Its late dusk and the sunset paints the settling sands a blood washed red as hush starts to fall in time for the oncoming blanket of night.

An auspicious sight perhaps, what one might consider an omen.

Save that the members here were likely used to such spectacle and thus did not spare much thought to it as they went about their business.

This lack of observance and the usual daily grind weighing everyone’s thoughts and gazes away is likely how the stranger got into their lands undetected - though they made no show of hiding themselves, for this was not their purpose.

A misshapen shadow of twisted proportions kissed the sands below silent yet heavy treads and one might think how such a being could be so quiet - and yet it was.

The silence of what crested the dunes was not the most startling trait.

It was perhaps the thing entire.

If one could put into words what one could describe it as, they would find trouble for the English language didn’t seem built to put a name to such a monstrosity - it resembled many things yes but it was significantly not

And it made its way steadily towards the jungle - where it’s sickly darkgreen-red-burnt-Black hue that seemed to ripple nauseatingly under the setting sun like its own flesh was a warped, cracked gemstone made from a rotting warped lava flow would largely blend unnoticed - if nobody stopped its progress that is.

Some might have wondered how it knew where it went - for the thing did not seem to have eyes but gaping black abysses that felt nauseating to look at - and too many mouths for comfort.

It’s strange gait carried it onward, unheeded as it made its slow leisurely progress towards the pyramids.

Perhaps the only comfort was that it didn’t seem inclined to attack in its doggedly persistent path, skeletal tail waving slowly behind it.

The pace of the behemoth slows to not outmatch the burgundy shadow they have gained and long known watching them - less of courtesy more simply that it is practical and prudent to match pace so that words are easier to exchange.

There is a brief feeling of satisfaction at not being attacked outright, fights are so bothersome when he had not come to seek one.

There is no clear sign as they continue, but perhaps the jaguar might feel a sudden intensity to know the beast was indeed now watching him for all it lacked the eyes to tell - the intruder remained silent for a brief few moments, assessing perhaps before the head of the thing (for all that it looked like someone had violently rammed two heads together and arranged them into one) turned to the jaguar.

The top maw gasped open, revealing rows upon rows of teeth and barely glimpsed in the shadows under the trees where the hole of the throat should be was something akin to a secondary mouth, teeth grinding as a voice deep and somber spoke

“I name myself Silentgrave, stranger” a rasp as it seemed to ponder “though I lack a grave to house me” some flicker of dark amusement at the wording choice, the creature now named Silentgrave rumbled, a low gurgling

“I came to seek one here”

As much an admission of intent to join as one could perhaps gain from the oddity - a grave to call home after it was routed from its last, bothersome as the ousting had been, it was past now and the culprits were, gone, to say politely.

The jaws of Silent clacked closed before they spoke “if allowed” it amended to its prior statement, slowing as they neared closer in.

Another voice joins the chorus, red fox, Gael, second in command comes the important information from assessment and what is spoken.

Silent is pleased, if only for the speed at which this has gone - even despite his appearance, there is less screaming this time around at least.

Not that they would have minded the horror. It is what it is.

The mouths of knives click and scrape as it ruminates on speech before they jerkily nod - the bulging spine from its neck cracking grotesquely as they do

”then we make our grave here” is the rumbling response as the edge clears and the group nears the pyramids.

[short oof]