Clint got to his feet, ready to fight, joining Dante and Gladys who had been quicker.

“Wait,” said Adam, stepping between his allies and the oncoming strange figure.

The figure’s long coat opened enough for Adam to see the wearer. He saw a coiled mass of snakes, writhing in such a manner as to emulate the motion of a single entity. What Adam had taken for its legs were actually strong tails.

A sleeve rose, pointed forward, a snake head poked out and dropped a note into Adam’s hand.

Adam read the words on the note: “I am Nineteen Snakes.”