Ammit—the beast dwelling in the underworld of Ancient Egyptian mythology, symbolizing divine retribution and order. Its legend was chronicled in the Book of the Dead, occasionally depicted in murals seated by the side of the god Osiris.
Its name meant "Devourer," "Bone Eater," "Eater of the Dead," and it bore other aliases like "Devourer of Sinners," "Heart-Eating Demon," and "Demoness of Death."
In the underworld, souls were judged according to their sins in life. Anubis weighed the heart of the deceased against the Feather of Truth, and if the heart proved heavier—signifying evil deeds—Ammit would devour the sinner's soul.
It combined traits from the three animals most feared by ancient Egyptians: a crocodile's head, a lion's upper body, and a hippopotamus's lower body. Each of these features represented the types of sinners it favored consuming most.
Those cruel as crocodiles, those obsessed with power and material dominance like lions, and those deeply submerged in materialistic greed like hippopotami.
But Sydonay and the others certainly didn't recognize the divine beast Ammit, nor would they care to reference human myths. After all, many gods of human legends were imagined from Crimson Denizens like themselves—just like Sydonay, who had once roamed the ancient world known to humans as Chiyou.
Having witnessed the mighty Sydonay flung away with a single swipe, combined with Ammit's immense, oppressive size, the flame-haired girl and the sibling Denizens stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move.
However, Ammit had no interest in them. Its gaze lingered upon them only for a brief second, before charging toward Sydonay.
"Damn it, reinforcements for the Flame Haze?"
From Sydonay's viewpoint, this massive beast was clearly aiding the Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter. Yet he had no idea whose power summoned it, since he'd never encountered this particular monster before.
His only clue was the towering pillar of gray flames. Flame color usually indicated a Crimson Denizen's identity. But the problem was, Sydonay remembered multiple Denizens who could wield gray flames, and the aura this creature emitted belonged to none of them.
There was no way Sydonay could reach a correct conclusion immediately—and Ammit clearly had no intention of allowing him time to think. The mountain-sized beast's mere steps shook the ground with small earthquakes, and its speed, once it began to move, utterly belied its massive size.
After another brutal claw strike from Ammit, Sydonay's fury finally ignited fully.
"You beast! Don't underestimate me!"
His body flared violently as his already monstrous chimera form swelled further, growing rapidly until he matched Ammit's colossal size. Facing his adversary, he unleashed an enraged roar.
A scene straight out of a tokusatsu series unfolded in reality—though, unfortunately, without an Ultraman to intervene. Two savage beasts clashed ferociously against each other.
Sydonay roared furiously, his eagle-like talons carving three deep, vicious gashes into Ammit's body.
Ammit opened its gaping maw, tearing away a large chunk of Sydonay's flesh blazing with murky purple fire.
Sydonay paid little heed to his injuries—thanks to his power, he could endlessly regenerate his wounds as long as he had enough Power of Existence.
Ammit was similarly unconcerned by Sydonay's attacks. As a divine beast who devoured sinners, Sydonay's blood and flesh—laden with the countless sins of an ancient Crimson Lord—only replenished Ammit's strength. Besides, as a servant of an Underworld deity, even if Ammit were slain, it could be revived again by Nitocris.
For the moment, neither beast could overcome the other.
"Alastor, that beast that suddenly appeared…"
"Hmm… there can be no mistake—it's the familiar of the God of Humanity. I sense the presence of a deity's familiar on it."
When the pillar of gray flames first appeared, the flame-haired girl had already guessed it… Now, with Alastor's confirmation, she felt something hot ignite deep in her chest, her heartbeat accelerating rapidly, her throat suddenly dry.
Yes, it's her… She's saved me again.
Realizing this, the girl's heart raced wildly, her head felt dizzy as if she'd drunk wine, and her body grew lighter, as if wrapped within rainbow-colored bubbles drifting upwards… Yet the feeling didn't last long. Soon, those bubbles popped, plunging her mood sharply downwards as frustration and irritation burned in her chest once more.
Always giving help at critical moments… She really was watching me all along, wasn't she?
Then why won't she show herself clearly? Why doesn't she explain things properly?
Is watching me struggle endlessly and fail to catch her fun for her?
That hateful woman… How could someone be so infuriating?
Initially, the flame-haired girl's plan had been to escape. Alone, she stood no chance against Sydonay, let alone Sydonay backed by two other Denizens.
But now, fleeing no longer seemed necessary.
Sydonay wouldn't defeat Ammit anytime soon, leaving only Tiriel and Sorath as opponents.
Right then, a streaking meteor of dark-blue flame sped across the sky toward them, radiating intense heat waves. Margery Daw, drawn by the commotion, finally reached the battlefield.
"Hey, hey, hey! Isn't that 'Thousand Changes'?! You've gotta be kidding me! Why would someone that famous be in some tiny backwater country like this?!"
Marchosias, the Crimson Lord contracted to Margery Daw, shouted in astonishment at the chaotic scene below. "Also, what the hell's with that gigantic monster holding its own against him?!"
Margery Daw was equally stunned. Since Sydonay could be considered Marchosias's mentor, she was far more aware of Sydonay's overwhelming power than most Flame Hazes. Even battle maniacs like herself and Marchosias would never willingly fight him—because it'd be pure suicide.
Seeing that Marchosias also didn't recognize the enormous beast clashing with Sydonay, Margery warily withdrew her gaze, turning instead toward the other Flame Haze present.
"Flame hair… burning eyes…?"
Margery looked surprised, clearly recognizing the girl's identity.
Marchosias, however, burst out laughing instantly.
"Hahaha! Isn't this Alastor? What's going on here? How'd you and your little contractor end up in such a pathetic mess?"
"Tsk…"
Alastor openly voiced his disgust. "If it isn't the 'Interpreter of Condolence' and the 'Claws and Fangs of Violation.' So, it was you two battle maniacs who rudely forced us out of the city earlier."
"No no no, we'd never! If we'd known it was the mighty Alastor and his contractor, we'd never have chased you off! Such a rare meeting obviously calls for a good fight!"
Marchosias spoke excitedly, clearly not joking. "You feel the same way, don't you, my sharpest fang, Margery Daw?"
"Pipe down, you idiot Marco. Rather than some inexperienced girl whose fangs and claws aren't even sharp yet, I'm far more interested in those two Denizens over there."
Margery instantly discerned the flame-haired girl's immaturity. She then asked directly:
"Since you've been here longer, how about you explain what's happening here? What's that huge beast fighting 'Thousand Changes' over there?"
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