Ethan had learned everything he needed. KH3106's life was saved, and he was just about to look up and call out to Red Snow when she came soaring down toward him.
"Ethan, we need to go. Someone's coming!" she called, landing lightly beside him.
Before he could respond, another figure descended from the sky, bringing two others with him. It was Blackie, flanked by Julian and Micah.
"Boss," Blackie said, urgency in his voice, "those ingrates are heading back this way. We need to get out of here, fast!"
"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, startled. "Let them come. What's there to be afraid of?"
"They're… coming for you." Blackie flipped his hand over, revealing something in his palm. "Just now, tokens like this appeared in the sky, dropping right into everyone's hands."
It was a pristine jade tablet. On its surface glowed a line of text and a shifting image.
"Eliminate this person… to unlock the Ninth Layer Sanctum!"
