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 Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:13 am
The heat was relentless, bearing down on them in thick waves as Nedelle wiped sweat from her brow. The sand beneath her feet was fine and hot, shifting as she walked. "I swear, if we don’t find this well soon, I’m just gonna start drinking the sweat off my own skin," she grumbled, adjusting the strap of her empty water jug over her shoulder.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:13 am
Mirin scoffed, trudging beside her. "That’s disgusting," she shot back, but there was a teasing lilt to her voice. She, too, was parched, and while she didn’t want to admit it, Nedelle wasn’t the only one who was starting to feel desperate.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:13 am
The well was supposed to be just beyond the next ridge, tucked between rocky outcroppings where water pooled from underground springs. They had done this route before—it should have been routine.
But the moment Nedelle crested the hill, she stopped short. Her breath caught in her throat. "Uh… Mirin?" she called, voice barely above a whisper.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:13 am
Mirin reached her side and followed her gaze. Her body tensed immediately. Just ahead, drinking from what little water had collected in the basin, was a janarim.
Its powerful form was hunched, plated scales glistening in the sun. Horns curled back from its head, and its jagged tail flicked idly as it lapped at the water. It hadn’t noticed them yet.
Mirin’s pulse pounded in her ears. "Back away. Slowly." Her voice was low, controlled.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:14 am
Nedelle didn’t need to be told twice. She took a cautious step back, but the loose sand shifted under her feet, sending a cascade of pebbles tumbling down the ridge.
The janarim’s head snapped up.
For a moment, the desert was silent. Then it let out a deep, rumbling growl, muscles coiling like a spring.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:14 am
Mirin acted on instinct. She stepped in front of Nedelle, arm outstretched. "Stay behind me," she commanded, voice sharper than usual.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:14 am
Nedelle’s stomach twisted. "Mirin, what are you—"
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:14 am
"I can handle this," Mirin cut in, eyes locked onto the beast. Her mind raced, remembering every lesson she had ever learned about controlling wild creatures. Slow movements. No sudden aggression. Make yourself look big but not like a threat.
The janarim’s nostrils flared. Its tail lashed, and in an instant, it charged.
Mirin barely had time to react. She threw herself sideways, pushing Nedelle with her, but the beast was too fast. The sharp tip of its tail caught her across the ribs, slicing through fabric and skin alike.
Pain seared through her side, but she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright. "Go!" she barked at Nedelle.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:14 am
But Nedelle wasn’t going anywhere. "Like hell I’m leaving you!" she shouted. She grabbed Mirin’s arm and pulled, dragging her away as the janarim spun to follow.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:15 am
Mirin gasped through the pain, barely keeping pace as Nedelle practically hauled her up the next rise. The janarim snarled behind them, but the incline slowed its pursuit.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:15 am
There—a gap between the rocks. A crevice just big enough for them to slip through. "There!" Nedelle pointed, pulling Mirin toward it.
They squeezed into the narrow space just as the janarim reached them. It roared in frustration, snapping its powerful jaws, but it couldn’t fit through. They were safe.
For several moments, all they could do was breathe.
Then, Nedelle turned on Mirin. "Are you out of your damn mind?!"
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:15 am
Mirin winced, pressing a hand to her bleeding side. "I was trying to protect you," she grumbled.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:15 am
"You almost got yourself killed!" Nedelle’s voice wavered, her anger barely covering the fear still coiling in her chest.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:15 am
Mirin met her eyes, and whatever retort she had died in her throat. Nedelle wasn’t just mad. She was terrified.
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:16 am
Without thinking, Nedelle reached up, cupping Mirin’s face in both hands. "You idiot," she whispered. Then she kissed her.
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