Reach the portal.

There are already others around to defend the location just as Koblix said. Thomas is afar with his bow at the ready. Bek seems eager to clobber whatever comes through. Mipa is beside him, and despite her size, she looks just as ferocious as he does. You also see Taiga standing the closest with her spear pointed forward. Others are starting to gather though they keep their distance, and it seems like no combat has yet to occur. You peer forwards to see something strange at the foot of the portal.

By the circular window piercing through space to a land unknown is a single red fox.

That's right. Just like before. It must be Lady Vex's doing, and if I'm right, that's Masumi again. You step towards the portal, past all of your soldiers, and you stand confidently with a hand gripping the pummel of your blade.

"Is that you, Masumi?" you ask.

Another figure peaks through--a blue pointed hat sitting atop a head of green hair. "Hark! All of you mortals best stand ready for the presence of greatness!" shouts the voice of Kashura Saylinor. She grins wide and chuckles beneath her breath. But then you hear her whisper as she peers her eyes downwards. "Please, Masumi. You promised I could enter first. This isn't right."

But pushing all others aside comes a short, red figure wearing only a black housecoat with a matching towel wrapped up around the top of her head. It's Lady Vex, and it seems she's finished with her bath. "All right, that's enough!" she commands. Her piercing golden gaze stares straight up towards you. "Warren. You best be ready, because we're going to Zettanko straight away. Aris is thrilled to meet you in person, and she's been going on about this Erotrain deal for so long. I'm tired of it. Grab a few of your allies and get your ass through the portal so we can talk in a real Demon King's lair."

"Is that where the trial is? Seems kind of fishy to me," you say.

"Oh as if I'm going to lure you into an ambush. If I wanted to crush you and your army, I'd come here directly and do it myself. I don't need pathetic underhanded tactics to win my battles. I'm just going to introduce you to Aris and then she'll tell us what you're meant to do."

Coming from afar are the footfalls of a swiftly-dressed elf. Amara comes running, now garbed back into her regular nurse-like attire, and she holds a hand against her hat as she goes. Her long, slender legs do well for quick movement despite you rarely seeing her move as she is. In her other hand is a silver staff. As she arrives where you are, she pants heavily leans her weight down against her staff. "I... I am here..."

You put a hand on her shoulder. "Thanks. I think it's all right though."

"Somebody thinks they can just barge right into our home?!" Niki calls out from a distance, though her powerful legs lead her to arriving with lightning speed. She leaps into the air, and the ground sunders as she lands directly in front of you--mace and shield at the ready. "It's her again!"

"We're not fighting. Don't worry," you try to explain before things escalate.

Meanwhile, you turn a glance to see Eva sprinting in this direction as quickly as she can. She isn't even finished dressing yet. As she runs, she frantically tries to slip the button of her blouse through the hole, and they nearly bounce right out as she moves. Thankfully she manages to pop it together a moment before she reaches you, and she lets out frantic breaths as she grabs your arm to hold herself up.

"Impressive," says Kashura as she finally steps into the courtyard. The fox at her feet leaps straight into her arms. "Your allies assemble with incredible speed."

Taiga speaks up. The grip on her spear tightens. "That's right. And you'd do best not to appear her uninvited again. Use the door like everybody else, or you may not be so lucky next time."

"Lucky?" Vex shouts back. "If you want to fight, then bring it on, bee-girl."

Kashura chuckles and covers one eye. As she lowers her head, she pulls herself into an overdramatic stance. Then she kicks her foot forward, slams it down onto the ground, and casts a glare straight in your direction. "Hah! Your people may have vigour, but our Lady Vex has assembled some of the most powerful individuals across all of Abso. I alone was birthed from the shadows themselves. My story, a mystery. All people know me as is the Sorceress Queen, and I am but only one member among her ranks! So you best--"

"So are we going or not?" asks Vex as she holds up a hand in front of the other girl's face.

"Just give us a minute to get ready and we'll be on our way," you say. "Then I'll undergo this trial of yours."