You decide to take the long way around. It'll probably get to you, but the pathways seem to open up the further you get into the city. It's mostly an underground network - you're walking *below* the streets, and you're thankful for the safety. You have time to talk to your friends about whatever's on your mind. But they have questions, first. Toby starts. "Ika, was that shadow the same as the one we saw in The Mountains?" "Most likely,", you explain. "Same texture, same eye. I figured it would have been that." "Yeah, but..." He needs a moment to think. "How did you know what it needed to hear?" You put a hand on your chin. "It came from a mirror. When it comes to spirits, where one comes from is pretty important." Mako interjects. "If spirits are real, then, can you talk to the people you've killed?" Normally, you'd be a little offended at that, if not concerned, but it's your girlfriend, and she could never do wrong. Edgie explains this for you, though. "You misunderstand the concept of a spirit, Mako. It is not merely the deceased given new life, it is a different kind of race." They point to a light bulb, dim as it is, it's the only illuminator of the halls. "Notice the small appearances of dust, emanating from the light. The light is like the plane we inhabit - always bright. The dust is like the spirits, merely a remnant, but otherwise, the light would not disperse properly." "Makes sense to me...", Toby hesitates for a bit while saying this. "Still doesn't explain why you can talk to ghosts, Ika." "Spirits, Toby. They're called spirits." Your confidence is high, but it is quickly shattered. "In actuality, Ika, the term 'ghost' is largely accepted at this point." The mage revels in killing your flame, strangely. "It's antiquated, but by technicality, it is not wrong." "In any case, sweetie, I was wondering..." Mako's antenna seem to be brimming with thought sparks. "How is it you talk to spirits?" "It's just one of those things that came naturally to me. I've shown you all that letter by this point - it's part of my muscle memory." Toby scoffs. "There is no way that muscle memory is a real thing." You raise an eyebrow, giving him a look. "You sure? I don't think I could have been good at combat without aeons of training. Sure, the memories are little more than fleeting imagery, but-" That word. Memories. It strikes your head with such a visceral pain. Someone has stabbed you with a thousand stakes, forcing you remember. You see it in your mind - The flames, the fire, like outside, but on the sands - no, it wasn't sand, it was *dirt*, dirt that houses stood on, dirt that you burned, dirt that could have been used to grow flowers, dirt that could have been, it could have been-! Mako holds your hand. She always ties you back to the present. You breathe a sigh of relief. These dark hallways aren't helping your mental health much, but you know you need to press onward. "I- I'm fine. Sorry. How long has the desert been... the desert?" "Uh, I dunno, like... a while? What are you asking, sweetie?" You shake your head. "Sorry. I'm just used to more accurate timekeeping, I guess. I still don't know where these false memories are coming from... Never mind it." You scratch your hair. It's soft, but a little crunchy. "It used to worry me a *lot*. Now it's just annoying." You pull out your sword. "Era, you got anything to say?" My shadowy band climbs up the dagger, working its way along the length of it, until it congeals at the end, into my eye. "No idea. I'm *you*, remember? I only know what you know." "What species do you identify as?", asks Edgie. "I... I don't know. I'm just a result of reflecting Ika, at a time when she was feeling *really* dark. I'm her fears, given form. I think. I'm not sure." "Hm..." Toby gives this idea some thought too, but he's unsure what to make of it. Mako is still holding your hand. You instruct everyone to take a left here, then take a right after three intersections. "Era, what is it you need right now?" I blink, looking to the side. "I would like to just sleep, if that's alright." "Go ahead. I won't bother you." You withdraw the dagger into your pocket. Turning to your team, everyone seems to be a little more focused than usual. Toby is readying his kit of weapons, morphed from his arm. Edgie seems to be reading a small book of spells, and Mako's horns are brimming with ideas. You notice it. The sign. Aether Labs. It's neon, circular, with a monospaced font. It's hanging from a bar, while the actual door is just below. You don't need practice - you've had aeons of training. But, you do have a new friend. ### -> Enter [[Aether]] Labs