In the Dreamscape, the pale fog continues to ebb and flow around Niko’s little island, as the new warden of the domain, along with Shinju and Koharu are hunkered down around the latter’s mother, who groans as she gets up.

Hikari: It… God, girl, you look like a mess… I… Why am I—

Koharu: Do you remember me?

Hikari: What kind of question is that?

Koharu: You… You forgot, you—(she shakes her head, looking dejected) Never mind. I was being sarcastic.

Hikari: Somehow, I doubt it.

Niko: H-How do you not remember not remembering? Wait, is this how she talks to you when she does remember you—

Koharu: Shut up. I’m thinking.

Hikari: Are you ever not? (she smiles, reaching out a hand to caress her daughter’s cheek, but Koharu brusquely slaps it away)

Koharu: You’re not my mom.

Niko: (she talks under her breath) … Oh my god, they’ve switched places.

Glaring after her gesture of affection was rudely reflected, Hikari’s face contorts in anger as she grabs at Koharu’s throat. Koharu only barely manages to dodge the attack before Hikari dissolves into a puff of swirling fog.

Niko: Oh, for the love of—

???: (The fog swirls further, coalescing into a humanoid form. A young man’s voice echoes from within the swell.) By the gods, that was quick. Far quicker than I would’ve ever hoped. Then again, despite a penchant for the dramatic, I think it’s better this way. (Emerging from the fog, the young man adjusts his jet-black tie. On his face is an identical mask to Niko’s.) Far be it from me to avoid watching you two flounder in memoria until the heat death of the universe, but I literally have a million better things to do right now. (He idly looks down at the simple, black cane in his right hand, a brilliant diamond resting at the top.) The balance between my enjoyment of this facade and my work is far more fine than I would like… alas.

Niko: Oh no… No, no, no, no, no—

Koharu: (she stands up, facing the stranger) Whatever ridiculous claim you’re trying to make to this place, I fail to see what my sister and mother have to do with it. Give them back.

???: Take them back, if you can, Koharu. (His gaze falls squarely upon Niko.) But you and I know that alone, she stands no chance. (In a motion impossibly swift for a human to perform outside of a dream, let alone follow with human eyes, he pulls on the diamond on his cane, drawing what looks like a military officer’s sword from within it.) Ah, how I meant for us to meet sooner. But I am not one to deviate from a well crafted script. …Aside this introduction, I suppose. (A small smile creeps across his face) Though, if you would like to take a guess. I’m sure one or both of you know who and what I am by now.

Niko: You’ve made yourself pretty fucking obvious, you… you fuckstick! Buy yourself a carnival mask at the 100-yen store and all of a sudden, you think you’re in charge?

???: (His smile widens, and he lets out a low chuckle.) My my, how pedestrian. Such a departure from my usual forte. Oh, how I will enjoy this. But come now, Niko Segawa. You know that my control of this realm eclipses yours, no? You are not the cause of this nightmare. Are you?

Niko: I… I don’t know what you’re doing, but this place is mine! That mask is mine! The Troubadour chose me, and… and I earned it! Right? (she looks over at Shinju, pleading for confirmation)

Shinju: (She nods, umbrella at the ready) Of course. Don’t let this weird fop try to tell you it’s not.

Niko: Right. Everyone in town isn’t getting any sleep because you’re making them have nightmares about your ugly mug. (she pretends to scoff) … C-Cool trick.

Koharu: But what’s the point?

Niko: Friggin’… Conductor drama is the last thing we need right now!

???: Quite right, too. Then it stands to reason that destroying this place is ideal. (He holds out his other hand) Come, “Diva”. Let us erase the last vestigial trace of the Conductors from this world once and for all.

Niko: (she stands firm, defiantly) Hell no. T-There’s people in here I swore to protect. You’re not burning down their home because you’ve got beef with some dudes who’re all dead. 

Koharu: … (she inhales sharply) I see. You’re in cahoots with this Yasuda girl, aren’t you? She is the descendant of a Conductor. Now trying to turn this city upside down. (she points at the masked stranger) You’re helping her out by driving the citizenry out of their minds. Given the mask, I’m guessing you’ve got some family issues to clear up as well.

Niko: Yeah, what she said!

???: (He gives a sad little smile, not fazed at all) An answer I wholly expected, just as scripted, and a very astute observation that could not be predicted at all. By the gods, what an interesting pair of rivals I’ve acquired. Even your hired muscle lover is intriguing. Oh, how I wish this were my own play, and not simply business. (He sighs, somewhat dramatically.) But yes. Allow me to introduce myself properly.

He holds out both arms, and the world warps around them. Highways flutter and float in like asphalt dragons, swirling in impossible layouts around them. After circling the group, they converge, forming a twisted, ashen grey tower behind the young man, and he shows a more sinister grin.

Luca: My name is Luca Giordano, heir apparent to this “Dreamscape” of yours. But during these tumultuous times, perhaps it is more fitting to refer to me by my given title. I am the Worldeater. I… am your living and unliving nightmare.