(Amaia)

Vampires can’t survive in the sun for too long. Their skin begins to burn, causing rashes and blotches, while their powers dwindle. It seems like Team Fudaria has crossed over to the Summer Season and has gotten stuck.

We face them boldly, seeing their skin, which has blotches and patches of ugly, raised, red skin like welts. They are not going to survive long in these harsh conditions.

"So what’s it going to be? We fight to the death or help each other?" Kacir asks, facing them with his back straight and weapon ready. Mintaka and Alnitak go on to stand beside him like two pillars.

"We have nothing against you. And the competition has just begun. But that’s what they want. Blood and chaos, to have us kill each other and give them a show," the boy in the lead says. He has blisters covering his face now. The sun is mercilessly beating down.

"Point us in the right direction and we will point you too. No need for bloodshed if we can work together until the final stage," Alnitak proposes and he nods.

"According to this fake sun, the door to autumn is towards the North. But we won’t tell you what awaits you there," he says with haunting eyes.

Mintaka points in the direction we had come from. "West and same. Be prepared."

They give us affirmative nods and like a whirlwind they rush past us.

"Do you think they gave us the right directions?" Rahria questions, flipping her hair back over her shoulder. They have dried completely.

"Only one way to find out," I answer with a sigh. We start to move again.

"I didn’t expect them to leave without a fight," Mintaka quips, swinging his axe on his broad shoulder.

"They weren’t in a condition to fight and we don’t shed innocent blood or fight until provoked. It was win-win for both parties," Kacir answers with his wisdom.

"That’s true."

Suddenly, I sense something moving under the sand, and my feet instantly freeze. Saiph had taught us to always look for holes, rippling patterns in the sand and shifting sand for creatures lurking underneath.

That’s exactly what I detect and others do too. Since they have heightened senses they can pick up the sound underneath.

"Halt and stand very still. There is a large creature underneath," Alnitak whispers, spreading his hands forward and staying very still. His concerned eyes find me, ensuring I don’t move.

"What could it be?"

"A mutilated worm or snake," Rahria hisses through clenched teeth, staying alert.

The very sand in front of us shifts and the vibrations grow louder. So do the beats of my heart. Something sprouts out of the sand, sending it spraying all over.

To our surprise, it’s an Antrodias. The very first creature we studied about and fought. Not me, since I was in detention but the rest of my team has.

Its hard blackish brown skin glistens under the raging sun. Lifting its long, jointed legs it focuses its eyes on us and hisses.

This is not some ordinary Antrodias, its length is at least 10 feet, about three feet more than its regular size.

"What an ugly fucker," Alnitak grimaces.

We have no potions so we will have to take it on with our weapons and magic. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"What’s the plan?" Rahria asks as it advances towards us. Mintaka steps forward, creating a dome of ice around it to slow down its advance but we know with the beating down sun, it won’t last long.

"Alnitak will have it surrounded by its thick mist. Rahria will distract it and Amaia will stun it with her sword. I will use my chains to tilt it on its back. We will need to attack its weak spot under the belly." Everyone affirmatively nods at Kacir’s plan and so we begin.

As soon as the ice shield melts we spring into action. It screeches, its hateful eyes focus on us but months of training together we trust each other and work like one unit.

The plan goes accordingly and once Kacir has his chains around the fucker, we all use our strengths to push it on its back.

The loud hisses echo in this boiling torture chamber. The sweat runs down our backs as I jump forward and pierce my blade into the soft spot underneath its belly.

"Argh!" I pant, using all my strength. Yellowish goo oozes out and onto the sand. Its body trembles, the legs shudder as it takes one final breath and then the body goes still.

"Yes, we did it," Alnitak cheers like the enthusiast he is.

"Phew!" Rahria lets out a sigh and drops to her knees. Her brow is swamped with sweat.

I pull out my sword. Mintaka takes it from me, cleaning it on the sand. "You are exceptional with it." I nod.

Taking out the handkerchief Saiph has given me—I soak the oozing sweat from my forehead.

"We need to keep moving or we will be exhausted in this blinding heat," I suggest and they seem to agree.

We are already tired after these fights. We need shelter, water, some food and rest to replenish our energies. Something tells me we can get that in either spring or autumn.

Mintaka hands my sword to Alnitak and cups both his hands creating cubes of ice, handing them out to all of us.

"Suck on them so you will remain cool and hydrated." Taking my handkerchief, he fills it with the cubes and rolls it over.

Going behind my back, he places it on my neck to keep me cool. The way Min cares for me, keeping small details in check makes me want to love him more and more.

"Thank you! You know I love you," I emotionally say and he slowly smiles at me.

"I know. I love you even more." And he is no longer afraid to express his emotions openly. Alnitak’s arms come around both of us as he leads us forward.

"And I love you both."