[Chapter 6]

Crossroad of Fate

[?]

August 23

Tuesday

Lunchtime

After a long lecture from Mr. Robert, lunchtime arrive just in time as I became hungry and I wanted to invite the president for lunch like we usually do. As I nod to myself at my idea, I could hear his voice and I turn to see him with a boy and a girl. I became surprise to see Luke hanging out with the other students as he always remains focus with his work and talk with the other student council. I began to listen to their conversation a bit as I became curious as to why he hangs out with them in the first place.

"Why don't we eat together?" Luke spoke.

"Nope." The girl spoke.

"Come now, he is probably want to learn more about Hotspot and all." The boy smile.

Hotspot?

The girl became irritate by those two as she brought her own lunch and sight as she couldn't enjoy her lunch in peace.

"Fine, but let's do it somewhere else.." The girl slowly turn around.

I immediately look away from them but still listening to their chatting and I could feel her stare behind me.

"Private." She finishes.

I became nervous at that girl's stare and I see them leaving the classroom with me left behind like always. I sigh at my weak will to speak my mind and I couldn't help it since I have no strength to do so. I get up so I can eat my lunch back at my safest place, the student council room. I walk to the 3rd floor to find my favorite room where all the student council meet and discuss the future of the school, but I often use It to with the president and others. I open the door to see girl with chest-length black hair styled into double braid and bright blue eyes moving along as she read a book with her black-frame glasses make her look smart. I immediately notice her dark blazer and I look down to see her red skirt with knee high sock as she wore brown shoes. I smile at the sight of a friend and I close the door so I wouldn't disturb the student council's treasurer. I always dream of becoming a person such as her, with no fear of speaking her mind or having the strength to do anything she put her mind into. I took my seat opposite of her as I brought my lunch into the table and she glace up as she notices my presence in the room.

"Satoru Miyahara? Why are you doing in this room? Didn't you plan to eat with the prez today?" She asks.

I flinch at Naomi Yamashita good guess and all I can respond is with a weak laugh as I try to forget that plan for today.

"Well, the president was busy with stuff and I didn't want to bother him, hehehe…" I spoke weakly.

"I see.." Naomi mumble, and began focusing on her book.

I hate myself for not able to change who I am and the same day keep repeating over and over if I don't do something about my problem.

"You haven't change, Satoru." Naomi spoke.

"Huh!? W-What do you mean I haven't change?" I ask, nervously.

I notice her stop reading for a second before sighting and continue reading her passage as I became shock at my problem slowly revealing to her.

"It's nothing, forget what I say." Naomi said.

"Oh…right…let's…forget.." I mumble.

I stare at my lunchbox as I began to think on how the president is so strong with his judgment and I wonder where is he going to reach with that power of his. If only I had ¼ of that power, then I can be proud of myself if I can achieve greater things like him.

But…I can't.

[Luke POV]

My Persona emerge from inside of me as the burst of light push away all the weak Shadow that hinder my friends which free them. My Persona is man wearing a black bodysuit with silver on his arms, silver shoulder guards and body armor. A black tattered cloak flow in the air as he looks at my enemy before me and his silver helmet with a pair of antlers on top of it. I notice a white human face mask covering his face and riding on top of a pale white horse with manes and green fiery eyes. Herne is holding a white horn of a ram's horn on his left hand and I felt proud at myself for summoning my own Persona.

"What is this?" The ghost girl spoke, shock. "It doesn't matter, kill them all and be done with." She commands.

The ghost girl became uninterest on us as she left the room and letting the big Shadow handle us for the time being. The giant Shadow roar at her command and I stood my ground this time as Jane and Luck began taking their battle stance.

No longer I become useless to them and those who were a victim to you!

[Luck POV]

I took my distance from the big Shadow as he began to prepare herself to fight for real and we all reunite as we stand up together but this time we have Luke helping. Luke attire change into a tight white turtleneck sleeveless shirt, an open light-grey high collar jacket with one left long sleeve. I could see black diamonds shape patter on his collar and he has dark-blue loose pants. The legs are tuck in a pair of black leather knee high silver tips boots with white belts around his legs. I could also see one black long right glove with neon-blue and green vines pattern on it. He wears a white deer mask that cover the top half of his face and a pair of white antler. I felt happy for him to realize his potential like us and I turn to face our new opponent.

"Listen everyone, this will be our first time acting as a group so let's go our best here." Jane spoke.

"Right, we will beat this Shadow to prove ourselves." I spoke.

"Agree, lets win this for their sake as well!" Luke smile.

The big shadow dissolve into black ooze and it is replacing by a powerful being taking its place. A young girl with light-green hair appear and light-green eyes watch us with anger. I became uncomfortable as she wore nothing but scale covering his private part and she look like a mermaid with two flaming skulls orbiting around her.

"Everyone, let's go!" Jane spoke.

Together we sprint toward the enemy to become closer to her and she prepare for anything she may plan. She look down at us as if we were no match for her and glaring at us for disturbing this place.

"You all will submit to her and be punish for your actions." She spoke.

"Never! I will submit to no one and I will judge where I am right or wrong." Luke spoke.

The mermaid summon help as the two skull transform into two Shadow and they look like a pumped-headed ghost with a blue witch hat and a blue cloak as they carry a lantern with one glover hand. It seem this battle will be tougher than those weaker one I fought last time but I feel confident as I wasn't alone like last time. Even more since Luke just join the front line and we didn't falter even with the even number for both sides at the moment.

"I will provide guidances through this battle and I let Luck lead us." Jane spoke.

"I understand." I nod.

Luck smile at his opponents as he touch his earring to summon his Persona and he made the first move in this fight. He became very confident as his move and portably very excite to test his new power into action.

"Let's show them, Herne!" Luke command.

Luke's Persona blow his horn as a powerful wind appears below them and they strangely went down into the floor rather easy. I notice that Shadow struggling to get up from the floor from that specific attack and Jane smile after noticing the falling Shadow.

"I forgot to mention this but when a Shadow is hit by specific attack, like this one here, they will struggle to get up and won't attack for a while now. Although, this will also affect us if they manage to hit our weakness so be careful. " Jane explains.

"Then, I will aim for the next one myself." Luke spoke.

Luke once again calls for his Persona as he appears to blow his horn which causes a string wind to appear. Herne hit the same Shadow's weakness which cause to fall appears well appears leaving the mermaid to be by herself. Luke glare at the mermaid as focus his attack to her now and Herne blow his horn to cause some damage but causing her to fall down like the other two.

"Damn! It look like wind attack aren't your weakness." Luke spoke, disappointed.

"Don't lost hope; a majority of Shadow will always have always weakness so let's try everything we have at the moment." Jane explains.

The mermaid didn't just let us go with our plan and began to attack as she raises her right hand toward Luke. She focuses on Luke to strike as a giant ice cube surrounds his entire body and suddenly it broke into pieces. Luke manages to stand up but she seems to be in great pain as he wobbles around and began breathing heavily.

"I got you!" Jane said.

Jane clench her pendant to summon her Persona but not to attack the mermaid, but rather to strangely illuminate Luke for some strange reason.

"What was that?" I ask, curious.

"I heal him; he should be good as new and ready to fight like that attack didn't hurt him at all." Jane answer.

"Thanks!" Luke smile.

The mermaid began to attack with something else she took a deep breath and began to slowly chant very softly if practicing singing. I immediately knew about her next move and I lift my weapon to summon my Persona to aid us.

"Agnostos Theos!" I spoke.

My Persona answer my call as he lift his right wing toward the mermaid to easily push her away and I smile as she began to struggle to get up like the others two. They seem unable to move from that spot and Jane quickly took action as she took her gun out to them.

"Let's go, it's time for an all-out attack." Jane spoke, seriously.

"All-out attack?" Luke asks.

"It means we can beat the light of this Shadow by attacking them as they have no way of retaliate to this attack." Jane explains.

"Doesn't sound so heroic at all…" I mutter.

"Let's go I say!" Jane angrily commands.

"R-Right! "Me and Luke agree, nervously.

We began our attack as we charge with our weapon out to attack at random at each and every Shadow standing in our way. We bash, cut, shoot, and slash our way through this Shadow which made some huge damage as they began to feel weak. All of the Shadow manages to live from that attack which surprise me and I know now that this Shadow are very resilient. The mermaid still have the will to continue fighting while the other two are close to being completely gone. One of the pumpkin ghost began to shake their lantern toward Jane and she is blasted by fire attack appearing from nowhere. I became even more surprise to see her not even faze by that attack

"Hmph! Is that all?" Jane spoke.

"I-Impossible, ho!" The pumpkin-headed ghost spoke.

The two pumpkins ghost became shock at Jane as their attack did absolutely nothing and began to feel fear of her since she is invisible to them. Jane pull her gun to easily shot one of them away and causing the other one to run away from fear. The mermaid is looking a bit irritate by the Shadow and mostly on us for slowly beating her. She took a deep quick breath and began to sing a calming melody as it echoes across the hallways. I became to feel tire as I began to listen to hear song and everyone else has the same effect. Covering my ear didn't do anything to halt the effect of my drowsy but I manage to shake it off and I am ready to fight.

I wonder why she sing?..

I became curious on her reason to sing and I notice Jane and Luke sleeping in the floor. I became shock at their suddenly sleepiness and I quickly shook Luke to wake him up.

"Noooo….five more minute…" Luke moans.

"Wake up! You are in the middle of a fight!" I shout.

It seems they are in a deep sleep and I couldn't do anything so I change strategy as I face the mermaid.

"Don't you like my song? I did prepare this song just for you all." She softly spoke.

"I prefer to stay awake but I did enjoy it if I am being honest." I spoke, honestly.

"Really!?" She spoke, happily.

I became bewilder by her happiness and most importantly, how I am managing to keep talking to her despite her being angry at us for trespassing. I notice the mermaid's tail fish happily moving to my honest answer which cause me to feel even more puzzle at this situation.

"She did order me kill you all and I became angry for her sake…" The mermaid mumbles, as she glances at us.

I took my battle stance as I became ready to protect this two from harm by this Shadow but she smile at my courage.

"But I decide it is best for me to follow my desire and join our cause." The mermaid announces.

"Huh?" I spoke, confuse.

She smiles warmly at me as she approaches me and I felt like I could trust those words of her. The mermaid began to glow as she is absorb by my diamond and I slowly tap the diamond to see any new change but nothing happen. Silent linger the main hallways as I look back to my team happily sleeping and me being confuse at what just happen. I notice my diamond changing into a new color but it probably wasn't so major to be anything good so I ignore it. I wait for a couple of minute for them to wake up and Jane manages to pull off from that trance. Jane immediately jumps into action as she took her battle stance and she became puzzle at the empty hallway with be alone.

"What happen to the Shadow?" Jane ask, confuse.

"I don't really know myself but she kind of went inside my diamond and she disappears from here?" I spoke, unsure.

Jane looks at me with disbelief at my own words and I notice Luke wakening up from his nap.

"What happen? I hear the Shadow's singing and the next moment, I felt asleep." Luke spoke.

Luke began to slowly realize the situation as he glances at the empty main hallways and the only light illuminating us from the flashlights. He quickly became serious and confuse at the missing mermaid from earlier.

"D-Did you beat her alone?" Luke asks.

"Something along those line." I ask, puzzle.

Luke became happy at my announcement and became more relax after I answer him and Jane, on the other hand seem displease by it.

"That was a very powerful Shadow and you are telling us you manage to beat that thing alone? Explain to me everything that happen when we fell into sleep, don't neglect any details." Jane explains.

"Huh?" I ask, confuse.

Jane is serious with her word and I felt like I need to explain myself to her since she may know something that I don't. I explain everything I knew from talking to her and how I manage to get to her good side. The more I talk, the more she seem dumbfounded by that fact but she still kept listening to my explanation.

"I see, although it sounds very silly at first, I can understand how you manage that." Jane nod.

"Really? That's an amazing skill you have Luck. I wonder if you can make all of the Shadow disappear like that one." Luke smiles, nodding.

"I don't know myself but I will try my best as a protagonist." I smile.

"For now, let's return back to the real world since this sudden trap made us realize of our mistake of not fully prepare ourselves for the worst scenario." Jane instructs.

"Yeah, I got to agree with that. We manage to pull it off by luck and we shouldn't waste this opportunity to prepare even better." Luke agrees.

We nod at the plan and so we left the abandon school for today so we can start our new preparations.

August 23

Tuesday

After School

We arrive outside of the school, next to the glass star statue and we became a bit exhausted from coming out of Hotspot.

"Everyone, we should bring armor and a gun for Luke to handle. Also, it would be nice to have some medicine to help to our battle." Jane spoke.

"What? Do I need to have a gun?" Luke ask.

"Yes, it is very important since we are fighting Shadow, remember?" Jane ask.

"Yeah, I understand…" Luke sigh.

"Oh, and don't worry, I know I guy near the Time Square who can give such weaponry and maybe even armor. He lives near 7th avenue so it is a bit far from here." Jane explains.

"7th avenue? I live there." I said.

"Really? Then it would be best for you to meet him and buy the goods from him for us. I trust you to make a judgment of our money affair." Jane smile. "The name of the agent is Shin and he seem to be hanging around an alley, you will quickly spot him if you do." Jane said.

"Got it, I will do my best to meet your expectations." I nod.

Jane smile at my bold answer and Luke began preparing to leave the school as we depart for today. I see Luke coming back from our separate way and he seems to be running as he breaths heavily to catch up to me.

"Luke? What the matter?" I ask.

"I wanted to thank you." Luke spoke.

"Thank me? For what?" I ask, puzzle.

"For saving me from the beginning and believing at me even when she told me how I am useless I was.." Luke chuckles weakly.

I notice Luke scratching his head as he smile which made me happy for him since he doesn't feel depress like the first time.

"I didn't do anything, I just gave you a boost with my speech since I am a protagonist at all." I smile.

I spread arm as I chuckle at my glorious speech from back then and I see Luke chuckling at my action.

"Maybe, but I still believe I manage to see it through with your help and I came here to let you know I am with you if problem arise in school." Luke said.

I see Luke smile kindly at me as he stretch his hand toward me and I nod as I will depend on him from now on here and in the other place. I shook his hand as our bond will bloom one day and help those in needs.

Thou art I… And I am Thou…

Thou hast established a new Judgment

Thou shalt further expand his horizon

And develop his own cause to judge.

With the aid of the Emperor Persona,

I have the power to change your fate from salvation and save thee from Death.

I felt a strange power building up hidden inside me and I felt wonderful to figure out my potential on other. Luke quickly left as he seem to be in a hurry with his work as a president of the school and I went my way. I catch my train back to the 57 street subway station and step into the 7th Avenue as I began to look for this Shin person. I look behind the alleys for any particular person and I manage to find a black-haired person sitting alone. The young man is handsome with sharp eyes looking at the busy street and I notice his small ponytail. He clothing consist of a grey shirt with a black hoodie, a pair of jeans, a pair of dark-blue sneakers, and a pair of sunglasses. I approach this man and I notice him looking up to see me coming toward him.

"Hm? Are you lost kid? If so, then it would be wise to leave here and find your way back." The man spoke.

"I was send here by Jane Hanamura to buy some weapons and armors from a guy name, Shin." I reply.

The man's eyes twitch as Jane name is being call out and he sigh as he scratch his head to think of my respond.

"A friend of Jane, huh? Well, if you are looking for gun and armor, then I am your guy." Shin explains. "Although, the shipment hasn't arrive today so I will kindly ask you to come tomorrow. I will prepare a batch just for you when you arrive." Shin spoke.

"I understand, I will come tomorrow for that. I will see you later." I spoke.

I say my farewell to him and he nod at my farewell as he continue to watch the people from the street for some strange purpose. I didn't ask him for such details and I head toward my room to rest as I felt very tire of visiting Hotspot. I immediately arrive to Midnight and I am greet by Amy like usual. We chat for a bit before I decide to call it a day and I began to change into my sleepwear before sleeping at last. I felt the same sensation and presence when I first enter the Velvet Room and I open my eyes to see myself in there. This time however I am sitting down next to those two and Igor chuckle at something.

"It seems you have acquired a Persona, I am happy to see progress on making your judgment the correct one and I will henceforth help you with the technique of fusion." Igor explains.

"Fusion?" I ask.

I notice Martha moving in her chair to give an explanation to fusion and I began to focus on such subject if it relate to my power from earlier.

"Fusion is an ancient technique use by our master and it will tremendously help you on reaching your true judgment with ease. It will allow to fuse two Personas to create a new, strong Persona from those two." Martha explains.

"Is that so? What would happen to the other two that were used in fusion?" I ask.

"Don't worry, they will be record in my compendium for safe keeping and you can summon them back any time with my help." Martha smile.

I look to see Martha smiling as she hold her rather large book with nostalgic and I felt happy knowing she felt happy about this strange book.

"In any case, you can visit us according to your free will and we may summon you here occasionally to discuss future techniques available to you. For now, this is farewell and until next time." Igor smile.

[Chapter 6 End]