A/N - Apologies for the long update. I fell ill not long after my last chapter. Either way, new chapter! This one was fun to write. Again I appreciate any comments positive or negative.

Disclaimer: I do not own any assets or characters from the Persona series.

Chapter 4 - The Noh Mask

"Yu how is this possible?" Megumi breathed. "Why is the door unlocked?"

Yu could feel her against his back, fidgeting slightly. It was clear she was unnerved.

And to be honest she had every right to be. The only light was coming from the TV set, casting weird shapes of shadows all around them. The dust in the air was thick and seemed to lodge itself in his throat as he breathed; he could even taste the bitterness the shop seemed to expunge. It was easy to imagine people desperately wanting to get rid of some of the items that were in here. He could even make out a stuffed cat on one of the shelves in the corner of his eye. But amongst all the strange artefacts, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen. Teddie was back in his human form, beaming at him. He looked to be surrounded by paradise - a stark contrast to where Yu was now.

Yu took a couple tentative steps towards him.

Megumi let out a little squeak. "Where are you going? Let's get out here, please…" Megumi tugged on his arm, trying to get him to stop. Yu just brushed her off.

"Perhaps it's best if you do go home now. There's something I have to do here," Yu said. He finally turned his gaze towards her, and he could see the lines of anxiety etched on her face. But she seemed to find some resolve, because she suddenly straightened up and her eyes sharpened.

"Tell me what's going on right now. What could you possibly want to do in a pawn shop this time of night? And why is there a TV on?"

"Shh, keep your voice down!" Yu hissed.

"No! How can we be at the movies one minute, and now here, no locked door— not even… anything!"

She continued to rabbit on, wringing her hands as she did so. Perhaps it was the unknown that was frightening her more; she is used to being in control normally.

"Hey, listen…" Yu reached out and squeezed her hand gently, which promptly silenced her. Her hand was freezing.

"I don't know what's going on... But I think it's best if you went home. I'm sorry I can't walk you. I've got some money for a cab—it's not far now but I would feel a lot better if you was with someone on the way back."

Yu started getting some money out and was about to hand her some but she flinched her hand away. She had that stubborn look like when she was back at work, and suddenly he knew anything he was going to say wasn't going to change her mind.

"No, we're going back together. We're leaving this place now."

"Not while Teddie—"

She ignored him and threw the shop a nasty look while marching away to the door. She yanked it open and glared back at him. But he stayed put. There was no way he was going to ignore what was on the screen behind him.

Maybe he had an ugly look appear on his face because as she was about to say something, she closed her mouth and let go of the door, casting her eyes sideways. He felt a slight twinge of guilt as he turned back around towards the screen. It wasn't her fault she didn't know about what's going on. 'She'll know soon enough', he thought as he knelt down on the dusty floor in front of the TV.

Moments passed while staring at the light and Yu felt his eyes starting to water. He wasn't sure if it was his eyes playing tricks but the screen seemed to shimmer ever so slightly – and his heart told him… this is real, the other world was one screen away and that his time in Inaba wasn't some crazy dream...

"You'll hurt your eyes you know," Megumi muttered next to him. Yu nearly jumped out of his skin. He didn't see Megumi coming back next to him. He swallowed and shuffled closer.

"I know this looks ridiculous, but…"

He lifted his hand slowly towards the TV set, as if reaching for a door handle. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end just before touching distance, and he sharply withdrew his hand as if shocked. Yu let out a long breath he didn't know he was holding and turned to Megumi. Her mouth was agape.

"This is something really complicated," Yu said, voice barely more than a whisper. He beckoned her closer to the screen next to him. "I've never told anyone about this before. Not even Tomi."

He could feel an annoying throb in the side of his neck. His muscles stiffened. Megumi, the midnight channel... It's like he's in a twisted reality show.

"Just tell me," Megumi said.

"Imagine a world existing along this one," Yu said carefully. "A place where nothing mattered except for thoughts and feelings. Somewhere that creates a visual representation of your desires."

"A place of desire…?"

"Yes. Do you remember the stories we were told as children? Gods and heroes from ancient mythology… Well those people are real. Even creatures from fairy tales. They exist within us… They observe us, test us. We all know this deep down. It's what people are referring to when they speak about a person's 'soul'."

Megumi had her hand on her mouth, speaking between her fingers. "What, you've been to this place?" But Megumi coughed and let out a wheezy laugh, shaking her head. "This has turned out to be one weird date." She looked at him again. "Is this what you wrote in Takenaka's report? Maybe you should be working in his place, coming up with these crazy stories. Gods and heroes, I tell you…"

Megumi started to get up but he stopped her. "They're not the most talkative," Yu said with a small smile. He ignored her mocking tone, and looked straight into her eyes. "But I've seen them. They're called 'Personas'."

Megumi put a loose strand of hair behind her ear and pointed to the screen, letting out a noisy breath. "Let's say for one second you're actually telling the truth and not gone totally crazy… What has all this got to do with a TV set? Who is this person? Actually—"Megumi cocked her head to the side"—he looks familiar..."

"Yeah, from my photograph, remember? Well he is one of my friends… He chose to live in that world. Someone made it possible to reach this place using a TV screen. If someone was to enter the TV, another could see them on as if watching a show. Only after certain conditions though. It has to be at midnight on a rainy day—It rained earlier, so that's why we can see him…"

He was a bit more relaxed now. A tight knot in his chest seemed to be dissolving. This is the first time he has spoken to anyone about the midnight channel in years. To finally get it out there felt somewhat invigorating, even if the recipient was a disbelieving Megumi.

Megumi scoffed, looking like she was trying to hold back a laughing fit. "So, his desire is to be on holiday?" gesturing to Teddie's surroundings, letting out a giggle she couldn't hold any longer.

Yu frowned a little. Now that she mentions it, he noticed Teddie hasn't moved at all. He is just waving to them over and over again, with a picturesque view behind him. Yu could see a lake and snow-capped mountains in the distance. He held his chin in thought.

"Hmm, his behaviour doesn't match those who have been on TV before. Back then they would behave very strangely. But that world has changed since those times. It's not the dark place it once was." Yu glanced outside. "It could also be because it has stopped raining, I don't know if that would affect it. But whatever it is I plan to find out what's going on, he could be in danger."

Yu got off the floor and started scanning the nearest shelf to him. He needed something if he was to go into that place. Megumi was still on the floor, undoubtedly trying to take it all in. She looked up at him after a while with narrowed eyes.

"It's some tale you've got. Gods? Personas? Going through a TV?"

"I'll show you soon enough," Yu said, fumbling through shelf after shelf. "Even I have doubts. It's been so long since I last saw 'The Midnight Channel', let alone enter it."

Megumi still looked unconvinced. But little did she know about the feeling brewing in his gut. That same feeling every time he was about to enter that place, one he had almost forgotten; a mixture of anxiety and adrenaline bubbling inside. There really was another world out there. Beyond a little TV screen.

Fuelled by his new found energy, Yu hastened his search, trying to locate his prize. Like a forbidden treasure hunter, he lifted up ornaments, moved things side to side and even dove on his knees to look at the bottom shelves. Because it was so dark he had to get his face right in close and had to feel around a lot, leaving his hands dirty and his clothes covered in dust. Megumi had given up asking what he was looking for, but only because Yu didn't want to tempt fate by saying anything. He was weirdly confident of finding one though. After all, if he could find a stuffed cat and a basket of eggshells he knew the next random object could be what he wanted.

And sure enough, there was one, tucked away in the corner.

A katana scabbard, with (thankfully) a blade inside it. He pulled it out and inspected it. The cord wrap was frayed and felt rough in his hand but while old, the sword looked usable. There was no wobble at the base of the blade at least. He snapped the blade back into the scabbard and went back over to the TV. He felt bad about taking an old heirloom without paying but it is what it is.

"Er, why have you got a sword?" Megumi asked tentatively.

"I've never been in that place without one of these," Yu said. "It wouldn't feel right otherwise."

Yu strode over to the TV set and lent on it, sword gripped firmly in the middle. With his free hand he flicked the screen. Sure enough, he didn't hit glass, but right through the picture; it rippled at his touch. It felt like flicking cold water, just without the wetness. His muscles relaxed at the sensation—the world was open to him.

Yu almost laughed out of relief upon looking at Megumi. The look she had! It looked like someone had told her she just won the lottery, such was her astonishment.

"C'mon, you try!" Yu said.

"Impossible…" Megumi muttered. She took slow steps up the screen, one hand gripping her bag tightly to her chest. She glanced nervously at him before she moved her tiny hand moved towards the light and…

"Ouch!"

Megumi flicked the screen, but hit glass.

"Hey, what's the deal!" Megumi moaned, sucking her finger.

Just like that, his heart plummeted—he quickly tapped the screen again. But there was no concern, it rippled just like before. What was going on?

"Touch the screen again, this time more gently," Yu instructed.

She did as she was told—but her palm was flat against the screen. She even started to push, but nothing happened, apart from the TV set starting to fall backwards—

"Okay okay, stop!" Yu said, hastily pulling her hand away. The last thing he wanted was the TV to break. But the proof was there, for some reason that world was shut off to her touch.

"Why can't I touch it like you did?" Megumi asked.

"No idea…" Yu said truthfully. This never used to happen. Anyone could enter it. As he let go of her hand he felt one of her rings rub against his finger. This gave him an idea…

"Hey, can I borrow one of your rings? I want to try something." He laid his sword on the floor and held out his hand.

She gaped at him for a split second, but then her expression lightened. She spread out her fingers and inspected her rings closely. She seemed to be taking her time, rolling different rings in her fingers... Didn't she realise anyone could find them at any minute? The ticking of a clock began to gnaw at him as he waited for her.

"We don't have much time Megumi, please choose one," Yu said at last.

Megumi cradled her hand, and slowly took off one of her rings. A big bronze one from what he could make out in the dim light. As if saying goodbye, she gave the ring a squeeze before handing it over. For some reason she wasn't looking at him.

"Thanks," Yu said, a little perturbed by lack of eye contact. "Well, I'll try a little test. If this can go through the TV, then we can tell if it's definitely shut off to you, as the ring is now in my possession. If it doesn't, then that could be a sign that the portal is unstable."

Megumi suddenly looked round at him, horrified. But before she could open her mouth Yu had already flinged the piece of jewellery at the screen.

"No, no don't chuck it!" Megumi cried.

Megumi tried to grab it before it reached the screen, but she simply hit glass again. The ring sailed through without a hitch with a tiny 'plop'. She hung her head, resting a hand on the TV.

"Sorry, I should have warned you first," Yu said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it went through, which means it's only open to one of us." Yu rested his chin in his fingers, thinking of the best way to word the situation. "Maybe it's for the best, you know? That place can be dangerous. Don't worry, I'll get your ring back straight away. It'll just be the other side."

Megumi didn't respond. She seemed to sag even lower on the floor. Yu couldn't help but lean down by her side; she looked like a wounded pup.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm sure it will open for you at some point," said Yu, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Megumi sniffed. "It's not that. That ring was special, I wanted you to have it. So when you're over there in that weird place… You would have something that reminded you of home. Now it's lost."

He tried to speak but only a weird sound came out. He wasn't expecting that. He may as well of shouted and threw insults at her, for that's how she must feel right now. He suddenly wished he had found a better way to demonstrate their predicament than throwing her belongings through a TV.

"Eugh, sorry that was stupid of me. But… you really gave it to me for that? I was going to give it back to you as soon as I retrieved it. It won't be lost, just on the other side." He tried to reassure her by giving her shoulder a light squeeze.

Megumi shivered at his touch and jolted upwards so she was standing. She brushed some dust off her skirt and nodded at Yu, a smile clearly seen. Touched by her thoughtfulness, he gripped the sword tighter and got ready to enter.

"I'll get it in no time, alright Megumi? I promise. Well, I'm going in. Make sure you get home safe."

There was a slight pause between them. He briefly hoped she would keep smiling like she did now. He's never seen her smile as much since this evening.

"Alright. As long as you do too. I want to hear about all this tomorrow, you hear?" Megumi wagged a finger at him.

He chuckled and tossed the sword through the screen. This was going to be a tight fit.

"Well, here goes," Yu said.

And with a deep breath, he gripped the side of the screen and forced himself inside. Suddenly, the world became a blur and his body twisted, as if he was caught in a rough torrent of waves in a freezing cold sea. His elbows hurt from where he whacked them on the way through, and the last thing he saw before tumbling deeper was an astonished Megumi, her image now lost in the waves of nothingness.

Dirt. Grass. This was the first thing he could smell. Face down on the ground, he had to push himself upright, only to get a rush of light headed-ness. Planting a hand to his forehead, he opened his eyes.

It was night. A vast open plain lay before him. Long grass swayed in the wind, catching glimpses of the moonlight that made the plains shimmer like an ocean on a calm summers night. He was atop a giant hill, the grassy plains rolling out into the distance. And far away, he could see a lake and mountains behind, which must have been where he saw Teddie on the TV.

Standing up and stretching his back, Yu took a deep breath in. He could have stepped into the Japanese countryside, such was the similarity of the place. But Yu swiped up his sword that lay a few feet away; he wasn't going to let this place fool him. He half expected fog to appear and engulf him.

Before he made his way down the hill, he looked around for the ring. He noticed the TV screen suspended behind him, hanging eerily in mid-air as a pure white light shone from it. He used the light to his advantage and sure enough, he could see it winking at him, laying neatly on the grass. He picked it up and blew a bit of dirt away, scrutinizing it in the light. He vaguely recognized it. One couldn't forget Megumi's taste in accessories in a hurry. But he was sure this was the one he said he liked when he was out shopping with her all those years ago, because it had a fox engraved on the ring's head. He tucked it in his pocket and started down the slope, feeling himself smiling. 'I wonder if all her rings hold a secret meaning..?'

By the time he reached the bottom of the hill, his feet and jeans were waterlogged from the dew that clung to the grass. He wasn't paying much attention to that though.

"Teddie! Teddie! Where are you?"

On and on Yu called, but all he got in response was the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Trees were fast approaching as he pushed even further through the long grass. They were beautiful, swaying gently from side to side. They seemed to welcome him in further.

The trees closed ranks fast as he ploughed onwards. Before he knew it, trees surrounded him on all sides. Although he could see quite well under the moonlight so far, the path ahead seemed to darken all of a sudden. He felt a spasm of unease creep into his bones. Was the foliage around him shifting and moving or was it his imagination?

He could feel his wet socks squelching in his shoes as eased forward with every step. His eyes focused on every branch and leaf overhead. He stopped in his tracks. The whole forest seemed to take a deep breath as nothing moved. Something else other than him was filling the tight air space. The blades of grass jabbed at him as he crouched down. No wind could be felt now. Silence. Like a tiger amongst the grass, he waited. He clung to his sword hilt and his jaw was locked in place. He was sure if he let out a noise he would be found. The moments dragged on. Slowly, he rose up from the grass. Nothing. He took a tentative step forwards—

Snap.

With a shout he spun violently towards the noise—and quickly had his blade pointed at a dark lump that had fallen from a branch overhead. He staggered backwards, keeping his eyes fixed on the unusual heap among the grass.

It was a creature; appearing like a weirdly drawn human. A spindly thing with extremely long arms and legs. It was as black as the night sky above but with none of its beauty; the limbs looked bony and old.

The thing raised its bald head at him and he couldn't help but stumble further back, heart thumping wildly in his chest.

In contrast to its body, the creature wore a brilliant white mask that depicted youth and energy. He could recognize it. He had seen it in festivals; the thing wore a Noh mask. The beady eyes and small red lips seemed to root him in place.

"Who—who are you?" Yu said, voice cracking. He didn't lower the blade.

The creature, who was crouched down in the grass like a chimp, cocked it's head to the side.

"Me? Me? Who is me?" the creature said. Its voice was light and airy. Yu didn't expect it to sound so young.

"You must know who you are," Yu said.

"Who are you?" The creature asked.

Yu blinked. "My name is Yu," he said slowly.

The creature bowed its head deeply before answering.

"My name is Yu."

They both just looked at each other. The creature rested its hands on his knees and leant forwards, peering up at him, as if waiting for him to respond.

Yu squinted and tried to see something through the small eyeholes, but nothing.

"You're a shadow, aren't you?" he said.

The creature looked around them, side to side, as if spotting for eavesdroppers.

"Dark. Shady. Shadow. Yes, shadow," the creature said.

Yu gripped his sword tighter. "Then your name is not the same as mine."

The creature flopped its head on its hand in a dejected fashion. It didn't seem to care he was still pointing his sword at its body.

"What's your purpose here? You were following me weren't you?" said Yu.

Suddenly, to Yu's surprise, the creature launched himself off the floor and onto an overhanging branch with great precision.

"You see?" the creature said from above. It was well camouflaged in the darkness.

"Yeah, I see," Yu said bitterly, finally lowering the sword. He was slightly ashamed a shadow managed to surprise him like it did. "But you still haven't said why."

The creature slowly stretched over the branch, its masked face staring at him.

"Noh," the creature said after a while.

"Sorry?"

"Name. Noh," the creature repeated.

Yu was thrown a little bit. Why can't he just get a straight answer?

"Alright. Noh, if you're a shadow, how come you haven't attacked me?"

The creature threw its head back and let out a howl, flailing its arms about. A few loose twigs and leaves fell to the floor. Yu couldn't help but retreat a little.

"Attack? Attack?" Noh said. Its voice had a trace of amusement. Noh held a finger to its eyehole and with its free arm, gestured grandly all about them.

Yu followed its long arm movements. He couldn't see anything except for trees and long grass.

"I don't understand," Yu said, still trying to spot something he might have missed.

With another gesture, Noh disappeared further up the tree. Yu went up to the trunk and craned his neck to try and follow its movements. But all he heard was the creature rustling about near the top. What was it doing? Before he could ponder any longer he felt a tap on his shoulder.

With a jerk of his head he twisted around to see Noh standing there. His heart shot up into his throat and he fell back onto the tree trunk. This close up it felt like standing before a giant black colossus, its alien like limbs no longer looking old and frail, but powerful and frightening. The masked head was staring down at him from high above; he felt himself shrink against the tree, like a mouse cornered by a cat.

"Ergh, quit doing that!" Yu said, gripping the side of the tree for support. If this thing had come any closer he would have slashed it into tiny pieces. But he couldn't deny himself… If it was the creature's wish he would be dead right now without even seeing it coming.

As if sensing his fear, Noh hopped back and knelt down in front of him like a messenger would greet a king. Yu scrambled up from the tree, breathing deeply. It was hard to read the creature's intentions. The masked head looked up and the creature presented him with a dark red flower it must have found in the tree. Still trying to calm himself, he cast a wary eye at the white face before gently taking the flower from its long fingers.

Its petals were spread open, as if bathing in the moonlight. Yu looked back at the face.

"No attack," the creature said in a soothing voice. Once again it indicated the area around him.

"Oh I get it…" Yu said, at last getting what it was trying to say. Since this world was turned to paradise, any remaining shadows must have found peace. Shadows were souls that used to inherit human's darker facets; often brining negativity and destruction, as Yu was all too aware. He took another look at the red flower. But Teddie was never like that… Wait, Teddie!

"Listen Noh," Yu said quickly. "I came here to find someone. He has stayed here ever since this happened—" Yu handed back the flower "—he said he would protect this world. A young boy." Yu snapped his sword back into its sheath waited with bated breath as Noh peered carefully at the flower, rocking back to rest on its haunches in the grass.

Cupping the flower gently, Noh placed it on the grass. It looked at Yu for a moment before saying, "Come."

And with great agility Noh took off through the grass, galloping on all fours like a gorilla charging through the jungle. Without hesitation Yu hastily ran after it. He didn't take his eyes of the Noh's back. Forcing his legs to move faster, he followed in its path as Noh flattened the grass and vegetation in its wake.

Yu was flat out now. Hurdling over loose branches he desperately tried to keep up but it was impossible. Noh was so much larger and faster. He felt the sword slipping in his sweaty hands. He lost all sense of direction as blood pounded in his head. Noh had vanished in the blackness.

As he careened around a particularly large tree his stomach dropped like a stone as he lost footing and plummeted downwards.

"Argh!"

Yu's cries pierced the night air as he tumbled down an extremely steep bank. He felt soggy dirt and stones lash at him and he closed his eyes, expecting the worst.

Before he could feel any bones break though, he felt his body jerk and then a pleasant sensation of air whooshed over his face. He blinked his eyes back open. He was in the long arms of the creature as it skidded down the rest of the steep bank. He briefly saw Noh staring at the giant moon above, as if it was enjoying the ride before they reached the bottom and it placed him on the ground.

Not for the first time that night, he pushed himself off the floor, groaning in pain. His legs burned and his arms stung from where they had cuts.

"Thanks," Yu called out to Noh, rubbing his forearms. He wished the creature had given him a little warning or something before running off like it did, but it did save him from serious injury. He shot the bank a disgusted look before brushing his hair over to the side so he could see better.

Noh was kneeling down next to him, motionless as a statue. It didn't acknowledge his thanks, its masked head was locked in position as it gazed up at the moon. Yu looked around and only just focused on where he was. He was by the shore of a giant lake, a huge mountain range behind it that stretched far off into the distance. His brain was thrust into gear.

"Yes, this is it! This is where I saw Teddie on the TV." Yu smiled and looked around at the kneeling Noh. Even stood up, Yu only came up to its shoulder.

Leaving the creature he walked closer to the shore, searching up and down. He expected to see Teddie waving at him, but all he could see was the water smoothly lapping onto the sand. It was chillingly quiet out here.

His heart gave a horrible wobble.

"This can't be right…" Yu muttered. "I saw him here, right here!"

He pounded his feet in the sand and folded his arms tightly to his chest. He stared out over the water. The lake was so still… much like he felt right now. With a sigh he dropped his head to look at himself in the reflection. Was he getting ahead of himself again? Barging through into this world expecting Teddie to greet him as an old friend?

"Sensei! Sensei!" Teddie would call out. Yes... That's what he would say. His heart sank even lower.

But the truth is, this world was huge. Who knew how far the forests grew and when the mountains stopped reaching the sky. Teddie could be anywhere.

And the same went for his other friends. How long has it been? He got on the fast train but missed his stop years ago. Now he feels like hes at the end of the line with nothing but emptiness to greet him. Even the faint candlelight that used to be Megumi was snuffed out. Had he lost everyone? Was he truly alone now?

Before he could answer himself, a ghostly white face appeared next to his in the water.

Yu flinched away to find Noh had come up undetected once more.

Yu turned away from him and sniffed before he said, "What do you want? Thought you'd joke around huh?" Yu grunted and started to walk away. "Whatever, just leave me alone."

He only got a couple steps when Noh had lept over him to block him. Yu ignored it and started to walk the other way, but once again Noh stealthily got in the way.

Yu gritted his teeth. "I swear if you—"

Noh held up a long finger to the mask's lips. It spoke softly once more.

"Alone. No. Teddie here." Noh tapped the side of its head three times.

Yu scoffed. "I think you mean here." He mockingly tapped his own chest thrice, where his heart was. "That's what they say in movies anyway."

Noh held up its long arms and shrugged. And as childish as it was Yu looked at down where his finger rested on his chest. "Huh," Yu uttered. In spite of himself he actually felt a little better.

"Alright you win," Yu said. "Still want to see him though. People actually need to talk you know? Otherwise—" Suddenly his mouth became dry. 'People need to talk?' he thought. That simple statement made him squirm with guilt. He cleared his throat.

"No matter, I'll ask everyone if they seen him when I get back to Inaba."

He was about to leave again but Noh tapped the mask's eyeholes. "You see now." It tapped on both sides of mask "—Hear." The creature finally pointed out towards the lake. "Over there."

Yu frowned, gazing out towards the lake. "What do you mean?"

Noh shook its head impatiently and crawled towards the surface. Yu consciously kept his distance behind the creature, as it slowly rose from its crouched position to stand, like a plant awakening to morning's light. A deep, black silhouette was painted on the full moon as Noh stood fully erect in front of it. Yu felt his mouth open slightly as the creature raised its arms to embrace the night's air.

Swoosh. Swoosh. The gentle waves came in faster and faster. The beautiful reflection of the mountains were now blurred and distorted as the water got rougher and rougher.

Yu had visited the shadow world many times, but no matter how much he had experienced the place he could never fully prepare for the curveballs it threw at him. The magical energy he felt from the creature was so strong he felt every hair on his body crackle with energy. His eyes popped as he saw the world shrink; the mountains rushed in closer with a thunderous roar and wrapped themselves around them to form an arena made of rock. He wrapped his jacket tightly around himself and started yelling as the sound became unbearable. Water gushed about his legs and didn't stop rising until his shouts could no longer be heard; not even to the unmoving figure of Noh.

The next thing he knew he was staring up at a glittering chandelier, a huge one that filled the entire ceiling. Blinking his eyes into focus, he could see the white mask looking at him. Noh was relaxing on one of the crystal links, watching him in mild interest. He felt a plush carpet beneath him. His ears were still ringing from earlier, but the sounds of people talking were unmistakable. He sat upright.

This can't be…

But it was. He instantly recognized the smell of musty furniture. This was Yukiko's castle.