"But, aren't we trying to also blend in with the humans?" Hero asked. Okami crossed his arms, annoyed.

       "What humans talk about 18th century ice cream as if they had it yesterday?" he asked. Okami 1, Hero and Risika 0.

       "Okay, good point," Hero and Risika said, sheepishly. Even though annoyed, Okami sighed.

       "There's something deeper here, guys," Okami informed. "It's different from a Fallen Zone, but stronger than a demon. The last thing I want for you and the humans is to be caught off guard by it."

         Though serious, concern was in Okami's tone. Without being acknowledged but definitely felt, Hero and Risika exchanged kind glances. They knew Okami's caring side was showing.

           "Then let's go," Risika said.

           The center of Funhouse was the giant ferris wheel. Anyone who made it there was promised freedom from the game. However, the group of players there looked anything but joyous. In fact, they looked anxious, scared and on edge. There were ages of 15 to 24, all in various costumes and makeup. The trio came up and could sense the emotions in the aura of the players even at a far distance. Something was clearly not right.

            "Why are they scared? Getting to the center was the point, right?" Hero asked his friends. Risika's eyes were serious though cool.

            "We'll soon find out," she replied. The player girl who they saved in the cemetary attraction looked toward them and recognized them instantly.

           "It's you! The ones who took on those reapers!" she exclaimed. Hero smiled and came up.

           "That's us!" Hero replied. "So what happens now? Do we go home? Do we win a prize?"

           The players' faces paled and their hearts skipped beats. A pin dropping would be louder than the space between them.

          " You wish," one of the players said. The group all turned to him. He was a 20 year old guy with a shaved head. He didn't wear makeup, but instead had a sleeveless shirt and pants tucked into combat like boots. He had a scowl on his face. "Getting to the center doesn't set you free from here. The people running this whole game choose two people to fight until their opponent is knocked out...or dead. Those who aren't picked get locked up until the next night."