Catalyst
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[03. fire]
"Waking up... good morning to you, my dear. I'm waking up, enduring my biggest fears, love."
It had all been going well. Too well, perhaps.
Tartarus had opened new floors, and there was almost no hesitation in anyone to keep pushing further. With new floors came new and more powerful Shadows, but none of them had any doubt about their ability to watch one another's backs, and with Akihiko finally joining them, why wouldn't their confidence take on new heights?
Arisato's naginata glimmered dangerously as she cut through another monster, Fuuka's voice silent as she concentrated, attempting to find the weaknesses, the strengths, the dangers of the enemies they faced. An arrow from Yukari struck through a creature's mask, and it vanished just as another swiveled to focus on Akihiko, who was already injured, until an ice spell knocked it across the halls, Mitsuru following up with a flourish from her weapon.
He'd waved his injuries off as nothing, swearing he'd be fine - it would surely only be another moment before the coast was clear. He didn't want to distract them from their purpose, he said - his healing could wait. Mitsuru hadn't been pleased, but she still remained quiet about it, providing backup for Yukari now; he knew he'd hear about it later, be lectured on rejoining the fights too soon.
At that very moment, one of the last creatures turned, its sight locked onto the boxer... a magus Shadow. Its long fingers wiggled dangerously as it lunged, a spell blazing towards him just as Fuuka shouted that the monsters had powerful heat spells. Shit! He was done for, damn his pride, he was done for, it was over-!
Until a small, but powerful body slammed into his own.
He skidded across the floor as Arisato tackled him out of the way. She hadn't been hurt like he had - he would have been touched if his mind hadn't suddenly gone into panicked overdrive. Flames had consumed the girl's body for a moment, and he didn't even hear himself screaming in horror as he saw the blaze envelope her, saw her clothes burning and skin starting to blister, oh God, not again, not her, NOT LIKE THIS, if he could only-
She had crumpled to the ground, but quickly staggered to her feet as both Yukari and Mitsuru frantically summoned their Personas to heal her. Arisato gave one quick glance to Akihiko to make sure he was fine before she turned and lunged right back into the fight, cutting the magus that had harmed her in half, paying no mind to her burnt clothes and skin, now only slightly reddened from the attack.
He stumbled to his feet awkwardly, moving behind her to provide backup for the last few Shadows - what the hell was wrong with him? One of his first nights back on the field, and the leader had almost died to save his ass? He knew they'd be going back after the next few moments - everyone would be too on edge after this. He tried to act his part, keep up the pace.
But Akihiko knew he wouldn't sleep that night... his dreams would be consumed in nightmares of Arisato burning alive...
Like Miki had, all those years ago.
[end]
[next ; 04. hotel]
