“Do you know why I’m here?” The Arthreeki asks calmly. He looks at them hesitating in front of him for a moment, before baring his teeth in a wide grin. “How about we don’t fight? You don’t have to complete the mission. If we combine our powers, we can break the seal placed around this place.” The Arthreeki pauses for a moment, peering into each of their eyes. His voice shifts to a seductive lilt, snaking around their ears.

“Freedom. Have you thought about it? Why let yourselves be controlled. Are you going to waste your second chance at life in these desperate fights?” His words eat at their spirit, his whispers worming into their ears. “Let’s work together-“

Ambrose pounces, cutting his words off midway as her blade comes crashing down on him. His mouth twists into a distasteful frown as he steps back, parrying the blade with his own that he had kept hidden.

“Barbaric.” He spits. “And what of you three?” His voice is angry now, the seductive lilt lost. His words drip with venom. “Are you all going to choose the stupid option.” Anastasia steps forward with a grim look, Meize and Bunny glancing between each other.

“Pick the sure option.” Ambrose says evenly, her eyes never leaving the Arthreeki. “His promise holds no weight.” Her words convince them, and Meize and Bunny stand their ground.

“Parasites.” He hisses. “I gave you a chance. You're not the first to try and hunt me. I'll make sure you join the rest.” He drops his blade and turns around, kneeling once again. His hands slam against the floor and a resonant murmur fills the space. “Spirit of the hunt, nine sins of Sumi, I grant you reprieve.”

Ambrose’s blade keenly slices the air as it comes bearing down on the man. As it falls, the nine eyes on the stone fox suddenly rotate and stare directly at Ambrose. A tail breaks free and shoots toward her blade, sending her reeling back from the impact.

“Those four are my hunt.” The Arthreeki stands up again, turning to face them with a cold look. “Kill them and I will end your sins.” A keen cry escapes from the fox’s mouth as it stands up, cracking the stone that surrounds its figure.

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The group stares with trepidation as the figure stands tall, towering over them. Its nine eyes watching each of them as its tails sway lazily in the air. On the other hand, the Arthreeki moves backward, slowly disappearing into the darkness.

“How the hell is that stone.” Meize swallows. “I really wish I had two arms for this.”

“Watch out!” Anastasia screams as one of its tails suddenly whip towards Ambrose at blitzing speed. Ambrose is already ducking as Anastasia screams, the wind snapping her head back from the sheer momentum of the beast. Unable to move in time, Ambrose is forced to brace herself with her blade as a second tail comes slicing toward her.

Anastasia steps forward as she drops her weapon, holding her torch high. Her hand draws across the torch and in a swirl the flame blazes alive and curls around her arm. She grunts with effort as she tries to wield the fire, the odd feeling almost like a third arm as an instinct guides her motion, and with a heavy thrust she launches a small tunnel of flame towards the fox.

The fox rears back immediately, dancing around the flame as it draws its tail back to its side. Ambrose retreats a few steps, her blade raised warily. They glance at each other at the outcome, each tightening their grip on the torch they hold.

“We’re counting on you Anastasia.” Meize says grimly. “I still have one fist. If I can ramp it up, I can do some damage.”

“It moves too fast to be made of stone.” Ambrose says as she eyes it. The fox moves back and forth outside of their range, its steps more cautious now. “If we can crack its shell, we should find something less durable underneath.”

“Easier said than done.” Bunny quips. She raises her staff high. “However I can cut some of its vision.” The staff glows, and one of the fox’s eyes veers away. It trembles for a few seconds before suddenly righting itself and training its eye on Bunny. “That didn’t go well.” Bunny frowns. Ambrose looks at her.

“It’s fine.” Ambrose says. “Keep trying. And if you see that old man, use it on him. Something tells me he won’t do as well as this thing.”

“Okay.” Bunny nods. “I’ll keep at it."

“That’s all I can ask.” Ambrose says. As she stares at the fox her eyes glimmer for a moment, before closing them and snapping them back open. “There’s no retreat.” Her words are forceful as she reaches down and takes The Magician card out of her deck.

“Anastasia and I will make an opening for those attacks, Meize. Hit it with all you’ve got.” Ambrose says. Meize nods, his fist clenched tight. Ambrose raises the card high and it glows, piercing the room for a moment before shattering into light. The fox rears itself up and pounces.