Working With Phantoms

The Heretic's Tomb

June 9th

Madran arrived back home to see that Elia was sitting at the kitchen table with a very unhappy look on her face. Madran, curious as to what had upset her mother, walked up to Elia and sat next to her.

"Hey, mom, I'm home. What's up?"

Elia sighed and handed a letter to Madran. It was addressed directly to Madran, with Elia moving some hair from her face.

"Well, this letter appeared and the envelope said 'The Kirijo Group' as the sender. Temptations arose, and I opened it and read the letter to find that Mitsuru wrote to you. Ugh, read this crap for yourself."

Madran then opened the letter and read it to herself.

"Oh, let's see... 'Dear Madran Farjis, we have observed your activities regarding the Metaverse and your group since February. What we have seen has not pleased us, such as disrupting the public and causing a general stink within Japan with your promise of a 'salvation' from tyranny and abuse. We do deeply request that you halt these activities as soon as possible, and cause no more problems thereafter. If not, then expect our harsh treatment of your activities, beginning as you read this letter. Signed, The Kirijo Group."

"Well. It appears that we have a challenge."

"Yeah."

Madran then smirked.

"Hey, mom, come to the Velvet Room with me."

"Uh, ok?"

Madran then walked to the Velvet Room with Elia and Chicory. Then, once they got there, Madran saw that everyone else had already arrived.

"Gosh, what happened, Mad?"

"Oh, Mitsuru sent me a letter."

Madran then read the letter out loud to everyone and looked around.

"Well, it appears that The Kirijo Group, and, by extension, The Shadow Operatives, have declared our wrongs. Ya wanna know what I say to this?"

Madran then held the letter up and tore it into two pieces, crumpled it up, and threw it to the side.

"Let's just continue our adventures."

"Hey, uh, can I get back now?"

"Oh, yeah, sure, mom. See ya soon!"

Madran then hugged Elia and kissed her on the cheek before she left. Then, Madran pointed towards the door to the Metaverse.

"To the palace, everyone!"

The group then got up and left to Fourete's palace once more and descended down the elevator to the sixth level. Then, once they got there, Madran found herself stepping out into a circular room with flames scattered around the floor and walls.

"Goodness, that's a lot of fire. Hey, where's Hariti and Mother Harlot?"

Madran looked around for the familiar shadows until she heard light cackling.

"Oh, you've grown to expect us! Sorry, but we can't come to this floor, but we can still talk through the loudspeaker system!"

Madran, upon hearing Mother Harlot's voice, looked around to a set of speakers that were on fire.

"Don't worry about the fire, it's harmless. Welcome to the sixth floor of this humble abode, or the sixth circle of Hell, where the heretics are kept!"

"Why is everything on fire? I mean, it is technically Hell, but..."

"Amazing question, dearest Suga. Here, there are several shadows that are kept in cozy, flaming coffins! On top of that, we have set guards around the area and have devised a lovely little puzzle amidst the flames. Your goal is to find an end to this large maze, and, yes, you do have your little scan girl, but Hariti and I are sitting in front of a control board to undo your hard work! Don't worry, though, we'll still guide you to the key, but it won't be easy!"