Hi, it's finally done! Chapter 2 is finally done!

Seriously, thing too way too long with my job and all that fun stuff!

Still here it is! Hope you enjoy and I do not own Persona 5.

All rights go to their respective owners, please help support the official release!

Date: April 11

Location: ?

"Hey Gekido," I could feel two things as I woke up. First was the searing pain in my head, which was screaming at me. The second was a hand shaking my shoulder violently, which honestly didn't help with the pain in my head… "Dude, get up! Come on!"

"Ugh…" I reached my hand up to my forehead and started to rub. I quickly recoiled as I found a bump on my head that caused my headache to worsen. Throbbing pain aside. I opened my eyes to look around and saw Sakamoto kneeling next to me. Though that was not what grabbed my attention most. What did it, was the fact we were in a dungeon… and not the "don't tell anyone kind." This was a full blown medieval dungeon! With chains and shackles all over the wall. There was also a metal barred door too! "Wh-what happened? Where are we?"

"Dude… Don't you remember?" Sakamoto looked worried. "Those assholes hit you in the head with a shield!"

That was when I remembered everything that had happened! The castle. The guys in armor. The transfer student. THE TRANSFER STUDENT! I shot forward and frantically looked around the room. That was when I noticed that I was on a wooden cot, and next to it was a second cot. On it was an unmoving form. I realized after a few moments that the frizzy haired transfer was laying on the second cot. "Is he okay!?"

Sakamoto looked over to the transfer student, then back to me. "He's breathing, but they beat him over the head a few times…"

"Damnit…" I slammed my fist into the wooden frame beneath me. I quickly recoiled grabbing my wrist and tried not to scream out in pain. "Son of a-!"

Sakamoto suddenly got a worried look on his face. "Wait a second… No. Are you Hisoka? Hisoka Gekido!?"

I sighed… yeah I knew was going to happen sooner or later… The rumors about me, well, while false… they were also well known in the school. Like how I had planned my parents' accident. Or that I stalked girls, and that's the real reason I had a camera… Not the worst thing, Some people believed me, but most still believed the rumor mill about me. It was all that asshole's fault for everything! "Yeah, the one and only… Don't tell me, you believe the rumors as well, Ryuji Sakamoto, the track traitor?"

Sakamoto's face twisted into one of pain… He knew why I said that. I had to try and make sure that he knew that we were both in the same ship, to an extent. He was considered a delinquent, and people just didn't trust me anymore. "No… We both had to deal with that asshole Kamoshida's bullshit!"

"Cool," It didn't exactly make me happy, but I was glad to know he understood my situation as well. I looked back to the transfer once again. We had to wake him up now. That way we could at least try to figure a way out of this cell! "Come on, we got to get him up now."

"Right!" Sakamoto stood up and turned his attention back to the transfer student. I decided it would be best to help him as well. Sakamoto started to shake the transfer student's shoulder similar to the fashion in which he shook my shoulder earlier. "Hey! Wake up!"

After a few moments, the black haired teen opened his eyes and sat up. He seemed like he was in a daze. I sighed seeing that the guy was moving. "Few, glad you're alright."

"You all right?" Ryuji put his hands into his pockets, he seemed worried about the condition of the transfer. "You were knocked in the head…"

"I'm fine." The transfer rubbed his forehead, likely due to the pain of getting smacked in the head hard enough to get knocked out.

I made a fist and knocked on the side of my head. I was also flinched in pain as my head ringed with pain was well. "I guess we both took a smack to skull."

"Are you ok?" I was actually kinda surprised about how genuine concern for me coming from the glasses wearing student. I'm fairly certain with a shocked look on my face, I nodded at him. He smiled for a moment and looked around the dungeon room. "Where are we?"

"How should I know?" Sakamoto got a pissed off look suddenly. "I just woke up too."

"Yeah," I shrugged while looking towards the ground. "Sakamoto woke me up just a minute ago."

"Looks like this ain't no dream…" Sakamoto slammed his foot against the door in frustration. "Ugh, what's goin' on!?"

"Yo," I reached out my hand toward Sakamoto as he started to stomp the door repeatedly. "Calm the eff down Sakamoto!"

"How the hell do you expect me to do that!" Sakamoto stomped his foot again. "Hey, let us outta here! I know there's someone out there!"

"Dammit Sakamoto…" I rubbed my neck and looked back to the transfer student. "Hell of a mess we found ourselves in…"

"Yeah," He started to fiddle with a lock of his hair in his bangs. In his eyes focusing on his fingers though. "Hopefully someone can help us."

"Dammit," A frustrated yell told us that Sakamoto had given up on calling for someone. "Is this some kinda TV set…?"

"Right where the school is...?" I raised an eyebrow at the vulgar teen across from us. "Sakamoto, we are in so much more trouble than some TV prank show!"

"Son of a-!" Ryuji kicked the dirt by his feet. Guess he knew I was right. "You're right… but this is so effed!"

I was about to reply to him when suddenly a loud ghastly scream come from somewhere. It made all three of us jump. All three of us turned toward the door. We ran for the door. Ryuji and the transfer student stood in front of the door, where as I stood to the left of transfer. Sakamoto was the first one of us to speak up. "Th-the hell was that just now…?"

"I-I don't know…" The transfer stuttered. I just stayed silent, this was way to freaky for me to focus on much. The screams continued, this was too much… Ryuji felt the same as me according to his next choice of words.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa…" I noticed Sakamoto's grip on the bars of the cell we were in tighten… "You're shittin' me, right…? This is real bad…!"

Ryuji threw his arms away from the bars he was holding a moment ago. That was when I heard loud footsteps and faint laughing. "Shit! Someone's coming!"

Ryuji's eyes widened "Isn't there some way outta here!? C'mon, we gotta do something!"

All three of us started frantically looking for a way out! All while the footsteps were getting close fast. Yet, nothing… That was when Ryuji who was right by the door got a scared look. "Huh? Did you hear that!?"

A group of three guards showed up. They seem identical to the ones from earlier. The one leading the charge spoke up. "Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon."

"Punishment!?" I reacted involuntarily to the guard. I didn't have time to calm myself. The second guard slammed his shield against the cell in front of me.

"Silence inmate!"

The leader of the group focused on Sakamoto and spoke to us in general. "Your charge is 'unlawful entry.' Thus, you will be sentenced to death."

"Say what!?" Sakamoto was just as shocked as us. Even the transfer, who was being quiet most of the time, spoke up.

"That isn't right!" His grip tightened on the bars in front of him.

I stomped my foot on the bars in front of myself. "What the fuck!? We don't even know where we are!"

"No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle." I recognized a new voice that came from behind the three guards, but at the same time. It was difficult to place it. Specially since it sounded like it was coming through a really bad headset. So basically, it was distorted. Though I didn't have to wait long to place the voice. The owner stepped up to the cell and the guards made way for them.

There in front of us, was a taller man wearing a cape that was red with different shaded hearts covering it. There was a golden crown on his medium length fluffy black hair. I couldn't really tell him he had anything else on under that. Specially since his hairy legs were visible under the cape. Then there was the condescending grin the man wore like a badge of pride! I immediately got angry. I knew that face, I knew remembered that voice. I clenched my teeth and my fist. Though his eyes glowed a bright yellow. I didn't think about though.

Sakamoto was more shocked rather than angry. "Huh? Wait… Is that you, Kamoshida?"

"Kamoshida…?" That was right… the transfer wouldn't recognize Kamoshida. Especially since this should have been his first day.

"I thought it was some petty thief, but to think it'd be you two, Sakamoto and even you Gekido…" His voice was just as cocky as his grin… "Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh? And you brought a friend this time… because you can't do anything for yourselves."

"Go to hell!" I basically yelled at the jackass, I couldn't hold my anger! I wasn't the only one. Sakamoto raised his voice with a look that screamed disdain for the "king" in front of us.

"This ain't funny, you asshole!"

"Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all." Kamoshida growled at us. "Not only did you sneak into my castle, you committed the crime of insulting me - the king."

"What the eff kind of bullshit are you spouting!?" I flung my hands off the prison door spreading my arms out wide. That was the dumbest thing I had heard all day! "If you're the king of anything, you're the king of ass hats!"

"Silence naive!" His grin only seemed to grow into a full blown shit eating smile! "You both will receive the punishment for this transgression, death. It's time for an execution! Take them out!"

"Wh-what!?" I immediately backed up. Death!? H-he couldn't be serious! Could he!?

"S-stop it…!" Sakamoto backed away with me. Both of the other students with me couldn't believe what was happening in front of us! The guards opened the gate and shepherded all three of us to the other end of the cell.

"Start with Sakamoto!"

"... Goddammit…!" Sakamoto yelled as he ran full force and shoulder checked one of the armored guards shoving it to the ground. I was impressed and shocked all at once. "I ain't down for this shit! C'mon, we're outta here!"

All I could do was nod, yet before we could make it anywhere. Another guard walked right up to Sakamoto and punched him in the gut so hard that he lifted him off the ground, it was a miracle that the blonde landed on his feet. "Nnngh… Owww…"

"Sakamoto!" I reached out for him, but the guard that was behind him shoved his spear into my face. Forcing me to back away. The transfer grabbed the back of the one guard that Sakamoto had shoved to the ground, who was already back on his feet.

"Get away from him!" Sakamoto looked up to the transfer and me. Fear and desperation in his eyes.

"Just go! Get outta here…!" The pain showed on his face was terrible to watch. I shut my eyes and looked away. It brought me back to the accident… "These guys are serious!"

"Oh?" Kamoshida's voice rang out from the front of the cell. "Running away, are we What heartless friends you are."

I couldn't speak, all I could do was avoid issues and hide from the pain. I couldn't even help someone that was in need... Sakamoto glared at the "king" before us.

"They ain't friends…" My eyes shot open and looked at Sakamoto. "C'mon! Hurry up and go!"

"What's the matter? Too scared to run away?" Kamoshida sounded like was about to laugh, he was enjoying this so much! "Hmph, pathetic scum isn't worth my time… I'll focus on this one's execution…"

With that strode into the room right up to Sakamoto. He grabbed him by his shirt collar and lifted him up. His smile was one that screamed of his evil intent. Once Sakamoto was eye level with Kamoshida, he had the two guards closest to the door hold Ryuji up. The third one blocked me and the transfer of into the corner. Kamoshida pulled his arm behind him and clenched his fist.

"Take this!" With that, he punched Sakamoto once, twice. "Lowly scum!"

Three, four, five times! "Useless pest!"

That was when Kamosida punched Sakamoto out of the arms of the guards and knocking him to the ground. After a moment and a signal from Kamoshida, the two guards that were holding Sakamoto up, moved to behind Kamoshia, who spat on the blonde's head. "... Hmph. Where'd your energy from earlier go?"

The guard to the right of Kamosida grabbed the beaten and weakened Sakamoto by the collar of his uniform and lifted him up. Throwing him closer to the wall. "A peasant like you isn't worth beating."

I clenched my teeth again. There was nothing I could do… Even if I tried help, I would only end up hurting my arms more than I would be a benefit. "I'll have you killed right now."

I couldn't bare to watch… but that was when I heard it… the voice of the transfer. "Stop it!"

I snapped my head to the boy next to me. My mouth gaped open, he was standing up for someone he barely knew… on top of that, this was situation that could very likely end in all three of us dieing!

I wasn't the only one who was shocked. Kamoshida slowly turned his head back to us. His angry glare focused on the transfer. He moved in an weird shoulder sway… and came right up into his face. "What…? Don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am."

An angry grin on Kamoshida's face turned into an expression of pure rage. "That look in your eyes irritates me!"

Kamoshida kicked the transfer onto the ground and against the wall. "Hold him there… After the peasant, it's his turn to die."

I looked at the scene before I got into a defensive stance out of fear. I took a step back, I gritted my teeth and finally made a choice. I reached for the transfer, the guard next to us slammed his shield into my shoulder. Which in turn slammed him into the wall. "Gah!"

The transfer quickly got to his feet the try and help Sakamoto, but was grabbed by both guards to our sides and was slammed back into the wall again. Kamoshida laughed at the boy he was about to have killed again… While Sakamoto begged for his life… "No, no I don't want to die...!"

Everything went in slow motion, the air in the room started to get heavy with what felt like static… Kamoshida had the last guard pick the blonde up by his throat… it raised it's sword up, aimed for Sakamoto's head. Suddenly, I heard the transfer student scream out in pain, I turned to look at him. He was thrashing about in pain. His expression confirmed his state. "No, stop you're hurting him!"

That was when I saw something that scared me more than anything else in the room. I took another step back as I saw the look in the black haired student. It was the most serious and angry look I had ever witnessed! That was when I heard Kamoshida, it shot my look back to the three at the other end of the room. "Execute him!"

"I will stop you." I looked back to the transfer. I was worried again, was he trying to get himself killed!? Kamoshida turned back to the black haired student.

"What was that…?" That was just what we needed though. As everyone focused on the transfer, the guard that was about to kill Sakamoto let him go. Giving the boy much needed air. "You desire to be killed that much…? Fine!"

Kamoshida nodded to the guard to the left of the student slammed his shield into the transfers head, knocking his glasses off. All three guards cornered the transfer the two holding spears crossed them on his neck, holding him up that way. Kamoshida raised his hand. The guard that was about to kill Sakamoto took three steps back and raised his sword. Sakamoto himself was having difficulty standing. All I could do was stand and watch what was about to happen to this teen on his first day at a new school. Though, just as the boy was about to be executed… his eyes shot open and there was rush of air that pushed the guards back! The wave of air was so intense that Kamoshida, Sakamoto, and me and to cover our faces.

When we opened our eyes… we all saw the transfer standing there with a mask straight out of a cheesey thief comic, it was white and had black outlines around the eyes. I couldn't help myself… "A m-mask…?"

The transfer felt the mask for a few moments then grabbed the mask in both of his hands. I will never forget what happened next… He started to pull the mask off his face. Which wouldn't have been a big deal, but there was a sickly ripping sound. That was when I saw the blood! The mask was like part of his skin! He ripped the mask off, screaming in pain as it happened. After a brief moment, he looked up, and his formally grey eyes were a bright yellow… the same as Kamoshida's! A wide cocky grin slowly grew on his face. Then, I felt the wave of static again as blue flames erupted from the transfer, blowing the blood on his face away and it seemed to heal the wound from ripping his mask off! The fire quickly engulfed him! Where his eyes and mouth once were, there was now a red flame! A laughing could be heard from seemingly nowhere! Kamoshida and his guards quickly backed away from the transfer. The flames grew larger than the transfers frame, but seemed like it had a solid outline.

The flame stayed but slowly moved off the transfer! Revealing a fully intact blacked haired teen. Though I noticed his clothes had changed. He now wore a black leather coat and some sort of armor black coat. As well as all black slacks, red gloves and pointed black shoes. Black chains appeared swirling around the transfer and the blue flames! The flames dissipated to reveal some sort of demon! It had a black face with red flames as it's eyes and mouth. It had a black top hat and a black vest with red over coat and red leggings. It looked monstrous, yet elegant all at the same time! The transfer flung his arms out and large red and black wings shot out of the back of the demon! Another rush of air shot out from the transfer, knocking everyone who was standing to the ground! Kamoshida, started to whimper and and crawled away as fast as he could!

I heard Sakamoto call out from the choas. "Wh-what the...!?"

The transfer stood there in the room with a stance that conveyed his confidence and an almost evil grin plastered on his face! That was when I heard the demon speak! "I am the pillager of twilight - 'Arsene!'"

The demon took a stance while floating in the air. I couldn't believe this…! "Dude, the eff!?"

"I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis."

"Give me you power." The transfer nodded toward the demon. I was too shocked to really come up this a coherent sentence!

"Hmph, very well…"

"Who the hell are you…!?" Kamoshida's voice brought me back to, well as close to reality as I could get with this weird situation! "Guards!"

The guards that were once laying on the group suddenly were on their feet in with a unnatural movements and a sickening sound. "Start by killing that one!" Then the exploded into a pool of red and black goo! They recombined into goofy looking pumpkin headed guys wearing black wizard hats and cloaks. As well as one white gloved hands that held a lantern. "You'll learn the true strength of my men!"

A dagger appeared in the transfer's hand and the demon stood ready behind his back. "Detest the enemies before you! Change that animosity into power… and unleash it!"

One of the of jack o' lantern wearing monsters flew towards the teen and red demon. Before it could get within reaching distance of them though, the transfer threw his hand forward, the demon threw itself to the ground with one hand behind it and it's wings up with its arms. I noticed a red energy flow from the demon's hand that was on the ground. That same red energy built up on the ground before the transfer student. Then just before the monster reached him. The energy shot up from the ground slamming it back again. The second one flew up from the side and just before it smacked the transfer student with it's lantern, the demon's arm shot up and grabbed the lantern throwing it into the first one.

"Swing your blade!" The transfer ran up to the monsters, jumping into the air, he slammed the dagger down into the head of the pumpkin of the monster on top. It screamed out in pain and exploded into a black cloud. "This power of mine is yours! Kill them however you want. Run wild to your heart's content!"

This time the weakened monster created flame from its lantern and it blasted the transfer student, knocking him back a few feet. Despite this, his smile never faded. He was enjoying the fight! The monster spoke this time! "You won't get away hee ho!"

"Ravage them, Arsene!" The transfer flung his arms out as Arsene grabbed the monster by its head. It lifted the creature up and slammed it into the ground. It exploded into the same black cloud as the first one. Arsene disappeared and the mask reappeared on the teen's face. Then Sakamoto and me stared blankly at the guy before us. Sakamoto broke the silence that followed the fight.

"What… What was that just now…?" The transfer seemed to just notice that his clothes had changed.

"Huh?" Looking up and down his sleeves. "When did this happen?"

"Really…?" I rubbed the the back of my neck. "That's what you are choosing to focus on, and not the giant demon you summoned?"

Kamoshida stomped up to the transfer now. Incredibly pissed now! "You little…!"

Sakamoto jumped to his feet and shoulder checked Kamoshida knocking him to the ground. "You like that, you son of a bitch!?"

"Lock the cell!" The transfer pointed toward the the keys on the ground.

I bolted for the door, I bent down and scooped up the keys that were laying on the ground. "I tossed the key ring to Sakamoto. "You get the door, I'll make sure no one else is headed this way!"

I quickly looked around the underground tunnel we were in now. There was a river that parted the two walk ways with cells on either side, and cages either in the water or hanging above it. "You got it!"

I heard the cell door slam behind me and the clinking of metal. "OK, it's locked!"

"Damn you!" I jumped when I heard Kamoshida again, I turned to see the weird barely dressed Kamoshida stand up.

"Hey…!" Sakamoto quickly turned back to the transfer. "What was that just now!? And… your clothes…!"

A bright flash of blue light and the transfer's clothes changed back into that of the uniform. Sakamoto and I were surprised. "Whoa, it went back to normal…!?"

Kamoshida started to shake the bars, making all of us jump back. "You bastards!"

"Look Sakamoto," I grabbed his shoulder and shaked him. "I'm sure all of us want answers right now, but we need to run!"

"Oh, r-right!" Sakamoto nodded in agreement. We had to get out of here as fast as possible! "God, this's effin' nuts! Anyways, let's scram! You lead the way!"

"Right!"

"Makes sense, since you can fight these things!" The transfer started to run, I followed close behind him. I heard Sakamoto throw the key ring into the water near by and Kamoshida called for more guards!

"C'mon, we gotta look for a way outta here!" Sakamoto was just behind me and the transfer. We reached the door and he slammed the door with his shoulder, but the metal door didn't budge. I did a quick scan of our surroundings. That's when I noticed a bridge that was broken, it had an area just large enough for us to jump it.

"Guys! Over here!" I ran and jumped the gap. Waving for the two to follow me. Both of them jumped across, luckily for us, the door right next to us was open. I held a hand out to to the door. "Let's get moving!"

We keeped bolting through the are, next there was a waterfall that had four cages that were partially submerged. Sakamoto seemed nervous about jumping over them. "Dude, you better not fall…"

They both went first, Sakamoto being a form track member jumped them easily! Though, I had an issue. Just as I my feet reached the other end, the I slipped and I started to fall into the water. "Oh shit!"

Sakamoto noticed what was happening and quickly grabbed my arm. "Argh! Dude, I said not to fall in!"

"Shut up and pull me up!" With a quick motion Sakamoto hand me back up on my feet and we were off again! "I can't believe this! Do you think he was actually going to have us killed…?"

"I don't know man…" We bolted through the area. I heard my footsteps as we passed over a wooden bridge, I had to maneuver myself so that I didn't get hit by an arm of a water wheel. Passing past all that, we came up to another line of cells, the doors were closed, but the cells were empty. I did happen to notice what our source of light was, they were purple fires in dishes that were held aloft by chains. I heard a banging sound, being on edge like I was… I squeaked and quickly turned my head to investigate the sound. It was only the transfer banging his shoulder against another locked door. He motioned for us to move with him.

"Another cell…?" Sakamoto mentioned when he got into the cell. That was when I noticed that there was a hole in the wall that the transfer student was getting down to crawl through.

I slapped Sakamoto's shoulder and moved to get in front of him. "At least we aren't trapped!"

"True…" It was small and cramped. We barely had room to move. "Crap! My bag's stuck!"

"Keep moving!" The transfer waited for both of us to get out of the hole. I grunted in pain as my left arm slammed against a rock when I got out of the small hole. "You ok?"

"Yeah," I rubbed the spot the I slammed. "My arms are just a bit fragile…"

"C'mon," Sakamoto briefly placed a hand on my shoulder as he moved past me. "If you're alright, we gotta keep moving!"

"Agreed." The transfer nodded, and we were off again! Once we got out of that cell, there was a large wooden bridge that went over the river. Which Sakamoto also thought it was something of importance as well. "Is this… a drawbridge?"

"I believe so," It had been long enough since the danger that we were just in, my adrenaline rush was lessened. Though, I was still freaked out… "If we weren't under the threat of death, I would love to just sight see down here."

"Seriously…" Sakamoto raised an eyebrow at me, I just shrugged at the guy. "That aside, the hell is this place?"

"How the hell should I know?" It felt like this whole place just went on forever. It was like a damned mazed right now… We turned right at the end of the bridge, after a few more feet… The transfer stopped after a moment. That was when I heard large, heavy, and metallic footsteps. I quickly looked around the area to try and find the source… I noticed that there was a hallway across the river and near the drawbridge. "Shit! They're coming!"

"Hey, we gotta hide!" Luckily there was a few barrels and crates. We all quickly just jumped behind them. We waited for a few moments, the footsteps got louder, but after a few moments… they kept getting quieter and quieter… Than, they were out of earshot. "Over there… They're lookin' for us, right?"

The transfer nodded. I agreed with him. "Oh, without a doubt…"

"I ain't playin' along with this anymore!" Sakamoto was basically yell whispered. "We gotta find a way outta this goddamn place!"

"Hey," the transfer tapped Sakamoto on the shoulder and pointed toward a stone archway. "I have a good feeling about this way."

"As long it's not here." We all quickly moved through and up a set of spiral stairs that were right through the stone way.

"If this goes up, you think it heads to the exit?"

"That's the hope, right?" Sakamoto started panting halfway up the stairs, I was also starting to get a bit breathy. Finally, we all got up to the end of the stairwell. Sakamoto was gasping and panting when we found a door at the top.

"I-is this… the exit!?" I felt bad for Sakamoto… After all, he couldn't really run after… well, the incident. So I came up with a quick idea, one that would benefit all three of us.

"Th-there's a chance." I paused for a moment to gather my breath. It was much needed, I was starting to notice the exhaustion of all the running and adrenaline was causing. "Though, I think we should catch our breath for a moment first…"

"Are you crazy Gekido!?" Sakamoto flung his arms out wide and stomped his foot toward me. Yeah, kinda figured that suggestion would cause that. "Those… things are still after us!"

"Yeah, but if we exhaust all our strength now, what happens if that isn't even close to an exit?" I clenched my fist in frustration, no in rage! It was all just now hitting me… Kamoshida was not only the reason my parents were on the road when the accident happened and the reason I'm shunned and ignored. He had just tried to kill us! If he was here right now… I'd… I'd… I'd… I took a deep breath and started to count to ten. I needed to control myself. I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. " Look, Sakamoto… I'm not saying we wait around for a few minutes, just long enough that we can catch our breaths. Besides, I don't want to keep calling him this guy, or transfer student in my head… Man it sounds worse just saying it…"

Sakamoto dropped his head in defeat. He knew I was right. After a moment he turned to the transfer student. "Fine, so how about it? What's your name?"

"Kurusu," Kurusu looked like he was about to say more, but that was when we heard more footsteps from the bottom of the stairs. "We can finish the introductions once we make it out of here, C'mon!"

"At least we actually got our breath back!" With that, we shoved the door open to see… more dungeon… "I was definitely hoping I was wrong."

"This ain't the exit!?" Sakamoto recoiled in surprise at the scene before us. Though, to be fair, this was some crazy shit we had gotten ourselves into… "What the hell is this place!?"

"I don't know." Kurusu looked around for a moment, spotting an open door, he waved for us to follow. "This way!"

As we continue through the open door, we passed another empty cell. "Christ, this place is like a creep's dream…"

Suddenly Sakamoto called for us to stop moving. He pointed to cages that were dangling over the river. "We really did hear people screamin'... So we ain't the only ones who got captured! Is, uh… Is he ok…?"

"There's nothing we can do for them right now." Kurusu looked away from the cages with a pained expression. Yet he continued to forge ahead. I knew why he said this, I looked over to Sakamoto and he looked back to me. We nodded, knowing that if we got caught, we would never be able to help anyone…

The cell blocks would have blended together with the earlier ones if it wasn't for the drawbridge this time being up and having a bust of "king" Kamoshida. It made me sick just thinking about it. We stopped at the drawbridge, but we couldn't find anyway to lower the damn thing. Though, due to my love for photography, I noticed that something didn't seem quite right about the jaw of the statue. I shook my head. I didn't have time to focus on something like that. We needed away out, and we needed it now!

Though after a few more steps… dread filled my heart. We had reached a dead end. "No, no, no! Dammit! This can't be a dead end!"

"Dammit!" Sakamoto kicked a rock into the river that stopped us from continuing our escape. "How the hell're we supposed to get outta here!?"

"I don't know…" Even Kurusu was starting to sound hopeless. That in and of itself made the situation all the worse! He was leading us through here! If he gave up… we wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell! Of course, in the darkest of times… the smallest lights will shine the brightest.

"...Hey, you there." For us the light was about to show itself. And boy was it the most unexpected light in the whole damned universe! "Blondie! Frizzy Hair! Bangs! Look over here!"

We all quickly turned to the cell next to us to locate the source of the new boyish voice. Only to see that it was a small creature! It was mostly covered in black fur with white… paws? There were cat ears upon its head which was comically large for his body. Large blue eyes stared at us in desperation! Finally, it wore a yellow scarf and there were two yellow buttons on its hips. Sakamoto was the first to react. "What is this thing!?"

"You're not soldiers of this castle, right!?" "He" was terrified, and you could hear it in his voice. "Get me out of here! Look, the key's right there!"

Sure enough on the wall next to the cell was a key ring with a few sets of keys. I quickly looked behind us to make sure no one could see us. There could have been a guard or two waiting to jump us! Luckily it seemed as though there was nowhere for them to hide. And on top of that, we would have heard them coming. Sakamoto started letting his anger show now. "We're trying to get the hell out of here…! I mean, you obviously look like an enemy too!"

I looked back to the creature locked up before us. I had to agree with Sakamoto, he reminded me of the things those guards became earlier. They less… pumpkiny…? I guess… Though there was something that obviously made it kinda hard to say he was working for Kamoshida… It was the only reason he was asking for help… "I'm locked up here, so how can I be your enemy!? Help me out!"

"That does make it a bit harder to say he's a guard…" Rubbing the back of my neck I looked to Kurusu. He seemed like he was lost in thought for the moment. Though that ended right as the thing stopped talking.

"Quiet down," Kurusu put his hands in his pockets, though I noticed that behind his glasses, he was darting back and forth between the cat and the way we had come. Though, the strange creature didn't seem to hear, or care about what Kurusu had said.

"I'm beggin you; you have to help me!" Immediately we all heard loud clanging coming from the path. Dammit, we didn't time anymore. I stepped forward and leaned in to the thing.

"Look," I poked it in between it's eyes. "I'll let you out, only if you show us the way out, got it!"

"Dude!" Sakamoto glared back at me. "What are you doing!?"

"We don't have many choices left to us!" I looked back to the little monster. "You know the way, right?"

"Yeah," He nodded quickly, as if this was his last chance for this. "I'll show you the way."

"You better not be lying." Kurusu had the scary underlined threatening tone in his voice. I did not want to be going against him!

"I'm not lying!" The creature looked to Kurusu and continued his begging for freedom. I kinda related to it right now. "It's the truth!"

"This thing sounds like it's all talk..." Sakamoto voiced his doubt, which was probably wise in this situation.

"If you guys think you can get out on your own, then be my guest!"

"What do we do?" Sakamoto looked to Kurusu. I was still willing to trust this thing. Though Sakamoto's doubt was replaced with worry when we heard the guards get closer. "Are you seriously not messin' with us!?"

"If you don't hurry, they'll catch you." That was all I needed to hear, we would just have to put our trust in this little guy.

"Kurusu-san!" I held my right hand out to him. Not even a moment later and I felt the cold metal ring drop onto my palm. I clenched the ring and quickly went to work. I tried damn near every key in the ring before I finally got it. With a loud clink, the door swung open, allowing the strange thing to hop out of the cell. "There we go!"

"Ahhhh…" I then noticed the thing also had a cat tail with a white tip at the end of it as well. This thing was a monster cat! The cat thing stretched once it was a few feet from the cell door. "Freedom tastes so great…"

"Now, where's the exit, you monster cat!?" Sakamoto got right to the point, which if the sound coming up the path was indicating, that was exactly what we needed right now! Though the cat got mad at the statement.

"Don't call me a cat!" His fur shot up a pissed cat as he jumped while throwing his arms down to show his frustration with the situation. "I am Morgana!"

"Morgana?" My mind immediately went to the legend of King Arthur. It had a girl's name, but had a boy's voice. Well it could be worse.

"Shuddup and hurry it up!" Sakamoto clenched his fist like he was about to punch Morgana. I knew he wouldn't, the situation was too dire for us to start fighting now. "You wanna be locked up again!?"

"A-all right, sheesh!" Morgana started to run off towards the drawbridge and called for us to follow. "Follow me, and stay quiet!"

"Oh well…" Sakamoto sounded defeated, almost like he had just lost a race. "Guess we just gotta follow it."

Morgana lead us right back to the statue of the "king." Once again, I noticed that the jaw just didn't look right! What was up with that…

"What're you doing?" Sakamoto spoke up as Morgana stared at the statue himself. He spun on his foot to look at all three of us. With a look that made me seem like he was a teacher that was excited to teach their students.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm lowering the bridge." My eyes widened as it came together. I snapped using my right hand and moved my arm so I was pointing upward. It was well hidden, probably so "inamtes" didn't escape. Though, because of this all eyes were now on me. Each with a different expression. Sakamoto had one eyebrow raised, Kurusu was honestly curious, and Morgana had a cocky smile on his face. "Did you figure it out Bangs?"

"Heh," A slight grin grow slowly at the corners of my mouth. I moved over to the statue. "The statue is a switch!"

"Uh… What…?" Sakamoto was still so confused. To be fair, it was well hidden. Though Kurusu smiled. He ended up seeing it as well! Morgana's cocky grin grew even larger!

"The jaw, it's not real stone!" I reached out and pulled the jaw down. The statues eyes lit up like stars in the night. The bridge slowly dropped down, giving us a path farther into the dungeon. I smiled, overly happy that I had seen it. Sakamoto's jaw dropped and he gave me a look of awe. I began rubbing the back of my neck. "Photography club, I focus on little things."

"Good job!" Kurusu placed his hand on my shoulder as he ran past me. Sakamoto snapped out of his awe, and he nodded.

"Yeah, nice work." He gave me a thumbs up. He started to move quickly over the bridge. I looked to Morgana as we started to follow the other two.

"By the way Morgana, My name's not Bangs. Its Hisoka, Hisoka Gekido." I gave the little guy a slight smile. Morgana looked at me for a moment, as if he was making sure he remembered it.

We made it across the bridge, only for another guard to come out of the door on the other side. It walked right in its path. Sakamoto started trying to backpedal, though at it accomplished was him flailing his arms around and slipping onto his ass. "A-aah! Shit… Shit, it's them!"

To be honest though, my reaction… not much better. I had to stop myself from moving anymore. Which made me windmill my arms in front of me. It was NOT graceful. Though Kurusu stopped on a dime and as soon as Sakamoto hit the ground, there was a flash of blue light and he was in the outfit from when he was fighting earlier. The guard turned to look at us. "Dammit! Th-they cut us off!"

"Tch… you amateurs!" Morgana ran up and jumped off Sakamoto's shoulder, leaping into the air. He landed in a confident stance looking back at my and Sakamoto. "Stay still! Hey you! You could fight, right?"

Kurusu nodded in response since Morgana was addressing him now. "Yeah, I can!"

"Let's go!" Morgana did a twirling jump and landed with one hand on the ground He looked up to the air and closed his eyes. "Come! Zorro!"

I couldn't believe my eyes as a large pillar of blue fire shot out of Morgana, all three of us recoiled away from Morgana. Out of the pillar of flames came a large figure wearing an all black outfit that reminded me of the old roguish archetype from movies and books. It had yellow eyes that were looking out from what looked like a helmet, or was that a mask? There was an over exaggerated mustache that came up from under the mask…? A flowing black cage was coming off the back. It had a large chest and arms, which made its choice of weapon kinda ridiculous. It wielded a rapier that was barely large enough to fit in its hands. Finally, its legs, they were skinny and long.

After "Zorro" finished materializing, he took his rapier and slashed a large Z in the air. I definitely believed that this could have been a weird anime version of the masked vigilante. Sakamoto was just as shocked as I was by the site of the large figure behind the small cat creature. "You got one of those things too!?"

Though, before he could get a straight answer, the guard before us started to shutter. Just like before it exploded into the red and black liquid, though this time two monsters one of which was the Jack O' Lantern looking things from before, but the second monster was a winged creature with a… well large extremity that he seemed way too proud about! I was interested about how there were two monsters in the one set of armor, but I was more worried about my life to focus on that at the moment. Morgana scoffed that the monsters before him. "Hmph, we will promptly shut them up! Damn Shadows… They've take up intercept positions!"

Morgana kept talking as the battle before was was starting, but I took a mental note about the name of these monsters. They were "Shadows," and they were trying to kill us! Which was a thought that Morgana affirmed next making sure Kurusu knew that he couldn't hold back either! I stopped being able to focus on the words that were being said. First to move was Kurusu who ripped the mask off his face, bringing back Arsene from where it is he went from earlier. Arsene flung his hand forward as the same red energy from before shot out from the ground smacking the winged creature and catching it off guard. It looked like a serious blow too.

That was when the lantern caring monster shot off to the left, passing in front of Morgana and Zorro, a mistake that they did not let go unpunished. Zorro moved his sword in the Z formation as a green energy shot off of tip of the blade. As it hit the pumpkin headed bastard, the energy exploded into a quick but intense wind. The moment the wind died down, the creature screamed out and dropped to the ground. Zorro quickly charged for the downed opponent, the little devil shot out the same energy as Arsene at Morgana. It sounded like it was laughing while doing so, but it took its focus off Arsene who, by the time the energy smacked Morgana, had raked his claws into the demon's flesh, ripping it to shreds. Though it dispersed into the black mist as the claws made the slashing motion. Zorro vanished when Morgana was hit. So to make up for it, a large curved sword appeared in Morgana's hands. Well, it was large for him. He rushed the monster, slashing it twice. The first hit was him using the momentum to care him and the blade into the air. The second was the blade finding purchase into pumpkin as Morgana came back down. The monster also disappeared. Everything other than the fight finally came back into focus.

"Not bad. Your Persona's pretty powerful." Morgana complemented Kurusu as me and Sakamoto finally walked back up to our fellow escapees. Though, the word Morgana used, was not lost on me or Sakamoto.

"Persona…?" Sakamoto brought it up before I could. "Y'mean that thing that comes outta you guys all dramatic-like?"

My curiosity was also raising with this topic in my mind. Persona… I could I had heard that word before, though definitely not in the context of monsters and demons that come out of someone! "I'm wondering that myself."

Morgana turned to look at us, he expression more scholarly than when he was trying to get us to figure the bridge out. I guessed that meant that this topic was not something that you could just guess away at till you got it right. "Yes. You saw how Frizzy Hair here ripped off his mask when he summoned it, right? Well, everybody wears a mask deep within their heart. By removing that…"

Morgana was cut off as another flash of blue light exploded from around Kurusu. Revealing that his school uniform was back once again. This shocked me and Sakamoto to an extent. "Huh…? He turned back to normal…"

"Hm, it looks like you don't have full control over your power yet." Even though it was kinda obvious, especially since Morgana explained that the mask was what was used to summon the Persona, I started to understand. That weird outfit that appeared on Kurusu had something to do with Arsene as well. Morgana continued his lecture on the powers him and Kurusu had. "The transformation shouldn't normally dissolve like that. After all-"

Sakamoto, unable to comprehend all the information coming out of the cat creature ended up interrupting him. "Rrgh, that's enough! This crap doesn't make any sense!"

"Can't you just sit still and listen for once, Blondie!?" Morgana exploded in anger at Sakamoto, jumping up and down. Which didn't help the situation feel any more serious though. It made it feel like a cartoonish dog was about to run in here with a pie in hand… Though, Sakamoto was done being called that weird nickname.

"Don't call me Blondie! My name's Ryuji…" Sakamoto slammed his foot towards the cat monster in anger. I tried to defuse the situation… not to much success though.

"Well, I have to agree Sakamoto." placing one hand in my pocket and rubbing my neck with other. "I'm not fully understanding this… So the Persona… is the mask…?"

"Actually, there's no time for me to lecture you!" Ouch… that made it feel like Morgana was insulting our intelligence, but I had to remind myself… we were being chased here! "You wanna escape this place in one piece, right? Let's go! Oh, but before that… take these. Use to them carefully, OK? Come on, we should hurry. It's not much farther to the exit."

Morgana pulled out three bottles with a glowing blue liquid in them out of a pouch on his right leg and handed one to each of us. There was a label on it, it said "Medicine." With that Morgana was off, Kurusu looked back at me with a raised eyebrow. "Not really ones for original names, huh?"

"Hey as long as it works!" Kurusu started to follow after Morgana and I followed behind. I called out to Morgana as we ran away from the bridge. "Hey, Morgana, how does this work?"

Looking back as he ran, our guide tried his best to make sure we wouldn't be heard. "You pop it open and think about being healed!"

"That's it?"

"Yeah!" I shrugged at the response. I remembered that we had gotten the crap knocked out of us earlier. I could still feel the bruises all over. So I figured that I'd test it out. I thought about the bruises from earlier being non-existent. As the bottle opened, I went to pour some out of the Medicine into my palm. I was shocked to see that instead of that, the liquid inside the bottle shot out in a string of blue light. It enveloped the bottle and washed over me. After a single moment, the bottle was gone, and I felt great! I felt like I had just woken up from the best night of sleep I had ever gotten!

"Holy hell!" A smile made its way onto my lips, this was amazing! "It works!"

"No shit!?" Sakamoto called from behind me. I turned back to see his eyes wide as he started to do the same thing. Again the top of the bottle came off and the light washed over him. I could physically see his bruises disappear as the light passed over them. A similar smile started to form on his face to the one on mine. "Daaamn, I feel great!"

We made our way up a very wide set of stone stairs that lead to a second drawbridge with a statue. This place really did feel like it was never ending! Though, just as we reached the bridge, there was a cell to the left of us. Sakamoto turned to look in it and with a shocked look and tone. "Hold on a sec! I feel like I've seen what this dude's wearin' before… Dammit! I'm too flustered! I can't remember a damn, thing!"

I looked over at the guy, but it was good enough of a view to recognize the clothes the guy was wearing. At least not under these circumstances. Though, they did seem familiar… Morgana's voice made me snap back to the world around me. "Come on, let's go!"

"Hold on, dammit!" Sakamoto was shocked that it seemed like Morgana wanted to leave the guy to rot in the cell before us. Me and Kurusu were just as shocked about it. If he was going to show us the way, why not this guy! Though our looks seemed to frustrate him more.

"What is it? We need to go, fast!"

"But… who are these guys?" A worried look graced Sakamoto's face. It was an honest question.

Kurusu pushed his glasses up farther on his nose. "I was wondering that myself."

"Do you really think you have time to worry about other people right now!?" Those words stung all three of us. It was natural to want to help someone else! We didn't want the guy to be killed! "Besides they're-"

"There!" We all looked at the bridge to see it drop just in time to see a guard come charging at us. Kurusu and Morgana took defensive positions.

"You should've listened to me…!" Morgana moaned loudly, we obviously didn't know a lot of this place. So it didn't make much sense that he was getting upset at us for it!

"Let's fight!" Kurusu sounded very serious about this. It was like he was ready to go to war. Kurusu's coat and knife reappeared in a flash of blue flame again. Morgana turned to Kurusu with a smile.

"I'm glad you stick to your guns." The guard exploded and reformed into two fairies wearing a dark blue leotard with long gloves and knee high heels. "Looks like it's raring to go too!"

Kurusu ripped his mask off, and once again Arsene headed the call. Appearing as elegant and dangerous as both times before. Arsene charged forward with what sounded like glee. He spun around slashing the first fairy without looking directly at it.

Morgana twirled in the air. "Time for my Persona." Zorro appeared behind him, once again slamming the second fairy with a blast of wind knocking it down and allowing Zorro charge forward and stab it in the chest. The fight was over before it had even started. With a flash, Kurusu was back to normal again. "All right! Let's get away before more show up!"

"Hold on, we can't just leave these guys here…!" I nodded in agreement to Sakamoto.

"There's no telling what will happen to them!" I looked to the side, I wasn't focusing on anything. I just couldn't bring myself to face the guy in the cell.

"Why won't you let us help?" Kurusu tilted his head to the side waiting for the cat's response. Which it did come.

"You guys really don't get it, do you?" Once again, the frustration. Morgana's frustration was about to make me frustrated, then nothing would get done… "Hrgh… There's no time to explain. Look, I'm going. If you don't want to follow, be my guest!"

Morgana ran off across the bridge leaving us behind, and quiet flustered. "Dammit…. Fine, I'm coming!"

"We'll come back with help!" Kurusu called out to the guy in the cell as we all started to follow the cat out again. I felt bad, but we needed to get moving too. I was tempted to just got captured again to see if I could help. Though, that would be way to reckless. I'd only succeed in getting myself killed like that. We finally caught up to Morgana in a small stairwell that had iron bars above a doorway. I could see a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling just beyond.

"The entrance hall is right above here! The exit's close… Keep it up!" Hope started to fill my heart, we were almost out. Though… there was a part of me that wanted to stay and beat the shit out of Kamoshida. I knew that would get me nowhere, so I ignored the voice for the one that called for reason and our escape!

We ran past the main doors that we had entered and went into the hallway that the original guard had come from. Which was confusing and worrying, were we just lied to!? Was this a trap!? The hope from earlier slowly sank away again. I swallowed my saliva hard, making a gulping sound. "We're here!"

"Finally! We're saved…!" Sakamoto ran off into a door to the right, the look of relief plastered all over his face. Though when he tried the door… it didn't move an inch! The feeling of dread came back up even louder this time. "...It's not openin'! D'you trick us, you jerk!?"

"Don't jump to conclusions! Over here!" With that Morgana ran to the door directly across from the one the Sakamoto was trying to use. He slipped into it with ease.

"H-hey, wait up!" Sakamoto also disappeared through the door frame.

"This could totally still be a trap…" I rubbed the back of my neck again. I felt like it was gonna be sore from me doing that all day… Kurusu shrugged and smiled at me.

"At least I can fight our way out!" I sighed at the guy, there was no way he would be able to keep that up forever. With that, we both entered the room as well. Only to find it empty except a few bookcases along the wall. The moment that Kurusu saw that there was no exit he started looking around the room. I had to take a deep breath not to yell at Morgana for leading us to dead end, and Sakamoto did yell at Morgana for leading us to a dead end.

"Where are we supposed to get out from!? There aren't even any windows!"

"Ugh, amateur…" Again with the frustration, I was starting to think Morgana needed to go see a monster cat therapist! "This is the most basic of basics."

"A ventilation shaft?" Kurusu looked down at the guide with a curious look in his eyes, that was when I finally noticed it as all. In the top left corner of the room there was a shaft with a mesh covering on top of the bookcase to the left.

"Exactly!" Morgana hopped about with excitement as he began to explain the basic of basics to us. "You guys should be able to squeeze through it one at a time."

"I can see that." I began rubbing my chin in understanding. That actually made a lot of sense.

"I see…" Sakamoto gripped his right shoulder and started to rotate the shoulder in a circle. "Then we just gotta get that metallic mesh off!"

With a running start, Sakamoto hopped up onto the shelves and grabbed the mesh. "And a one, and a-"

He yanked back as hard as he could, the mesh immediately came out of its hold. As it came flying out of the wall, Sakamoto came flying towards the ground with it in hand. "Oww… Crap! The enemy didn't hear us, did they?"

"I don't know, but we should start moving just incase."

"Right!" Sakamoto nodded, and then he looked back to Kurusu. "Seriously, we're finally gettin' outta here…!"

"You should wait on celebrating until you actually get out." I could hear the concern in Morgana's voice as he urged us onward once again. "Now, get going."

"But…" Sakamoto looked towards the cat beast with a downtrodden look. "What about you?"

"Yeah," I couldn't help but worry for him now, he sounded like he was gonna stay here. He had kept his promise, he led us out. I didn't wanna leave him here to be locked up again! "I don't think we should leave you here."

"I'll be fine," Morgana smiled at me before addressing all three of us. "There's something that I still have to do. We're going our separate ways. "

"Thanks," Kurusu turned so that all of him was facing Morgana as he said it. "You saved us."

"Heh. You've got manners." It almost sounded like was trying to joke his way around it. I smiled at the exchange. I began moving for the bookcase and waved at Morgana. "Be careful on your way."

"He's right though, but just don't get caught again!" Morgana huffed at me as I got to the top of the bookcase, using the shelves as ladders. Luckily it didn't take too much to pull myself up, or else I would have ended up on my ass like Sakamoto. I began climbing through the shaft and I heard the sounds of Sakamoto and Kurusu climbing the up behind me. Just as we were about to make it out of the shaft, it suddenly felt like I was trying to move through jello. It was difficult to move. My head felt light, and suddenly, the world warped around us. What came next, well it was truly unexpected...

Hey again, hope you enjoyed. This was difficult, because there was no place I felt like I could stop.

Which is why it took so long to wait. Seriously this bad boy is 17 pages long!

Still, it was fun to write and I really like Hisoka, so that makes it better.

Also, if you guys can guess the Arcana of Hisoka, with this hint, you'll be able to guess his Persona!

His Persona is the best example of his Arcana.

As in perfectly embodies it!

Welp, that's it from me, see you guys next time!