While Red and the gang make their way towards Termina, a great darkness is festering, and growing within the city. James sits in his apartment, with his back against the wall, and knees pulled tight into his chest. The phantom stands by the window, with his half mask on and sipping a glass of wine.

James: Why are you doing this to me?

James quietly sputters, voice shaky from the lump in his throat as he’s on the verge of crying. The phantom sighs and turns around.

Phantom: This again? Because we made a deal. By signing that contract, you agree to me inhabiting and controlling your body, and in turn, I will make you a star the world will remember.

James: I don’t want that anymore!

Phantom: That’s rather unfortunate. Once the contract is signed, there is no going back.

James: Damn you!

James yells, pulling himself from the ground and running at the Phantom. He swings wide, his fist going for the Phantoms face, but before it connects, the fist curves and he ends up punching himself. He falls to the ground from the impact. He rubs his cheek as it grows red.

Phantom: I am you, and you are me. To harm me, is to harm yourself.

James looks at the ground in defeat. Suddenly, a glimmer of hope crosses his face. He runs to his bag and retrieves the book of Phantom. He begins to flip through the pages. The Phantom begins to float behind him, watching what he’s doing in curiosity.

Phantom: I ask, what is it you're trying to accomplish?

James: If this book brought you into this world, maybe it has a way to take you out of it.

Phantom: Oh! I see haha. But there is a slight misunderstanding, you see, the book didn’t create me. The book only served as a sort of ‘gateway’ to you. The book, like you, is a part of me. In fact, I’m the one that wrote the book.

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That slightest bit of hope leaves James’s eyes as the Phantom utters those words, and snaps his fingers, causing all the ink to slowly vanish. James gets up still holding the book.

Phantom: Hm?

James walks over to the fireplace.

Phantom: Wait, don’t!

James tosses the book in the fire. The phantom begins to scream in anguish. James takes a few steps back, surprised at its effectiveness. However, his screams slowly turn into laughter. The book doesn’t burn, and in fact, starts to put out the fire as if the book was smothering it.

Phantom: You should have seen your face. As that hope grew and was instantly stripped.

The sun begins to rise, and the phantom looks behind him, to see the sun rising through the window.

Phantom: Let’s go for a stroll.

He says before disappearing. James’s iris turns green as his mask forms. He puts on his suit and walks outside.

***

A young man wearing adventure armor stands outside a small mage guild. He is asking to join but the man keeps refusing.

Young man: Come on man! I need the money!

Clerk: So do we! We don't get enough business to support the mages we already have! We don’t have room for another B-rank mage! Plus, your lame excuse for an arcana doesn’t help us in the slightest. Come back when you're an S-rank or you discover a hidden second arcana that can heal. Healers are hard to come by these days.

Young man: sigh Man, I'm so hungry.

???: You sound to be in quite the predicament.

He looks over at the man speaking and is caught off guard by his sharp appearance, suit, and porcelain mask.

Young man: Yah, who are you?

Phantom: Your savior! I’d like to propose something to you.

Young man: Ah, your a businessman. No thanks.

Phantom: No no no, I’m no mear businessman. I think you should hear me out.

Young man: Fine, what is it.

Phantom: I’m looking to employ a mage, and you seem like the perfect candidate.

Young man: Really? All my arcana does is allow me to produce bombs from my skin, but it’s really slow.

Phantom: That is fine, as my powers can allow me to grant you strength.

Young man: Strength? What do you mean?

Phantom: I’ll grant you power, and coin in turn for service. I can improve your arcana, and even give you a new one. You will find my abilities rather useful. So, do we have a deal?

The phantom outstretches his hand to the young man.

Young man: So, if I work for you, you will strengthen my arcana, and give me coin?

Phantom: Yes, exactly.

The young man begins to reach for his hand but stops before he does.

Young man: I don’t mean to sound greedy, but, is it possible for you to give me a healing arcana? They say they’re rare nowadays, and it would be nice to have them.

Phantom: Haha, my my, what the negotiator you are. Fine, that can be done.

The young man cracks a faint smile of hope, as he shakes his hand. The Phantom’s smile grows exposing some of his teeth. He lets go of the boy’s hand and begins to walk away.

Phantom: This will be VERY, entertaining.