*

The boat of miscreants and the prince sailed on through the night. The moonlight reflecting off the dangerous waters was their only source of light.

The four had been quiet for a while now, not quite knowing what to say.

“We'll reach the cliffs by dawn,” Sebastian mentioned, according to his calculations.

Sebastian noticed Mike glancing back behind their boat.

“Why are you doing that?” Sebastian asked with an irritated tone.

“Making sure no one is following us,” Mike replied.

“That would be inconceivable,” Sebastian told him. He had absolutely nothing to fear.

“Despite what you think, you will be caught. And when you are, the Prince will see you all hanged,” said Kurt. Even though he very much disliked Karofsky, Kurt knew the Prince would come to his rescue. He was not worried. Well, maybe a little.

“Of all the necks on this boat Highness, the one you should be worrying about is your own,” threatened Sebastian. Kurt couldn't help but wonder if this guy was just all talk. Regardless, he didn't press on the subject any longer.

Mike's glances were becoming more frequent and, to Sebastian, more annoying.

“Stop doing that. We can all relax, it's almost over.”

“You're sure no one would follow us?”

“As I told you, it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, inconceivable. No one in Westerville knows what we've done, and no one in Lima could have gotten here so fast... Out of curiosity, why do you ask?”

“No reason. Suddenly, I just happen to look behind us and something is there.”

“What?!” Sebastian shot up like a lightning bolt and ran to get a better look.

Mike was correct.

A boat similar to there own was following them.

“Probably some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise at night,” reasoned Sebastian, “Through eel infested waters...”

Then all they heard was a big SPLASH.

Kurt had thrown himself overboard. He seriously had to get away from these lunatics. And if there was someone coming to rescue him in that mysterious boat, he would swim to them, even if it killed him.

“Go in! Get after him!” Sebastian ordered his crew.

“I don't swim,” said Mike.

“I only dog-paddle,” Sam told him.

“Gahhhh!” Sebastian had had just about enough of these idiots. Did he have to do everything himself? That's why he hired lackeys in the first place. “Veer left! Left! Left!” Sebastian and Sam rushed to the side of the boat trying to spot Kurt in the water. They needed Kurt if this plan was going to work.

Kurt swam for his life. He swam faster and faster, but then stopped. He heard something. A strange and unnerving kind of shriek he'd never heard before. Kurt looked around for where it could have came from...

“You know what that sound is Highness?” Sebastian called out to him. “Those are the shrieking eels. If you don't believe me, just wait. They always grow louder when they're about to feed on human flesh.”

The moment he said 'human flesh', the biggest and scariest looking creature swam inches in front of Kurt. He gasped loudly. A shrieking eel.

It was hideous and frighting to look at. Though it only had slits for eyes, shrieking eels can smell its prey unbelievably well. Its teeth were sharp as knives and without hesitation, would rip him to shreds.

“You swim back now, I promise no harm will come to you. I doubt you'll get such an offer from the eels.”

Then, Kurt froze at the sight of it:

One of the the shrieking eels was charging him.

It felt like everything was happening in slow motion. He was seconds before death, witnessing his life flash before his eyes, and a vision of his lost love, Blaine graced his memory.

I'll be with you soon, farm boy, thought Kurt as he braced himself for his impending death.

Kurt's eyes were closed, but all he heard was a CLUNK.

It seemed that Sam had bopped the eel on the head and lifted Kurt up into the boat to safety.

“Put him down. Just put him down!” Sebastian commanded.

Kurt could not believe he was still alive.

“I think he's getting closer,” Mike mused, referring to the strange boat that was gaining behind them.

“He's no concern of ours. Sail on!” Sebastian ordered. “I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?” Now speaking to Kurt, clearly miffed by this whole predicament.

“Only compared to some,” Kurt replied, still a little frightened and out of breath.
It was now becoming morning, as the sky turned orange. The wind was giving off a refreshing breeze and the waves were pulling the crew closer to their destination.

“Look! He's right on top of us!” called Mike, controlling the mast. “I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using.”

“Whoever he is, he's too late!” shouted Sebastian, pointing at a massive cliff. “See! The Cliffs of Insanity! Hurry up. Move the thing. And that other thing! Move it!” he gestured to random parts of the boat, obviously not knowing their function.

The boat pulled up next to the insanely large cliff. The mysterious boat that was following them was still hot on their trail.

“We're safe,” said Sebastian. “Only Sam is strong enough to go up our way. He'll have to sail around for hours 'til he finds a harbour.”

Kurt noticed the impossibly long rope that hung from the cliff. How convenient...he thought to himself.

Mike helped Sam put on a special vest that had three harnesses attached to it. Then he made sure Kurt, Sebastian and himself were securely fastened to it. Kurt looked up. That is one daunting cliff, he thought. Sam started to climb the rope. His strength was certainly incredible, but one slip up? Death for sure. Kurt shut his eyes tight and held onto Sam for dear life.

Meanwhile, the mysterious boat was pulling up next to the insanely large cliff, just as the crew had done before. Stepping off of the boat was a man dressed in navy blue. A mask covered his honey coloured eyes.

The man in navy immediately started climbing the rope.

“He's climbing the rope,” Mike said looking down. “And he's gaining on us.”

“Inconceivable,” Sebastian remarked. Who was this masked stranger? Why was he so dead set on catching up to them? “Faster!”

“I thought I was going faster,” said Sam.

“You were supposed to be this colossus. You were this great, legendary thing, and yet he gains.”

“Well, I'm carrying three people. And he got only himself.”

“I do not accept excuses. I'm just going to have to find myself a new giant, that's all.”

“Don't say that, Sebastian. Please.”

The man in navy was very close behind them. A nervous Sebastian was quick to notice.

“Did I make it clear your job is at stake?”

Finally, they had reached the top of the Cliffs of Insanity. The moment Sebastian touched the ground, he ran to the rock that the thick rope was tied around. Desperately, he began to cut the rope with his knife. And then- the last strand broke.

The last of the rope slid over the side of the cliff.

Surely the stranger had dropped to his death.

Mike and Sam leaned over the edge only to find that the man in navy was still hanging on to the cliff!

“He's got very good arms,” observed Sam.

“He didn't fall?” asked a very irritated Sebastian. “Inconceivable!”

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means,” said Mike. “My God. He's climbing.”

“Whoever he is, he's obviously seen us with the prince and must therefore, die. You, carry him. We'll head straight for the Westerville frontier. Catch up when he's dead. If he falls, fine. If not, the sword.”

“I'm going to do him left handed.”

“You know what a hurry we're in!”

“It's the only way I can be satisfied. If I use my right, over too quickly.”

“Oh, have it you're way.”

Sam patted Mike on the shoulder. “You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted.” He wondered if he would see his friend again. Yes, of course he would, he thought. Many people, including Sam himself, have seen that when Mike fences, it's like he is dancing. A dance of death.

“I'm WAITING.” shouted Sebastian impatiently.

Sam took Kurt's arm and caught up with Sebastian. Mike was left waiting for the stranger to climb up over the cliff. He leaned over the cliff to see what was taking him so long.

“Hello, there,” he said, giving a wave. “Slow going?”

“Look, I don't mean to be rude but this is not as easy as it looks, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't distract me,” replied the man in navy.

“Sorry.”

“Thank you.”

Mike pulled out his sword and began practicing a couple moves. Soon, he grew impatient. He wanted to test out his new opponent. Mike went back and leaned over the cliff again.

“I do not suppose you could speed things up?” he asked.

“If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope, or a tree branch or find something useful to do,” the man in navy told him.

“I will do that. I have some rope up here, but I don't think you would accept my help since I am only waiting around to kill you. ”

“That does put a damper on our relationship.”

“But, I promise not to kill you until you reach the top.”

“That's very comforting. But I'm afraid you'll just have to wait.”

“I hate waiting. I could give you my word as an Asian.”

“No good. I've known too many Asians.”

“Is there anyway you'll trust me?”

“Nothing comes to mind.”

“I swear on the soul of my father, Michael Chang Sr., you will reach the top alive.”

The man in navy could see the truth in Mike's eyes.

“Throw me the rope.”