Under the blistering sun of Vastara Desert, Chase and Selena traverse the golden dunes west from where they left. Sand stretches endlessly in all directions, shimmering under the harsh sunlight. They march side by side, their pace steady despite the unforgiving heat.

  Selena's eyes are sharp, scanning the horizon with feline precision. Her ears flick occasionally, catching the faintest whisper of the wind. Chase is focused on his map, his brow furrowed as he navigates their path.

  Selena looks at Chase with a playful glint in her eyes.

  Selena: You look pretty serious. Worried about getting lost?

  Chase: Not really. Just making sure we’re staying on the right path. This desert’s got no landmarks... easy to lose your sense of direction.

  Selena gives a soft chuckle with a hint of amusement in her voice.

  Selena: You humans really have no instincts for this, huh?

  She shakes her head slightly with a playful expression on her face.

  Chase: Says the one who nearly walked into a sand pit.

  Selena's tail flicks in annoyance, but her playful smirk betrays her amusement.

  Selena: I was… testing it… I didn’t want you to fall in.

  Chase: Sure, sure. Next time, give me a heads-up before you ‘test’ another one?

  Selena's laughter, light and melodic, echoes across the dunes, a rare sound that brightens the barren landscape.

  Campsite

  As night falls, they set up camp under a star-filled sky. A small fire crackles, its light casts dancing shadows on the sand. They sit across from each other, the warmth of the flames a welcome comfort against the chilly desert breeze.

  Chase pokes at the fire, adding another twig. He looks up, his gaze lingering on Selena.

  Chase: I’ve been wondering. Why were you living alone in that forest?

  Selena’s playful demeanor fades, replaced by a guarded expression. Her tail wraps around her legs as she looks away, her ears flattening slightly.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Selena: Why the sudden curiosity?

  Chase hesitated for a while before continuing.

  Chase: It’s just… I thought beasts… live in tribes.

  Selena’s eyes fixate on the flames, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Selena: I left my tribe. They said I was... too ferocious in combat. It scared them.

  Chase's eyes widen in surprise.

  Chase: Too ferocious? Really?

  Selena’s gaze hardens slightly.

  Selena: You’ve seen how I fight. I don’t hold back. To my tribe... it was too extreme, too dangerous. They said I was losing myself to my instincts.

  Chase: Is that so…?

  Selena shows frustration after remembering her past.

  Selena: I tried to explain that they have nothing to worry about. But they won’t listen. They tried to shackle me within the tribe’s norms.

  Silence lingers between them, heavy and solemn. Chase’s keeps his gaze fixed on Selena’s downcast eyes.

  Chase: I’ve never seen it that way.

  Selena looks up, her eyes wide in surprise.

  Chase: You fight to protect... just like I do. It doesn’t matter how fierce you get. Your motivation is what matters.

  Selena’s ears perk up, her tail loosening its grip around her legs. Her eyes soften, a faint glimmer of gratitude flickering within.

  Selena: You’re an idiot... Chase.

  A soft breeze brushes against them, rustling the sand. Selena looks away, hiding the slight blush on her cheeks. The fire crackles softly, its warmth is a silent witness to the bond growing stronger between them.

  Resuming the Journey

  Morning arrives with the golden hues of dawn painting the desert sands. Chase and Selena pack up their camp, ready to continue their journey.

  As they walk through the desert, the peaceful silence is shattered by a deep rumble beneath their feet. The sand begins to shift, and a massive shadow looms overhead. The ground trembles violently as a giant sand worm bursts through the dunes, its enormous maw gaping wide as it screeches in hunger.

  Chase draws his sword, eyes wide in disbelief at the sheer size of the creature.

  Selena’s stance shifts, her eyes narrowing with focus. She steps forward, her claws flexing as she prepares to face the creature head-on.

  Selena: Chase, you can sit this one out. I’ll take care of this.

  Chase opens his mouth to protest, but Selena is already moving. With a speed that belies her size, she lunges at the sand worm, her claws flashing as she slashes at its hide. Her movements are pure ferocity - each strike is wild, raw, and filled with the primal intensity that marks her fighting style.

  Chase watches, both in awe and a bit of concern, as Selena tears into the creature. Her claws rip through the tough armor-like skin of the sand worm, and with each savage blow, she reveals just how unrestrained and fierce she can be in combat.

  Finally, with one last powerful strike, Selena brings the beast down, standing over its massive body as it writhes in its final moments before stillness overtakes it.

  Selena: (Smirk) So, Chase... Too ferocious, right?

  Chase: Now that you mention it... yeah. But I stand by my word - it doesn't matter.

  Selena: You really are an idiot.

  Chase: Uh-huh. You told me that before.

  Selena looks over her shoulder, a small, secretive smile tugging at her lips. She turns back to face the horizon, her tail flicking in satisfaction.

  Selena: Let’s just go.

  Chase follows her, shaking his head in amusement. Together, they continue on, their bond deepened even further by the shared experience.