56

"I knew you would do this!" the Crowned Serpent shouts. "We all have things we have to do, Crowchar! Why do you never understand that?" And he raises his spear as the ophidians move to encircle you.

The ophidians hiss as they realize something is wrong, but the Crowned Serpent only smirks–until one of the merchant's hands bursts into flames!

A wooden tube of gunpowder, of course!

Gunshots won't harm the Crowned Serpent, but those flames can. Yet the Crowned Serpent shows no fear, only rage. He charges Alexius with a terrible roar.

As you try to get out of the way, your wounds finally catch up to you. Nauseated, you stumble, and only Alexius pulling you away saves your life.

But the Crowned Serpent cannot be stopped by the merchant's tricks. Realizing that, Alexius hurls the torch away and sprints to safety; the rest of you soon join him as the ophidians hiss and cackle. Your nausea finally passes.

"It was a good idea," Alexius insists on your way back to the village, as the mercenaries and feathered apes start to move.

The battle continues to rage…