Be summoned.

Though she's so far away, it feels like you could reach out and touch her. And not just Lynx. Dajy is there, along with Ariusia, Lala, Vex, and Bek too. It's a strange sensation. In the void of your closed eyes, you still feel as if you could walk forwards, not unlike the sensation you have when speaking to Aris while you sleep. The strings between you and the others pulse visibly with the might of your bond, and when you grab hold, you're taken for a ride.

Then suddenly in a flash, you're in the desert again.

You float just a few feet from the ground this time, right behind where the others stand. They don't notice you at first, but then Lalarin's floppy brown ears twitch and she turns her head to the barely visible outline of your body.

Your attention casts forward to the sight that caused Lynx to ring you up.

A stone ziggurat consumes much of your view, radiant in a blazing inferno of the sunset's blaring orange light straight behind. Surrounding it are towering tendrils made from sand, squirming and lashing up towards the sky. A thin mist surrounds the area by the powerful winds that seem to only envelope the vicinity of the structure.

Directly in the center, far up at the top of the ziggurat, is a pillar of polished silver that looks to illuminate by the reflection of what remains of the sun, and you can just barely make out a black shape upon the apex.

"I guess that sand spirit is fully awake," says Lady Vex. "I have heard stories about this, you know. Something about a mighty guardian of the desert that mysterious faded away to time. Most believe it just left, but I guess it was sleeping or something. What a lazy bum."

"We shouldn't assume that yet," says Rabbit's Foot. "If it was once known as a guardian, it may not be our enemy."

"You know, if you dressed more like me, you wouldn't be a sweaty mess trying to traverse the desert in spandex."

"I'm fine. P-Please stop pointing it out."

"Whatever happened, it already attacked us once," says Bek. "So let me at him!"

Ariusia lowers herself into a threatening stance--blades from her back curling in like clenching claws. She's still garbed in the rather risque dancer's garb gifted to her by the travellers from before. "It's not as fun to cut down sand, but I'll find a way to enjoy it."

"It sounds like it kept the land safe from demons," Mistress Dajy adds, dressed in the same. "So I do hope it doesn't mind me. Either way, I'm here. I suppose it will have to accept that."

"Well, we haven't entered the dungeon yet," you speak. "So this is perfect timing. All of you are strong and experienced, to varying degrees. I sent you because I believe in you. I'll stand by your side and we'll figure this out together. Our goal isn't necessarily to slay anything or anybody. We need answers. I have a feeling a fight is inevitable, but let's try to get through to this being. It has spoken already. Remember, this won't be the first ancient elemental we've encountered."

"Yet you aren't here this time to tame it with your cock," Dajy says.

Lady Vex laughs.

"A cock is a pathetic weapon," mutters Ariusia. "At least compared to blades."

Dajy's lips curl into a smile. "Your opinion may be changed with time."

"You want a real weapon?" Bek grins as he smacks the shaft of his maul down into his opened palm. "I've got my cock right here! No more talking. Let's go. You're gonna try to scare us away, you sand flea? I'll show you that Castle Phoenix doesn't back down for nobody!" And with that, he kicks up a cloud of sand behind his feet as he springs down the dune leading straight to the ziggurat.

"I guess we're going!" Lynx says in panic. "Kyle, watch our back."

"We've got this," you assure her. "I've long since gotten used to this after spending so much time with Niki."