Blood on the crimson sand.

"I don't like these birds," said Eti, looking at the sky.

"You never like birds. It's probably some form of paranoia, you know?" Itel answered her.

Eti looked towards her, stroking Toshi's head, whom they had taken with them again, and said in a slightly more energetic voice than usual.

"You know, you shouldn't accuse me of being paranoid." there was a note of excitement with a pinch of irritation in her tone. She didn't like it. She sensed that something dread was approaching, that the darkness in Eti's soul was awakening. It was always a sign of something bad and terrible… She wasn't sure what had triggered it, but now they had to be very careful not to leave the girl alone. Did Bina notice this… and should she have noticed? Then he would lock them in the ship and tell her to keep an eye on Eti... Maybe she should do it as a good friend... But she had a mission and Eti was essential to its success... She looked at Rosie, who was looking doubtfully at the birds flying above their heads. "Besides, Eti now has a new friend... Not everything has to be on my shoulders" she thought bitterly. She knew she was being unfair to this deaf girl, but she couldn't help it... But she fought with herself, she tried damn hard to be objective.

"Eti, we're not talking about me now, we're talking about your damn obsession with birds. They didn't do anything to you. It was the same on Saltmarsh and everywhere..." she said slowly, trying to sound calm, but then Eti interrupted her.

"This is an obvious and terrible lie. Not everywhere birds seem suspicious to me. For example, there in the monastery no one looked suspicious…"

"Because there weren't any birds there..." he tried not to lose his temper, but then the cat girl stopped her from finishing again.

"I don't see any connection between the fact that there were no birds there and the fact that I didn't suspect them of anything. Non-existent birds are just as suspicious, maybe even more so. You know, once again you're showing off your complete lack of logical thinking. Besides, I didn't suspect any on Icarus, and maybe I should have... Then he wouldn't have caused this scandal with Captain Wingy ... And yes, I liked her, and yet she was a bit bird-like.

"You should suspect her, we all should..." she said with resignation. She rubbed her forehead, she was tired, and they had just left the ship. Did they make Bina feel this way?

Their captain was talking to the strange couple guarding the landing pad. Dilayla and the others had already packed and decided to use the local communicator to call for some form of transport. After learning that the armored mercenary was leaving them, lizard and the goat women became more cunny and now Bina had to show them their place. Itel ordered the others to approach the arguing trio.

"What? So I have to pay you to wash the ship, otherwise I will be fined for disfiguring the landscape?" The burgundy-haired woman said, smiling skeptically

"What can you do, it's the law. Fifty Etherian swords are due."

"How much?" Bina exclaimed indignantly. The goat woman spread her arms and said in an almost apologetic tone.

"You know, it's desert here, there's no water, costs are rising."

"Yeah, maybe you can show me the appropriate regulation, law or decree, or something else that the queens do there. Please i want to see it." Bina said, and all cheerfulness disappeared from her face. Perhaps the horned women would have continued to argue, but then there was a loud " Zap ", then " Skree ", and one of the birds fell onto the scarlet sands, shrouded in clouds of smoke. Everyone's eyes turned towards Eti. The cat girl was still dressed in her Akytonian nomadic garb, quite fitting for the place, but there was still something menacing about her posture. She rested her head on her shoulder and began to speak in a surprisingly sweet and cheerful voice. In a voice that didn't quite match her words.

"You know what? Maybe we'll pay you with chicken soup. And tomorrow there will be goat stew and lizard soup." she approached them and revealed her beautiful face, which she could stare at for hours, if only she was allowed to… And she continued her statement. "Although the goat stew requires some turnips and shallots, and the lizard stew would need some chili, but I'm sure it can be sorted out." she didn't stop moving closer to them as she spoke until she was close enough to the pair of smartasses that she could look them straight in the eye. They seemed terrified, though she had the impression that it wasn't the cat girl's words but the sight of her face that frightened them more. It was disturbing…

"And you know what, there are definitely some loopholes in the law, right?" the horned one said in a fearful voice, and her lizard companion quickly nodded.

And then something unexpected happened. Eti smiled. This sight would be wonderful if it weren't so terrible. Eti placed a metal hand on the horned woman's shoulder

"And you know what? I am absolutely certain that there is a law of hospitality that requires the first inhabitants of this planet we meet to wash our ship , with dire penalties for failure to comply, but you are law-abiding citizens and you will wash our ship out of the pure goodness of your hearts."

Now the two of them had a look of pure horror on their faces. They nodded in silence.

"See Bina? This is how you should negotiate!" Eti exclaimed happily, wagging the tip of her tail.

Bina looked at them seriously.

"March to Crushey." she said in an emotionless voice.

"I'd like to meet the guy who designed it. He had to have a smart head on his shoulders, don't you think?" said Eti, pointing to the anti-gravity vehicle in which Lady Cala and her group were flying away. Bina saw a poorly repainted Horde symbol, red this time, although the vehicle was very crude compared to the creations of the galactic Horde. She looked at the Crusher, which, painted absurdly by her kids and covered with scars from the War, didn't look like a fancy machine itself, but it had served them well over the years, so she hoped this construction would not disappoint Lady Cala and her companions.

It turned out that this pair of sly guys ran some kind of stall or shop and sold desert clothes, suspicious-looking food, water and maps. She took the map and extra water and even paid for them, although after Eti intimidated them, she could have taken everything she wanted and they would probably have given her all their property. The cat girl could be disturbingly scary, though something told her that she hadn't succeeded this time just because of her talent.

"Okay gang, listen to me because I'm too lazy to repeat myself." she said, standing next to the armored carrier. "Since our ship is leaving to carry Wrongdak and Miss Daisy, I'm taking you with me… That doesn't mean I wouldn't take you anyway, because let's be honest, you wouldn't listen to me anyway, right?" She asked rhetorically and pointed at Crusher. "We're going to the Valley of the Lost, the largest settlement in the Crimson Wastes. We'll split up there. Itel with Eti and Rosie will look for a place called Bone Haven, it's some kind of bar or inn or something, and Itel with Rosie will ask the locals there, and our shooter will insure her from afar. Meanwhile, I'll take a look around the town and see what I can find out. Only Itel, remember that no one can be harmed. Keep an eye on them, okay?" she asked the Elf, and instead of arguing, she obediently nodded, which confirmed her suspicions that things weren't going well with the cat girl. She wondered if she should lock Eti in the armored carrier, but she couldn't be trapped without using drastic methods, and that would only make the situation worse. She preferred to put the girl in a chosen place where she wouldn't have the opportunity to do anything stupid and count on Itel and Rosie to keep an eye on her... or four at once.

They got into Crusher and set off.

"Crimson Wastes, fear my roar!" exclaimed Crusher and laughed sinisterly.

"Crush, maybe this i we could start our visit to an new planet without intimidating everyone around us." she asked in a resigned voice.

"But Eti could! Why was she allowed and not me? Is it because she has a tail." asked the transporter.

"Yes, it's because she has a tail." she explained. "Why do my kids have to be so murderous?" she asked herself. Rosie sat down next to her and stared at her for a moment, until she finally asked in a hushed voice, or rather with hushed gloves.

"What's going on with Eti and her birds?"

She sighed heavily and replied to the white-haired girl.

"I should tell you to ask Eti, but you'd probably find out it's because of a terrible avian conspiracy that permeates all social classes and spreads throughout the galaxy. I will tell you everything, although it is not a happy story. You see, here on Atrax, most of us live in a large chasm because of the winds that can strip flesh from bones. There were no native birds on the planet, but some genius brought crows and seagulls there, and they multiplied terribly in the chasm. Even among the criminals, there was a saying that "partying with the birds" means lying somewhere dead and being gnawed by birds. Our father lived in a great black tower, on top of which great black crows nested. When one of his works did not meet his expectations, he broke its neck and threw it to the birds. Eti… She told you that our father created her, right?" she looked at Rosie, who slowly nodded and then continued. – You see, she was very valuable. It took a lot of resources to create it. She was always very disobedient, it was the intended effect... He came up with an idea, cruel and terrible. "Let me tell you," she looked at the girl.

Rosie stared at her and after a moment she cautiously nodded.

As soon as she was thrown onto the stone top of the tower, she heard cawing. She turned onto her back and saw black birds all around, staring at her with hungry eyes.

"I don't feed them normal meat. I don't want to them feel full. They usually get clones that died during creation, but also those from my creations that did not live up to expectations and are disobedient." came the bass, metallic voice of Jantar, who aroused fear in his children, but also fury in her. "As you can see, they are hungry. Think about your actions as you wait here to be forgiven. – Then the heavy steps of the Creator's metal limbs rang out.

She looked around in panic. She was left alone. The birds stared at her with hungry eyes. She tried to free herself and cut the bonds with her claws, they were so sharp. She could cut metal with them, she could tear those birds apart with no problem. But the bonds were tight and she was unable to break free.

"You can't do that! I will kill you! Hisss! I will kill you!" She screamed and hissed at the black figures surrounding her.

The next day she was found crouched in the middle of the tower. She was clenching her teeth on the crow's carcass. As soon as one of Jantar's employees approached her, she opened her eyes and hissed.

"Don't come closer! I'll kill you! Hisss"

"The punishment made her even more disobedient... More Eti..." she finished the story and looked at Rosie, who was staring at her dumbfounded.

- It's... It's terrible! – she finally said in sign language. – How could your father do such terrible things?

She smiled at the not-quite-intern anymore.

"Be glad you didn't meet one of my sisters. Fortunately, that crazy bitch been dead for years."

The Valley of the Lost was half the size of the capital of Saltmarsh, but it felt like a much livelier, if more dangerous, place. The buildings were cramped and one could get the impression that the city had recently expanded... Many buildings on the outskirts were quite new, built of prefabricated elements, corrugated iron, and even animal fur, skins and bones. There were various vehicles everywhere, most of them either converted Horde machines, both galactic and local, or homemade works. According to Eti, it all looked like Akiton , and yet completely different. As if someone had pumped all the despair and sense of the approaching doom out of Akiton and infused it with hope and steely determination. She didn't like it at all.

"Okay, we won't go any further... Otherwise we would have to run over other vehicles." said Bina as she unbuckled her seat belt.

"I don't see a problem with it." said Crushey in an encouraging voice.

"But their owners will see it." she said and went outside. Eti privately believed that a large part of these machines deserved to be run over by Crushey, in fact it should have been an honor for them, but she did not want to argue with Bina . She had some plans... She wanted to find out something. She couldn't draw attention to herself of their captain, otherwise he would tell them to stay in Crushey, and then he wouldn't know the Truth.

When they were outside, Bina threw them a map and said.

"Okay, for your young legs, the Bone Haven should be about an hour of walk from here. Don't bother anyone, Eti, it's best not to show up at all. And watch over both of them... for the sake of the dark and righteous gods, do not forget to hydrate yourselves."

Itel was a good mommy's girl again, and Sparkle Hand looked at her sympathetically. Bina must have told her some sob story and now she saw her as some pathetic, contemptible creature.

"It's quite a cold desert, even the sun doesn't shine." she said, trying to refrain from commenting on "Don't show up."

"It's probably because of the lack of sun. I think Vampires will like this planet..." Alatar said,

"But these moons make it feel weird to be a werewolf here." added Lilka.

"It was a fascinating exchange... hit the road." he shouted and, turning on the cloaking field, they moved deeper into the Red Sands.

"If it weren't for the neon sign, this place would look ominous." Rosie said as she handed the binoculars back to Itel.

"I would also noticed some laundry. The sight of someone's pants takes away a lot of the scariness. But you're right, it looks definitely more serious than Red Water." added the Elf. She had the impression that her green-haired friend had been acting decidedly more polite towards her lately. She turned to Eti, who was scratching the sand with the tip of her shoe. It was probably because of the cat girl that the solarian was nicer to her. Eti had been strangely excited since they landed on Etheria. She understood it a little, because there was something charmed about the atmosphere of this planet. As if a great power penetrated her body with every breath... But it seemed to affect Eti differently, although according to the scout, sometimes she simply felt different...

"I already understand!" Eti called out unexpectedly and Itel also turned towards her.

"What do you understand?" Itel frowned.

"Why did we come here! I saw your cunning plan." Eti shouted happily.

"What plan?" Itel seemed irritated.

"It's about the sand. You see, Akiton definitely needs more red sand, because it's called Red, after all. its definitely missing there."

"What are you talking about! – exclaimed the elf, irritated.

" Excuse me Itel, but I can't think of any other reason why we would leave the fucking desert of Akiton only to first end up in fucking Saltmarsh and then end up in the fucking Crimson Wastes or whatever that stupid place is called." Eti spread her arms and gesticulated violently, and judging by the expression on her face, she probably raised her voice.

"Calm down! You were supposed to behave!" he elf drawled, and Rosie felt more and more confused. She wasn't used to seeing people arguing, especially her friends.

"I am behaving. Anyhow, but I behave." she said and pulled her hood over her head and ran towards the Bone Haven.

"Damn. – Iteli said and together they followed the feline girl. Eti didn't slow down until she was inside the ominous structure, and they were with her.

The interior was… what you would expect. It was surprisingly spacious and the air was quite fresh. It was full of menacing-looking people who glared at them as soon as they entered. They belonged to many species, usually covered with scales or fur. They were also armed and definitely didn't seem like very nice people. Still, she waved at them with a friendly smile. Eti looked around and dramatically grabbed her head.

"Well, now we found something that wasn't on Akiton . A den full of thugs!" the scout exclaimed.

"What the hell do you want, Eti? What's wrong with this place being similar to Akiton ? Besides, you quite liked Akiton." the Solarian said , gesturing wildly.

"But it's a fake Akiton ! They don't even have decent weapons here." She walked up to a creature that looked like a Vesk, only slightly more slender… or maybe just a slender Vesk… and pulled out what looked like an electric baton from his belt. "See how pity this thing is?"

"Hey, leave it!" he exclaimed, standing up. He towered over both girls and was now glaring at them, but Eti put the baton to his chest and turned it on. Discharges spread throughout the reptile's body. He let out a strangled scream that made Rosie jump in fear and he fell to the floor.

"Because it's a more civilized place than Akiton . Where the cat eats the dog. – Itel said and grabbed the baton from Eti's hands.

"Is that a allusion?" the feline asked, and at that time the lizard started to get up and said. "I'll show you as soon as I get up."

"Don't look for subtext everywhere. And apart from that, it's a really good weapon." she put the baton at the lizard and electrocuted it again. "You know, I have the impression that you've been feeling bad lately and you want to spoil mood for everyone around you! – exclaimed the Elf, giving the baton back to Eti.

"I don't feel bad Itel. I had a bad life." said the cat girl.

"You'll have a bad day, you'll have it as soon as I get up." Said the lizard and then both girls looked at him and screamed at the same time.

:SILENCE!" Eti electrocuted him again. Then the friends looked at each other for a moment, until Eti finally looked down and said.

"Okay, I'll go sit quietly at the bar and you ask the locals."

"Just don't buy any alcohol or anything like that, okay?" Itel said and Eti nodded and both girls left and Rossie went to the lizard and helped him up and then she said.

"Are you OK?"

The wiry Vesk shook his head.

"No, during the war I was hit much worse sometimes. Just drink some decent moonshine from the tech department and I'll be good as new." he said and ordered a drink from a horned waitress.

"It's funny, Miss Daisy, my friend, also likes moonshine from the tech department, but she... we're all not from Etheri, except maybe Emili."

The lizard took a sip of the foul-smelling liquid and said.

"Then she has no idea. Thanks to the moonshiner in the tech department, the entire Fright Zone was able to function. Hordak might have banned alcohol, but even Shadow Weaver had enough sense in her head to know that without it everything would fall apart. Therefore, it did not enforce this ban.

She felt a sudden twinge of anxiety.

"Who is Shadow Weaver?" she asked, full of bad feelings.

"Or rather, who she was. At least everyone believes she's gone. This was Hordak's right-hand woman, second-in-command. She was a powerful sorceress, the ruler of shadows. She once apparently botched a spell and turned into a monster with a scarred face, so she had to wear a mask. I have never seen a more horrible person. Well, maybe except for Horde Prime, but he was in a separate category."

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Miss Daisy was nice and good to them. She saved them there in the monastery and also took care of Lady Cala , who was so wonderful... and apparently her ancestors came from Etheri... No, it's just a coincidence. It's just that many mystics who used dark magic had scars because it was an occupational disease... and they liked strong moonshine. To get rid of such terrible thoughts, she asked the lizard.

"You see, we are looking for such... a treasure... Very valuable. Made by the, uh... First Ones."

The lizard looked at her, then burst out laughing.

"All of Etheria is one great treasure. And to find something smaller, all you have to do is start digging. You can be sure that you will get something. Although now Etheri's greatest treasure is She-Ra..."

She nodded, smiling broadly.

"Yes, we know her... I mean Adora. She is very nice and likes crunchy food. We met her on Icarus..."

The wiry Vesk looked at her for a long moment, then said.

"It doesn't look like you're lying... Well... If you're looking for something really valuable, go to Beast Island. Apparently it was a Junkyard or something, and Entrapta is there with old bad Hordak. She also liked to collect old First Ones scrap and was said to have received a lot of First Ones treasures. You can also try to go to Dryll, to Castle Crypto, Entrapta's former castle, but Lonnie took it for her People's Rebellion and I don't know if she will want to talk to you. There's also Brightmoon , and if it's true that you met Adora , maybe you'd better go there. But you better watch out for the Grand Marshal. If your friends behave like that there, it may end badly. The one in the coat reminds me a lot of... What the fuck is that?" the lizard stood up abruptly and looked towards the bar where Eti was sitting. She took off her mask and hood. She held her braid and touched the tip of it to the palm of her hand, flexing nervously. The voices slowly quieted down and more and more glances were directed towards the feline girl. Rosie knew something was happening right before her eyes, although she wasn't sure what. Itel was sitting against the wall and seeing how the bar patrons were behaving... And Eti, she summoned a blade. They approached her, and the scout then turned to Rosie.

"You know, I remembered that time on Icarus you asked me why I always hide my face and now I thought that maybe I would reveal myself here, because no one would recognize me... After all, this planet was cut off from the rest of the Galaxy for a thousand years, so no one would recognize me. And look how much no one pays attention to me. Absolutely no one." the cat girl snorted and ran her fingers across the counter. She touched her fingers to the scar on it. It looked like claw marks, similar to those on Emily's...

"You know what, Eti, maybe we'll go away... you'll cool down..." Itel started, but Eti interrupted her

"Shhh" and turned towards the snake person, who was cowering under her gaze. She smiled, which was a very disturbing sight, and moved closer to them.

"Hey, creep. Do you like me so much that you look at me... or do I remind you of someone?" she asked, wrapping her metal arm tightly around him. The two gnoles stood up and looked at her menacingly.

"We don't know who you are, but we remember when Catra came here and started ruling. And then she gave us back to the Horde. We don't want you here."Hor

"Catra…" Eti said, almost tenderly. "Thanks boys and girls and other persons." she pulled a grenade from her belt and threw it. Itel pulled Rossie to the ground. Everything was covered with smoke and the elf dragged her to the exit. There were screams and shouts everywhere. Someone tried to stop her, but she broke his jaw with a punch. They ran outside, followed by Eti dragging the snake person. The cat girl shot blindly from her hip several times and the building began to burn. They ran like that for a few minutes until they found themselves behind a dune. Then Eti stopped and knelt by the snake person, then pulled out the knife attached to her forearm and held it to the captive's throat.

"Who is Catra!" she growled, and the snake person squealed in fear.

"Well, Grand Marshal Catra... She- Ra's fiancée and Hordak's former seccond in command ... She also ruled the Wastes for a while... She's just like you..."

Eti growled and hit her captive with her metal hand fir, then a second time. Drops of blood fell onto the sand, barely visible against its crimson. When Eti was about to deliver a third blow, much stronger than the previous ones, she grabbed her hand. The cat girl turned towards her, a look of pure fury on her face. For a moment, Rosie was afraid that Eti would lunge at her, but suddenly all the fury escaped the feline scout, as if someone had popped a balloon, and she looked down, as if she were ashamed of what she had done... or was about to do... Then she untied the snake-like captive, who immediately ran away and she said in a surprisingly calm, even shy voice.

"I think I did something very stupid... We'd better go back to the ship and tell the others." she put a dust mask on her face, put a hood over her head and moved forward. She and Itel watched her for a moment until the Elf spoke.

"You know, it's good that you're with us."

She looked at it surprised.

"I thought I was irritating you." she said in sign language, and Itel smiled bitterly.

"Because you're irritating. But you're doing a good job on Eti... I wouldn't have stopped her, and she would have suffered later." she said and followed the shooter, leaving Rosie alone in the scarlet sands.