So the Shattering Protector was not responsible for this!  That was good to know.  She wished Aika was here but was happy that he was willing to tell her all that he could.  When the menu appeared, Joy grimaced but then nodded and decided that she would go through each option in turn.  She hoped there wasn't a timer for this!  Just in case, she'd ask the question bugging her the most first.<br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">&gt;Why are we here?</tt><br/><br/>The colors returned and she looked more closely at the Shattering Protector.  Despite being a spirit, he looked human.  He looked like a young man with delicate and pretty features, large blue eyes, and curly brown hair on his head.  His skin was fair and he was dressed in archaic Japanese style clothes; brown hakama that were tied up above his knees, a short white robe, and a larger and rather voluminous dark blue robe with a then prayer strip shawl.  Joy tipped her head to one side,<tt class="bbc_tt">"You're cute, you know.  But let's start with the biggest question for me.  Why are we here?"</tt><br/><br/>The Shattering Protector seemed almost surprised.<tt class="bbc_tt">"Because you came looking for the missing people, or so I presume.  Every person that goes into the school after night falls and is attacked by the creator of this domain ends up here.  Some of them came here searching for answers, as you likely did, Mugen."</tt>He lifted his right hand, one finger raised,<tt class="bbc_tt">"But you are Exalted and are not trapped as fully as the others.  You have some independence and you and your Tennin ally are capable of ending the entrapment of all."</tt><br/><br/>The menu returned and she selected the next option.<br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">&gt; Where are we?</tt><br/><br/>She crossed her arms under her breasts and canted her hips to one side.<tt class="bbc_tt">"Okay then, where exactly are we?"</tt><br/><br/>Again she got the sense that he felt she should know this.  Was that just her imagination?<tt class="bbc_tt">"We are all in a pocket realm, a small extra-dimensional space that exists outside of the world you know.  It is not unlike the Realm of the Legendary Masters, but much smaller, much more focused.  This realm replicates parts of Hisashiro City.  It came to being when a bargain was made between a spirit and a human being.  The purpose of this realm is to guide those within towards fulfilment of that bargain."  </tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"Great."</tt>How did someone make a deal with a spirit?  Well, that didn't matter as much right now.  And it wasn't even a question she could ask.<tt class="bbc_tt">"That leads to the next question..."</tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">&gt; How do we get out?</tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"So how do we break ourselves, and everyone else, out of this pocket realm?"</tt>She really hoped that she could remember all of this.<br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"It is simple, Sun's Chosen."</tt>The Shattering Protector spread his arms,<tt class="bbc_tt">"You must find the spirit that created this realm and force it out of hiding.  Then you may confront it as you wish.  Yet the spirit knows that you can do this.  It will hide as best it is able.  However, to maintain the realm, the spirit must make contact with the human on whose behalf this realm has been created."  </tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"That's something."</tt>And she had a suspicion as to who might be responsible.  There was one person, one man, that this whole scenario was throwing everyone with a pussy at, after all.<br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">&gt;Can you help us in any way?</tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"Now that we know what we have to do, can you help us, Shattering Protector?"</tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"My assistance is limited, alas."</tt>The spirit stepped closer to her and she felt her heart flutter slightly.  Was that from this place?<tt class="bbc_tt">"I can and will drive away the sentries that exist to drive those in this realm into compliance with the narrative of this place.  I did so just now."</tt>He then gave her a smile.<tt class="bbc_tt">"If you are able to draw the spirit out of hiding, I will be able to join you in confronting and defeating it." </tt>The spirit looked around.<tt class="bbc_tt">"We can risk no further discussion now, Exalt.  Know that I am watching and mind what I have said.  Return to a place of shelter, share what you have learned with the Tennin.  Find the spirit and free us all."</tt><br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">"Damn right we wll,"</tt>Joy answered.<tt class="bbc_tt">"See you soon."</tt>She turned back to Sen, who looked thoroughly confused.<tt class="bbc_tt">"You were going to defend me.  My hero!  Come on, my place is right over there."</tt>She took his hand and the two teens walked away from the spirit towards the Shrine and started going up the steps.<br/><br/>The next thing Joy knew, she was back at the map for<tt class="bbc_tt">MORNING</tt>.