The attack came swift and silent. One moment, the crew was huddled around the fire, trying to stay awake. The next, a blur of muscle and fur leaped from the darkness, claws slashing, teeth flashing in the firelight.
It was a fossa, a creature of legend, feared by islanders for centuries. Long and sleek like a giant cat, but moving like a snake, it had burning yellow eyes and a tail as long as its body. Some sailors whispered that fossas were guardians of hidden treasures, cursed to protect gold from greedy hands. Others believed they were spirits of lost pirates, forever hunting those who dared to steal from their resting place.
But at that moment, the crew had no time for legends. The fossa struck fast, knocking a man off his feet before disappearing into the shadows.
“Keep your torches up!” Captain Rex shouted.
The crew swung their swords wildly, trying to fend off the invisible predator. The fossa darted between them, too quick to catch. It slashed at another sailor’s arm, then leaped onto a tree, its glowing eyes watching them, studying them.
Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it ran into the cave.
A heavy silence fell over the camp. The men panted, gripping their swords tighter, their torches flickering in the night breeze.
“It’s gone,” one of them muttered.
“For now,” said Rex. He turned to his crew, his eyes gleaming. “That beast isn’t just attacking for no reason. It’s guarding something.”
The men exchanged nervous glances.
“Listen,” Rex continued, “if we go in there and catch it, we’ll be one step closer to the treasure. And if we find treasure…” He let the words hang in the air before adding, “everyone gets a fair share.”
That caught their attention. The fear in their eyes turned to greed.
“Are you with me?” Rex asked.
A murmur rippled through the crew, then a few nods.
“Aye, Captain,” someone said.
Rex smiled. He grabbed his torch, stepped toward the cave entrance, and peered inside. The darkness beyond was thick, swallowing the light. Somewhere deep inside, Flap was still missing. And now, the fossa was waiting.
One by one, the crew followed Rex into the cave.
To be continued.