The sound of scaly scraping, sharp and piercing, echoed in the darkness.
Huai Shi's steps faltered. She sensed something rapidly gestating in the darkness... something growing fast, beyond her control.
In the secret chamber of the Earth Dragon Leaders, all the gathered ninjas sat exhausted on the ground, badly wounded.
"Clench your teeth—"
The aged Zi's voice rang out.
On his face, two bloodied, dark depressions lifted as though assessing the Yin in front of him.
He said, "Don't be afraid."
With one hand holding the blade and the other grasping Yin's wrist, his hand moved, the knife fell, and an arm dropped to the ground, promptly devoured by the hulking giant sprawled there.
The hair-raising sound of chewing filled the darkness.
That was Si.
Representing the Snake amongst the twelve Earthly Branches, the ninja, with his jaws agape, was devouring the limbs of his comrades.
