Working With Phantoms

A Silent Void

Madran walked into the next room, which appeared to be yet another main hall. Then, once everyone else followed, the group made a collective exasperated groan.

"Geez, what's Hikawa's obsession with this hallway?"

"I dunno, maybe he gets off to it."

Madran then began a scan while everyone else looked around and chatted with each other. During the scanning process, Madran picked up Suga asking Puck what his part of the exploration was like, and Naoki flirting with Sheila.

"Hey, everyone, I don't mean to break anything up, but I'm done."

"Oh, cool, what did you get?"

"There's a particularly strong signal coming from the next room. That'll probably be the next top demon we face off against."

"Nice. So, should we get going?"

"Yes, that's a great idea."

Madran then went up to the doorway forwards and summoned Dharma, who kicked it in and allowed for their passage. Once they entered in, Madran saw a massive conference hall with a large statue resembling a Mithra set above the main pulpit.

"Ok... everyone, be careful. I have a feeling that the statue'll come to life pretty soon."

The group then approached the pulpit with caution before it appeared to get closer, and then further away. Once the effect ended, Madran spotted a lone man standing in it. Upon closer examination, he appeared to be middle aged, with greying black hair fashioned into a widow's bridge at the front.

"Wait... who are you...?"

"Me? Ah, it appears that the new humans are, in fact, intelligent."

"Wait, are you the Hikawa I've been hearing about?"

"Yes, in fact. I am."

"Huh. I've heard quite a bit about you from those minions of yours."

"So it may seem. Now, why have you come here? Tell me, my friend."

"I have reason to believe that you were the one who summoned us here."

Hikawa nodded at that.

"Why, yes. It was a simple side-effect of my more recent activities."

"Simple? My timeline is on a collision course with yours. I don't think that's simple."

Hikawa appeared to be slightly shocked at what Madran had said.

"I... did not expect that of you. I simply thought that you had come from another Vortex World."

"Well, whatever that is, we didn't. My world is a lot better than this one, and I'm not about to have you rain on my parade, just to get some sorta powerful demon."

Hikawa appeared to regard Madran with a perplexed fear as he paced back and forth on the podium.

"So, your assault on my facilities comes from a sworn enemy of mine telling you to do so?"

Naoki took a step forwards, but Madran stopped him and shook her head.

"Why, no, in fact. One of my friends is aware of whenever something like this happens, and he simply told me to seek Naoki out."

"'He' must have some sort of insight into this world, then. Do you know how determined Naoki is to bring down my everything, all that I have worked towards?"

"What, that Shijima thingy?"

Hikawa looked at Madran as if she were a baby, which angered her greatly.