THE SHAI-HULUS
To our surprise the sandstorm did not bring the desert sand into our ship. In fact, there was no strong wind outside our ship although we were surrounded by what appeared to be a violent storm around us.
So, we walked out of our ship to meet the sandstorm and its creators.
"This sandstorm is just an illusion", I said to them.
"Huh, told you", Ratatouille replied to me.
"This sandstorm is not entirely an illusion. The wind and sand swirling around us is real although they are not causing serious harm to us", Sara told us about her observations.
"I think I know what is happening here. Those large worms out there created the sandstorm to scare us away", Rinna told us her observation.
The worm-like creatures in this desert created an enormous sandstorm in the desert to chase away enemies and predators although they did little harm at all to us.
The sandstorm wasn't designed to be harmful.
"What the hell are these worms?" I asked.
"They are the Shai-hulus, a species of serpent that appears more like giant worms", Rinna told us about the serpents in the desert.
"How do you know about these Shai-hulus?" I asked her.
"Mother Nahase told me about them. These serpents were once living in her garden. They escaped from the Garden of Eden and came here to the desert of Elis", Rinna told us.
"Are the Shai-hulus' a threat to us?" Sara asked her.
"No, the Shai-hulus are passive serpents. They do not want to engage with enemies, so they created sandstorm as an illusion to chase away dangerous predators", Rinna explained to us.
"Should we just leave this sandstorm?" Ratatouille asked me.
"No, this sandstorm is a perfect cover for us. If predators were chased away by this sandstorm, we will have to face less threats in this desert", I replied to him.
The Shai-hulus created the sandstorm to protect themselves and their young ones from enemies and predators. If we stayed within the sandstorm, we would be similarly protected from the same dangers faced by the Shai-hulus.
"Will there be threats here in the desert?" Ratatouille asked.
"The Shai-hulus seem to think so", I replied to him.
"I need to speak to the leader of the Shai-hulu serpents," Rinna told me.
We moved toward the pack of serpent worms who were shocked and surprised by our approach. They never expected us to see through their illusion and they started to worry.
Suddenly, we were surrounded by rocks and stones that pelted us from all directions. The Shai-hulus were not only able to swirl sand into a sandstorm, but they could also cause the rocks in the desert to attack us.
This was the final attack from the Shai-hulus in the event predators were not chased away by their illusion.
But the rocks and stones avoided us. A powerful chaotic force prevented them getting near us. My chaos magic shocked the serpents.
"Greater Chaos Field"
When the serpent worms realized that they couldn't harm or scare us away, one of them walked forward to meet us.
"Who are you? We mean you no harm. Just leave us alone," one of the Shai-hulus spoke to us.
"I am here to bring you back into the garden", Rinna told the Shai-hulu to her shock and surprise.
"Who are you?" the Shai-hulu asked again.
"The mother has returned for you", Rinna replied to her as the apparition of a multi-headed serpent appeared behind Rinna, entangled in a large, withering tree.
Rinna's serpent summon has transformed again. Her serpents became a part of the withering tree.
"I have never seen these serpents in our garden before", the Shai-hulu replied to Rinna not recognizing her tree.
"These serpents belong to me now. I am the Incarnate of Nahase, mother of serpents", Rinna replied to the Shai-hulu as her serpents shone with the aura of Rinna's magic.
"I recognize the mother's aura now although I don't recognize these serpents. I am Naraie, the mother of the Shai-hulus", the Shai-hulu said to her.
"Now bring me to the Garden of Eden", Rinna asked Naraie to our surprise.
"I can do that but the entrance into Eden is heavily guarded by the Saints and Apostles. There is no way anybody could get into Eden", Naraie told us.
"The Saints and Apostles will be a big problem for us", Rinna told us.
"Who are the Saints? I've not dealt with them before", I asked them.
"The Saints are those Apostles who have reached tiers of almost divinity. Once promoted, their duty is no longer to safeguard Elis but to protect Eden. They are extremely powerful, so it would be impossible for us to breach through their garrison", Naraie told us.
"Is there another way into Eden?" Rinna asked Naraie.
"There is no other way that I know of unfortunately", she replied to us.
"This trip is a waste of time if we can't get to Eden", Sara told us impatiently.
"Well while we find a way into Eden, there is another place that we may want to go", I told them.
"Where?" Sara asked me.
"The Dragon's Sacred Grove. The voice in my mind, the serpent mother wants me to go there", Rinna told us.
Upon hearing the mention of the Dragon's Sacred Grove, the Shai-hulu Naraie understood and even feared.
"The Dragon's Sacred Grove? Erm… I know of that place", Naraie replied to us fearfully and worriedly.
"Can you bring us there? Are you afraid of that place?" Rinna asked Naraie.
"I know of that place, but I dare not go there. My children will not survive if we leave these golden sands and neither will I", Naraie replied to Rinna.
"You don't have to worry about your children, even you. You will all be safe in my garden", Rinna replied to Naraie.
"Your garden?" Naraie asked her.
"This garden is in my soul. It is where my serpents reside. Before we find the Garden of Eden, you and your children can harbor there. It will be a temporary Garden of Eden, until we reach the real one", Rinna told Naraie.