Laughter erupted from the hundreds of identical figures floating above, overlapping voices creating something that scraped against sanity itself.
The sound built and built, echoing across the dreamscape rooftop with force that made the air crack.
Then the central figure's voice exploded across the space, cutting through the chorus.
"AND HOW WILL YOU PROTECT HIM, GRAND SAGE OF HUMANITY?!"
The doubled voice carried mockery wrapped in absolute certainty.
"DO YOU BELIEVE YOURSELF TO BE THE BEGGAR?! THE BEING WHO SPLIT EXISTENCE ITSELF WITH A SINGLE STRIKE?!"
All the floating forms spread their hands wider, darkness intensifying in their palms.
"OR PERHAPS YOU FANCY YOURSELF AS DESIDERIUS BLOODWORTH?! THE GREATEST PROTECTOR THIS UNIVERSE EVER BORE WITNESS TO?!"
The central void somehow conveyed contempt that transcended words.
"You might be a brilliant player, I'll grant you that much."
A pause that felt loaded with terrible significance.
