She scanned the terrain around them. Then she realized what Carmine’s move was. “Gus!” Coco said.

They turned as one toward the boy. He stared at them in alarm for a moment, then a hand reached from the ground and grabbed his ankle. He screamed.

Velvet was closest. She raced toward him as he began sinking into the sand. She reached him and grabbed his hands when he was waist deep.

“I’ve got him!” Velvet said, straining to keep his head aboveground. But Carmine had her, too. Velvet began slipping into the sand, while Gus held on to her desperately.

Coco was out of bullets, but she had another idea. “Yatsuhashi!” she shouted as she ran toward Edward.

She need not have bothered. He was already on his way to help Velvet. He drew his sword and plunged it into the ground at Carmine’s position.

Coco heard a muffled shriek. Carmine let go of Gus.

“She’s on the move!” Fox sent.

- RWBY: After the Fall, Chapter 18