As was well-known, kitsunes are masters of illusions. The older a kitsune gets, the more tails they acquire and the more powerful they become. At a certain point, they gain the ability to bend space, which included the power to teleport and to make their dens a lot bigger on the inside. This was clearly the case here as Katie's group had been walking through hallways for a while and they didn't appear to be going anywhere.
"Just how big is this place anyways?" snapped Rexie.
"This is a kitsune's den," said Merlin, "They can make it as big as their power allows it. And to make one this particularly labyrinthine, this much be a very strong kitsune."
"She won't be strong enough to stop me from killing her," growled Lilith. It was clear the long trek was wearing her already-short patience thin.
"I'm just surprised she hasn't sprung any more traps or sent more foxes at us," said Katie. Just then, a black fog started forming in front of them. "Oh, looks like I spoke too soon," said Katie.
"Finally, something to tear apart," said Lilith, her fingers starting to look like claws.
The fog quickly formed into a black kitsune and she cried, "Hold! I come in peace!" To make this point clear, she waved a white flag.
"Don't waste time with this. Tear her apart," snarled Lilith.
"Wait a moment," said Katie, "Let's hear her out first."
"If we stop to listen, we'll run out of time," snapped Rexie.
"On the contrary," said the kitsune, "If you don't heed my words, you will never be able to reach the young ones in time. My sister's maze will keep you wondering while she absorbs their essence and makes them her kits."
"Your sister?" asked Merlin.
The kitsune nodded and said, "My name is Hikari and Yomi is my sister. Or rather, was my sister. Whether she succeeds or fails, she will no longer be welcome by my clan. She has gone too far this time."
"Your clan abducts children and turns them into kits," said Merlin darkly.
"We are not all cruel," said Hikari, "My kits have been betrayed by their parents and doomed to die. I rescued them and gave them homes. Yomi's children are veterans who have been discarded by their country for no longer having useful limbs. I assumed she was giving them mercy, not building a private army."
"That would explain why those fox guards were more organized and prepared for battle," said Merlin.
"Mia isn't a soldier," snapped Rexie, "Neither are Kellie and Jack."
"No, she targeted them for being so closely related to beings of powers," said Hikari, "I suspect she is using their latent magic to accelerate her progression to a ninth tail."
"So she's an eight-tailed kitsune," said Merlin, "That would explain the size of this den."
"Yes, but I can lead you straight to her and the children," said Hikari.
"Why? Why would you betray your sister?" asked Katie.
"As I told you, Yomi has disgraced our family and she is too arrogant to consider surrender. She has stolen these children and will not take heed of the consequences," said Hikari.
"You're not wanting me to slaughter your kind so you're throwing her to the wolves," sneered Lilith.
"The actions of one do not define an entire race," said Hikari, "You yourself should know this, First Mate of Adam." When Lilith glared at her, the kitsune knelt on the ground and said, "Please, I mean no deception. I shall take you to my forsworn sister so you may rescue the ones she has taken. I swear by all my tails that I speak no lie."
"As if I'd believe a trickster," said Lilith as she raised her hand to strike her down.
"Wait a minute," said Katie, "If she is telling the truth, we won't be able to get to Jack and Kellie in time without her. And I think that oath is pretty important, right?"
"That is true," said Merlin, "If a kitsune breaks an oath made on their tail, they lose that tail. To risk all of her tails is the most serious of vows."
"Then how do we know she won't take the children herself or help her sister afterwards?" demanded Lilith.
"Yomi will never be my sister again, even if she wins," said Hikari, "And I do not wish to take your children. I have plenty of kits myself."
"Lilith, I think we'll need her," said Katie, "She's not the kitsune you want to rip apart."
"Does she really believe her help will spare her wretched kind?" sneered Lilith.
"I'm not a big fan of them right now, but I'm not taking chanced with Mia on the line," said Rexie.
Lilith gave an annoyed groan and said, "Fine, I shall not kill this kitsune, if she can get us to the one we want fast."
"As soon as said as done," said Hikari.