The world dissolved into a swirl of indescribable color—not painless, not violent, just... wrong. A sensation of being stretched and compressed simultaneously.
When it stopped, they stood on plain white tile.
The room was stark. Two long sofas faced each other, and at the front loomed a massive black rectangle mounted on the wall, its surface dark and glossy.
Sanemi Shinazugawa
What the hell is this place?
His scarred face twisted into a scowl, eyes darting from corner to corner, hand already drifting toward the hilt of his blade.
Mitsuri Kanroji
Kya! Where are we?!
She stumbled back, pink and green hair whipping as she spun, her eyes wide with alarm.
Shinobu Kocho
Keep your guards up, everyone. This could be an illusion or a blood demon art.
Her voice was calm but edged with steel. She rested her hand on her katana's hilt, gaze sharp and calculating as she scanned the ceiling, the walls, the floor.
Muichiro Tokito
...
The Mist Pillar stood motionless, wide teal eyes tracing the blank white walls. His expression was unreadable, but his fingers twitched restlessly at his side.
Tengen Uzui
I don't have a good feeling about this...
He crossed his arms, jeweled headband glinting under the harsh white light. His eyes narrowed at the black monolith on the wall.
Tengen Uzui
Also, what is that big, rectangle thingy? Is it a strange painting?
Obanai Iguro
What the... I don't like this at all.
His voice was low and tense. Kaburamaru coiled tighter around his neck, tongue flicking out, hissing softly at the unknown surroundings.
Giyu Tomioka
...
The Water Pillar remained silent, his blue eyes fixed on the black rectangle. A single furrow creased his brow.
Giyu Tomioka
I've never seen that black rectangle thing before. And... what are videos?
A beat of silence over his question.
Gyomei Himejima
I sense no malice... but we are not in our world.
The Stone Pillar spoke with his palms pressed together, tears streaming down his face.
Kyojuro Rengoku
SET YOUR HEARTS ABLAZE! Whatever this is, we face it together!
The Flame Pillar grinned, fists clenched, radiating confidence even in the confusion.
Then, a crackle.
Static hissed from the black rectangle. The Hashira tensed as one.
???
Hey guys! You all will react to videos!
The voice was cheerful, disembodied, echoing from all directions at once—like a god speaking from the ceiling.
Sanemi Shinazugawa
Who said that?! Show yourself!
A low hum filled the room. The black rectangle flickered to life, glowing with impossible light.