Deacon released the spirit and turned back to his companions. They were scrambling to get Tantus’s device set up while Deacon kept watch. He was slightly distracted by the concept of the sailors needing the totem. Getting a look at the map they followed to get here may also shine some light on what they should do next. If the captains ghost is still around, Deacon may be able to wring out some more answers. There was a strange connection between the steady drum beat they would hear periodically and the feeling in his gut that they needed to hurry. Checking his soul energy, he noticed all the boiling Crabtaurs topped off his reserves. Deacon was shaken from his thoughts by Amanda yelling for him.

“Get on this contraption!” Amanda yelled.

“On my way.” Deacon replied.

Deacon updated everyone on what he learned from the sailor. He was assaulted by questions from both Ralph and Tantus. They wanted to know if he was being truthful. Not understanding why they were asking that, he wanted them to explain.

“Black Powder Pete was gnome pirate some three hundred years ago. They called him the scourge of the seas. He single handedly sunk more ships than anyone.” Ralph said with a hint of hero worship in his eyes.

“It’s more complicated than that. He was a great alchemist from The Shattered Sky.” Tantus added.

“The homeland of the Deep Dwellers?” Deacon asked grabbing tightly to the blue banana as they were buffeted by a wave.

“Yes, yes. Don’t interrupt. It’s said he created a one-of-a-kind formula for black powder. The stuff used in cannons on ships. Magic users laughed at him until they saw the results firsthand. It not only launched iron at high speeds but continued to burn on the surface of whatever it touched after contact. It ruined landscapes and decimated enemy forces. It was deemed too powerful for anyone if it fell into the wrong hands. The leaders of the great nations decided that knowledge could not propagate. After several assassination attempts Pete set out to sea. He never wrote the formula down, so no one else knows it. I thought this was just a cautionary tale for young alchemists but if what you say is true that ship may contain the last of his black powder.” Tantus said.

“I heard it differently. He was a gnomish engineer on a pirate ship that stumbled across the secrets of black powder. He improved the formula and eventually managed to become captain of his own ship. The Roaring Tempest. One day after many battles at sea, he took his treasure and disappeared. Never to be heard from again.” Ralph interjected.

“Both stories are probably true.” Amanda added as she jumped off the device to drag it ashore.

They had made it over to the island with the cracked half of The Roaring Tempest. Now that they were closer, they could see large mushroom caps atop the ships railings. While the others were looking at the ship, Deacon was staring into the tree line of the island. It seems a path was cut into the brush leading deeper in. Ralph and Tantus were rushing to get the raft packed up when Amanda stepped up beside Deacon.

“What is it?” Amanda asked.

“Why the idol? Why did they need it?” Deacon asked in response putting his hand on his chin.

“I don’t know, and I don’t care.” Amanda replied sharply.

“Don’t you think it’s weird that every time we land on one of these islands, those drums start playing and monsters appear?” Deacon asked trying to get her to do some critical thinking.

“Isn’t this just your way? At least that’s what Elle told me.” Amanda replied.

“I can see that point of view, but I’ve never been in a Wode before. I don’t know how any of this works. This Captain Black Powder lost a considerable number of sailors going for that Idol. It has to be worth more than we know. Also, why does it look like a tchotchke from back home?” Deacon asked as he held up the item in the light. It immediately began doing a hula dance in his hand. Slowly and hypnotically switching between hips. Then they heard the drums beats again. Louder this time than any time before. Ralph and Tantus were halfway to the wrecked ship when they turned around and looked at back at them.

“I guess we’re about to find out. Thanks for that.” Amanda said slapping him on the back and heading toward the others. Deacon fell in step behind her when his shoulder started to itch. He remembered feeling that itch as he was pulling the souls from the zombies on the last island.

“Stop!” He yelled, “There are undead nearby.” Deacon said just as more undead sailors sat up from the sand on the beach. They were everywhere. He used Dragon Claw Barrage to close the gap between him and the rest of the party. He left a path of loose body parts in his wake. Once Deacon arrived Tantus let loose a gust of wind spell that knocked down zombies like dominoes in a path to the break in the tree line. They all sprinted in that direction dodging grasping hands from the ground beneath them. Once they were all secured in the trees, Deacon looked back at the boat to see a bright light moving between port holes. He couldn’t get a clear visual as the hoard began moving toward the trees. They all fell back into the brush.

“Where are we going?” Tantus asked huffing and puffing trying to catch his breath.

“If my guess is right there should be another hut on this island. I doubt there will be an idol in it.” Deacon said.

“You think there are more?” Amanda asked.

“I don’t know what they do but we brought a magical artifacts experts with us. We just need a minute for him to do his thing.” Deacon said showing no signs of being tired.

“Why can’t you just do that thing where you disintegrate them like before?” Tantus asked between breaths.

“They were lined up on a wooden walkway before. Now they littered all over. We need a way to funnel them so I can touch them to draw out the soul energy. Is that enough of an explanation for you?” Deacon asked.

“No, but it will have to do. Wouldn’t it be better if you could just do a large area? I do not understand how your abilities work.” Tantus replied.

They finally made it to a clearing with a small brook and what looks like the same kind of hut but with wooden barricades set up all around it. It even seems like someone fended off a siege here. This time there was inlet for the ocean. This section of the island must be far enough above sea level. There is even a bamboo pipe leading off into the woods that is delivering the water for the brook. It looked like a shishi odosihi. One of those bamboo water features that fill up with water and pour out into a bucket before starting again.

“Now that is definitely from my world. The message wasn’t kidding whey it said it would draw from our minds.” Deacon said.

“Let’s get in there. It is definitely better than being exposed out here.” Ralph said between breaths with his hands on his knees.

They all filed into the makeshift fortification to find it was well furnished. There were several beds and what looked like a chez lounge chair. The craftsmanship was not island sheik so it must have come from somewhere else. In the corner was a desk with a large book on it. Tantus immediately went over to the desk.

“This looks like Captain Pete’s logbook. Day two hundred and fifty, the crew no longer listen to me. I told them by collecting the idols we could attack and defeat that accursed Sumna. The drums are never ending now. More and more of the crew that fled are falling under her sway. I’ve found a way to keep her minions at bay, but it comes with a heavy cost. It will trap me on the Tempest. If I don’t plan this correctly my ship will be my tomb. As long as no one ever gets my powder formula I will have won. I long to see the Shattered Sky again but this beast can never leave here, or I’ll be the one that doomed the world…” Tantus read aloud.

“They are coming!” Amanda hollered.

“Quick everyone gather around close.” Deacon said digging into this bag. He pulled out the dungeon cube and placed it on the ground. The familiar spreading of the cube’s outer appearance started to lace the fortified hut and shortly after they found themselves in Alfred’s main room.

“Good evening, Master Deacon. Good morning rather. Good evening. Good morning. Where exactly are we, Sir?” Alfred asked looking upset and confused.

“We are inside a Wode, Alfred. Don’t ask we don’t know what it is. I need the outer screen please?” Deacon asked. The screen next to the door lit up showing the zombie sailors milling around outside the hut. They weren’t attempting to enter it and looked very confused.

“You mad man. How did you know this would hide us from them?” Tantus asked.

“I didn’t. I figured if we weren’t actually there, they had no reason to attack. I hoped Alfred’s interior space wouldn’t be detectable. Rolled the dice and we won, kind of. We need to glean any and all info we can from that book. I have a sense that we don’t have much time. Everyone get an hours’ worth of rest while I try to figure a way out of this.” Deacon said as the team split and headed to their assigned rooms to clear their heads and gain back some stamina.

“Sir, a word.” Alfred said.

“What do you have for me?” Deacon asked.

“I will not be able to maintain expansion for long. Something outside is pressing down on my dimension. That is the easiest way to explain it. There is also something wrong with time. I am unable to determine what the time is. This is very confusing for me.” Alfred explained.

“Will you last the hour?” Deacon asked confused and concerned.

“That and a little more. This feeling is unsettling. I must reiterate we need a permanent location for the cube or a significant source of power. Either one will help me to operate at peak efficiency. I will also need you to provide me with materials to populate the maze. Parts of creatures you’ve defeated, herbs you’d like to have grown, rare materials, as well as the soul collector.” Alfred said with a pained look on his face.

“Well I have this magically charged sand. Can you do anything with this?” Deacon asked.

“May I, Sir?” Alfred held out his arm with the cloth draped over the forearm. Deacon pulled some of the sand from his bag and handed it over. Alfred inspected it closely before it disappeared. Suddenly a humanoid figure made of that same white sand materialized next to them. It took a few shaky steps before collapsing in a heap. It then started to slide around as a mass instead of a full bipedal creature.

“Yes, I believe I can make some guardians out of this sand. It is packed with tier three arcanum. That is sufficient to power itself with my guidance. How much of this sand do you have? If I had some more, about fifty pounds, I could generate more on my own after that. The process would go much quicker with a soul collector.” Alfred said.

“Ok bud, you’re beating a dead horse. I’ve got your sand right here.” Deacon said as the flap of his bag flipped open, and sand started pouring out. Using Polterheist to empty the bag the same way he filled it.