Anubis, Cale, Sekhmet, and Dais soon found themselves in a grand reception hall. Not one they recognized, but even after four centuries, they could never recall having gained a true spatial understanding of Talpa's castle. They seemed to appear where they were needed, and were never want for that which they sought. The place was less physical, and more spiritual, shaping itself to the intentions of its master.

Now, it seemed a grand stage was required, and upon this raised square platform, fifteen apparitions in full Heian sokutai and eboshi sat in ensemble, each playing one of the many instruments required for this exclusive concert. Until only a century ago, no one outside of the Imperial palace would be permitted to hear this music and live. And within in the Evil Dynasty's borders, that tradition remained steadfast, for if any living mortal soul happened to encounter these haunting melodies, they would surely be rent asunder.

Anubis's gait slowed as the other three approached the stage, he couldn't help but turn his attention to the musical performance. Gagaku. It stirred something in him, and without thinking, he found his gaze settling on each of the instrument's sections in turn; things that were plucked, things that were blown, and things that were struck.

Sekhmet, Cale, and Dais followed Badamon's wilting form with hardly a second thought to the noise. They all paused before an altar centered before the stage and flanked by two bronze incense bowls. The incense smoldered red, seemingly alive with smoking tendrils that reached and twined through the air towards…

The woman.

Lord Badamon, though usually happy to pass through things and people alike without a second thought, deliberately kept his distance from the Koji woman who laid unconscious midst the unnerving performance.

"Taking hold? It seems your tricks are rebuked even in her sleep!" Cale snapped at the ancient spirit, for it was clear that while the air was thick with dark magics and ill potions, nothing dared wash over the woman's still body. Each writhing tendril of smoke would curl and slip, as if snaking along a glass cover.

"Yes, yes, it is unfortunate that even at the threshold of Master Talpa's triumph, this girl's spirit has proved remarkably resilient to my persuasions." His voice was no louder than normal, but still carried clear and clean through the gagaku drone that rose and fell like the breath of a massive beast. Badamon's expression was always a difficult read, but anyone could now recognize the lecherous glint that peeked out as he waived his desiccated hands over her body.

"Her soul remains defiant, unbowed by the power of The Dynasty… But I have a solution, yes… It's why I called you here, good masters."

Now came the collective shift. Backs straighter, eyes forward, and even Anubis was pulled from somewhere long ago to set his wary gaze on the ancient sorcerer along with the other three.

"We are not performers, nor weavers of spells. This is your failure! Plainly speak, magician. We have no patience for your riddles while Master Talpa's will remains unfulfilled." Though the other warlords were loath to ever admit it, their collective settling behind Anubis' declaration confirmed him as their leader, title, or no.

When Anubis spoke and moved to stand front and center midst Cale, Sekhmet, and Dais, the woman's form briefly drew his eyes away from Badamon's leering smile. A small detail, but one that did not escape the old ghost's observations.

"No, no you are not performers," Badamon agreed, bowing his head to avert his eyes from the four warlords who now had set him in their angry sights. His hunched posture had him hovering over their unconscious prisoner, and as he reached a withered hand out to stroke her face and neck in loving anticipation, his eyes shifted to observe the four.

The brush of her skin blackened his digits as a flame to wood, and as he retrieved his hand to allow the process to reverse, the mortal condition of his cohorts did not disappoint.

Sekhmet's lips tightened with as quiet a gulp as he could manage. Cale's jaw ceased its grind with the faintest parting of his teeth. Dais's upper lip curled briefly, his eyes quickly shifting to lock with the sorcerers in defiant rebuke. And Anubis proved most affected, as he took an angry step forward before catching himself.

Badamon's faint smile pulled wider, nearly ear to ear as his suspicions were confirmed in almost comical fashion. Even Dais, whose little tantrum he'd been listening in on, was no better off than his fellow mortal compatriots.

"But what you are, my dear warlords… You are still alive, like her." As he held up his newly restored hand, the other rose in sweeping gesture to silence the gagaku orchestra.

In the void, five distinct sounds of synchronized rising and falling breath put a poetic accent on his assertion. "Thus, I beg your assistance in this, my final spell…"