Chapter 10: How do you like me now?

Friday April 15, 2011

After several minutes of walking, and my breathing becoming steadily more and more winded, we arrive in what appears to be a long street, with small stores on either side. Although I don't recognize it, Yosuke seems to be somewhat familiar.

"This is the street that Saki-senpai's store is on. But man, it's really well done, isn't it? I mean, if it weren't for the creepy sky, it would be an exact replica. What's going on here?"

"I don't know. But this is the reality of the person who was here." Teddie answers.

I bend down and touch the ground. Sure enough, even though it makes no sense, my hand is definitely touching tarmac. Looking closely, I can even see cracks. Reality of the person who was here is right. I turn back, only to notice that Teddie is keeping his distance from me and Yosuke.

"T-Teddie, w-why are you standing s-so far a-away from us?" Yosuke looks over.

"Yeah, you better not be trying anything funny, like running away if something happens, you hear?"

"Of course not. Haha. I'm just making sure I stay out of the way of your investigation." First sign of the bear running, I'm running with him. But man, why is there so much walking in this world? Why aren't there any buses?

"Still, if this is her street, then her shop should be close by. Think we'll find any clues there?" Without waiting for an answer, Yosuke, golf club in hand walks on.

Another minute brings us to the front of a liquor store, with barrels and crates stacked outside it. The glass covering the window is dark, hiding whatever lies beyond. The vending machines are lit. How that can be true when there shouldn't be any power running to this place is beyond me.

"This is definitely her parent's store. And look! There's that same red vortex as before. So does this mean that this is where Saki-senpai went missing? Course, I guess the only way we're going to find out is by going... in? Teddie, what's got you spooked?"

"They're here!" This is probably bad.

"Shadows! They're here. They're about to attack!" Time to run!

Before I can even take a step however, out of the vortex appear two large globs of black that hit the ground, wearing blue masks. Yosuke who's standing closer to the entrance gets knocked over as the globs charge; the golf club gets knocked to my feet. Teddie is screaming, but I can't hear anything anymore. All I have now is a vision of those shadows charging, and a single, solitary thought.

'I am about to die.'

Is that what you truly believe?

'What was that? Why has the world gone quiet? Why aren't the shadows moving? For that matter, why isn't anyone else?'

Are you truly convinced that this is the place where you will die?

'Who are you? Where are you? Save me from this!'

Before, when I tried to awaken, you stopped me. You ran when given the choice. Now you ask me to lend you power. Why?

'Why? Why am I asking? Isn't it obvious? I'm about to die!'

Is that enough? Does simply being threatened with death mean that one should gain power?

'I don't know who you are, or where you are. But if you can save me, why aren't you?'

The same can be asked of you. One who has power, but does not use it to aid others. Is this man evil?

'This isn't the time. Please!'

Then tell me: what is thy wish?

'I DON'T WANT TO DIE!'

For what reason? What meaning does your life hold?

'Meaning? I don't know! How can I think of a meaning in a time like this?'

A truly alive human being could answer that despite the circumstances. Your wish is weak, a wish made by a coward with no greater goal in life. However, even a coward holds the potential for greatness.

Very well. For now, I will grant you power.

Time unfreezes and the shadows charge. In my hand, something glows brightly. Looking down, I see a card, with a figure that is grayed out. However, almost like knowing my own name, I know what to call out.

"PER-SON-A!"

The card shatters and blue flames surround me I feel a surge of power, and then the presence of something standing behind me.

I look back, and stare into a mask. The shadows charge.

Here I am. A boy who hasn't exercised in ten years staring down monsters. Behind me is what is supposed to be my guardian angel, but in reality is yet another monster that is probably going to try and kill me. I can't tell which would be the lesser evil.

Ha ha. How funny. You believe that I wish to see you dead? If that were true, then I simply did not need to show myself.

Looking back, I swallow. If looks were all that were needed to kill, this creature could do it. A man, if I could call him that, at least three meters tall, with a white mask from which yellow eyes is hovering behind me. No pupils. He's wearing a black coat completely buttoned, and in one hand he's holding a weapon. A huge broadsword, attached to an even larger hilt. His shoes come up to his knees, and on his feet are large blades. Two large white ribbons attached to his head run the length of his body. The overall impression? Do not mess with him.

If you have time to stare at me, perhaps you should be staring forward. We have guests, and I'd hate to have to make them wait.

My head snaps back, and I'm staring straight at two round floating balls, with tongues sticking out. No eyes, no nose, just a tongue. Why am I noting facial features at a time like this? Ah, I've got it. Just before you're about to die, your body starts remembering features. Sort of like a final photograph.

You said yourself that you do not wish to die, did you not? Then listen.

'Listen? Listen to what?'

"Calm down and listen!" A voice. A real voice. Standing to the left of me, at a surprising distance, is Teddie. "You can win this. That being beside you will give you strength. Now, the shadows in front of you have weaknesses that you can exploit by using his abilities."

"W-what are y-you talking about?"

First, pick up that golf club at your feet. Next, dodge to the left.

'Wait, what?' I bend down to grab the club, but as soon as I grab it, I feel a slimy sensation on my face and a distinct numbness where I was licked.

"Arghh!" I stumble backwards. "Help me!"

I tell you to dodge left, and you just stand there. Very well, it seems we have to start from the basics. This one is a freebie.

A word appears in front of my mind. 'Zio'. What does that mean? I don't have time to think!

"ZIO!"

A bolt of lightning drops from the skies and one of the balls hits the grounds.

"Wowee! That was amazing! You hit its weakness. Do it again!"

"ZIO!" And the other ball drops.

See, not so hard, is it? Now, why don't you try swinging that golf club you're holding?

"Ha!" I swing the club down, and one of the shadows screams and disappears. I'm sweating like mad, and having difficulty seeing. The other ball gets back up, and charges me. I'm too slow, and get hit again. I have to act faster, or I'm not going to make it.

"Zio!" And finally, with a wail, the second shadow disappears. My legs give way and I collapse into a heap, panting heavily. At the same time, I can feel something changing within me. I feel... stronger? How is that possible?

Yosuke runs over, and holds out a hand.

"What the hell was that? That was unbelievable! Where were you hiding that kind of crazy power? Was that magic?"

Reaching out with my hand, I grasp his, and he helps me to my feet. Feeling his presence, I turn around. Sure enough, the masked man in the black coat is standing there, watching me.

Not bad for your first time. But if you wish to survive what approaches, you are going to have to change everything you are.

"Who are you?"

Izanagi. As I said before, I am you. I am the strength that lies within you. But if you do not find a reason for your existence, I will disappear. I will NOT lend my power to a weakling.

'If you disappear, will this madness stop too?'

Izanagi gives no answer, simply disappearing into thin air, and a card appearing in my hand. Looking it over, I see Izanagi's portrait. Then just as quickly, it disappears as well. A wave of exhaustion hits me, and I feel faint. Yosuke isn't helping.

"What were those things, anyway? Hey, do you think that I could do that too?" Before I could say anything along the lines of "Shut up!" another voice speaks out.

"Calm down, Yosuke, you're troubling Sensei!" Sensei? I'm not a teacher! Teddie is positively glowing as he walks up.

"Wait, what the heck? Why does Souji get to be called 'Sensei' but you still call me Yosuke?" Probably because you're the annoying one. Now, if I could just catch my breath, I'd tell him to keep his voice down. My head is still ringing.

"That was amazing, Sensei, the way you took down those Shadows. I am one impressed bear. Did you always have this kind of power?" Damn it, my breath is still not back yet. I shake my head. This is the first time I've ever seen it happen.

"Hey, don't ignore me! I want to know why I don't get a title!" Yosuke pushes Teddie over.

"Grr. You didn't actually do anything in that fight just now, did you? The shadows bowled you over, and then charged for Sensei. That's why he gets the title."

"T-Teddie...w-why d-did those s-shadows... a-attack me?" I'm still panting. Being out of shape is not helping me.

"I don't know. I think the shadows somehow sensed your power, and came for you. They ignored Yosuke, probably because he isn't a threat to them like you are."

"Well, looks like we've got a team! You two keep it up, and we should solve this no problem!" A gray flash. Now? Looking at Yosuke, something seems off. I wonder what?

"Alright. Teddie, do you sense any shadows nearby?"

"Nope. My nose smells nothing. I think we're in luck. Those two were the only ones."

"Great. Then, in we go."

"W-wait." Finally, my heart slows down and I can breathe easier again.

"What's up?"

"D-do we n-need to keep g-going? W-what just happened s-should prove t-that this is d-dangerous. I w-was lucky, but h-how long can w-we keep this up? W-we should t-turn back b-before anything e-else happens."

"I understand how you feel. But we've come this far. And now that you stopped those shadows, or whatever Teddie calls them, it means that we are this much closer to finding out the answers about what happened." His face is set, and it's obvious that no matter what I say, nothing is going to change his mind. Sighing, I look to Teddie. He looks... excited? I can't really tell from looking at him.

"Alright then. Let's head in...side?" Yosuke stops when we start hearing voices. They seem to come from everywhere at once.

Have you heard?

About Konishi's daughter? I heard. About how she "disappeared" for a week a while ago.

They say that she got the money from working at Junes.

Well, obviously. Her own parents' store has been suffering, but she couldn't care less.

How awful for her parents to have such an ungrateful child.

Even though their business is going down, she just laughs.

"What the hell are these people talking about?" I look at Yosuke. His hands are shaking, and there's a bead of sweat on his brow. What these people are saying is obviously getting to him. Yosuke looks to Teddie.

"Teddie, what the hell is going on here? Where are these voices coming from?"

"I don't know. I've never heard anything like it either. Like I said before, this is reality for whoever shows up here."

"So does that mean that this was Saki-senpai's reality when she ended up here?" To have to listen to these voices over and over, huh? I couldn't handle it. "Okay then. We'll find out ourselves!" With that, Yosuke heads into the store. After looking over at Teddie, I follow after him.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The inside is realistic as well. Fridges, with what look like real alcohol inside them, are displayed around the edges of the shop. More bottles are stacked in crates scattered along the floor. A single cash register is on a counter in front of a door way that looks to lead to another part of the store. Still, the feeling I get from this is one of sadness. I walk over to one of the crates, and pull out a bottle. Taking the cap off, I take a whiff. From at least the smell, it's similar to alcohol. I put the bottle back, and I'm about to point this out to Yosuke, when the voices start up again. This time, however, it's a male voice.

"Why, Saki? Why there of all places? There are plenty of other places where you could work. You know how the neighbors love to gossip!"

"Is that Saki-senpai's father? I don't get it! She never said anything to me about this. I.. Maybe I could have done something about it!" Yosuke is furious. Noticing something, he runs over to the counter. I've been having a weird feeling ever since we entered this place. I can't shake it, but it feels like something bad is about to happen.

Looking over, Teddie seems fine, so I guess that shadows aren't going to show up. Shrugging, I follow after Yosuke. He's staring at a photo of what looks like a bunch of workers in Junes uniforms. Just like in the apartment, the photo is all cut up. Only this time, the photo is split right down the center, between Saki and Yosuke. This can't be good. Again, a voice speaks out. Only this one is familiar.

"I never got to tell Hana-chan something. Something that I've been meaning to say for the longest time."

"Huh, me? Saki-senpai wanted to say something to me?"

"I never got to tell him... that he was a real pain in the ass." Ouch. But she isn't done yet.

"I mean, I show him the slightest bit of sympathy, just because he's the manager's son, and he thinks I'm interested? What a loser!"

"I have to work at Junes in order to make money for my parents, because their store is old-fashioned, but they can't let it go! But all the neighbors can see is that I'm not working there, and start creating all these stories about how I'm loose, and that I'm trying to seduce that idiot so that I can leave this store. Thanks to that, my parents hate me, my friends are making fun of me, and I can't get any sympathy! Nobody will listen to my side of the story. I wish everything would just disappear!"

I can understand her feelings. Still, to be told that you are a pain in the ass, especially from the girl you had a crush on. That's something that I know only too well. Yosuke, however, is in shock.

"Pain in the ass! Senpai would never say anything like that! She wasn't like that!" He's practically screaming. But I think that these were her true thoughts.

"Boohoo. I feel so sorry for myself."

Looks like this world isn't done throwing surprises my way. I turn around, and stare into the face of another Yosuke. And the feeling I get from him isn't pity, but hatred.

This isn't going to end well.

End Chapter 10

A/N: And our first fight sequence finally happens. Up till now I've been setting the stage and establishing characters, which admittedly doesn't give me much room for maneuverability. Now that Izanagi has finally entered the story, it's time to kick it up a notch. Look forward to the next chapter!