Night had covered the island, and the fog was thickening until it formed a wall. The crew sat around a small fire near the shore, trying to ward off the chill. But their eyes were tense, their ears alert for any movement.
"I hate waiting," Darius said, sharpening his sword. "The monsters will return, I know that."
"The night is not for us… it is for them," Callias replied, watching the darkness.
"Then let's see who has the most courage," Darius laughed sarcastically.
Romulus approached Linus and said in a low voice, "The men are nervous. Some want to return to the ship."
"To return now would mean death," Linus replied, staring into the fog. "The sea at night is more dangerous than the island."
"Then what's the solution?"
"We hold out… until dawn."
Suddenly, a sharp scream echoed from the trees.
Nikos leaped to his feet, his face pale. "It's the same scream… The monsters are coming!" Linus said quickly. "Get ready! Protect the fire, don't let it go out!"
Out of the darkness emerged dozens of yellow eyes, flashing like sparks. Then a swarm of black creatures rushed in, larger and faster than the ones they had encountered during the day.
"At last!" Darius shouted, raising his sword. "Come to me!"
"Don't stray far from the circle!" said Callias, brandishing two daggers.
"I am the circle!" Darius replied.
"The first monster charged at the camp, and Linus tackled it with his sword.
"They're stronger at night!" said Linus, pressing with all his might.
"It's as if the darkness gives them extra power!" replied Romulus, stabbing another monster.
A sailor fell to the ground, screaming as he tried to fend off a monster's claws.
"Help him!" cried Nikos.
Darius charged, severing the monster's arm with a single blow, then lifted the sailor from the ground.
"Get to your feet!" gasped Darius. "No time for weakness!"
"There are too many of them!" cried Callias, parrying a double attack. "We won't last long!"
"Hold on!" replied Linus. "Fire is our defense. Don't let them surround us!"
A huge monster lunged at Nikos, but Romulus blocked it.
"Uuuuuuu!" roared the monster (more like a roar than words).
"Linus! Help me!" said Romulus, pressing with all his might.
Linus leaped up and plunged his sword into the monster's throat, causing it to fall writhing. Linus said, "Never fight alone!"
"I'll try... but they won't leave me!" Romulus panted.
The black sands began to fill with blood, the blood of both monsters and men.
"Fire!" Nikos said, waving a flaming stick.
"Beasts hate fire! Drive them out!"
"Light more torches! Build a circle of flame!" Linus said quickly.
The crew quickly began to light the wood, until a circle of fire surrounded them.
"Look... they're retreating," said Callias, smiling despite the blood on his face.
"They're scared at last!" Darius replied, laughing.
"But Linus said coldly, "No... they're not scared. They're waiting."
There was a brief silence, then a shriek, even more violent than before.
From among the trees emerged a monster larger than any they had seen, its skin blacker, its eyes glowing like embers.
"This…isn't like the others," Nikos said, backing away.
"So this is their leader," Darius said, raising his sword with a defiant grin.
"So this is our real fight," Linus replied, planting his feet.