Francisco escapes from the city sewer system, finding himself in the graveyard of the Old City, and encounters an elusive being who identifies herself as Amaranth. After Amaranth is insulted by one of Francisco's remarks, he continues onward, and finds three hooded strangers partaking in some ritual that involves a bound Zerda set upon a makeshift altar. Francisco scares off the strangers, and rescues the fennec, then continues, only to encounter Amaranth again. Amaranth and a host of dark spirits put on a "play" for Francisco, to tell Amaranth's story