"Narrita!" Miwah shouted as she stormed down the hall with Tamma by her side. Both carried frustration on their faces as they caught up with the sobbing bandit. Narrita remained on her knees, her face buried into the palms of her hands as she stayed a few feet from the remains of her former crew.

"That's... that's almost everyone... but Horace," she muttered. Miwah grabbed Narrita by the shoulder and stood her upright. Despite being nearly half a head taller, Narrita maintained eye contact with the seamstress. "What is it?" Narrita stammered, trying to hide her sorrow. Her eyes were red and her cheeks an equally bright shade of crimson. Long streaks of tears on her cheeks glistened from the candlelight of the corridor.

When Miwah saw the anguish in Narrita's eyes, her anger subsided. She took a step back and took in a deep breath. The seamstress' muscles relaxed as she her clenched fist turned into an open hand that rested on the bandit's shoulder. "I know what you are going though, Narrita," Miwah said calmly.

"Oh, do you?" Narrita snapped, expressing her anger by furrowing her eyes.

"I do," Miwah replied. "I lost my entire village before coming here. Everyone I had ever known. Killed in one night by Ghenkans."

"It's true, Narrita," Tamma said. "If anyone knows how you feel, it's Miwah."

"What are you trying to get at?" Narrita asked, her tone shifting to one of curiosity. "That I should just... keep going? What's the point if everything I've ever known in my entire life is just... gone?"

"I do not know," Miwah said as she lowered her head. "I wish I had all the answers. But one thing that I can say for certain is that no amount of crying is going to bring the Cutthroats back. And tears will not be enough to give the Ghenkans what they deserve."

Narrita turned her gaze to the pile of bodies at the other end of the hall. Her hands were wadded into tight fists as her entire body shook. "Yeah. I guess that's one thing we can agree on."

"Gertrude gave us orders. She told us to take out whatever Ghenkan we could. And that we are to work together. But we will need you to be focused. Determined. Everyone's life depends on how you handle your power." Miwah lifted the stone of Narrita's Beacon. "You are what stands between victory and defeat."

Narrita took the stone of the necklace and looked at it. "That's a lot of responsibility for someone that hasn't even had a chance to try out this Purifier thing."

"Tell me about it," Tamma said. "Being thrust into a life-or-death situation is just part of the learning experience."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine, Narrita," Yalch said as he floated next to the seamstress and the bandit. "Gertrude was a top Purifier back in her day. If she has confidence in you, then that means you can handle this!"

"Fine. You three talk a good game," Narrita said with a slight smile. Tears still streamed down her eyes, only to be promptly flicked away with a wave of her finger. "Besides, those Ghenkans won't be taking themselves out."

"Exactly," Miwah said, smiling in return and nodding her head. "Now, Tamma and I will not be able to stay in our Purifier forms much longer. Gertrude suggested that as soon as you see a Ghenkan, press the stone against your heart. Once transformed, you'll take lead since you will be the most powerful."

"All right."

Tamma started down the hall, keeping an arrow ready to launch from Solstice. "I can hear the sound of footsteps coming up!" the hunter said. "We'll have to get ready for a fight!"

"Are you ready, Narrita?" Miwah asked.

The bandit clutched the jewel on her necklace tight and nodded. "Yes."

Miwah ran down the hall and caught up with Tamma. The hunter fired a golden arrow down the hall once the seamstress was by her side. More Ghenkans came rushing through, with a pair of men holding large wooden shield as they led the procession. A single golden arrow was stuck into the barrier as the Ghenkans marched forward, undeterred by Tamma's attack. The hunter fired three arrows in rapid succession, only able to hit the front of the shields.

"You might have to use your spell, Tamma," Miwah whispered as she put herself in a defensive stance.

"I was already planning that, lass." The hunter pulled the glowing string of Solstice back as far as she could. The magical arrow formed between the string and the bow grew exponentially before Tamma released it. A giant swirling light filled the entire hall, blinding everyone inside. There was some confusion and grunts from the Ghenkans as the spell soared towards them. Once the light dissipated, the men in the front were on the ground while the shattered shards of their shield lay strewn across the floor.

As they started to rise to their feet, Tamma fired more arrows into the crowd, putting them back down for good. Those that did survive Tamma's onslaught of arrow sprinted forward, keeping their attention on Miwah as she positioned herself in front of the hunter.

The first Ghenkan shrugged off an arrow that grazed his shoulder, gritting through the pain as he went for a thrusting stab with his sword. Miwah stepped to the side and parried the blow, making the blade go wide. With the Ghenkan's body now exposed, Miwah pushed the tip of Liberator into the Ghenkan's heart, killing him instantly. Two more Ghenkans took their fallen cohort's place, trying to break through Miwah's defense. She moved from side to side, deflecting every attack from their sword and axe with the blade of her weapon.

Narrita stood in the back. She looked at the melee in front of her and then peered at the shining stone before. "Let's hope this works," she whispered. The bandit followed the ghost's instructions and placed her stone over her chest. Another brilliant engulfed her, turning the surrounding area a blinding white. Tamma glanced over her shoulder as Miwah and the Ghenkans continued to battle despite the distraction.

Once the light from the transformation vanished, Narrita stood adorned in her Ensemble.

A tight piece of fabric covered her from the chest down to the very top of her legs with a pattern mimicking that of scales. A long cape extended from the extravagant lace collar that wrapped around her neck. Her hands were covered in black, fingerless gloves while a pair of white leather boots reached all the way past her knees. Covering her eyes was a thick coat of black face paint. Narrita eyed her outfit for a moment, ignoring the long shadow that was cast over her.

And to the bandit's side was a looming snake that towered over her. He let out a long hiss as his tongue stuck out between his long and sharp teeth. Narrita turned around and stared at the beast with wide eyes.

"P-Pierce...?" she gasped in disbelief. She reached for his head and gave the scales on his back a gentle stroke. The snake hissed again and closed his eyes, resting his chin on Narrita's shoulders. She gave him a few pats on the head before hugging his neck tight. "I can't believe it's really you!"

"Try to make your reunion quick, lass," Tamma said as she fired another arrow into the oncoming crowd. "We need all the help we can get!"

"Right." With a big smile on her face, Narrita stood with one hand on her hip as she pointed with other hand towards the Ghenkans. "You remember how we used to train, Pierce?"

The snake let his tongue stick out again.

"What does that mean?" Yalch asked.

"That means yes," she said to the ghost. "Now, let's put that training to use!"

Pierce lunged forward, slithering across the ground towards Tamma. She stopped aiming her bow to stare at the giant the snake that loomed over her with its jaw opened wide. A green liquid dripped from its teeth and onto the floor, making the stone ground sizzle as it dug a small hole into the surface.

"Stop! Not her!" Narrita shouted while waving her hands. "And not the Xiwaoan girl, either!" The bandit pointed at the Ghenkans, all of whom, save for the one that continued to exchange strikes with Miwah, were staring at the snake. "Those are the ones that you're supposed to focus on!"

Pierce cocked his head in confusion. Narrita pointed at the Ghenkans again. "Go on! Attack!" The snake's eyes then shifted between both Miwah and the band of Marauders that packed the hall.

"Your class must be Summoner," Yalch said. "I've worked a few other Summoner Purifiers before. Pierce will act and behave just as he did before he died, but in battle he might need a bit of help."

"I already told him to attack!" Narrita said as she stomped her foot while pointing at the Ghenkan closest to Miwah. "What more do I need to do?"

"Think of him as a weapon. An extension of you. You'll have to control him with your mind and body."

Narrita looked at Pierce. He stuck his head forward, looking at Miwah like a snake ready for a meal. The bandit pulled one hand back and Pierce retreated his head away from the unsuspecting Purifier. "Oh. I see. This is going to take some getting used to," she said as she waved her head around. As her fingers moved in a small circle, so did Pierce's head.

"Better start practicing now, lass," Tamma said as she nudged Narrita's shoulder. "I don't think me and Miwah have much longer in these forms." Tamma fired one more arrow towards the Ghenkans, only for it to disappear mid-air, along with the Solstice and her Ensemble.

Narrita cracked her fingers and put on a smile. "Right. Might as well try to have a bit of fun while we're at it!"