Six days later.

The sun had not fully risen when Kilik was stirred from his sleep by the sound of footsteps. By the faint silhouette it was obvious the early walker was none other than Maxi. Maxi didn't seem to notice Kilik and kept walking. Kilik grabbed the sack still half-filled with supplies and took Kali-Yuga in his other hand. He jogged up to Maxi.

"If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were trying to leave without me," he said and forced a laugh. Maxi didn't deny the comment. "Did you say goodbye to Ophania?" Kilik tried again to get a response.

Silence.

"Was she up this early?"

Still silence.

"It was fortunate she was there to help you when I could not."

"Don't try to smooth it over now," Maxi said in an unusually quiet tone, "Actions speak louder than words they say, and that's especially true in your case."

"Maxi... you know what happened last time..."

"Ten, fifteen minutes at most, it would have taken for you to help me beat those guys off, but no, you had to stick to your precious little vow, and I had to pay for it."

"I didn't ask to be this way! Believe me I wanted to help, but the Seed—"

"Oh, of course, it's all because of that rock in your gut. So tell me, how many minions of the underworld did you fight off while waiting for me to make a recovery from near death? Three? Five? No wait, a whole dozen?"

"Well... no... none actually."

"None. Great. Fantastic. I feel so happy I nearly died for nothing," Maxi spat bitterly. "And right after I saved your life to boot!"

"If you're trying to guilt trip me, it isn't working." Kilik's tone turned angry, as he ran out of patience, "I'm beginning to see the way you work. I'd be willing to bet you provoked those thugs into beating you up." Maxi's steps became shorter for a few strides, a sign that Kilik wasn't far from the truth with that accusation. Maxi lengthened his strides again, not commenting one way or the other. "And I suppose you couldn't just get enough money for the supplies we needed did you?" Kilik continued, "You probably had to take those guys for every cent they had! It's your own fault for being such a gluttonous, arrogant pirate!"

Maxi stopped walking. "Look, I've got a headache, could you just shut up for a while," he started off again, purposely avoiding Kilik's eye.

"Shut up? I'll do better than that I won't be speaking to you at all!" Kilik moved over to the opposite side of the road.

As the sun rose to its height in the sky, and started it's late afternoon hours, their moods were still the same. The mountains Tani had spoke of were looming ever closer. Soon, the two of them had reached the small crevice in the mountains where the toll gate was set up. Only, the gate was smashed in two by a large boulder. More boulders filled the crevice completely.

"Rock slide," the guard answered Kilik's inquiry, "Even if we had men working all day and night the path won't be clear for another three weeks."

"How are we to cross then?" Kilik asked.

"Well, depends on how much risk you like to take," the guard explained walking a few steps to the right and pointed to a road all other travelers were using. "That way will take you around the mountain range, by the looks of you, you're a strong walker, might take you ten days tops. The other way," he jabbed his thumb to the left, "you can go straight over. Take you maybe a day and half, only, the few who do take that way... well, we don't tend to see them on the other side."

With his injuries, we better go the long way. Kilik thought. He turned to Maxi to see if he had the same idea. He wasn't there. Kilik spotted him already starting up the mountain. Fine, if that's how you want to play it! Kilik thought angrily at him.

Maxi drifted in and out of Kilik's sight as they both picked their own ways among the rocks. A full moon cast down enough light for them to make it to the top of the mountain. Oddly, dense vegetation grew at the top of the peak. Maxi thought little of it, walking into the thick of it to make camp for the night. But for Kilik, something was wrong with those trees. He couldn't bring himself to go in them. He thought about telling Maxi of his fears, then thought better against it. He'd only gripe more about the Seed and my inability to be at ease.

Kilik skirted the forest, finding a small bare place along the cliff. Below, he could see torches of the toll gate, and further away the town that had put such a void in his friendship with Maxi. Kilik settled down to meditate, but footsteps came up behind him. He glanced at Maxi. Finally going to admit his error, Kilik thought smugly. "Well, Kali-Yuga, it seems that he's finally come to his senses," he said loudly. Maxi came up behind Kilik, who was still sitting in his meditation pose.

He pushed Kilik over the edge of the cliff.

Kilik, stunned at the treachery, had no time to react and fell several feet to a lower, much smaller lip of rock jutting out from the smooth cliff face.

"What in the name of the great creator do you think you're doing!?!" Kilik yelled at him. Maxi looked over the edge. His expression was blank, then his face began to flatten out until it was completely devoid of any features, except for one glowing red eye in the center of the head, his skin changed from fair to sickly gray and his hands sprouted claws.

"An Imitae!" Kilik whispered with dread. It was an old story, even his old Master was not sure it was ever more than a myth. Creatures with the ability to change their appearance into any person they laid their red eye on. They took the forms of friends and comrades of unaware travelers, gaining their prey's confidence until the opportunity presented itself for the kill. No wonder the guard said so many had disappeared on this mountain, they've been attacked and eaten by those they thought were friends. The only give away to differentiate an Imitae from a human was the Imitae's inability to form a throat or vocal cords, thereby making it impossible for them to speak.

What a time to not be on speaking terms with Maxi!

The Imitae still studied Kilik with it's bulbous eye. Then its flesh began to shape into feature once more. Its mottled gray skin turned fair once again, it grew out brown hair, and formed a turquoise crystal at the neck. It was turning into Kilik! Once the transformation was complete, the Imitae turned toward the forest. Towards Maxi.

"Maxi! Maxi! Watch out! That isn't me! I'm here! Maxi I need help!" he screamed as loudly as he could. No response, but how? Maxi wasn't that far in the trees. Kilik continued to yell warnings, hoping somehow Maxi would hear his calls.

Maxi thought he heard a faint voice. He listened harder, but he couldn't make it out. His senses felt numbed somehow, and the trees almost felt as if they were pressing in on him. Probably the altitude, he decided.

Kilik stepped through the trees and slowly approached Maxi.

"Come to apologize have you?" Maxi taunted. Kilik didn't say a word. "So you still aren't speaking to me? Tch, fine, all the more peace and quiet for me," he prodded.

Kilik kept his eyes on Maxi, and sat down on the dry grass a few feet away. "Going to stare me into submission then? Go ahead, man, knock yourself out. As for me," he settled himself on the ground, "I'm going to sleep."

The Imitae, formed as Kilik watched patiently as Maxi's breathing be came slower and deeper. Once it was sure Maxi slept, it crept closer to him and let its hands relax back into their natural form, long slim fingers with claws long enough to pierce through the entire rib cage of a grown man.

Maxi mumbled in sleep and shifted position. The Imitae hesitated a few moments, but Maxi did not stir again as his chest continued to rise and fall in a steady rhythm. A long claw carefully moved the lapel of Maxi's vest aside, making the heart a clear target for the single attack that would end Maxi's life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Oooh, how dastardly I am to end the chapter at such a point in the story! With Kilik stranded on the cliff face and Maxi asleep and unaware of the danger he's in, how ever will they get out of this one!?!?

O_O!

Thanks for reading! ^^