It takes a moment for the world to come back together for Ambrose. The laughter is cathartic, and she feels some of the tension release from herself. As she pulls herself back up she finds herself facing three very different reactions.

The woman who spoke to her has a hard frown set in, her emerald eyes studying Ambrose’s own. Her mouth moves again, and the itch returns, to which Ambrose just shrugs and points to her ears.

The man next to her only watches, his thin frame masked by arms bulging with what Ambrose can only call grotesquely large muscles. His eyes are the wariest, and they remain on each of them at every moment.

To her left stands the other woman. Short, with wild hair and an equally wild look, she’d taken a few steps back from the rest and proceeded to ignore them as she looks up. Ambrose follows her eyes up and stares again at the monstrous entity.

Its figure is massive in a scale that she can’t comprehend. Her eyes find themselves traveling up its feet that reaches far above her height, leading up to the barest hint of its neck as the rest of it disappears into the void above.

Its gigantic back leans against a throne almost the width of the island they stand on, enough to cover each of their waists a thousand times over. As Ambrose stares up at the figure, a rumble passes over the island and with a pop sound rushes back into her ears.

“Can you hear me. Can you hear me. Hello. Come on. Hurry up. I’m sick of-there we go!” The woman’s incessant voice suddenly filters into Ambrose’s ears, and when she turns to her the woman claps her hands in triumph. “Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. Let’s get the introductions out of the way.”

“I’m Anastasia.” The woman continues, gesturing to herself before she points to the man beside her. “That cold looking fella is Meize.” Anastasia’s hand moves to the woman ignoring the others. “Bunny. Clearly fake, but it’s what she gave us. And you?” Ambrose looks at her silently. Anastasia returns the look patiently, and after a long moment she speaks.

“Ambrose.” She says.

“Nice to meet you Ambrose!” Anastasia smiles. “You might be waiting a bit. We’ve been popping in one at a time-“ her words are interrupted as the island rumbles again. “Or not.”

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Anastasia’s eyes narrow as she turns around. Ambrose looks on as a giant stone slate begins to grow out of the ground in front of the giant. It increases in size until it reaches a height twice as tall as each of them, and three times as wide, before the rumble dies down and stills.

Words begin carving themselves on the topmost part of the smooth stone. Much like before. Blood-red, jagged lines carved like a child’s scrawl ripping into paper. They slowly form one word at a time as each of them are drawn in further, watching quietly as the words are revealed.

You whose desire is insatiable. Whose desire gnaws, grips, and eats at you until your heart hollows. You who casts aside what is precious, what is present to clutch even a fragment of it. It is you that I welcome. Use that burning desire in your heart to fight. To survive. Do so long enough, and I will grant your desire.

Ambrose stares alongside the others at the words. None of them smile. As they continue to watch, more words begin to form.

Eternal Hunting Decree

Mission

Locate and kill the Arthreeki hiding in Sumi Village

“I don’t like this.” Meize speaks, a frown settling onto his face. Ambrose watches the stone slate for a moment, but nothing else happens.

“Alright!” Anastasia turns back around. “Introductions are over. So Ambrose…” her words trail off for a moment before returning with a more forced voice. “We’ve all spoken. You see, each of us has…died. Before coming here.” The other two nod their heads as she speaks. “We wondered if it was the same for you.”

Ambrose nods her head. They wait for a moment to elaborate, but when she doesn’t Anastasia continues.

“Okay,” Anastasia continues, “great. Well, not great.” She goes silent for a moment. “We thought we were all odd figures out, but it does seem we have something in common. Desires!” She claps her hands again as her voice regains its original gusto. “I wonder what your desires are?” Everyone remains silent this time.

“Instead of that,” Bunny speaks up, breaking the forced silence. Her eyes study each of our own. “Let’s do something useful. What sort of powers did each of you get?”

“I don’t think you need to know.” Meize snaps back, taking a step away from her.

“That confirms you have one at least.” Bunny rolls her eyes. “Look, it’s obvious you have trust issues.” Meize flinches at her words, but doesn’t deny them. “Which I’d call fair, considering this insanity. But look at this.” She waves her hand toward the writing. “This tells me something immediately. We’re meant to be a team. And I’m sure we’ve all had a great initial experience before we got here.” Bunny emphasises the great in her words as her eyes grow hooded. “A real great experience. We need all the help we can get, and teamwork is high on that list.

“I agree.” Ambrose says quietly, the other three turning to her. She points toward the stone. “Locate.” Then to the next word. “Kill. Two jobs.”

“Exactly.” Bunny nods. “There’s a reason we aren’t alone.”