Blackstone was reminded of the manipulation, the spell-casting he saw used on the captives in the woods. As the spawn's witch-doctor had cast imagery upon those souls, the serpentine horror had done the same to the warrior.

In reality, Princess Tapia was still chained to the ceiling and not part of any sexual escapade.

The giant offspring of Apophis, freed from the ax and sword, was stretching its jaws in preparation to devour the horned warrior who stood lost in a fantasy. There had been no wild fornication with the princess. There had been no heated sex that would send quiver through the body of any man. The moment had been an illusion and Blackstone had finally seen through it just in time.

Quickly, Blackstone shook his head. The cobwebs of illusion were torn from his mind.

With smooth and powerful motion, the warrior swung the sword Retribution. It sliced a thick, gaping wound in the neck of the giant snake that had been lunging forward to devour the armored warrior.

This Spawn of Apophis gurgled and jerked from the deep cut. Without hesitation nor mercy, Blackstone continued his attack. The sword swung and swung, each time finding its mark into the neck of the creature. Geysers of green blood and befouled magic sprayed around the lair.

One last hiss - filled with both anger and fear - and the giant serpent crashed to the ground. Its head rolled away from its body.

Blackstone leaned against his blade.

Why the beast waited to use its hypnotic ability was a mystery to the warrior. Perhaps it needed time to energize its powers or it could have been it needed to beat its opponent down.

Whatever the reason, the creature was now dead.

Blackstone rose shakily to his feet, turning his head to see the pure and pristine Princess Tapia chained in the background.

Tears running down her eyes.

"Fear not, princess..." the horned wanderer began. "You...are...saved."

It was not long after that Blackstone and the princess returned to the kingdom of the crystal elves.

THE END