Chapter IX: Gathering at Sankō Shrine
Okumizuma Onsen (奥水間温泉)/Kaizuka, Osaka (貝塚市, 大阪市)/August 4, 2020 (2020年8月4日)/11:24 AM (JST)
One day removed from the intense skirmish with the Yokai and Lost, the Thieves and their entourage decided to relax their bodies, physically and spiritually, at a local hot spring. The group split into groups based on gender: the men went to the male's side and the ladies occupied the women's side.
Separated by a wall, the gender exclusive groups enjoyed the warmth of the water massaging their bodies, purging toxins from their skin pores, and healing their wounds.
On the women's side, while in the nude but their bodies mostly obscured by the fog of the hot spring, Ann, Makoto, Hifumi, Haru, Futaba, Yumeko, and Mary breathed deeply in a collective unison. Then, they finally let out relaxed gasps.
"Ahh! Nothing like the hot springs to calm the nerves, right girls?" Ann beamed happily, asking her friends.
"Yes, you said it!" Mary concurred, leaning back while lifting a leg out of the water and sipping a cup of sake.
"Yeah, thanks for suggesting this, Ann. My mind is at ease compared to yesterday. I needed this." Makoto smiled, caressing warm water across her arms.
"Totally agree! I so needed a spa," Futaba relaxed, swimming across without a care in the world.
"This is refreshing for my delicate skin. Sometimes you just need a hot spring to unwind and for your health wellness," Hifumi commented, leaning back and raising her head. The moist and hot air filled her nostrils, helping her meditate her mind.
"So, what's the story with Ryuji's new friend?" Makoto addressed, getting little to no response. "Well, what's her name?"
Ann quickly answered, adorning a smile on her face. "Oh, that Osakan girl? Her name is Tokiha Miyako. Apparently, she bumped into him and found him sulking. Both felt left out with a tagalong and so she asked Ryuji if he wanted company. And there you go, now they have each other's numbers. I'm so happy for Ryuji!" Her enthused tone implied she couldn't be any happier for her closest friend.
"Yeah, I think they'll be wonderful together!" Yumeko concurred.
Glaring at Makoto and Haru, Mary grinned mischievously. "And what about you two? You're awfully too close to be friends."
"Well…" Haru tried to answer as she and Makoto briefly exchanged glances. Their faces immediately blushed.
"We've haven't quite gotten that close yet, but my sis is already engaged with someone," answered Makoto.
"Yes, but I know that both of us will find a young man in our lives!" Haru tried saving face for herself and Makoto, denying any romantic bond between them. Underneath the waters, and without anyone else noticing, Makoto and Haru's hands touched. Both ladies faced each other and turned away, blushing again.
"I'm so sorry, Mako-chan." Haru softly said.
"No, it's okay," Makoto reassured her.
"And you, Hifumi? Do you really like Sion?" Ann asked, a playful grin curving across her face.
"Yes, what is it you like about him? Is it because he's a vampire from another world?" Yumeko curiously asked like the curious cat she is.
As the other girls eyed her direction waiting for an answer, Hifumi felt she was being backed into a corner.
Hifumi honestly offered. "Well, it's hard to say why, but I enjoy his company. Even when I found him lying outside my house, and after I picked him up, I felt… a vibe. A mysterious but a good vibe from Sion."
"But, didn't he scare you? Like when he almost attacked and thought you were an enemy?" Makoto asked her.
"Well, yes I was scared, but think of it like this. Animals when cornered sort to self defense, correct? Who says humans, or in Sion's case a vampire can't? He was scared and having been cut off from his world. He's a small fish in a big ocean right now. Someone has to be there to guide him through the ocean. That would have to be since he crash landed outside my family's home. He had to appear near me for a reason," Hifumi explained, describing and comparing Sion to a lost animal having been cast out from one home and seeking shelter. "And I'm a firm believer in fate. I believe fate brought us together for a reason."
"Wow, that's deep," Ann was astonished by the Shogi player's reasoning. "Ok, I can buy into that!"
"Me, too. Usually, our first loves aren't they what they seem, but for others they're brought together by the red thread of fate," Haru stated. She veered toward Makoto. "Don't you think so?"
The policewoman struggled to answer this. "I suppose? Everyone meets their first love in different ways."
"A red thread of fate? Hmm, perhaps," Hifumi said. "Or, maybe our red thread of fate is that amber bead that gave me these Revenant powers to begin with?"
"Ah, then you do like him more than a friend, Hifumi!" Yumeko cried out, causing Hifumi to blush.
"Sheesh, did you even pay attention, dummy?" Mary sighed. "It's more than just puppy love for those two."
"Honestly, I'm still unsure how I should reciprocate my feelings. We've only known each other for a few days," Hifumi softly smiled, splashing water in her face.
"If I were you, I wouldn't wait on it," Ann suggested.
"Just tell Sion how you feel," Haru nodded.
"At this point, don't even let me stop you," Makoto added, resigning her previous grudge with Sion.
Swimming around Hifumi, and without saying a word, Futaba slowly lifted a thumbs up. She gave Hifumi her blessings.
"Thank you all so much," Hifumi said, clamping her hands against her chest.
"Hey, Futaba. What's going on between you and Yusuke?" Ann asked the shut-in.
"What about me and Inari?'
Clasping her hands, Haru gave a coy smile. "Isn't it obvious? You two have become attached."
"In what way?"
Makoto sighed. "That you two might have a bond beyond a simple friendship?"
Upon hearing the ladies' claims, Futaba burst out laughing. "You think there's a romantic link between me and Inari?! Please, we're like a dynamic duo if anything. Like a crime fighting team. I'm the lead detective and he's my sidekick. Nothing more and nothing less!" She shouted in an outburst, but the blush on her cheeks said otherwise.
"Right, and you're blushing is not because of the steam from the hot spring?" Mary shrugged.
"So, you do like Yusuke! Right?!" Yumeko leaned next to Futaba, giving her a creepy face. "Right?" The creepy aura exuding from the Compulsive Gambler elicited a nervous look from Futaba, who while flailing her arms splashed water in the other girls' faces.
"Nothing is going on between me and Inari! We're just buds!"
On the other side of the wall, the men mostly listened to the girls' conversation. Covering his ears, Yusuke drowned his body but his head into the water.
"Futaba, did you have to put it like that and so everyone can hear?" The artist sighed in exasperation.
Ren and Ryuji turned over to Sion, whose face was dumbfounded by everything said by Hifumi.
"Dude, she's totally into you," Ryuji whispered, grin widening from ear to ear. "You gotta talk to her alone."
"I don't even know what to say. She's been so nice to me. She and her family have treated me well," Sion muttered.
"Just make sure it's you two alone," Yusuke suggested. "Strike up a pleasant conversation and let her know how you truly feel."
When Sion turned the male gambler's way, Ryōta responded. "Hey, look, I'm not really good with romancing a girl, but listen to Yusuke. He put it best."
Ren approached Sion. "Hey, you have this."
"Thanks, but I'm going to have to think this over. I'll be back," Sion turned and walked out of the hot spring. Collecting his towel, he folded it over his waist and headed out for some solitude.
"Yo, is he gonna be ok?" Ryuji wondered. "Was it something we said?"
Morgana sighed. "Maybe you shouldn't have gotten pushy with him?! He just needs space." He then turned toward the men of the group. "By the way, Nekomata said we're meeting the spirits at Sankō Shrine today."
"So, it's finally that time," Ren said.
Sankō Shrine (三光神社)/Tennōji, Osaka (天王寺区,大阪市)/5:30 PM (JST)
Later in the afternoon, a gathering took place in the Sankō Shrine. The Thieves (sans Ren and Morgana) and the three gamblers met with Nekomata, who appeared before them.
"We're all here, Nekomata," Makoto addressed the spirit. "Well, most of us."
"Ren, Morgana, and Hifumi went out into town to look for Sion," Ann explained their absences.
Nodding, Nekomata replied. "I understand. I know your friends, Ren and Morgana, are heading for the Velvet Room."
"Then, there's no need for us to explain," Yusuke stated.
"So, what's the story about this shrine?" Yumeko scanned the majestic sanctuary.
"I'm glad you asked, Miss Yumeko. This shrine had a tunnel centuries ago that interconnected the Sanada Maru to Osaka Castle during the Siege of Osaka," Nekomata stated, shifting over to a statue, which Mary recognized.
"Hey, that's Sanada Yukimura!" Mary recognized the face of the statue.
"And there's a statue of Enku with him!" Ryōta pointed to the Spirit Guardian statue sitting next to the Yukimura statue.
"Indeed, these are memorial statues. This shrine was built during Emperor Hanzei's rule. At one point, it was called the Himeyama Shrine, which is also dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto, comprising the divine triad," Nekomata lectured the group over the shrine's historical and cultural significance.
"Thanks for the lesson, cat," Ryuji sardonically quipped.
"Hey, be nice!" Ann chided him.
"You better listen to your friend, boy. You should learn to respect your elders," a voice unfamiliar to the group interjected. The husky woman's voice revealed Mina, who walked forward with Kyosuke. Standing next to Nekomata, Mina and Kyosuke faced the Phantom Thieves and the gamblers. "Nice day, isn't it?"
Kyosuke painstakingly surveyed the Thieves and the gamblers. "I see. These are the ones who stopped the Yokai and those other monsters during the Summer Olympics' opening ceremony?"
"Seems like it! And apparently they fought the Yokai last night here!" Mina said, wildly grinning from ear to ear. An overly energetic look matched her enthusiasm meeting the Thieves and the gamblers. "You kids are really the Phantom Thieves?'
"Hey, we're not kids anymore, lady!" Ryuji frowned.
"Oh, sorry. Yeah, that black fuzz on your face does tell me otherwise," Mina smirked.
Kyosuke walked up to Yumeko, Mary, and Ryōta. Discerning the three, his sensed quickly sensed spiritual energies resonate within them. "Then, you three are the ones carrying Guardian Spirits."
"Yep, that's us! Tell me, what do you know about our Guardian Spirits?" Yumeko asked him.
"Because Mina over here also has a Guardian Spirit like you three," he motioned the gamblers toward the muscular woman.
"That's right. Then, you're the ones whose spirits we sensed," Mina approached the gamblers. She eyed Yumeko first. "I know you have the Nine-Tails spirit."
"That's right! I'm Lady Chacha's successor!" Yumeko happily replied. "I'm Jabami Yumeko! Pleased to meet you!" She extended a hand to Mina, who veered toward Mary.
"Your name, blondie?" Mina asked the other female gambler.
Feeling slighted by the 'blondie' remark, Mary frowned. "I'm Saotome Mary. My Guardian Spirits are Janomecho and Enku."
"So, that makes you Sanada Yukimura's successor then. Nice," Mina scratched her chin, turning her head and facing Ryōta. "How about you, boy?"
"I'm Suzui Ryōta! It's an honor to meet another Guardian Spirit successor! My Guardian Spirits are Genbu and Kato!" The boy politely responded to the large woman.
"Wow, you have one of the four guardians. Not bad, boy," Mina smiled.
"So, what's your Guardian Spirit, miss? Um, sorry. We didn't get your names?" Yumeko asked the muscular woman and her colleague.
"Right, I should've introduced myself. My name is Hattori Mina. My Guardian Spirit is Saoirse," she kindly replied.
"And I'm Itoshii Kyosuke." Kyosuke nodded, his stern gaze not leaving his face. "I am interested in seeing your Guardian Spirits."
"What's your Guardian Spirit?" Ryōta queried the man.
"Makami is also known as Oguchi-no-Makami. They're said to be servants of the mountain gods."
"Why don't we show y'all our spirits if you show us yours?" Mina addressed the gamblers.
"Sure. Shall we, Mary and Ryōta?" The Compulsive Gambler nodded to her two friends. With that, Yumeko, Ryōta, and Mary willfully invoked their Guardian Spirits. Kyosuke meticulously scanned each Guardian Spirit, assessing their appearances and the spiritual auras coursing outward.
"The Nine-Tails, Kato, Genbu, Janomecho, and Enku," Kyosuke acknowledged the Spiritual Gamblers' Guardian Spirits.
"Wow, you weren't kidding? Impressive. Now here's mine," Mina said as Saoirse appeared, floating around her neck and shoulders.
"Come forth, Makami," Kyosuke summoned his stag-antlered orange wolf.
"Check it out! Another wolf spirit!" Ryōta pointed out.
"Wow, incredible! They're so marvelous!" Yumeko gleamed happily, clapping her hands.
"It looks very beautiful," Haru admired its gleaming appearance.
"So, what's the story behind your Guardian Spirits?" Makoto asked the two newcomers.
Upon seeing Saoirse, Yusuke gasped. "Can it be…?"
"Yo, what's wrong, Yusuke?" Ryuji asked him.
"Perhaps, you should hear them out," Nekomata interjected as a portal of light appeared behind him.
"Whoa, check this out!" Futaba pointed everyone to three familiar spirit figures emerge from the spiritual doorway accompanied by an unfamiliar face. The group recognized William, Hide, and Hanzo, but the fourth individual wasn't even a human. The figure has a similar glossy sheen that covered the other Guardian Spirits.
"William?!" The Thieves exclaimed in unison.
"William? As in the Irishman who came to Japan in 1600?! That William?!" Ryōta cried out in disbelief.
"Seems some of you know your history," Kyosuke acknowledged the youth's ability to recognize their historical figures.
"Yes, the spirit with Mina used to belong to William! I recall those details from folklore!" Yusuke yelled out.
"Incredible, so you're William's successor just like I'm Lady Chacha's successor! That's wonderful!" Yumeko added with enthusiasm.
Proudly grinning, Mina faced William. "William coulda picked anyone, but he chose me since he says I have a similar spiritual wavelength like him."
"So, the previous Guardian Spirits pick those whose spiritual prowess matches theirs. Well, I guess Janomecho and Enku picked wisely in my case," Mary nonchalantly replied.
"You are correct in your assessment. It's an honor to meet Yukimura and Lady Chacha's successors," William acknowledged Yumeko and Mary. He turned over to Ryōta. "And you've inherited one of the four guardians. Genbu probably picked you for a good reason." The Englishman shifted over to the muscular woman with Saoirse. "Ah, and it's good to see you again, Saoirse. Have you and Lady Mina bonded well?"
"Not only have we bonded well, but I've been better able to hone my spiritual powers. If last night's battle was any indication," Mina said.
"Yes, we watched from the other side. You and Kyosuke have done us proud as successors." William appraised them genuinely.
Hanzo confronted Mina and recognized Saoirse. "You have Hattori in your name, young miss."
"Yes, but I'm not part of your bloodline."
"Yes, of course, since you are just William's successor."
William briefly listened to their conversation as Mina turned and made brief eye contact with the Englishman.
"Saoirse selected a worthy successor to my name," William acknowledged Mina's ability to utilize his former Guardian Spirit.
In response to William's praise, Mina gave a quiet and subtle smile.
Hide approached Kyosuke. "Likewise with you, Kyosuke. That means the blood transfer from me to you was a success. Hopefully, you'll control your power as a Shifter." When Kyosuke responded with a bow, he smiled.
"And you three have shown us greater potential. With time, you could outdo your spiritual wielding predecessors," the fourth individual with a bleating sound akin to a goat addressed the three gamblers. Mixed with a meh sound, the figure's tone was cordial. "It's a pleasure to meet you, young successors."
When the figure revealed himself, the group was taken aback. The fourth individual was not a man, but a bipedal white goat with a hunch in his back. Three yellow eyes and a pair of glasses made up the figure's goat face. Centered on the forehead is one large eye; the other two eyes are on opposite sides of the face. Jutting backward on top of his head are goat horns coupled with three small brown bags hanging down from these horns. Wearing the tuft of chin fur like a beard, it helped exude a sage presence from the goat spirit. He has on a green robe with a red shirt and black hakama pants underneath.
"A talking goat?!" Yumeko exclaimed.
"But, you're a spirit that can talk?" Ryōta was taken aback by the bipedal goat.
"I am Hakutaku. I was once a Guardian Spirit for Takenaka Hanbei. Of course, there are spirits such as Nekomata and I who can communicate sentiently." The sage goat answered the young man.
Mary added. "He's right. Janomecho has communicated with me, but no one else can. Yumeko and Ryōta can vouch for me."
The Compulsive Gambler nodded. "Yeah, you're right! I couldn't hear anything your spirit said when it talked to you, Mary!"
"How are you doing, Hakutaku?" Nekomata asked the goat spirit.
"Hmmm, my back sometimes kills me, but other than that I'm still me!"
"But, you're a spirit. You shouldn't have back problems?" Ann pointed out.
"Hahah, yes that much should be true, but even spirits can still feel pain when corrupt energies taint the spiritual plane," Hakutaku stated.
"So, you've summoned us here. As you already know, we stopped the Yokai and Lost monsters attack last night," Makoto informed Mina, Kyosuke, and the spirits. "There has to be more of a reason than us fighting monsters in Osaka. Why are we here?'
"Please, we'd like to know," Haru said.
William offered them insight into their situation. "The battles with the Yokai and those Lost creatures are just the beginning wave of attacks sent to test you. The source you've been searching for is here and is somewhere monitoring your actions."
Futaba asked. "Who's this source?"
Hide answered. "The source is not from this dimension, but he might've come from another world."
Makoto discerned Hide's assertion. "Perhaps the same world Sion came from?"
"That's a possibility, Niijima Makoto," Nekomata replied. "However, we don't know who this individual is. It's none I recall in the past."
"And I don't know who it is either. Whoever this source is, there's a greater power behind this individual," William said without prior knowledge on this source's history. "That is why it's paramount you Phantom Thieves and the three Guardian Spirit wielders further your investigation progress."
Mina openly addressed the Thieves and the three gamblers. "You also have Kyosuke and me to assist you. After all, our Guardian Spirits and spiritual powers can add some support in the forthcoming battles."
Kyosuke nodded. "Yes, we won't let you down."
Yumeko happily accepted their help. "Thanks, you're so kind!"
Ryōta smiled. "Looks like we'll be watching those two in action soon."
Mary folded her arms. "I suppose we will."
Hanzo then advised the Thieves and their entourage. "Be vigilant, my friends. The enemy is fully aware you're here and will send another wave of Yokai as well as these other monsters to slow you down."
William concurred with his ninja colleague. "Tomorrow could very well be when you'll see another battle."
Nekomata asserted. "And be sure the young man who came from the other world helps you. He could be crucial in helping you understand this entity."
"Looks like Sion has a greater purpose than we thought," Ann said to the others.
"I hope Hifumi can track him down," Haru muttered.
"I wonder what answer Igor and Lavenza can provide Ren," surmised the young Niijima woman.
Umeda (梅田)/Kita-ku, Osaka (北区, 大阪市)/6:07 PM (JST)
Having spent the better part of the day alone, Sion was able to clear his mind from last night's battles. Ignoring every passerby walking his way, the Revenant mentally focused in his own personal bubble.
Then, an older gentleman walked right into Sion without looking.
"Oh, dear. Sorry about that, youngster!" The older man apologetically bowed as Sion smiled and let him by.
At that moment, a flood of images quickly flashed in Sion's mind. Grabbing his forehead, his face contorted occupied with heavy panting. Quick flashes of an obscured figure meticulously gazing at a large stasis tank. Inside this tank, a youthful man curled up in a fetal position slept waiting to be released.
"What the hell was that?" Sion muttered, walking away as a couple of bystanders moved away to avoid unwinding him. His instincts then kicked into overdrive as he whipped around and saw a hand reach for him. His tense look faded the second he faced Hifumi.
"Sion, there you are. I've been looking for you," she said with relief while huffing, indicating she had been out looking for him around the vicinity.
"I-I'm sorry I worried you."
"I understand you needed solitude, but please let me know you're stepping out."
Sion nodded and replied solemnly. "I'm sorry."
Hifumi smiled and noticed his sweaty face. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I just walked a little too fast and the heat got to me."
She pragmatically replied. "Somehow I doubt heat bothers you."
"Ok, you got me there."
"May I join you? After a little walk, we can go back to the hotel."
As Hifumi offered a hand, Sion grabbed it. "Sure. Thanks, Hifumi." He and Sion casually walked around to explore more of Osaka's sights.
Midōsuji (御堂筋)/Osaka (大阪市)/6:15 PM (JST)
Passing through the streets of Midōsuji, Ren and Morgana arrived outside a familiar door with blue light perpetually beaming from it. Standing outside the door, Lavenza greeted and sorted them in. As the door closed, not one passerby noticed a thing.
The Velvet Room (ベルベット・ルーム)
"I see that things are going well for your new adventure." Igor addressed Ren and Morgana.
"Yeah, my friends just contacted me and we've learned the source is here in Osaka," Ren stated. "That's why I'm here if you know anything about our enemy."
"We need to know so we can confront and stop the source from releasing any more monsters," Morgana pleaded.
"What you need to know is to be warned." Igor vaguely replied. "You're crossing over into a reality different from Mementos and the Palaces you've encountered. This reality will offer you crucial answers. Ones linked to your Revenant ally."
Ren nodded. "I'm aware based on the info my friends got from the spirits."
"However, there's another."
Morgana queried Igor. "What do you mean 'another'?"
"There is a familiar essence we felt similar to the Holy Grail," Igor referenced an almighty entity familiar to Ren and Morgana.
Hearing this, Ren was aghast and yelled. "Don't tell me that Yaldabaoth or at least some form of him has returned?!"
"We cannot confirm that yet," Igor stated, calmly answering the Phantom Thief. "My assumption is it has been connected to the perpetrator behind these events."
"First, this being has been using a power called Amrita and now this source might be connected to that control god we fought four years ago?!" Morgana exclaimed, nodding in utter disbelief. "None of this adds up!"
"Then that means the game has just been renewed, but on a different scale." Lavenza stated.
Calming himself, Morgana regained some resolve. "Needless to say, we fought that deity before and we're sure we can beat something like him again."
"Mona's right, we'll make things go right our way," Ren firmly said.
Widening a big smile beneath his beak nose, Igor chuckled. "I'm glad to see your resolve remain strong after these couple of years."
"And we're proud to assess your needs," Lavenza bowed.
"Thanks, and we'll do our best," Ren said, lifting his glasses from the bridge of his nose.
Outside the Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル)/Osaka (大阪市)/6:44 PM (JST)
Standing Akechi and Sumire's way is the stunning twin office towers landmark joined together at the top by a massive platform-like formation. They left after admiring the rooftop view.
"Doesn't the Floating Garden Observatory give us a great view of Osaka, Sumire?"
"It does. It's so beautiful to look at from above," the red-haired young woman eyed the garden rooftop.
"But, what's not so beautiful is the source possibly linked to the Holy Grail," he muttered, garnering Sumire's attention.
"The Holy Grail?"
"You know about Yaldabaoth, correct?"
Sumire responded apprehensively. "Yes, Ren-senpai and the others stopped him four years ago."
"He would've taken control of society if not for the Phantom Thieves. We'd be worse off now if the God of Control continued the course to mankind's collapse."
"But, Yaldabaoth is gone, right?"
The former junior detective had an uncertain outlook on the situation. He felt similar vibe readings linked to the Demiurge's presence.
"Even Amamiya Ren must be aware. No, I know he must be looking into this."
"Does that mean we're getting closer to Ren-senpai?"
"I think we are, Sumire. In fact, I think we'll run into them very soon," he stated with tense determination.
RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka/Osaka (大阪市)/10:45 PM (JST)
It was late evening. After a long day of outings, the Thieves, Hifumi, Sion, and the gamblers turned in for the night. They reserved several rooms and split to share the costs of their rooms.
Ren, Ann, and Morgana occupied a room. Makoto and Haru shared a room. Hifumi and Sion occupied another room. Yumeko and Mary dwelled together with the latter putting up with the Compulsive Gambler's antics. Ryōta shared a room with Ryuji. Yusuke and Futaba occupied a room together.
As everyone fell asleep, an unknown force lured their cognitive minds from their bodies and pulled them out. Being pulled away from the physical universe, their minds shifted into a purely cognitive realm while their physical bodies rested: the dream universe.
Chapter Soundtrack
Muramasa: The Demon Blade OST - Fated Relationship - Girls in the hot spring.
Nioh OST - Freed From This Mortal Coil- Meet Mina and Kyosuke. Interacting with the spirits and the warnings of the source.
Persona 5 OST - Aria Of The Soul - The Velvet Room, where they discuss the source linking to Yaldabaoth's essence.
Persona 5 The Royal OST - Out of Kindness - Akechi and Sumire learn about the source linking to Yaldabaoth's essence.
The way - Xenoblade Chronicles X - Characters conversations in the nightfall before they then go to sleep, which segues to them having dreams.
A/N: Yeah, another cooldown chapter for our cast. We get the girls chatting about things in the hot springs. Although, most of the group meet Mina, Kyosuke, and the Japanese spirits, including William. Ren meets with Igor and Lavenza relating to some essence of Yaldabaoth.
This was pretty lowkey other than the cast meeting Mina and Kyosuke and the Velvet Room discussions. However, in the next chapter, the cast is set to enter a cognitive world. Who knows what's waiting ahead for them?
That's all for this commentary. Leave a comment and review!
