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"	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, ?
*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: ?!
 	
*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"	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, .
 	
*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.