Ch 26:
As Dimitri commands his evil creatures, Ren, his fiance, Tula, Ioz and the monkey - bird are searching the island for the strange occupant that lived there not knowing the danger they were in. "Ren, I can almost sense where this being is..." "Tula, what is it?" says Ren to see her pointing towards a large cave and surrounding the cave are purple orchids. The scent was almost intoxicating. They then approach the cave. When they reach the cave, Ioz walks in front of Ren and Tula. He doesn't like the cave. He had a bad feeling about it. "Ren, I'm a pirate and I have seen a lot of things that easily could make you turn dead pale white, but." "What, Ioz?" says Ren. "This cave. There's something about it, but I can't put my finger on it." But Ioz isn't alone on this; Tula to also gets a strange feeling about the cave. "Ren, I hate to say this but I agree with Ioz on this. There is a great evil in this cave. Whatever is in there should not be disturbed," and as she says this she shivers as if a cold breeze swept over her. But just as Tula felt this cold breeze Ioz notices a small sign hidden behind a large green bush. He pushed it aside so he could see what the sign said. But when he did, there was something covering it. He then started to brush the dust off the sign when Tula grabs his arm. "No, Ioz! Don't touch it!" He jerks her hand away. "Spooky Wench!" "Ioz, wait!" Ren yells grabbing Ioz's hand. "Tula may be right. I don't think you should touch it!" "Why should I? What does she know?" and just Ioz says this Niddler calls them.
"Ren! Ioz! Tula! Look, the plants are surrounding you. They look like they're closing in all around you!" Tula tries to use her ecomantic abilities to stop the plants. And as she is about to use her powers something strange happens. She notices that Ren's pouch is glowing. "Ren! Look the pouch, it's glowing!" "What?" He then looks down to see the pouch beginning to glow; then as if a chain reaction had started Ren's compass to started to glow. The blue light then shot out of the compass. "This must have something to with one of the treasures." He then walks over, holding the compass and went to touch the sign. "Ren! Wait!" but he lifts up his hand. "No, Tula. I want to try something. Bare with me, please." He then as he holds the compass gently brushes off the dust. And as he brushes off the dust, the plants move back, as if afraid. "What's going on this J'taten island?" "I don't know, Ioz, but maybe this sign will explain it to us." After they read the sign Ioz starts to go inside the cave with Niddler right behind him.
Meanwhile as they walk in Tula suddenly gets a strange feeling. The same kind of feeling that she would receive when she is near dark water. "Ren, there is danger in that cave. Great evil! We have to stop them from going in there!" But it was already too late. They were already inside. "Look, you wait here, I'll go in and get them," he said, touching her arm. He then went inside, not knowing that the stranger was watching. "Soon, Prince Ren, you and your friends will discover the evil in that cave," he said smiling. He then looked behind him to see his little friends behind him. He wasn't sure what these creatures were after he released them from the cave they obeyed his every command. And as he looked at these creatures called Gulams how he had found them after he had transformed. It took him awhile to figure out what he had become. He was now a Demonic Strangler. Somehow the plants had turned him into a Demonic Strangler.
He also knew that once they reached the end of the cave they would find the same thing he did except these creatures that they were frozen were now released. He then thought that's when the pirate would see the bright light at the end. He could even see the pirate walking over to the light not knowing the danger he was walking into. He then laughed, soon they would replace these creatures. He then thought about the apparition he had found. And it was the apparition that had kept his little friends frozen. They had been put there originally as guardians for the spirit. But when the dark water had been released the creatures suddenly changed. She had no other choice, but to turn them to stone." And as he said this one of the little Galums then jumped in his arms and said, "Once he sees her she will tell him about his little friends and how they had been released. And ever since their release her powers to protect the island from dark water would diminish she would need a new guardian to protect her. And he would have to replace them. But if the creatures were brought back and turned to stone the island would be safe. And he knew that wouldn't happen." He then looked back at the girl standing there waiting for her young prince to return. He knew that the boy would not make it in time. He then ordered his little friends to get the girl, but not to hurt her. The Galums then ran towards her. He then watched the four little beasts run towards her.
When the Galums got to where Tula was standing, the four little beasts jump on top of her forcing her to the ground. She tries to get up but as she falls back down. The little beasts then shove her hands into the ground making sure she can't get up. He then appears. "Well done, my friends." He then hands them some rope. "You two hold her feet, while the other two tie her hands then her feet." The Galums then smile and do just as they are asked; holding her feet while the other two begin to tie her hands. As Mangus watches his friends tie her feet while the other two begin to tie her hands. As Mangus watches his friends tie her feet she looks up at him. He smiles at her. He then turns back his attention to the Galums watching one tie her hands while the other sits on her neck so she can't push herself up. As she struggles she turns to him and says, "Why are you doing this to me?" He laughs. "The truth. You are my revenge." "I don't understand. What have I done to you?" "Not you," says Mangus. "It's the boy I'm after. Well, actually I would rather get back at his father, but he would do. See, because of Primus, I am this way. And since he is responsible I have to make him pay! He made me look like this and if I can't get vengeance of Primus I will get through his son, and you're the bait. I want him to suffer as I had. First he will see his friends turn to stone then he will watch you die!" He then lifts his hands and Galums step away. He then grabs her by the neck and pulls her up. "Don't worry your death will come fast," he says smiling to her as she struggles against his grip.