<tt class="bbc_tt">"You are..."</tt>He stared momentarily at Joy as she came around Sen and introduced herself.<tt class="bbc_tt">"...it is you.  The Mugen.  But where is..."</tt>There was more noise, and the young man's head whipped around.  "Come with me.  There isn't much time, the sentries will bring reinforcements, and I do not have the strength to fight an army of them myself."  He gestured and led both Joy and Sen into the side alley from which he had appeared, and they seemingly vanished into shadow, only to re-emerge on ground that Joy found very familiar - they were near the Shrine she lived at!<br/><tt class="bbc_tt"><br/>"I do not know what has become of your friend, the Tennin,"</tt>the youth said,<tt class="bbc_tt">"but lacking you both, I will explain myself to at least you.  Yes.  You are correct; I am the Shattering Protector.  I do not have a name, not as such as you mortals would understand it - for I am a spirit."</tt>He turned his head momentarily this way and that, but there was no sign of movement or robotic sound.<tt class="bbc_tt">"There is not much time for me to explain myself - the person responsible for this pocket has those sentries looking day and night to find me, and it is my good fortune that I have found you..."</tt><br/><br/>Then, things slowed and color began to wash out, and Joy would recognize something she'd seen once before:<br/><br/><tt class="bbc_tt">&gt;Where are we?<br/>&gt;Why are we here?<br/>&gt;How do we get out?<br/>&gt;Can you help us in any way?</tt>