Steel flashed, dust rose, and within minutes the dunes were littered with massive bodies, their scales still twitching as life left them. When the last one stopped moving, everyone slowed, breath heavy, weapons lowering.
They gathered near the corpses to catch their breath.
Askiro sat down behind Arin, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"Did you get hurt?"
Arin glanced over his shoulder. "I did," he said flatly. "When you guys left me behind and threw away the food I cooked."
Hanase didn't even look at him. "Shut up," she said. "It wasn't good enough to finish when there's luxurious meat running around."
Arin's shoulders slumped. "Was it really that bad?"
No one answered.
Everyone suddenly found the sand very interesting.
Askiro opened her mouth, then closed it again. She shifted where she sat, clearly wanting to say something, but the words refused to come out.
Leiofa clapped his hands once. "Enough. Get your asses up and finish the work. We need to separate the meat and skin before it rots."
That did it. Everyone stood and got to work.
Not long after, another group of adventurers passed by, slowing when they saw the haul. Leiofa and Neblaheim waved them over, offering them a place at the feast. The adventurers exchanged looks, then accepted without hesitation and joined in.
Three hours passed.
By the time the sun dipped lower, the sand lizards had been reduced to neatly separated piles of meat and skin. Hands were sore, clothes stained, but spirits were high.
Arin sat on a nearby rock, watching as fires were lit and food was prepared. For once, he didn't rush to help.
Askiro walked over and sat beside him.
"It was good," she said quietly.
Arin blinked. "What was?"
"Breakfast," she replied. "The one you made. Everyone was just joking with you."
She stood up before he could respond and walked back to the others.
Arin stared after her for a moment, then exhaled and stood. He moved to help, only to be stopped immediately.
"Go away," Hanase said. "We don't want to ruin this too."
"That's why I'm here," Arin replied. "I'll ruin your food and then laugh."
Leiofa snorted. "Dumbass. It's your dinner too."
Laughter broke out around the fires.
Arin stood there for a moment longer, warmth spreading through his chest—quiet, unfamiliar, but real.
He whispered to himself,
"Maybe… this is what a family is."