Warning, this chapter is very talky-talky between the I.T! All the same, I hope you enjoy it! :)

It gets more exciting next chapter, promise. ;)

Obligatory Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Reflections

Baths are angels in inanimate form, Yu finally decided as he slipped a little deeper into the water. It was pleasantly warm and refreshing and relaxing, and it felt so good to finally be rid of the dirty remnants of the Underdark. True, the iron-made bath itself was little uncomfortable to sit in, but at least it was large and allowed him to stretch out a bit beneath the warm, sudsy water. Even better, there were two small tubes of possibly animal hide laying just within arms reach on a small standing table next to him, which he'd come to find out held a mixture of lightly-scented oils that did wonders for his hair. This world's variation of shampoo, he figured. Occasionally, he would hear noise swell up from the floor below, but thankfully the wood was thick enough to mute most of it.

It was a little odd to be taking a bath in the middle of the room he would later be sleeping in, but he couldn't exactly complain about it. Besides, Rhysana had told him it would be moved aside later once he was done. He also couldn't really complain about the servant who had come in to help him (which led to a whole mess of awkwardness as neither knew what the other was saying) despite Yu's discomfort over the fact that a total stranger had been in the room while he was naked. After all, the man most likely had just been following what was customary in this world.

At least, he really, really hoped that's what it was.

But, now that he was left to his own devices and they were all finally somewhere reasonably safe, it allowed him time to think. Really think about all that had transpired, and all the strange, wondrous, and frightening things they'd encountered. Magic that ran as wildly and freely as the wind, mythical creatures that were no longer so mythical, and real live heroes (possibly) who shared their faces. It was boggling to the mind that just a few short days ago, had someone told him this would soon be his reality, he wouldn't have believed a single word they'd said. Barring the possibility of the tv world, as really, there was no telling what that place could conjure up.

But this was reality. Somehow, someway, they'd all winded up here.

Idly, he wondered what the future would hold for them. Probably more magic, which was cool, and more towns like this, which was exciting. But . . . he also couldn't discount the possibility of running into another not-so-favorable encounter, one where a fight would be inevitable. And if it was a bad one, they'd more than likely need their counterparts help.

But what if they're not there?

The question made him shiver, for it spoke of very possible circumstance where they were alone. Without personas, all they could rely on was the fighting skills they'd learned in the tv world. But they were only self-taught, and in a world where every enemy had received real, actual training in the arts of killing others, that would put them at a sore disadvantage. Adding onto that, only several of them had practiced with weapons that could apply in a world like this. Yukiko's fan wouldn't do anything against a sword, Naoto had lost her gun, and Chie's legs, while undeniably strong, might have hard time against armored opponents without guards to protect her shins. It all spelled a recipe for pure disaster, and the only way to counteract it without getting themselves killed was . . .

We need to learn how to survive on our own, he realized. Not just how to build a campfire or find food, but how to properly wield a sword, how to treat wounds, wear armor . . . that was their best shot should the eventuality come where they only had themselves to rely on. But he couldn't just decide this on his own. The others needed to know too.

By then, the water had started to become cold, so Yu clambered out and stepped onto the wooden floor beyond, water puddling a this feet. The room was very small, only ten feet in width, length and height. A small cot was pushed into the back left corner, and next to it was a small, two-drawer desk meant for holding a traveler's belongings pressed against the back wall. The single door was surprisingly heavy for it's size, and a large iron bolt was affixed to the top portion of the wood. The walls were all bare save for the window on the left wall overlooking the square and the plain curtains adorning it. A small wooden stool sat below it, perhaps meant for sitting so one could gaze out over the town on a clear day. The only light came from the candle resting on the desk as well as the twin candelabras affixed on either side of the door, shadows falling heavily in some corners of the room. He found with pleasant delight that towels had been laid out on the cot, an amenity that did, in fact, exist in this world. He also found a set of linen garments to wear in place of his old clothes, which were out being cleaned. A simple shirt and pair of pants made of dark brown cloth that were a little big on him, but that was nothing a few quick ties couldn't fix.

A knock on the door made him turn his head.

"Hey, Partner, you out yet?"

Yu smiled at the sound of Yosuke's voice, "Yeah, I'm out. Dressed too."

The door opened, and the brunette slipped inside before closing it behind him. The clothes on him were much the same, his headphones dangling around his neck while his wet hair stuck to his skin in places. There was a light flush to his cheeks, too, probably courtesy of the warm water.

"They stuck the bath in the middle of your room too?" Yosuke asked, gesturing to the iron tub.

Yu nodded, "Yeah, but that was common in eras like the fourteenth century. We should be thankful they didn't make us all use the same one."

Yosuke grimaced at that, "Yeeeah, if someone had even mentioned that, Chie would have kicked me in the nuts out of reflex. But dude . . ." a more puzzled spark entered his eyes, "Does stuff like the fourteenth century even apply here? I mean, yeah, its all pretty medieval, but at the end of the day, this is a completely different world."

"I'm just using a comparison that we can understand," Yu replied, sitting on the bed.

"I guess I can see that . . ." Yosuke grimaced, "Even if history was never really my best subject . . ."

Yu smiled at this, "Was any ever your best subject?"

"Shut up," despite the words, Yosuke was smiling a little in return, eyes gleaming with humor, "We can't all be Mr. Perfect, can we?"

"You're perfect in your own way," Yu said. Then he followed it up with a teasing smile, "Even if academia isn't one of them."

"Yeah, let's not boost Yosuke's confidence too much, that'd be just unthinkable," the brunette replied, smiling all the same.

Yu just laughed, and the two fell into a comfortably familiar silence as Yosuke came to sit beside him. The sort of silence they'd used to share after a long conversation, both lapsing into quiet thought that needed no words to fill it. It had . . . felt like a really long time since they'd last been able to do this, even if realistically it had only been a few days.

Yosuke let out a sudden sigh, and Yu turned his head, "What's wrong?"

"Just . . ." Yosuke scratched the back of his head, taking time to put his thoughts into words, "Just everything. I mean, we're walking in a freaking fairytale world with magic, giant spiders, and even dragons! Hell, whatever we can think of when it comes to fantasy probably exists! And that's not even getting started on the fact that there's already a group of people living here who look exactly like us!" he sighed again, "It all just . . . feels like a dream. I keep feeling that if I close my eyes long enough, I'll open them again and I'll be back on my bed, none the wiser. But I know that won't happen, because that'd be way too easy."

The boy lowered his head, worries tumbling freely from his lips, "The fact that none of us, not even our weird counterparts, have any idea how we got here makes me worry about how any of us our going to get home. If its even possible to get home . . ."

"I get what you mean," Yu replied, "But regardless of that, we have to keep our heads up. If we stay together and think things through, I know we can figure out a solution to this problem. There was a way here, after all. There must be a way back."

"You really think so . . . ?"

Yu placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know so. We've done what most people would consider impossible before, and we'll do it again. Together."

Yosuke remained still for a moment. Then he shook his head and looked up, smiling slightly, "Yeah, you're right. Being pessimistic never got us anywhere in the case, and it won't get us anywhere here. So long as all of us stick together, we'll figure something out. Sides, what does that say about me if I give up so easily?"

"That's more like the Yosuke I know," Yu said happily.

The other boy smiled, somewhat sheepishly, "Hey, someone has to play Second Banana. And besides, we're partners through thick and thin. Whatever happens, we stick with it to the end!"

"Agreed," Yu replied with a nod and a smile. He held up his fist, and Yosuke lightly pressed his own against it, a reaffirmation of their bond and their unity. In the days to come, Yu imagined he would be relying on it heavily.

Just then, the door flew open, and a bright voice called out, "SEN-SEIII!~"

If Teddie actually had a point to make with his grandiose entrance, it fell short, as the bear ran right into the puddle still pooling in the middle of Yu's room. With a startled shriek, he slipped forward and landed flat on his back, the thud making Yu involuntarily wince.

"Owie . . ."

Yosuke sighed, "That's kinda what you get for barging in here without even knocking."

"Oh, like you have any right to talk, Yosuke."

Yu looked to see that both Chie and Yukiko were hovering in the threshold, the former looking pointedly at Yosuke while the latter was hiding a laugh behind the sleeve of her robe. Or, he guessed a more accurate description would be dress, one that followed a more western aesthetic. It was a simple light grey, possibly made from cotton and clearly meant for slumber. To his surprise, Chie was wearing one too.

Yosuke turned to her, "Oh come on, Chie, give me a- . . . hey, are you wearing a dress?"

Chie blushed, crossing her arms self-consciously over her chest, "Y-yeah, so what? It was the only thing they would give me, and no one understood me when I asked for something different! H-hey, eyes up here!"

Yosuke attention snapped upward, holding up his hands, "S-sorry, it's just . . . weird seeing you in a dress, is all. N-not that it looks bad, I mean, for your body type, you actually look pretty good!"

Digging that hole real deep, Yosuke . . .

Chie glared at him, stomping forward so she could snap in his face, "And just what is that supposed to mean!?"

Okay, maybe he should step in now before Yosuke ended up embedded into his wall, "He's just trying to compliment you. But he's Yosuke, you know how that usually ends up."

"Gee, thanks Partner," Yosuke hissed, giving him a side-long glare.

Chie stepped back, frowning, "Hm . . ."

Yukiko finally stepped inside, giggling softly as she gave her friend a smile, "I think you look nice too, Chie."

"O-oh, well . . ." the brunette girl blushed a bit, but smiled nevertheless, "Thanks Yukiko."

"I think ALL the girls look nice!~"

Ah, Teddie had recovered . . . and had thrown his arms across Yu's lap, but that was fine.

Chie's lips pursed, "No one asked you."

"Uh . . ."

"Oh, just go in, Kanji, everyone else is doing it!"

Yu looked to the door again to see Rise casually waltz in with her hands laced behind her back, wet hair pulled up and wrapped in the confines of a towel to keep it from dampening her dress. Kanji hovered behind her, looking mildly annoyed, "Tch, I just didn't wanna be rude . . ."

He walked in regardless, scratching the back of his head, "Hey Senpai . . ."

He waved back as Teddie stuck an arm in the air, smiling despite the fact that he'd nearly nailed Yu in the chin, "Hi Kanji! Hi Rise-chan!"

"Is Naoto not with you?" Yu asked.

"Uh, well . . ." Kanji glanced back, "I didn't see her . . ."

Just then, a voice spoke up from around the corner, sounding unusually timid, "I am . . . here."

Yu leaned back a bit, and could just make out Naoto's side from the angle he was at. She didn't seem like she was going to be coming in anytime soon, and he wondered if it had to do with the attire the other girls had to wear.

"Uh, you coming in, Naoto?" Yosuke asked.

"Yeah, stop being a stranger!" Rise chided.

"I assure you, I am quite comfortable where I am and I can hear everyone perfectly fine."

"You sure?" Kanji questioned, looking concerned, "I mean, ya don't sound very comfortable . . ."

"She's just being shy," Rise said, "But, if she wants to stand out there where a bunch of strangers can see her, that's her choice."

He was pretty sure he saw her stiffen. Then, after a moment of very strong hesitation, the girl finally maneuvered inside. He'd been right, she was wearing the same gown the other girls were, and looking mighty uncomfortable in it. Her arms were clamped tightly around her chest like she was trying very hard to keep something hidden, cheeks an interesting shade of red despite the forced composure on her face. She'd somehow managed to keep her hat with her, the article sitting in it's usual place on her head.

"They forced ya into the same dress, huh?" Chie asked sympathetically.

"Y-yes," Naoto swallowed back against the uncharacteristic stutter, "Any attempts to communicate my, um . . . disapproval, was met with failure."

"Aw, but you look cute in it Naoto-kun!" Rise complimented kindly, walking up to her friend's side, "And if Yosuke or Teddie give you any trouble, we can just kick them out."

"Hey, why just us?" Yosuke demanded.

"Yeah, why just me?" Teddie demanded just as strongly, and Yosuke shot him an annoyed glance.

"Because out of the guys most likely to cause trouble, it'd be you two," Chie stepped in, placing her hands on her hips.

"The hot spring incident wishes to testify," Yukiko added.

Yu slightly shook his head at the memory. That had been a night . . .

"Huh? Kanji, what are you doing?" Teddie's questioning gaze led to the form of aforementioned boy, who had plunked himself down on the stool and was stubbornly looking out the window.

"Nothin'," Kanji replied tersely, shoulders tensing.

Rise smiled knowingly, "Leave him alone, Teddie."

"Guess everyone thought your room would be the best place to crash," Yosuke commented as everyone settled down.

"Well duh, he's our leader!" Rise chimed in with a smile, planting herself on Yu's unoccupied side.

"And, while we are together, it would be good to discuss what has transpired," Naoto added, taking a spot near the back.

"What's there really to talk about? Chie asked, "I mean, we're here, there's . . . magic, and dragons, and . . . us-"

"I wonder when we'll meet the others?" Yukiko mused thoughtfully to herself, "I'm really looking forward to it."

"I don't know whether to look forward to it, or dread it, or be confused by it, it's just too weird," Yosuke confessed.

"I'm still hoping she's a kung-fu master, whoever my counterpart is," Chie said with a smile.

"Of course," Yosuke breathed.

Below them, the sound of music began to play, and a familiar voice began to sing. It wasn't long before it was joined by others, the noise making the ground vibrate whenever it reached a loud crescendo before petering off again. But Rhysana's voice rang over all of them, an excited, angelical trill that uplifted and inspired, even from here.

Teddie cupped his hands around his ears, elbows braced against Yu's legs as he hummed, "Ah, Rhysana has the voice of seaborne siren whose stunning song echoes over the ocean and beyond, almost as beautiful as Risette's.~"

"I wish," Rise interrupted him, "I'm good, but I'm not this good. I don't even know how she does it, but every time she sings, it's like everyone stops to listen. And she's so pretty, too! I didn't even know it was possible for a person to be that pretty!"

"Given this world's more mystical 'trends', I'm willing to assume she has magic to aid her in that aspect," Naoto put in.

Yu placed a hand on her shoulder, "And remember, maybe you look alike, but you are a different person at heart, with your own strengths and weaknesses. And personally, I think I'd still choose a concert put on by Rise than any other."

Rise blushed, "Aw, Senpai, you know just what to say to perk a girl up.~"

"I think that goes for all of us, and our counterparts too," Chie said.

"Although, it would be an interesting exercise to discover those differences when they arise," Naoto said, "I . . . wouldn't mind learning more about it."

Rise chuckled, "It's okay to say you want to get to know Nyras-san better!"

Naoto shifted where she stood, "I simply feel an intellectual discourse with her would be . . . fascinating."

Kanji spoke up then, "I wouldn't mind gettin' to know Korval better, too."

Yosuke stared at him, " . . . is that because you found out he sewed?"

Kanji shot him a glare, "What does sewin' have to do with it?!"

"N-nothing, I just thought, you know, something for you to bond over or whatever," Yosuke said, leaning away from the angry teenager.

"Hm, maybe . . . Rhysana and I could talk about music?" Rise mused, "Even from here, I can hear its really different from the style I use. I wonder if we could find a way to blend it."

" . . . should I get to know Tirin better too?"

Yu glanced down at Teddie, who looked uncharacteristically somber, "Do you want to?"

The boy looked uncertain, "I don't know . . ."

"You could talk about girls together, that's definitely something you both like," Yosuke prompted.

Teddie shot him a look, "But we can't talk about girls, we're supposed to compete for their affections with manly contests of charisma and strength!"

"Sheesh, forget I said anything then . . ."

"Well, there's gotta be other things you can talk about," Yukiko said, "Like . . . bears, maybe?"

"I haven't heard Tirin mention bears even once while we've been together," Yosuke said, "It's sort of a godsend . . ."

"Then how about . . . um . . . wow, I didn't think it'd be this hard coming up with topics the two of them could both like," Chie said, looking puzzled.

Yu pursed his lips thoughtfully, "Maybe it has to do with their circumstances."

Chie looked at him, "Huh?"

"He has a point," Naoto said, "Out of all of us, Tirin is definitely the most markedly different. An outcome that may have to do with the fact that, unlike Teddie, he's lived a full life. He has gathered actual experience about the world and how it works like we have, and understands the nuances and intricacies at play within it. To put it simply, he has matured."

Teddie looked noticeably downcast by this, "So does that mean we can't be friends . . . ?"

"I wouldn't say that," Yu cut in, placing a hand on the boy's head, "Just because it looks at first glance that you don't have much in common doesn't mean you can't create a bond with that person."

"Yeah," Kanji said, "I mean, how many people would look at me and Yukiko-senpai and think we could become friends?"

"Or me with someone like Naoto-kun?" Rise put in.

"Hell, we're all odd pairs that most people would think wouldn't want anything to do with eachother," Yosuke added.

"But we're friends regardless," Yu finished, "And remember, we've only known each other for a few days. There's still time to get to understand one another more, I'd wager."

Teddie sat in thoughtful silence for few moments. Then he looked up, smiling, "I don't know about nunces or anything like that, but I want to learn more about Tirin too, just like ebearyone else!"

"That's the spirit," Yu said with an approving smile.

Rise suddenly leaned back, bed creaking as she braced her hands along the cot and looking wistful as she sighed, "Man, how long has it been since we last got to sit down together like this and just talk?"

"Feels like its been ages, if I'm honest . . ." Yu said truthfully.

"Yeah, same," Chie agreed.

"Although, it's definitely different from our Headquarters . . . or anywhere, really," Yukiko put in.

"Well, yeah, I mean . . . we're in a tavern . . . in . . . another world . . ." Yosuke shifted where he sat, looking uncomfortable.

"How long have we even been here now?" Chie asked, "Almost four days, right?"

"Just about," Yu said.

"It feels longer . . . " Kanji said softly.

" . . . would it . . ." Yukiko trailed off, looking uncertain she should finish.

"What's the matter, Yukiko?" Chie asked, sensing her friend's distress.

Yukiko lowered her eyes, "Would everyone back home have noticed we're gone?"

Her question was met with silence. A long, unbroken, uncomfortable silence.

Naoto was the first to speak, hand gripping the corner of her hat, "If . . . if both our world and this one's time belt align together, then most likely."

"What do you mean by 'our world and this one's time align'?" Yosuke asked.

"You mean like in the tv," Yu realized, sitting up straighter.

Naoto nodded, somewhat stiffly, "Yes. Time flowed differently in the tv world than it did in ours. It could be that such a phenomenon is at work here as well."

" . . . but," for the first time, Teddie spoke up, "But my world isn't like your world at all. Or this one. It's different. That's why it was all messed up in the first place."

"But even if that whole time thing isn't the case, it's been almost four days. People are bound to have noticed that eight kids just up and disappeared by now," Yosuke put in, looking more and more discomfited as the conversation wore on.

"And several of them were previously victims of the murder case last year," Naoto added dourly, "I have no doubt people will notice that as well."

"You don't . . . really think people will believe another horror-story like that will really happen, will you?" Chie asked hesitantly, shifting from foot to foot.

"Many humans, especially in such a connected, conspiracy driven society like ours, are spurred by the desire to make connections where there are none. And unfortunately, our sudden and inexplicable disappearances, so close together and with likely no clues or evidence left behind as to our whereabouts, bears a frightening resemblance to the criteria of the last kidnappings that took place in Inaba. I imagine that rumors have already taken root. And, possibly . . . that panic might already have started to spread," Naoto finished somberly.

A dismal silence descended on them, and Yu's fingers tightened into the sheets of his cot. The real weight of their situation, not just what it meant for them, but also for the people they cared about, was finally dawning on them.

He imagined Dojima and Nanako waking up in the morning, fully prepared to have one last hurrah together before he departed again only to find him already gone. And then, when the calls started coming in that others had vanished overnight as well, all of them his close friends, would be when the genuine worry-fear-would set in. Dojima would put all his effort into finding out what had gone wrong, where they had disappeared to. And Nanako, poor Nanako, would stay up at night wondering where her Big Bro had gone, where everyone had gone, and why they didn't tell her. And to have it happen so soon after the murders . . . they must be so scared . . .

He just hoped Marie would keep the days bright and shining, even though she must have been worried too. Keeping the sun out . . . if only to provide some comfort that foul weather would not be the portent of death like it had been last year.

"Ma . . . she's gonna be real worried by now . . ." Kanji mumbled.

"I think . . . that goes without saying . . ." Yosuke said softly, "Mom and Dad . . . heh, I'm probably facing at least a month's pay dock."

His weak attempt at humor fell on deaf ears.

"I . . . I don't want to make them worry like that again . . ." Yukiko's voice hitched, "Not like last time . . ."

Chie took her friend's hand as if on impulse, and Yukiko squeezed back as she struggled to reign in her tears. Heads remained bowed, and no one spoke.

That was when the door swung open and a shadow waltzed in.

"He-llo, everybody, Rhysana wanted me to come and check o-wow, it looks like I walked in at a bad time!" Tirin stopped walking, one leg suspended above the floor where he'd been meaning to set it as he beheld the gloomy faces in the room. Without turning around, he thumbed at the door, "Maybe I should come back later?"

Yu stood up, shaking his head, "It's fine, we were just-" he glanced at his friends, "Talking."

"Mhm, about rothlings and glowstones, by the looks of it," Tirin commented, setting his foot down and crossing his arms. He waved a dismissive hand at the questioning stares, "Underdark expression."

"It doesn't matter," Yu said, trying to sound reassuring, "Everyone's good up here. The baths were wonderful."

Tirin leaned back against the doorframe and gave them a quiet stare, as if he were sizing up the truthfulness of his words. Then,

"Hey, you're alive, right?"

The question caught him-and everyone else-off guard.

"Well, yeah, we're alive, what else would we be?" Yosuke asked, looking puzzled.

"Then stop being so down!" Tirin replied as if it were the simplest thing in the world, smiling, "You're alive, which means you can survive and do something about your situation! Maybe it'll take some time, sure, but you can do it. You got people waiting for you, right? So chins up!"

Everyone stared at the man, as if they were befuddled by what he had said. But then, Yu felt the melancholy fog slowly start to lift.

" . . . huh . . . never thought I'd be hearing a motivational speech from someone who looks like Teddie . . ." Chie murmured.

"Still, he's kinda right. Hell, weren't you and I just talking about how being pessimistic wouldn't get us anywhere?" a spark of humor, real humor, retuned to Yosuke's eyes as he turned to Yu, "We can't do anything about this except keep going forward. So, let's keep our heads up."

Rise managed a giggle, "Hey, Yosuke's mature side is making a rare appearance."

"H-hey, its not rare," Yosuke defended, "I'm mature . . . most of the time."

"Ha, now there's a joke that actually makes me laugh," Chie teased, smiling.

"Still, Yosuke's got a point," Rise said, "We're stuck here, that's true, but we can find a way back! For everyone at home, we've got to!"

Yukiko nodded, "Mm. My family, the inn, Inaba . . . I won't make them wait any longer than they have too."

"Hell yeah!" Kanji said with a sharp nod and a fiery grin, "We never got anythin' done by mopin' around! Now let's get out asses in gear and go!"

In the corner, Naoto allowed a small smile to come to her face, "That is the spirit that made our team so strong to begin with. And we need that now more than ever."

"Agreed," Yu said, rising to his feet, "We'll work through this together. And together, we'll get home."

Nods and cheers of agreement were made, and amidst the noise, Yu almost missed it as Tirin started to move away, a self-satisfied smile on his face, "And my work here is done!~"

"Hey!" Yu called out to him, "Thanks for that."

Tirin waved nonchalantly at him, "Lifting the spirits of fair young maidens, and in this case men, is what I do best!"

Behind him, he heard Rise speak up, "Will you be okay in the morning? I mean, when we got up here you were having a pretty hard time with the sun."

"Oh, is that concern for me, dear Rise? Such sweet words from one as lovely as you makes my spirit soar!" Tirin then dropped the suave act to answer a bit more honestly, "But really, don't worry so much! It's really only the first day that's bad, the rest is a breeze! Although, it can still get annoying at times . . ."

Glancing behind him, Yu spoke, "Don't you have something you want to say, Ted?"

At first, the blonde just looked at him with confusion. Then he jumped up as startled realization hit, "Oh yeah!"

He looked at the man standing in the doorway before ushering forward slightly, tweedling his fingers together, "Uh . . ."

Tirin cocked his head to the side, eyebrow quirked, "Hm?"

"Um . . . about this morning," Teddie started, "I want to say sorry. I was kinda being a bit of a mean bear."

Tirin gave him a long stare, the room silent as he waited for him to speak.

But, instead of doing that, the man lifted a hand and flicked the other boy in the forehead. Teddie yelped, more in surprise than pain, hands going up to the assaulted spot, "Hey-!"

"You're still hung up about that?" Tirin cut him off with a grin, "It's done now and it wasn't like anything really happened. Water under the bridge!"

"R- . . . really?" Teddie questioned.

"Sure! Besides," I teasing leer appeared on Tirin's face, "Real bears are a lot meaner. Not to mention more intimidating."

Teddie took offense to this, "Hey, I can be intimidating!"

"I beg to differ."

"Gr, that's just what you think! Who made you the expert on bears anyway?"

"Oh, I now about bears, trust me. Deep bears especially."

As the arguing continued, Yosuke sighed, "Well, there you have it. They can bond over who can be the most annoying."

"It's a start," Yu said.

"-I'll prove it! I'll prove I'm the most grizzliest grizzly to ever walk two worlds!" Teddie declared.

"Mhm, I'm sure that'll be a sight to-" all at once, Tirin stopped talking, "Ah!"

The man's entire body tensed as his eyes grew wide, the glow to his skin brightening suddenly as if something had just startled him. Without uttering a single explanation, he shot to the window in Yu's room, not even sparing a glance at Kanji as he stared out into the darkness beyond. The glass was rattling, the wind having picked up a significant degree since nightfall. But other than that, Yu couldn't see anything save the dimly lit square and the shadows of a few people as they meandered their way home.

" . . . Tirin-san, what-?" Yukiko didn't get to finish her question as Tirin suddenly bolted back for the door, pointing at them before swinging it shut, "Stay inside!"

They were left staring in open confusion at the man's sudden retreat.

"What . . . just happened?" Rise asked.

Yu didn't have an answer for her, everything happening so fast his head was spinning.

That was when Kanji spoke, voice uncharacteristically meek as if he were afraid to speak any louder than that, " . . . guys . . . you might wanna see this . . ."

Growing alarmed, Yu and the others went to his side, vying for space around the window as they clambered to look outside.

At first, nothing seemed different save for the wind that continued to gather speed, buffeting the glass and whipping up the straw from the shops around them. But then, he noticed something different. Something black, a void rippling and undulating in the shadows above the square right near its heart, like it were alive. It pulsed once, seeming to grow larger, flecks of red skittering across it's surface like sparks across steel.

"What is-?"

He never got to finish, for suddenly the thing burst in flash of red light and a jagged rip tore the air asunder, like a great claw leaving it's mark in the sky. The edges glowed like the charred ends of burning paper, cinders falling from the hole like leaves from an aging tree. He heard people scream and saw them start to flee, dropping their goods in their haste to escape.

A good thing they did, because only a second alter did something step out.

It was massive, looming well over fifteen feet tall, it's bulbous body rippling with muscle. The light bounced off a hide the color of a blackened bruise, ebony spikes jutting out of the back of a greatly stooped spine. Four arms jutted out from it's side, the largest drooping heavily and dragging along the ground, ending in massive pincers that clacked together in expectation. The second pair was much smaller, protruding out under the armpits of the first set. But they ended in three wicked talons that looked like they could rip apart flesh easily, twitching sporadically as if they had a mind of their own. It's bestial legs looked too small to support the massive torso of the creature, but they held it up strong and steady, as if in defiance of it's own musculature. Two sets of huge horns curled up from it's sloping skull, it's face a cavernous mouth lined with needle-sharp teeth, a squashed nose, and a pair of eyes the color of chalk that gleamed brightly in the dark, shining with a terrifying mix of intelligence and cruelty.

Taking one step forward, taloned foot crushing the stone beneath it to dust, it opened it's mouth and roared.

I told ya it'd get more exciting. :)

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