Gate of Memoirs/Second Act

Having people disappear right before your eyes is not your idea of a reunion, but at least Hakuzo is still here.

Portrait	Dialogue
Music: "Devil's Heart"
	Still following your intuition, you try your best to make contact with Hakuzo. Unlike in Eyinhel, it was nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact direction, which makes everything all the more baffling when you consider there aren't many buildings to hide in—if at all.
	Hypaea: ...? Hypaea: Did you hear that, [Summoner]? Hypaea: The ring. It's whispering...
	Hypaea: Wonder what it says.
	You take hold of the tiny object and concentrate for a moment.

Portrait	Dialogue
	Golden fields. The distinct scent of wild nature growing abundant. The taste of rice wine and a simple meal. The laughter, then sorrow, of a child.

Portrait	Dialogue
	...No, perhaps merely another vision of things that once were?
	You look at Hypaea again, who seems thoughtful. Is she attuning to these memories somehow? The same way you "saw" things when you came into contact with the crystals in the cavern?
	But the act of devouring—erasing something entirely...sets you ill at ease.
	What *is* she? What will become of her victims? Had you met under more favorable circumstances, you imagine Noel would be giddy with all these new discoveries. But as it stands, it's never a good time when you are faced with a literal star-spawn. Before you can pursue that train of thought, however, Hypaea has gone on ahead of you. As trepidatious as you feel, you nevertheless put a hand on the door...

Portrait	Dialogue
	The screen nearly crumples upon contact, startling the figure just behind the door.
	And that's when see him: your foxish friend caught off-guard at your sudden appearance.
	Next to who you can only describe as a horned man in courtly garb, bearing the distinct aura of a being more than human.
	Hakuzo: [Summoner]?!
	Hypaea: ...!
	The ring in Hypaea's hand pulses with energy, and the horned man regards it with a mixture of shock and disbelief.
	???: What—
	As soon as the man approaches, a loud wailing noise penetrates the air from the ring, causing you to wince in pain.
	The psychic dissonance makes Hypaea hiss, and in a fit of pique,
	crushes the ring in her fist.
	???: ...!!

Portrait	Dialogue
Music: "Sky Fort"
	Your vision blacks out for a moment, and momentarily you see a pocket dimension twist itself into being and envelope the duo. When you come back to yourself, you are prone, and neither the man nor Hypaea is anywhere in sight. The well-kept room is now decrepit and in severe disrepair: a glamour.
	Hakuzo: Hmph. I figured as much... Hakuzo: Whoever that was just made off with my...quarry, Hakuzo: but in doing so was able to dispel the glamour he no doubt took pains to maintain.
	Hakuzo: Gods, you know—all vain, the lot of them. Suizen is no different.
	You ask what happened.
	Hakuzo: To be honest, I don't know. Hakuzo: Whatever that item was seemed to trigger a response, I'd wager. Hakuzo: As much as there can be a response from my blasted and dead "home", at any rate.
	Hakuzo: Yes, it may amuse you to know I too came from somewhere other than merely popping out of portals. Hakuzo: I mean... Look at you. Hakuzo: Gods only know what you did to attract the interest of such creatures.
	Hakuzo: I don't know what your little friend is capable of, but I can tell you they haven't left... Hakuzo: ...Not as easily as you seem to be able to travel these days, at least.
	You return his wry smile and dust yourself off carefully.
	Hakuzo tips his hat, and looks outside of the now-crumbling room. Hakuzo: They're still here, if it reassures you. Hakuzo: I imagine whoever you came in with must have been, at the very least, a friend of yours. Hakuzo: Best take a look outside.
	You nod, and start to follow the fox-demon out. Something about this reminds you of your experience in Eyinhel, minus angry ghosts...so far. You hope you didn't jinx yourself.
	Hakuzo: Oh, and... One more thing, [Summoner].
	You pause and look up.
	Hakuzo: We'll make another pact later. Yes?
	You roll your eyes and push past him, feeling his foxish grin lingering in the air.

Gate of Memoirs: Memoirs of Grand Quest