text: [Themes: historical, action, fantasy]
  
  The answers, or rather lack of answers, you discover don't make you less uneasy, but that's a problem for another time. At least until the undead pirate in front of you is defeated. Giving Quetzalli a reassuring look, you draw your sword and dagger and make up the staircase. The stairs are wide enough for Quetzalli to follow at your side.
  
  "Careful of the flintlocks," you whisper to her. "And watch for an ambush from his crew."
  
  Blackbeard is simply armed with a ceremonial knife. You find it a bit strange that he does not wield the cutlass, but then come to the realization the guardian of the blade cannot be the wielder.
  
  Quetzalli charges forward spinning her spear in front of her. You follow and circle to Blackbeard's flank. She stabs forward, feints a low attack, and then finishes high. Blackbeard parries her initial attack and dodges his head from the high attack. You stab your sword to his back -- at least you attempt to. Without looking, the knife blocks your attack and slices towards your wrist. You manage to divert the blow at the last second with your dagger.
  
  Thinking you have him distracted, Quetzalli thrusts forward with the point of her spear. Blackbeard turns and catches the spear with one hand before the point can pierce his body. He taunts Quetzalli with a smile, then brings his knife to cut the spearpoint from the shaft. He draws a pistol from his chest and fires. Quetzalli barely dodges out of the way with a quick roll to the left. Blackbeard tosses the flintlock aside and swipes downward with the knife. Another roll puts Quetzalli out of reach from the knife. The missed attack leaves a nasty scrape, visibly and audibly, on the floor where Quetzalli's body just was.
  
  Recognizing her vulnerability, you take the offensive to distract Blackbeard until Quetzalli can recuperate. You assault with a series of uppercuts and thrusts employing every dirty tactic you know. Mid-assault, you toss your dagger to Quetzalli who catches it with one hand. She takes the spearpoint in her other as a makeshift knife. Blackbeard expertly parries each one of your strikes almost with ease. With Quetzalli joining your attack, you feel the tide beginning to turn in your favor.
  
  Your sword strikes true. The tip pierces Blackbeard's heart. Black smoke begins to pour from the wound growing in volume until his entire body explodes in a dark cloud.
  
  "I can't believe we did it," you comment to Quetzalli.
  
  She gives a slight smile clutching at her side, then collapses. You notice a deep cut at her side. The spearpoint and dagger clatter on the floor as she drops, echoing throughout the now quiet sanctuary.
  
  You rush to her and hold your head on your lap. "Breathe easy now," you command. "You'll survive this."
  
  As you eye her wound, a sparkle catches your eye. The blade of Quetzalcoatl lies unguarded. You know what you must do.
  
  > guide Quetzalli's hand to the hilt
  You get a slight sinking feeling within your chest, but you know what you must sacrifice in order to save Quetzalli's life. You gently lift her body from the ground and place her on top of the altar. You take her hand in yours and guide her hand to the hilt. Once her fingers wrap around the gold-spiraled handle, her body jolts with sudden rush of power. The wound at her side begins to close on its own.
  
  Her hands begin to grip the cutlass on her own strength, and she sits upright still holding the cutlass. You take a step back fearful of Blackbeard's words. You just hope saving her life was enough to not be the recipient of the blade's thirst for blood. She swings her feet from the edge of the altar and jumps down. Silent, she walks towards you. You begin to raise your arms in defense...and then feel the warmth of her body against yours.
  
  She embraces you in a tight hug. Surprised at first, you stand with your arms still in the air, but then eventually return the embrace.
  
  "Thank you," she whispers into your ear. Her voice quivers as if fighting off tears.
  
  "How does it feel?" you ask.
  
  "It feels as if I could run for days and never tire," she answers. She kisses your cheek and then steps back.
  
  "Come, we have blight to destroy."
  
  You navigate through the temple and arrive at the front entrance. Giant stone steps lead down to a narrow pathway leading up to the temple. Looking down, you see a large creature and several smaller bodies engaged in combat. Then you hear a voice you recognize: Victoria's. You rush down the steps as quickly as you can to join the fray.
  
  You see Freddy, Procter, Victoria, and the two archers fighting off a giant beast. The beast has the body of a lizard and the head of a dog. From the stories the natives told, you recognize the beast as Xolotl, the scourge upon the island. At your arrival, Xolotl, turns to you and Quetzalli.
  
  "Convenient. You have brought the blade to me. After I kill you, I will destroy my twin brother, Quetzalcoatl, once and for all," it growls.
  
  Quetzalli steps forward. "Quetzalcoatl has returned. I am the vessel in which the feathered-serpent inhabits. You have poisoned this island for too long. Your day has come, beast."
  
  Your gaze wanders to Victoria who gives you a questionable look. No doubt wondering why the native woman holds the blade and not you. You answer with a shrug.
  
  Xolotl charges towards Quetzalli swiping its massive claws. Quetzalli dodges, and returns the attack scoring several deep slashes on Xolotl's forearms. The rest of the party joins the attack. Procter and Victoria begin reciting the incantation to their spells. A flurry of arrows fly towards Xolotl's head. The two native archers reload their arrows without pause. Throwing daggers quickly follow the arrows as Freddy let's loose a series of his chosen weapon. Confident at the amount of forward pressure, he pulls out his mandolin and begins to invigorate the party with a song. You make straight for Xolotl's flank intending to output damage on the undefended area.
  
  Quetzalli whispers into the cutlass. You're unable to decipher her words. Suddenly, she begins swinging the blade in aggressive attacks. Even though she is not near the beast, her strikes seem to cut through the air. Huge cuts appear at Xolotl's chest and the number grows at each slash made by Quetzalli. Finally unable to take the blows, Xolotl crashes to the ground. Quetzalli walks calmly to the fallen beast and stands over its head. With one swift motion, she removes its head.
  
  > Heroic return
  The return to the village is met with a celebratory feast. You are granted a seat at the head table along with Quetzalli, her father, and the village elders. Procter refuses to eat any light meat as he is unable to find his feathered friend. The crew enjoys the celebration and drink alongside the native community. Upon Xolotl's defeat, the island has returned to normal. The blackened tree has transformed back to a lush brown and green. The aggressive animals and dangers in the jungle have calmed, allowing for exploration without threat.
  
  Late into the night, you grab a bottle of rum and leave the village deep in thought. Woodes Rogers is not going to be happy at the outcome. You arrive at a small clearing overlooking the beach. Two trees grow tall near the edge of the cliff, allowing you to use their trunk for back support as you dangle your feet from the edge. After a few swigs, you sense footsteps. You pull your flintlock and its click echoes in the silent night.
  
  "Put that away, shipmaster, it's me," the voice of Quetzalli speaks through the blackness. "Spare a drink?"
  
  You offer the bottle to her as she takes a seat next to you. "Be my guest."
  
  "I know the sacrifice you made to save my life. Your friend, Freddy, told me," she says.
  
  "I made enemies with one of the most powerful men in the Caribbean," you say. "There's no telling what he will do to make an example of me."
  
  She takes your hand. "You will always have a home here should you decide to stay."
  
  You squeeze her hand and softly kiss her forehead. "My home is the sea. The Sanguine has been anchored far too long. The crew will lose their edge if we remain any longer."
  
  She cups your hand with her own. "Will you return?"
  
  With a grin you answer, " You bet your onyx beads, we'll return."