Bloth: At last. The First Treasure of Rule! You succeeded against Ren where my finest men failed! Tula: Stow your compliments, Bloth. Teron: The Dark Water! It has found us! The Dark Water is coming! It's coming... Bloth: What say you, lookout? Lookout: No Dark Water, Bloth! Teron: Of course he can't see it. Only I have the visions. Bloth: I'm conducting business, Teron. Hold off your warnings of the Dark Water until the last possible moment! Teron: The Dark Water...coming... Bloth: I believe you were about to give me the Compass, my dear. Tula: No, Bloth, you were going to give me my gold... Niddler: So, Tula's been a treacherous thief all along! Ren: No, not Tula. I won't believe it, Niddler! Tula: The Treasure and Compass for one thousand pieces of gold. I'll take, ah, nuggets or drabulin bars. Niddler: We should have never trusted Tula. She's from Andorus, you know. Ren: Whatever her motive, we must stop her. By the blood of the twin moons--the Constrictus! Aaah! Bloth: Eighty-five pieces of gold and not a nugget more. Tula: Agreed. Tula: Your Compass is stowed not far from here. Bloth: Selling out her friends for gain--now that's my kind of woman. Konk: Oh, great deal maker and most merciful Bloth, perhaps now you will release this insignificant flea of a servant...whoa! Mantus: My bet on Konk still stands. Pirates: Five gold pieces! Twelve on the creature! Konk: Griggen[?] Jitat. This really stokes my ire. You two can't be here--you're dead! Niddler: Yes, everyone keeps telling us that. Constrictus: *roar* GoldKeeper: Konk has found constrictus now. And he really in trouble. He making three times the racket as last time. Konk: Rarrr! Ren: Let go, Konk, or we're all dead! Konk: There is not a constrictus in the twenty seas that a match for Konk! Ren: Aah! Niddler: Ren! Ren: Niddler--no--get away while you can...that ship...unngh! Konk! Help us! Konk: Konk, slayer of leviathans, will save your barnacle-bitten hides! Niddler: I never thought I'd say this, but thanks piglet--er, Konk. Ren! He knows another way out! That slippery piglet won't get away so easily, eh, Ren? Ren? Ren: Niddler..I'm so--cold... Konk: I'll get a warship of my own when I bring Ren to Bloth...Ey! Pirates: What's happened? Konk has fallen! Someone get Mantus! Konk: Hey! Over here! Get me out! Ren: Quiet him! Quickly! Konk: Yeow! Niddler: Ren, tell me what to do. Mantus: Konk! Pirate: He can't hear you from inside the constrictus's gut. Konk: Mantus! Tell Bloth that I found the boy! Pirates: You showed up alive! You betrayed us! GoldKeeper: How you know Konk would beat constrictus, master? Mantus: Once the beast had a taste of Konk, why would he want another bite? Pirate: Don't let him wriggle free! Avagon: So that is my proposal. Ren has shown us the way. Niddler: Help! Avagon: Niddler! Niddler: Avagon! Ren's below, and he's been wounded! Ren: What's wrong with the water? Storm clouds in the water... Avagon: That's a constrictus sting! Bring me a dreen, quickly! Ren: Clouds, turning water black--all around me-- Avagon: Hold him. Ren: The--Dark--Water... Teron: The Dark Water is coming. Our world is dying. Bloth: Ecomancer! How can I set sail with the seas against me? Calm them? Teron: Bloth, there are far greater problems to consider. Bloth: You will do my bidding now. Teron: My meddling with nature is quickening the planet's demise. Bloth: Once I have the Thirteen Treasures of Rule, you can see to the planet's rebirth. Calm the seas or I will pitch your precious Andorus soil overboard. Teron: And then--I would surely die... Bloth: Then let me see the healing winds of an ecomancer. Zoolie: Does your lady friend always gas down new people she meets? Ioz: The First Treasure and Compass--she stole them! By the blood of Ren, I swear I'll make Tula pay for this! Zoolie: So where exactly do you think we'll find our little prankster? Ioz: Tula. A dragon bow! Zoolie: Oh--that's not all. I come with the package too. Ioz: Stow it, Zoolie, I won't have you risking your life for me! Zoolie: Who cares about you? I'm going after Mantus! He still owes me a gold piece from an old bet. Ioz: A silly excuse, but I'll take it. Primus: My son: it is not only Octopon that is nearly doomed, but our entire world as well. Thirteen Treasures of ancient time, Thirten lessons of Rule in rhyme. But if they fall into evil hands, the Dark Water will descend on all the lands. Bloth: You'll fail, Ren. It is I who will control the Dark Water! Niddler: Ren--the fever's broken! Ren: Niddler--thanks for staying with me. What happened? Niddler: Avagon saved your life! Avagon: We can make our escape through the sewerways now that Ren has done away with the constrictus. Prisoner: Why risk our lives for a single Treasure and Compass? Avagon: We have no choice. Ren: No! This is my fight alone. You've all suffered enough. Escape while you can! Avagon: That's very noble of you, Ren, but you will need more than just the blind courage of youth to succeed against Bloth. As for you? Escape from here today and you may be safe. But there will come a tomorrow when Bloth has all Thirteen Treasures of Rule, and no place will be safe. Our very planet might be destroyed! Always the Quest. Ren: What's that--another constrictus? Avagon: No, Ren. Prisoners: Always the Quest! Bloth: In a moment, the Compass will be mine. I am honored to have you grace my quarters. Tula: Compliment me in gold, Bloth. Bloth: Ah, yes, we said forty pieces, didn't we? Tula: Ah, eighty-five. Bloth: Of course! How forgetful of me. I have a further proposition, Tula. I may soon grow tired of Mantus and will need a new commander. Join me. Tula: First things first--I want to total up my "compliments." Bloth: Do I detect a hint of mistrust in your voice? I like that in a woman. Ren: Ahh, I never thought salt sea air would smell so sweet. Niddler: Oh, I just knew I should have gone with Avagon and the others below decks--I could be raiding the galley at this very moment! Ren: Shh! Tula! Niddler: Mm! Better yet--pickled goyja! Tula: Teron? Teron: Go away--I'm still feeding! It can't be--Tula of Andorus! Tula: Teron, I've been sent to rescue. Since your capture, Andorus has suffered much decay. Teron: Escape is futile. I can't leave my-- Tula: But I must free you! As an ecomance healer, you are my island's only hope! Teron: My child... Teron: For weeks, I have mourned for Andorus, because it has been destroyed by the DarK Water. Tula: No! After all that I've done--the friends I've injured--I betrayed Ren and Ioz for nothing! Teron: I have heard of this Ren. Bloth curses him daily. Tula: Together we sought the Thirteen Treasures of Rule. Teron: Foolish girl, it is not me you need, it is this boy! I, a lowly ecomancer, can only slow the sickness of our planet. But with the Thirteen Treasures, the whole of Mer can be saved from the slow death of Dark Water. Hurry--it is approaching! Ren: Hear that, Niddler? That's what my fever dream meant--to save the entire world! Tula: Ren! Ren: Ah, surprise... Tula: You're alive! Ren: True, although I may not smell like it... Tula: Teron, this is Ren--savior of Mer. Teron: Quiet! You'll alert Bloth's men! Ren: But we must release you! Any minute now, fighting will break out. I must steal back the Compass and Treasure from Bloth! Tula: You know, I have an easier way to get to him! If I can stomach it... Lookout: Avast! The Dark Water! Eight points off bow ledge! Pirate 1: Where are your eyes? We're upon a patch of it already? Forty links off port, this is a bad omen.. Pirate 2: Aye...Bloth's a fool to set this course... Pirates: Ahh! Mantus: There are sightings of the Dark Water, Bloth. Bloth: Is that fear in your voice, Mantus? With this, I can keep it away from the Maelstrom. And once I have the Thirteen Treasures, I will control all the Dark Water on Mer. The Compass points to Bentar. Stay the course. Mantus: What-? Ioz: Permission to come aboard, Bloth! Bloth: You! Ioz: Yes, me. But enough small talk. Hand the Treasure over or you're dagron bait! Bloth: When I get you, you'll curse your father for giving you life! Now, Ioz--I want you to start thinking about your father! Zoolie: I'm enjoying this, ladies, but I'm not even working up a sweat! Hey, scuttle brain! Come join the fun! Hah, that's more like it! Mantus: Mind if I join in, Zoolie? He's all mine, maggots. Zoolie: You owe me a gold piece. Mantus: Try and collect it! You never could beat me one on one, Zoolie--something you will now regret! Zoolie: You know, you're right--let's just call this even. Oh, and another thing, Mantus! I cheated to win that bet! Bloth: Enjoy the view while you can, Ioz. The razor beaks take flight at nightfall--that's when they feed. Ren: Niddler, it's better you not join us in this. Niddler: What? And have you claim all the glory? Oh, you're not getting rid of me now! Avagon: We can only wait five minutes for the girl's plan to work. Tula: Tell me more about this, uh, job of commander...we might make a good team after all! Ioz: Traitor! Ren: No, Ioz, bad timing... Avagon: Now! Ioz: Ren gave his life and you betrayed us both--you dartha eel. Ren: You're the one acting like a dartha eel! Ioz: Panja nija! How can this be? Ren: When we have time, I'll tell you all about it. Tula: Very touching, guys, but we have some fighting to do. Niddler: Oh, no you don't! Booms away! Ren: Avagon! Bloth: Ren--alive? This curse on my heart has been aboard the Maelstrom, and I didn't know about it? And you! I should have gotten rid of you years ago! Avagon: With my last breath I strike at your black heart! Bloth: Ahh! Avagon: Always the Quest, Ren! Ren: Avagon! Bloth: It's over, boy! With the Compass and Treasures, I will wipe your kind from my world! Ren: Aaahhh--! Bloth: Ahhh! Ren & Bloth: Nooo! Tula: Ren--! Ioz: Hurry, there's no Dark Water on this other side! Tula: But--Ren! Ioz: There's nothing we can do to save him! Bloth: Hurry, you scurvy sea slugs! Zoolie: Quit your gilda-peddling, boy, and climb aboard! Tula: Closer, Zoolie, closer! Ren: Save the Second Treasure! Teron: Oh--Ren! Plunge it into the Dark Water! Trust me! Ioz: It's too late--it's too late! Ren: To the Maelstrom! I must steal back the Compass and Treasure! Tula: Are these-- Ioz: What you're talking about? Bloth: Twist your soul in the abyss, boy! I'm not done with you yet! Ioz: A little help here, Zoolie--Zoolie! Zoolie: Sorry, Ioz, but I got what I came for. Besides, I have a game house to keep out of debt! Good fortune to you all! Bloth: I want a hurricane--a tidal wave--anything to stop Ren! Bring me Teron! Niddler: I kept my end of the bargain--you'd better keep yours! Teron: I will, friend Niddler! Bloth: Release a dagron and pilot it yourself! Stop that monkeybird! Tula: Where does that gada monkeybird think he's going? Ioz: Ren, if we are to outrun Bloth, we must set our course now! Ren: There--toward the rising moons. Tula: But there's a storm on that course. Ioz: And if I were a betting man, I'd say that's Dark Water on that horizon. Ren: So be it. For the Thirteen Treasures of Rule, and for Mer, my destiny alone is to conquer the Dark Water. Tula: Not alone, Ren. Ioz: It is now our destiny, too.