Creatures [1]

Music while reading: [summer seas and salty wind (piratecore)]

As Jack's eyes fluttered open and his senses slowly returned, he beheld the curious sight of those mysterious, small creatures, standing at a mere meter in height, their faces hidden behind Aztec masks, dancing in fervor around the roaring fire pit.

Directly before him, a grand statue of towering four meters loomed, mirroring the Aztec mask's intricate patterns and vibrant hues. Its painted teeth gleamed in eerie resonance with the flames, while its eyes glowed like embers, defying the engulfing fire.

Perched atop the statue's head was a wooden helm adorned with azure feathers that soared skyward, an artistic display of craftsmanship.

In swift trepidation, Jack's gaze darted from right to left, searching for answers in the midst of this surreal tableau. To his right, Mary was bound as tightly as he was, ensnared by robust vines.

"What in blazes be happenin'? Are we facin' our final reckonin'?" Mary's voice quivered with trepidation.

"Lass, I beg your pardon. I've misjudged the danger, a fault that be mine for steerin' us here," Jack admitted.

"Captain, blast you and your insatiable thirst for treasure," Mary seethed, her frustration laid bare.

Together, they strained against their leafy captors, yet their struggles yielded naught, the vines proving unyielding to even Jack's formidable strength.

One of the black-limbed creatures, its visage concealed by the Aztec mask, drew near to Jack, its presence almost suffocating.

"UUUR HEHRIA KAKRI IAK RUWU SKO," it intoned, its voice resonating with an eerie depth.

In that moment, Jack closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable, yearning for a swift and merciful end. But it was not to be, for the creature moved on to address Mary.

"HUJA KRKE AIAI RALOE ISS-" it began, only to be met with Mary's defiant act, a decisive spit directed at the creature's mask.

This bold gesture prompted the creature to take a step back, before signaling something to its kin with cryptic hand motions.

"Mary, why in the seven seas did ye go and do that? It won't be helpin' us. If ye'd had a bit of restraint like meself, mayhaps they wouldn't have taken us for trouble," Jack grumbled, a touch of irk tainting his words.

"It reeked like a kraken's lair, Captain. I wanted it away from my face. Face it, whatever we attempt, our fate is sealed," Mary retorted, her resignation evident.

"You speak the truth, lass. Our treasure hunt has reached its bitter end," Jack conceded, his tone heavy with regret.

Then he jeered, "Me only two regrets be not sharin' a tumble with ye, HAR HAR, and not gettin' me hands on that bloomin' treasure."

Mary's temper flared, her voice sharp, "Blast you, Captain. Be that all you sea dogs ever ponder? Just wenches and ill-gotten gains?"

Jack, who'd come to terms with his fate, chortled, "Aye, lass. Ye've got a fondness for the grog, no different from the likes of us."

Mary paid him no heed, for the scurvy-riddled creatures were up to somethin'. "Look, Captain!"

As Jack's eyes scanned the scene, he beheld the small creatures cobbling together a makeshift oven from the fire pit. One amongst them, a touch taller at a meter and a half, barked commands in a foreign tongue. The more he bellowed, the swifter their work became.

They toiled in separate crews. One set ventured into the forest for more wood, while another continued their dance around the flame. The third crew busied themselves relocating the timber, creating a hollow at the core, spacious enough for two souls.

"Arrr, d'ye reckon they mean to cook us, lass?" Jack inquired, his demise no longer weighin' on his mind.

"Them little varmints! Were I not tied up, I'd feast on the lot," Mary growled.

"HAR HAR HAR! That's the spirit, lass! Fret not, I'm already slicin' through this stubborn vine. We'll be free in no time," Jack declared, a wicked grin stretchin' across his face.

"Ye scoundrel! Why'd ye keep mum on this earlier?" Mary retorted.

"Lass, it brought me no end o' mirth watchin' ye squirm," he confessed, chortlin' like a rogue.

"Arr, as I shook off the sleep, a minute or so past, I slyly plucked me trusty blade from its sleeve," Jack recounted, his voice carrying a hint of pride and narcissism.

As he neared the end of his struggle, the stubborn vines relinquished their hold, granting him freedom. With newfound resolve, he turned his attention to Mary, severing her bonds with determined strokes.

Once liberated, she stood tall. Yet, the creatures took notice, their gaze fixed upon them. Jack couldn't help but chuckle at their lumbering pace as they darted into the surrounding forest.

"Free, lass, free as the wind!" he exclaimed, laughter fillin' the space.

"Thank you, Captain," Mary's gratitude rang out, her voice filled with relief.

Soon, the remaining creatures concealed in the foliage began to fall like ripe coconuts, dropping from the trees. Jack and Mary exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them.

"Without me revolver or cutlass, we need somethin' sturdy. Find yer rock o' piece of timber. Let's give 'em a taste of our mettle," Jack instructed.

Mary nodded, and together they located two sizeable pieces of wood, each possessing a thickness that promised a hearty blow.

Mary noted, "Must be the scoundrels."

They joined forces, forming a protective circle. In measured turns, they launched their strikes.

Jack's wood met its mark, connecting with a creature's skull before reversing direction to find another target.

"Ye see, lass, it's all in the wrist."

Meanwhile, Mary swung with precision, though the creatures proved agile, deftly evading her every blow.

Then, a commanding bellow echoed from the tribe's leader, a voice resonating with power. "HULU TRE SKI OT RIE!" The creatures halted their advance, frozen in obedience.

"They've ceased their attack, lass! On yer mark, RUN!" Jack urged, poised for a sprint.

Yet, as they sprinted forth, a larger creature emerged from the forest, towering at three and a half meters. Its limbs were as black as night, and it bore an Aztec mask akin to its kin, but on a grander scale.