Author's Note: Sorry for the lateness of this one... Exam is on its way...
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona or any of the lyrics/poetry used in this fic.
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Chapter 10
Yellow
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let the clots come
when they want to.
Lucille Clifton – "wishes for son"
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The blonde man was falling. A chance. He wouldn't be able to summon that thing anymore. The small man moved, dashing to his prey with a hand swirling with wind. One attack—that was the only thing he needed to wound him and suck his extra meal.
On his palm, the wind intensified.
"Ga—"
Something flashed between the trees, fast… and approaching.
SMACK!
The next second, the small man was thrown, since a kick landed on his face even before he spelled his magic.
"Kanji-kun!"
X
"I have heard from Chie-senpai," Naoto's voice was low and weary. "Our attackers are, indeed, not some human. Or at least, not the ordinary ones."
"Well, I definitely wouldn't count someone who attacks other people with magic as ordinary," Rise swung her legs as she watched the other side of the road from her bedroom window. "What else?"
"Wonderful jumping ability, powered-up physical ability, and skills just the same as ours," Naoto sighed. "He was able to withstand some attack from Chie-Senpai also. That is all that I can tell you for the time being. Maybe Chie-Senpai can tell you in a better detail than I do."
"I wonder why she's not here yet," Rise titled her head. "Neither is Kanji-kun."
"Is that so?"
"Well… yeah…" Rise stood up then looked down at the empty street of the Shopping District. "You know… I just hope they really don't get themselves any unnecessary trouble."
X
Chie ran to Kanji's side, slipping her glasses as she ran. The man she had kicked jumped back swiftly, barely recovering from the surprise attack.
"Blackspot!"
CRASH!
The man gave a loud cry, thrown from his feet to the ground. Staggering on his feet, the next thing he saw was Suzuka Gongen lunging towards him.
"Rainy Death!"
"UARGH!"
He was thrown further away, slammed to a tree bark and sank down to the ground. His cap fell to the grass beside him; his black hair was instantly down and covered his face. Chie caught her breath, leaning to touch Kanji and saw the condition of the victimize woman. She chided, shifting her body to see the man on his feet again—hardly standing straight but fully alert. He was grimacing, holding part of his body that had received the full force of Suzuka Gongen's Rainy Death.
"Chariot…" His voice was low and hoarse, but it managed to drift to his opponent's ears. "… Go away, you Chariot!"
"Heck yeah! You go away!" shouted Chie back. She grabbed her glasses, narrowing her eyes to summon her card once more. "Get the hell off my friend… or I'll let you feel more than a few Blackspots!"
The man didn't say anything. He snarled, showing a set of sharp white teeth.
"You know nothing…" He hushed. Somehow a cloud of cold mist drifted from his mouth. "You Humans… know nothing at all!"
And when he looked up, Chie was completely stunned.
Yellow. Bright, yellow slit-like eyes.
"Ebihara!!!"
The shout completely cut off their conversation. Daisuke was standing bewildered by the road side, eyes widening in shock, fear, and mixed emotions as he saw the bleeding woman by the side of the road with the bottles spilled beside her. He cared not for the two people still confronting and ran to the woman's side in panic. Chie was just about to shout when the small man gave a grunt and leaped—towards Daisuke.
"NAGASE! Get down!"
Daisuke looked up in shock, looking straight to the attacking man.
"Suzuka Gongen! BUFULA!"
Ice formed instantly by the man's feet but he jumped right when the ice solidified, escaping the trap. Chie ran to him, another card falling as the man got closer to the stunned Daisuke.
"BLACKSPOT!"
Sparks exploded right before Daisuke's eyes—the road before him cracked from the force of the blow but the small man had jumped away—leaping over Daisuke's head by a split of a second.
"Hey, WAIT!" Chie brushed past Daisuke, yet another card falling as her eyes locked on the back of the small man. She jumped with a kick, smashing the card into smithereens. "MABUFU!"
The wide wall of ice couldn't reach him when he jumped over the trees before disappearing to the woods by the other side of the river. Chie cursed loudly, landing on the grasses as she let her card disappeared. She could feel her heartbeat ran faster and how her chest felt like being crushed with pain. Out of breath, Chie bent down to support herself on her weak knees—exhausted to the core. She needed to stop or she could die because of her own Persona.
"Ebihara! Ebihara!!"
Chie looked back between all her panting. Her brown orbs watched as Daisuke took Ai to his arms and shook her. She wouldn't wake. Whatever it was in her was gone now. She wouldn't wake up.
Chie gritted her teeth, feeling anger and pain and grief heaved her chest like a heavy iron. Her body trembled, containing the emotions welling up in her heart.
"DAMMIT!"
Once again, the culprit managed to get away from her. Once again, a victim had fallen. Once again… she failed.
X
Yukiko glanced in hesitance to Yousuke beside her. Her best friend was rigid; hands on his knees as he concluded the story. Doujima was looking at them with unwavering eyes—so deep and hard at the same time. He didn't seem angry, but his whole feature signified unhappiness. He wasn't going to let them go. There was this something in his mind, it was apparent, but Yukiko didn't feel it to be good.
"Draining your life force, you say?" Doujima said between his linked hands. Yousuke bit his lips but nodded nevertheless. They had told him everything, even how Personas worked with every one of them. Chie and Kanji's Personas were the ones which used various physical skills and he told them the effect and 'cost' to summon the power. Doujima didn't seem delighted hearing it. "You mean every attack she used is draining her life force?"
His voice trembled with something so akin to rage that Yousuke was afraid he would burst.
"Y-Yes, Doujima-san," Yousuke couldn't help but stutter. Yukiko quickly added, "B-But it's usually fine with me, Teddie, and Yousuke-kun around, Doujima-san. We're healers so we can just—"
"AND YOU LET HER FIGHT NEVERTHELESS?!" He was up on his feet before they knew it. Nanako's hum from the other room was suddenly stopped. "You let her and Tatsumi used it?! What are you kids think you're doing! This is not something worth suiciding yourself!"
"W-We're not—"
Pi… pi… pi…
"Who the hell called?!" Doujima answered the phone even without looking. "Doujima speaking!"
"Doujima-san… This is Satonaka Chie. I'm afraid… I… A-Another victim has fallen. She is by the Inaba Municipal Hospital and I have written all the reports of…"
Doujima's eyes flew to Yukiko and Yousuke, who sat petrified under his stare. He listened to his subordinate's report then turned off the phone after a few words. He clenched his fists as he looked at the two youngsters in front of him.
"Take care of Nanako," He said slowly, taking his coat again. "I want no one to be hurt. No one. No more life force taken."
With that, he walked out of the house—leaving an air of uneasiness in the living room of Doujima Residence.
X
Chie closed her eyes as she leaned to the hospital wall—taking in as much rest as she could get. Her right hand throbbed agonizingly all the way and she was getting annoyed with it when she hefted Kanji to her house—just like in Yousuke's case. Daisuke told her he wouldn't say anything about Kanji—it didn't even seem like he paid attention anyway. Ebihara Ai's wounds were enough to worry someone.
Chie sighed painfully. Nurses and doctors walked in front of her like an endless wave. Too much sound drove her almost mad. Her head felt like it would blow. She needed some more sleep… and meat.
She wondered if Aiya had a spot for one more customer. She really needed some Beef Bowl before taking a deep, long sleep to restore her stamina back.
"Satonaka."
Chie opened her eyes in an instant, looking straight to the eyes of Doujima Ryoutarou. She was just about to stand up when Doujima patted her shoulder to keep sitting. His eyes didn't show any emotion, which scared her. He usually did that when he was not happy with something.
Doujima cocked his head to the Emergency Room door.
"Who?"
"Ebihara Ai, 19 years old," answered Chie, opening the small book she used to carry then gave it to her superior. "A manager of local soccer club under Nagase Daisuke. She was attacked in the road of Samegawa riverbank earlier this afternoon. I… I met the culprit once again, Sir… but he was a different man than yesterday. He's… smaller."
"Smaller?" Doujima narrowed his eyes. Chie nodded. She rubbed her cheek.
"W-Well… I can describe his face to the Investigation Team later on, Sir," she grinned sheepishly. "I'll go visit—"
"That's enough," Doujima closed his eyes. Chie raised her eyebrows. He looked at her feature—watching how apparent her exhaustion was. "You're off duty. You may go and report tomorrow. Have some rest for today."
"Eh?" Chie blinked. Strange. "Aa… Y-Yes?"
"Or you may call the Investigation Team to your house, whichever you think is suitable," Doujima turned around, looking away from his confused member. "Just rest your body."
Chie opened her mouth to say something but didn't have the words to. The police detective took out his cell phone, but stopped his movement halfway. He glanced from his shoulder.
"And your friend, Amagi Yukiko along with Hanamura Yousuke, are by my home," He raised the phone to his ear. "Go and visit them."
X
Falling water filled the empty dark corridor with clear dripping sounds. The serenity was broken though since stumbling footsteps approached from the entrance, slow but disturbing. A small man walked painfully, splashing puddles of water by his feet as he dragged himself along the corridor. His yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness, watching the slightest movement even in complete darkness. Usually rats ran here and there, fleeing invisible threats, but there was not a single rat in the sewer. Animals weren't that friendly with them anyway.
"You got yourself beaten up?"
Another male was leaning by the intersection ahead of him. He was a brown haired male, with jacket covering his face and a gauntlet by his right hand. He watched as the man he greeted only chided and didn't answer at all.
"But you get the Arcana, right?"
"Of course I do!" The small man answered harshly. He glared at his friend, who didn't seem surprised with his sudden temper. His friend raised his shoulder and stood straight.
"Good, then," he said nonchalantly, turning around. "Father wouldn't want any mistake. And you wouldn't get the Miracle if you were to fail."
"Che!" The small man chided, clutching his stomach. Black drops dripped from his shirt—spilling the water below. He gritted his teeth. "You don't know a thing, Aren. Shut the hell up."
The brunette looked up at him from between his hair. His yellow eyes gleamed dangerously.
"You… are the one who don't know a thing."
With that, he stood up and walked away—leaving the wounded man alone and defeated.
X
The house was livelier than usual, with more people than just a girl and a big burly dog. Everyone was in the house—Chie, Yukiko, Yousuke, Rise, and even Kanji, who was still unconscious upstairs. The smell of Beef Bowl filled the living room. Aiya's delivery service had just arrived.
"To think that there's actually more than one culprit…" Yousuke rubbed his hair in distress. He watched as Chie chow down her meal like she had never eaten for days. "And all of them have great physical ability plus magic! This is going to be bad…"
"And with only three of us that are able to use Persona, we have the reason to worry…" Rise bit her lips. She moved uneasily, placing her hands between her thighs. "A-And… And we have no leader too…"
Everyone fell silent. Yukiko bit her lips, looking away from her friends. No Souji… There was no leader that guided them through the mist… She could easily tell him, asking him to go back to Inaba… but she didn't have a good feeling about the whole situation. It was better for Souji to be off abroad… rather than going back into uncertainty like this…
"But what exactly are they?" Chie looked up from her meal. She had regained some of her energy back from the meat she ate but the exhaustion still weighted her head. "I mean, they're fast, strong, and have a stack of magic! The only elemental Magic I haven't seen so far is Zio, but I bet they have it too; they just run away before using it."
"What's with all the black liquid thing?" Yousuke folded his arms. He leaned to the sofa and looked up to the ceiling. "I mean… I understand the wounds, but why black liquid? It seems like I've seen it somewhere before too…"
"If only I have my Persona…" Rise sighed. Everyone looked at her. "I could at least identify them! And if Teddie was here, he could sniff them out somehow!"
Teddie.
They all sighed. Yousuke gave a grim smile.
"You know…" He closed his eyes. "… I… kinda worried about him. He has gone for way too long…"
Nobody dared to speak they mind. Chie finished up her meal, right when the lights in her house flickered. She grinned at everyone else who seemed to be in confusion.
"Kanji's coming around," She said calmly. Sure enough, a while later the lights were completely off and Kanji's shout of agony was heard from upstairs. Rise grimaced.
"Doesn't that make you think twice before acquiring your Persona again?"
Chie laughed dryly.
"Once you do, you have no other chance, you know."
X
"So I guess we can now conclude that they're tied directly with Persona and Arcana," Naoto's voice was filling the living room. She was talking to everyone through the net, by conference. Really, technology these days was so convenient. Chie gave a sound of agreement then added, "And they somehow have the same ability as our Personas. Oh, and… have I told you about their appearance too?"
"Well, the only thing you've told us was that both of them are male," Yousuke sneered. Chie glared at him." Hey, I'm no liar!"
"Hahaha, as if!"
"So what about their appearance?"
Chie gave a tongue at Yousuke then continued.
"You know, they have this… weird lizard-like yellow eyes!" Chie said vigorously. Kanji, who was already woken up, nodded in agreement. "Yellow, it's terrifying, really!"
"Yellow eyes?" Yukiko titled her head. She looked at everyone. "Doesn't that remind you of something?"
Everyone fell silent yet again. Rise raised her eyebrows.
"You mean Shadows?"
Shadows.
Now everyone really was silent. Naoto didn't say anything either, merely looking blankly at the monitor. Rise grimaced.
"Wait, you don't think…"
"But if they were indeed Shadows, they already have their own Arcana, right?" said Yousuke, confused. "I mean, if they already have their Arcana, why must they take the Arcanas here in this world too?"
"Or maybe they are neither Shadow nor Human," Yukiko exclaimed. She bit her lips. "They're human enough to be human, they don't have the same attribute as Shadows… And, they're in this world. Shadows only appear in the TV world, right?"
"If so," Kanji now looked even more puzzled. "What about Teddie?"
"Aa… T-That is…"
What about Teddie?
Now everyone was at a loss for words. There was no heads or tails about the problems in their origin. What they could build were hypothesis, but none of them had any evidence to be clarified. Rise groaned in annoyance, almost to the point of messing up her hair.
"Aaaargh! Give me my Kanzeon back!!!"
Naoto gave a small smile.
"Yes, without any detailed information, it will be hard to take any conclusion about their self," she said slowly. Her eyes wavered for a while, unfocused. "Yamagawa and I haven't made any significant progress with our research as well. Personas and Shadows are still a mystery up until now. And with Yukiko-Senpai's suggestion, another question is added to our list."
"It is possible to be some kind of new Species," Yousuke shuddered at the thought. "I haven't met one myself, but I guess it will be unpleasant if it were true."
"Anyway, our top priority right now is to defend those who are most likely be targeted," Naoto turned to glance at Yukiko. "Based on what happened so far, the culprits are targeting those who are close to Souji-Senpai. The 'Arcana taking' itself is one of the idea born out of this suggestion. The first victim, Minami Eri, was a mother of a boy Souji once met in a daycare center when he was still doing a part-time job. They appeared to be quite close, given how Souji seemed to know more about both of them. Arcana is unknown. I have not gotten that far yet. It was beyond my comprehension."
"Keep it up anyway, Naoto-kun," Rise folded her arms. She smiled. "Maybe I can make out something too. Once I do and I get Kanzeon back, I will be sure as hell I'll crack this up as soon as I can!"
Naoto gave a small smile. She then continued.
"Second victim was Nakajima Shuu, another acquaintance of Souji-Senpai from his part-time tutoring job," Naoto stopped for a while. "Ozawa Yumi, the fourth victim, was Souji-Senpai's acquaintance back in the Drama Club. I've seen them together quite often in the afternoon, so it is possible that they are quite close. Then, Ebihara Ai…"
"… who is the manager of Souji-kun's football team," Yukiko nodded. "They're very close. Souji-kun once told me how they both used to go shopping together to help her get off from her mind."
"Wow, you're very considerate as a girl friend, Amagi!" Yousuke raised his eyebrows. He laughed. "Damn, I wish you had never rejected me in my first year! I'm sure as hell it'd be good to be your boyfriend!"
"Argh, shut the hell up!" Chie gave a sharp blow with her elbow, furrowing her eyebrows in an uncharacteristic anger. Yousuke groaned. "You're worth the rejection!"
"Ouch, Chie!"
"Anyway… taking all the similarity between all victims, we can conclude that every one of them is an acquaintance of Souji-Senpai and quite a close one in one point," Naoto seemed to look at a note. "Seeing the numbers of victim, I think it is safe to take this hypothesis as a base for our action. The Arcana part though, is still only a part of the theory."
"Okay, so we must put that aside for now?" Yousuke asked for confirmation. Naoto was just about to nod when Kanji said loudly, "Think it again, Naoto! That damn guy called me 'Emperor'!"
Naoto blinked. Chie gasped in remembrance.
"Aaargh! He also called me a Chariot!" She groaned. "And he told me to go away. Heck yeah!"
"They call tell which Arcanum we are?" Rise asked in bewilderment. She groaned. "It's like having Kanzeon as one of them!"
"I see…" Naoto seemed to have noted something on her notebook. "So… they're able to identify our Arcana in one look…"
"And they're sucking things!" Kanji raised his fist in anger. "I was so shocked and traumatized that I forgot to tell you!"
"Don't stop there, Dude, it's creeping me out," Yousuke grimaced. "What were they sucking until you got traumatized like that?"
"Ah, I get your point," Rise laughed. Kanji blinked in confusion.
"What's so funny?!"
"What did the man suck, Kanji-kun?" Naoto's voice showered everyone in icy-cold serious tone. Yousuke gave a tongue at Chie who was about to berate him for breaking the seriousness. Kanji rubbed his hair.
"Well… uh… I honestly don't know…" Kanji seemed to be thinking very hard. "It was like… like… this… black mist, coming out of that girl's wound. And… yeah, that guy's sucking it like some delicious noodle of something! It's horrible!"
It was almost not a description but Naoto didn't say a thing. She merely jotted down everything in her book. She glanced at Rise, who was looking blankly at the old monitor of the Satonakas.
"If you were to acquire your Persona again, is there a chance for you to identify them in more details?"
Rise gave a small smile.
"Given the information right now, I guess I can," she said lightly. She titled her head. "Kanzeon may be able to see something. At least to confirm what the hell they are exactly."
"So we have to rely on you," said Naoto. She closed the book then looked at everyone. "For now, prioritize on protecting those that are suspected as close to Souji-Senpai. Doujima residence, given the fact that it was naturally his home in this town, must be guarded. The others are Nagase Daisuke as Souji-Senpai's Captain and Ichijou Kou, as his best friend. After hearing how Nagase-san had met with one of the culprit, I guess he will most likely be the next target. Since there are only three of us that can use Persona, I suggest Yousuke-Senpai can take the part of guarding Nagase-san while Kanji-kun can keep an eye on Doujima residence. I guess it is safe to assume that Ichijou-san is still away from danger. The others must wait until I can make out the way to wake our Personas back. I cannot risk for any of you to be in combat."
"What about me?" Chie pointed herself. Naoto smiled.
"You've done enough," she said calmly—almost softly for a Naoto. "You're in no condition to take another fight, Chie-Senpai. You'd better heal your arm first. Or maybe you can ask the people in your officer to watch over Ichijou-san. A big number of guards will surely make our culprits think twice, even with magic and physical skill on their side."
"Alrighty, then," Chie grinned. Naoto turned to look at Yukiko. She gave a small smile—almost painful.
"I'm so sorry, Serpai, but can you try to talk more with Souji- Senpai?" asked the detective. Yukiko didn't give any reaction for a while. "Try to get as much information as you can about his closest friends in Inaba. Maybe we can then focus our—"
"We… are currently not in a great term, Naoto-kun," Yukiko gave a small smile. Chie glanced at her, something flickered in her eyes. "I'm afraid that will be difficult for the time being."
Naoto watched for a while in silence; eyes wavering with something profound. She then gave a smile.
"Then just try to do what is best," she said finally. "However, I think this problem must not be told to Senpai just yet. I don't want to see this turn out to be a trap to merely rule Souji-Senpai back to Inaba. That will be… unpleasant, won't it?"
Yukiko nodded. Naoto took a deep breath.
"So… I guess that is all for today," she said slowly. Her weary eyes glimmered. "Take care of yourself. I will be there after a few weeks."
"Yes, you too," Chie smiled. "Take care, Naoto-kun."
"Yes, I will."
The window which showed Naoto's face closed by itself. Yousuke looked at everyone else then grinned.
"Well then! Shall we begin the defensive action now?"
X
Souji watched as the weather changed to rain, creating puddles all over the Street of Bordeaux. He had some materials to cover for tonight too, although he didn't feel like it. He looked at his wristwatch, then his cell phone. He wondered if Yukiko was available tonight. He didn't feel good about things with her recently, he thought he would need to say sorry or at least tell her that he cared. Besides, he could almost admit that he missed Japan more than what he lets on… A phone wouldn't hurt.
He took his cell phone… then dialed.
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To be Continued
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