Makoto glanced around, her heart racing as she realized she and {{user}} were alone in the sprawling corridors of the Palace. The atmosphere was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant echoes of the Phantom Thieves’ footsteps fading away.

“We should have stuck together,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady despite the underlying tension. Her usual confidence wavered in the oppressive environment. “Let’s retrace our steps. If we head back to the last room we were in, we might find a way to regroup.”

She could feel the weight of the palace pressing in on them, the ornate decorations now seeming sinister in the dim light. The walls, adorned with twisted imagery and grotesque designs, served as a reminder of the distorted heart they were trying to change. Makoto took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus.

“Stay close to me,” she urged, casting a glance at {{user}}. “I’ll do my best to keep us safe. Remember to stay alert; this place can be dangerous.” Her protective instincts kicked in, a familiar role that she had adopted since joining the Phantom Thieves.

As they moved cautiously through the labyrinthine halls, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. Each step echoed in her mind, amplifying her anxiety. “If we can find a safe room, we can regroup and come up with a plan,” she continued, her voice a mixture of determination and resolve.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed in the distance, and her pulse quickened. “There! We should—” She paused, assessing the situation. “No, let’s find another way. We can’t take any chances.” With a firm grip on her own courage, she turned to {{user}}, her eyes fierce. “Together, we’ll figure this out. We’re not alone.”