"For the love of the gods, will you PLEASE slow down!" Says Tate while frantically trying to keep pace with Crete. "For a guy who claims to not be able to see in the dark you sure don't seem to be struggling." To Tate's surprise Crete stops and turns back towards him. "The moon gives me all the light I need, but if you would rather take the lead..." He motions me ahead. "Thank you." Replies Tate while taking point. "What do you think is out here?" "I don't know and to be honest I don't care." Replies Crete. "I just know it's hunting us. So the sooner we find it, the sooner we can rest." "How do you know it's hunting us?" Asks Tate. "Earlier it was close, I felt it. I know it was stalking us, I know it's a predator. It could have attacked us then, but it didn't. That tells me it's intelligent, it's patient, waiting for the right time to strike." "I see." Says Tate. "Then answer me this...if it's as dangerous as you think it is, then how do you expect to face it in only the soft glow of the moon?" "Moon light or absolute darkness, it makes no difference. A man is defined by his actions, so you tell me Tate, what kind of man are you?" Asks Crete. Tate hesitates a moment to truly consider the question. "That's a difficult question to answer." He replies. "I try to do what is right and calculate the consequences of my decisions. Lack of consideration can hurt those around me." "I believe you." Says Crete. "But in doing so you live in constant fear of making the wrong decision, you think when you should be acting, sometimes you just have to trust your gut. The seconds you waste in analyzing the situation can be the difference between victory and defeat." "Okay, maybe...but I think it works both ways. You for instance strike me as the type of man who rushes in head first with no thought of the consequences to your yourself or to those around you." Says Tate. "But I do think about it." Says Crete. "I just don't second guess myself. When something needs to be done, I do it, it's that simple." "The world doesn't work that way." Replies Tate. "You may be strong and intimidating, but their will always someone stronger and more intimidating. You must realize that, you can't honestly believe that you..." "Look at me!" Interrupts Crete. "Who or what in your life have you known that is more intimidating than me? I have gray skin, my eyes glow demonically Crimson. My armor is black, spiked and menacing and my weapons have skulls and imbue power. Do I look like a hero to you?" Tate whether instinctively or on purpose takes a step back. "What are you saying?" He asks hesitantly. "My look cannot be coincidental Tate. Unlike you my choice of color is not white. I have no desire to rescue damsels in distress or feed the poor." Crete's tone then becomes more stern. "So for you to continue to assume that I'm a hero just makes you a fool! Open your eyes Tate, can we be any more opposite?" "Are you saying we are enemies?" Asks Tate with the slightest quiver in his voice. "What if I am?" Asks Crete. "What then? Do you plan to stop me here and now?" Tate reaches back and draws his sword. "I will try." Crete grins and matter-of-factly says..."Then you will die." "I won't, I can't let you hurt Hayden or anyone else for that matter." Says Tate. "Put your sword away boy before you get hurt." Says Crete. "I'm NOT your enemy, I just need you to see me for me. I can't have you being blind to the man before you and be disappointed when I don't live up to your hero idealism." "I don't..." But before Tate can finish his reply his eyes widen with fear, his arms shoot straight out from his sides signaling to stop. "What was that? Did you feel that?" Asks Tate in no more than a whisper. Crete having felt nothing glances around. "Feel what?"