Before we get in on this, I feel like I should explain some things about myself. First, I am a plainswalker, that means I hop from world to world with a little bit of a difficulty, and any plainswalker who ever said that they could always do it with ease is either a dragon or lying. Second, I am not even close to being human. You might be saying "Well duh, you can travel between dimensions!" but I have known humans that can do that. Generally I am considered some form of elf, with slightly longer ears that end in a point, golden hair, and nice set of sharp teeth all slapped on to a humanoid form. There are times however that I resemble something more akin to a demon, with a mane of scarlet hair, blue skin that has large, layered scales on the arms, shins, and down my spine, bull horns, talon-ed hands and feet, and a lion-like tail. Occasionally, I will sprout wings if I need to get somewhere fast or by flight but mostly those are put away because having them out all the time is rather cumbersome. Third, I tend to get into some deep trouble... Like I am right now.

See I don't know what happened. One moment I was relaxing on Waikiki Beach, then the next I was falling through the Twisting Nether. And yes, this does happen a lot. Probably more often than I would like to admit.

I mean it isn't like I enjoy this place. Actually, I don't think any sane being would enjoy the Twisting Nether. I am not sure if I can do it justice by explaining it, but it is like all of the power of creation and destruction all at once. A tree might explode into existence only to morph into something resembling an unborn fetus or a ferret. Landscapes will form, crack, become a living horror screaming in pain, only to change into a peaceful rain cloud. It might seem easy to imagine how this looks on one target, but this wacky shit is happening everywhere! Honestly though, if you spend too much time looking at this chaos, you might just end up as part of it. Probably best if you just focus on the single point of where ever you are going, which you can usually tell because it looks like a little star or light that isn't changing at all, and just ignore the rest.

My name is Keiy, and this is my story.

Where I landed was almost as surreal as the Twisting Nether.

It looks like an M. C. Escher picture in here, I noted, but feels more...

"...Eldritch" said a rumbling, hollow like voice. "As if some dark god had crafted this world for it's own dark desires"

"Who is there?" I asked, even though I had a feeling.

My question was answered by laughter that seemed to ooze up from the very ground, but it wasn't just the laughter that was oozing up. There was a dark, sludge like liquid snaking up from the checkered patterned tiles on the ground. It migrated into a large, vulgar looking shape before exploding with a slightly comical pop that revealed a boy. This boy, however, was obviously as human as I am.

He had a rounded face, scarlet hair, a mischievous smile and a slender frame. Sound normal right? Well what gave it away as not human was the skin and the eyes. The skin was cobalt blue, but the eyes were what was really freaky. Where it would be white on our eyes was red in one eye and blue in the other, and the iris was golden yellow in a way that seemed to glow.

This unnatural child that stood before me laughed again, saying "I am the Shadow, I am..."

"The True Self." I finished. It was at this moment that I realized exactly how much shit I was in.

Before I explain the predicament that I was in, let me take a moment to explain the True Self as well as the Shadow World. The True Self is actually in several philosophies across time, though the premises is always the same. The True Self is a Shadow version of you. It is the part of you that you hide out of fear or that you put away because you are embarrassed of it. It is the root to all of the things that you do and why you do them. Pretty much, it is an entity that is a part of you that you have trouble accepting or are denying. An example of a true self would be Shadow Link, who is Link's love of showing off, as well as his need to challenge himself with constant fights. Generally a True Self is stronger because it is unrestrained.

The Shadow World is an Arena created by the desires of the ones connected to it. Generally, it is set up to reflect everything that they feel, both expressed and hidden, as well as to set up a stage in which the True Self and the person in the Shadow World to fight each other. See, the True Self wants to be free from the bonds that they are put under by the person that they represent, either by acceptance or death. The Shadow World simply sets up the best stage for this.

But there are some other things to note. Shadow world are usually connected to one or two people, though in rare cases they can be connected to whole cities. The more people there are connected to it, the more Shadows will exist. These Shadows are simply monsters created by the desires of their counterpart, but only turn into the True Self when their counterpart arrives. So in short they are weaker versions of the True Self that can be defeated over an over.

This doesn't include Large Shadows, who are True Selves who have freed themselves from the bonds of their Counter Part by killing their counterpart. Those ones are extremely powerful and extremely violent.

So now that you know the basics of my current problem, you can see why I thought of myself as thoroughly fucked. I was in a Shadow World with my True Self, and I didn't know how many people this world was connected to. The worst part of it was easily my True Self though. He was a child in form, representing my desire to run away from my responsibilities, but he also had all of my powers, as well as my hidden lust for it, and my craving to show off all of that power. My only advantage was that I was accepting of it so long as no one arrived.

But, being the same entity, in a twisted manor, meant that he knew as well. I could see a smile creep up on his face as I swallowed hard, trying to wet my dry throat. It was a smile that sends shivers down one's back or that makes one shrink away like a kicked puppy. He laughed, that same rumbling, yet hollow, laugh that echoed through the maze of stairs and tunnels that we were in. "Just so you know," He stated, "This world is connected to two cities and is a labyrinth of desires. You won't be alone for long."

I managed to mumble the word "fuck" right as two doors opened. One was on the ceiling, or what was a ceiling from my perspective, and the other was on the wall, again from my perspective, on my left. I didn't even stay to see who it was, I just took off down the corridor to my right and prayed that it didn't lead back to the same room, or even to anyone.

My True Self laughed behind me, singing "Run, run, run, as fast as you can! You cannot escape me! I am the Shadow Man!"

The hallway was winding and looking down it, it appeared that the floor was twisting onto the ceiling. I blinked back the moment of vertigo from such a disorienting landscape. The more I ran the foggier it got, and the foggier my thought were. It was like the very air was drugging me. I rounded a corner that led to a covered bridge over another maze room. I liked mazes but the fog was too much. And then I heard it.

It was a shrill scream that echoed down the walk way and disoriented my vision more. I blinked and tried to rub away the blurriness, but it didn't help. After a moment I heard another scream as a large round blob flew into view. I couldn't see much, but it looked like a flying Pac Man face with an abnormally large tongue hanging out the side as it flew at me. I dodged left as soon as it got too close, thanking my honed reflexes for saving me for the moment. Unfortunately, because of how hard it was to see my surroundings, I had flung myself out a window.

I felt like I was falling down but somehow I got turned around and ended above the bridge that I was just on. Either the motion of me somehow falling up or the effect of the fog made me feel sick to my stomach. I tried to stand up and walk but the disorientation proved to be too much as I emptied my stomach onto the floor.

Hell, I thought to myself, My Shadow World is Hell.

I rounded a few more corners and found a little nook that seemed like an ideal hiding spot from these monsters. I fitted myself into it and reached out with my psyche, both trying to get a feel of the land and trying to grab something that would help conceal me, but it was like trying to find a knife in a dirty sink if the sink was three miles long. Eventually I just said "Fuck it" and tried to meditate.

It took a moment for me to get my breath into my rhythm, but once I did, everything worked like a well oiled machine. My disorientation went away, my head didn't feel like I had just had three gallons of vodka, but when I opened my eyes, the world was still just as blurry.

Oh well. I thought to myself, At least it hasn't gotten worse yet. I tried to summon up my wings but it was like I never had them to begin with. Out of curiosity, I tried to shift into my battle form, but that didn't work either. "Well at least it isn't unbareable yet!" I corrected myself with a sigh.

I left my little cubby hole, and set out for exploring.

Honestly, I don't think that I have ever been good at keeping out of trouble. I mean, I am usually good at fixing the problem, cleaning up some messes, and finding my way out of trouble, but keeping out of trouble? I just don't think the Fates have that in store for me. The longer that I was here, the more I lived up to that.

I had only been exploring for a bout half of an hour, which I am pretty sure was a record for me, but I encountered a group of those floating mouth shadows and I couldn't help get curious. Through this whole dungeon, I have been wondering: exactly how much of my power did my True Self get? So I saw my chance and decided to test it.

I focused my energy into my fist, stepped out into the open to get a clear shot, and punched forward, releasing my grip on my energy allowing it to fly. Now usually this would make a fireball or a large, very powerful shock wave, but this time all I got was a small bubble of energy that essentially Gibb Slapped one of the Shadows. I was hoping for all or nothing, because all would have destroyed at least one of them and nothing would have kept them from noticing me. I let out a groan and just took off running. I cant remember which direction I went but I do know that it led me strait to a dead end with a door. I tried opening it but it was locked, to naturally I banged on it and screamed "Let me in!" Which, in retrospect, was kinda stupid of me to do because I really didn't expect anyone to actually let me in. So I turned and faced my pursuers.

Right before they got to me, I was going to spring and try to weave my way in between them. Instead, something pulled me backwards through the door and slammed it shut in their faces.

"Well, well, well." Said a masculine voice behind me. "It is not often that we get someone like you here."

I looked back to see who was talking to me. Who I beheld could only be described as gorgeous! He had fair skin, but it was fair in the way of someone who is naturally tan would be, if they stayed inside all day. His hair was a dark brown and his eyes shone behind a butterfly mask like jewels. He wore a tailored lavender suit with a violet tie and his smile would have fan girls for weeks.

"My associates will be with you shortly," He said, his voice calming and sweet. "Until then, please take a seat." He gestured to a fairly small table with a few chairs around it.

I blinked myself out of my stupor and went to thank him but somehow he vanished without me noticing. I took my beautiful, and now vacant, host's advice and sat down in one of the chairs, while I examined the room. It was set up like a opera house for a personal part. There was a small stage to my right as well as a piano, stage right. To my left there was a small bar with several liquors on display. Behind the bar there was an ornate rack that was made of carved wood that intersected and made diamond shape holes, each filled with a different alcohol bottle with it's cork presented to the bar.

After a few moments of looking around the vacant room, I couldn't help myself. I got up and went behind the bar to examine the other drinks who's labels were concealed to me. I had just picked one up and read "Guhnstein: 1972" off of the label when I heard a very polite, feminine voice behind me.

"Please don't." The voice said. As I turned to look at her, I saw someone almost as beautiful as the man who welcomed me. She had ash blonde, wavy hair that was pulled back with a hair band, but her bangs hung in just off to the side of her face. Her figure was lean but with a powerful and assured posture, much like a woman with experience, but it wasn't fierce. It was welcoming and warm like a teacher or a mother. Her clothes were a deep blue, long sleeved dress with four large buttons above a jet black belt, and four below the belt as well. She wore jet black panty hose with a pair of sapphire blue heels that matched her dress. Her lips were a deep red, which stood out against the blues of her dress but complimented it well. Her eyes were gold and shone with warmth. Honestly she looked like a sexy secretary and I know I failed at keeping myself from blushing as I looked at her. "Theodore likes to keep them well organized." She explained with a warm smile.

"My name is Margaret." She said as she sat down, her back facing the stage. "This room is used as a gathering point for those who have a unique gift."

"And you are an.. Interesting visitor." A new voice, this time, obviously not from Margaret. I looked up to where the voice came from and saw a man standing by the piano. He wore a simple black tuxedo with white gloves. He looked back at me, his eyes wide like a mad man's with a smile to match. His hair was stark white but his eyebrows were oddly black. This man had a hunch but it seemed to be made from a mixture of both strain and age. Idly, his hands played out a careful but sweet melody. There was something about him that was the oddest though. It wasn't that he seemed out of place, because he actually fitted in the most out of the people that I have seen here, but it was that he had this odd aura of sadness about him. "Come and sit, we have much to talk about." He told me, his voice was rough as he was old.

I put up the bottle of alcohol and joined them at the table. "My name is-" I started but was cut off by the gentleman.

"Keiy. You are a dimensional traveler. Philemon mentioned you." Igor stated. "You have a very problematic situation here."

"If, by problematic situation, you mean that I don't have most of my powers and that I have a psychotic mini-me running around," I answered sarcastically, "Then yes, you are right."

The man chuckled. "You have spirit. My name is Igor," He stated. "And of course you met the Lovely Margret." The blonde woman bowed her head politely. "We are but a few of the residents of the Velvet Room, a place that exists between spaces."

"The Reason that you have a problematic situation here is not because you have to defeat your shadow, it is that your Shadow has the power of the Wild Card, and thus can change into infinite different creatures, much like how this maze can lead to an infinite different locations. " Margaret explained. "It is peculiar, though, because most Wild Card users don't ever have to face their Shadow"

"An old foe of our dear Philemon has managed to split you from your Shadow, probably in hopes of using it as a weapon." Igor stated while looking down his comically long nose. "If you succeed, we will grant you this Key," He reached into his coat and pulled out a long key on a chain, "And you can use this room however you see fit."

I raised my eyebrow at them. "However I see fit?" I inquired.

The man nodded. "You can use it as a recovery point for when you need rest, or if you need to..." He gave a quick glance to Margaret who lifted her chin slightly with the faintest of smirks, "...Be alone with anyone."

I know I blushed hard at that statement. "Can you read minds?" I blurted out, slightly afraid of my own thoughts betraying me.

"Not in the slightest" Igor responded cheerfully as Margaret let out a chuckle. "But I can read Hearts. Similar but not nearly as precise." He paused for a moment with his hands folded under his nose. "Once you master your True Self, then we will talk more. But first!" He clapped his hands as suddenly a stack of neatly folded cloths appeared on the table, "Let us get you some proper clothing for this world."

Truth be told, I had forgotten what I had been wearing. I looked down and saw a pair of swim trunks that were dark blue with a large hibiscus design on the left side. "Ya know, shit hit the fan so fast, I kinda forgotten that I was relaxing on a beach in Hawaii before I came here." I laughed to cover up my embarrassment.

They guided me to a separate room down one of the hallways leading out of the main area. One thing that I noticed is that none of the doorways had any doors on them, only hanging curtains of velvet. We stopped in front of a room that had a bunk bed on the left side, a desk on the right as well as a small desk right next to the door.

Igor handed me the clothes and said "Margaret will lead you back when you are ready." He glanced at Margaret who nodded back. After that he turned on his heel and walked away.

"I can't help but feel sadness coming from him." I mentioned offhandedly.

The blonde woman by my side sighed. "He has been through a lot recently." I got the impression that suddenly Margaret was feeling the same sadness that Igor exudes. She sighed again and then looked at me with warmth again. "Come, let us get you changed."

This time I am pretty sure that my whole body went red. "Us?" I asked as she guided me into the room.

I am not going to lie. I was kind of disappointed that something didn't happen. Turns out that she was just teasing me, which isn't fun for me because part of me honestly likes it when a girl sort of takes charge and initiates something, but she was just doing it to get a reaction out of me. Though, it was impressive that she could do it with such a straight face and barely give more than a slight seductive smirk.

In truth, she was just there to explain the finer details of the clothing. They are all flame resistant, aqua-phobic, and isolated against both cold and electricity. The shoes had more grips on them than normal shoes in case of slippery ground from a spill. The design of the clothes was similar in fashion to Margaret's. There was a button up shirt that was a baby blue color, and the vest was sapphire blue on the front but black on the back and had four gold rimmed, blue buttons, similar to Margaret's dress, but only down the right side with a breast pocket on the left. The pants were black slacks with a blue stripe down the right side, which bothered me a bit because it wasn't down the left side as well. The Shoes were literal Blue Suede Shoes. I was just super thankful that she gave me black socks and a black leather belt to go with it all. But perhaps the thing that bothered me the most was the boxers, which were bright blue with some kind of snow boy printed on them.

After she was done explaining the clothes, Margaret went and stood outside the room's curtain. I tried to not think about her watching me as I changed, even though I secretly like being spied upon, and changed into the clothes without taking too much time. Once I was ready, I exited the room and asked the blonde woman if they had any weapons for me to borrow. I had a feeling that I was going to need them.