A/N : The bad Ending Route
You can skip this and wait for True Ending later. But if you're curious, go on read.
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As I woke up and found myself to be alone in my bed,
I began to search for one who I wanted to talk with. Especially because I really need to tell her what I wanted to say to her. I remember she supposed to be never separate from me, so she must be around here somewhere. Perhaps she already went to Kitchen?
Ah…. but… I need to decide my path first….
Should I apologize or just advance further?
To think about it again…maybe….
[I decided to apologize]
Because there is no future for me, it's no point of me to be selfish and have a relationship with someone that I will leave. I need to save the world, I need to be forgotten. This is my burden, no one should feel the same pain as me.
I decided to leave my room to tell this to her.
She is actually still cooking for our breakfast in the kitchen,
Her calmness, her gentle smile, it's like she has forgotten about what I've done to her last night. I can see everyone in the µ's are still asleep except for Maki. She is been sitting on the sofa as she watch the television quietly.
The curtain still closed as I see everyone else is still sleeping quietly. Perhaps I should open the curtain later.
"Eli…" Maki greeted me.
"Maki…" I smiled at her.
"Morning, Ericchi…" Nozomi greeted me.
"Morning…. Nozomi…" I greeted her back.
Did she really already forget what I've done to her last night?
I decide to approach her.
"Nozomi…." I called her.
She turned her eyes to me.
"What is it Ericchi? Are you hungry already?" she asked calmly.
"Well… I…. I just want to say sorry for what I've done to you last night….." I said.
She remained quiet and keeps on focusing on her cooking.
"We… we're still best friend…. Right?" I asked….
I could hear her giggle.
"Of course we're… Ericchi…" she replied.
"Y..You don't hate me, right?" I asked.
"How can I hate someone like you, Ericchi… I will always love you no matter what you've done to me…" she said.
She is…. She is such a kind woman…. I thought what I've done to her already included as crime….
"Nozomi…." I smiled at her.
"Sit down and wait for your food, Ericchi… we should go do another practice for the school idol show…." Nozomi said as she keeps on cooking.
"Oh…Okay….." I nodded as I went to the sofa.
Maki turned her eyes to me and she turned away again after a moment…
"Ey.. Eli…. I just figured out about something…" she said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I can control time temporary…." She said.
You're...what? Control time? That's…. wow… Maki…
"I figured it out as I talked to Minerva last night…" she said.
"You're talking to Minerva?"
"Yeah— she called me in dream… I found it funny to see myself with cheetah ears and tail. She made me wonder: am I a cheetah? Panther? Or she is just a big cat? I'm not sure…" she continued.
"Was it fun?" I asked.
She smirked wryly.
"She is troublesome…she can't even tell what she actually feel… but at least she managed to teach me how to control the time…. Then she said, you might be able to do the same too in your fortune form…" Maki said.
I might be able to do the same? That's awesome.
"I don't know what you will do with it, but I just feel like I need to tell you that…" Maki said.
"I see… thank you…." I replied.
"It's not an easy one though, it takes a lot of energy to do it.. so perhaps it's better to use it in the right time…" she added.
"Got it…" I smiled at her.
Perhaps that would be my ace card in later battle.
"Breakfast ready!" Nozomi called us cheerfully.
Maki and I stood up from the sofa.
"Sheesh, Nozomi, you're really like a mother when you say that…" Maki said.
Nozomi giggled sweetly.
"Sure— want to be my daughter?" she giggled.
"N-No!" Maki retorted.
"Oh, come on, you get a hot papa like Ericchi if you're being my daughter…" Nozomi said teasingly.
"Still no! Although I do feel like Ericchi is going to be a good papa… But still! No! it's stupid!" Maki retorted again as Nozomi giggled to her.
Nozomi seems to enjoy her usual teasing. I suppose she is already gets over our previous problem?
"A-Anyway! Eli, we're going to practice our song for Halloween right? We better do our best for that although it won't change anything to fight against A-rise…" Maki tried to change the topic.
"Yup, we will…" I smiled at her.
"Good! Then we should watch the midnight channel at the night after. Maybe we can stay in your place— or my place again for that? It should be the last midnight channel, right?" she asked nervously.
"Your place sounds good…." I smiled at her.
"Perfect….Then… uh…. shall we practice in unit later for the other thing?" she asked.
"Sure…." I replied again.
"Ah— then, uh…. do you think you can bring me to somewhere with high difficulty?"
"I think I know a few place…" I replied again.
"Sweet… uhm… then…. Can you give me a few tips for melee combat….?"
"We should go to practice first and see…" I replied.
"Great! Thanks!"
Nozomi giggled.
"Maki-chan, you really look like a little kid that asks for stuff to your papa already…." Nozomi said.
"N-No! It's nothing like that! Sheesh! I.. I just wanted to ask!" she said nervously.
Nozomi giggled again at her.
"Sure-sure…." She said.
Nozomi started to joke around with her. I could feel the other started to wake up one by one from the noise they made. I wonder if they also have dream meeting their own persona?
Maybe I should ask that later after they're all fully awake…
The morning activity passed,
Everyone seems to be already wide awake and ready for practice. When I asked if they have any dream about meeting their own persona, they said they never experience anything like that. Only Maki experienced it.
"Ehh… so you dreamed that your persona told you that you can control time? That's a really awesome thing to do, Maki-chan!" Kotori appreciated.
"W-wow…. Then you can go back to the past or jumping to the future…." Niko said.
"No… It's nothing like that, more like undo a move and changes the move. I think I can also stop the time too but both require a lot of power…. What best is I also can choose who will be under the effect. So let's say if I do it on the whole µ's member, then the time around us will be stopped but we will be able to move…It's not going to last long though— just temporary…" Maki explained.
"That's awesome… then Maybe Maki-chan can use it to resurrect someone too?" Honoka asked.
"Re.. resurrection through time control…. That…. that's a brilliant idea…" Maki said.
"Still, it's better if no one dying, right? We don't have to use it… beside… Hanayo already know Samarecarm. She is our best support in the other world…" Kotori said.
"It's better to be used on something else like damaging or getting through impossible obstacle…" I said.
"True… also, we might be able to use it for the ten headed dragon…" Umi said.
"Ah… right… it will be soon, right? Like… two months left…." Honoka said.
I nodded.
"Yes, please coordinate with me. We also need to do a lot of practice before that day, but also a short break to collect our spirit. We must do our best for the world…" I said.
I can hear Nozomi giggled. I turned to her,
"What's up, Nozomi?" I asked.
"I'm really happy to see everyone in high spirit like this…" Nozomi said.
"Ah… well… that would be one important battle too after all…" I replied.
She nodded.
"Yup, but don't forget our real life… we also still have a competition to win…" Nozomi said.
"Ah, right, Love live! Let's practice everyone!" Honoka said.
"Then, can Arisa watch?" Arisa asked.
"Yup! Let's practice outside, it's probably sunny day today, right?" Honoka said.
"From the weather report, yes… supposed to be sunny today…" Umi said.
"Then, let's go nya!" Rin said as she marched to the front door. Everyone stood up to follow her enthusiasm.
As she opened the door….
We could see the sky gloom….
Stupid weather report…
"Ehh? It's gloom? I swear I saw it yesterday night and it supposed to be sunny all day today…." Umi said.
"Really? We should go check it out again…" Kotori said.
I nodded along with the others. Rin closed the door again and we all returned to the television then turned it on.
"….an unexpected cloud just arrived this morning and it seems that it will make a rainy day today... we're sorry for the inconvenience…" said the weather reporter.
"Wow…. What….?" Umi smirked.
"Unexpected cloud? What the heck is that…." Niko smirked too.
We could hear the sky started to growl, then a hint of rain heard from the outside. Rin quickly opened the curtain along with Honoka.
"Its… It's actually raining…." Hanayo said.
"That's really strange… it's like the cloud is coming out of nowhere…." Nozomi said.
"Yeah, I'm wondering where it comes from. If it a natural cloud, the weather report should've been more aware about it…." Umi said.
Everyone remained quiet.
This is indeed strange. I know weather reports aren't always correct, but…. maybe this is just a mistake? But why they said unexpected cloud? If it truly a mistake, they usually will say it's a mistake…. Not unexpected cloud…. Are they just trying to correct themselves?
"Ah either way, we should keep practicing, maybe we can use this room instead?" Nozomi asked.
"Yeah… We can… let's not let the rain stop us, nya!" Rin said.
"Yeah! Let's go!" Honoka said cheerfully.
We decided to keep practicing inside.
But still…. where is that strange cloud coming from?
We practiced until the afternoon,
We only could do delivery order for our lunch. They're all supposedly returning to their own home this afternoon too. Yet the rain still hasn't stopped yet. I wonder how long this rain will keep up?
"It's still raining Nya….." Rin said sadly.
"On the bright side, I don't have to water the plant today…." Nozomi said.
"Ah... but then I can't do Laundry on the rooftop…." Arisa said sadly.
"Let's just hang our laundry on those ropes…"I said as I pointed to the decoration ropes in my home.
"Yup, that's the only way…" Arisa said.
"I wonder how long this will be like this… I don't bring any umbrella because the weather report say it supposedly to be sunny this week…." Umi said.
"You can borrow mine…" I said.
"N..No-no. please don't be… I think I can just use one of my clothes to run all the way home…" Umi said.
"Then what about the stuff…?" I asked. They have futon brought here…
"Neko-chan can handle that, nya!" Rin said.
Oh… so they're using their persona to transfer stuff too….. clever.
"Neko-chan?" Arisa asked.
Ah… Rin…sigh…
"It's her friend, she really like delivering stuff…" Hanayo said.
Thanks Hanayo…I wonder where did you learn to lie with that calm face though… Nozomi? Kotori? That two can lie with calm face.
"Ah… her name is a cat…. She must be cute!" Arisa said.
"Yup! She is really cute!" Kotori said.
"Speaking of which though, maybe everyone can return home through the television?" Arisa asked
Everyone seems to be surprised except for Nozomi, Maki and Niko. I'm not surprised too since I've heard it.
"Well, it's true that it never rain in the other world… but….."
"Wa-wait a minute! Arisa, you know about it?" Umi asked before Niko could finish her sentence.
"Of course I do. But I will keep it secret… hehe…" Arisa said.
Umi sighed in relieve.
"Ah, right, we can go to my house and I'll tell my driver to drive you all home with car…" Maki said.
"That's brilliant idea, thank you, Arisa! Thanks too, Maki!" Kotori said.
"Alright then, let's go to your home…" Umi said as she walked to the television followed by everyone.
"Don't forget to check midnight channel if the rain still up until midnight!" Nozomi said.
"Right! We won't forget!" Hanayo said before she enters the television.
Hmm… right…
If the rain is still up until midnight… then midnight channel would probably be aired…
I wonder who's the next one…. But I believe it also give me longer time since I will have more time to reach whoever showed up in it….let's just wait for tonight I guess?
Late Night, the rain still up,
I didn't let Arisa to watch midnight channel, there might be a lot of gruesome stuff that she might can't handle as a normal person. At first Arisa insisted, yet luckily Nozomi was able to lie to her and she decided to not to try watch.
Now we're waiting for the channel to show who's the last person to complete Kitsune's tail. Just need about ten minutes and it should be showed up.
Nozomi seems to be very quiet today and she didn't cling to me like usual— I decided to leave that be since I didn't decide to make her be my girlfriend.
I don't want to repeat yesterday night.
"Ericchi…" she called me softly.
"Yes?" I replied.
"Ericchi want to make everyone happy, right?" Nozomi asked.
"Of course…" I replied.
She smiled at me.
"Then, I want to tell you— please don't try too hard on yourself for this, ok?" she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well… I just want to tell you that. If you're trying too hard, something bad can happen and what you've worked for up until this year will go waste… control yourself and don't be scared…" she said.
I smiled at her.
"As long we're together, I have nothing to fear and I believe I won't be trying too hard because we can do many things together, right?" I said.
She smiled faintly.
"Promise?" she asked.
"Yup, I promise…" I replied.
"Thank you. You're such a great friend, Ericchi…" she said somewhat relieved.
I could hear a phone call on my phone. It's from Maki. She invited us all in group call…
I accepted the call and place it on loudspeaker so Nozomi can hear it too.
"Five more minutes until midnight channel. This is unexpected but I suppose group call will do it…" Maki said.
"Yeah, sorry we didn't get to watch together as promised…" I replied.
"Don't sweat it. To be able to save whoever inside is more important…" she said.
"Yup, I believe that too…" I said.
"Ah- there, sorry-sorry… I just got back home and had to do a little preparation…" Umi said.
"Me too! Hang on!" Kotori said.
"I'm already standby!" Hanayo said.
"Where's Honoka and Rin?" I asked.
"I'm here!" Honoka replied.
"Rin is here, nya!" Rin replied.
Thank god they're awake for this one.
"Ah, you two finally awake to watch it…" Nozomi said.
"Hehe… we can't miss the last one!" Honoka said.
"Yup! Kitsu-chan's tail supposed to be 9 right? This should be last!" Rin said.
"We don't even know if this midnight channel is related to Kitsune or not though… it might be just coincidence… beside, the first victim isn't related…." Nozomi said.
"True…." Honoka said.
"Hey, it should be starting in one minute, pay attention!"Niko said.
We remained quiet and began to stare into the blank screen. About a minute later, we began to see…..
White blank screen? There's no one inside it? What's the meaning of this?
"Eh? It's empty?" Maki seems to be confused.
"N…Not really, take a closer look…" Niko said.
A closer look….?
"W-what the! Everyone! This is bad! This is bad!" Hanayo said.
"Wh..what is it?" Umi asked.
"Take a look at it with the special glasses!" Hanayo said.
Hmm? What about it…?
I took the special glasses and tried to see the midnight channel screen that still remained on.
Wow… what the….
I saw a giant dragon silhouette inside the screen…. Then there's also the whole town in the background….
What's the meaning of this? How could these special glasses react to it too? I mean… it's like seeing through fogs inside television that recorded from unknown place…
This magical thing…
It's so…
Wow… what's actually happening here?
"W..what's the meaning of this?!" Maki said.
"Woah… that dragon looks so big… is he the last piece of Kitsu-chan's tail?" Honoka asked.
"I… I doubt so…. This is probably means something else… remember that to begin with, it just a coincidence to have Kitsu-chan's tail related to whoever appear inside the television…" Hanayo said.
"So… this is more like a threat message?" Niko said.
"Threat message?" Umi asked.
"Like, because you all saved all seven person, maybe that kidnapper think it's useless to kidnap the last one so going straight to the point is a lot more effective than have to try to kidnap the last one?" Niko explained.
That actually makes sense…
"There's another possibility… maybe the kidnapper trying to confuse us by getting straight to the point and hide the last person… I mean— look, Niko-chan isn't shown up in television but she was just suddenly inside Maki's place…" Kotori said.
Ah, right….
"I..I told you I just had an accident!" Niko said.
"It can't be an accident you idiot! I saw you dealing with your own persona! You can't enter that place accidentally!" Maki yelled.
"But I really had an accident! I tripped and fell to the television!"
"Do you really fell there?! It's impossible to enter that place without anyone pushing you in!"
Maki and Niko began to argue in the phone.
"I don't really understand Niko-chan… her story about how she ended up there always changing from time to time…. It's like she is actually hiding something…." Hanayo said.
"Maybe she is actually hiding something…" I sighed.
"But at least we know the truth from Maki-chan so we are not going to be suspicious on her…" Nozomi said.
"Yeah, what she said…. but seriously though, this is confusing…." Umi said.
"I'm really concerned about the dragon… I heard the shadows are being brutal at foggy day, right? Is the dragon a shadow? If it is… then it will be brutal in foggy day… and we probably only have a few days before that…." Kotori said.
"We also have the school idol too…. we have to perform at Halloween…" Hanayo said.
"It will probably cancel due to the rain… I just checked the weather report…. And it will rain for a few days nonstop since the cloud didn't make a move. They're only moving in spiral motion above our area…." Umi said.
"S…Spiral motion? Like…. A vortex?" Honoka asked.
A vortex? What's the meaning of this…
"If…If that's the case…. I think we need to find something that becomes the center of the vortex…." Maki said.
"Isn't it a big risk? I mean… if it is a vortex, then it probably sucks things inside, right?" Niko said.
"It could be just spinning thing around, but I guess that would be where my ability go…" Maki said.
"Where your ability go… you mean, time control. That's actually a good idea Maki…" I said.
"The cloud is up there, you know… we can't possibly look close to it…" Niko said.
"Binocular…" I said.
"Uh..damn right… but what if there's really something in it… how do we deal with it?"
"I… I think I can deal with that… I figured out I have an ability to shoot in unlimited range but it takes a lot of energy to do it…." Umi said.
"When did you get that…?" Maki asked.
"It's…. long ago…. Can't remember, but Sachi told me that during practice, I thought it's not a really important ability like Maki… but it turns out it might be useful here…." Umi said.
Hmm….should've asked for the special ability instead of dream meeting up with their persona.
"Then, everyone, can you please tell us about your special ability if you have any?" I asked.
"I… I think I can show any hidden object temporary…. I don't know if it is any use so I never tell anyone about it and it takes a lot of energy too…." Hanayo said.
"I can make a binding thread that can hold into anything strongly, but I never really find a good use of it since it takes a lot of energy too…" Kotori said.
"I can temporary strengthen everyone's power to the maximum, but my reason is the same with everyone else…" Niko said.
"Rin can dash through anything and to any range too, but it also takes so much energy…"
I remained quiet to wait for Honoka to say anything….
"Honoka… what about you?" Umi asked.
"Eh? Uhm... me? I don't know. I haven't figured it out…." Honoka said.
"Maybe… she needs to figure out her Arcana meaning first…." Nozomi said.
I can hear everyone sighed.
"What should we do about that? we can't force her to do it…" Umi said.
"Ahaha….sorry…" Honoka scratched her head.
"Maybe we can help her figure it out again… Eli-chan wants to try helping?" Kotori asked.
"I can give it a try…." I said.
"W-wait a minute, Nozomi, I suppose you know something about the strength, you're a tarot card reader, right? You should've known about it!" Niko said.
Good point.
"Me…? Well… I know what the strength is, but I doubt I can help much. I just know the strength is probably a power to overcome something greater than itself…" Nozomi said.
I couldn't feel a thing as she said it…. maybe it's just incomplete?
"I told you no one knows about their arcana more than their own…" Nozomi said calmly.
"Then how come Honoka don't know about it….?" Umi sighed.
"Maybe she is just having a hard time to tell about herself… let's not force her to do it…." Nozomi said.
"I'm just worried if the knowledge is actually important…." Kotori said.
"There, all knowledge is important at some point. But we really shouldn't force ourselves to work on something we cannot do…." Nozomi said calmly again.
"She is right, we have to stay calm and try to figure this out…" Hanayo said.
"Yeah… let's just get a rest and try to explore around tomorrow to find the center of the vortex…"
The next day,
I thought everything would be just like the usual rainy day, though I was wrong. The road was terribly crowded and a lot of people gathered at a place. Maybe there's something that they're looking for, but I have to go to school today so perhaps I'll check later.
Though, maybe they are just also concerned about the sky too. I totally can see the sky is filled with spiral clouds and I suppose we have to find the center after school.
At school,
I began to hear a lot of people start talking about the strange clouds.
"Hey…. Do you see today's cloud?" a student asked.
"Yeah, it's like there will be a huge tornado any sooner…" the other said.
"Or maybe there's something that sucking the air up there…" the other said again.
"Maybe it's a sign…" someone said again.
"A sign? Like… end of us?" the other said again.
"Sheesh! Don't talk like that!" the other replied.
Nozomi seems to remained calm on my side as she listen to them too. I won't really care about what they're saying too. Though it would've been better if they just call it as a phenomenon instead of a sign of whatever chaos… we're already worried from the midnight channel…but …
"Hey, did you see midnight channel?" someone asked to another.
"Huh? You're still into that? It's a strange program I tell you. I only watched once and couldn't see a thing but voice… so I never watch it again." She replied.
"Well, I just saw fogs last night. Can't see anything else…" said the other.
"I just saw the first one, the trio that now student councils were at it…"
"Ah-yeah! They're now an idol, right? They have such a strange charm! But I like them!" the other said.
They began to talk about us being idols.
We decided to ignore that and keep moving on until the classroom.
As we arrived into the classroom,
People are all still talking about the clouds and random omen. Niko seems to be quiet and annoyed in her seat. I placed my bag on my seat and walked to her,
"Niko…" I called.
"Oh.. Eli… morning…" she said. She seems to be in a bad mood.
"Annoyed by those talks, eh?" I asked. She smirked,
"Heck, I don't give a damn about them. What I care about is I can't even go to supermarket this morning… the road to shrine is blocked and I have to go through there…" Niko said.
"The road to shrine is blocked?" Nozomi asked.
"Yes… those stupid police had to do it because the shrine is full of people all so sudden…"
Nozomi sighed weakly,
"Then I guess I can't go to shrine until they stop coming…"
"Why do you like to be there anyway?" Niko said.
"Huh? Well… The shrine is a very comfortable place… even if I have nothing to pray about, I can always stay there and feel calm… helping out and taking care of it too. I can also just say my gratitude to the God for everything he has done for me…." Nozomi replied.
"Now I kind of regret to never actually help you out… I often have that thought but somehow I always forget to do it…." I said.
"Hmm.. what are you talking about, Ericchi. You don't have to be actually be there to tell the God about your gratitude. By making others happy and taking care of them is also a form of a gratitude to Him. You appreciate the existence of others and being their loyal guardian too… you never asked for anything in return… it's something really precious for The God, you know…" Nozomi smiled at me.
"Besides… Ericchi, you always took care of me— a shrine maiden that have nothing to offer to you…" she said sadly.
"What do you mean, Nozomi… we're always equal. You and I…. I believe Niko also think the same…?" I said as I turned to Niko.
"Yeah, you might be troublesome, but I believe you've done much for us too…" Niko said.
She shook her head.
"I… I might be doing it for something in return…. I am nothing like Ericchi…." She said again.
"Sheesh, idiot, you're at it again. Ey- Eli, I don't know how much time I have to tell her. But you should smite her up with your words. She always thinks bad about herself and compares herself to you…" Niko said.
"Hmm… Nozomi…" I smiled at her.
"We're all equal, you know… not only you and me, everyone is… we all have our own challenge…" I added.
"No… it's not that…. but… anyway, Ericchi. We should just talk about this later, right? Class is starting soon…" she said.
"True.." I said.
"AhhH! I forgot to do my homework!" Niko quickly browse through her bag.
"Nikocchi! You shouldn't do your homework here!" Nozomi said.
"Shut the hell up and borrow me yours…" Niko said.
Nozomi sighed, yet she still go to her bag and get her homework anyway.
Hmm…. I wonder what's up with the shrine, but I think I would like to know more about Nozomi herself a little more… maybe I'll just meet her up somewhere first before checking the shrine?
Afterschool,
The rooftop is the only place we can visit to have a private talk at school before going to anywhere else, beside, I also used this chance to take a peek on the shrine with my binocular. It's pretty hard to see it through the rain, luckily Nozomi is there to hold the umbrella for me— we always share umbrella too anyway.
It seems that the shrine is only full of people— and there is no other activity than praying in there.
I wonder if it because of the spiral clouds?
Other than that, I also found out that the spiral cloud center is right above the Shrine too. We can't get there until everyone in the Shrine move away….I wonder when they all will leave the shrine….
"Ericchi…" Nozomi called me softly.
"Hm?"
"Why do you think we're equal?" she asked.
"Oh? That… well… Nozomi. You're my favorite partner in every occasion. You always know how to keep up with me. I'm really happy to have you around me…." I smiled at her.
She is still quiet as she looks into me with her calm eyes.
"It feels like we can do a lot of things together…" I added.
"Is that so? Then Ericchi will take me anywhere, right?" she asked as she smiled—somewhat feel mischievous. Hmm… that's a weird smile…
"…even…. to the end of the world?" she said.
What….what did she just said? It's like she already know something that I have to do.
"W…well… Nozomi… there's still a time when we need to have our own privacy. As a best friend, I will try to not force you to open up with me— it could ended up be...like… uhm… you know… what I did to you…" I said shyly.
She giggled at me.
"L…let's just stop thinking about that!" I said clearly. I really don't want to remember that night again. It's very embarrassing.
"Sure…" she said as she turned her eyes to the town's view again.
But seriously though, does she know about it? If she knows about it, why does she try so hard to be remembered by me? Then why does she not want to get away from me? Isn't it just going to be painful to be around me if she knows?
"By the way, Ericchi…." Nozomi called again.
"Yes?" I responded.
"I'm still feeling annoyed because I can't visit the shrine today…." She said.
"Oh…."
"It made me feel like I wanted to push away those pathetic peoples…" she added.
Hmm…. She seems to be actually upset at that.
"They're not one to believe in God to begin with. They're just trying to run away from reality…" she added.
I know she is a religious person, but… I never heard her upset like this before, especially just because she can't go to the shrine.
"God may protect us, but they shouldn't treat Him just as a mere shield…"
She sighed heavily.
"Human…. When they're fine, they act so arrogantly, shouting out loud about God never existed and they are able to do a lot of things without His help— but then when they're in trouble or wanting something so badly, they will start to panic and beg for forgiveness, begging for a miracle, or even, threaten Him by ruining his creation if their wish unfulfilled…" she added.
She turned to me again,
"Why can't they be like you? They don't have to be as perfect… and it's true that you never really think of God and you…. but to appreciate everyone around you, to try to make them happy, and to protect them like your own family… it's already more valuable than the prayer itself. It might be nice to have you pray to Him sometime though… or at least to remember Him…." she smiled— somewhat mischievous.
"The God sacrificed so much for everyone, He even won't mind it if He is forgotten…but it make no change to the world…. Perhaps the world doesn't need to be saved at all?" she added.
"Nozomi… what do you mean by… the world doesn't need to be saved….?" I asked.
"Isn't it clear? They don't need anyone to sacrifice for them again…. They need to face the cruel world and struggle on their own…"
"That…. That's not true. That's not how it should be. Besides, you're a shrine Maiden, Nozomi… how could you speak like that?"
"I'm just telling what's in my mind… or perhaps, I'm just upset to see people treating the God like that… me being His loyal servant would make much sense, right? I want everyone to understand that not every wish can be fulfilled magically. They still need to work on their own and struggle through their challenge… but… even if they did that, it's not always be fulfilled too… it may have gone waste…" she replied.
That's true…
"This is not a perfect world, Ericchi. Not for everyone…. You might see everything perfect because you understand how things supposed to be, but someone might have already waited….waited too long for their wish to come true… and it never be fulfilled…. And may never will…" she added.
I… I don't really understand why she is like this.
"The time keep ticking, it seems like the world is going to end sooner than what we thought… I know you might be able to defeat the greatest enemy…. But someone might have fallen into a deep despair of losing the most important person or thing in their world... and what more painful is, they might never be able to be what they wanted to be for that person in their end of time…" she said as she stare deep into me.
"It's not going to be an easy fight… some might have to fall for the others…."
What…what does she mean by that….
"I believe you will survive… because of who you are…. But I don't know about the others…." She said as she turned away again.
"Nozomi….." I called her gently.
"Ah, sorry, I'm talking too much aren't I?" she replied as she smiled at me sweetly.
Well…. Her speech just now….it actually makes sense…
"By the way, I wonder if we should go meet the others for now, we need to help Honoka figuring out her Arcana, right?" Nozomi asked.
"Yes…"
"Thought so, but…. I wonder if Ericchi can figure it out by herself if she is being too slow?" she said.
I giggled,
"Let's just help her out for now. We shouldn't force her too much. She is already pretty sad because of the canceled show…" I said.
"Yup…." She smiled at me again.
We decided to return back into the building, they should be in the clubroom by now.
We gathered in the clubroom,
Everyone seems to be really worried because their family also began to talk about the abnormal clouds and people behavior.
"Yeah, they were all being like that. Even my family… they began to talk about random omen and some even say that they witness a few strange creatures from their television screen. It's like they're waiting to be able to go out from it…" Umi said.
"My Mother didn't say anything, but she said she did saw something strange from the television screen yesterday. I just assume she accidentally see midnight channel…" Kotori said.
"Yukiho told me ever since the spiral cloud appeared, a lot of her friend start to talk about massive tornado and omen that might destroy the whole place…" Honoka said.
"Hnn… this is bad, we need to act fast or people will feared more and more…." Hanayo said.
"I think we can try checking the shrine in the other world. I saw the cloud center is right above the shrine…" Niko said.
"I was about to say that too…" Maki said.
"Nya! Rin will go!Nya!" Rin said as she squeezes her persona card…..
It supposed to not working here but….
Neko-nyan appeared.
"W-wh-what the heck?!" Niko said.
"What…..?!" everyone else also surprised, even Rin herself.
"We… we are not supposed to be able to use it here…" I said.
"Ahhh!" Rin quickly stow Neko-nyan back to card.
Everyone remained quiet…
This is…really…weird….
"Now it settles something… looks like the world is going to merge with the other world soon…" Nozomi said.
"What do you mean by that?" Maki asked.
"I don't know…. but from the story you all told me, the only conclusion that coming up on my mind is… the world going to merge soon…. We need to act, but we shouldn't be reckless…." Nozomi said.
"Right…" Umi said.
"We should act tonight…" Maki said.
"That's too early…" Nozomi said.
"What do you mean? You said we should act soon, right? Let's go tonight!" Maki said.
"This probably turns into a great battle, you know. I have a feeling that something powerful is lurking in that place… we shouldn't be reckless…" Nozomi said.
"True, the kidnapper might be trying to interrupt us too if we're being reckless. Remember we are not the only one with ability to enter that world…" Kotori said.
"Ah— for that, I actually have something…" Nozomi said.
"What is that something, nya?" Rin asked.
"This!" she showed us a rope with a few charms sticks on it.
"What is that?" Honoka asked.
"It's a seal! With this, we can lock the entrance to the other world from any screen. But it won't last long… maybe it wore off in three days or so…. And it also will wore off if someone took this one off the screen…" Nozomi said.
"We don't really need that much time to check and we can't possibly battle that long too…" Umi said.
"Yup. I'm trying so hard to make this for this occasion , I only have one and only can be used once too. So I'm going to give it to the person I trust most, ok?" Nozomi said as she handed it to me.
"Harasho… Nozomi… you're the best…" I appreciated. She smiled at me sweetly.
"Alright then. We shouldn't really worry about it again…" Kotori said.
"Let's go home and rest now… we should go tomorrow afterschool… make sure you saved a lot of energy in the morning!"
Night time,
I returned home along with Nozomi. She seems to be quiet and somewhat calm. I thought she would still whine about she being not be able to go to shrine today.
After we had our dinner and studied for a bit, I can see Nozomi quietly walk to her dresser and took out a photo album. It was the photo album of µ's that I made for her birthday. I added a lot of comments and decoration there. She was so happy when she got it. I wonder what she will do with it….
She sat next to me on the bed and started to open the pages one by one very slowly. Her eyes staring at it calmly and she smiled softly too.
"Nozomi….?" I tried to call her.
"hmm?" she turned to me.
"Ah… its nothing… I was just wondering why you suddenly open that…" I asked.
"Well, I'd like to remember them…they're such a good friends." She said.
What does she mean by that… they're all still alive…
"You're talking like you'll never see them again…." I said as I sighed to her.
"I might not… tomorrow is the day, right?" Nozomi said.
…urgh….right….. tomorrow… we're all going there…..
"Like I said before Ericchi… we might going to our doom… some may have to be fallen for others…" she said calmly.
"Do you not trust them….?" I asked.
"I do— I'm just worried about them. There's always be a probability right?" she said.
I remained quiet. I don't know what to answer but that's true…
"It might not be as simple as the usual fight. They might be lost forever in the stomach of a dragon…." She continued…
Did she mean… the dragon might be the cause of the vortex?
"But it just a might be, it could be something else there… who knows…" Nozomi said again.
I don't know what to say to that….
I could hear her sigh heavily.
"If only they can be forgotten easily…." She said.
"It would be easier for me to let them go to the battle. But we all have to go to battle…. Perhaps this is a feeling of a mother who had to let her child go to a war as soldier?" she continued.
Think about it…. about what she just said… it's true that if someone can be forgotten easily…. It won't make anyone feel any pain… and… that someone… is me…. I can go myself…. I think I will be strong enough too to deal with that dragon…. and with my cleverness…. I think I can deal with him…. however he is…
Then with the special ability they mentioned to me before… I think I can do what they can do…. I'll be fine to go alone….
And no one will have to feel pain….
Besides…
To begin with..
This is my duty too to face this fate…
For the world.
I love this world and I don't need them to know about what I've done for them... Doing a favor for them already make me happy….
And… Nozomi believe I can make it by myself too...
This is for her too….
"Nozomi…" I said.
"Hmm?" she respond.
"I… I have to go somewhere… take care of Arisa and the house… ok?" I said.
"You have to go somewhere at this time of the night?" she asked.
"Mm… yes…" I replied.
"Can't it be tomorrow?" she asked again.
"No… I… I really have to go there…" I said.
"Can I come?" she asked.
"No…. sorry… not this time… you'll be fine alone, right?" I asked.
"Me…? Well… I would want to join you, but it seems that you want… privacy…. And…. As your best friend… I won't try to pry on it…" she replied calmly.
Well.. that's strange… she will usually protest… but I suppose things change, especially after what I did to her… maybe she is actually upset about it but never tell?
Ah but.. either way..
Isn't that good?
She can forget me…
"Thank you…" I said as I woke up from my bed then change my clothes.
She seems to be quiet.
"You'll be back later, right?" she asked.
What should I say to that….? Is it ok to lie here? Maybe it's for the best anyway…
"Yes…" I replied.
"I'll be waiting, Ericchi… Good luck…" she smiled at me.
"Good bye… Nozomi…" I smiled at her gently before I left.
I quickly walk down to the main room,
Luckily Nozomi kept her magic bag on the sofa today. I just need to pick up my weapon and the rope that Nozomi made to lock the screen. I don't really need anything else since Kitsune basically can make me anything.
I need to fake a door sound.
Maybe I should check on Arisa first, at this time of hour, she usually already asleep. I decided to sneak into her room to see her. She is actually already sleeping.
I approached her quietly and kissed her forehead.
"Take care, Arisa…" I whispered.
Then I quickly go out of the room— took my shoes and dashing to the Television before Nozomi know where I'm actually going. Or maybe she knows?
As I arrived in the otherworld,
Already wearing my special glasses and my weapon on my back.
Maki and Umi already inside there… what are they doing here?
"I know you will show up here…" Maki said.
"What are you two doing here…" I said.
"I just discussed this with Umi…" she said.
"Eli… you need to think about it again. It's not like we suspect anything, but… is there anything we should know about but you and her hide it?" Umi asked.
"Me and her?"
"You and Nozomi…." Maki said.
"You are the first that able to use this power…. We really just want to know about how you actually get your power and how far Nozomi know about this world…" Umi said.
What are they suspecting?
"You two are being so nosy about this… it doesn't matter anymore right? We just have to save the world… It's not like we will get known by anyone else…. We're always doing this in secret…" I said.
"True, but still, Eli, there is something off about everything…" Umi said politely.
"It's true you two are the one with most experience, but it's not normal to know about the future too much… it's like what we've done together is moving according to someone's plan… " Maki said.
"It's too smooth… Eli…." Umi said.
"Are you two suspecting Nozomi and I to be the mastermind of everything and just tricking you all to our plan?" I asked.
"No…It's nothing like that…" Umi said.
"Let's be bold, Umi. We don't need to be modest. If she is the actual kidnapper, she just wants to lead us to chaos…" Maki said.
What? Me? Kidnap them? Lead them to chaos?
"M-Maki! Eli is nothing like that!" Umi said.
"You know how clever she is, Umi. Maybe she is a great pretender as well… " Maki summoned her persona. What are they thinking, seriously…. How could they come up with that conclusion…?
"Wait a minute there! Calm down! Maki!" Umi said.
"I had enough of this bizarre thing, a lot of people collapsed due to the fear or the end of the world, some has gone insane as well… if you're the one behind this, Eli, stop it. It's not funny at all…." Maki said.
"I'm trying to put an end to it…" I said.
Maki and Umi looks surprised.
"So it's true… you're someone behind this?" Maki said.
Hmm… this is a good chance to make me less important for them?
"Then what do you keep behind us? Why even start doing this?" Umi asked.
"You're asking too much. Just relax and enjoy today… everything will be fine tomorrow…" I said.
"You—sneaky fox!" Maki clenched her fist and aim it to me. I don't have enough time for them and I don't want to hurt them too.
I quickly summoned Kitsune and used the fortune form. Old European soldier uniform, one gun, and one sword, almost like Maki's persona.
Kitsune always know what I want to do. She stopped the time for me then helping me to put the two back into the real world— not to forget about Minerva.
It's ironic that I used the ability she introduces to me against her. But ah well, this is for the best. They don't have to thank me later since they won't even remember me anyway.
I quickly used the seal on the screen and let the time move again.
It surprisingly didn't cost much energy for me. I guess it because Kitsune have plenty of them already?
I could hear Maki and Umi began to knock on the TV screen. Looks like the seal is working… thanks Nozomi….
"Eli! Eli! What are you doing?!" Umi called me.
"Hey you bastard! Open the seal damn it! We haven't done talking!" Maki yelled.
I don't care anymore; I need to be quick before more people feared. Damn that clouds and random omen…
I decided to go straight to the shrine,
As what Nozomi told me… I could feel a powerful presence from this area, though I couldn't see a thing over here... perhaps this is what Hanayo's ability for?
I changed her form to the Hermit, she is wearing a dark robe with a lantern on her hand. Ah this one is fully a scout Arcana for me. I can sense a lot of things when using this and even with better details too. I could sense one powerful creature from the center of the shrine. Though I could also sense some powerful energy around the shrine too…
Perhaps Kitsune know how to reveal them?
Yup, she knows.
She channeled the energy to try detects the unseen.
As she did it, I began to be able to see the seals all over the area. Now that I reveal them, what I should do next?
From what I see in my glasses, which apparently appeared right after I used the Hermit Arcana… the seal require specific soul to touch it.
Just touching it?
Hmm… this is too easy….
But what is this specific soul anyway?
Is it me? Maybe it because I'm the one that have to deal with it?
Ah either way, let's just get it over with. It might be easy because the one who sealed this place doesn't want to make it too complicated…
Hmm…
It's like walking to a trap…
What things to be scared of anyway? I believe I could deal with it. No one is here to stop me too anyway.
Just in case though, I changed my arcana to the stars. This form is somewhat looks funky with superman-style costume. I wonder if all the optimism and self-confidence is actually something that formed like this? Ah well, Niko's Persona looks funky too anyway.
I used her ability to increase everything to maximum. It's awesome that I could feel things are a lot lighter now.
Kitsune handed me a new great sword. It's huge and well designed, it really looks like a dragon tooth or something, with the decorative handle and a few gems that somehow feel like keeping specific energy. It's hard to describe what energy inside it, but it's probably be the ice element, could this do an automatic ice area attack in one slash? That would be awesome, but I suppose this might be what I need so save up my energy.
I started out by touching the seal.
I could feel a slight energy drained off me. I didn't expect that but I suppose now I know it's not something free.
The seal broken and it starts to unveil a few walls until….
A bone dragon, with black liquid-like creature all over his body, chained into the shrine with eight chain and one padlock. It rested behind the shrine as if it was slain there. It only has one head though…
But… this dragon… it's not even alive…. But I could see him absorbing something into his body. It's like his heart is living to absorb those black liquids and… hmm... what else is there? It's like something shining on the center of it. I couldn't really see it. Perhaps I should go closer.
I climbed up the stairs calmly. The aura in this place is really different from the other area. Despite the gruesome view on the center of this place, I could feel something soothing and comfortable too. Perhaps this is why Nozomi like to be around the Shrine?
As I reached up, I can see one coffin sealed behind the door of the shrine. Maybe that is where I supposed to be?
I tried to examine it closer, ignoring the black liquids around this area that keep coming into the bone. I can see the coffin is not locked and it looks like it was burned before. Then there's also a broken pieces of something on the altar, some pieces are scattered to the ground.
What is this… broken something?
Kitsune seems like wanted to tell me something, though she couldn't talk like in my dream. She decided to take a piece of that broken thing and handed it to me.
As it was on my hand, I could feel my head spinning and it's like I was taken back to a place— but I could feel my body almost falling into the ground.
I began to hear voice out of nowhere. It was somewhat familiar yet I couldn't tell who that is.
"Just…. Ayase! Why are you so stubborn! I mean… look! We both are deities, we have power to decide our own fate!"
Then I could hear my own voice— or perhaps, one that similar to my voice,
"It's not a fate…. It's a duty that I have to fulfill as a guardian…"
"Urgh! You're at it again! I told you— I can do a trick for that, you don't have to sacrifice yourself for a stupid demon!"
"What is this trick anyway? Isn't that a risk for you? I mean… if the true God notice it…."
"There's always be a risk! But the true God never complain about whatever we do with those demons anyway! All we have to do is just to seal them in this world. Keep them shut and quiet!"
"I don't want you to take a risk. You're important to me. Besides, we still have seven other comrades in this place. Just let me be the seal… and forget me, can you?"
"I…I can't possibly forget you, idiot! After all what we've done together…. I'm your wife… why can't you think of my feeling?"
"Listen… love…. You know how much I love this world…and you know how much I love you. I don't want to lose any of it! Once I become its seal, you will never remember me again, you can live without burden and of course, you'll be free from me….you can marry another."
"I don't want to marry another! You're the one and only!"
"That's what you said right now…"
"No…. I swear to you… you will never ever be gone from me. Even if it cost the world to have you back to me, I will do it! The world is not important without you anyway!"
The headache stopped. What is that just now?
I stare into the piece. I wonder what is this mean? I don't remember I have something like that in my life.
Kitsune handed me another piece. I could feel the headache once again.
"I still remember you, Ayase… and I know where you go and what fate awaits you. Are you trying to be romantic by sacrificing yourself for me again? Too bad it's not working for me. All I want is to be with you—I can be more selfish than you! Do you want to know how it feels to have someone that you love most sacrifice for you? Then you should watch the world being sacrificed for you!"
The headache is gone again.
This is really weird… what's the meaning of this? I don't understand. It's like if I do this, something worse will happen.
I began to hear a roar from the sky. I tried to look up and witnessed a giant dragon circling the sky around the center. It's like its waiting for something to come. Then I could see a second dragon appeared on the sky, followed by the third and so on. There are nine dragon in total, plus one bone dragon on the ground. Are they going to….
Oh dear….
They are…
They began to lower their flight and landed on the black liquid. I can see them began to melt along with it and for some reason, it absorbed faster than before. One by one landed on it and the bone dragon started to form into a new creature…. Or perhaps… this is what called as the ten headed dragon….
I could see a vortex formed on the sky— it just the same like the strange cloud in the real world. Is that a portal?
Either way, this dragon is waking up from its position. The heads are now ten and each of them have its own number on the head.
The three biggest one have no number, then the rest are…
XI, II , XIV ...
That would be The Strength, The Priestess, and The Temperance…
VII, IX, X, XVII
The Chariot, The Hermit, The Fortune, and The Stars.
Then as it was completed its form, with five pair of wings and a giant tail with ten horn in it, it attempted to fly into the vortex.
No…
I can't let it happen.
I quickly changed my Arcana into the fortune, then stopped the time. Luckily, its tail still remained on the ground. Maybe this is where Kotori's ability used at. I quickly changed my Arcana into the Temperance, I thought she will be as girl as Lia but it was wearing a tuxedo like a male designer instead. Ah well…the design is still cute enough for a girl.
Kitsune quickly make a spider-web pole on its body to warp all those wings and prevent it to fly further. Then I changed her back to The Fortune to continue the time.
The dragon fell the ground. It cause it to roar in rage and struggle to release itself. Nozomi is right about this would be a fine battle for me. But I suppose this is too easy?
I doubt that.
The dragon wakes up and all the heads began to focus to me and Kitsune. I could see The Strength head began to blow a fire breath into me which I quickly dodged away. I hate fire so much. Then I could see The Priestess Head shot a barrage of arrows into me which I quickly block with The Emperor Arcana. I hate that one so much.
Then I could see The Temperance head creates a wind magic to recoil me and Kitsune away and slam me to the wall far from it— and at the same time the Fortune head dashed into me to bite. I quickly changed to The Chariot to Dash away from it. Phew, Rin's ability is actually very useful in this. I can't imagine myself being bitten by those big teeth.
When I thought I'm safe, The Fortune head shot a bullet into me and it got my leg. At the same time too, The Priestess head shot another arrow into me and it got my ankle. That's really hurt you know, that head is actually as annoying as Umi in battle.
I took away the bullet and the arrow before Kitsune cast a Dia on me.
Hmmm..
Think of it, it feels the same like the µ's…. I already defeat them all before…. I should be able to defeat this one too.
Maybe I should use the same trick. I remember Honoka is weak to ice— I tried to slash my sword into it, supposedly, this would be a weak shot for it.
But I was wrong…
The Hermit head blocked my attack with its magic shield.
How do I break the shield?
Maybe I should just try to make it fight each other? That should be fun, but how do I do it.
Reflect perhaps?
I quickly used Tetrakarn and Tetraja on myself and Kitsune.
As I did it, one of the biggest head roared as if it commands something to the other head.
Then they poked me with a very weak attack, both physical and magic to remove my shield— then followed by strong attack right after it which I quickly dodge.
Kitsune quickly attempted to attack but it was once again blocked by The Hermit head.
Damn… so the three biggest head act like a commander or some kind of tactician…
Bah…
This is difficult.
I could see The Chariot head dashes towards me with its horn and I quickly jumped away from it. It was really quick and it's so close to get me and Kitsune.
The Stars head roared and I could see it cast a magic on their own. I noticed they increased their speed— and probably attack too. The Strength head once again blow a fire breath on me which I cannot dodge but able to block with a shield.
It's a painful attack, but I'm glad I still can stand it. Just right after that attack, I can see a faster arrow barrage aimed to me. I tried to hold my shield still— but I can feel my body is getting a big scar on my leg. Kitsune attempted to attack The Fortune yet The Chariot attacked her first. The Chariot's speed is no joke with the buff on.
I need to somehow debuff them.
I changed to The Death.
Then I didn't expect this one…
One of the three biggest head silenced me— and locked my Arcana...
I didn't know they can lock my Arcana.
I know this should be temporary but…
Why locked me in The Death Arcana?
I could feel my body getting crushed— yet I swear I'm not actually crushed, but… Kitsune is…
She got bitten by The Chariot— then thrown away and blown by The Strength's fire. Then throw again and slammed to the wall by The Temperance head, once again shot by The Priestess arrow, followed by another bite from The Fortune. This is really painful, I should've died at this point but I feel like I couldn't die. Perhaps it's because I can't be more dead than The Death? Do I endure all the Death with this Arcana?
This is painful though, The Hanged man is able to heal or regenerate, The Death have no heals but it can regenerate very slowly. Still though, it made me wonder why they locked me in The Death Arcana. If they truly trying to kill me, why not locking me in another Arcana?
I could feel myself no longer able to stand. I fell on my knee and hold myself with only my hand. The ten headed dragon didn't attack again. They stare into me proudly as if it already proud of what it done to me.
I know I survived this, but… are they going to torment me like this forever?
One of the biggest head approached Kitsune— that already fallen on the ground after all the damage. With its grin on its face…. How arrogant….
I can feel it bit Kitsune gently— then throw her up all the way to the air and….
It ate her…
How….
Now how do I beat this thing….
I could feel my body started to feel burned— it's like being burned by the acid… all my muscles began to weaken… I started to feel squeezed here and there…
I can't be left like this….
I really can't be left like this.
I must win this battle no matter what it cost.
I need a power to break through this….
To remember about it…
Nozomi used to say about The Strength is a power to overcome something greater than itself…
Maybe I actually need The Strength….
If only Honoka could help me with this…
I can't possibly win without that kind of power…
I need it…
I really-really need it..
Please…
Any Miracle…
Be happen….
Because if I fall now, who will protect the world from this?
Then who will seal it back to this place?
My eyes began to blur… I can see the dragon carefully tried to untie its wings from the thread.
I can't let that happen…
But I can't do a thing…
Without Kitsune…
I can't possibly fight this thing….
And with my body getting weakened….
I need power…
I need a power to overcome something greater than myself…
I'm….
I'm desperate of it…
I really need it right now no matter what…
Even if there will be no miracle happened…
I'm sure I can overcome this if I have that power..
A power to dominance…
A power that I need to abuse…
I'm hungry of power right now….
I am.. The Hunger….
No…
Nozomi told me I should not be desperate…
But I really need it right now because there will be no one that able to help me at this point…
I have to wake this up…
Is this… the special Arcana she told me about?
One that may be dangerous even for myself?
But what do I care about myself now? I am in the other world…. I am all by myself…
Even if I have to be gone...
No…
I….. I feel something is wrong with me.
Something is really wrong with me….
I can feel power flowing inside me…as if… I'm absorbing something to myself….
Kitsune….?
What happen to Kitsune?
This power is not normal… it's not exactly the power that I wanted….
But…it should be fine right?
Because all I need is a power to beat this thing….
This power feel so dark….
But who cares…..
I can see the dragon began to struggle on its own while I slowly regained myself.
It began to slowly melt into liquid again.
This power is wonderful…
Even though it feels so wrong….
I really like it….
Even though it might be bad for myself….
I…
I feel like I'm going to devour it…
Even though I started to feel pain on my head…
An unbearable pain which made me screams painfully…
And laughing in pride at the same time…
This is…
This is the hunger?
Why does it feel so wonderful….?
My vision began to darken…
I don't know what happen to me…
But… this power…
Is everything will be alright with this?
I woke up on a strange place once again,
But I cannot see fog anywhere. This place is so bright and beautiful…it feels like a castle and…this bed… it's like a queen bed…. with all the red curtain and gold decoration…. I remember I used to wish for something like this… but…. where is this…? Why am I waking up here?
As I tried to look around, I could feel someone is sleeping next to me… that someone is….
"Nozomi?" I called her name.
Nozomi woke up slowly… she is fully naked under her blanket…
"Ah— Ericchi…." She smiled to me sweetly.
"Welcome back…." she said.
There's something wrong with her eyes.. it still remained turquoise but it's glowing…
"Nozomi.. your eyes…. Why is it glowing?" I asked.
"Hmmm? Isn't that normal now? I mean.. look at you…." She said as she took a hand mirror.
I can see myself with glowing blue eyes too— but what important is…. I found myself to be naked too and…what is this….dark…marking on my arm.. I never remember to have this… hell, I never want to have this…..
"Wh…what on earth happening here? When do I get this?" I asked.
"I should be the one who ask… Ericchi… how do you end up to have that on your arm? Are you the one behind this?" Nozomi asked.
"What do you mean… the one behind this?"I asked.
Nozomi sighed at me.
"About a few days ago… there's a powerful force that began to absorb the real world through the vortex…" she said.
"I already told everyone that you can't be the one behind this—because you're always going to do your best to defeat it, Arisa believe in you too…. but since it happened, everyone began to assume that you lost in that battle…." She continued as she pushed me back to the bed.
"Then at the next day, we just figured that everyone without persona start to turn into shadows... then they began to act whatever they wanted…. It's like they're living in their own world…" she continued again as she stroke her hand into my cheek.
"People starts to ignore each other— they're happy though… like, really happy to live in their own world…. It's like no one need each other again…." She grabs my hand and kissing it gently.
"And…. We found you… unconscious on the shrine with your weapon and Kitsune's card… At first I was worried if you will transform into other thing— but… you remained as The Fool… you're such amazing person... Ericchi…." Nozomi sniffed my hand slowly as she brushes her lips on it too.
"Something is wrong with Kitsune though…. She is like corrupted or something… her furs are no longer fluffy and cute… her mask is no longer decent… everything on her seems to be off …. I can't really explain it…. but either way… the only important thing for me is… you're awake now…." she said before she put my fingers in her mouth.
"Nozomi…." I called her gently. She slid my fingers in and out for a while before she asked,
"Are you wondering about how the others take it when they see you?"
"Y…yes…."
"They're not angry…. They're relieved to see you save… then I told them… I will take you home….and take care of you of course…" she smiled— somewhat mischievous.
"So of course I took you to bed… then— that was the time you suddenly open your eyes and start being so forceful to me… I really like it, you know…" she continued again as she placed my hand on her blushing cheek.
"Just look at what you did to my clothes…" she turned her eyes to the floor. I could see clothes tattered savagely…. Am I…. being that aggressive?
"You're like a hungry beast… I don't know how long you are forcing yourself to me— but I really like it anyway…. Being dominated by Ericchi… it's like something has coming back to life in me…." She continued.
"Di…did I ….did it too long?" I asked.
"Well, I don't mind you touching me for all days and time…. We have forever to do this now, Ericchi… in this world, no one will feel hungry and no one will age too… this is a perfect world Ericchi…." She continued…
Is it…really?
I could hear a crash nearby.
"Ah— looks like someone crashing with someone again…." She said calmly.
"Wh..what?" I tilted my head.
She giggled.
"In this world… because everyone will have whatever they want and do whatever they want— sometime they can crash into each other….but what funny is they will keep trying to crash each other until the strongest win…. This is a world where people will be selfish about their wishes… isn't that fun?"
Fun….?
hearing the sound of car trying to crush each other is gruesome...
"Back then in the real world, you have to give up some things for others— to make others happy, but here, they can be selfish and no one will lose a thing other than their life…. No one cares about the rules again and there's no one that can rule over them too… this is world of liberty, Ericchi…" she smiled at me.
I..isn't that a gruesome world? That's not how it supposed to be… the real world is a lot better than that kind of world. People shouldn't be selfish all the time… it's unbalanced… it's not perfect….
"You shouldn't worry about the µ's or their family… or your family too…. you've created us a shelter… or perhaps…. I… have created a shelter for all of us by your command…. We still can be very selfish ourselves… we can do whatever we want…." She added.
No… this is wrong…
This is not how the world supposed to be….
"Just relax and enjoy, Ericchi… you've got everything you deserve…." She smiled once again before she kissed me gently…
What…
What did I do to deserve all these?
This is not how I want the world to be….
This is not a perfect world….
A/N : Phew... there... that's the bad ending...
and yeah Nozomi's True Arcana isn't actually revealed but you see the Biggest Hint in this ...
Should have someone guessed her right by now...