04/15 Shadow World

White swirls and lots of static, that's what I saw and heard as I fell from the television. I exited out of the television sets above the studio, which happened to be the same ones from yesterday. The fog is less dense than before and I found it was easier to see things now that I'm better rested. Being full of maybe a quarter of that delicious Mega meat bowl special that bought today might be helping as well. Last time I didn't even eat breakfast or lunch. I landed with little problem on my feet and dropped into a crouch to make the impact spread to multiple whole body not that I needed to. I practically stepped into this world with ease. I breathed in the air of this world and felt with was less harsh than when I was in here before as well.

Today was turning out to be an alright day. I won't have much issue with keeping time now since I have a couple quality stop watches now, complements of Junes. I'd like to say that I'm not a thief unless I need to be and normally shop lifting is beneath me. But then I'd be a dishonest man and Junes has the money to lose a couple stop watches, some juice boxes, a couple snacks, and a few other things in the small bag I've precured as well. Since I can basically just jump into the television whenever I can just take things, and no one would ever know or can track me. I need these anyway and as the saying goes, "What's yours is mine."

My phone totally stopped working with time coming to stop at 5:57 pm. That's the time when I climbed into the television and landed in the studio. My music player didn't stop working and keeps with the time and the battery seems stuck at a quarter left which is cool. I can keep listening to music none stop while I'm here which works for me. My wrist watch is working still in this world and can help with keeping time that passes by. My phone stopped at this time and I'll use my watch to see how long I've been in here.

With the stop watches I've acquired I can keep the time and measure just how slow or fast time here moves compared to the many different areas and portals I wander into. I know some areas move faster and some moves slower. You can tell by the shadow's movements this is the case. I wonder if I can gain a job opportunity to work here at Junes for ease of movements or maybe at the inn to at least keep mom happy. It wouldn't be the first time I've ever worked at a bathhouse or an Inn and I know just how to make the customer stack up whether they be men or women.

My agenda will slowly but surely is come together once I get the times down, the effects this place has on what comes from the real world, as well as methods of travel between areas. I have a tool here I can used to my advantage, and I can't wallow in ignorance forever.

I need to find Teddie or Kuma or whatever it called itself. My memory is a bit fuzzy right now. I think it's because of the exhaustion. This place fatigues you as time goes by filling it chock full of supernatural enemies but it turned out to be perfect for training. I grew stronger on the inside with every shadow I felled. I need to learn a good way to combat those spells that shadows use because last time was too much and I wasn't ready for a situations like that. I will be this time around.

I looked around and noticed I was at that studio place that Teddie came to me in. The bear was nowhere in sight from where I was standing. Where would he'd even go anyway? What does he do here? I looked around a bit more to nothing. "I guess he is doing shadow things," I muttered to myself.

"Who's doing shadow things?" I heard behind me and this was wrong for many reasons. My senses of hearing and smell are as keen as an animal's right now. I noticed this when I could pick up the scent of different forms of shadows. I could hear the Reaper before it got close sufficiently enough. Once it did it carried the scent of a bone yard. Not a grave yard but a patch of land with bones littered literally everywhere. If I can pick this up then I should've been able to smell him at least. I tried to smell the bear this time just for the record. What I could smell from the bear was poorly made French leather, if that even makes sense. It's distinct but very faint as well so maybe that's what made me over look it. I couldn't hear the little guy walk toward me either. I couldn't feel any vibrations on the floor like I can other shadows so this one must weigh as much as air or something.

I turned around and saw the bear mascot standing a couple meters from me. I checked my watch then greeted the bear. "Good afternoon Teddie." I kneed down to the bears level as he hesitated to come closer again, but this time I brought some incentive. I placed the small Junes shopping bag of goodies down in front of us and reached inside with my good arm. I pulled a box of chocolates up out of the back then held it up for him to take. "Here." I beckoned the bear with the treat.

"That's for me?" The bear trotted up to me and took the box in hand or paw, I guess.

"Yes, I wanted to get you something for helping me before Teddie so I got you a universal gift. I wasn't sure if you ate chocolate but it was the only thing that came to mind." I prayed a bit that my little gift will work on this thing. The bear examined the box and rolled it over staring at each side and then finally he opened the box to the treats inside.

"I..." he stopped with his eyes flowing from one treat to the next.

It brought up something so maybe it worked. "No need to thank me I only..."

"Whaaaa huhuhu!" The bear started to cry and in the most unreal fashion I've ever seen. Like the tears literally flew out of his eyes to the sides in a cartoonish fashion. The fact I could see the tears themselves raining out from and wetting the spaces six inches at his flanks got to me. Also, how the heck is a shadow thing crying in the first place? I know that shadows feel fear, because after a couple kills some of them got the hint and ran away from Saki and I, but can they feel anything else? Teddie was a shadow, I'm sure of this, but why doesn't he act like the other ones that attack me without hesitation?

I stepped back away from the bear as he went through his fit and asked, "Teddie, why are you crying?"

"Because no one has ever given me a gift before until now," he sobbed and hugged the box to his torso. "Thank you so much even if I can't eat them."

That was a real shame. Those are some pretty good chocolates as well and worth a good amount if the price tag said anything. Apparently, those are imported from Germany or one of those countries. I waved it off especially since I didn't buy them. "It's okay Teddie. Anyway, I need you to tell me something," I leaned in a bit.

The bear dried his face and ate the entire box in one go. "Shoot friend. I can tell you anything." The enthusiasm in his voice made this easier.

"I found out that two women were thrown into this place by someone in the human world, do you know who?" I questioned.

"No, I'm afraid." The bear shook left and right. "I'm not sure who has been throwing people like you and the others into my world. I remember the other girl that you left with before and the one before that. I do remember this other person I think, but I didn't get a good look at them. The fog was too dense around them and lost them in no time. I couldn't run after them."

Interesting. That sort of reminded me of a dream I had of a figure in the fog. Now that I think of it this place and my dream are very closely related just from the dense fog alone. My dreams aren't dreams either, I've figured out that much. Maybe this fog shrouded figure is the one that's causing this and if so more than likely they're strong. Maybe stronger than I am cause if they're killing people here and exploring without fear then that means they possess extensive knowledge of this world versus me who knows so very little. I'm sure this world has existed for a long time, because these different realities aren't created in just the four days that I've been here; I know that for sure. This guy or girl will be strong so best I don't bother with them for now until I'm stronger.

"I see. Tell me Kuma, have you noticed anyone else that has been here, because this world can kill anyone not careful enough to trek it?" Yet again Teddie shook his head and told me that all he knew about the intruders in his world are those he mentioned before. Only three people as far as his knowledge goes outside of myself. The one lady who's shadow I ran from, the intruder possibly in here now with me, and the Saki who was resting on my back while I carried her. That means that anyone in the town of Inaba is a potential culprit. Saki told me all she remembers is that someone pushed her back, into a television I'd assume, yet doesn't remember who did it. She does remember that she was feeling angry, at someone maybe, before it happened.

I need to find out who pushed her. Maybe I'll find something at the liquor store where I found her or maybe the inn where I fought that other shadow that I was forced to run from. Maybe I can find that shadow once more, but how if I can't track her down or have the voice to guide me like before? It's been quiet so far. I remember her scent so maybe that could help me. I thought through all this and was brought back to this reality when Teddie waved his hand over my eyes.

"Hey, you okay Tatsujin." Teddie used that nickname again, but I didn't question it.

"Teddie, can you smell anything strange in this world?" I asked him instead.

"Strange? Like what Tatsujin?" He stood with his hands behind his back.

"Like the smell of... This." I remember while I was facing that shadow before I ripped off a piece of her dress in the struggle and sort of kept it on me in my wallet. I pulled it out in front of him and replaced my wallet to my back pocket for him to smell.

Teddie sniffed it then blushed then sighed in pleasure, "Smells pretty."

"This belongs to a shadow of a woman that was thrown in her. I need your help to find her if you don't mind."

"You think this will help you solve this mystery?" He asked eagerly to which I nodded once.

"Yeah I do. I need you to help me if you can sniff this woman out."

Teddie shot to attention and saluted, "No problem but before we go here, before I forget." The bear reached behind his back for something and pulled a pair of glasses out of somewhere. He held it up to me somehow. He doesn't really have fingers so I'm not sure how he's holding those. "These are for you. I made them." Teddie presented to me a pair of sleek black framed glasses that looked stylish in my book. These looked better than the expensive shades and glasses sold at Junes.

I looked to the bear and his smile and shrugged. I reached for the glasses and pulled them from his paw with my left hand. I looked them over and hummed a bit. They look interesting. Sort of like a very expensive pair of HD 3-D glasses that cost like a couple hundred dollars. They're large enough to cover my entire eye and admittedly sleek. They have five different color stripes along the frame at the sides but I don't see the point of it. Regardless, I smiled down at the bear and thanked him with a pat of his head. The bear chuckled with reddened cheeks which still weirded me out a bit. I didn't let this stop me from putting them on though. When I did suddenly all the fog was gone from my sight. My head didn't have the pressure on the back from straining to look through the fog and my mind cleared.

"Wow," I awed and looked around the studio.

"Better huh?" He asked but already proud of his accomplishment.

"Yes," I responded evenly. Now I have to get him something else for these because this treasure is priceless. First he saved my life and now gave me the means to navigate the world for longer, see clearly, and fight without increased mental fatigue. Before I could barely focus and I was fighting the dizziness the moment I got here but no more. I don't feel it anymore now. This bear is amazing.

"I made them while you were gone because I was sure you'd be back and keep with your promise." Now I don't remember making a promise but I don't remember much from this morning. Today has been a long day.

I grinned and pat down on the bears head. "Kuma, you're the best." I looked around until my eyes happened on a door in the corner. A blue door that I never noticed until now maybe because of the fog. I looked down to my pocket and saw a blue glow radiating off of it though the pocket. I reached into the same pocket as before and pulled a blue key out and looked at the door. I took a step to it.

"What are you doing Tatsujin, I got the scent?" I stopped mid step and looked back at him then the door. I pocketed the key and turned away from the door. I walked back to my bag on the ground and picked out a couple watches as well as a C.C Lemon for me to drink on the way. I pulled one out and tossed the box back in the bag. I hung a watch on the railing and started the time.

"What's that?" Teddie asked with examining eyes on the stop watch.

"I'm going to start leaving watches and the like around the area to keep track of the time distortions within the different pockets here. I want to keep track of the differences in time as well compared to that of the human world on top of that." I explained to the bear as I pulled out the rest of the watches before replacing them to the Junes bag.

"Oh, what for?"

"Because it could help knowing how this world affects me and others from the world on the other side of the television." I would've said the human world or mortal world but with the reveal of this world who knows now. Gods exists through humans so more than likely they populate the world and we can't see them. Lilium was capable of exploring the world and Pixie took notice of Yukiko when I myself didn't notice her. Maybe they exist but we can't see them unless something like this happens. I'm going to have to investigate this as I go.

"Yeah that makes sense," Teddie watched me. I glanced back at him and thought of a good idea to put kuma to good use.

"Kuma can you do me a favor?"

"Sure," he said without hesitation.

"Can you keep track of the watches I leave as well as monitor and record the time zones of this area? I'm going to need your help to start a map as well to help us navigate without getting lost… it'll help me keep my promise to you," I added in even though I still don't know what promise I made to this thing.

"I can try that out. I'll leave them in the strange places I can get to but shadows in some places make it more difficult though." Teddie looked out and pointed in a direction. "I know in that direction the shadows are very vicious and I could never get too close."

"Well, what makes this area different compared to this one," I questioned and the bear shook his head and body along with that seeing he doesn't have a neck. I suppose I'll have to find out later because I'm curious now. "Okay, place them in the places you can get to and we'll label the red zones for later expedition once we have enough Courage to dive in and Diligence to push through until the end. Deal," I rose my hand to the bear.

"Deal," the bear took my hand and shook it with his paw.

"Alright, lead the way to the woman."

"Right," the bear declared strongly and rushed off to find her. I followed behind him with another watch in hand.

Ted led me into a couple strange places and we somehow came upon a place I don't recognize. It's a TV station if my guess is right. The satellite dishes on top made me decide yes, this is indeed a television station, and the voices I heard from inside means that a good deal of shadows live inside waiting and wandering aimlessly. The memory of how the announcer's shadow slinging me around like a rag doll is still fresh in my mind. That was without my persona though and since I've arrived here I can feel the power they've bestowed upon me. I feel a bit lighter on my feet thanks to Lilim.

I pulled my arm from the sling and rolled my shoulder a bit to test it. I have free range of motion but the pain is still there. The pain in my back, leg, shoulders, and neck are still noticeable, and I really should be resting now that I think of it. I could probably put this off for another day, but I don't like to wait sadly. This pain is going to get in the way and annoy so best to take care of it. I reached into my pocket for my bag of pills. I pulled out the ones for pain and inflammation and put them in my mouth. I drank them down but didn't finish my drink fully. Suddenly I felt the pain seemingly disappear as if it was never there.

"Hn," I grunted as I looked over my hands. The calluses on my hands from swinging my sword faded away but my hands felt a bit tougher interestingly enough. I reached up to my neck and pat the area I was choked to nothing. I pulled back on the bandages a bit and held up my phone to my reflection. The blue and black of the burns and broken skin was gone and replaced by a soft redness sort of like a sun burn. This would heal in days. I reached up to my shoulder next and tested it. The pain was gone same with the swelling of it. My shoulder didn't creak either.

'Drugs can do this in this world?' This realization opened up many more possibilities to me and my mind churned every which way.

The pain slowly but surely began to return in my back though and a bit in my shoulder suddenly. I winced a bit at its return but it was significantly duller than before. "My oh my," I mused to myself. My joints are healed it seems but the skin damage is still there. I thought back on this and rose my hand up. I felt that barrier in my mind with the power of Persona stored behind it heed my call. I closed my hand once a card appear over it and shattered it into pieces.

Pixie appeared before me with her hands up. A light from the Dia spell surrounded my body seemed to be focused on my torso like where my major organs are. At that point it halted its progress. I didn't have time to study this before so I tried again. I concentrated the warmth of the spell on my shoulder exclusively and like before the pain faded away. It stayed away after a couple moments.

I can actually focus the power on key areas? Now that I think of it I used the spell on every part of my body equally meaning that my more extensive damages only healed as far as my less severe injuries within the limitations of the spell. If I focus it on a specific place the healing of that area is maximized to its limit. This is quite fascinating and requires experimentation later down the line, but I can do that later.

I repeated this for my back and ankle and took a breath from the loss of power from the Sea of my Soul.

I was a bit skeptical about jumping into something like this so soon, being a bit injured still and all, but now I can see that this world has the potential of uplifting my body. With the right spells, drugs, or maybe supplements I could heal my body fully. Fix in a couple minutes what could take weeks or months. Already from the combination of drinks, food I snacked on in the way here, spells and the drugs I have the weight on my tired body fade away and is relaxed. I think this world actually supplements certain conditions of my body.

I clenched my fist of my right hand and felt my doubts fade away. I think I can do this. I don't have my sword but with Persona maybe I don't need it as long as I play it smart.

"Are you okay Tatsujin," the bear asked me. He sounded worried for me I guess since I just stopped and checked myself out suddenly. I pulled open my blazer to the bandages around my body same Witt revealed the ones on my neck to him.

"I'm fine," I stated evenly before taking my place next to him. I looked up to the television station," So this the place Ted?"

The bear confirmed with a quick "Yep." He pointed to the swirly portal into the station next. "The sweet scent is in there Tatsujin. I bet my fur on it." So the dhadow of the announcer is within the building somewhere protected by god knows how many shadows. She might know more about her death though shadow or not.

I wonder why hasn't this shadow faded away with the death of her other self? Can they become self-sustaining? If so then maybe they can become more powerful with time as well. If shadows grow with time like people maybe…

"Very well, let's find this shadow and get some answers," I stated.

"But..."

"What is it?" The bear looked down in depression, "I can't help you anymore other than this Tatsujin. I can't help you fight." He beat himself over bit at this.

I pat the bears head and gestured to the swirling portal leading into the station. "Come on Teddie we're in this together." I started walking and sure as the sun rises in the morning Ted followed. "And besides I think providing me support would be more preferable for you. You have a knack for coming through when I need you kuma."

"Heheh," the bear flushed at my words. "Okay. I'll support you the best I can and see what I can do to help you explore!"

I rose my thumb up before walking though the portal. "Gah," I grunted as I phase through the portal. It was like walking in front of an industrialized spot light with the light just a few feet away. It doesn't feel good. In comparison when I entered Saki's place I felt dizzy instead of hot. Maybe this changes for every living nightmare. Maybe I'll call it that for now on. These are portals to Living Nightmares.

I saw long hall ways and more doors than a place like this should hold. The stations layout was impossible because I counted my steps and walked at least half a mile straight with a couple hallways here and there and the occasional door that was bigger than anything this building should have. The place didn't have a ceiling either only shadow above me. I wonder if this place has a second floor.

"Can you smell this woman anywhere here?" I questioned the bear when we reached our eighth intersection.

"Hmm, I think it's this way." Kuma pointed towards our left and I turned that way.

"Hahahah!" Teddy jumped behind me in an instant in response to the loud laughter that was heard around us. One that I could recognize for this was not the first I have heard it. "Ah my dear comes again hahahah!"

The shadow of the reporter that died. That's her voice for sure but it's coming from everywhere. Mainly up. "Yes, and I wish to talk to you," I said loudly in hope she heard me.

The woman's moaned in a way that caused Teddy to blush. "Then come and get me dear. I'm impatiently awaiting our next dance." The shadows on the ceiling shrieked and fell around me. A weird sort of music started to play that sound sort of like a mix of electro and pop if that can happen. The shadows around me took form and started to surround me.

"Shadows," Ted screamed and hid behind me. "W-what are we going to do?"

"Teddy sniff her out," I said calmly as I pulled my head phones on over my ears to block the loud static those shadows made. I pulled out my music player in one hand while rising up my hand for persona as well. "I'll handle the shadows." After all these things are nothing compared to what I've faced before.

"R-Right!" Teddy started teleporting around the hall sniffing everything, so I left him too it.

I saw a blade of fire come my way and readied myself to dodge. 'I shall assist you,' I heard in my mind and stopped in my tracks. Suddenly the card appeared before me. A card I recognized well enough for this arcana card is my mothers. It's the empress.

I rose my hand and gripped the card and felt my soul swell as a strong sense of ferocity filled me. A Persona manifested before me. A jungle cat of sorts on two legs and a ronin hat its head. It blocked then bat the blade away with ease. The persona glanced back with a grin on its face and then disappeared.

A shadow in the shape of a table with hands and a mask came at me and a cube shadow that was black and blue as well. I rose my hand and crushed my card. Senri formed before me and I felt a bit of my energy drain as fire hit the cube knocking it back. I changed persona and smashed the card again. Lilim formed before me and sent a blast of lightning towards the table knocking it back. I changed to Izanagi. He charged in and cut both of them down. I felt a pain in my hand from the cleave. I pulled my hand up and spotted a cut even.

"Wow," Teddy awed and stopped his sniffing. "You have the power of Persona," he said like he knows of it. I took note to question the bear later and turned back to the many monsters before me.

"Keep sniffing Kuma." I rose my hand and crushed the card once more. "Persona," I said firmly.

I rushed the army of shadows with Izanagi before me. Two shot towards me first and Izanagi cut the cube while I rushed behind him. I kicked off the cube's mask to the top of the table and shot upward. Izanagi came then stabbed his blade deep into the top of the table with ease.

I landed with the shadows behind me climbing up while I walked towards the next one in front of me. Fire blasted towards me, but I jumped back out of the way of it. I rose my hand and summoned Izanagi once more to cut the head hunter shadow in half along with its big tongue. The cube shadow floated toward me, vibrating and glowing. My senses told me to take cover from this thing and a barrier seemed to be the best way to escape. The table shot a second fire blast at me and I plan formulated in the back of my head. I swiped my card across my face then switched to Senri once more. I felt my reflexes gain a boost and my sensitivities adjust a bit. With ease I slid under the table and kick the legs at the same time. The cube appeared near me and started to crack then exploded. I wrapped my arms in as I hid behind the fallen table. The table shadow took the blunt of the explosion then burst into black goop then faded away. I suffered a bit of the blunt and shot away but rolled to my feet with no burns. The blow would've killed me if not for the table shadow.

A couple coins fell to the ground out from the black stuff. I picked them up then dropped them into my pocket for counting later. The thing I like most about killing these shadows was the money they all appear to drop. Though in small amounts, I'm sure with the constant battles the money will bulk up in time.

"Wow, you're amazing Tatsujin." Pixie blasted one more shadow into nothingness as Teddy cheered me on. I glared at the upbeat bear making him cover his mouth and resume his sniffing of the air. I caught a couple coins and pocketed them just as Kuma said, "This way Tatsujin."

As I pushed through the Living Nightmare I built up a system of taking on shadows. One at a time and using their own attacks against themselves I'd maneuver my way through them with the usage of mainly physical attacks. I may not have a sword, but I hit hard thanks to persona. I'd switch to Senri when I was in danger of being burnt to a crisp. When speed is what I needed against one lovers shadow I'd switch to Lilim who let me nearly fly from one foe to the next and evade attacks easier than the others. If I wanted to heal myself I of course used Pixie, whom of which still refuses to talk to me. With more and more battles getting under my belt I felt the need for more persona as I improved.

Lilim sucked the energy out of one shadow then I shocked it into obscurity. One persona I obtain when I called helped me against the shadows with ice based powers. It's called Apsaras. She's very beautiful and is more than willing to offer me insight as I wandered the corridors. Her healing powers are much more powerful than Pixie's as well. I was half tempted to remove her from my soul but relented to let her stay for now. Apsaras has a way of weakening the defenses of shadows which helped when meshed with Lilim's skill.

So far my count is five persona. Izanagi, Senri, Apsaras, Pixie, and Lilim and I'm feeling a bit full. I might have room in my body for one more before I can't anymore. Here I thought I'd have infinite spaced like the wild card is advertised as but this wasn't the case.

I began to notice that the best way to obtain persona is after I overcome an enemy. I've seen a fair amount of cards form before me when I defeated a team of three not too long ago and stood a bit confused. I think I've seen them before but never paid them any mind. That was that last time I was in this world though and I was busy. I might have grabbed a random card thinking it was just my persona acting up but seeing it now I might have been wrong. I reached up and snagged on card and it faded away into nothingness.

Another way to gain persona seemed to be through the shadows themselves. They appear to be talking. I can hear their voices in my head phones but only screams and screeching when my head phones are off. I've listened to one as it wandered the hallway. I turned my music off to listen to the shadow and it's mutters of unfairness. It was telling me some manner of story of total loss. Not losing a possession or even a person but more like losing themselves and being blind of it's grace.

Against my better judgement I walked up to the lonely shadow. It turned into some manner of scale shadow. The first I've seen. It looked ready to attack but I acted first. An agi shot it down to the ground and form there I approached while listening to it's screams of pain. It was lost and reminded me of something from the past. I talked to it for a moment about what it said for a couple moments. Before I knew it I took off it's mask and it changed.

'I am thou and thou art I. I will support thee for the light is on our side,' I heard in my head but ignored the voice from within my soul for now. It's getting crowded in my head that much is for sure. But every bit of this is an learning experience. Even more so now that I know what I'm fighting.

We reached a couple rooms without the fog in it and I took a much needed rest and break. I ate a couple snacks to get my energy up. Like food revitalized my tired and pain racked body same with my drinks. If food and soda can do this here I'm eager to find out what different drugs or supplements will do. Maybe bandages can be like a miracle cure here.

I found a random chest in the middle of this dungeon with a sword in it. It was a good find but it was a knight's long sword. Like that sort you'd see templars use or something like that. It's two handed and dual edged. It isn't what I'm used to but a sword is a sword. I think I'll take it to the real world and have it sharpened because it's a bit dull. I'm sure Mr. Blacksmith won't mind helping me for a fee.

Teddis ran to a hallway for cover at the sound of a scream. I jumped back from a tackle of one Shadow walked after him. "Lilim." The devil persona rose her hands up and blew a kiss at the shadow. Darkness surrounded the shadow and began to consume it. The shadow shrieked, cried, and struggled to escape the foreboding tendrils that sprout from the ground and took hold of it. Lilim giggled evilly as the shadow struggled to no avail until it was gone without even the black inky mess remaining. I felt a dark emotion fill me. Pleasure from devouring this shadow and the desire to grow with every kill and death. To see the life fade away was grander than watching the fire works in the summer time. These aren't my thoughts or emotions, I hope.

"It's been so long since I could really stretch my wings," she jeered as she flew down on my shoulders and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Of all the men in this world you are the most priceless," she whispered in my ear before fading away back into the sea of my soul. "I'm so happy you accepted the dark my love." Her giggling slowly faded away until it was replaced by the music instead. I took a breath continuing down the hall right behind the bear.

"Persona I swear," I muffled to myself.

I spotted the bear opening a door and pointed inside. The shadows gathered right behind me in bulk and I frowned. I hate running, but I ran to the door. "Hurry Tatsujin." I did then burst through the door and slammed it closed. The shadows never touched the door I think because I heard nothing from the other side. "This way Tatsujin." I saw the bear next to a stairwell way too big to be normal.

"How far up is she?" I said at the bottom of the staircase

"Not too far she's really close. I'd say one more floor."

That makes it the fourth floor huh? "Let's hurry. Slaughtering these shadows is starting to grow old." I'm getting tired as well. My rest times in the safe rooms have helped a great deal but I'm feeling a bit drained. Even though I stuck with physical attacks some of the shadows are resistant to them. Piercing and slashing damage work for many but not all. To counter this I've skills like the Mudo but at the cost of the power from behind the barrier. I don't have gear or many items to restore my soul. I need to facilitate this next time.

Shadows and stairs, that's what I'll call this game because I've found both without a problem. The voice of that women haunted our every step. The shadows my persona and I fought started to decrease in number the hire I climbed up but grew in overall strength. Most of the ones I've fought now use some form of physical attacks and magic to affect me. Some make me have to swing harder. Others make my armor feel like rubber. I found a security guard's crisis vest with Kevlar inserts and black gloves along with knee and elbow pads as extra protection. A riot suit basically.

I'm not accustomed to long swords like the knights of old but my mother is of English decent so she must have some knight lineage for me to fall back on. I found that using this longsword was a lot more difficult and different than using a katana. It was heavier and longer so I had to shorten my strikes and use larger arced strikes. Each one was slow though. I had to place more strength and control in my strikes and change my style. I basically intimated what I've seen in Star Wars and Knight movies to see what worked. With such a large hilt, sharp cross guard, and heavy pommel I've gone Kingdom Come: Deliverance on every shadow that came at me.

It's official I play too many games.

I used a high stance and thrust my sword into one shadow and DOWN'd it. I twisted around but released my grip for the blade and stabbed the cross grip into a large head. I grit my teeth at the fact my guard got stuck with a lion coming at me. I stomped my feet and swung the head up and down on top of the lion. That only served to piss it off though. The lion swat the head away and roared at me. I leapt back from a slashing attack from it's claws and took a low stance with my sword pointed upward and me low to the ground in a ready crouch. The shadow I DOWN'd from before began to stand. I ran towards it and the lion used its large ball and chain collared around its neck to stop me. I dove and rolled to the left and the ball landed near me. I rolled and charge driving my sword into the shadow. I pulled it up and out then spun around and cut it in half.

The lion roared at me and pounced at me. I braced and leaned forward as it ran into me head first right into my sword and forced me down to the ground. I grunted as the lion pinned me down. It's weight bared down on my chest. I rose my hand and felt my power come forth. Just as the power released the beast leaned down to bite me. When it's fangs were about to sink in I heard a loud thud and the beast stopped. I looked down as much as I could and spotted a blade sticking out of its body. The beast was then thrown to the side with Izanagi standing over me.

"I need to tame one of them," I sighed and leaned back on my hands now that all the shadows have been killed.

Stronger shadows, millions puzzles, tons of dead ends, and close calls galore. I'm beginning to get the feeling that this place is designed to force me to struggle to the top; but not in such a way that its impossible to reach the top. I panted a bit and reached into my knapsack. In one the golden chests I've found a bag and potions in another. I reached into the bag and pulled out one. I drank the horrible tasting sludge with a runny consistency that restored my soul power. I whipped my mouth and struggled to keep it down the best I could. It's pretty bitter as well. Monster, items, bottomless bags, and coupled with the labyrinth layout of this place, it's all like a game. I'm being toyed with by this places creator, and I'm not amused.

"Kuma," I called the bear from ahead at a corner. I pulled my black gloves down on my hands when I saw the way he peeked over the corner. Another Shadow I'm guessing. I fixed the black beanie on my head same with my armor. I checked over my bag with my uniform in it then stood up from my spot and made my way towards him. I glanced over the corner and saw another golden chest at the end of the hallway. No shadows in sight. Back to what I was thinking before, "How is a dungeon like this possible Kuma?"

"Well, I believe it's made by the distorted desires of the creator so…" I rose my hand and nodded. That's enough and simple.

I stood up and walked to the golden chest with a large lock on it. I looked the lock over and frowned. If only I had my lock picking kit with me. I reached for another golden key I found in this place and held it up to the lock. I put the key in and turned to a click. The lock opened and I tossed both the lock and welded in key away. I pushed the chest open and looked inside to a couple potions. "Snuff souls," I named them. Three in fact. I took them and got back on track.

The shadows slowly became more of an annoyance than anything else and I pressed on for what felt like hours. According to my watch it's should be one in the morning right now but seeing that the fog is still here I guess that's not true. It's been five hours so far but I wonder what the actual time is.

I left that though behind to give my attention to a huge door. It was much larger than the rest of them the words "Lights, Camera, Action" plastered on turned front.

"She's behind this door," the bear declared.

"That's what you said about the last three Teddie and each had a big shadow inside. I still wanted to check that box you told me to steer clear of."

The bear shivered and shook his head. "No Tatsujin. Did you not hear the ominous sighing and the sound of dragging chains? That box was bad juju I swear on my beary life."

I shivered a bit at the mention of chains. But I doubt a shadow that powerful would loom within chests in the middle of Living Nightmares like this. "Ted it was just a box and whatever is in it couldn't have been that bad."

"It was!" He cried.

"Okay, calm down kuma I didn't open it like you asked" 'though next time I will.' I kept that last bit to myself. I pushed the door open and shielded my eyes from turned brightest spotlights ever pointed at me. I weird music liken would hear on TV when introducing an announcer came on. I peered my eyes though the light heard I could.

"Lights on me," and the lights focused off me and then pointed to a woman in a business suit. I rose an eyebrow at her and walked to the camera. "Camera ready." A shadow camera man pulled a large camera towards the center stage.

"What the bear is going on Tatsujin? What is that lady doing?" I shook my head.

The shadow looked up toward us and smiled then pointed to the chair in front of her own. "And action." The studio lights rose and fell in a way so they would overlap. The lights are on the surrounding area and her specifically.

"I guess she wants me to sit down."

"Of course I do dear. It can't be an interview with only me." The shadow smiled gently.

Against my better judgment I approached while the bear took you pants leg and followed. We sat down in the chairs and waited for the woman to address us then finish her introduction. I stabbed my sword in front of me and waited as she did her thing.

"Now dear you fought your way past my ex's just to get to me. Such dedication should be rewarded," the shadow smiled at me softly with golden eyes taking in my entire visage.

"If you want to reward me tell me about what happened," I pushed for the truth. I'm tired right now and just want some answers.

"Hmm, happened with what?" The shadow played dumb or was teasing me.

"Who pushed you into the television and forced you into this world?" I leaned in from my spot as the ruin of this place started to buckle.

"Oh, isn't that a big question," the shadow giggled. "Shouldn't you ask that other me?"

"The you, you killed you mean," I reminded the shadow earning a frown from my quip. "You are her shadow; the shadow of her true inner self, and she is you so you know what she knows."

The shadow woman stared at me with golden eyes then burst out laughing. "Funny that you can say it but she couldn't. That's why she had to die. That's why I killed her for denying her true self."

I sighed and leaned back into my chair. "I'm sorry that your other self repudiated to accept you, but can you give Teddie and I anything on the man or woman that did this?" T

he shadow laughed. The laugh started out soft then grew progressively louder and louder. Teddy hid behind me as the woman laughed her fill then her eyes shoot to me. Her head followed slowly until she was facing me entirely. "For that you need to really prove to me that you're a man, dearie." The shadow of the announcer smiled cruelly.

I knew I was going to regret asking this but, "how exactly do I do that?"

Then smile grew into an ominous grin."By overcoming me dear," the shadow announced in a multi-layered voice. The area started to change and the room because an arena with cameras, spotlights, and TVs every which way. The pressure from the shadow's release bared down upon me. It was nothing compared to the reaper or when Saki brought forth her persona for the first time.

"Ahhhh!" the bear yelled. I grabbed him and jumped back out my chair with my sword tight in my hand.

The ceiling was beginning to cave and creak. I piece of foundation fell down next to me from before. This place was really run down before but now the ruins of the studio are starting to crumble around us.

"What's going on?" I questioned.

"The world here is starting to crumble without its creator." What Ted said did make sense but why is it taking so long for this place to fall? "The release of the shadow's power must have been the straw to break the bear's back." The saying is actually the camel's back not a bear, but I get it.

"5 minutes lover. You have five before turned its light out!" I watched as turned shadow transformed and took the shape of a black and white butterfly with claws and tentacle like appendages coming out of her back and four wings. It was larger than last time that's for sure and her power more predominate. A large projector fired the time at a wall and it started counting down. "I don't like quickies so come and satisfy me."

I drew my sword and took a high stance with the sword parallel to my arm. I gripped the cross guard hard and took a breath. "I'm ready shadow." I'm ready to end this chapter.

"Tatsujin watch out!" I vaulted over a tentacle was it whipped under me and cut the thing down the middle. I bite my teeth when the woman used her Ghastly Shriek on me. I felt debilitated for a moment but shook it off and cut a second tentacle down and got close enough to make things more interesting. I hawk stroked upward dead center along the shadows body and stabbed into its chest. The shadow screeched and blasted me backed to the ground yet didn't press turned attack. It stopped with its appendages in front of her and I got a bad feeling about this.

"It's about to use a strong attack. Watch out!" I looked up to a ball of energy that grew above me.

'Megidola.' I heard a whisper in my head for a second.

"This will end you little man." The attack fell from the ceiling on top of my last spot. I jumped back in time to escape the blunt force of that attack but the shock wave battered my body forcing me further back to my back.

I frowned and wiped the blood from my chin I felt slithering down it from my forehead. I rolled back up to my feet with my hand up. "Apsaras," I said and the defense weakening spell did it's work. Play time is over.

"Come lover is that gahhhh!" my sword found its home in the forehead of the shadow. I don't like throwing my sword like you'd see in Kingdom Hearts but I'd be a liar if I said that wasn't cool.

"I don't have time to play with you. Senri." Fire surrounded the monster but seemed to suck into it. I bit my teeth and recalled Senri. It's a giant bug so I expected fire to work. I need something else. I crossed my hand over my face and the card between my fingers changed. "Persona." I closed my hand and felt Justice filling me and a desire to show an infidel retribution. "Angel!" I greeted her and the beautiful servant of God bowed before me. "Garu." The wind picked up and a flap of pure white wings the fly was blown back into a down'd position.

That worked.

I changed persona to Izanagi and cleaved the shadow back down. The shadow rose back up and levitated above ground with a fierce sensual glare set upon me. Her hands rose up to Izanagi's spear and yanked it out. Suddenly it appeared on top of my sword and took it in hand. "Die." A spell hit me dead on and I felt my mind go blank. Just as my senses came back a claw slashed me upward into the tentacles it still had and there was still a good amount. The tentacles grasp my arms, legs, and waist. "Okay I'm really not into this," I grunted at one also wrapped around my neck.

"Now I have you. So much for being a real man." A dark energy formed below me like before. 'Mamudo.' The instant kill spell that she used on me before. I got lucky that time around that it missed. Luckily, I've Izanagi equipped which ups my resistance.

The spell hit to no effect and I rose an eyebrow at the shadow. I took in a series of breaths and pulled on my right arm and caught the tentacles that held it. "Izanagi." Lightning coursed through my hand and flowed into the tentacles. The shadow grunted at the shock and loosened its grip. I pulled my leg in and brought the shadow closer to me with a shift tug. I crossed my hand over my face and felt my persona change. I felt almost dead on the inside and filthy and I loved it. I clenched my fist and pulled myself towards her. "Ghoul!" My persona manifested behind me and bashed the shadow in the face forcing it into the ground and my sword further into its skull. I winced at the impact it suffered. A ghoul is dead and so doesn't know how to hold back being why it's so strong.

The tentacles released me, and I fell to the floor as the shadow gleamed at me. "Hahaha come now, you can do better than that." The shadow was really staticing now but still had enough fight in her. My sword was behind her and she blocked me from it. The mudo spell faded away but at the same time the shadow took flight.

"Now for part two of our dance," The shadow giggled. It flapped its wings and blades of wind fired toward me and shot me back. My armor and coat took the attack without problem, but the impact into the wall was harsh. The wind was knock out of me, but this was no time to assess my injuries. The shadow was coming in fast with the intent to ram me.

I grabbed the cracks in the wall I was in, 'that's it just a little closer'. I lifted my legs up and my torso followed. I could feel as her claws passed under me and stuck into the wall cracking it farther than it was. "What the?" The shadows surprise grew as I release the cracks and rolled over her arm to my feet. I ran to her head and cracked my fingers making it seem I was going in for a punch. The shadow rose her good arm to shield her face. Imagine her surprise when I leapt over her and grabbed her left wing. "What are you doing," it yelled as it's balance took a toll forcing us both to the ground. The wing was still in my hand.

"Angel," I called and the shadow was blasted even further off balance by the wind spell until it hit the ground down'd once more. "Ghoul." I called next and my other persona came down and bashed down upon the wing I extended out. The wing right off earning a screech of agony from the shadow. One of which I didn't care much for. All I cared about was that its wind attacks are useless now and it's grounded.

I jumped towards the other wing and pulled back on it with the aim to do the same as I did before. I pushed with my legs and pulled with my arms as the woman frantically tried to throw me off. It was like riding a mad Mothra, I can't pull it out to bash it off like this. I let go at the right time and was sent straight up into the air. I dropped down atop its back and gripped hard on the fur on its back

"Let me go!" It roared.

Fat chance of that happening. I know sure how but I think the inner Shadow of Colossus within me came alive. I shot up and grabbed hold of an antenna and fell down yanking its head down. I swung down and my feet touched it's chest. I grabbed it's slimy rivets and shot upward back to it's wing and this time I got it. I grabbed my current card and switched it for the Fool. "Cleave!" Izanagi's spear came down and swiped across the wing forcing it off much like the other one. I flew out and hit the ground with a stream of blackness pouring then fading into nothing following me. The shadow screeched and fell to the ground once more.

"This is your chance!" Teddie yelled and he was right. It was down hard this time and I could wail on it if I had Saki with me but right now I was weak.

I dropped down to my knee and switched persona with my eyes closed. "Persona," I rose my hand and crushed the card. A cool sensation came across my back and hands as I focused on those areas. "Dia," I said the name of the skill. It's effects were instant. I repeated two more times as the shadow recovered as well.

Just as the shadow began to stand up I did with a change to Lilim. I shot toward it. The shadow fired some manner of ice towards me but I evaded with ease. I kicked it's head then shot upward to tis' back. It bucked up as I past the head with the hilt of my sword in sight. I reached out and grabbed it and the cross guard and fell causing my sword to dislodge from the back of its neck just as I landed.

I rolled across the floor and shot into my stance. I heard banging and the sound of bucking. It was getting closer as well. I rolled to avoid getting crushed by the frenzied shadow. I stabbed my sword into the ground and fixed my disheveled clothes and beanie. I reached for my sword and fixed my glasses as I took it in hand. I turned toward the now weakened shadow that was staticing all over her body now.

The shadow struggled to stand and the second she was up high enough I moved underneath it and cut its belly open and moved to the right-side wings. The shadow roared up and swung her two left over wings at me. A blade of wind shot toward me, but I leaped over it in a suicide roll. I rose my sword up and slashed down with a heavy slash across its face with this decaying feeling in my body from Ghoul. I rolled under its body just as it tried a headbutt and landed behind her in a crouch with my sword up at my chest.

"Here we go." I finalized.

"Get her Tatsujin!" Teddie cheered.

"I... won't... lose!" The shadow asserted.

I rose my hand and felt divinity take precedence upon me. The shadow blasted something at me and it hit me. I didn't move and shrugged off the blast with ease. "Angel," I prayed and my angel appeared before me ready to unleash god's judgement upon this creature. "Hama." Light surrounded the beast and in a flash the beast roared and cried as the spell worked its magic. The spell didn't kill it but it was now severely weakened. I walked up to the crippled shadow with the intent to finish her once and for all.

The shadow gave me another look of passion that made me hesitate. Why is she looking at me as if she has won? She does see that my sword is posed ready to finish her, so why does she still have that look? I stabbed my blade down into her chest and forced her back. With a garu the shadow shot up and landed on its wingless back. Instead of screaming like I pictured that would happen she laughed. I wondered why this was then I thought back. At first the battle was a bit extreme. It had plenty of chances to finish me and yet she didn't. Why is that? She laughed at everything, not just me. Most of her moves almost consumed her just as much as it could have consumed me. This kamikaze behavior is strange. She's willing to kill herself if it meant killing me. This shadow has nothing to lose.

The answer to everything shown itself when I looked up above me when I noticed a bluish white light on the floor. Maybe that's why she stopped fighting back as hard. She was charging her power to make one last attack with the evidence being a white light that lite up above us. It was like a Spirit Bomb from DBZ.

"What is that?"

"Megidolaon. One so powerful that it will destroy everything around you," the shadow chuckled weakly. I looked back to Teddie and back up to the Megidolaon as it started to glow brighter. "There's no escape dear... We will die together... here and now."

"I don't plan on dying here," I drove my sword into her body and slid it up from the body to the head in a nice personal cleave. I dropped down and landed at the head just as the shadow started to fade into blackness. I fell to my feet with the Megidolaon still building energy above. I placed the sword on my back but struggled at first. I'm not used to sheathing a long sword on my back.

"It's too late lover. In sixty seconds the nightmare will end and I will finally be me and no one else." The shadow of the announcer said as she laid on the ground a couple feet from me back in her human body. The clock was ticking and it was time to go.

I scooped the shadow in my left arm and rushed over to the bear. "Kuma hop on!" The bear didn't think twice before he kicked up and grabbed on to my back. "Kuma can you sniff our way out?!"

Shadow Mayumi chuckled and shrugged her shoulder. "You won't make it dear. This world will end and you bringing me will only spell your undoing."

"Teddie!" I yelled to the lost bear as I shot out the doors to the main studio into the hallway. The world was rumbling and shacking. Everything is moments from coming down.

"Ahg, right! Go right!" I passed all the agitated shadows and found the stairs.

"Out of my way! Izanagi!" My persona manifested and cleaved through one shadow after the next. I couldn't use my hand so I focused as hard as I could to switch persona. "Aparsas! Dia," I cried when I noticed myself slowing down. My leg was hurting and I don't need that right now. Cleave and all these physical attacks cost me my own body's health so the more I used the less healthy and lively my body became.

I flew down the stairs and rushed out the door of the room using Senri. "Three floors to go." I picked up the pace to extreme speed and Teddy led me from stair to stair. I reached the first floor and it was then the ceiling began to fall. "Shit, Lilim!" I felt weightless as I flowed and dodged fall rocks and walls. This place was coming down fast and the portal was nowhere in sight. One set of shadows got in my way and I focused. Lilim faced them for me and electricity shot out from her hands and impacted all of them. They were down'd but I didn't have time to finish this. I shot past them and kept going.

"Straight. All the way straight! With ten seconds on the clock." I picked up the pace with more juking, more jumping, and dodging with all the falling walls and doors around me. I watched shadows crying and panicking as this Nightmare was coming to it's end. With my head phones on I could hear the pleading and begging. I drowned it out and focused on getting out of here.

"Why didn't you leave me?" The shadow asked as it looked up to me with displeasure. "You won't make it with me intact. I am weak because my real self is gone. The battle took the rest out of me so by the time the Megidolaon falls I will disappear anyway." The shadow is practically weightless, same with Kuma, so his want really a bother. The sword and armor I have are the real weight that's forcing me to struggle but the chance of dying kept me motivated to keep moving.

"Times up!" Kuma didn't need to tell me. I saw the opened portal and the Megidolaon exploded down above me vaporizing and covering the hall with light. The building collapsed and the Megidolaon followed me to the exit. It was faster than me and gaining. Walls fell in front of me and Teddy held on to me as hard as he could. I breathed in as much air as I could and pushed through the wall with a kick and pushed forward.

I thought on the answer to the question more than the coming doom we might face.

All beings long for acceptance.

I heard the voice once more at the edge of hearing with Angel coming to mind and how our union came into being. She appeared right next to me then nodded before fading away.

"Because," I panted. "You are the real Mrs. Yamano. Because you are the only one that I know and I accept you. You are you even if you other refuse to accept you." The Megidolaon was right on my tail but the shadow didn't care or even she heard a word from me.

She took hold of my back and chest then pulled herself up. "Hurry or else we will never get what you came for." Mayumi said to me.

I nodded and pushed faster toward the exit with debris falling from above to hinder my progression. The Megidolaon was right on me but I made one last jump and slid under a pipe into the portal. I panted and fell over with the bear and shadow in tow. I literally jumped out of the station and hit the pavement hard in a skid and series of hard rolls. I hit the surrounding fence and stopped with my back against the fence but upside down.

I rolled over and watched as the building started to glow white and black from Megidolaon pushing against the walls. In a flash, the light easy gone and the station crumbled into nothing. The station faded like any shadow to leave the area bare and void of anything. I rested my thumping head down and tried to calm my heart down. With how fast it was beating I was afraid I might have a heart attack. I painted and coughed harshly. I don't think I've ever ran as fast as I did today ever in my life. God that freaking sucked hard. Even harder than having to come to Inaba and that really freaking sucked. But hell, I made it.

Teddie was first to recover and looked at the faded away building. "Tatsujin... you did it!" The bear ran at me and tackled me back a little by not much because the little bear is mostly this mascot outfit that weighs nothing to me. I panted and let myself fall over down to my back and just laid there. I happened to be on the sword I got as well for my back had the scabbard, but I didn't care. I hope to get some down time after this and worry about the murder later.

"Hey, Hero." I tensed and saw that Mayumi was standing over me with an unreadable expression but the static thing she did before was happening to her now. Was she fading away? She didn't say once the station fell she would disappear so I guess I did carry her for no reason. "Did you mean what you said?" The shadow asked with her hand out for me to take.

I reached up and took her hand. It was cold even with my gloves on. Teddy jumped back and edged away from the shadow that gave me a hand up as I stood. I leaned up to my butt and leaned against the fence instead of standing up. After than shit I'm done stand for the moment. I closed my eyes as I calmed down and nodded at her. "Yes, of course I never lie to a pretty woman."

Shadow Mayumi giggled and opened her arms out toward me with her palms facing the sky waving for me to come forward. "Then do what I couldn't. Embrace me." I was skeptical about hugging a woman the just tried to kill me.

Embrace her… set… path

Then again from how badly she was staticing she didn't have long before she faded way like the world that crumble a couple minutes ago. I might as well send her off with something positive. I climbed up with help of the fence once I felt calm enough not to fall over into the pavement to face her.

"Tatsujin are you sure to trust her. I mean what-if she..."

"It's fine," I said silencing the panicking bear, "it's okay. She doesn't hurt people without good reason because she's a good person. She maybe a little misguided and a little eccentric at times she does what she sees at right. It's only human." Shadow's eyes widened. I embraced the woman in every way I could. I hugged the woman close to me and she nestled her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you," she whispered in my ear. I never noticed this but her frame is quite weak and petite. She's trembling as well and I could feel the mixture of emotions swirling within her. I closed my eyes and embraced her further.

"Anytime." I'm a bit not happy at the fact I went through all that without anything to show but such is the life of Yu Narukami. Still if I can bring peace to this shadow I'll do it. Maybe that's good enough.

"To be accepted with all my flaws and misdeeds... it feels good. So very good that I need more. I am me and I now… I am you. I will stay with you forever," she murmured in my ear. I just accepted her words as few of her last. Suddenly the black haze around the shadow faded away and it rose above me. I felt a pull on my life energy and felt her hold on me tighten.

What the hell.

"I am me," she smiled and kissed my cheek, "and now I am you." The shadow faded away and a light surrounding her grew smaller into a card. The card entered my chest and I felt a place in my own mind fill with thoughts.

"Calliope." I whispered the name that crossed my thoughts.

"Y-You purified her and accept her as your own." Teddy put his hands behind his back, but looked upon me in shock. "You truly are amazing Tatsujin."

I'm not even sure what just happened or if it happened that way. I do know that I'm done for today and need some sleep "Come on Ted I got the answers I wanted."

"Really! How?"

"She and I are one and the same so what she knew I now know." I know many secrets and I can see her life in my mind including the man she slept with that started this.

"Ohh. Well what did you find out?"

"I am not sure," because Mrs. Yamano like Saki lost that small bit of memory after entering the television, but I know she was angry and on edge when it happened. Just like Saki she was angry at someone specifically and the anger she felt was that of a woman antagonized by a man. That narrows it down to a man and not a woman who is doing this.

"Let's head back," I muttered. I walked to the front gate to the station and pulled down on my stop watch. I was in there for a little more than an hour. I stopped it and pocketed it after resetting it. With the Living Nightmare gone there's no point in having this recorded.

We reached the studio in no time at all and waiting for me were the stack of TVs that will transport me back. I checked the watch and saw it was past two in the morning according to my watch. I said my goodbyes to the bear before walking to the portal out of this world. I stopped for a moment and looked myself over. My armor is nice and useful, but I can't walk around looking like I'm part of SWAT team.

"I can hold on to your things for you if you want. You'll be back to help me find the culprit anyway."

When did I say I would help him? I guess it doesn't matter and the bear has made itself useful though. I pulled off my armor and placed it on top the bear's head along with my sword. I left my knapsack with him as well with my uniform on in good condition. I told the bear to observe and document his findings first and stopped the watch to the studio. It was only a couple hours out from when I entered. Strange.

I placed my arm in its sling again and nodded to the bear one last time before leaving out the portal to Junes.

04/15 Evening

The happy tune played just as I walked out to no one around. I opened my phone and checked to see what time it is right now. It's only 8:15 and not even close to the time on my watch. My watch in moments changed to the right time. Time moves at the same rate in the studio as in the normal world. It moves faster the further out I get maybe. I can't wait to get this down.

I smiled and walked through Junes with one place in mind to go to, being the security room. I had to scope it out the security first. I left Junes and made my way back home. My uncle's car was gone so I entered the house with all the lights off. Nanako is more than likely asleep right now and my Uncle is out doing work. I don't have much to worry about then and I'll have plenty of time to sleep today and into tomorrow. Something tells me I'm sleeping well tonight. I'm too tired for any dreams today and maybe it will stay that way.