The grobel burst through the other end of the tunnel, a giant wormlike creature with teeth and shimmering scales, which had spent years scraping along the sides of the tunnels to smooth them down.

It was not a great sight.

But the Zixon burst into action, racing across the bridge to attack it with xinda flower dust to drive it back.

There was only one Zixon left with them there, a female who was wearing just so many modern weapons on her bandolier. "We welcome your return," she said. "You can follow me now."