[Chapter 24]
Hear My Pain
The spider began to make movement as her legs twitch from our reaction and quickly descend down to make work of us. Kae and I try to dodge the heavy thing coming down but I notice Jennifer becoming frightening by the glare of this beast. I manage to grab her arm to pull her to us and safely dodging the beast's weight. Jennifer returns back to her normal self while the spider destroys the piano in the process.
"Tsk, to think this thing was waiting for the opportunity to counterattack in the shadow." Kae spoke.
"That doesn't sound like the Shadow we face…" I trail off, thinking. "In fact, I never see a Shadow using tactics nor intelligence. She is on her own level compare to the others." I reveal.
"W-Wait! T-That's a she?" Jennifer asks.
"Maybe…" I smile, as I scratch my head.
I analyze the giant spider to reveal some new information relating to her appearance. The spider's body has black coloring with red highlights on her tail and with her many red eyes glaring at us. She has metallic red armor in her eight legs and wearing a strange crown mask above her head. I wasn't so sure if this thing is a Shadow since it attack without taking another form like the others but then an answer hit me as I gasp.
"What's wrong? Did you figure some out about this thing or Shadow?" Kae ask.
"Sort of, I remember coming here on my first time and encountering a similar monster like this one; a monster that was way too strong and not changing form to fight us." I explain.
I remember the white robe monster with the chain and how we barely manage to live through that but even so, it was a frighten experience that I will use for this. I pull my left arm with my blade on hand and open my right claw above my gem to take this battle seriously from the very beginning. I glance toward Kae to see her with her weapon, a small curved blade with a handle shape like a fish-tail and taking an offensive position like boxing. I turn to Jennifer looking a bit shaken up but easy to battle as I finally see her katana already drawn from the scabbard. I look at the spider Shadow smiling at us if she already won this battle and I glare as we will show her otherwise. The spider began to crawl toward us and I lift my thin blade up as the light illuminate the room.
"Tam Lin!" I command.
Tam Lin appears as slam his spears down to cause it to stop and block the attack with ease. I clench my teethes as I remember the overpower strength just like the last one and I see Kae jumping above me as she use me to leap above her.
"I see, so that's how you summon your Persona, then allow me to contribute to this fight!" Kae spoke.
She touches her left blue sapphire ear stud and narrows her eyes at the beast eyes glancing above her head.
"Come, Toyotama-hime!" Kae yell.
Kae's Persona has appeared above her and I look at this new partner of ours. A tall, pale-skinned young lady with long dark hair left undone with an elaborate blue and white jewel headdress looking at the beast with confidence stare and I smile as we have a chance win this battle. She wears a short sleeves kimono as the gowns are light bluish-green with white curly patterns like ocean wave on them and while the sash is light-orange with a red cord. I see Kae raising her open palm toward the beast and while her Persona began to charge.
"Magna.." Kae mutters.
Kae closer her hand as the land above the spider raises up and smash the monster like the bug it truly is. I became impress by her power as I could see the spider's leg twitching from a top of the rock column and Kae land on the floor. Suddenly, Kae's clothing change into a whole new as the sudden light appear and disappear leaving us to a surprise Kae. Kae has a short kimono that is very blue with abstract swirly silvery patterns at the end of the sleeves and at the hemline, with a sky blue obi tied with an indigo cord. I could also see beneath her kimono black leggings that are slightly shinier and a pair of sky blue knee-high lace-up boots. I notice Kae embarrassing trying to bring her hemline down to hide more her skin from my stare.
"H-Hey! What were you are staring at…" Kae glare.
"Oh, sorry." I laugh nervously.
I scratch my head at the sudden scene and Jennifer became happy to see the bad spider being take care of.
"Wow! We won already?" Jennifer cheers.
"No, not yet." Kae reply.
Jennifer pause as she look at the unmoving spider but suddenly, the spider burst out from the rock and hiss loudly at our attempt to stop it. I didn't lose hope yet as I have this two to help me with this monster and so I dash while I spin my blade to change Persona.
"Pyro Jack!" I summon.
I raise my right claw to it and while Pyro Jack appear to shake his lantern to summon a small combustible fire to her face. The spider snare at the sight of the fire and taking the damage is crucial for her to be afraid. I turn to Jennifer as I want her to join the fight and while my Persona kept the beast busy.
"Jennifer, we need your help so don't hesitate to attack this thing. I believe in you, we all do!" I yell.
Jennifer gasp at my bold statement and stare at me with disbelief at first but it quickly change into a smile. She felt so happy to hear such words from someone and began to look intimidating for a small girl.
"Y-You are right, I don't want to be a burden to you all.." Jennifer mutters.
I notice the pressure near Jennifer has slowly becoming sharper as she closed her eyes and gently put her right hand on her left bracelet.
"I don't want to hesitate any longer nor ignore my judgment.." Jennifer mutters.
My eyes widens as I see glowing brightly like Kae did and I smile as I know what will happen next to her. As the light dim, I could see a chest plate and metal short which consists of the color gray with golden borders. She has a red cape with a black rose design and her shoes are fancy leather boots while wearing a black musketeer mask with a white musketeer hat with a red feather. At that moment, Lyra shown up and finally revealing her true form to all of us, a woman wearing gray roman dress with black roses on bottom appear. She has a strange feeling to her as she wear a dark veil in her face and carrying a golden harp with her. She has a pair of wings behind her but the left one is a black one and the right one is a white wing.
"Now, use Frei Lyra!"
Lyra began to play the harp and cause a strange blue explosion behind me which easily shock me to hear. I felt a strong pressure as I put my blade down and use it to hold me from the strong explosion.
What strong power..
The spider hiss from the sudden explosion of her attack and began to throw web at us. Kae and Jennifer manage to dodge the attack but I am caught by the attack. I felt my body being drag by this beast and I could see her opening her mouth.
"Grr…no way.." I spoke, struggling.
I began to struggle for a way out but this thread is too strong for my lonesome.
"Magna!"
"Frei!"
An familiar explosion hit the spider as I felt the wind pushing me away from the monster and while the rock pillar smash her above the ceiling once more. I felt someone grabbing me and I turn to see Jennifer giggling at my shock.
"Hey, your princess in shining armor has come to the rescue." Jennifer smile, blushing.
I chuckles. "Yeah, it seem that way." I smile.
Jennifer began to remove the spider web from my body and I became free from any danger. The spider has begun to lose stamina as it struggle to escape from that rock pillar and perhaps nearing her limits. I took this opportunity to finish it off while we had fee chance to prepare ourselves.
"What's the plan now? Do we finish it off or what?" Kae ask.
"Yes, I want you two to give me all of your power and I will do the rest myself." I answer, as I grip my claw.
I took some step toward the rock pillar and I took a deep breath as I release it. Jennifer approaches me to my left as she smiles more confidently and Kae approaching to my right looking at me with trustworthy eyes. I raise my blade in the air as I look at the beast and taking out the gem with my right claw.
"Sukukaja." I said.
I felt my body lighter as a power course throughout my body and I can easily move like the wind. I lower my blade down as I felt the time around me move a bit slower and I could react fast enough to almost anything.
"Tarukaja." Kae spoke.
A new power is add to my fast pace and I could feel my body stronger as I could slash through anything. I wait patiently for Jennifer command and slowly clench my gem.
"Rakunda." Jennifer spoke.
A weird aura manifest around the spider as she hiss painfully and it is good to know it did something to it. I shatter the gem with my claw to bring forth my other self and I need to finish with one blow. I concentrate hard as I slash my sword in front of me and making an "X" with Zan and Eiha combine.
"Disappear, Zaneiha X!" I yell.
I push the cross slash in the middle and send the buff attack toward the beast and it land very easily due to the restrictions. The attack made the rock pillar explode and making a pile of dust of both of them. I slash my sword away to sigh and regain my usual composure. I look at the room to see nothing here and we won this battle fairly easy this time which made me relief to see.
"Nice job everyone, we made some good process today." I smile.
"Yeah! It was time to m-me to step up my game and join the battle." Jennifer happily agrees.
"I got to say, I am rather surprised to see this and I want to improve this Persona thing a lot more now." Kae mumbles, smiling.
Those two became happy you see the result of our teamwork and I notice something shining in the floor.
Ah, the key!
I quickly rush toward the key as I pick it up with a smile but I see the key in half which shock me to see.
"N-No way…" I gasp.
I see the other approaching me curious at my frozen state to see the key being show to me.
"A half key? Now we need to find the other half in order to process into the next floor…what a bothersome." Kae sigh.
"Well, why don't we regroup with the others? M-Maybe they found the other key." Jennifer explains[1] .
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea to start with. Alright, let's head back." I smile.
We decided to regroup with the other as we try to avoid any battle with the loose Shadow moving around and we arrive to the 2nd floor stairs safely. As we arrive there, the other group was already there and greets us from our departure.
"Oh hey, did you found something in the hallway?" Jane asks, curious.
"Yeah, we did find something but it was just a half key." I sigh.
I took the key as I dangle it by my hand disappointed since I want to keep going but I see Luke smiling to my gaze.
"That's fine; in fact, we actually found the other half of that key you are holding on. I was also a bit disappointed with the finding but now I am happy to find the whole key after all." Luke smile.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Jennifer smile.
The others turn to the cheerful Jennifer as they notice her outfit change and then look at Kae's clothing also change. Kae became uncomfortable you their stare as she know their reason of those stare.
"Ugh, yes, we just got ourselves a new wardrobe. Nothing to see here people." Kae said, annoy and blushing.
"Really? I think that kimono suit you, it makes you look pretty and elegant. Jennifer little armor is cute and very confidence like from the looks of it" Ayakane smile.
"Yes, yes, I have to agree with Ayakane, you two look pretty good with your new outfits. Nice job." Luke smile, with a thump up.
Kae became very uncomfortable to hear compliment from others and Jennifer became very happy to see her friend smiling at her. Jane approaches me with the other half of the key and I merge the two fragments into a complete key.
"It seems we making some quick progress today, I hope it goes well in the next floor." Jane spoke.
"Of course, we are the best team and you are guys are so powerful that it will happen." I boldly announce.
Everyone felt happy to hear me announcing such thing and I smile as I see them feeling confidence. I grab the padlock to use the key on it and with that the gate disappears from thin air leaving us free to go up. I remember to speak with them regarding the Shadow waiting for me up ahead and I turn to them to explain them.
"Everyone listen, there will be a Shadow up ahead and it will most likely try to take over either Jennifer or Kae. I want everyone to stay here and let me handle it alone. I explain.
"Are you talking about the look alike that try to fight you in the 2nd floor? How come you are so sure about that and why fighting alone?" Luke ask, slightly worry.
"I agree with Luke here, fighting such dangerous thing alone is very dangerous and you understand very well how our other self will behave." Jane adds.
"Yeah, I don't want to get hurt again because you try to face our dark self…" Ayakane mutters, sadly.
I sigh as I smile at their caring and honest since they are very worry about my safety above all. I kind like this feeling inside of me right now but I have to do this since I am the only person capable of bringing that person's true power from talking to that Shadow of theirs.
"I know and I do understand the consequences.." I trail off.
"T-Then! Why senpai!?" Jennifer ask, worry.
"Yes, explain to us why? I would like to hear your thoughts and reason of it" Kae spoke, coldly.
I nervous chuckles as I have no other reason than to help others and me having a unique gift like Philemon told me.
"W-Well, the reason is that I am the only one that can do it! I don't want to hear buts about it!" I nervously answer.
I notice the group hurdle together and whispering as they look at me with unsatisfied expression from my answer.
"I don't know guys, he acting childish like always.." Jane whisper, loudly.
"Yes, he doesn't want to trust his friend and allies during the time of needs." Luke whispers, smiling.
"I thought he say we were his friend and we could depend on him…" Ayakane sob.
"S-Senpai..is very mean today" Jennifer sadly whisper.
"I guess Luck isn't showing a good example of a good leader like he told me." Kae smile.
"W-Wait!" I yell.
They all turn to me as I flinch from their stare and looks around for anything that can help me in this situation. My eyes open as I notice a small mirror right next to the stair and I proudly show them something. I dash as I smile proudly and began to tap the mirror to them which they look confuse.
"You guys don't understand what I am talking about, just like this mirror here." I tap. "Although it look simple and to the point, it can hold many secret within everyone and stuff you don't want to show like so."
I look at the mirror as an example but suddenly I felt a bit dizzy and in a blink of an eye, my environment and place change. I looks around confuse as I appear to be outside of the school and next to the exit of Hotspot.
"Wow." I said.
I turn around to see the little mirror hanging by a little rope and I scratch my head as I try to remember this mirror being here at the beginning. Suddenly, the other appears from thin air right next to the mirror and look happy to see me alive.
"Sheesh! Why didn't you told about the shortcut. You almost gave me a heart attack." Jane angrily exclaims.
"Sorry, that wasn't my intention and I didn't know that could happen.." I apologize.
I apologize for making Jane worry and I didn't want that to happen, meanwhile the rest began to examine the little mirror.
"Hm, I don't remember this little mirror being here when we came here. I wonder who manage to put this while we were gone and also into the 2nd floor." Kae said.
"Indeed, this is my first time seeing this as well but it will be beneficial for all so us to use his as a transportation throughout the Hotspot." Luke explains.
"Like a shortcut or a portal! Yes! I always want to move from place to place like that. Now I know the feeling of it just like playing a video game." Jennifer excitedly spoke.
"It is a bit dizzy and I hope we can adjust ourselves to it someday." Ayakane wander.
I felt a bit joyous to find something useful to our adventure like transportation and I turn to the Velvet Room door since I have the time to go there. I approach Martha by the door and look at me upon my arrival.
"Oh, are you going to enter the Velvet Room?" Martha ask.
"Yeah, I need something from there so could you take me there, please." I nod.
"Very well, I shalt take you there and help you with your journey." Martha reply.
I open the door as we walk together, side by side toward the Velvet Room.
I quickly find myself inside of the Velvet Room and I see Igor, Philemon, and Martha are here present.
"Ah, welcome back. It seems you came here on your own free will and I hope we can assist you." Igor greets.
"Of course, and I need a favor from you regarding about my Persona, Agnostos Theos." I answer.
"It looks like it is my turn to assist you, Luck." Martha spoke.
I turn to Martha as I tilt my head in confusion by her statement and Martha brings her book into the table. She opens her books as she flips through the many pages inside of that book and I watch amaze by her little performance. Suddenly, she stops in a page and nod to herself which she turns to look up to me.
"Agnostos Theos of the fool arcana, I do have him. Do you want him to be back inside of your sea of consciousness?" Martha ask.
"Yes." I answer.
"Very well, that will be 400 dollars please." Martha asks.
I froze as the young girl look at me with her golden eyes and ask me for money of all things. I became hesitate to ask why I need money to bring my Persona back and I could remember them telling me they can help me.
"And…why do I need to pay to bring back my Persona?" I ask, fluster.
Martha narrow her eyes as she didn't like my question and look a bit annoy.
"You should know nothing is free in this world and I need some sort of payment to bring your Persona back." Martha explain, annoy.
"O-Of course, everyone know that.." I answer, exhausted.
I took out the money she requires and she began to mutters an enchantment under her breath while the book began to float above her hand. Out of nowhere, Agnostos Theos appear above the book and a familiar gem appears in the table.
"It has being a while..I hope I can help you in our journey." Agnostos Theos spoke.
"Welcome back old friend." I smile.
I grab the gem as it merges with my gem which now hold four Personas within.
"There you go, it looks like we are done here and with that, I say fare well to you and until next time." Martha said.
My vision began to become clouded and I slowly fell into a deep sleep.
"Luck, Luck, hey Luck!"
Huh?
I turn to toward the voice to see Jane confuse by my puzzle expression and I shake my head trying to adjust myself.
"Are you okay? You were staring off into space for a minute there and I was trying to tell you that we can trust your words." Jane reply.
"O-Oh! Errr-I mean." I cough in my hand. "That is a very wise decision and you don't need to be worry about me since I can handle myself. You know that already, don't you?" I spoke, maturity.
Jane sighs. "Yea, I do.." Jane mutters.
I turn around to see everyone staring at me and worry about me fighting a look alike. I smile to have such nice friends with me and I approach the little mirror. Within a second, I appear in the 2nd floor alone and I look at the stair with anticipation of the incoming fight. I put my blade's hilt upon my forehead as the gem touch my skin and I close my eyes to concentrate within myself. I found four Personas within my sea of consciousness and I turn to my Persona in particular.
"Are you ready?" I ask.
"Yeah, let's go." Agnostos Theos nod.
I open my eyes as I have the image of Agnostos Theos in my mind and I pick him to fight my friend's Shadow self. I walk up the stair very lowly and arrive to the eerie 3rd floor. As expected, a person was indeed waiting for my arrival and I see Jennifer's Shadow is next. Jennifer looks at me with an angry glare and clicks her tongue at my presence.
"Tsk! You really did come." S. Jennifer spoke, annoy.
"Of course, you look like someone that wants to talk about their hidden feeling with. Why don't we talk about them with me?" I spoke softly.
Jennifer's Shadow glares at me as she materialized her katana and points her blade at me which is a surprise to see Jennifer acting like this.
"Do you want to waste time with me!?" S. Jennifer yells. "I am not interesting…" She whispers.
She grip her katana as she remember something painful and I walk a bit with my arm slowly reaching to her but she notice this.
"Stay away from me!" S. Jennifer yells, angrily.
I became startle by Jennifer hatred that she began to charge at me with so much anger and I block her blade with mines.
"Why? Why do you belittle yourself? You are special if you only-"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" S. Jennifer interrupts.
Jennifer suddenly began to slash away at my blade and I struggle to keep my guard up with her constant barrages.
"I will always be alone and be an outcast by my peers! Don't you dare try to educate on such nonsense!" S. Jennifer exclaim.
One of her slashes made pass through my block and cut my sleeve as she left a cut which made me bleed. I walk away from her as I try to gain some distance but she follow me so eagerly and didn't let up with her attacks.
I have no choice…I have to use my Shadow for this as always.
I began to struggle to keep up with Jennifer's Shadow tempo and I need to use my other self in order to keep up. I roar as I try to slash like her and I slowly manage to keep up with her so I can easily push her away with a kick. Jennifer grunt as she land on the floor and I took my gem out as I began to grip it with my claw.
"You little bitch!" S. Jennifer snare.
My eyes widen to hear Jennifer spout such thing from her mouth and I quickly shatter my diamond to release my Shadow. I narrow my eyes as I felt confidence and I remove my glasses.
"A young girl like you shouldn't curse; it is a bad quirk to have." I reply.
Jennifer's Shadow pound the floor and quickly get up to dash at me with her blade at hand.
"Sukukaja…" I whisper.
Jennifer's Shadow made mad and predictable attack as I use my blade to easily block all of her attacks with my left hand. With Sukukaja, it made this even easier for me to predict her other attacks and it made her even angrier. She began to hit harder and made even faster slash with her katana but even so, I still manage to block her attacks. Jennifer's Shadow became exhaust from using all of her energy to attack me and she glare as she breath heavily.
" Why…Why don't you attack me!.." She breathes. "I know..I know you could of attack from all of that…" S. Jennifer angrily states.
I remain silent at her statement and it made her angry as she extends her right hand to point at me with her index finger.
"I really hate you the most, you and your attitude to save someone by merely talking. I don't need that weakness! Frei!" S. Jennifer spoke.
My eyes shine as her palm has open and I became engulf inside of a blue explosion from nowhere. I grunt painfully as this attack was far more severe than I would of imagine and I felt really exhaust from that move. I fell into my knees as that attack was something else and I realize something very important.
Ah, I see…so that's my weakness.
I glace at Jennifer slashing at my body with a clean thrust and I couldn't dodge the attack. I felt the blade swiftly moving inside of my boy and through my back.
"Ha! Not so might now, aren't ya?" S. Jennifer smirks.
I could hear Jennifer's Shadow chuckling at her stab and I grip her blade like it didn't affect me at all. I glare at Jennifer as physical attack won't work on me very well like it should and she gasp at the result.
"See, you can do it if you try hard enough." I said.
She quickly pulls away from me as her blade slides away and I get up without any damage beside the Frei attack from earlier. I notice my breathing becoming heavy as that attack could be dangerous for me at the moment.
"Why?..."
I turn to Jennifer's Shadow as she look confuse by something and I notice shaking in her hand while she hold her blade at me.
"Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why!" S. Jennifer repeat, confuse. "Why do you risk your life to prove me wrong!? W-Why…please…tell me why.." S. Jennifer begs.
"Because, I hate seeing you suffer through it alone.." I reply.
I felt a tears sliding down my cheeks as I could feel it and Jennifer's Shadow gasp at my true feelings. It seems my tears made her really shaken up and she looks defeat it. She fell into the floor as she looks at the floor for some answer but no answer is lurking in there. I felt like my usual personality return and I wipe my teats away as I approach the confuse Shadow. I kneel down as I pat her head to ease her confusion and she began to speak.
"I am so confuse, I-I.." She pauses, and sighs. "I thought I was-they were right all along, about me being a useless and small dainty child.." S. Jennifer whimpers.
"No, they are all wrong. You are truly are something and you did stood up your ground against me." I reply, softly.
She lifts her upper body to face me as I smile softly to her and she looks so misguided from her experience. I couldn't good my temptation to hold her by hugging her and patting her head.
"It's okay, we are all here for you so please rely on us more, you know? We can protect you from the bad guys and you can show them how strong you truly are. You can cry, it will make you feel a lot better." I explain.
Jennifer's Shadow hesitates to hug me but soon I felt her hands wrap around me as she began to cry at long last. The pain that was hidden in her is slowly showing to me and I pat her as I am here for. I close my eyes as I hear her scream and moan of her cry. After a while, she stops her crying and she pulls herself back to look at me.
"Fine.." S. Jennifer mutters.
I gasp as I hear her Shadow finally accepting my proposal and I smile to hear words which she glares.
"J-Just don't expect me to get along with you! This was the first and last time, okay!" S. Jennifer exclaim.
"Sure." I happily agree.
I couldn't hold my excitement as I smile and Jennifer's Shadow becoming angry at me for being happy of our bond.
[Chapter 24 End]
I decide that I will move the long list into the 1st chapter since it will be a let down for the reader to see and difficult to focus on. Now, I will only show the valuable information of our protagonist and you can [Pause] to check anything new in the 1st chapter.
Luck [Lv. 6]
Jane [Lv. 5]
Luke [Lv.4]
Ayakane [Lv. 5]
Jennifer [Lv. 6]
Kae [Lv. 6]
Stocks [4]
Lv.6
(Equip) [Fool] Agnostos Theos
Physical – Resist (Shadow Form Only)
Gun –
Fire –
Ice –
Electric –
Wind –
Psychokinesis –
Nuclear – Wks
Force – Str
Water –
Earth –
Bless –
Curse – Null
Ailments Immunity (Shadow Form Only)
Charm (Special Ailment)
Fear (Non-special Ailment)
Skills
Eiha
Cleave
Zan
Sukukaja
?
Lv. 4
[Sun] Tam Lin
Physical – Resist
Gun –
Fire –
Ice – Wks
Electric – Resist
Wind –
Psychokinesis –
Nuclear –
Force –
Water –
Earth –
Bless – Null
Curse – Wks
Skills
Zio
Cleave
?
Lv. 2
[Magician] Pyro Jack
Physical –
Gun –
Fire – Null
Ice – Wks
Electric –
Wind –
Psychokinesis –
Nuclear –
Force –
Water – Wks
Earth –
Bless –
Curse –
Skills
Agi
?
Lv. 3
[Lover] Pixie
Physical –
Gun – Wks
Fire –
Ice – Str
Electric – Str
Wind –
Psychokinesis –
Nuclear –
Force –
Water –
Earth – Wks
Bless –
Curse – Wks
Skills
Zio
Dia
?
[Stats]
[Lv. 1] Comprehension – Ignorant (+9)
[Lv. 2] Determination – Daring (+8)
[Lv. 1] Adept – Clumsy (+5)
[Lv. 1] Affection – Blunt (+5)
[Lv. 2] Beauty – Engaging (+9)