditating in a cavern nearby. Sensing the chaos nearby he opened his eyes with a serious look.
"What should we do?"
'Every day I get stronger, but fighting with him is too risky. We should wait for them to move on, and stay on mission.'
"If we wanna stay on track dealing with him now is the smart choice. His influence will continue to spread here, and then nothing will get done."
'Your dedication is admirable.'
"Someone needs to fix this fucked up world."
The battle around the wagon was still raging on, but the numbers were dwindling. Even with their side possessing superior firepower they attacked relentlessly. When the next wave was starting they froze in their tracks and looked around frantically before fleeing.
"Guess they had enough," Kaya smirked.
"Only one thing can make them flee like that. We should return to the wagon for the night." Miu stated.
Zack turned around to check on the horses when the sand beneath them came alive. Miu noticed it shifting behind him, and pushed Zack out of the way as spikes impaled her stomach. He turned to see the cause of the squelching sound and saw more erupting from the sand.
Zack reached his hand out halting the spikes as they crumbled into sand. Miu fell forward as he rushed to her side. Another attack was forming, but Kaya and Octavia laid cover. Zack placed his hands on Miu to mend the wounds, but something was slowing the process.