Arthur knelt in front of the small mound of dirt—nothing more than a circle of stones surrounded by blossoms of every color he could find. Yellow petals. Black blossoms. A cluster of white-star flowers he had picked from the cliffside.

Gracie body was long gone so he couldn't give her the proper burial that he envisions. No bones, no ash and no belonging of hers. The only thing that had a trace of her existence...was the memories he had with in his heart.

He placed one final black flower onto the ground and exhaled shakily.

"Gracie…" His voice cracked. "If only we didn't bring that painting back home. We could have continue to live our lives and achieving our dreams. You performing at the Le Zenith Sud and me starting my own music company. Or even us just living a simple life and basic life with the family we create. No matter what path we decided to pick, we were fighting it together. "But things have change and your path was written out—" he looked up at the sky with a hollow stare— "Todd Venice, the angel of death has declined your offering and has given me the opportunity to give it back ten times more."

The breeze settled.

Nothing answered him.

Arthur stood slowly, brushing the dirt off his hands.

A faint shimmer appeared beside him.

Everfox's translucent form drifted from behind his head, floating lazily.

"Well," Everfox drawled, "are you done crying yet over her corpse?"

Arthur swallowed. "Everfox… I need to know something." He turned to him fully as his eyes glowed brightly. "How do I become strong enough to defeat Todd Venice? Which path is faster for me to kill him?"

For the first time, Everfox paused.

Then he smirked—slow, dangerous.

"Oh, there's two ways."

Arthur looked at him completely focus. "Tell me, the fastest and best way?"

Everfox flicked his tail through the air. "I've done it before. Against my own kin. Absorbing a Ycracuse's soul—and gain access to their abilities."

Arthur's stomach twisted. "You… absorb souls?"

"'No, I consume their very existence,'" Everfox corrected, "sounds nice that way."

He grinned wide. "And if Todd Venice can mimic Ycracuse powers, that means he's been doing something similar. So… theoretically… it should work for you too."

Arthur's hands shook. "How?"

Everfox's eyes gleamed.

"Summon Voltail."

Arthur hesitated.

"Why Voltail?"

"You said you needed power." Everfox floated closer, whispering, "So summon it."

Arthur slowly lifted the Capture Cube.

His voice trembled.

"Voltail… come out."

The gem flashed—green and yellow spirals dancing into the air. Energy burst outward and coalesced into the nine-tailed fox. Its fur shimmered bright emerald, electricity crawling along each tail. It blinked up at Arthur with bright, trusting eyes—

But instantly stiffened.

The air around Arthur turned frigid.

Shards of cold drifted around his hands.

A blue weapon crackled into existence—an ice sword forming from thin air.

Arthur stared at the blade in horror. "What is this…?"

"A gift from me," Everfox answered, drifting above Voltail like a predator. "You know what I am going to ask."

Voltail lowered itself defensively, tails sparking with electricity. Grass sprouted rapidly around its paws.

It sensed the hostility in Arthur eyes.

Arthur looked back at Voltail. "What you are asking me to do is completely unreasonable."

Everfox's begun to calm down little bit, watching Arthur getting second thoughts.

"If you can't defeat an inexperienced Voltail…" His eyes turned cold. "Then the love you have for Gracie was nothing but an illusion."

Arthur eyes shot open.

"You can drop dead right now," Everfox snapped. "Erase the last pieces of evidence that contain Gracie very being from existence. Tell me what are you going to say to Gracie on the other side, that the man she fallen in love with...couldn't even avenge her. " He pointed his muzzle at Arthurs ear. "She will simply smile and try to hide her disappointment."

Arthur's heart pounded so violently it hurt.

Gracie's smile flickered in his mind. Telling him that it was fine, then for a brief moment he sees her transform into a restless soul crying in rage with frozen hands chaining her up.

He clenched his jaw. "I won't allow her soul to be tormented like this."

His fingers tightened around the icy hilt. "Even if it means, I MUST BECOME THE DEVIL HIMSELF!!!"

He threw the Capture Cube to the side and entered a stance where the sword was resting on his shoulder.

Voltail growled, electricity crackling violently.

Grass surged beneath its feet, forming a small barrier of vines as its tails lifted in unison.

Arthur eyes glowed brightly. "In another path, we could have been friends. But I must kill you."