Working With Phantoms

A Hopeful Dream

Very late into the night...

Madran had fallen asleep after the rather terrible events of the fourteenth, but quickly awoke to find herself in the same blue hallway that she awoke in in January.

"Uh... is this a dream...?"

Madran then tried to contact Nightingale, but it failed. Instead, she heard a beckoning call from up ahead. It grew softer, however, and Madran cautiously went onwards. Madran then looked down to see that she was in her street clothes, which confirmed her suspicions that she was in a dream.

"Huh, these dreams have been getting weird. Oh well."

Madran then walked forwards and arrived at a door, which she opened. Then, she entered a large area that appeared to slightly resemble her room but was much more spacious. Then, her Metaverse outfit suddenly flashed on, and she heard Nightingale's voice once more.

"Hey, Nightingale, you there?"

"Yes. I know not where we are, but at least we're back together."

Madran then left her room to see a massive open area with a few floors visible. Several shrouded figures ran about from door to door in a frenzy, all while muttering random things, and simply ignored Madran. However, she then found a figure sitting on a bench to the side and went up to them.

"Hey, do you know what's going on?"

"Oh, Madran? Hey, did you get contacts?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, you're a different Madran. Hey, that coloration on Nightingale's kinda cool."

"Where am I?"

"Oh, you've never been here? Talk to the girl up ahead. She knows a lot, but all that I can say is that you're in a cool metaphysical place."

Madran nodded and walked up ahead to find a girl of about six years of age sitting on a stool and writing something. Madran then walked up to her and sat next to the person.

"Hey, uh, are you the manager here?"

The person looked up at Madran. Madran was then shocked to find that she looked exactly like how Madran was when she was much younger, aside from piercing yellow eyes.

"A-A shadow?"

"Oh, you've come."

The shadow also spoke with the younger Madran's voice, which frightened Madran more.

"Who are you?"

"Well, since it worked, how about this: 'I am the shadow, the true self. Your life is a lie, and your flame shall never peak.' Does that ring any bells?"

Madran then realized that she was face to face with her actual shadow.

"W-Wait, aren't you a look-alike to me?"

"That version was made to resemble me, yes, but I am much different. I'm the one who asked you if you had had enough with dad's shit."

Madran nodded.

"Wait, so you're like, my actual, candid shadow?"

"Yep. Do you wanna know where you are?"

"Uh, sure?"

"Well, welcome to your 'palace.' This is much different to the ones that you go through normally, however. Here, all shadows don't want your head, and it's a perfect representation of your current state, and, well..."

Shadow Madran looked around.

"It's a fucking mess."

Madran nodded.