Okay, I'm getting right now three different kinds of creeps.

The first is from the fact that the being that abducted me and Chiaki into this, to me, very well-known dimension is right in front of me, capable of sentient thought, and initiated contact.

The second, because it did so without fear.

Heck, it called me by name, which must mean it has at least an inkling about my identity.

By all dimensions, any being that isn't directly pissing itself at my very presence is bad news.

It means, they might have a reason not to be afraid.

In this case, I can only surmise it has the power to back it up.

"You seem distraught?" (?)

Right, and that's the third creep.

Whenever it, and I'm emphasizing the "it" part here, speaks...

Hell, how do I even describe this?

It's like it's speaking to me with billions of voices.

Yet not in an oppressing manner, not loudly or jumbled.

It's not like there are a billion voices, but more like this one single voice is an inconceivable number at once.

Hearing it makes me think they sound like this, and that, and that other one, and…but they're all the same singular origin.

Just one voice that could be, or is, or will be those voices I perceive.

Damn, now I got a nosebleed.

Probably from overthinking a concept that is not for the average person to see through.

So yeah, I'm on edge.

This feeling certainly doesn't subside when I draw closer.

Because abruptly, the figure moves a short step in my direction and makes something like a motion, as if they're pulling their cloak back, which they don’t have.

At least not most of them?

With this, I somehow get a better look at... them?

Yeah, them.

No other idea how to describe what I see.

Shifting, ever-changing.

Not one moment where it stays the same while staying the same, as it always stays them all without changing.

I try to focus on whatever stands there in front of me, but it's literally impossible.

Without blinking, I stare, but with every second something else takes the place.

It's as if I'm looking at a man, then, no, simultaneously, a woman, an alien, a completely normal person, an impossible god, an abnormal creature, another guy, a woman, a child, a granny, a boy, dad, mum, a toddler.

Just like the voice they're everyone at once!

Especially hard are all those forms that have nothing humanoid to them.

A bunch of tentacles isn't allowing me to make more sense of what I'm seeing.

Just from staring it feels like my eyes are going to rupture and my mind is melting.

Yet at the same time, I can somehow keep up, even if I can't, as strange as it sounds.

I'm processing it, even if my body feels like it can't.

No, it certainly can't, as my nosebleed turns into a torrent, while I think that my brain just got turned into mush.

Of course, it regenerates, and for some reason, I can even still process things as quickly as it settles, but just looking at... them... It's difficult.

As if I'm directly subconsciously trying to process something that isn't meant to be understood.

That isn't meant to have a defined label applied to it.

On the other side, I can't afford to look away from a potential enemy.

Especially, as they are still holding Chiaki captive!

"Could you please, just for a moment, stop changing? It's making my head swirl." (I)

"Could it be... Oh! Your mind is not fit to interpret my being. Peculiar. That comes as a surprise. I would advise against doing so. Usually, I utilize blends to prevent this, but you see right through them." (?)

So my super senses are breaking through his visual coverage, but my mortal brain isn't able to process what it sees and subsequently collapses.

"Well, sorry that I don't want to mess with my brain. I'm rather fond of the way it is." (I)

How can it be that I know that this literally multi-facetted being gives me right now with countless visages "that look"?

Only because I'm saying this while brain after brain of mine leaves me through the nose?

"I am... invested. To think you'd be like this. I expected different after our past exchange." (?)

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Past exchange?

Just what the fuck are they talking about?

I mean, am I stupid?

I should know who I'm interacting with, as I'm standing right in their world!

Honestly, the mere fact that I forgot about that little planetary war I fought is rather concerning.

Oh, hello darkness my old friend.

So you're here too?

I almost feared this situation wasn't convoluted enough.

Just good that the part of me that is actually thinking is active.

Especially, as that thing is still keeping Chiaki inside, which could have all kinds of dreadful implications.

Oh damn, I'm right!

Would Chiaki even be fine if she'd face that thing?

Did she already see it?!

I don't want her brain to turn into mush!

"Heeellllooooooo! Can anyone hear me?! I think I just heard you again, Iori! Are you there?" (C)

I’m a little busy trying to free you, Chiaki!

I don’t have time to chat!

But at least from the sound of her voice she seems fine.

"A fascinating little soul. Old, but not stagnant. Full of drive to experience new. Or anew. I can appreciate this stance to existence." (?)

"Mhm, fascinating. Would you be so kind as to give me my best friend back?!" (I)

With slight encouragement from my dark side, protrusions grow out of my back, over my shoulders, towards the throne.

They remind me a bit of shoulder-mounted bazookas.

Not sure how my threat is received, but I hope it comes more or less intimidating.

Although I’m not certain if it’s getting thwarted by the fact that my aneurysm-streaming nose is currently bleeding a growing puddle around my feet.

"As much as I would love to continue this small talk, I think need to insist on receiving my friend back. And after this, I'll be on my way and we won't have a problem!" (I/I2)

"But we’re not nearly finished. However, it seems that you need an incentive to stay, so..." (?)

The being reaches out with their hand.

Then, from one moment to the other, the bulge starts to shift.

"Ehm, Iori? Something is happening in here! I'm not exactly sure if I like being touched this way! Help?!" (C)

Immediately, I shoot a barrage of apparently vile, writhing, flesh cannonballs at them, which hit its form, twist it, but ultimately are without effect, as everything just reforms.

However, the bulge stops moving.

"So hostile. Though, I guess we never set exact rules for our match." (?)

What kind of match does he mean, aside from this little war we had going?

Well, that might be an idea, but still leaves quite much open.

"Are you talking about when wave after wave of monsters clashed, ripping themselves apart in most gruesome ways?" (I)

"Exactly. I was just ready for another offensive when you retreated all your forces, pulling them together far behind your lines. At first, I assumed a new strategy, but instead you simply disappeared. It was truly a terrible effort to preserve the field as it was." (?)

The field?

"You mean, gulp, the planets? You kept all of this as is?" (I)

Are they seriously telling me they just froze all these monsters? Just like this?

Damn, I was right.

I never stood a chance.

They could've crushed me at any time if they wished so.

"Yes. No simple matter. Especially, as you left me waiting for so long." (?)

I'm not sure if I should mention here that I didn't plan on returning at all.

"What do you want from me?! Who even are you?! What are you called?!" (I)

"You want a name? Names are nothing. Or everything? Half of both? Familiarity? Ignorance? Interest? So much. So less. Barely something to take hold of." (?)

Did I ever mention that I'm not the greatest fan of enigmatic talking?

"Okay, consider me confused. I’ll just call you player two, since that’s what my console said. Would you now please be so kind to tell me what this all is about?" (I)

"Isn't it obvious? I want to finish our game." (P2)

"You want to... All of this just because of a stupid game?!" (I)

"What makes a game stupid? Why should it remain unfinished? Why can't this game be all that matters? You belittle what you don't understand?" (P2)

"You can say what you want, but it won't change that I have no intention on playing with you! Now give me my friend back!!!" (I)

"Unfortunate. In this case, there's only one path to take." (P2)

Chiaki’s voice again comes from the bulge.

"Hey, I can hear you out there! It's not nice to be ignored all the time!" (C)

You are far too calm for this situation!!

Suddenly, the being raises their multi-faceted hands, claws, whatever again.

Then they make a grabbing motion and retract their appendage.

Instantly, the bulge moves towards them.

Also, is it shrinking?!

"What's this? Iori? I don't appreciate being approached by tentacles from all sides! Hey, that's a bit too touchy! Are you... Whaaah!" (C)

The whole thing shrinks further and further, while simultaneously being lifted up by some kind of tendril or fleshy stand.

Chiaki can't possibly fit in there!

"What are you doing!?!" (I)

Before I can act, the being simply grabs the now-only apple-sized flesh ball.

"Hey, this isn't nice! It's kinda crampy in here!" (C)

Of course it’s crampy!

Your head alone couldn’t fit inside that!

Though, she sounds still weirdly fine.

"Interesting." (P2)

Then it simply swallows the whole thing at once.

"CHIAKI!!!" (I/I2)

"I think now we have a reason to play." (P2)