Within the Dreamscape, a forest begins to converge around one of its newest permanent residents. Mei, unfazed, walks deeper into the woods. A thick fog begins to converge and settle on the forest floor as the foliage becomes increasingly dense. After a while of wandering, seemingly with a purpose yet equally in a trance, she suddenly stops, jumping as she feels a hand on her shoulder.

Mei: What the fu— Oh, fuck, it’s just you… Jeez, don’t scare me like that, will ya?

Kotori: (Kotori quickly withdraws her hand, but the stoic, serious expression on her face remains. Her now bright, fiery, ruby red hair flutters behind her.) Apologies. But you do know where you are, right? Where you’re going? It does not seem you would travel into this part of the domain without purpose. But… I have to ask all the same. 

Mei: …I caught Master talking about it one night. She put it down in her journal, but tore the page out and burned it before I could read it completely. I was going to ask the Oracle about it, but… well, I ended up becoming a part of this place before I could reach her. Yui is… looking for something down here, right? In the deepest pit of this place.

Kotori: (with a sigh, Kotori closes her eyes) She is not ready for this, Cadenza. None of us are. I know you want to cleanse those lingering regrets in your living memory, but this is not the time. They all… they all need to heal. From the damage we caused, from what the Balancers did, and from her own past. Digging it up again will do her more harm than good.

Mei: I know. I know that, okay? Just… knowing that I could still help her, even from down here? It’s too good to pass up.

Kotori: Are you saying… that the desire to find this place called to you, Mei?

Mei: …Kinda feels that way, now that I say this out loud, huh? Yeah. It feels like I need to be here. To find this. Feeling got stronger after the Diva pulled that trick and brought all of the Third Angel’s memories into this place.

Kotori: Can you… resist this call at all?

Mei: …I think so. But… at the same time, it’s less forceful and more… inviting?

Kotori: Listen, Cadenza… remember the last time a Conductor was given this feeling. The last time a Conductor was lured into a place like this—

Mei: The Muse is dead, though. Her soul was torn to pieces. Katherine’s Witch was destroyed, too. It’s… not the same as it was all those years ago. And I know this is stupid and all, but I’m curious.

Kotori: There will be plenty of time in the future. We have all the time in the world, and given that we can see this place with absolute clarity now, especially with Anisa Nobunaga’s wish illuminating the realm, it’s safe to say that it is not going anywhere. We aren’t in any danger down here anymore, either. Come on, Mei. Let this rest for now. …We have our answer, do we not?

Mei: (Mei gazes into the thicket in front of her, unable to discern any shapes. She feels a familiar voice calling to her soul, and it holds her gaze in place for what feels like an eternity. Eventually, she turns her head away, looking back at Kotori.) …Yeah. Let’s go, then. But I’ll be back.

Kotori: We will be back. I have a bargain to uphold, after all. To think… never in my life have I heard of someone fulfilling two Impossible Tasks before. Yui Arashi… just what are you planning to do with this information?

The two turn to walk away from the deepest part of the forest. Occasionally, Mei would glance over her shoulder, as if expecting to see someone— or something— behind her. She could sense it, practically feel its breath on the back of her neck. But nothing was there. And nothing would ever be there. Because if there was, it would be time to let the sky crumble and shatter, and for judgment reign upon the land that is still healing from its most recent devastation. Not that this is any of my concern. I played my part long ago, and bowed out from the stage. Still, to know that she is looking for me in this place. I cannot possibly fathom why, fragmented and hidden as I am, even from the Third’s gaze. All I can do is rest here and ruminate. Nothing good will come of you finding me down here, Forte. But if there is anything I learned from our meetings before, it’s that nothing will stop you when it comes to finding out the truth. Even if that truth burns you. Until then, I will lie here. Waiting. 

Waiting.

Waiting.