Disclaimer:
Atlus is the creator of the Shin Megami Tensei series of games, which this story uses as source material. As per the subject matter, all characters, events, places, and concepts used in this story are a work of fiction.
Fall and Rebirth
By: RB3
Judgement Arcana 9: Journey of the Fool
777th Floor
Naoto and her friends rose to the top of the tower upon a golden platform. The final Heaven of the tower, Araboth, could only be described as what people would think of when they thought of the word "heaven." It was a vast, open sky filled with platforms made of clouds. These platforms were linked together like a series of islands by numerous rainbow-like bridges. The sun cast its golden, wholesome light upon the marble temples and shrines scattered throughout this celestial world.
When the team crested the 777th floor via their golden platform, they were greeted by a set of massive, golden double doors. They were so massive, they made the team seem like mice next to them. Each of the door hinges themselves were at least six feet high. Bright white light seeped through the cracks between the door and the ground and nearby walls. If it wasn't for the presence of the door, the light would have been so intense as to blind the group.
"Something powerful is on the other side," Rise informed the others, scanning beyond the double doors. "The light is too bright, but I can feel it there, waiting for us."
"This is it, the final battle," remarked Yosuke. "I can't help but feel a bit nervous."
"You aren't going to the bathroom now, are you?" asked Chie.
"No," replied Yosuke sarcastically. "I just wonder, what will I be like once I'm in the new world. Am I still gonna be me? Will I even know you guys?"
"I'm sure we'll be fine," said Rise. "Maybe our histories will change, but we'll still be the same people."
"Yeah, that's right. We've been through so much together. We'll get through this together too," said Yukiko.
"Well, no point wasting time. How do we open this door?" asked Kanji, trying to push it open. When that failed to work, he tried to pull it instead, but the door wouldn't budge.
"I'll try the key," said Naoto, pointing the Magatsuhi key at the door.
The door started to rumble and slowly opened inward. The light flooded into the entrance lobby, blinding the whole group. Despite not being able to see, the Investigation Team pressed forward. The light subsided and they found themselves standing opposite the door, at the edge of a massive domed chamber. Several bricks of various shapes hovered around the room in perfect orbit around a single point of light. A faint murmur could be heard in the background, as though billions of souls were singing in joy, in anticipation of the world's rebirth.
The bricks converged around the point of light forming the head of a giant old man. The old man, Kagutsuchi, spoke. "So, you've come at last, you who bear the Reason of Exaltation in your hearts. You seek to create a world where all may reach the height of their potential. Very well Reason bearers, prove to me the strength of your Reason. From the moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, man sealed his fate. Entrusting his future to the cards, man seeks a new hope. The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed."
Kagatsuchi started to rumble as random bricks from around the room started to form into shapes before the team. The first was a man in robes, holding aloft a magic wand which shined with supernatural power. "Attaining one's dream requires a stern will and unfailing determination," said the Magician, using Kagutsuchi's voice.
The second was a saintly woman, eyes closed, kneeling in reverent prayer. "The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom," said the Priestess.
The third was a noble woman, carrying a sceptre and dressed in the robes and crown of a queen. "Celebrate life's grandeur, its brilliance, its magnificence," said the Empress.
The fourth was the Empress' male counterpart, bearing an imperial sceptre and adorned by robes and the crown of his station. "Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer," said the Emperor.
The fifth was a priest, dressed like the Pope with his mitre and ceremonial staff. "It is indeed a precious gift to understand the forces that guide oneself," said the Hierophant.
The sixth formed into a pair of figures, a naked man and a naked woman, holding each other's hand. "There is both joy and wonder in coming to understand another," said the Lovers in unison.
"They are the Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, and the Lovers," informed Rise. "Kagutsuchi has given form to the Arcana of the Shadows."
The Arcana constructs advanced on the team. The Magician started the battle by waving his wand, casting a searing torrent of flame. Yukiko quickly ran in front of the others to take the brunt of the flames for the team. She emerged unscathed, instead feeling much more refreshed and invigorated through absorbing them. She immediately hurled her fan in retaliation, but the Magician hovered sideways to evade. He charged forward, before she could catch her returning fan, and knocked her to the ground.
The Emperor brought lightning down upon the team, incapacitating them with convulsions. Kanji, invigorated by the electricity, forced his way through to the front and took the attack for the others. He move close and slammed his shield into the Emperor's face. The lightning stopped, allowing Naoto to fire at the Priestess. The Empress immediately dove in front, taking the bullets for her ally. The Empress unleashed a torrent of ice, but Teddie rushed forward and took it for the team.
Under the cover of Teddie's body, Naoki emerged and spewed flame in retaliation. The set the Empress' robes on fire. She flailed around helplessly trying to extinguish them. The fires continued to spread and engulfed her completely. They burnt her to ash and molten bricks. The Priestess immediately whispered a soft prayer. All of a sudden the Empress started to reform, brick by brick, until she was back to normal. She immediately tried to spray Naoki, but Teddie got in the way.
"Oh great!" remarked Teddie, as he drained the ice into his hands.
"Take out the Priestess first. She'll keep healing the others as long as she lives," informed Rise.
"Yukiko's in trouble!" said Ai, seeing the Magician on top of her, pummelling her face with the wand. Ai directed a vine at the Magician, restraining his weapon arm. Yukiko quickly kicked the Magician off while he was preoccupied with the vine. She scrambled out and ran back to Ai's side, where she started to heal the cuts and bruises caused by the Magician.
The Magician set the vines on fire, freeing himself. "No, you're staying down," said Yukiko, casting a Godly Light upon the Magician.
Amaterasu clasped her hands, chanting a prayer which shined a white spotlight shined upon the Magician. It seared the Arcana painfully, with wisps of smoke visibly hissing out of its body. Even so, the Magician proved very resilient, staying intact even under such an onslaught. Ai lobbed Mustard Bombs upon the construct, filling the area around him with dirty yellow gas. The Magician started to cough as the gas burned his eyes. Yukiko ramped up the intensity, until the Magician was disintegrated.
The Priestess chanted a new prayer. The Magician started to reform, with grains gathering into blocks, which gathered into the Magician's body. Naoto summoned Norn and quickly hurled a tornado at the Priestess. The Empress immediately jumped in front to take the hit. The tornado trapped the Empress in its eye, but she quickly busted through, dissipating the winds. Naoto fired several times at the Empress. She simply blocked, taking the full brunt of the gunfire to permit the Priestess to resume her prayers.
The Empress advanced upon Naoto. She hurled a blast of ice, which Naoto blocked. Naoto tried to shoot again, but the Empress withstood the bullets and continued to pressure Naoto. Teddie suddenly pounced upon the open Priestess. His attack knocked her down, disrupting her prayers. She scrambled out and fled from Teddie, who gave chase. The Empress realized she had been lured away and rushed for Teddie. He quickly backed off, avoiding the Empress' sceptre. Teddie turned his claw upon the Empress, tearing a gash open across her chest.
As soon as the gash opened, it started to close as grains of stone flew in to seal the cut. Teddie suddenly grabbed the Empress' legs and held on. "Now!" cried Naoto.
Hell Biker suddenly came by, lashing a chain around the neck of the Priestess. The chain acted like a noose, dragging the Priestess across the ground as he rode along. He suddenly stopped, and Yosuke descended from above, stabbing into her chest. The Priestess crumbled into rubble, removing the enemy of their primary support. Nearby, Teddie yanked the Empress' legs, taking her to the ground. Naoto summoned Yamato-Takeru, who descended from above and sliced the Empress in two with Vorpal Blade.
Kanji charged in for a takedown, trying to grab the Emperor by the legs and pull him down. Instead, the Emperor held firmly, pushing Kanji's momentum into the ground. Chie launched into a flying kick, planting her foot right into the Arcana's face. Staggered, the Emperor became open to Kanji's takedown. Kanji lifted him up and slammed him hard into the ground. He scrambled onto the Emperor and hurled punches into his face. After several blows, Kanji had smashed the Emperor's head to rubble.
The Hierophant rushed at Chie, who dodged his staff. She immediately planted a kick to his stomach, which sent him sliding across the room until he crashed into a wall. The Hierophant got up and quickly applied Dia magic on himself to recover. Chie launched into a flying kick, but he suddenly tilted his head out of the way at the last moment. As she landed, the Hierophant circled around and hit her from behind, pushing her toward the wall. He tried again, but she dodged and caught his staff. With a single chop, she split it in two.
The Hierophant tried to hurled a point blank fireball, but she quickly evaded sideways. The Hierophant tried to strike her with his remaining half of the staff. Chie caught his arm and flipped him onto the ground. With a quick stomp, Chie crushed his head into rubble. Nearby, Ai lobbed a Mustard Bomb at the Lovers. The explosion separated them and the gas got into their eyes, causing them to tear up and burn painfully. Teddie dumped numerous ice boulders which crushed them underneath.
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The Investigation Team regrouped and faced Kagutsuchi. The remains of the Arcana turned to a powder trail which rose into the air. New blocks raced in to replace the lost ones. They joined together to form a new set of Arcana constructs. The first took on the shape of a Roman centurion armed with a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a sheathed gladius. The centurion wore a helmet with a brush-like plume and rode a chariot powered by a pair of horses. "One of life's greatest blessings is the freedom to pursue one's goals," said the Chariot.
The second was simply a set of weighing scales. "To find the one true path, one must seek guidance amidst uncertainty," said Justice.
The third was a wizened old man dressed in robes like a wizard. He carried a lantern in his left hand and a walking stick in the right. "It requires great courage to look at oneself honestly and forge one's own path," said the Hermit.
The fourth figure was a simple metal wheel with marked segments displaying various suits of a poker deck. It was like the spinning wheel used in games of roulette. "Alongside time exists fate, the bearer of cruelty," said Fortune, the Wheel of Fortune.
The fifth figure was an cute girl in a gown, holding onto the chain which leashed her pet lion. "Only with Strength can one endure suffering and torment," said Strength.
The sixth and final figure was a man hanging upside from a gallows. "In the face of disaster lies opportunity for renewal," said the Hanged Man.
"Those Arcana are Chariot, Justice, Hermit, Fortune, Strength, and Hanged Man," informed Rise. "Fortune uses lots of wind attacks and is healed by wind. Hermit can use spells which mess with your head, so watch out. Hanged Man resists everything, while Strength and Chariot use lots of physical attacks and are resistant to them. Justice uses lots of Hama magic and is immune to it."
Justice advanced on the group, aglow in holy white light. Several golden ofuda materialized around the group. Recognizing this attack, Naoto switched to Sophia. Along with Yukiko and Naoki, formed a circle around the group. A white flash from the ofuda engulfed the group, but the trio took the brunt of the spell unharmed. It was a Hama spell that, if successful, would have banished their Personas and rendered them unconscious.
Naoto ran forward, firing shots at Justice. Her bullets struck the mobile scale, forcing it to recoil in pain. Yukiko fanned a torrent of flame at Justice. Justice caught on fire and stumbled about in agony. Naoto unleashed a Megido spell. The explosion snuffed the flames and blasted Justice to the ground. Ai quickly moved forward and fired a Mustard Bomb. The sphere struck Justice and exploded, leaking a dirty yellow gas everywhere. Despite this flurry of attacks, Justice got back up.
It cast another Hama, surrounding Ai and Alraune with ofuda. After a bright white flash, Alraune suddenly vanished into the light and Ai collapsed comatose on the ground. "What happened to Ai?" asked Kanji, noticing Ai collapse in the corner of his eye. Despite the vulnerable state of his teammate, he kept a constant watch over Chariot's movements.
"She got hit by a Hama spell," replied Rise. "They strip you of your Persona and knock you out."
"I can Recarm her up, but I need time," said Teddie.
"Okay," replied Naoto.
Naoto hurled a sphere of almighty energy. It exploded just next to Justice, throwing it to the ground. She pressed the attack by spraying a jet of ice and snow. An icy shell formed around Justice, pinning it to the ground. Yukiko fanned flames upon it, engulfing the creature once again. Justice burnt to ash under the flames leaving nothing recognizable behind. Nearby, Teddie continued to direct wholesome white light upon Ai's unconscious body. She winced groggily as she regained consciousness and sat up.
At that moment, an arrow embedded itself into Teddie's back. He gasped in pain and fell to one knee. "Teddie!" said Ai.
Teddie's attacker had been the Chariot, who had sent an arrow into his back while passing by. Ai immediately focused on Teddie, applying Dia magic to heal him. The arrow popped out and vanished as the wound sealed up. "Naoki, you have help Kanji. He can't keep up with Chariot's speed," informed Rise.
"Got it," replied Naoki, racing behind the Chariot, trying to catch up to him.
As Chariot approached for a drive-by on Ai, Naoki pulled up beside him. He lashed a chain into the Chariot's wheel. The chain got entangled in the spokes, causing the Chariot to make an abrupt stop. The centurion prematurely misfired his arrow at an empty wall. As the same time, the centurion's momentum carried him forward, flipping him over the front of his vehicle. He flopped flat onto his back, but quickly got up and drew his sword.
With the Chariot stopped, Kanji caught up to its rider. He hurled a Zio spell upon the centurion, which chained from the centurion to the Chariot. The electricity burnt both to ash, leaving nothing behind but melted goo and seared bricks. Ai finished healing Teddie and the bear stood up, full of vim and vigour. They saw Yosuke, who had been tackled by Strength's lion. The lion bit into Yosuke's arm and held on despite his attempts to pry it off.
"Get that lion off of Yosuke," said Rise. Teddie hurled icy wind at the lion as Ai pelted it with magical stones. Their combined attacks dislodged the lion and forced it to turn its attention to them.
It pounced on Ai, knocking her down. Like Yosuke, the lion started to bite into her left shoulder. She tried to pry the lion loose, but the beast's jaws were too tight. Yosuke hurled Divine Wind at the lion, who held on despite such severe gale force. Strength ran in to intervene. Yosuke dodged her punch and backed away for space. Teddie sprayed ice to dislodge the lion. The ice stung so greatly that the lion reflexively released Ai. Ai suddenly levitated a boulder from the ground and fatally pulverized the lion's face.
Strength threw two jabs at Yosuke, who dodged both. She suddenly sped up and threw a combination of wild punches. Yosuke avoided the first hit of Deathbound, but the second caught him. Staggered, he got struck by the third, which hurled towards the back wall. He hit it with a thud and cracked open an indentation. Yosuke slumped to the ground dazed. Strength advanced, but felt a brief chill and found her leg frozen to the ground by a shell of ice. Teddie kept the icy stream coming until Strength was frozen completely. Ai dropped a massive boulder, crushing Strength.
Fortune sent a tornado at Naoto. She quickly switched to Norn and took the winds head on, absorbing it to replenish her stamina. Naoto immediately called Sophia and hurled electricity. Fortune stumbled about, convulsing in agony as electricity surged across its body. Naoto turned up the intensity until it exploded in a shower of rubble. Suddenly, something got around her neck! It pulled her down, choking her all the while. She tried to pry it loose, feeling the noose tightening around her neck.
At the other end was the Hanged Man. He dragged Naoto along the ground, trying to lasso her in like a cowboy. "Someone help Naoto! The Hanged Man's choking her!" warned Rise.
Kanji looked over and spotted the Hanged Man. He ran over and smacked him with his shield. Dazed, the Hanged Man bobbed back and forth like a piñata. Naoto removed the noose just as Hermit crashed to the ground next to her. She quickly wound the noose around the Hermit's neck and tightened it. The Hanged Man regained his composure and yanked the lasso. Kanji ducked as the Hermit sailed by overhead. The Hermit hit a wall and shattered into rubble.
Stunned by the realization of his mistake, the Hanged Man could only stand there and gawk. Ai hurled a Mustard Bomb. The explosion blasted the Hanged Man to pieces. A distance away, Teddie noticed Yukiko on the ground rubbing her chin. Chie seemed quite apologetic. "What happened?" asked Teddie.
"Chie kicked me in the face," replied Yukiko.
"I didn't mean it! The Hermit messed with my head. I couldn't tell what I was doing," said Chie sheepishly.
"Here, let me heal you," said Teddie, sending a stream of white light. Yukiko immediately felt her head clear up as the Dia magic worked on her.
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When the group had fully recovered, they closed ranks and awaited Kagutsuchi's next test. Kagutsuchi cleaned out the piles of rubble and formed a new opponent for Exaltation. He was a single towering, skeletal creature. He had a skull for a face, wore tattered robes, and carried a scythe. He resembled the Grim Reaper. "Beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end and the absolute beginning," said Death.
"That is Death," informed Rise. "He is immune to death magic and can use it himself. He is more powerful than the other Arcana combined. Be careful!"
Death cast a dark spell upon them. A ring of violet light enclosed Exaltation, forcing them to group up at the centre. Naoto quickly switched to Sophia. A foul, unholy darkness flooded the interior of the ring. This black mist sapped the very life from them. This brief, but crushing brush with death brought them to their knees, all except for Naoto and Naoki. Their Personas, Sophia and Hell Biker, had immunity to death magic, which allowed them to withstand this onslaught.
Their friends were still weak, but Death was already preparing to attack again. His scythe was raised up high and a second ring of violet light was starting to form. "Naoki, stop his spell!" said Naoto.
Naoki quickly sped forward and both he and Hell Biker lashed chains onto Death's scythe. The three struggled with the weapon, but Death got the upper hand, yanking both Hell Biker and Naoki to the ground. He quickly undid the chain and resumed his spell. When it completed, the dark miasma flooded the ring's interior, but was nullified by previously invisible barriers of white light, a Tetraja spell. The darkness and its containing ring faded harmlessly. Yukiko clasped hands and chanted a prayer. Her team became awash in white light and rapidly returned to full health.
Death swung at Naoto, but Kanji leapt in front and blocked the blade. Death pushed to overpower Kanji, yet could not break the stalemate. Death suddenly jabbed with the blunt end, which Kanji predictably blocked. Death suddenly slashed at his legs, tripping Kanji. With Kanji down from Hassohappa, Death turned to Naoto. As he swung for Naoto, something snagged his scythe. Death tried to wrench his weapon free, but couldn't. That was when he noticed the chain and Naoki and Hell Rider pulling back at the other end.
Chie and Teddie quickly rushed over and encased Death's lower half in ice, trapping him in place. Yosuke and Susanoo suddenly appeared overhead, descending upon him with weapons drawn. With his free hand, Death unleashed a blast of darkness. The Hades Blast blew Yosuke out of the sky. Suddenly, a vine entwined around Death's free hand. It constricted and pulled back on his hand, keeping him from using it freely.
Yukiko gathered flame into a massive sphere for a final strike which would finish Death once and for all. Death summoned a ghostly black, demonic hand which rushed forward and grabbed Yukiko. A black haze filled the room and she found herself with the bodies of several other people nearby. They were her friends. Death was before her, brandishing the scythe, daring her to attack. She was all alone, against the darkness, yet, it was all an illusion. Her body was still in the real world, paralysed by fear, shivering uncontrollably, and her face all white.
Naoto, seeing her friend in trouble, rushed forward and unloaded a pair of bullets into Death. Death shuddered with each hit. Naoto quickly conjured Sophia, who unleashed a powerful Hama spell upon Death. Golden ofuda encircled Death and flashed white, consuming him completely. "Phew," remarked Kanji.
Teddie quickly set to work on calming Yukiko with the milky white light of Amrita. "Thanks Teddie," replied Yukiko.
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When the team was ready, Kagutsuchi conjured six new opponents to test them. The shining blue bricks coalesced into the first of the enemy team a gigantic, jewel-encrusted chalice. "There is harmony and unity even among the mismatched," said Temperance.
The second figure was a ferocious, but chained, demon. "One's chains are largely self-imposed," said the Devil.
The third was a miniature tower the size of a human being. "Pride comes before a fall," said the Tower.
The fourth was merely a five-pointed star. "Hope lingers on in the midst of uncertainty and doubt," said the Star.
The fifth was a crescent moon. "Facing your fears can inspire you to new heights," said the Moon.
The sixth and last was a sun. "Joy shines from the self for all to see," said the Sun.
"They are Temperance, Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, and Sun," said Rise. "Devil can use death magic and is healed by it. He can also use psychic attacks, but is vulnerable to them and to light as well. Moon can use physical skills and fear-based mental attacks, but is also weak to them. Tower also has physical attacks and is very resistant to them. Sun can use both fire and banishment attacks and absorbs both. Star uses ice and absorbs it. Temperance is well rounded in skills and resistant to everything."
The Tower gathered pink energy into a ball at its apex. It released it as a Primal Force, blasting Yukiko to the ground. "Yukiko!" cried Chie.
The Devil advanced on Chie locked gazes with her. His eyes glowed with a hypnotic redness, as did Chie's. Her face turned beet-red as intense fury filled her. She launched herself at the Devil with a flying kick. The Devil sidestepped. Chie landed and quickly righted herself, throwing a flurry of devastating kicks. The Devil blocked the onslaught until he saw Chie spin into a roundhouse kick. He caught her foot and wrapped chains around her leg. Chie tried to wriggle free, but the chains were too tight and her balance was precarious.
Throughout the whole exchange, Naoto and Yosuke were shouting at Chie. "Chie!" cried Naoto.
"Watch out!" cried Yosuke, seeing the Moon approach in his peripheral vision..
The Moon suddenly glowed with a darkly violet light. Kagutsuchi's room and the floor suddenly vanished! Yosuke went tumbling down hundreds of stories of sky, all the way back to the surface. All he could do was scream in horror as he made a one way plunge to certain doom. However, all of that was in his mind. Naoto noticed him standing there, shivering with terror etched on his face. "Yosuke, snap out of it!" cried Naoto. At that moment, the Sun expelled a massive torrent of flame, but Naoto quickly blocked.
The Tower fired at Ai, but Kanji darted forward with shield raised. He took the Primal Force, but despite not being harmed by it, it still pushed him back. He had to dig into the ground just to maintain his position. "Ai," said Kanji. The girl turned to him. "Get Yukiko up."
"Okay," she replied.
Ai left Kanji's side to tend to Yukiko, who was still dazed on the ground. She emitted white light from her hands. The Dia magic infused Yukiko with its wholesome, life-giving power. Yukiko groggily opened her eyes, regaining her lucidity. "I'll be okay," she remarked to Ai as she stood up.
Yukiko noticed Yosuke, still quivering in fear from the spell of the Moon. The Moon began gathering a great amount of dark power, for its final strike. She recited a Prayer for Yosuke, filling him with the same life-giving light she had received from Ai. Yosuke continued to fall in his vision when suddenly, the sky vanished and he found himself standing in the midst of a battle. He stood there puzzled, wondering what was going on. The Moon suddenly released its spell as a foul screech, but it washed over Yosuke harmlessly.
"Phew, just in the nick of time," remarked Rise. "That was Ghastly Wail. It kills those who are suffering from fear. If you were a just moment later, he would have been killed."
"Nice save Yukiko. I owe ya one," said Yosuke. "Now for some payback!"
Yosuke cast Tentarafoo, blitzing the Moon with spheres of yellow light. The Moon's equilibrium was shattered and it was thrown into confusion and vertigo. The Moon floundered about, trying to make its way through a world which spun and turned upside-down. Yosuke sicced Susanoo upon the Moon. The Persona made a clean slash across the Moon's top, slicing off a chunk of rock. The Moon tried to escape, only managing to stumble around erratically. Susanoo dashed in, cutting it in half with one running slash.
The Tower fired another Primal Force, which Kanji blocked. As he was about to lower his guard, the Tower fired again, forcing him into defence again. The Tower continued to pummel him with Primal Forces, even though they were not harming him. Despite that, they were pushing Kanji slowly towards the wall behind. "Not good," Kanji thought. "If I'm trapped against the wall, the next blast might blow me out of this room."
The Tower fired again, pushing Kanji against that wall. There was nowhere left for him to go, except through the wall and into a 777 story plunge outside. The Tower's apex glowed with pink energy, preparing the final Primal Force. The Devil suddenly came flying in from the side, crashing into the Tower. It misfired, hitting the wall inches away from Kanji, who shifted away to avoid it. As the Devil crumbled into rubble, Kanji noticed Chie, retracting her leg from a kick.
"Hey I owe ya one," remarked Kanji.
"Buy me some beef ramen when this is done," said Chie, smiling in jest.
As the Tower attempted to get up and renew its attack, Kanji saw it. He hurled a bolt of electricity which tore off the Tower's top. As Tower crumbled, an explosion burst forth from its bottom section, consuming the rest of it, scattering rubble everywhere. Yosuke unleashed a Tentarafoo spell upon the Devil. Its golden orbs confounded the Devil, who wobbled around in vertigo. The Devil lashed a chain at the Sun, causing it to misfire an Agi into the roof.
Ai, the Sun's intended victim, fired a Mustard Bomb. The resulting explosion blew the Sun to rubble. It also hit the Devil and sent him to the ground. Naoki suddenly came speeding in on Hell Biker and simply ran him over, leaving crushed rubble marked by a tire track. Temperance swung at Chie with a blob of wine. Chie ducked. The Temperance tried again, but Chie sidestepped and darted forward. She closed and punted Temperance away. Temperance crashed into the Star, taking both down. Yukiko cast Meltdown, incinerating both constructs within the ring of flame.
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As the Investigation Team regrouped, the piles of rubble flowed away in trails. Kagutsuchi gathered more blocks and formed them into an angel-like creature who had a skull for a face and carried a trumpet. It was similar in appearance to the demon Trumpeter, the angel whose trumpet sounded the start of Armageddon. "Only by accepting the past can we be free of its burden," said Judgement.
"This creature is Judgement," said Rise. "He is the most powerful of the Arcana monsters we've faced. It is resistant to every element while being immune to banishment, death, and all ailments. It specializes in almighty attacks, so there is no way to completely block his attacks."
Judgement played a brief, but triumphant song on his instrument. A sphere of dark, reality-warping power formed in the air. "Watch out!" cried Naoto.
The sphere grew in size as Judgement played and then burst in a massive explosion. Exaltation could only cover themselves as the explosion washed over them. Despite putting all her strength into it, Ai could not remain standing and got blown away. She crashed into the wall behind her, opening several cracks into the stone surface. "Ai!" cried Yukiko.
"He's coming for us!" cried Kanji. Judgement advanced and blew into his horn, expelling a sphere of almighty energy. Kanji blocked it, but it still hit hard enough to bowl him over. Despite taking such a clean hit, he was still able to get up afterwards.
Naoki sped on Hell Biker and entwined his chain around Judgement's trumpet. He tried to pry the instrument from the angel's hands, but Judgement held on tightly. Seeing it distracted, Naoto called on Sophia and released a massive Megido sphere. Naoki saw the orb coming and released his grip. When Judgement realized what was happening, the sphere had exploded violently. Judgement went flying into the stone wall, crashing into a heap.
Despite such a harsh impact, Judgement got up almost instantly. "He's not done," said Rise. "He's still got a lot of fight left in him."
Judgement blew into his trumpet, expelling a massive shockwave. Naoto quickly raised her arms to block. The shockwave hit with great force, but fell short of being strong enough to topple her. Yosuke was not so lucky and got blown across the room. Once the floor's friction stopped him, he got up and ambled back to the side of his friends. Kanji sent a bolt of lightning through the air. Judgement took the attack in full, retreating to create distance.
Judgement caught the lightning his left hand while blowing into the trumpet with his right. An orb of almighty energy spewed out of the bell-shaped opening. Kanji dove away, just moments before the orb hit his previous location and exploded. Yukiko spewed fire from her hands. The fire formed a ring around Judgement, trapping him within. Chie brought down the God Hand, flattening Judgement with a single golden fist. As the dust cleared, Judgement was at the bottom of a cracked crater. He returned upright.
"Keep going," informed Rise. "That last attack got him good, but he can still fight."
Judgement blew into his trumpet, sending a potent shockwave forward. Chie quickly leapt in front of Yukiko to take the blast for her friend. It proved too strong, taking her off her feet and hurling her back. She accidentally crashed into Yukiko, taking her along for the ride as they landed in a heap. Naoto ran forward and fired several rounds to distract Judgement. Naoto began gathering energy to unleash a massive Megido spell. Annoyed, Judgement turned to her and blew into its trumpet.
Naoki chained the instrument once again, snatching it from Judgement's hand. He slammed it into the ground, shattering it into rubble. Unfortunately, Judgement had gotten off its spell already. At the same time, Naoto had released her own spell. The two orbs sailed past each other in a beeline for their respective targets. Due to Naoki's interference, Judgement's Megido was off, exploding to Naoto's left, throwing her into the ground harshly. Her own Megido made a clean hit and blasted Judgement into the opposite wall.
As the dust cleared, it revealed Judgement, still slumped against the wall. "We've got him on the ropes. Finish him off!" said Rise.
Feeling the rush of victory approaching, the downed members of the Investigation Team bounced back up. All of them unleashed simultaneous attacks upon Judgement, from gusts of Yosuke's Divine Wind to the blazing flames of Yukiko's Meltdown. Judgement got pushed deeper into the wall, becoming further embedded into it. Naoto capped their combined assault by sending a Megido at him. A massive explosion consumed the room, forcing the team to avert their eyes from the blown debris. When the dust settled, all that remained of Judgement was rubble.
"From the moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, man had sealed his fate. Entrusting his future to the cards, man has found a new hope," said Kagutsuchi. "The Arcana was the means by which all had been revealed. Congratulations, Reason bearer. Take the power of the Universe and let the world of Exaltation spring forth from here on out."
A point of light descended before Naoto, hovering before her. Upon grasping it, a great light filled the room. Kagutsuchi's light burst forth with an intensity that none had seen before. Pillars of light erupted throughout the Vortex World, splintering the ground and triggering massive earthquakes. The rumbling resounded across the Vortex World as it took on a new form. Lush vegetation, then vast sprawling metropolises carpeted the barren world. A great white light filled the world upon its rebirth.
END OF CHAPTER