Working With Phantoms

Unsafe Encounters

June 11th

The group reconvened in the Velvet Room, where Madran could see Margaret eyeing Philemon with suspicion. Other group members had noticed that as well, which created a general stillness an awkward feeling in the metaphysical area.

"Hey, are we just gonna keep staring at each other, or...?"

Madran looked at Rosana and shrugged.

"Eh, Margaret can sometimes just get in a mood."

Madran then endured a scathing glare from Margaret.

"Geez, that lady's scary."

"Crossing her is very detrimental to our health, so I would strongly advise against it."

Madran then looked around at everyone.

"Well! We have a big day ahead of us, so should we get going sometime in the next hour?"

The group then all stood up and went to the door, with them all appearing to be eager to escape Margaret's scowling stare. Then, the group arrived in the palace once more and took the lift down to the eight floor.

"Ok, we're here!"

Madran looked around.

"Hey, can Mother Harlot and Hariti, by chance, tell us what's up here?"

Philemon and Maya nodded and summoned their newly-found personas.

"Ah, the refreshing feeling of this entombing air once more. What is it that you request?"

"What do you know about the eight floor?"

"Oh, where we are?"

Hariti cleared her throat.

"This place is a large colosseum-like area. I was originally planning to have you go through hordes of my shadows, but that isn't possible now. However, you may be able to find something with your scans."

Madran then looked around and saw that they were in a sort of waiting room that reminded her of where gladiators would sit before they were called out to battle, which she saw in some movies that she and Elia had watched together. Madran then scanned the area.

"Ok, um, there's nothing but the lifts and a way up in this area, but outside, there's massive open area with... many shadows, and... oh no."

"Let me guess, your rivals have caught up with you."

Madran looked back at Mother Harlot, who was now riding her beast.

"Hey, do you always summon in like that?"

"Yep. I have a strong feeling that Ms. Kirijo and her compadres are now here. After all, we had to deal with them, but their friends from beyond guided them, with albeit less accuracy, through our trials."

"Oh, ok. Well, let's go and say hi!"

Madran and the group then walked up to the actual field, where a large, metal floor was. A massive dome covered it, and no spectators were in the stands.

"Wow, this is very vacant. Where- oh."

Madran then looked ahead to see Ulala, Baofu, Ken, and Junpei all standing across the field from them. Then, Madran began to walk up to them, and they met in the center. Then, Mitsuru's voice echoed in their heads, which reminded Madran that Mitsuru's persona had support abilities on top of supposed ice spells.

"Oh, they've come. Show them no quarter."

Madran looked around as her gaze settled on Ulala.

"Madran, I..."