Hey everyone I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Finally all three forces have assembled in the same place and it's time for the first clash. Who will come out on top? Who will get the key? Keep reading to find out. And remember to send any reveiws, thoughts, questions, suggestions, opinions, etc. you have. Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Slight of Hand

It was hard to tell day from night in Macalania. Stray beams of sunlight struggled to poke through the lush canopy. Each one glimmering off the beautiful lush overgrowth of the forest.

Rekks, Tev, Rose, Eli and a small band of his pirates traversed through the bluish locale of Macalania. As Eli and the three heroes scouted ahead, the pirates lugged various pieces of equipment through the forest. Rekks pushed back the last piece of vegetation to reveal the shimmering beauty of Macalania lake.

Rekks and Eli looked over the lake while Tev Rose and the other Pirates set up everything. Eli pulled another cigar from his jacket. A light fog rolled over the surface of the water. A smile broke across Eli's face as he lit his cigar soaking in the beauty. Rekks merely stood there arms crossed.

Rekks felt a chill run down his spine causing him to shiver. Shifting uneasily he noticed a Pyrefly land on the water nearby where he was standing. Rekks looked to Eli then to everyone else. No one seemed to notice. Rekks bent down, reaching out to the Pyrefly when right before his eyes it sank below the water disappearing into the dark depths. Rekks shot up to his feet panicked. Eli looked over at him and patted him on the back joyfully.

"Breathe in deep my Boy. You can tell that this place is special. Every inch of this ancient forest has its own story to tell. Been around a lot long than either of us. Where better to hide something than a place filled with so much mystery eh?" laughed Eli

"Yeah I have a good feeling you're right." Rekks sighed

Rekks kneeled down taking a good look at the water. Placing his hand in he felt the cool liquid wrap around his fingers. Rekks cracked a slight smiled splashing the water with his hand.

"It's cold. The water here like the rest of the forest reacts to certain things. It can sense something's going to happen." Stated Rekks drying out his hand on his shorts

"Where did you here such a thing?" Eli asked eyeing Rekks

"My mother told me and my sister about this forest. She had frequent dealings here. Many things happened to her here good, bad and in between."

"I'm lucky to have you around. Such an expert on this place."

"I'm not an expert….I just listened to the stories."

"Either way it's good having you around. We made a good team until you tricked, sabotaged my ship so we couldn't follow, then left with all that money."

"I was for charity. Besides I left you with all those potatoes."

"Yeah my entire bedroom and personal bath were filled with them. Where did you find so much in such a short amount of time."

"Now if I tell you what happens to all the mystery in life?"

Rekks smirked at Eli who answered with a smile of his own. Cana called out to them signaling that they were ready for the mission to begin.

On the other side of the lake Shay, Vid and Lee sat crouched behind a bush overlooking the water. Lee used a spy glass to peer out over the water, while Vid and Shay used binoculars. The three of them watching for any signal from Rekks.

"See anything yet?" asked Shay

"Naww, they're just settin up." Replied Vid

Lee shut his scope and slipped it in to his pocket.

"I'm going to scout around the area." Said Lee

Vid and Shay put down their binoculars to stare up at him.

"Why?" Asked Shay

"Victory goes to the one who knows the battlefield the best. Besides it might be better for us to learn some easy escape routes for our trip out of here." Lee smiled back

"Okay then, be careful." Vid nodded back

Vid watched him walk off into the distance before turning his attention back across the lake. When he saw that he was out of sight from the others, Lee pulled out a communication device from his pocket.

"This is Lee. Did you guys land the Van Cleef in the Calm Lands like I told you?" Lee whispered in to his device

"Yes captain. We're waiting for your orders." Came a voice from the device

"Good, I'll get the key then we can head for the next destination. Make sure the Van Cleef is ready for immediate departure."

"We'll await your arrival Sir."

"No you'll follow the Celsius, I'm not done here yet. I'm going I'll contact you later."

"Yes Sir."

Lee switched it off. He checked his gun one last time to see if it was loaded then headed for the shore of the lake.

Rekks and Rose were busy reequipping their gears while Tev was going over the last bits of their plan. Rose shifted to her Thief dress sphere as Rekks checked the ammo in his guns, then holstered them.

"Are you sure you want to go?" Rekks asked

"Of course I'm going. I'm not letting you do this alone." Rose looked back at him like he was brain damaged

"Fine, but be careful." He sighed in defeat

Rekks turned his attention to Eli who was putting out his cigar on a nearby bolder.

"So, how many of your flunkies are coming with us?" Rekks smirked

"About 4, of course Tev will stay here to monitor things top side." Eli replied

"You coming?"

"I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Rekks nodded in agreement. Eli headed for the water while Rekks walked up to Tev leaning in close to his ear.

"How's the message going?" he asked

"Rigged up this device. Shay always cares a portable sphere communication device that links with the Ship. As soon as one of these goons ain't looking I'll send a message." Tev replied

Rekks smiled giving Tev a thumbs up then headed back to the water. Rekks stood by Rose as they prepared to dive in. He looked her over her ever curve soaking in her beauty.

"That outfit looks good on you." Rekks smirked

"If all this hadn't have happened maybe I'd give you a much better look at it." Rose smirked back

"Damn." Rekks laughed

Eli placed both feet in the water and inspected everyone one last time.

"ALL hands in we're going under." He cried out

Everyone took a deep breathe before diving into the cold depths of Macalania Lake. Blackness, that's all there was for the first few feet as they swam down. The water seemed to go on forever, an eternal abyss. Everyone switched on their lights peering down into the water.

They caught sight of the temple resting at the bottom of the lake. Parts of it had broken off, while most of it laid upside down. They swam down to the side of the ruined temple until they found hole in the wall big enough for them to slip through.

A few feet away Lee hid behind a piece of wall watching them enter. When they were out of sight he dived down deep and swam around to another part of the temple. He scanned the area and quickly found his own point of entry.

Meanwhile, Rekks and the other swam into the temple. Rose found a door leading to another chamber. Eli signaled to his men and with a heavy tug lodged open revealing an open room covered in ice still filled with air. Quickly they pilled into the room as the water began gushing in through the opening. When everybody was in they fought back against the gushing water to seal off the room once more.

Shivering everyone did their best to dry off and take a break before proceeding on. Rose shifted to her black mage dress sphere and took a look around.

"Now that we're here how do we find the key?" Eli asked Rekks as he squeezed the water out of his jacket

"According to the tablet key is in a secret room is marked by the Al Bhed word for power." Stated Rose

"And what be that word?" Eli inquired

"Bufan." Rekks retorted

"And how do we find this marking in all of this great big temple?" chuckled Eli

"Remember those lighting marbles we asked you to bring before? Find a wall with a strange marking, unusual design or an other weird shape, patter or marking. Then use the marble or cast a thunder spell on it. If it's the right wall the symbol will appear and activating will open the door to the secret room." Rekks answered

"Very well then let's all split up, we can cover the area faster." Commanded Eli

"How do you know we won't just leave." Smirked Rose

"Don't worry little lady, "My Partner" isn't going anywhere." Eli replied as he eyes Rekks

"Don't worry about anything Eli just go and try to find that wall." Snarled Rekks

As Eli began climbing down deeper into the temple Rose turned to Rekks to whisper something to him.

"Why don't we just wait till he's out of sight and head back out the door. We can ditch him and come back with help later." Whispered Rose

"That'd be a great idea except I'm surprised that pathway is holding as is. There's a lot of pressure behind. No way we can get through all that rushing water. Besides it might cause all the walls to crumble and let all the water in. For now we're trapped in an upside down under water ice temple of death with a crazy pirate." Sighed Rekks

"Wonderful." Rose replied her annoyance rising

"Listen we'll be okay. We just have to find the Key before they do." Rekks hopped down from where they were and headed down a path into another room

Rose sighed and reluctantly followed behind him. They traveled down the ice path until they came a upon a frost covered door they couldn't open.

"The years have not been good to this place. Can you melt it?" Rekks smiled at her

"Stand back." Rose smirked

Holding out her hand Rose used a fire spell to melt the ice. Rekks grabbed a hold of the handle and tried to open the open the door but it was still jammed. Grinning he gave it a couple of kicks before it finally budged. Rekks pushed it open the rest of the way and they continued through.

Rekks and Rose found themselves in a large room that seemed to be crumbling apart as they stood there. Water dripped everywhere, scorch marks all over the walls. To the left they saw piece of wall with the word Bufan carved on to it, glowing brightly. Rekks and Rose looked to each other in disbelief.

"You don't think?" Rekks motioned to the mark

"They couldn't have found it this fast." She replied

Rekks cautiously placed his hand on the symbol, nearby the wall crackled as a piece of it flipped down, lowering to the floor revealing a secret door.

"Stay back just a bit in case." He called out to her as he approached the door

"Be careful." She replied

There was a switch to right of the door frame. Rekks activated it and the door slid open with easy, beyond it all he could see was darkness no light what so ever. He entered slowly drawing his guns, pointing them forward. His hands trembling slightly.

As soon as he entered the door shut behind him. Rose cried out as the wall slammed back into place. Distraught Rose ran back up to the symbol placing her hand on it desperately trying to reopen the passage way. But no matter how many times she tried nothing happen.

Rekks spun around startled as the door shut behind him. He kicked the door but it he only managed to her his foot. Rekks cursed as the lights switched on. He felt the cool melt of a gun barrel placed firmly to the back of his head. Rekks sighed holstering his guns.

"You got me Eli."

"Eli, no I'm afraid not."

Rekks' eyes widened. He took a big gulp, turning around slowly. Lee stood there pointing the barrel of his revolver right into Rekks' temple. Rekks glared at him.

"You Bstard. It was you." Growled Rekks

"There's a switch on the wall over there, I want you to press it exactly when I press the one on the other side of the wall." Lee replied

"I see that's why you haven't killed me yet."

"Yup I just locked the door behind you."

"Why did you betray us?"

"I want the Nightingale."

Lee placed his hand on the switch, Rekks following suit.

"What for?"

Lee opened fire hitting the wall just a few feet from Rekks' head. Rekks quickly pulled his gun aiming it right back at Rekks.

"Please, only one of us here has it in him to kill the other. And I know it isn't you." Lee fired again hitting just a few inches closer

"Don't test me. After all you still need me to hit this switch for you or else nobody gets the key. Isn't that right these switches reveal where the key is doesn't it?"

Lee fired again Rekks jumped up as the bullet slammed into the floor were his foot was just a few milliseconds ago.

"Correct. Now if you don't mind with all this commotion Lee will probably be here soon and I don't think either one of us wants him to get the key. Press the button." Lee smirked

"Why Lee? You were behind everything……why. Why did you bring in Eli, Why did you betray us? I don't get it, I don't get any of it. Tell Why you Fck bag!" demanded Rekks

Lee fired again just barely missing Rekks' ear by an inch. Angrily Rekks fired back four times hitting the wall to the right of Eli. Rekks clenched his teeth glaring at Lee.

"It's just you and me. Press the switch." Snarled Lee

"I'm not letting you get the key." Rekks answered back

"We'll see. Press the switch." Lee laughed

Rekks took a deep breathe.

"1….2…" Rekks counted

"…..3!" Lee exclaimed

They pressed the switch simultaneously. At the other end of the room a panel opened up on the floor. A large stone pillar rose from the ground. At the top of the pillar the key was inserted into an opening.

They both hesitated. Taking one last look at each other they both bolted toward the key. Lee opened fire on Rekks who did his best to avoid the bullets. Tripping over a loose tile, Rekks hit the ground with a roll and fired back at Lee barely missing him. Lee was only a few feet away from the pillar when Rekks got desperate.

His eyes began to glow green, holding his hand out he caused a piece of the ground to rise up knocking Lee to the ground. Rekks quickly pushed himself up, and with every once of strength he had in his legs launched himself at the key. Lee got to his feet shortly after Rekks past him. Lee aimed his gun but it was too late. Rekks pulled the key out, quickly ducking behind the pillar.

"Gimme the key Rekks!" Lee demanded

"Fck You!" Rekks cried out stuffing the key into his pocket

"You can't win." Lee stated pulling out his second gun aiming it at the pillar

"Telling me that just makes me want to play even more." Rekks replied

Lee prepared to open fire when they heard a large booming sound. Lee turned his head back toward the entrance. The walls began to shake as the booming became louder and louder. Lee holstered one of his guns then pulled out a grenade.

"Lee's coming. Better run." Laughed Rekks

Lee tossed the grenade over to Rekks. Seeing it Rekks jumped out of the causing Lee to open fire on him again. Rekks pulled out his sword doing his best to block the bullets. The grenade went off causing an explosion that knocked both combatants to the ground.

Gallons of water began gushing into the room. Lee stood up first the water sweeping past his legs, he fought hard to stay up as he aimed at Rekks.

"Give me the key!" he screamed

Before Rekks could answer the wall on the other side of the room burst open, causing pieces of stone and smoke to scatter everywhere. Water began rushing past Eli and the other's feet as they piled in.

Eli pulled out his guns aiming them at Rekks and Lee. Lee growled angrily then ran for the opening. The water hit him full on, but he still managed to force his way through and out of the temple. The temple began to creak and tremble as the water began to fill it up.

"Who was that?" snarled Eli

"Talk later. This place is going down." Rekks replied

Back at the base camp Tev waited by the equipment. The guard nearest to him turned his head to spit. Tev quickly pulled out an extra lighting marble from his pocket and tossed it as far as he could. The lighting erupted catching the attention of all the pirate guards. Suddenly a fire sprang up where the lighting struck forcing all the pirates to leave base camp to investigate.

When they were out of sight, Tev switched on his communicator zeroing in on Shay.

"Shay, can you hear me? Shay honey can you hear me?" He called out

"We can hear ya alright." Vid answered back

"Vid where's Shay?" asked Tev

"I'm right here, how you guys doing?" she asked concerned

"Good, I don't have mush time but listen. Rekks wanted me to tell you to watch out for…." Tev was cut short when he heard the sound of gunfire

The bullets tore into the consol causing it to spark. Tev ducked out of the way as it burst into flames. He turned his head to see the smiling face of Eli as emerged from the water.

"Making a personal call are we?" Just before Eli could fire Rekks sprang out of the water to stop him

"No…we need to talk. And you are not hurting my cousin." Rekks commanded

Rose came out of the water followed by the rest of the pirates. She ran to Tev's side and helped him up as all of Eli's men surrounded the three heroes.

"Where's the key Rekks?" asked Eli

"Why don't you ask your other "Partner", cuz that was him. He took the key and ran." Rekks answered back

"Lair!" Eli shouted out point his gun at Rekks' head

"I know, who he is. You can't beat him alone. If we work together maybe we can get the chest before he does?" Rekks shouted back

"Who is he?" Eli asked calming himself down

"His name is Lee." Rekks answered back

Tev looked at Rekks wide eyed. He turned to Rose in disbelief, but she only confirmed Rekks' statement with a nod.

"And you say he has the key?" Eli asked again

"Yup, so I suggest we stop fighting and try to find the chest before he dose." Rekks stated

Lee put away his gun signaling his pirates to do the same.

"What are ye suggesting then?" asked Eli

"You and me. You need my teams brains and we need you for transportation and muscle." Rekks replied

"A double cross? You are a sly one." Laughed Eli

"You ain't seen nothing yet." Smirked Rekks

"Fine….everyone head back to the ship." Eli commanded

As they packed up, Rekks secretly turned to Rose and Tev. He took a quick look before pulling out the key and tossing it to Rose. Shocked, she shoved it into a pocket as fast as she could, shooting Rekks an angered look.

"What's going on dude?" Tev asked bewildered

"The game just took a whole different turn." He replied lowering his head

To be continued……………..

Now that Lee knows that Rekks is on to him what's his next move. Also with this new information in hand and the key lept secret what will Rekks do next. And how will Eli react to the decit of his two "partners". The plot thickens, who will win this game. Keep Reading. Remember to send your reviews, thoughts, questions, suggestions, etc. I love getting Feedback. Coming soon, Chapter 5: Paint it Black.