“We have been in this same tunnel for two days!” Kylie whined. “Are we even sure it leads anywhere?”

“Of course it leads somewhere. It wouldn’t have been made if it didn’t lead anywhere,” Brody replied. “That’s dungeon crawling 101.”

“Unless they were trying to trick us into walking to our deaths,” Kylie added sullenly.

The group kept going through the underground passage that had become their monotonous life for the past two days. 

“At least it’s defensible,” Brody said, trying to motivate his team. “These tunnels are narrow, so it would make fighting off numerous enemies much easier than in an open area.”

“What about a big snake or worm that fills the whole tunnel and tries to swallow us whole?” Keevan asked.

“That’s easy,” Brody said. “You take a solid stance and maintain yourself firmly in the mouth. It’s important not to go down the throat. It might cause a gag reflex and, while it would spit you out, it may cover you in caustic bile.”

“Lovely description, dear,” Helen said over the barely-stifled laughter from Kylie.

“Another inscription,” Groll said, stopping.

The group gathered around the massive orc and stared at the stone wall of the tunnel. Just a single word stared back at them.

“What’s ‘updog’?” Brody asked.

He looked at the other adventurers and they all shrugged back at him, just as clueless as he was.

“I haven’t the faintest idea. First ‘DN’ and now ‘updog’,” Groll said. “What could it mean?”

“Maybe they’re the names or initials of other adventurers who passed through here?” Keevan asked.

“Maybe whoever made this tunnel just wrote nonsense on the walls to drive us up them!” Kylie said, clearly frustrated.

“I’m sure we don’t have to go too much farther, dear,” Helen said. “How big can this place be, after all?”

Kylie kept muttering under her breath as she petulantly stomped down the tunnel with the rest of the group. 

“I think I see something,” Groll said from ahead.

“Really? What?” Kylie asked, suddenly hopeful.

“Just kidding,” the orc said, a smile clear in his voice.

The scene shifts to reveal Kylie seated in front of a rock wall.

“What is his problem? He has been messing with me for two days! His little jokes aren’t even funny! And they’re all directed at me! Seriously, someone needs to tell him that his jokes just aren’t funny,” Kylie said, exasperated.

The scene shifts to reveal the adventurers walking down the tunnel.

“There’s a light up ahead,” Groll said.

“It’s not funny anymore, Groll!” Kylie shouted.

“I see it,” Brody said, walking past Groll to the front of the line and readying his weapon. “Look sharp.”

The group continued on, slower than before, behind their leader. Brody had his shield at the ready and sword in hand. The echoing clank clank clank of his armor seemed louder than before.

A hot, dry wind blew against their faces, ruffling their hair and stinging their eyes with grit. Keevan sputtered and coughed. His perpetually-open mouth had caught the particulates when the wind blew in.

They continued walking, exiting the tunnel and shielding their eyes against the blinding light of a sun high overhead. Their feet left the stone floor of the tunnel and sank slightly into the loose sand. The wind blew and created what looked like small streams of sand floating above the seemingly endless dunes of the desert.

“Alright. Maybe I was a bit too harsh on the tunnel,” Kylie said, deflated.

“Alright, folks. Seeing those vacant expressions makes me think none of you have been in a desert before. Am I right?” Helen asked, stepping out in front of the group.

Everyone in the group nodded, unashamed to admit their ignorance in front of the challenge awaiting them.

“Right. The first rule of desert survival is water. It’s hot, it’s dry, you betcha you’re gonna need water. Next is shade. We don’t have any of that, so we make our own. You want all your skin covered so the sun doesn’t burn you,” Helen said. “And the last thing is warm blankets because it’s going to get cold tonight. Luckily, we have plenty of those. Now wrap up and let’s get walking. The sooner we get started, the sooner we finish, don’tcha know.”

The adventurers hastily pulled clothing out of their packs and wrapped it around their heads and covered their arms and any exposed skin as best they could, following Helen’s example. Even Keevan, despite his spell maintaining his perfect temperature. Groll even removed his signature bowler cap and wrapped his top-knotted head in what looked to be a scarf.

“Hey, is that… do you tie your hat to your hair?” Kylie asked when she saw the orc remove his hat.

Groll blushed and said, “It falls off, otherwise.”

Kylie chuckled and continued wrapping up. She didn’t have much to do, since her usual garb covered most of her body, but she had a special cloth seemingly designed to cover her head and face except for a small slit for the eyes.

“That’s an… interesting face covering. What is it for?” Keevan asked.

“Being sneaky, of course,” Kylie responded. “What do you think I wear at night to not be seen?”

“Ah, Brody. That armor… you’ll cook in there, don’tcha know. You should carry it,” Helen said, walking over to Brody.

“I will keep it on,” Brody said. “Don’t worry about me. I am conditioned for this.”

Helen looked at him incredulously for a moment, but then shrugged and walked off in the opposite direction of the tunnel where they entered. 

“Come on, now. Those long legs of yours too slow to keep up with me?” the dwarf shouted over her shoulder, mirth clear in her voice.

The scene shifts to reveal Groll seated in front of a dune.

“I have never actually seen Brody take off his armor. And I’ve known him for years,” Groll said, pausing for a long moment. “It must be filthy.”

The scene shifts to reveal the adventurers walking along the top of a sand dune, many more visible in the distance and the sun high overhead.

“This is torture,” Kylie whined. “Why did we even take this job in the first place? It was just supposed to be a dungeon! And now we’re trapped here!”

“We are not trapped,” Brody said. Surprisingly, he looked the most comfortable out of all of them. “And we took this job because it was necessary. The city needed us to cleanse this place so they could continue existing without the constant threat of monster attacks.”

“We haven’t even seen one of those goo monsters in ages!” Kylie moaned.

“We may have taken the wrong tunnel when we left the cavern with the crabs…” Brody admitted.

“WHAT?!” Kylie shouted. “We may have gone the wrong way?! And we’re still going this way?!”

“We couldn’t very well go back through the crab cave, not with… those there,” Brody responded.

"We could try sneaking!" Kylie shouted.

"Wait," Keevan said. "Do you feel that?"

"What?!" Kylie shouted again.

"Oh, you betcha," Helen said. "It feels like the ground is rumbling. An earthquake?"

"It's getting stronger," Groll said.

"There!" Brody pointed.

On the next dune, the sand shifted in a long line, rippling almost like water. Something was moving toward them at a rapid pace. And, behind it, two much smaller shapes seemed to be chasing it - and flying through the air. 

"That looks… big," Keevan said. 

"Run!" Brody shouted, taking off in the opposite direction.

The others didn't need to be told twice. They ran, half falling and half sliding down the dune to get away from whatever was beneath the sand. However, from what little they saw of its passage, it was clear that they would never outrun it.

A cackle echoed through the air, followed by another. Laughter that sounded much more like insanity than mirth. 

"What… is… that?" Kylie panted, not daring to look behind her. 

Helen spared a glance over her shoulder and skidded to a stop. 

"Stand your ground! We might have allies here," Helen said. 

Brody turned around at that and set his feet, preparing for the oncoming monster and its pursuers. The others followed his example, and none too soon. 

An enormous lamprey-like mouth exploded from the side of the dune, hurtling directly for them. A long body like a snake or worm extended behind the mouth, spikes sticking out from its body at all angles to propel it through the sand. 

An orb of fire flew through the air at the creature's mouth, but Keevan's fireball did nothing to slow the approach of the gigantic living missile. A giant net made of green light did arrest its momentum, however. 

Two figures floated in the air above the monster. They had long black cloaks, pointed black hats with very wide brims, and they sat atop flying brooms. 

"Sand witches," Helen said. 

Brody, Kylie, and Keevan all stared at Helen, confused. Groll just lifted an eyebrow. 

"I had a run-in with some sand witches a few decades back," Helen said. "They're wild cards, for the most part, but I don't think they'll be hostile toward us."

“Could they be the ones summoning the creatures?” Brody asked.

“I haven’t ever seen a sand witch summon anything before, but I suppose it’s possible,” Helen replied. “I wouldn’t bet on it, though.”

After a bit more cackling, the magic green net began to cinch tighter and tighter around the monster. Its flesh bulged through the spaces between the lines of magic, straining against the impossibly strong bonds. Then, it burst into an enormous shower of a familiar green slime.

"Excellent work, Muffuletta!" Cackled one of the sand witches.

Each witch produced a magical vial and the ectoplasm began siphoning up into the vials, somehow all fitting into the small containers. One of the witches, Muffuletta, going by what the other had said, took a swig from her vial and exhaled in a satisfied manner. 

"Ah. It could use a little… Spice,” the sand witch said. “An excellent harvest, Banh-Mi."

Kylie and Keevan each made a gagging sound when they saw the witch drink the ectoplasm.

"Excuse me, good sisters? Thank you for saving us. We were in a bit of a pickle, don'tcha know," Helen said, pausing. "I had the opportunity to fly with some other Sisters of the Dunes a few decades back. Perhaps you know their leader, Hoagie?"

The two witches stopped cackling and focused on Helen and the adventurers, floating toward them ominously on their brooms. On closer inspection, their skin had a slight green cast.

"Can't say as I know the name," Muffuletta said. "Banh-Mi?"

"Doesn't ring a bell," Banh-Mi said. 

"Ah. Well, you wouldn't happen to know a way out of this desert, would you?" Helen asked. "We're looking for a tunnel out of here."

"Ah. And to what end, might I inquire?" Muffuletta asked.

“Well, miss,” Brody said. “It’s quite warm and we are ill-equipped to survive in such a harsh place. Would you mind directing us out?”

“Ah, but why not leave the same way you entered?” Banh-Mi inquired.

Kylie gave Brody a glare as if to say “Yeah, why not?”

“Um. Well, we met with some danger on the way in. And would like to avoid it. Also, we are looking for the source of these… creatures,” Brody said.

“Ah. The Snatchoids?” Muffaletta asked.

“Snatchoids?” Keevan asked, unable to help himself.

“Yes. A Snatchoid was about to devour you. They shoot out of the ground and snatch you, then pull you under,” Banh-Mi said, looking at the mage for the first time. “You must have been making quite a racket. They hunt by sound, you know.”

“Well, we ran into another type upon first entering the cavern complex. It was a sort of scorpion mushroom hybrid. It also exploded into… ectoplasm,” Brody said, looking pointedly at the vial that Muffaletta held.

“Ah. We very much enjoy our hunts of the Snatchoids. The ectoplasm is a wonderful source of magical energy. And it keeps us young. An excellent diversion. And you want to… destroy the source of these ectoplasmic constructs?” Banh-Mi said.

“Um. Well, yes. We were tasked by the city above to stop the monsters from attacking the city. So we are heading to the source of the monsters,” Brody said.

“And you think you can accomplish such a task?” Muffaletta asked. “You, who were about to perish at your first encounter with a Snatchoid?”

“Witch, please. We are quite competent,” Brody said, proud.

“No doubt,” Banh-Mi said. “A moment, please.”

The two witches retreated a few paces away, talking amongst themselves quietly. They shot a few glances toward the adventurers but kept talking in hushed tones so as to not be overheard. After a minute or so, both witches returned.

“We will show you the way to the tunnel that leads out of the desert. Follow the line in the sand,” Muffaletta said.

At her words, Banh-Mi created a glowing green line on the ground that seemed to travel indefinitely into the distance over the dunes. Keevan’s eyes goggled at the spell that apparently only required a slight wave of the hand from the sand witch.

“Watch out for the Snatchoids,” Banh-Mi said, rising higher into the air with Muffaletta.

The adventurers heard the slightest snippet of a conversation from the two as they flew off. “...make it?” “They’re toast.”

The adventurers shared a look after that odd exchange and the comment they overheard. It was not exactly confidence-inspiring. 

"Alright. We're The Undefilers! We can't let two sand witches say what we can or can't do. We have a mission. And we've been successful so far. Let's do this!" Brody said, raising a fist in the air.

No one joined Brody with his fist in the air, but they did begin trudging along the dunes. The thick, glowing green line was illuminating their path. 

"So do we trust the sand witches? They may just be leading us astray. They seemed to enjoy the ectoplasm," Keevan said, shuddering at the memory. 

"The sand witches I knew were wild cards, like I said. But you betcha they enjoy a good wager. They probably bet on our survival," Helen replied.

"How encouraging," Kylie replied dryly.

"We should probably try to be quiet," Keevan said softly. "Since the Snatchoids hunt by sound."

At that little reminder, the adventurers all fell silent. Groll could even be seen trying to walk softer - a nearly impossible task in the soft sand of the dunes.

The scene shifts to reveal Helen seated in front of the sand.

"Uff da. I have no clue what those sand witches are up to. I didn't think it was possible to drink ectoplasm unless you were made of it," Helen said. "Witches be crazy."

The scene shifts to reveal the adventurers walking along the glowing line in the dunes, the sun dipping toward the horizon.

"We should make camp," Brody said softly, breaking the hours-long silence. "We have no idea how big this desert is or if we'll even reach the end tomorrow."

Keevan sighed and dropped his pack, ready to be rid of the burden. It fell heavily to the ground, causing the others to swivel around and glare at him. The elf winced and held up his hands apologetically, mouthing the word 'sorry' as he did so. 

The group began to set up camp, each person taking out their tent to set up and heeding Helen’s advice about warm blankets. Then, all of the sudden, the glowing purple line disappeared.

“What happened?” Kylie asked.

“I don’t know. But it was going that way,” Keevan said, pointing.

Groll removed three tent stakes and placed them in the sand, marking the direction they were supposed to be traveling with two stakes and the direction they came from with one stake. Brody sidled over to Helen.

“Why would the line go away?” the warrior asked, speaking softly.

“I’m not sure. Maybe they changed their minds?” Helen said, at a loss.

They were eating a quick meal around Keevan’s conjured fire when Kylie rose from her seated position and pointed into the distance.

“The sand witches. I think they’re coming this way,” the half-elf said.

“Keevan,” Brody whispered to the elf. “Hide in your tent. If they turn hostile… Fireball.”

The elf nodded, slightly panicked, and scrambled into his tent, leaving a small gap between the flaps to peer out of. Brody quickly strung his bow and stood with an arrow nocked, but not drawn. Groll and Kylie stood, though Helen stayed tending the pan with food on it. She either didn’t expect it to come to violence, or she knew she wouldn’t be able to do anything against a flying foe.

The sand witches approached in the air, not cackling this time. Both of them descended, flying a mere foot off the ground, as they came within the camp.

“We have revisited the topic of your goals, here. We have decided to change the terms of our assistance,” Muffuletta said.

“How so?” Brody asked, his fingers tightening around the bow he held ready.

“We will help you leave this desert. But, in return, you must collect the ectoplasm of every creature you destroy in one of these vials,” Banh-Mi said, holding up a small glass vial. “And, should you discover the source of the magic in this place is not an individual as you expect, you must return and take us to it. So that we might benefit from the magic there.”

“Why do you need us to collect ectoplasm? Do you not have plenty from this place?” Brody asked.

“We grow tired of this existence,” Muffuletta said. “We wish to leave this place and travel the world. But, in order to remain living, we must have a source of ectoplasm. We have long surpassed our natural lifespan. Agree to this, and we will take you to the tunnel you seek expeditiously.”

Brody met each adventurer’s eyes, looking around the camp at them. After a moment, he looked back to the sand witches and nodded.

“We agree,” the human said.

“Excellent. Now, let’s get going,” Muffuletta said, clapping her hands.

At the sound of her clap, all the tents and supplies packed themselves up, moving of their own accord. Keevan tumbled out of his as the canvas began to wrap itself into a bundle. The contents of Helen’s frying pan were dumped onto a plate before the pan flew away to secure itself to her own bundle.

The adventurer party stared, slack-jawed at their entire camp being completely taken down in seconds. Kylie looked over at Keevan as if to say ‘why can’t you do that?’

“Off we go, then,” Banh-Mi said. 

The sand witch gestured and all of the adventurers’ belongings began to float. Then, the straps of their packs opened in an invitation for them to be worn. The adventurers hesitantly put their arms through the straps and suddenly felt themselves being lifted off the ground.

Before they knew it, they were hurtling through the air at a breakneck pace. Kylie was screaming joyously with her arms outstretched, clearly enjoying the experience as the witches cackled. Keevan was also screaming, though with a completely different emotion evident in the sounds. Groll was silent, though a slight smile could be detected on the orc’s face. Helen had no such reservations and was beaming with delight and nostalgia. Brody, on the other hand, looked to be concerned.

The scene shifts to reveal Brody seated in Groll’s chair.

“Adventurer Tip: You will have lots of urges. It's important not to try and satisfy all of them. For instance, a few moments ago, I wanted to slap that witch," Brody said. 

The scene shifts back to the adventurers flying through the air, a mountain coming closer every second.

The group began to descend, getting closer to the ground as they neared the mountain that was rapidly approaching. Once at the base of the mountain, an opening much like the others they had encountered could be seen. The adventurers floated about five feet off the ground in front of the tunnel’s entrance while the witches addressed them once more.

“Remember our bargain, adventurers,” Muffuletta said, tossing a vial to Helen, who caught it. “Bring us what we desire.”

With that, the adventurers suddenly dropped heavily to the ground in a shower of sand and muttered curses. The witches cackled and flew away, doing barrel rolls on their brooms. Kylie stood in a huff, angry after the high of flying.

“If they do that again," the half-elf said, brandishing her dagger. "I’mma cut a witch."