Chapter 10: Prophecy
Michael and Nyx slept for a day straight after Dark was forced into the back of Michael's mind. Nyx woke up first, and was immediately crushed in a bear hug from Matt. Milton begrudgingly thanked her, and Marcus treated her warmly, like an old friend. Mika stood silently in the corner. Marcus finally dragged her over, trying to get her to talk to Nyx. Mika stood closer, but refused to speak. Marcus kept trying to get her to talk, and Matt and Milton quickly left the room. Marcus started getting angry, telling Mika how rude he thought she was being. Mika shouted back, calling Marcus an idiot. Marcus got ever angrier, and began to insult Mika. She slapped him across the face, and stormed out of the room, slamming the door into Michael, who had been one the other side of the door. Mika and Marcus froze, and Nyx giggled quietly. One of Michael's hands curled around the edge of the door, and slowly pulled it open. Marcus could feel his knees shaking. The look on Michael's face said what he thought, not amused. Michael pulled two chairs over to one corner of the room, facing each other, and sat Marcus and Mika in them. "Talk it out." He said it in a quiet tone that added a silent 'or else'. Then he turned to Nyx, and pulled up a chair next to her bed. He spoke quietly, but animatedly. He felt Marcus and Mika's stares on him and glanced in their direction. As if on queue Marcus and Mika started talking. "What's up with you, acting all weird like that?"
"ME! I'm not the one being friendly with a Shadow!"
"Hey, she's okay, she helped us out, remember?"
"Yeah, and that's why I haven't killed her yet!"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Nyx was being helped to her feet by Michael, but her eyes were locked on them. "She thinks you have fallen for me."
"What?!" Marcus and Michael said in unison. "Am I right, Mika?"
"Well, um, yes, you are." Michael started to laugh aloud. "What's so funny?!"
"Oh, nothing."
"No, you think something's funny, now what is it?"
"Just that you two are so clueless. You couldn't find your feelings with two hands and a flashlight. To any outsider it is obvious that you two are in love, but I guess it's a different view from in there. Fact is he's nuts about you, and there's no way he'd cheat on or dump you, you're just going to have to get that into your head."
"It's not that…"
"What? Simple, is that what you were going to say?"
"Yes."
"Well it is."
"Michael, leave them alone." Nyx was looking intently at Michael's face, primarily his eyes. Marcus couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw a flash of envy in them, and he wondered if Nyx saw it too. There was a tense moment. Then the tension vanished, as all four of them laughed.
Takaya could feel that blood was gushing from his wounds, but he didn't care. He only wanted revenge. He wanted revenge against all of them, those stupid fools who had been in his way from the beginning. It wasn't fair; he thought to himself, that he was the eternal loser. Every time he came close, so close to his hopes and dreams they would be there to tear him away, and destroy him. Takaya stumbled into a back alley, leaving a river of blood in his wake. He cursed the weakness of his human body. He leaned against a wall, sliding down it to the ground. "Hello, Takaya." Takaya's head spun on his shoulders, to look at the man who was standing over him. It was Michael. The sun was high in the sky, but Michael stood to block it from shining in Takaya's eyes. Takaya would have screamed in hatred, if only he had had the strength. All he could do was mumble, "What do you want?"
"Nothing, Takaya."
"Good, because I've nothing else to give. You've already take everything from me, my hopes, my dreams, Nyx, Dark, and now you get to be here as I die. Congratulations, you've done it, you've finished off Strega."
"It doesn't have to go this way, we can help you."
"Ha, don't even offer. Even if Nyx herself offered to help me now, it's too late. I will die in this back alley, covered in dirt and blood."
"No you will not." Both Michael and Takaya turned to look at the newcomer. He stood a few inched shorter than Michael, but was much more muscular looking. His skin was pale white, and his clothes were black as space. The man walked forward to stand over Takaya, opposite of Michael. Takaya looked back at Michael, who didn't move a muscle. For several seconds no one moved or said a word. The silence was broken by Nyx, who came around a corner looking for Michael. Like Michael she froze at the sight of the pale man. Takaya looked at her, surprised to see her in a bright pink dress with a wide brimmed hat covered in flowers. Takaya was stunned by how beautiful she looked. Nyx looked to Michael, and Takaya saw in her eyes a glint of trust, perhaps even love. Takaya mentally shook himself, she couldn't be in love with Michael, it was impossible. "And who are you?" Michael asked the pale man through gritted teeth. "I am a messenger."
"I meant your name."
"I am…End."
"Okay, End, what do you want?"
"I am here for him; he has a purpose to fulfill."
"Well that isn't going to work for me, so beat it."
"You have a purpose as well, Michael."
"How did you know my name, Shadow?"
"So, you can tell I am not human?"
"Of course."
"Shame, I hope other humans aren't as perceptive as you. By the way, I am not a Shadow."
"Then what are you?"
"I think he's a Persona, Michael."
"A Persona without a user, that's impossible Nyx."
"You're both wrong, and right. I am a Persona, and a Shadow. I am one of their creations."
"Who are they?"
"You will know in due time. As for now, I will be taking Takaya, whether you let me or not."
"I'd be glad to see you try."
"Then be glad." In the blink of an eye, Takaya and End were gone, but End did make a final comment as they departed. "An interesting choice, Nyx."
