Then one of the robed figures stepped forward from the perfect formation, their movement unnaturally smooth like oil flowing across water. When they spoke, their voice carried the same nightmare-quality that Merc Assault's had possessed—multiple tones layered over each other, harmonics that made reality seem less stable just from hearing them.
"Lord Merc Assault welcomes you to his domain," the figure said with dark amusement that was audible even through the voice distortion. "He has been expecting you, Satou. Waiting. Preparing. Watching your approach through the eyes of those you've slain. How convenient that you've delivered yourself directly to us. How... predictable."
Another robed figure stepped forward, this one's voice slightly different in its nightmare-harmonics. "The master was most impressed by your survival of his initial test. Six hours in the nightmare realm, and you emerged not broken but tempered. Most unusual. Most... interesting."
