Find the source.

You haven't been idle. Carefully, you've been observing the movements of the sand. Every attack can be traced back to a source. They aren't random. You float a short distance back, and then you see it--barely. Somewhat like a whirlpool, the loose sand in this area is sinking down towards a shape maneuvering beneath the dunes as if they were waves in the sea. "Right there!" you shout, hoping your presence can still be seen. "Lynx!"

"Got it!" Suddenly, the spark between her two hands explodes into an throbbing ball of energy desperate to be released. "Kame... hame... HAAAAA!" She screams as she thrusts both palms forwards, and as she does, a huge beam erupts forth, rising up clouds of sand in every direction. It cuts through the desert dunes, down towards the creature below.

The desert opens up to reveal the shape of a fish larger than a truck, though it looks to be made entirely of pale stone. There's a bright white orb taking up most of its forehead. When hit by the blast, the fish cracks and breaks apart, though it isn't enough to finish it off.

Mistress Dajy leaps next into action. She grabs the head of the creature.

"Demon..." it growls.

She tenses her fingers. "Oh darling. At least try and get to know me before you make such cruel judgments. Though you aren't entirely wrong. I am dangerous." She then pierces her nails straight into the orb, shattering it to pieces. Any magic within the creature fades, leaving behind a motionless rock which the desert now slowly buries.

The group gradually comes back together again, towards where the camels roam.

Both Lalarin and Bek help two of the travellers recollect their scattered belongings. Meanwhile, the rest gather together and make sure everybody is all right.

"Thank you so much," says one of the women. "You saved our lives. The spirits have surely blessed us to have run into others during our time of need."

"I think maybe the spirits were what attacked you," says Vex. "But you're welcome."

The man beside her tenses up. "Wait. Is that--?"

"What is it?" asks the woman.

"Excuse me, devil. What would your name be?"

She grins. "Lady Vex. You can feel honoured if you'd like."

"The Demon King!" shouts the man in panic.

Next to him, the woman winces from the noise. "I'm confused. What do you--Wait. That's the Lady Vex? As in the Demon King of the desert? Oh goodness. Now we're at her mercy."

"What terrible task will she force upon us to repay our debt?"

Vex raises her hands. "Woah there. I mean, I guess I could force you into hard labour or something, but I'm feeling especially generous today. All I want is a clear thank-you from everybody present. The camels too if they can manage."

"Thank you!" shouts the woman, immediately dropping to her knees. She swings her hands and head down to the sand in a frantic bow.

"Th-Thank you, Demon King," the man says, mirroring his companion's gesture.

"Oh, and uh... do you have any clothes for my allies?" Vex asks.

Dajy chuckles as she steps into view. She caresses a hand down her huge, perfectly shaped breasts, along the tantalizing curves of her hips, and then in a teasing manner between her legs. "I don't mind being nude, but I'm of the belief that sexy clothing titillates much more than no clothing at all."

Both the man and woman stare at her in awe. It seems they aren't so easily able to look away.

"... Yes," the woman finally says. "Y-Yes, we can do that. We owe you our lives after all."

"What were you doing out here anyway?" Bek asks. He's still trying to get all the sand out of his beard.

"Collecting crystal shards," the man answers. "There are key areas of the desert where tiny fragments of various magical stones can be found. They're worn down and distributed across the dunes, and if you know where to look, you can find pieces large enough to be sold."

Both the others now stand behind them with camels in-tow.

The woman holds up a lovely blue stone about the size of a fingernail. "We found several of one especially potent. I can't recall the name, but if it nears the body of a man, it uhm..." She whispers her next words, all while unintentionally holding it up to the man's cheek. "Well, it gives them an erection." Then she gasps in panic. "Ah, I'm sorry!"

But the man doesn't react. "Yeah, uh... Don't worry. I don't think that's going to do anything. Let's just say after seeing the succubus and mantis-lady there, it was over for me."

She glances down his body and then back up again. "Oh."

Lynx sneaks her way into the conversation and sits beside her. "So, not that I want to extort the people we just saved but do you know what would make for a pretty cool gift? That crystal you have there."

"Well, that's a small price to pay. Here, it's all yours, ma'am."

She takes it with an excited grin. Then, she stows it away into her pocket.

"Enough sappy stuff!" Lady Vex shouts. "Yeah, there's an outraged spirit on the loose. Yeah we just destroyed one of its sentries. But there's a pretty big unanswered question hanging above us that I care about a lot more. Kyle! How the fuck are you here?"

Suddenly, all eyes are on you.

"The funny thing about that is... I have no idea," you answer. "One minute I was worrying about you guys, wishing I could be here, and the next, I was floating here like a ghost. I think I used the connection between our FONEs as a guide and travelled along the Invisible Ties. Maybe I used my Kitty Sense to help, and Bunny Hop'd my consciousness? Unless this is a different ability all together."

Mistress Dajy smiles. "D'aww. You cared so much about us that you unlocked a new way to use your powers."

Behind them, Ariusia suits up in the new outfit she was given. It isn't much, but it's better than being nude. A long, breezy, white pelvic curtain hangs between her legs, both in the front and back, and a matching garment wraps around her bust. She looks herself over and shrugs. It doesn't seem like it matters too much for her.

"Oh how sexy," Dajy says. She then focuses her eyes on the nearest woman. "Though I wonder why such innocent girls would be carrying garments like these, when they're already dressed as they are now."

She blushes. "D-Don't worry about that."

"Well now I feel dreadful taking them away."

"Don't worry about that either. You saved our lives, and I can't have you walk around in the nude, ma'am. With the crystals we've collected, we can easily buy more outfits."

"Then allow me to wear your gift. Though if it fits that way on Ariusia, it may be a little small on me." She winks at the man as he's beginning to stand.

He awkwardly keeps his hands over his groin as he waddles away. "I'm j-just going to, uhm... get the camels ready."

His buddy stares back at him. "They're already good to go, man."

"Shh. Shut up."