Mao suddenly tumbles back; a very gymnastic-like backflip. He doesn't intend to attack Helms, but, maybe if he reveals his true form, something fun might happen. His form begins to dissolve, his wings emerging, and his size growing; and not a single word was spoken.

Mao emerges from the dissolving, his height now doubled. He still looks humanoid, but his face is much more monstrous. He's got big horns and a top hat that seems attached, and his wings are glowing a bit. A fucked up Arsene, more like. He lets out a snarl, but doesn't strike.

Mao finally speaks. "You're who was curious, and you followed me down here. How'd you even get to this side of reality? Hmm... no matter. I bet if I picked you up, and took you down into the depths, we'd find your other self." He crosses his arms, still not actually attacking.

Mao laughs. "You can't keep running from him. If you truly do have the potential, you have to accept him! Embrace him!" Mao'a moving closer... "As if you can. You're a coward, aren't you, Helms?"

"Who says its going down that path again? You simply have to quit running, Detective." He raises his wings. "Will you run forever? Or will this day be the one you finally set yourself right?" Its strange; he revealed his true form, and no more monsters are coming.

"And as long as you keep shying away, you'll never find your answers." A chuckle. "You followed me all the way down here, came so close to my home... So very close to meeting yourself, too. Is this truly where the line is drawn? At your own fears?"

"Go on, then. Quit limiting yourself!" Mao grins widely, moving closer. "Lets see your resolve!" He suddenly manifests his blade, pointing it at Helms. Just a casual threat.

Mao senses some energy spike and he jumps back. Giving Helms some space, and also a bit afraid of getting attacked. Awakenings can do weird stuff.

Mao takes the three hits, but seems alright. "Looking good!" He wonders how well Helms can *take* a hit, so, he tries an Eigaon. Unsure if it'll work, but, curse magic is all he has. One overdramatic motion and he sends the red flame-looking magic right at Helms.

"Hey, that IS a really hard hit! Maybe you just resist my magic type! Oh, wait, thats pretty rare to be able to resist that... unless its your own affinity. Cmon, lemme see what you can do!" Mao braces himself for another strike.

Wind magic? Mao wasn't expecting that. He braces against it, and keeps his footing. Whew, still standing. He suddenly uses some sort of buffing skill - Heat Riser - on Helms. "Brace yourself, and I'll hit you with the hardest I've got. You should be able to survive."

Mao cracks his knuckles and slides back fast on his feet, fingers snapping. An entire Megidolaeon is cast, the explosion rather large. Mao must be strong as hell if he has access to Almighty magic. The two of them will certainly have no trouble fighting their way back out.

Mao huffs and draws near, casting Diarahan, the healing magic from earlier, on Helms. "I'm strong enough to hold my own. I just am way too reckless," he casually comments. "I guess I'll teach you everything about the Metaverse, though. But first, we gotta get you out."

Mao nods, and takes off in a full sprint this time towards the stairs. He seems ecstatic, full of energy and ready to go. No enemies are approaching quite yet, either. Maybe the commotion scared them off.

Mao's finding himself running faster than before; feeling less like he has to protect Helms. Up more stairs. The enemies seem to be running away once again, so, they'll be out of here in no time.

"They guard this place. They guard the shadows that migrate downwards. At the bottom is a prison!" They come upon a rest platform and Mao just throws himself onto the floor. He must be tired from the running.

"You see the trains around? Those go to the bottom. They take peoples personal shadows to the prison at the bottom. Its all on purpose." He's not really moving; just waiting.

☆// i figure i owe an explanation: my mental health is down the drain again, and i have been playing looooots of pokemon shield lately. i'll return here soonish!