In the corner of the Dreamscape still untouched by nightmares, Velare overlooks the empty auditorium and barren, dim stage from a balcony seat. A wistful sigh escapes his lips as he pushes his glasses up along his nose.

Velare: Someday, I will look upon my glory in this place once more. Even just once. I must at least show gratitude that this place still stands, of course. …René, we should proceed with our preservation work, once our guest arrives.

Rene turns from his work re-varnishing a wooden column, a bucket of varnish dangling from one hand and a brush in the other. In the Dreamscape, there is no column and no varnish, but these are tools that Rene can comprehend, and that let him effect positive change on this area of the Dreamscape. 

Rene: Right. You got our guest’s schedule all worked out, knowing you?

Velare: She will manifest here momentarily. A cold cot in the clinic underneath a gym is nothing so lavish, like the bed of a penthouse suite, or even a nice hotel room. But her company, ironically enough, is more comforting in times like these. (Velare pauses, not waiting on René’s typical reaction before translating from Conductor to Human) …That is to say, her friends are easing the burden she bears on maintaining this realm.

Rene: (Rene chuckles, setting down his bucket and brush) No need to go translation-mode there, copain. I can understand something like that no problem after knowing you as long as I have. 

Velare: Yes, yes. You certainly can, old friend. But if I do not stop myself now, we would need to hire a translator down the road, for sure. (Velare cannot help but show a little, genuine smile for once) But there was no need for manual labor, either. Imagination takes precedence in this realm, you know. And as you are welcome in this domain, you have sway over the minutiae as well.

Rene: This is the way it makes the most sense to me. And when you wake up from a coma and spend months just learning to walk around again, manual labor is nice. I’d knock down more than a few fools to be able to do “manual labor” again already.

Velare: Does Ms. Nobunaga not let you out much? I understand the need for caution, and it was gracious of her to let you stay in her care. But I imagine a walk around the house isn’t too tough a sell, eh?

Rene: She’s fine. I just ain’t up to my old walkin’ self yet. I tell you, copain, I’d love to just take off at a sprint for the horizon and run ‘til I was exhausted, but I ain’t there yet. That Nobunaga’s a fine catch of a lady and all, but I wouldn’t let her hold me down from movin’. 

Velare: (he chuckles, covering his mouth with the tip of his finger) Smitten, are we? I cannot imagine something more complicated, but I wish you all the luck in the world, old friend.

Rene: Don’t go Dreamscaping up any wedding invites. I don’t think she’s got any readiness for a man in her life. If I was to get myself a honey, it’d probably be someone… well, either less of an adventure, or more. Not sure which. 

Velare: But not the exact quantity of adventure that is happening at this exact second in time? Curious.

Rene: (He crosses his arms and nods sagely) Yep. I’m thinking I’m like Goldilocks right about now. This way of living… it ain’t a peaceful retirement or a fresh new start on the action neither. 

Velare: …Perhaps, when this crisis is past, you can find something that this coin can land upon, one face or the other. (Velare’s voice has an edge of sadness in it)

Rene: No need to feel bad for me, old friend. I talk a big old-man game, but I’m not old enough to be retiring yet, I don’t think. 

Velare: Ah, that’s not what I meant. I—

Niko: (she suddenly appears in a seat a few seats removed from Velare’s, her arms crossed) … Are you two boomers talking about marriage? Geez, priorities, much?

Velare: Ah, our esteemed guest. (Velare paused for a moment, considering a dramatic gesture, but thought better of it, instead turning to face Niko with a normal expression.) How are things up there, Diva?

Niko: (she turns pale) I… dunno. I was only awake for a couple of hours. Hikarizaka brought me some porridge. Like, as if I’m sick? I’m not sick! I just… I guess they had a whole fight and I just slept through it. Sorry, but this place is more important right now. At least here I can, like, actually do something.

Velare: They… had a fight? But they weren’t found out, were they? So it was an internal struggle?

Niko: I… I guess. Hikarizaka didn’t wanna tell me what it was about. But… Chie left. I… I don’t wanna lose track of her again.

Rene: That’s the one that was locked up at the Bureau for some time, yeah? And your– and Shinju’s still not back in town, either? 

Velare: The very same. She left, you say? That makes her vulnerable to our enemy’s machinations. Niko, tell Yui to track her down. Whatever personal squabbles she is having, they pale in comparison to the threat we face. As for Shinju… (Velare adjusts his glasses, a blue tint flashing across the lenses) …I see. She was sent out of town with a teleportation magic. She is safe, and she has reunited with the wayward wind that left a month ago. (he pauses, once again translating into human) …Hanako has found them, and they are en route to Mitakihara as we speak.

Niko: (she crosses her arms) What are you perverts doing, talking all familiar about my friends, huh?

Velare: Europeans don’t use honorifics, Diva.

Niko: Oh, that’s the one bit of formal language you won’t use, huh?

Velare: Exclusively, yes. Unless it serves my ends to do so.

Niko: (under her breath, singsong) Pervert~!

Velare: I knew we would make a proper Conductor out of you, Diva. (Velare smiles, looking oddly proud)

Niko: Okay, I’ve about had it with the creeping, old timer. Seems to be impossible to get rid of you, so how about you actually earn your place, huh? Status report.

Velare: (Velare showed no outward reaction to the jab, simply pushing his glasses up instead) Our foes, heretofore known as “The Balancers” made an attack on Yui’s gym. The strange girl who seemed to feel no pain led Yui, along with her apprentice Mei and her student Hotaru to the annexed Bends. That is where you awoke with Shinju, and I do not need to explain those events, as you witnessed them firsthand. Hotaru, in her final act, used her power to send Shinju, Koharu and that boy that tails her like a puppy away from town. Hanako has since met up with them, and they are returning to Mitakihara. She was going to do the same for Yui and the others, but she did not have the strength. …I’m sorry, Niko. As for down here, René and I have found a breadcrumb trail that leads to Yuma Amaya’s corner of the realm. Our course of action is to liberate her, and to bring her here. And before you ask, the answer is yes. If we find Koharu’s family down here, we will let them share in this sanctuary as well. I am not quite so heartless, Diva. Is that an adequate status report?

Niko: A bit too adequate, maybe… I-I was just wondering if you’d found the people you were looking forward to yet.

Velare: Caution is paramount in this endeavor. I had to find where Yuma’s space is, then chart a path to it without Worldeater catching on. But I believe we are ready now.

Niko: What about your sister? She somewhere in here?

Velare: (Velare shook his head) Even as far as I’ve studied this realm, not once have I seen Cecilia since you last did, Diva. I’m sorry.

Rene: (Rene rubs his chin thoughtfully) Nobody out there’s seen her? 

Velare: Yui has, out there. But Cecilia is eluding us, for some reason. And to this day, not a soul knows why or how she left this realm, save for Cecilia herself.

Niko: But you can’t leave the Dreamscape. Once you’re here, you’re here forever. That’s… what the Troubadour taught me. Your connection to this place is strong, stronger than anything… (she looks at Velare) … even death. I mean, I can accept that she’d be able to hide from me, but even from you? I mean—Wait a second… You can, I mean, you are hiding us from the faker right now, aren’t you…? Maybe, maybe your sister is doing the same? You guys kinda have, or had, similar powers, right?

Velare: You are correct. The Troubadour taught you well, and unlike me, he hid nothing from you, Diva. Such was his mastery at crafting this realm, from the materials he was given, that even the dead may hold their consciousness. The consequence, of course, is that none may leave this realm once they have entered it once. How the Oracle has is something that I, as Maestro, may never know. My power was always hers, Niko. The Oracle’s vision never belonged to the Maestro, I simply borrowed it. Cecilia Ambrosi is a Puella Malefica. What an Angel can do and what I can do are two very different things.

Niko: … And here I thought I was being clever for once.

Velare: You are, Diva. You caught on to the scheme of this place far quicker than most. Why do you think the Troubadour chose you?

Niko: C-Cause I look real good in his wife’s clothes?

Rene: Hah! Ain’t likely. You might not guess it with the way he acts as a Conductor, but he’s the most loyal husband his wife could’a asked for. He never glanced at another woman. 

Velare: Indeed. And I’m not sure the Muse’s clothing would be to your taste. You look like you actually care about your appearance, where Melania did not.

Niko: You’re sure they didn’t actually have any kids?

Velare: (Velare looked down, his chin in his hand) …If they did, it would be before they joined The Conductors. Surprisingly, Nebbia told me shockingly little about his personal life once I saw him again.

Niko: Would… Wouldn’t that make this clown older than Arashi? That doesn’t seem right…

Velare: (he didn’t answer, simply looking over to René) It’s time, Virtuoso. Are you ready?

Niko: … Time for what?

Rene: Time for us to make ourselves useful. Can’t leave it all to the young Puellae. That’s always been the goal of us Conductors. 

Velare: (Velare’s smile is as warm as it could possibly be) Indeed, old friend. Our work has never ceased. Even in death, we walk forward. And Yuma Amaya will not wait much longer. Indeed, she has waited long enough. Diva… in the meantime, if you want for something to do, you could use this time of activity in the realm to find a trace of Koharu’s family.

Niko: Oh boy, my specialty…

Velare: But you have an advantage this time, Diva. The element of surprise, coupled with a fresh distraction.

Niko: Why don’t I get to do the cool things?

Velare: Would you prefer to run distraction? We’re the bait, Diva. And while I have no intention of falling to Worldeater, or allowing Yuma to suffer the same fate, this plan is your window to reclaim a part of your domain… and more importantly, save those souls that are your charge. I suggest you take the opportunity, Diva. You will not have another.

Niko: (she mumbles) Hey, no pressure…

Velare: I believe in you, Niko. Let’s go, René.

Rene: Roger. We’ll be back with Yuma ‘fore you know it.

Leaving the relative sanctity of the Opera House behind, the Maestro and Virtuoso wander the blank canvas that is the Dreamscape in silence. Before long, fog begins to roll in. Not long after, trees appear at either side. Finally, as the moon illuminates the sky, a train can be heard in the distance, approaching rapidly.

Velare: Let us hope that her travels have been kind, old friend.

Rene: (At the sound of the train, he presses a palm to his temple and shakes his head) Seems she’s not forgotten what happened. Oh boy. 

Velare: Ah… her bubble has always been like this. Yui will talk at length about the scenery here, should you find the time. (he hesitates a beat) …Be ready for a fight though, just in case.

Rene: Oh yeah. I’d suggest you go without me, but I expect that’d be a fight too. 

Velare: My weapon is words tonight. The goal is to see Yuma safely arrive in our sanctuary, so that she may recover her memories. 

Rene: I know it. If we manage to do it without comin’ to blows I’m adding a trophy to the halls of the opera house.

Velare nodded, and the train came to a stop beside the pair. The door to one car in particular opened, and instead of Yuma Amaya, another face greeted the pair.

Luca: Good evening, gentlemen. I’m quite happy to have your company this evening. Oh yes, more pleased than I’ve felt in a long time. (Worldeater’s smile is sinister as he bows low. Behind him, melded into the wall, the unconscious form of Yuma Amaya hung motionless.) 

Rene: (His axe appears in his hands) It’s that brat. 

Velare: (Velare pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.) …Worldeater.

Luca: (he rose from his bow with a sinister grin.) …Maestro.

Velare: I would suggest that we dispense with the pleasantries. (In Italian) <But you and I are men that revel in them. I can also tell that Yuma is still alive, in order to goad us into making a move with charged emotions.>

Luca: (Luca responds in Italian) <…And you are as much of an insufferable ass as I was led to believe. Truly, I cannot believe that the stories never did you proper justice. It baffles me, how you lived as long as you did with a mouth like that.>

Velare: (a smirk crosses Velare’s lips) <Perhaps you can enlighten me on that subject.>

Luca: (his smile gradually fades) <Don’t you dare compare myself to you, Maestro Velare. My shows are exquisite. The pieces in play as they dance across the board captivate more than just myself. You are an arrogant schemer who is infatuated with his own voice. We are not the same.> (he spat on the ground.)

Velare: <Ah, have I struck a nerve? The opening point is mine, Luca Giordano.>

Luca: <Savor the hollow victory then, Velare Ambrosi.> (an antique pistol appears in his hand, and aimed at Velare, he pulls the trigger, and Velare collapses on the ground beside René.) <…I sure hope you survive, Maestro. T’would be a shame if you missed the finale of my show. “The Ultimate Failure of the Conductors!”> (Luca bows again, facing René with a satisfied, smug grin.)

Rene: Grraaahh!! (With a shout, he hurls his axe at Luca like a tomahawk) 

Luca: Whoa! (He moves his head to the side, watching the axe graze the tip of his nose, embedding in the wall where Yuma is held, missing her cheek by an inch, then answers in French) <Hold, Virtuoso! Let me at least be out of the line of sight of your primary target, at least! Are you trying to kill her? That’s my job!>

Rene: <Hmph! You think it was just luck I didn’t hit her? I can throw ‘em plenty exact enough for this!>  

Luca: (Luca hopped off the train, Velare’s prone body now between them) <Still. It would not do, if you ruined my show before the finale. I will not have you alter my script, even if Yui’s mother dying at your hand would be the most delicious irony. I know what I am doing. Can you say the same?> (in a swift movement, Luca drew his sword from within his cane)

Rene: <Yeah, yeah. When I was your age, I thought I knew everything too.> (His axe disappears from the wall, and reappears in his grasp) 

Luca: (a sick smile crosses his lips) <Then come! Prove me wrong, with all your wisdom and experience!> (he lunges, his weapon outstretched)

Rene: (He holds his axe vertically, pushing the incoming blade away. He pivots the axe around, swinging the butt upward towards Luca) 

Luca: (René’s attack finds its mark, sending Worldeater back against the train door. Instead of bouncing off of the metal, however, he simply smirks, phasing through into the train. His voice echoes around the space as the train begins to depart) <My my, how ferocious! I must be careful around you, Virtuoso. I leave you with the cadaver as your prize, and abscond with my silver medal in Yuma. Catch me if you can, Virtuoso!> (Luca’s laughter echoes and fades until the train is out of sight.)

Velare: (Velare coughs, clutching his gunshot shoulder as he adjusts his glasses, now standing on his feet.) …This complicates matters, old friend.