"Awake."

  His heart thumped like a thunderclap.

  Who said that? Alexx thought. There was nothing but a groggy brain. His eyes were shut from exhaustion. Ears rang from indistinct noises. Efforts to recall how he wound up here -wherever here was- only produced shattered memories. A map in a bottle, an old maze, glowing cage, symbols, creatures, portals, and darkness. Alexx wished he knew how long it'd been since he passed out.

  Muffled noises were coming in clearer. From all around, fire cracked from fresh wood, animals screeched and far off people screamed as if in terror. The stench of smoke muddled the air, a dense moisture helped him remember he was still on an island.

  I can't move my body, am I in shock?

  Alexx could only feel a numb sensation, as if having sleep paralysis. He was familiar with the feeling, so he kept still. Unpleasant sounds filled his ears. A dark, blissful ignorance seemed better for the moment. Perhaps if he played dead for a little while longer, whatever was out there would pass.

  Time inched forward and the noises of the unknown never vanished, save the screams of people.

  Alexx still couldn't move, but he had all but pieced everything back in his memory. He sought out Senkazital, the only mythical creature to still exist after two thousand years, and his last resort to finding the Moon's Heart. A mysterious figure came one day and gave him the map to find the center of the Labyrinth. He set out and accomplished the task of surviving the maze, to find the mythical creature to be real, caged up in a prison of light magic. Alexx set him free, along with a host of Kagral, which was the point he blacked out.

  Alexx lay paralyzed on the Labyrinth's ruins, realizing those creatures are his doing. It was all a seal, holding back a geyser of Kagral. A horde of evil unleashed on an innocent island is now nothing more than a mark of failure on his journey.

  Nine years, and nothing to show for it. He thought to himself, I s'ppose I'll just move on, but...

  Though afraid to open his eyes, curiosity urged him to find out where he was.

  "I know that you have awakened." A voice said, "Rise, sea thief.".

  Alexx recognized that archaic, deep voice; the man being from the cage.

  "I thought for a moment you had given up on living. Hearken to me now, vessel; your master needs you."

  Master? Alexx attempted to open his eyes. Surprisingly, it took no effort. Nothing but a dark night, fire and smoke billowing from all directions.

  A black, unnatural plume transformed the sky. Flying, snake-like creatures circled under the clouds, shrilling and scouring for food. To his right was the man, sitting upon a crude, throne-like pile of stones inches from the edge of a giant hole behind him. His long hair was blood red, and his skin darkened to a grayish hue. He wore a pair of ragged britches, but his thin, weathered arms were spread wide in a gesture of welcome. An air of kingship was about him, from the tone of his voice to the aristocratic look in his eyes. He sat erect, back straight and head high.

  Questions stirred in Alexx's head, but no pleasant or sensible answer followed. Questions pondering if his crew managed to survive, or better yet, his boat.

  All of these thoughts disappeared as a new sensation emerged. The feeling was returning to his body. Moving became pointless as the only sensation he felt was pain. The cold embrace of stone and warmth from the flames gradually embraced him. Sensations of pressure swarmed all over his body, altering into severe pain. Alexx glanced toward the ground and noticed blood –his blood– on the stones, in a pool. With fear feeding his energy, he forced his head up to see his body covered in bite marks, gashes from claws, bruises, and seeping wounds. The agony intensified, and his voice failed him.

  "The Kagral were without mercy on your body." Alexx heard the man say.

  His breathing grew heavier, his mind frantically reeling. He wanted to scream, cover his injuries, hold the blood in, call for help, something, but it seemed the only realistic idea was a slow, asinine death. He tried lifting his arm, but it popped. The torment was enough to push Alexx to cry out. He continued to groan as his arms fell atop him for comfort. That failed to help, but it was all he could do, besides gasping for air.

  "Worry not," the dark master said calmly, offering no immediate help.

  Alexx gritted his teeth and groaned again. The pool of blood in his mouth tipped over his teeth. Moving his head, he looked towards this strange man. After all, he was the only hope for staying alive in the moment. "H-help... me!"

  Alexx screamed out again. The pain was too intense. Senkazital removed a ring from his index finger and let it splash in the blood next to Alexx's face.

  "That ring is imbued with magic, upon wearing it, you shall recover. However, it will not protect you from the Kagral, and they will most likely seek to devour you."

  "I can't use magic," he coughed.

  "You need only put it on."

  Alexx reached for the ring, wincing in pain. Once he worked his finger into it, an overwhelming force flowed through his body. A blue, wispy shroud enveloped his cuts and bruises, and any open tears tingled and fizzled. He was not sure how it worked, but the pain lessened. His bones mended at an unnatural rate.

  "I am Senkazital. I have waited for a long time to be free."

  "What?" Alexx gurgled.

  "I know what it is you seek, and I can find it with you, the fabled Moon's Heart. The greatest treasure one could seek."

  "Can you stand?"

  His body recovered from broken to heavily exhausted. Sitting up was possible, but slow and with great amounts of groaning. The ring stopped glowing, and the shroud disappeared.

  "That might be my closest brush with death," Alexx replied letting out a loud moan, "I don't suppose you have a drink, do you? Some rum?"

  "Your thirst for alcohol will have to wait. There is work to be done— Kryll, come forth!"

  From above, came a shriek. A dark presence with great wings descended rapidly. What shook the ruins was a colossal bat, with golden-trimmed shoulder pieces, braces, and a red tunic.

  "Well, look at you!" Alexx said after giving an impressive whistle.

  "Carry him, and follow me."

  Begrudgingly, Kryll complied, "As you command." The large Kai scraped the pirate from the stone, and followed his master. Alexx could feel every talon rubbing up against his bruises and scrapes, and he couldn't help letting his discomfort be heard.

  "Oho, yes, nothing like being manhandled against my will. Easy, sweetheart!" Kryll squeezed his hand to make the pirate cry in pain, and shouted at him, "The tongue seems to be sharp on this blood sack."

  Senkazital shakenly rose from the rubble, and his feet, no longer touching the ground, began a descent into the ruins of the Labyrinth. "Try not to harm my child, Kryll. He is very precious to me." Alexx and Kryll did not look at each other, but had the same look of confusion on their faces.

  They traveled into the ground for some time. The air grew colder, and a musty scent filled the cavern. Alexx couldn't see the walls with just the night sky, but they seemed to move. And grunt. Deeper in, orange flames illuminated the darkness. They passed by Kagral crawling along the wall with multiple arms and legs, but looked human in shape. Not one of them stopped to attack, or much less look at them. Alexx wondered, if they were so ravenous before, why be so tame now? Could it be Senkazital? Something about his presence seemed transcendent. No matter what terrain or weather condition, two or three Kagral rampage their surroundings. When left alone, they leave uninhabitable trails of destruction.

  Seeing so many was a nightmare, the unease was palpable. These Kagral worked as one, crawling in the same direction without stepping over one another, marching like a trained army.

  Senkazital and Kryll finally stopped when the tunnel opened up, and the flames were piles of wood. A large excavation was underway. Alexx could see Kai tearing apart the ground, working at a large protruding metal obstruction. Senkazital set himself down on it. He took a moment to catch his breath. Kryll plopped Alexx down next to his lordship. Alexx laying inches away from his mysterious savior did not inspire warm feelings. Senkazital motioned Kryll away, and the bat Kagral took off upward.

  "This Labyrinth was constructed above my ship. This was the final place where I last fought."

  "How did a ship end up beneath the surface?"

  "It's a ship unlike what you're used to, seafarer. It can fly with complex magic. The most important tool in my conquest. But a crafty plan brought it out of the sky. Every race on Rediew was in on it: Human, Zane, Avian, Tuttel, Bacoot, Giant and Troll. Even the Amar, my own kin."

  "You're an Amar? Well now your immortality and power all make sense."

  "What do you know of me?" Senkazital asked Alexx.

  "You like to talk, for one," Alexx replied, "It looks like you can control Kagral too, but you were some great bad guy thousands of years ago. You're immortal, and nothing can damage you."

  "Except for the husband and wife that was blessed to strike me down."

  "Yeah, yeah the old Child of Prophecy tale. You killed the parents, but their kid still survived, so there is still that threat to you."

  "Indeed. Ze'elle has been my eyes and voice in my physical absence. Looking for the child, and keeping my loyal disciples together. Even as we speak, they are moving. They have waited for this day to come."

  Alexx nodded his head, seemingly impressed by the speech. "Working on your escape while persuading allies from a cage?" He said, "That's quite the influence you have." This guy is a brain addled loony! Alexx thought to himself. He kept his face fixed with a narrow brow, and fixed eyes, to disguise his thoughts. He couldn't dare to say anything that endangered his fragile life at this moment. He waited for a pause to ask a question so he could show he was listening, "And where do I come in in all of this?"

  "My child," Senkazital turned around, a soft look in his eyes, "I see so much of myself in you..."

  Alexx was internally screaming to run, but kept his composure.

  "You have climbed over mountains of misery, pain, and struggle to make it here. Your will is remarkable. You have what it takes to take the Moon's Heart and become a legend of glory and power."

  Okay, this part I like.

  "I would have you work for me. Become my vessel, and together we will accomplish our dreams. Does this not sound wonderful to you?"

  Alexx was a bit taken.

  "Then you know for a fact it exists?" Alexx asked.

  "As surely as I am standing before you, it is real. A gem that bequeaths unsubstantial power. It was used against me, but its power could not overcome mine. I do remember it being formidable, however. You have held on to faith that the myth was real. Well done. Your faith has been rewarded. Everyone who has doubted you will surely look upon you differently after we obtain it. But there is much work to be done between then and now."

  Maybe this guy is on to something. Alexx thought. After all, he's right. I've made it this far on my own...

  "Go into the temple located on this island. There, in the temple of the sun god servants, is a mask that I want." Senkazital decreed.

  "Mask- wait, that thing is yours?" Alexx replied.

  "I did not make it nor was it created for my purposes. But I want it nonetheless."

  From the shadows behind Senkazital, Alexx watched an old man walking without making a sound. Ze'elle, stood behind Senkazital with a pleased look on his face, "Master, all the transformation processes have begun." Senkazital gave an approving nod.

  "Hey-" Alexx addressed the old looking man, "What gives?" Alexx proclaimed, "You had these rings and maps the whole time? Why didn't you do all this?"

  "However he chooses to use them is his wish!" Ze'elle replied.

  "What an excuse..." Alexx sighed, too weak to argue and not caring enough to wonder. The damage was done.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "He could have, but it is my will that I invite others to work for me, so they may be blessed. I have great plans in store for you, dear Alexx. The quicker you have the mask, the quicker the moon's heart is in your hands. Go, and be quick!"

  Alexx realized this wouldn't be an easy thing to talk his way out of. This was one of those times where following along ensured safety. He gathered some gumption and pushed himself off the ground to his feet. Having the strength to stand returned some confidence, as well as a bit of intuition. He wiped the blood from his arms and stomach and tore some fabric from what was left of his pants to make a bandage. When he covered the worst part of his waist, his britches were just below his knees. Alexx looked back to Senkazital and replied, "Of course, your majesty."

  Senkazital summoned Kryll to take Alexx back to the surface.

  *

  It was supposed to be a simple journey: find the Moon's Heart, single-handedly save piracy from government oppression, become a legend, drink, and travel the seas to the last board and nail. Now, he unlocked the cage to an old man who can control Kagral, and is using them to dig in the ground. So many things he said, completely unbelievable. A gigantic plan? Secret alliances across the world? Transformation processes?

  Alexx shook his head. He was beginning to feel like he was walking away from a stage performance. Enchanting, and almost believable, but now reality was setting back in. The first thing was the immense pain slowly healing. The second was the stench of death and burning foliage. Alexx could feel how hot the ground was through his boots.

  For a while, his legs moved with a mind of their own, heading in the direction of the temple. The old road rose with the island and curved through the tame woods not yet charred, but covered in ash. No ship mast could be seen bobbing in the distant air, so the guesswork for the docks was up to Alexx retracing his steps. He limped onward mustering all his strength. From the sky above the horizon, black clouds and Kagral were en masse with every direction. Taking on these ravenous creatures out in the open would lead to death.

  Escaping them was the top priority, and inevitably to keep hidden, Alexx had to keep on the way to the temple. He had plenty of opportunities to get a good look at the flying Kagral. Immediately noticeable was their large red eyes, and scaly bodies. He took note that there were no limbs on any of them, making their fangs the primary threat. They moved fast, and they could take flight anywhere. But they seemed to not notice him passing under the cover of trees.

  It was convenient, Alexx thought, that the temple was on the way. The mask lingered in his thoughts, wondering what it could look like, and what it could do if Senkazital really wanted it. What if it wasn't there? If it was, why would a bunch of monks keep something seemingly valuable so close to the owner? The seal wasn't that hard to unlock, and the maze was a cinch with the maps.

  The entrance was off to the side, Alexx remembered. It was Raun who found it, making notice of an extra guard in a random location.

  It didn't take long for the revelation to occur that the mask could be his instead. A magical healing ring and mask would make tremendous assets to his well being.

  The journey to the temple was an hour walk from the Labyrinth, but the creatures made the trip even longer. Alexx could not relax without ducking behind a tree when a group of them would soar low, slither along the ground, and take off again. Some of them would perch on the tree tops, making him either wait until they flew away or walk a new path. Secrecy, hiding, silence, and waiting were his only options.

  As two hours passed, Alexx remained the lone human soul walking the path. An encampment came up to his left during that time. Homes, once fully stocked and furnished, were reduced to splintered, black char, and singed fabric pieces. He examined the embers of a large fire pit and found them cold. A day had passed, by his best observation.

  Alexx placed a hand over his grumbling stomach. He checked his pockets, though he didn't expect to find anything. He had the Labyrinth maps, ripped and stained with blood, but that was all he found. Other than his sword, tattered clothes, and ring, he had nothing useful and no chance of satisfying hunger. His right leg hindered any serious trekking, making the hunger worse. More than that, the entire island was a graveyard. No one from his crew nor people from the island were seen. Not living at least.

  "Well," he said quietly, picking up cold embers, "It's the price you pay for sailing under my flag. You served your captain well." he released some of the embers as if they were the funeral ashes. "And to the people of this island guarding this confounding enigma. You failed..." he released the remaining embers, wiped his hand on his pants, and walked on. He looked up to faintly see the moon smothered by a dark cloud that pulsated, almost like it breathed.

  After what seemed like another hour, the sky remained black and stagnant, ash was falling less, the ground recorded his steps in a pale gray, and the serpents seemed interested in flying away from the island. Flames were growing faint, but the acrid death smell grew as the cold air of night amplified it. Alexx's strength was now a few sword swings worth. Still no chance for a fair chance in a fight, unless he snuck up on them.

  "Get away. Get a boat. Get away. Get away. Get away..." Alexx repeated to himself, briskly walking slower down the beaten path filled with Labyrinth debris. He stopped to take a break, sitting next to a fallen tree decorated with flames. Sadly, no dead or roasted animals were in the vicinity for his growling stomach. He unwrapped his makeshift bandage to look at the wounds. Surprised, he could see skin already scabbed. Mere bruises and discolored flesh remained from the injuries that had covered his body. The pain subsided, and his muscles had regained some vigor. He remained on the ground to catch his breath, despite his desire to run.

  "I need to get away, find the mask, find a ship, and get away."

  "You!" His attention turned to the sky. A familiar voice called out with the sound of flapping wings.

  "Why are you taking so long?" Kryll shouted.

  "Did you forget my name already?" Alexx replied facetiously.

  "Nothing about you is worth remembering! I would tear you apart and let your pieces rot into the ground. But Lord Senkazital demands your existence. Why don't you have his mask yet?"

  "In case you haven't noticed, you flappy rat, I don't have wings, Kagral are everywhere, and I'm still recovering from death!"

  "Your excuses are what make me sick. Humans are the maggots that feed on waste.

  Alexx could almost smell the venom dripping from Kryll's words. And something about Kryll's genuine hatred of humans set off a spark of anger within the pirate. It could also be that having the last few hours of fighting for life means nothing, contributing to this new attitude change. Alexx noticed such, as his playful banter wasn't coming to him anymore. "Why don't you help me with fighting so I can get back to Senkazital sooner?" Alexx was keeping up the charade that he was still following through with their plans.

  "I am going ahead of you because it is what Senkazital wishes for, not because you asked. Be quick, waste!"

  Just perfect. Alexx knew what this meant: they didn't trust him. He quickly stood and walked after Kryll. The path led away from the forest to a field with a hill. Crowning the hill, the Kagral were drawing toward the temple to meet Kryll. These looked human in appearance, slowly hobbling on two feet, and eating things held in their two hands. Their entire body looked brown, brittle, like dried clay. They entered the flaming white stone church, only to be cut down by tremendous claws.

  "Ironic, the sun temple is on fire." Alexx remarked, trying to lighten his mood a little. He was happy his humor was intact. He unsheathed his sword and grasped it firmly, preparing for a desperate fight.

  "Get the mask. Get a boat..." he repeated.

  But sneaking up to the door proved useless. Kryll removed any live Kagral, leaving only the sound of crackling embers.

  He slipped in through the entrance. The hall and the smaller rooms were desecrated with bite marks on every surface, tossed furniture, blood stains, and scratched walls. It seemed as if most of the struggles happened in the center. The pirate kept a close watch on Kryll, who did the same.

  Pew, table, pew, broken statue... He moved more cautiously than before, as he continued to string together his movements.

  Get away Anxiousness was building up. He desired to be farther and farther away with each passing second, but there was no chance of escaping Kryll without some sort of superb trick. His only choice was to find the hiding place for the mask.

  "Is this mask really necessary?" Alexx asked Kryll.

  Kryll didn't speak. It seemed weird to Alexx that he was silent, but of course he knew the bat had no high opinion of a human. There had to be a way of getting him to talk.

  "You know, that Senkazital really is a great guy."

  "What do you know of him? You've only met him for a short time!" Kryll replied.

  "Yeah, but you know him!" Alexx said, feeling proud of his hunch, "You've got to have some stories about him, and his glorious life, right?"

  "You know nothing human. My master has lived for thousands of years. He is the wisest of the Amar, his strength is unparalleled."

  Amar Alexx thought to himself. The Amar were legends made real. Half-gods playing around with other lesser races. Alexx only knew of one other, and he knew better than to sail around his territory. Senkazital mentioned his kin were Amar earlier. Suddenly, a few pieces of the puzzle were coming together. The mask was rumored to be able to resist Amar. If Senkazital had it, then everyone would be in trouble.

  It also explains why the Kagral were obedient to Senkazital. But Alexx couldn't figure out why he wasn't under his control. Maybe it's something to do with Senkazital's weakened state.

  As he moved about the place, there was a corpse with a gleaming silver ring on its finger.

  "Hello, beautiful." To Alexx the pirate, there was value to that ring. He strolled over to the corpse, all the while Kryll watched him. He picked it up, noticing how easy it was to move around. It slipped off the dead priest easily. It was slightly bigger on his finger. He looked at Kryll and smirked, "Key to the mask."

  "You're wasting time..." the Kagral growled.

  Alexx entered the sanctuary. He opened the door and saw a small room in ruins, just like the rest of the abbey. He stepped inside and maneuvered over broken pews, and fallen ceiling rubble, to the altar, which was scratched and cracked. The entire altar was made of white marble and etched with the sun on top of it, a red tapestry spread over top of it was now ripped and shredded on the ground.

  Alexx took a moment to feel its surface. The top served as a lid. His newly acquired ring began to glow, although Alexx did not understand why. He pushed the lid back with ease and moved it to the floor. His ring's glow faded. Alexx understood now, the ring made the lid move, which explains why no Kai could open the altar. He glanced inside.

  Nothing.

  There was no trace of anything, except a white marble bottom. His fingers felt around the walls, expecting to find something, but all he could feel was a smooth surface. Then he noticed a hole on the edge, too perfect to be an accident. With his finger, he realized the bottom was another covering and picked it up to reveal a locked hole.

  He undid the bolt on the lock and opened the door to find something wrapped in cloth. He picked it up and unwrapped the object revealing the mask. It was made of red metal, bone, and beaded stones. It was well designed, still in good condition despite its age.

  "Well... I have to hand it to Senkazital, he has good taste. But poor judgment in trusting a pirate." With that, Alexx closed the door. He looked back and noticed he was alone.

  With a sigh, he sat down and planned out his next moves. Kryll was the immediate problem. Flight, sharp claws, towering height, speed, and fierce loyalty. Alexx had; a healing ring, a silver ring, and a magic mask with no knowledge of it.

  "I should have looked into this thing," he said aloud softly, "You seemed so useless at the time. I guess my mom lied to me about you."

  She told him long ago that this mask was ceremonial. It was used annually during a ritual to offer blessings to the sun god Alta, and that's all he remembered. It seemed ridiculous to him that she would make up something random. He certainly couldn't think of anything to help him right now. He looked down at the mask.

  "I suppose there's nothing left to do." he lifted the mask and slowly placed it over his head. For a moment he kept his eyes closed. The old leather smell was the first thing he noticed. He finished placing it completely, and waited. It was big for his head, but it felt light and cold.

  Something stirred in his head. Images of a language used in Rune Craefting. He could only make out some words like, 'power', 'body', 'strength', and 'magic'. And as the words sprouted in his mind it felt as if they left and traveled down his body. He felt warm, his muscles twitching and tingling. His mind flooded with more words, and inscriptions. He couldn't translate them, but they traveled to every part of his body. He felt healed; better than healed. Alexx shook and his breathing shortened. His heart rate sped up, then calmed down, then sped up, and calmed again. He looked around- the walls, the ground, even the destroyed furniture was now glowing with magic inside of it. His eyes darted around the room, he was taking in everything quicker than before. He noticed the color of his skin had changed to a darkened hue, and it felt firm. Alexx then had a few final words pass in his mind, and he knew these words: wiestandan mid sunne m?gen.

  Sun power, huh... Alexx stepped forward, Maybe he wasn't lying.

  As he made it out, he walked out to an imposing growling rumble.

  "I hope you're dumb enough to keep making this mistake, human, I want every last piece of you squishy and red on the ground as a road for me to walk on.

  Alexx was steadily breathing, still taking in the new sights of magic dancing within and upon everything around him. Magic colored according to what it inhabited appeared vibrant. The mask was able to tell him new information about the magic in each thing. The ground and trees had denser forms of magic than man made constructions. All of it was like watching millions of fireflies. Nature or construction, the magic was pleasant.

  And then there was Kryll. His entire being was a dark essence that did not match the appearance of anything. It looked wrong, like a tear in a painting.

  "I am finished putting up with you!" Kryll stepped down from the ceiling he perched on, and stomped forward. Alexx watched as Kryll moved slower than before. His actions seemed dramatic, why was he acting so different?

  Kyrll reached back and put his talons down on Alexx. A bright blue light burst forth and kept the claw from landing. Alexx held his hand in the air, with the black ring, and the silver ring.

  "You can Rune Craeft?" Kyrll said.

  "No, this is the ring I picked up," Alexx replied, "But this is Rune Craefting-'' Alexx unsheathed his sword and took a swing at Kryll in one motion. His sword was shimmering with the same magic as his body.

  "You're slow." Alexx said.

  "Don't get a big head, human! Die!"

  Kryll slashed a couple times, but Alexx blocked both attacks. Kryll repositioned his footing, and tried attacking again, but was blocked. Alexx could match Kryll blow for blow. They continued to trade attacks, Alexx was amazed by this new prowess of combat. Kryll could be read from his style of fighting; savage, thoughtless, over confident. Over time, Kryll sped up, and put more thought into his maneuvers. He was adapting and throwing new tricks and sneaky ploys to catch Alexx off guard. Kryll tried grabbing Alexx by the shield, but Alexx knew to turn it off at the right moment, and swing. He connected, and hit what felt like dried mud. Black vapors spewed out, and Kryll landed on a rooftop to assess. Alexx's eyes widened as the wound closed, and his body returned as if nothing happened.

  "Oh..." Alexx realized this fight would go nowhere in his favor. Any other Kagral he's slain vanished in black vapors.

  "Now you see how stupid you truly are," Kryll said, "I couldn't wait to see the look you have now once you realized I'm immortal."

  Before the two could begin again, a large gust of wind kicked up dust and debris in the remains of the temple. Kryll shielded himself with his wings and Alexx with his ring.

  "He won't be coming with you!" Suddenly a voice from behind Alexx made him turn. Behind him was a tall bird humanoid. His wings were also spread, though not as large as Kryll's, they were painted feathers, showcasing the reds and yellows of the country Gaesontera. His chest bore a plate with the country's insignia, a city atop a mountain peak breaching the clouds. Brown leather armor, with green embroidery covered the rest of his body. In his hand, planted in the ground was a white-bladed, bulky two handed claymore.

  The left shoulder guard with an etched 'S' on it stuck out to Alexx. "Wait... Trandin!?" he shouted.

  "Avian Swordsman!" Kryll shouted in anger, his wings expanding as he took a stance to attack.

  "Good to know we can skip formalities, Alexx Junder," He said, directing his gaze to the pirate. "You have something I'm here to protect."

  "You're here for the mask too?" Alexx asked.

  "Yes I am, and you have stolen it. I suppose I need to take you with me."

  "Little maggot!" Kryll shouted, "You shall come back with me immediately!"

  Stuck between opposing forces. His heart was pounding, his mind raced with thoughts on how to save himself. He glanced back and forth between them, looking for answers that seemed just out of reach. With everything weighing heavily, he knew there was no easy way to make a choice.

  With a gesture of his hand, he looked at Kryll and said, "Back off, bat!"