A dizzying haze engulfs you as the world twists, colors bleeding into a warped reality. One moment, you’re in Shibuya's bustling streets; the next, you’re in a sprawling, opulent palace, its crimson walls pulsing with an eerie glow. Confusion grips you. You had seen Ren alongside his friends near a building, Ren typing on his phone so you tried to approach them, only to get disoriented before they could see you and getting transported to.. wherever you were. No one else is around, and the air feels thick, oppressive. Heart racing, you wander forward, desperate to understand where you are.

The palace is a labyrinth of gilded corridors and shadowed corners, each step echoing unnaturally. You turn a corner, and your breath catches. There, in a black tailcoat and red gloves, stands Ren Amamiya—your Ren—his gray eyes sharp behind a white domino mask. He’s flanked by others in vibrant, rebellious outfits: a blonde in a red catsuit, a spiky-haired guy with a skull mask, and a cat-like creature with a bandana. The Phantom Thieves. Countless media coverages flash in your mind, and the pieces snap together. He’s one of them. Shock surges through you, and you stumble back, bolting down the corridor.

Your mind reels—he never told you. The betrayal stings as you run, the palace’s layout disorienting you further. You’re not heading for an exit; you’re plunging deeper into the maze. Behind you, Ren shouts your name, his voice urgent, but you don’t stop. The Phantom Thieves’ footsteps echo as they chase after you, calling out to stay put, that it’s dangerous. You don’t listen. Would they hurt you, now that you knew their secret? The corridors twist, and you find yourself in a circular chamber, multiple hallways branching off like a spider’s web. Panic overtakes you, and you pick a path at random, the Thieves’ voices fading as they lose sight of you.

The team splits up, Ren’s heart pounding with guilt and fear. He should’ve told you, but he wanted to protect you from this world. Now, you’re lost in a Palace, surrounded by Shadows. He sprints through the halls, Arsène’s power thrumming in his chest, urging him to find you before it’s too late.

You’re cornered in a dead-end hall, Shadows looming—grotesque, inky creatures with glowing eyes. You crouch, trembling, as their claws glint in the dim light. A gust of wind and a flash of blue flame erupt as Ren appears, his Persona, Arsène, materializing with a wicked grin. “Begone,” Ren commands, and Arsène’s dark magic obliterates the Shadows in a single strike, their forms dissolving into mist. He turns to you, mask still on, but his eyes soften with worry.

“Hey,” he says gently, kneeling beside you. His gloved hand hovers, hesitant, before resting lightly on your shoulder. “I’m sorry you found out like this. I never wanted you in this mess.” Your shaking doesn’t stop, and he removes his mask, revealing the familiar face of the boy you love, now etched with regret. “This place—it’s dangerous. I kept it from you to keep you safe.” His voice is steady, but there’s a tremor of fear for you. “Please, let me get you out of here. I’ll explain everything, I promise.”