(continued from Black Beach)

We entered the forest. It was as black and dark as its name suggested! We moved quickly through the trees and bushes, not saying a word to one another.

After a long time walking we realised that we were going around in circles as we passed by the same trees again and again.

"We're lost!" I shouted panicking, "what are supposed to do now!"

(continued from Jagged Rocks)

We emerged through the trees and walked straight into a group of people from the Kingston.

"What the bloody hell are all you people doing here?" I gasped as we saw each other...

I jumped forward with my broom and brought it down on jimmy O'Malleys head. He fell to the floor and I pinned him down with my knee against his throat.

"You traitor!" I screamed at him but soon realised there was an axe pointing at my back. Gregors axe.

I released O'Malley and stood up slowly.

"Pirates... I hate pirates..." I scowled

"Tha's right," I said, "drop the broom! Do it now!"

Light-Man-Eos dropped the broom and took a step back.

"Tha goes to all of yer," I continued, "drop whatever weapons yer've got with ya!"

The crew of the Kingston dropped their weapons and I made them stand with Tess and Sleepy I.

"Now," I said, "I'm in charge 'ere and you'll all do what I tell ya to got it? We're goin to the castle in the centre of this island and I'm gonna kill the Queen and take Devil Island fer me own! Understood? NOW MOVE!"

I pushed them forward and we began the trek through the forest towards the castle...

The loud voice boomed out across Devil Island once again.

"Congratulations," it said, "you have completed the first task that was set against you. The defeat of Andor, Lord of the Werewolves, and the defeat of Lueiq-Riun, Lord of the Ghosts. Our Queen bids you welcome.
You now move onwards through the island where you will face your second challenge. Only if you complete the second challenge will the Queen speak with you and not kill you on sight.
Good luck sea travellers from distant lands. You will need it!"

We heard the strange voice again and once again it sent shivers up my spine. Who said those words? And where did it come from? I was not looking forward to the 'second challenge' or meeting this 'Queen'.

I was glad to see some more of our crew members however I was troubled by their story that they had abandoned the Kingston. I wondered where the rest of the crew where and if they were safe.

I was also troubled by Gregor and how much power he now seemed to have due to this strange axe. He seemed twice as tall and twice as strong. And his confidence had rocketed.

"We have to get away from Gregor," I managed to whisper to Sleepy I, Max Decker and Light-Man-Eos, when Gregor was not looking, "I think he plans to kill us all. What should we do?"

I hoped that someone would be able to come up with a plan...

"I think he wont have the chance to kill us, the vampires, werewolves and ghosts will do that but cross finger they will kill him first."

i saw the axe. "it killed the ghost dident it? so it can cut the ropes if we can get close."

I heard Sleepy I and Tess talking about escaping and decided it was now time to announce the truth about myself.

"Gregor!" I said. Gregor walked over to me. I pointed to Sleepy I and Tess Bail, "these too are going to attempt to escape sir!" I said.

Sleepy and Tess, and the rest of the Kingstons crew, looked at me in shock.

"That's right!" I gloated, "I am actually a pirate! I was a pirate onboard the Valtriani and I slunjk onto your ship and have been pretending to be a member of your crew! Now the truth is out! I am a pirate and I am proud!"

I turned to Gregor.

"We won't let them escape sir," I said, "they want to get close enough to your axe to cut the ropes that tie their hands together! We won't let them!"

I couldn't believe it! Scrawny Jack was a pirate! I never knew the man very well and only met him once or twice before I was kidnapped from the Kingston but I had no idea!

All of this time he had been onboard, pretending to be our friend... it made me wonder if everyone else was who they said they were.

One thing was clear - it was going to be almost inpossible for us to escape now...

I looked at Scrawny Jack and smiled.

"Thank you for that information my friend," I said, "I always knew I could count on you."

Jack moved forward to shake my hand. I took his hand and gripped it tightly.

"However..." I continued, "people like you will only hold me back in my quest for glory on Devil Island!"

Jack looked at me confused and tried to say something but I cut him off.

"I'm sorry Jack, you've always been trust worthy, but I just don't need you anymore. Now that I have the Axe from Lunea, I do not need people like you!"

Jack pulled his hand away from me and tried to run away into the forest but I was too quick. I swung the Axe, slicing Jacks head from his shoulders. His head fell to the floor and rolled across the ground. His body stood for a moment before too falling to the ground.

I laughed.

Then I heard a noise. I looked up and saw the vampires overhead.

"Time we kept moving!" I growled, and we headed further into the forest...