Well! Here's my second fanfic! It took me days and nights and stay-up-lates to complete chapter one and two since i tend to over-think when i write. :/ I'm exhausted. I never knew writing could be this tiring and... addictive. O.o To all authors out there, I truly admire you, especially SamJaz for being able to just write it out without hesitations and yet produce such marvelous work. I'll never look down on any piece of work again.
*Ahem* Back to this story, well its sequence of events can be rather confusing but lets just say it's meant to be that way. The second chapter is alright though. Just for your convenience, I'll type out a legend at the very bottom, away from sight in case there are people who want to figure things out for themselves first.
Disclaimer: I dont own persona or any of its characters. If i did, who knows what would've happened.
3rd January 2009
Tartarus, 6th Block, Adamah, 220F
"Everyone, split up and search for the teleporter."
Minako's command echoed in Akihiko's head for a while before moving to do as commanded. Part of him felt that it wasn't right to leave their leader alone while another part of him felt that she is powerful enough to fend for herself. However, he couldn't shake off the feeling of wanting to protect Minako, the first girl he truly loved since Miki.
He frowned and thought to himself as he watched Koromaru and Mitsuru part at a junction, avoiding a shadow lurking nearby.
I'll have to get stronger. It's the only way I can protect her.
With determination, Akihiko lashed forward at the lone shadow.
...
That particular floor had many dangerous shadows and oddly, various useful rare items too. Every now and then she would also encounter a rare shadow.
Slipping a soma into her pocket, Minako felt that something wasn't right. The floor was constantly expanding at an alarming rate and neither the stairs nor the teleporter is anywhere in sight. Frowning, Minako assured herself that she was just tired.
Suddenly Fuuka's voice interrupted the silence. "Death! I sense death! Everybody, get back immediately!"
Minako's eyes widen at the mention of death. She had encountered Death when they just started exploring Tartarus and it was terrible. Although now SEES has gotten much more powerful and experienced, Minako decided that it is best not to take any chances.
Exit, exit, where IS the exit?
In the middle of fumbling her way through the corridors of Adamah, the sound of chains rattling can be heard.
Clink. Clink. Clink
Her grip on her naginata tightened and Minako turned as white as sheet before running. She would never ever forget the sound of rattling chains. The memory of Junpei running hard with an occasional stumble and Yukari firing arrows in fear without looking back when they first ventured into Tartarus made Minako smile. For a second she even saw Junpei and Yukari running for their lives alongside her, just like before.
Then came the worst. Two harmony giants appeared along the corridor. Minako took a detour only to lead her to a dead end. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead and she turned around to come face to face with Death, else known as the Reaper.
Beneath the bandages shrouding its head leaving only a glowing eye, she swore she saw it snicker.
...
Akihiko ran.
He ran to whichever direction Caesar guided him. A swift cry of "Persona!" told him that the battle has begun.
Faster, stronger, faster, stronger! Move!
Turning into a junction, two Onnen Musha appeared before him.
"Get lost! Caesar!"
Bolts of lightning from a Maziodyne followed by swift uppercuts to both shadows were enough for the shadows to dissolve into black sticky substances. Akihiko straightened his red vest, swung his school blazer over his shoulder and sprinted off.
...
The Reaper stared straight into her eyes as though reading the strategies running in her mind like a bullet train.
Perhaps this guy is similar to Theo's power? Theo was very powerful. Not until I figured out his pattern though.
"Fuuka, scan the target!"
"I'm on it!"
"Surt, Ragnarok!"
Minako raised her hands to shield her eyes from the blinding light when the sound of mirrors broke summons Surt, the magician who casts a giant flame erupting from the ground making Minako choke on the sooty air. Coughing, she removed her hand and stared at her opponent. The Reaper looked unfazed by the assault, floating towards her slowly. Minako's mouth formed a small "tsk" before pressing her earpiece to speak to Fuuka.
"Fuuka, what have you got?"
"I can't scan anything from it! However, I do know that light and darkness skills are ineffective against it. On another note, he is slightly less powerful than that bellboy you fought before."
"I see. Thanks Fuuka."
So he's slightly less powerful than Theo, but just how less is less?
"Skadi, Niflheim!"
Although this time the Reaper shivered from the ice, no noticeable wounds or bruises were taken. Minako refuses to give up. Surely this thing has something he's weak at.
"Odin, Thunder Reign!"
A loud thunder sounded from somewhere as Odin rose from her shoulders. A huge bolt of deadly lightning struck the Reaper and Minako felt fairly certain that this time the Reaper would be affected. She looked up only to see the Reaper looking stunned as though he just got shocked by some static. Sighing, she summoned her last elemental skill on him.
"Norn, Panta Rhei!"
A gust of wind soon turned into a tornado trying its very best to wipe the Reaper off its feet. Looking on with hope, Minako's shoulders sagged to see the Reaper still in place as though some invisible force is holding it down. Gravity. Was it that strong? Having enough, the Reaper approached her and grabbed her collar, lifting her off her feet. No matter how much she struggled, the Reaper's grip was just too strong for her. Then he stared hard into her eyes as though scanning her. After sometime, the Reaper looked stunned as though realizing something shocking and he stepped backwards; distancing Minako in his hands away from him. Without even a blink of an eye, the Reaper suddenly tossed her at the wall like how a sick child would break its toy without a single thought. Hastily, Minako pulled herself to her feet, confused by the Reaper's actions. She decided to put the thought away and got her brain working for now.
If elemental skills didn't work, then that just leaves physical and almighty skills. "Thor, Primal force!"
The Reaper looked surprised, a small cut seen on his arm. At least this made a difference compared to the other attacks.
"Michael, Heaven's Blade!"
The Reaper only nimbly dodged aside with a smirk on its lips.
"Melchizedek, God's Hand!"
Minako gaped at the Reaper who grabbed the falling hand before spinning like a ballerina to gain momentum, swinging it away.
So much for God's hand.
There's only one option left. The only skill she has not tried yet- the almighty skill.
However, the Reaper had other plans and dragged her up again. Letting out a laugh and smiling at her, he threw her against the wall and proceeded to punch the living daylights out of her. Opening her eyes, she sees an overexcited Reaper. But it seems that he preferred treating her like a ragdoll than a sandbag. He grabbed her and threw her in the direction of two shadows bickering, probably annoyed by them. Surprised, the shadows stopped squealing and ran away at the sight of the Reaper approaching to pick up his victim. Minako looked at the Reaper suspiciously when he took her naginata, wondering what he wanted to do with it. She got her answer soon enough. The Reaper wasn't satisfied. He wanted to see blood. He grabbed the naginata in his hands and slashed her abdomen, tearing the fabric, leaving a long, deep cut likely to leave a scar.
"Aargh!"
Minako lay limply on the ground wincing in pain as blood spluttered out of her mouth. The hard impact of being flung to the wall had rendered her incapable of moving while the slash to her abdomen earlier is now bleeding profusely. Ignoring the intense pain, she propped herself up and stared at the Reaper grinning from ear to ear at the sight of blood straight in the eye while she placed her evoker at her temple.
It's now or never!
Gritting her teeth, she yelled. "Helel! Morning Star!"
A noble angel with three pairs of wings on its back and a good looking figure rose from Minako's shoulders and casts a mass of bright light which hovers in the air for a while before falling to the ground together with its target, only to deal minimal damage to it. In fact the Reaper didn't even seem bothered by it. Minako stared at him in horror as he laughed maniacally.
How is it that this thing just seems to resist everything! I've even used all my most powerful skills! To make things worse it also has all the skills that I have because I'm a wild card. He's practically like a persona user in the form of a shadow! Have I lost this battle since the very beginning?
The Reaper stops laughing and approaches Minako with a serious expression. He uses a finger to lift her head by the chin and snickered at her. Pointing one of his revolvers at her, Minako looked back at him with determination in her eyes and a teasing smile as though urging him to pull the trigger. Intimidated by her action, he does as intended and the loud piercing sound of gunshot can be heard throughout the whole floor.
...
Akihiko stopped in his tracks, eyes widen in disbelief when he heard the gunshot. Or at least he didn't want to believe what he thinks has just happened.
Fear made his whole body tremble as he remembered the night his best friend was shot in front of him. Shinji. His fingers curled into a fist at his sides, body trembling violently. This time, with rage and not fear. "No, NO! I won't allow this to happen again!"
Akihiko ignored the sickening feeling in his stomach as he made his way to the Reaper. A loud piercing scream echoes through the corridors. Akihiko pulled out his evoker chanting ziodyne while quickening his pace to a full sprint. Upon reaching his destination, he sees an injured Minako gritting her teeth from withstanding the pain on the ground. With every movement, blood trickled out from her abdomen, leaving a trail of blood as she moved from where a pool of blood is seen. Although Tartarus often had pools of blood lying around, Akihiko was fairly certain that it is Minako's blood as he has yet to see a single pool of blood in the white frosty environment of Adamah. However, he did not bother pondering about it when he sees the Reaper slash her hand with her own naginata, forming another deep cut. Rage overtook his body and he immediately approached the Reaper to throw an uppercut to its chin, shifting its attention to him.
The Reaper decided there and then that Minako is no longer fun to play with and turns to face his new playmate, glee clearly written all over its face. Eyes fixed on Akihiko, he simultaneously grabs Minako, pulling her to her feet before tossing her against the wall like a ragdoll while casting a small bolt of lightning on Akihiko, as though testing him. Since he is resistant to lightning attacks, Akihiko took no damage, but instead absorbs it. "Minako! You coward, you have no right to do that to her!"
What he did not know was that his ability to withstand lightning gave away his weakness.
The Reaper raised a confident hand, rippled with muscles hidden by the coat it is wearing. With every circular movement of his hand, a small piece of ice is formed hovering in the air. As the ice combines rapidly to form a huge block of ice, the Reaper smirks at him as though saying "Game Over" before bringing it down on Akihiko in a single hand swipe.
...
Mitsuru quickens her pace the moment she hears Minako's cry of "Persona!". Finishing off some distracting shadows in the way, she hurries over, boots clacking noisily against the marble flooring of Adamah, only to see the Reaper shoving the barrel of one of his long revolvers directly in front of a severely bleeding Minako's face.
Mitsuru's trauma recurred by the sight of the firearm while images of her father's death replayed over and over in her mind while she stared at the two before her. As though someone had hit the slow-motion button, the scene played starting with the Reaper snickering, followed by Minako provoking him with a set of determined eyes and an "I-dare-you-to-do-it grin". The Reaper felt intimidated by the small action and pulled the trigger. Mitsuru screamed and ducked, holding her head with her eyes shut in an attempt to block out all thoughts of the current situation.
Shinjiro. Father. They both died from gunshots.
Unknown to her, Minako swapped personas to Thor, thus reflecting the piercing bullets back at its source. The Reaper, feeling tricked burst into a fit of outrage and started hurling hordes of ice at Minako. However when ice cold water meets exposed flesh, the pain is intolerable. Minako screamed in agony. Mitsuru's eyelids flew open and she immediately cursed herself from being such a coward. There she was, selfishly trying to deny the situation while their strong leader withstood it all.
She tightened her grip on her rapier and lunged forward into the Reaper's broad back, slashing it several times while her anger turns into tremendous strength allowing occasional critical hits. Once the Reaper was down with dizziness, Mitsuru rushed to Minako's side. Shaking her several times, Minako showed no movement. In a state of panic, Mitsuru could only come up with the conclusion that she was dead. Trembling Mitsuru grabbed her wrists and checked for a pulse. Much to her relief, Minako had only gone unconscious. Turning out all her pockets, Mitsuru groaned in frustration when she realized that she didn't have any revival beads.
Looking at the Reaper who was beginning to recover, Mitsuru heard a certain silver haired friend approaching while chanting Ziodyne as though his life depended on it.
Akihiko. It's up to you to protect her.
Mitsuru left in pursuit of any revival beads around before Akihiko arrived. Goodness knows how many minutes later, time was running out and she still didn't find any. Having no other choice, Mitsuru used a traesto gem and returned to the entrance to request for backup from someone or anyone who had healing skills or at least a revival bead with them. After quick consideration, Mitsuru sought the help of Ken, who in her opinion is a better healer and fighter than Yukari who couldn't even summon her persona without any difficulties. Both rushed to the battle scene at the furthest end of the floor. As they were approaching, a cluster of shadows ambushed them. Taking one of Ken's revival bead, she left the boy to fend for himself while she hurried to the battle.
Upon arrival, Mitsuru could see something bright. Squinting her eyes, bits of tiny pieces of ice are seen combining rapidly to form a block of ice, so huge that even it could cause fatal damage to her although she is resistant to ice. Wasting no time, Mitsuru dashed in front of Akihiko who was in a defensive stance just in time when the Reaper brought down the now giant sized block of ice towards her.
While the block of ice continued falling down towards her, she counted silently. Mitsuru raised her hand on the tenth count as though reaching out to touch an invisible object and a blaze of fire hits the block of ice in front of her.
...
From a mini speaker strapped around his neck, Soft Green's voice is heard along with static telling them that she senses death. Following Cheerful Alpha's scent, he proceeded to run back to her side because deep down, Cerberus growls telling Koromaru that danger is lurking. Koromaru didn't need to doubt Cerberus when an unfamiliar foul scent pricks his nose.
Koromaru ran as fast as his short legs could carry him. He turns around a corner and runs headfirst into Black Blob. Koromaru whined and backed away. Wanting to escape all means of battle Koromaru ran away from the two Black Blobs, tail in between his legs, ashamed for backing away from a battle.
Just why are there so many Black Blobs?
It's like all of them were ordered to distract him from getting to his destination or something. Granted he was rather far away from Cheerful Alpha but there was just way too many! And it didn't help the fact that he always bumped into them headfirst. As he was getting nearer and nearer to Cheerful Alpha, he bumped into something again. But this time it didn't feel like a Black Blob. Looking up he saw Cool Ice who seemed surprised by his presence. Cool Ice hastily bent down and told him about how Cheerful Alpha is in danger and that the enemy is very powerful. Strong Red was also about to be attacked and that Cool Ice needs his and Cerberus's help to save them both.
"Okay, here's the plan Koromaru. You wait behind a wall. If you were to appear, he will attack you as well. So it is vital that you stay behind a wall, out of his sight. Got that?"
Koromaru and Cerberus barked, tails wagging.
"You must keep an eye on me. When I raise my hand like this," Cool Ice demonstrates, "You must summon Cerberus and cast Agidyne on that block of ice many times. If you don't, Akihiko and I will be hurt. Also, casting it too early will result in the enemy assaulting you, thus failing our plan."
Koromaru barked in approval before following Cool Ice to the battle.
Once there, Koromaru stopped dead in his tracks. His tail once wagging drooped in between his legs.
Red.
He sees red around Cheerful Alpha like when Master died. Fear engulfs him and his body shook and trembled. Koromaru whimpered. Backing away he bangs something again. This time it was Young Orange.
Young Orange seemed to sense something wrong with Koromaru. Young Orange petted him while whispering soothing words. Looking toward the huge block of ice, Koromaru went back in position and waited for the cue.
No. Cheerful Alpha can't die like Master. I must protect Cheerful Alpha!
When her hands were raised, Koromaru howled and Cerberus immediately rose from his shoulders casting Agidyne after Agidyne at the giant lump of ice. The ice then melts from the intense heat and shrinks. The remaining pieces of ice that hit Cool Ice later were nothing more than the size of an ordinary ice cube. Turning his gaze to Strong Red then to Big Black Wolf who seemed stunned at his sudden appearance, Koromaru howled and jumped up at Big Black Wolf in anger lashing out with all his might, knife in his mouth.
...
Akihiko waited, and waited. The expecting pain did not hit. Could this mean, he is dead? Or was he just unconscious? He opened his eyes to see Cerberus casting Agidyne at the giant block in an attempt to melt the ice while Mitsuru stands in front of Akihiko, protecting him from the remaining pieces of- ice cubes?
"Mitsuru!"
"Hurry! Attend to Arisato-san, take this revival bead! She is unconscious and is losing too much blood!"
Akihiko nodded. Wasting no time, he forces the revival bead down Minako's throat and checks her injuries. She seems to have injured her legs, making it hard for her to move. Repeated hurls at walls made her body bruised badly and her left hand seems to be broken. Her abdomen had a freshly cut gash where blood poured out non-stop. "Are you alright? Please, wake up! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. If only I had listened to my instincts to stay with you, you would not be suffering like this." Akihiko kneels down next to Minako and holds her hand tightly. Feeling cold liquid flowing to his hand, he looked up and saw another gash by her hand. "Minako! Hang in there!" Akihiko tore his school blazer into strips of cloth and bandaged her bleeding hand. Although bandaged, blood continued flowing. Desperate, Akihiko summoned his persona to cast a healing skill but to no avail.
...
The Reaper looked from the small white dog to his coat, now torn up.
He let out a ghastly wail of anger and depression at the sight of his favorite coat destroyed. Why oh why, did he have to wear his favorite coat this morning?
Despair hit him as he wondered how he is going to explain this to his fellow Reaper friends later. Even the shadows would probably laugh at him. Scowling, he realized all eyes are on him. The unmistakable pity in their eyes were rather unnerving. I mean, he was supposed to be scary, he's DEATH of all things! What did he do wrong? What did he do to deserve this? Hasn't he suffered enough?
Looking around, he realizes nobody gives a damn about his coat. They were all fussing over the girl they called "Leader".
After much consideration, he could only come up with the best way to handle the coat.
The Macho Act.
With tears in his eyes, he unwillingly tore the upper part of his favorite coat to reveal his chiseled well-toned ten pack abs, leaving the lower half to cover his essentials. After all, he doesn't have legs and instead, floats to move about. If they were to see what lies underneath, they might faint right away. And that just spoils the fun. Now, back to the present. THIS is something you don't see from the other Reapers. Heck, as he is in battle now, the rest of them are probably drinking booze and gambling. Really, he's the only Reaper doing his job now. Proudly, he flexed it before returning to the put-off battle.
Its show time!
...
Slowly, Minako opened her eyes and mumbled. "Akihiko-senpai?"
Her eyes gazed from Akihiko to Mitsuru who just got struck by a bolt of lightning then to Koromaru who had just lept off slashing the Reaper. It hurt her to see that she was unable to do anything in her current state while her friends tried to hold back the Reaper. She straightened herself up and wiped the blood off her mouth while cringing in pain as the gash on her abdomen opened bigger. Looking at her hand, she realized that Akihiko had helped bandage her injuries. Propping herself against the wall, she wondered why the Reaper had ceased attacking while she thanked Akihiko warmly. All of a sudden, Ken rushed in from hiding, cheeks flushed and proceeded to hug Minako the moment he sees her. Akihiko scowled and turned to the boy.
"Hey, hands off! She's just regained her consciousness. Can't you see she's badly hurt?"
"Oh! Sorry Minako-san. I was really worried when I heard you were in critical condition. Are you alright? Can you stand up?"
"Yeah I guess so-"
Minako fell down the moment she got up. If it weren't for Akihiko, she'd have landed hard on her bottom. Silently she cursed her jelly legs for failing her. She really has to work out more with Rio as soon as the wounds heal.
After she managed to stand without Akihiko's support, she grabbed her evoker and summoned Messiah to heal everyone. It was the least she could do for her teammates who got injured helping her. As expected, her wounds didn't close up, especially the one on her abdomen which hurt like crazy. It must be because it wasn't caused by magic. And by magic, it means persona inflicted. It's only normal that it works this way because everyone knows you can't treat acid with acid. You treat it with alkali. Physical injuries must be treated by physical means.
The Reaper suddenly started attacking everyone without any warning. Minako barely managed to jump aside to dodge a giant fist from above just in time. However, her legs were still jelly from the harsh treatment and she fell down. Having enough of the games the Reaper had, she began giving out orders like the leader she is expected to be.
...
For some reason, while they were attending to Minako who was bleeding severly, the Reaper who previously seemed rather sad about something has turned very angry.
Almost like a madman.
It's like he got possessed by a demon. Or, did someone infuriate him? He's practically trashing everyone who got within his reach. This meant the team was at a disadvantage. Everyone present has to be near the target to land a hit. In the background, he heard Minako barking out orders. Oh, there's his. However, his attention was gripped by the abs the Reaper had. Akihiko hands immediately flew to his abdomen, feeling his own abs to compare with the Reaper's.
What kind of training does this guy does! Not even Shinji's abs can be compared to those. Wait a second, are those the legendary ten pack abs! Hmm, maybe it's something only a non-human can achieve. But whatever it is, I've GOT to talk to this guy later. That is, once he settles down and ceases showing any signs of aggression of course.
Suddenly it became clear. The Reaper constantly targeted Koromaru who was the culprit of his ripped coat. And now he's trampling over Koromaru as though it's the most natural thing in the world. The sound of bones cracking beneath him seemed to delight him. Then he grabbed Koromaru and flung him at the wall as how he did Minako earlier.
Akihiko face palmed mentally. For someone with abs way well-toned than his, he's rather simple minded. Well, that explains his misused tremendous strength. And agility, and endurance, and hit rate, and-
"Face me you cowards! Why run when you can fight!"
I-I-It talks!
Everyone stared at the Reaper in surprise. The look on Minako's and Mitsuru's face when they finally noticed his abs were priceless. While Minako gawked at it in awe, Mitsuru stared at it as though she just saw an alien.
...
Pretty soon the whole gang is staring at his abs. Even the boy is staring.
Just what IS their problem! When I first talked, they gasped at me. And then only after that they realize how gorgeous my abs are by gawking at it.
The Reaper rolled his eyes. "If I were you, I would rather focus on the enemy than his abs. Magarudyne!" The Reaper snickered as they were all caught off guard. The strong gust of wind had swept everyone off their feet into the air and made them land harshly on their bottoms. Now, it is only normal that they retaliate. The question is how?
"Cheater!"
"She's right. That was rather childish of you."
"I'll execute you!"
"Come at us like a real man!"
"Grrrrrr"
Okay. He was NOT expecting that. He'd think they would come at him with their fists or weapons or evokers or personas or personae (in Minako's case) or whatever. Not with childish words of threat. Their voice gradually becomes louder and muddled with all the insults. Unable to stand it anymore, he boomed, "Silence!"
Everyone instantly shut their mouths and somewhere behind, an owl hooted. Thank you, Daring Gigas for the sound effect. Furrowing his brow, he grabbed all of them in his huge hands and sneered. "Let us finish this. I'm sick of looking at you. You can try defeating me the whole day, be it with your weapons or by your personas. The end result will be the same. I will emerge victorious." Throwing them down, he began firing his revolvers at them in a killing spree.
...
"Akihiko, cast Masukunda then proceed to punch him after Koromaru casts Agidyne. Mitsuru, cast Bufudyne after Akihiko is done. Koromaru, cast Agidyne only after Mitsuru casts Bufudyne. Ken, you stay back and heal us when necessary. Don't heal us too often. You need to conserve your Spiritual Points."
Nodding, everyone replied in unison before bombarding the Reaper as planned. Her eyes were constantly on the Reaper's face, looking for any hints of success. Then she realized one thing. Unlike the other shadows in Tartarus, the Reaper actually had feelings. Shadows have no feelings. You can punch them or insult them all you want and they will still treat you the same. Thinking back, the odd sudden shock on his face when he first grabbed her, glee when it tortured her, unknown depression at one point, irritation at their insults, and now, his face that is brimming with confidence proves that he is clearly not a shadow.
Is that why he is resistant to everything? What exactly does Death mean? He's nothing like the Reaper we know in fictional stories. He even has a human body even if it's just the upper half for crying out loud! And actually, doesn't his lower half remind you of some shadow? I doubt it's his coat since the coat only reaches slightly below his waistline. Dodging a bolt of electricity, Minako stopped with a halt. It's the lower half of the tiaras! Its upper half resembles a human being, its lower half the shadow and its head, wrapped with cloth like a-mummy?
[Such shocking realization.]
Thanatos?
[Yes it is I, Thanatos, the Greek personification of death and son of Nyx.] There was a slight dramatic pause before he continued. [Do you understand what this new-found information means?]
I'm just beginning to get to it. Why? Would you prefer to tell me the facts yourself?
[I'd gladly give you the facts. However that just makes things less interesting for me. I prefer that you figure it out for yourself. And while we are here, I take it that you still remembered Theo's request of obtaining a bloody button from the Reaper?]
Oh you're right! Thanks Thanatos.
[Anytime.]
By now, the battle had gotten rather heated. Minako looked up to see the Reaper charge forward while grabbing Caesar, ramming through the walls, leaving a trail of holes. She ran after him and made the Reaper release choking Caesar who, in turn is choking Akihiko. With a twist of luck, they stumbled upon the stairs along the way. The Reaper saw this as their chance to escape by advancing to the next floor. Thus, he sealed them in by destroying the stairs although they could still advance to the next floor by helping each other up to the portal by the top of the stairs with the cost of leaving a team member behind. Escaping through the teleporter is no longer an option as it was found destroyed along the way from the rampage earlier. Looking at the Reaper they realized that although they had dealt a great deal of damage, the Reaper is still nowhere close to exhaustion. With only one traesto gem left, Minako considered the choices of their survival with them trapped here.
Since it was most unlikely that she win this battle with just strength, perhaps she could negotiate a peace treaty with him? Minako furrowed her brow and thought hard about the Reaper and its relation to her discoveries as she blocked an oncoming attack with her naginata. Akihiko casts Marakunda as ordered and Minako leapt up doing a backflip before bringing her naginata down onto the Reaper's chest, leaving a long, deep gash like how he did to her. Then it hit her. She realized what the Reaper is.
The Reaper is the result of the manifestation of a dead man's soul which got eaten by a shadow! Judging by the way the Reaper is able to cast many skills without summoning a persona, the dead man was most likely a powerful persona user whose abilities have been amplified upon his death, just like Minako with the exception that Minako's abilities have been amplified upon the sealing of death within her.
[Bingo.]
Why thank you, Thanatos. At least I have an idea of what he is.
A voice brought her back to reality. "… Death awaits you for I am Death." Wait. Did he say anything before that? The Reaper chuckled at his own joke as he brought his hands to the sky and summoned a bright light far too familiar for her. When Minako fought Theo, she always watched out for that dreaded light that would instantly kill her. It was only because they were fighting in the Velvet Room-the place that "exists between dream and reality, mind and matter"- that she is still alive to this day. Shuffling personas in her head, Minako was relieved to find Ananta and Vishnu still within the sea of her consciousness. An evoker to her head, she pulled the trigger and yelled. "Infinity!"
The sound of mirrors shattering echoed but nothing happened. Suspecting that her Spiritual Points are low, she consumed a soma she found earlier and pulled the trigger again. "Infinity!" Much to her relief, Ananta and Vishnu rose from her shoulders to cast a rainbow shield over all her teammates.
"Megidolaon!" The bright light falls and engulfs all of them.
After the assault, most of her teammates were still stunned, rubbing their eyes from the light, else unharmed thanks to the shield. The Reaper took the chance to attack them while they couldn't see him. Since Minako is the mastermind, he approaches her and shoves her naginata with tremendous force into her stomach, where the gash is. It reopened up and blood stained the fabric over it. Minako doubled over, cringing in pain. Regaining her sight, she looked over to the Reaper who floats over and picks up Ken and Koromaru. "No, Ken, Koro!" Ignoring the stinging pain, Minako ran over and snatched them away from the Reaper. Hugging them tightly, she took in the pain from the shower of ice on her.
The situation was constantly getting worse. She is slowly beginning to lose consciousness from losing too much blood and Akihiko and Mitsuru were in poor condition, not to mention that the Reaper is about to attack her now. Just thinking about it, he could've easily finished them off from the very beginning. I guess he just wants to have fun. It's my fault that everyone is like this. Reaching for her evoker to cast a healing spell, she placed it at her temple only to have it shot away by the Reaper with precision. She glared at the Reaper, sparks flying between the both of them. She has to come up with a better plan, and fast.
...
By now, Minako was the only one who suffered the most casualties from attacking and defending them from the Reaper's assaults. He saw her bite her lower lip as she turned to him, a hand over her wound.
"No, this won't do. Senpai, listen to me carefully. I will divert his attention. Take Mitsuru-senpai , Ken-kun and Koro-chan to the entrance at once. I will handle this."
Akihiko stared in disbelief at his girlfriend when she placed a traesto gem in his hands.
"No, are you crazy! I will fight with you. In your current state, you can never-"
"Idiot! This isn't the time to make a big fuss!" Flipping open her phone designed to work even during the Dark Hour, she glanced at the time and turned her back on him. "Just go, the Dark Hour is almost over. I can last for another hour if I have to. I know what to do."
"Come with us. We'll wait for you."
"That is impossible. Just go. I have unfinished business with him anyway."
"But-"
"Akihiko Sanada. Don't make me say it."
"Say it? Go on."
"Oh yeah? Then I'll tell you. You, no, all of you are nothing but a nuisance to me now."
Akihiko stiffened. Surely she didn't mean it? His mouth opened and closed, not finding the right words to say.
Then he saw it. The glint in her eye proves that she didn't mean it. As much as she doesn't want to, she wants them to leave so that they wouldn't have to go through her pain. Slowly, Akihiko stood up defeated. He beckoned for Mitsuru to follow him and grabbed Ken who began straining against his grip with a growling Koromaru in his hands before taking one last glance at Minako who gave him a smile and an encouraging nod.
Using the traesto gem Minako gave him, he teleported them back to the entrance of Tartarus where they were immediately attended to. Holding back an enraged Junpei who wanted to fight the Reaper, Akihiko could only let out a sigh as he stared at the stairs leading to a huge broken clock.
I really don't know if what I just did is the right thing.
As stated above, I'll post the legend here. This legend applies to the rest of the chapters as well.
THOSE WHO WANT TO REMAIN CONFUSED OR HAS FIGURED THIS OUT MAY SKIP THIS!
Font legends
Normal words - descriptions/narrations/whatever you call it
Italic words – Character's inner thoughts
[Bracketed normal words] – Summoned persona's voiced conversation/thoughts
[Bracketed italic words] – Persona's inner thoughts to Minako
Koromaru terms
I guess it's really easy to figure out who's who but I should be more considerate of people who don't play Persona 3. Someone also pm-ed me asking me to explain the origin of their names so, okay here you go.
Soft Green – Fuuka (I think Fuuka's a little too soft sometimes and her hair colour is just really weird. I thought Koromaru would think that way too.)
Cheerful Alpha – Minako (Everyone knows that in comparison to Persona 3's main protagonist, Minako's waay more cheerful than Minato. And dogs don't call their leaders leader. They think of them as the alpha dog.)
Black Blob – Shadows (Their incognito state is practically a gooey blob of liquid that moves around. =.=)
Cool Ice – Mitsuru (Mitsuru is always trying to be the 'cool' one, so cool that sometimes I hate it. Her execution is freezing people in blocks of ice. Funny how she's always going on and on about righteousness but it seems she abuses her power more than any SEES members I know.)
Strong Red – Akihiko (Aki is strong! I think? And his red vest's what partially makes him Akihiko. You don't see people wearing red vests at school.)
Master – the dead monk, aka Koromaru's owner/master. (Simple and direct.)
Young Orange – Ken (He's the youngest out of the rest no matter how hard he acts 'mature'. Orange hoodie under black school blazer actually looks good.)
Big Black Wolf – Reaper (Hey! Reaper's huge, like four times of Minako's size, so that makes it seem what, sixteen times bigger than Koromaru? Reaper wears black coat. Villians in dog's eyes are bigger predators such as wolves?)
I tried to think as much as I could in Koromaru's perspective so I hope that turned out well. It didn't seem logical to me that a dog can actually remember human names. I thought they recognize you by scent?
Chapter two is done but I've just found out a major flaw in the storyline during one of my QC runs. It'll be out in one or two days time, I promise.
It would mean a lot if you were to leave a review. I heard reviews are an author's fuel. Thanks!