Hayate watched closely as he delivered his taunting message to the young girl who appeared to have flown into a fit of rage. She lashed outwards blindly even getting caught up in some derelict vines as she thrashed about for a bit. He wondered if it had anything to do with the cut he gave her on her arm as he dodged her first attack. She seemed like the type to fly off the handle like that after all. But Hayate would have to test it to be certain.

She’s up to something.

Strangely enough Hayate could see her eyes darting past him towards her bow she had carelessly dropped moments earlier. He saw the desperation in her eyes and knew she was about to make her move. Hayate raised his wakasashi once more, gripping it tightly and preparing to attack again. But then something unexpected happened, the girl made her move.

Felicity wasn’t tall, in fact her short arms and legs made her look kind of like a dwarf. But she still moved with great quickness in every step as she attempted to swerve past him. Hayate would let her do that so easily. As he shifted his weight and was about to take off to intercept Felicity he began to feel a strong burning sensation. Felicity flicked her wrist and lobed a handfull of blood at him. The majority of her infected blood landed on the ribs of the Corpse King but a few drops spattered right though landing on the young swordsman’s face.

“Ahhh.” He screamed out as whatever magic fueled this little girl began to eat away at his tender flesh. "What is this?!"

You should have ended it when you had the chance. Yamato began to scream at Hayate telepathically. Now it’s my turn.

It wasn’t often that Yamato insisted on taking center stage but when he did there wasn’t much Hayate could do about it. As the swordsman attempted to wipe away the acidic blood the rib cage around him started to ignite in a vibrant red aura. Even if he wanted to stop Yamato it was too late. Suddenly sinews of ethereal flesh and cartilage appeared and began to encase the Corpse King until a full twenty foot tall ethereal samurai stood in its place.

Though Hayate was safely nestled inside the chest cavity of his Avatar the effects of Felicity’s toxic blood had still taken effect, slowly melting the man’s right cheek away. Thanks to his unique connecting to the Corpse King, its face also started showing signs of the same injury. Both master and spirit worried that the young girl would catch on and exploit their weakness but for the time being they just hoped she wouldn’t turn tail and run.

Don’t go too over board now. Hayate pleaded with Yamato. Though his face stung he wasn’t out of the game yet and wouldn’t let his partner show him up.

I’d done letting you tell he what to do? Yamato screamed at his master. Every time you take the reins I always have to pick up your broken ass pieces. This time we are doing things my way.

It was true that Hayate didn’t much care for his partner’s aggressive attitude towards fighting but it was also true that Yamato has more or less gotten them out of all their sticky situations. For now Hayate resigned and allowed Yamato to control the Corpse King without him impeding the sword spirit’s actions.

Then the giant avatar sprang into action, lobbing fist after fist trying to strike the girl. If any of their attacks would land on a vital spot there would be enough force behind it to kill any man or demon. But something about this little rage child worried Hayate. He worried that if they were to strike her again would she just fly off the rails like before. Regardless he allowed his partner to continue try and squash Felicity.