[Chapter 9]
A Fool's Job
I stare at the suppose secret agent of government, the people sorely responsible for taking away my home from me and send me into this new environment without no answers to my many question still inside my head. Shin notice my reaction as he probably notice my low anger inside my eyes and he scratch his head as he began to speak.
"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?" Shin asks.
I nod. "Yes, it is something to do with the government you work with." I point out. "Do you know why people from the suburb of Dallas, a rather small city had to evacuate square miles from streets to streets?" I ask, longing.
Shin began to listen to my question which surprise me since those guys from before didn't even bother hearing my opinion to the matter and unlike them, Shin seem very helpful to me.
"I see, do tell you the truth, I quit that life of a job for quite a while now and I hide here from them since they want to keep that place a secret no matter what the cost or risk." Shin explains, calmly.
"What? Is the government hiding the fact that Hotspot are real and my home is now relating to that as well?" I ask, shock.
"Who can say, I don't contact them anymore nor they seem to share that information to me since they are very untruthful of others. " Shin answers.
I became puzzle to the facts that relating to my sudden remove of my home but I discard such thought since I need to focus on my next investigation for now. I need to find some answers in Hotspot and with Shin training me, I can find those answer with him and others guiding me. I nod to myself at my objective as I need to finish this before I can continue with my trivial matters.
"Alright, let's forget what I ask and focus on your teaching. What are you going to teach me exactly?" I ask, curious.
Shin slowly turns behind him and I gaze at the direction he is seeing to reveal the door from before and I got confuse by his answer.
"A door?" I ask, puzzle.
"You will understand once we start the door. Come, lets the harsh training begin." Shin spoke, seriously.
Shin began to walk toward the door as I began to feel hesitation to follow his lead and perhaps I wasn't ready for this, but once I remember Hotspot. I knew I had to become stronger if I face a strong opponent in the future and now is for the best time to do so. I shook off my negative thoughts away and began to follow Shin into the door. Shin open the door to reveal a pitch-black room until he switch the light to reveal a huge empty room and I stare dumbfound by this normal room of his.
Huh? For a second there, I thought it would be some crazy exercise room with crazy gadgets forcing me to my limit..
I shake with fear at the thought of such room and relief to see nothing of the ordinary happening.
"Hm? Why do you look relief?" Shin asks.
"It's nothing." I smile, as I adjust my glasses.
"Good, now let's begin our training." Shin grin.
I became nerves at his grin as he pull out a remote from his jeans' right pocket and click the only red button in there to make the big room change. I look stun at the room began to pull itself apart to bring a large treadmill with large moving wooden spike ball all around the place and hanging from the ceiling.
I knew it!
Shin look at me confuse as I nod to myself at the obvious harsh training and he began to explain.
"Luck, I want you to run across to the other side of this treadmill. If you manage to do that, then I will teach you a move that will surely help you in your progress." Shin explains.
I look once more at the moving treadmill and the unmoving wooden spike ball to feel confident to accomplish such easy task.
"Alright, sound easy." I reply, confident.
Shin chuckle. "Good luck then." Shin smile.
I stare at the other side of the giant treadmill as I took some deep breath and I began to run as the treadmill work the opposite way. I manage to easily dodge the unmoving wooden spike ball with ease as I just move away from them.
This isn't so hard, after all.
As I feel some sort of joy from this training, something from behind me hit me and causes me to fall down as the treadmill began to pull me back to the beginning. I rub my head as I began to feel pain above my head and I immediately notice the spike ball spinning around.
"What? That wasn't fair." I spoke.
"You need to learn that the opponents are unpredictable and always hiding their power from you. You should take cautious on every enemy you face and with this training; you will learn it and become an instinct to you soon enough." Shin explains.
"Yeah, but…" I mumble.
I watch as the spike ball began to spin around and made a quick stop which irritates me to underestimate them or this training. I pound the floor as I dash once more to try it and when I reach the point from before, I manage to pass the first one but the other began to follow up rather quickly which made me fall once more. I began to see this training impossible as the wooden spike ball are everywhere I look and they attack from my sides which I can't see.
"If you wish to protect someone, then start training hard in order for you to accomplish that on your own." Shin spoke.
I bite my lips at my weak state as I realize I need to learn more and get stronger from this. I made any attempt to cross toward the other side but none of them came even close to reach ¼ of the treadmill which made me feel embarrass at my failure. I sit at the beginning as I try to catch my breath and I began to sweat from my forehead from the exhausting training. Shin approach me with him standing next to me and watching the treadmill with nostalgic on his eyes.
"I once thought this training was impossible too, I remember failing like you did and I almost give up this training." Shin spoke.
"Really?.." I pause, as I took breath heavily. "What made you…change your mind?" I ask.
I notice Shin becoming sad about something which made him feel more human unlike previous attempt to hide his emotion with his calm composure.
"I had a teacher that always cheers for my accomplishments and with him on my side; I manage to finish this training and the future ones as well." Shin answers.
I look at the training once more as I began to feel a bit of strength building up and a small trust of him. Shin suddenly began to dash at the treadmill with fast pace and I became shock at this man speed. He easily passes through the spinning spike ball and reaches the midpoint as the treadmill began to change direction wildly. I became nervous as I couldn't manage to reach there and it seems even more impossible. Meanwhile, Shin easily dodges and maneuvers the spinning spiking wooden ball while the treadmill change direction at random. Shin reaches the end of the treadmill with a smile on his face as he probably felt joy from me reacting like this.
"You want to try it?" Shin asks, calmly.
I remain silence at the rather bold offer but I don't have the energy to stand up correctly so I decide to leave this place until next time. We say our farewell as I left the store with exhaustion and cramp from my legs which made it worse.
"I really let myself go.." I mutter, defeated.
I walk toward my home with what little pride I had left as I witness something I shouldn't have. I felt my courage and skills rise from this experience as I didn't felt too bad from it.
[Ayakane POV]
August 24
Wednesday
Evening
I finally reach the comfort of my bed as I gently close my eyes to fall asleep as usual, but something is keeping me awake. For some strange reason, I still feel bad for yelling at Luck and I should apologize to him for it. I felt more at peace after confirm this plan and I slowly drift away into dreamland. I stare at nothing for a while as I open eye to see a bunch of kid pointing and laughing at me. I could hear their laughter as I glance to my right to see my first painting being mock by peers and I felt embarrass as I grab my long hair to hide it.
"Children, you shouldn't laugh at other people hard work and you are hurting her feelings." The teacher spoke.
That's right…I remember the first day in start at my 1st grade and I wanted to show them my arts as I wanted to become an artist one day. But in the end, they all laugh at my first attempt and laugh at my hair cover with paint. Back then, I had long hair and I always hate it because of it..
The teacher began to make the other student work on their art piece as I began to sob and looking down at my failure.
Maybe they are correct, I first thought, maybe I should quit this dream of mine and get marry to a man like any other person..
I couldn't hold my tears as I remember this painful memory of my first day of school and I notice someone footstep approaching me from behind. I flinch at their footstep as I close my eyes to hide myself from them but I knew they could see me.
"Hello!" A boy greets. "Wow, you sure are good at drawing with paint and you look really cute with long hair, so don't let anyone judge you for it." He spoke, chuckling. "Despite paints getting in your hair." He happily adds.
I became shock at the boy's word and I felt happy knowing that somebody appreciate my art piece. I began to sob harder but it wasn't sadness like at the beginning, it is joy of hearing someone praise of my artwork. I felt a touch in my left shoulder and I turn to see the boy with a smile on his face. I became shock as the boy look like Luck but a bit younger and I knew what this mean.
"Let's be friend from now on and forever!" Luck spoke, smiling.
I look at his extend arm reaching for me as I found the truth about our relationship and this feeling lingering ever since our first encounter. I rub my eyes to see Luck clearly and I shake his head to confirm our friendship. Luck smile sadly at my handshake and I look at myself to see me at my old self. I regain my older appearance and I wasn't a child anymore but Luck remains the same, looking up at me and the children look at me as well.
"I hope you can pull through now, I will always will be watching you from far away and at the same time, very close." Luck spoke.
I notice a strange blue butterfly surrounding Luck as soon, more blue butterfly appear and they began to surround me as well as I felt myself wakening up from this dream.
"Thank you Luck, I remember now. You always believe at me and I, as a childhood friend, should repay the favor for such kindness.." I mutter, crying.
I notice Luck wearing a strange butterfly mask as he nod at my realization and I see the whole room slowly being swallow by the darkness so I can wake up.
[Luck POV]
I slowly open my eyes to arrive into the Velvet room as usual when I fall asleep in my room but this time, Philemon isn't here with us.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Martha spoke.
"Where is Philemon?" I ask, curiously.
"My master is an errand to guide someone into the right path." Igor chuckles. "I never see my master doing such thing before." Igor spoke.
I watch as Igor became amuse and proud of his master doing that errand he told me, but I became confuse as I didn't understand what king of errand he is doing.
"Let's focus on today agenda, which involve the bond you are gaining and gaining even more in the future. It seems you have made strong bonds during our last meeting and we hope you can build new ones to stop such fate from ever occurring to you." Igor explains.
"Bonds? Is making new friend beneficial to stop my bad future you guys are telling me?" I ask.
"Indeed, it is wise to spend your free time for those who you share a bond and develop that bond so it can make you stronger when the time of nigh come." Martha reply.
"I see." I mutter, thinking.
I began to think of the bonds I made this far and I want to see the progress I have made of attempting to making a friend. I close my eyes to deeply focus on the matter as I took a deep breath.
Luke is my first friend i made as I gain his trust and he seems to be helping me in school in some way. Next is Philemon, I guess he a friend to me and I felt power give to me by him which surely make my journey a bit easier. Zach, he seem very unique but I can feel I can control my shadow self with his training and I already feel control of my true self. Jane, I wonder what she can offer; she has many trouble on her own and Luke seem to feel the same way as I do. Shin, he can definitely make me stronger from his teaching and I will strengthen my bonds with everyone.
I open my eyes to see those two smiling at my thinking as they realize at my goal from the very beginning which made feel at ease.
"It looks like you made up your mind. Now lets me show you the true purpose of the Velvet Room as you have two Persons inside of you now." Igor spoke.
"True purpose? I thought you two were guiding me to stay in the good path and away from that bad end. Is there more you can help me?" I ask.
"Yes, our master can perform the technique of fusion and while I have the compendium as you can see." Martha said, as she raises her book. "I will keep all Personas you will receive from your journey and summon them to you when you require their assist once more." Martha adds.
I stare at the normal looking book as I tilt my head in confusion at the specialty of that say book and Igor summon three blue cup in the table.
"Let's us show you the fusion for yourself and take out your crystal that the Persona reside within in so we may begin." Igor commands.
"Crystals?" I mutter.
I notice my combat knife next to me as it materialize by itself and I grab the weapon to gently put it on the table as the gem illuminate brightly. I took out the diamond from my weapon's socket and I became confuse as Igor mention more than one crystal, but I can only see one held in my right hand.
"Now, close your eyes and focus on your sea of consciousness, tell me how many crystal you currently have in mind." Martha instructs.
"Okay..." I spoke confuse.
I close my eyes to focus deep in my consciousness as I clench my right palm and soon I relax myself to see two bright diamond of the same kind inside my head. One is for Agnostos Theos and the other, the mermaid from the previous battle which confuses me is to why she resides inside me. I quickly open my eyes to open my right palm to reveal two diamonds within my palm and I became surprise at this magic trick.
"Wow, I did that!?" I ask, excite.
"Yes, not only that, but you can take many Persona at once and wielding many crystal at your disposal unlike any other." Igor spoke, chuckling. "That the power of infinite possibility, you very use it wisely." Igor smile.
I scratch my head with embarrass at my infinite power I had for a while now and how special I have become due to their help. I want to get stronger and protect other with my power; they are my answer to such infinite potential. I push the two diamonds to Igor and he hides both of the diamond with a cup on their own. I see two cup hiding my Persona and one left alone, Igor spin his finger around to make the cup circle slowly around, like a magic trick. Suddenly, the cup began to move very fast that I couldn't follow them and they suddenly stop with me confuse at the result since I lost track of my diamonds. Igor grab both left and right while leaving the middle one alone and expect to see one in one of these cup but when he reveal the cup, no diamond are found hidden within the two cups.
"Hey, what happen to the other one!?" I ask, shock.
Igor reveals the last cup with a diamond shining bright and I sense a different Persona inside of it.
"The name is Tam Lin; I will protect your judgment with my spear and courage. Let's us show them all of our power."
A new voice spoke with confident inside my head and I grab the crystal as I felt a new power inside of me building up differently from my Agnostos Theos.
"It look like the fusion is a successful one and with this, we must say farewell." Igor spoke.
"Right, until next time." I smile.
They nod to my respond and I welcome the darkness overtaking my vision as I slowly drift back into reality.
August 25
Thursday
Early Morning
I open my eye to find myself back into my room as I though and I start to get the hang of it to travel from my dream to the real world and by versa. I quickly change into my uniform so I can meet Luck at the main entrance and so I dash away into my routine of today. I ride the train to arrive to Morning Star High a bit early than usual and I have lots of time to walk around before school started. I felt sad after remembering Ayakane and I wonder if she will be all right with that Lucas guy. Strangely, I felt like I know her and I wanted to protect her for some strange reason which indeed bother me.
What is this feeling…like something bad is going to happen to her..
As I began to wonder about this feeling, I felt a drop of water hitting my head and I look up to see rain coming down. The rain quickly pick up hard as the student outside of the building ran inside and away from the rain as I follow the same action.
"Luck!-"
I immediately stop from running away as I hear Ayakane's voice calling out to me and I look behind me to see no one behind me. I notice girlish notebook on the floor which caught my attention and I instinctively grab it as I remember this notebook from somewhere in my past. I open the first page to reveal Ayakane name written in the header of her journal and I became worry as to the owner of this journal.
[Ayakane POV]
August 25
Thursday
Early Morning
I quickly make haste toward my school as today; it is a special day for me to meet my childhood friend and the one that push me toward the direction of an artist. I need to apologize and be thankful for helping me becoming who I am today, and so I brought my journey from those days to remind him of me. I made a mad dash toward school, a smile slowly appear in my face as I ran toward the school with no stopping in mind and for the first time, I felt truly free and without worry if I have him by my side again. I manage to reach the school as the rain became to rain quite heavily and I didn't predict this weather. My breathing became heavy as I ran quite some distance and travel to train but I catch Luck running inside of the school. I become happy at our reunion and I felt like today will be a wonderful day indeed. I ran after him as I step on water puddles and as I call out him name loudly, time suddenly stop for me as a water drop reflect me. The whole school is being swallow by the darkness that came from nowhere and I close my eyes from it as I became startle at the strange phenomenon. I open my eyes to see the whole environments changing into a creepy, abandon replica of my school and I start to feel scare at my lonesome.
"Luck…Luck.." I mutter under my breath, weakly.
My legs began to shake as I hear inhuman voice inside of the school and the forest behind me wasn't so safe either as I can hardly see nothing but the moonlight shining my path. I hesitate to enter the school but I need to be brave and find some answer to this place. And so, I slowly approach the school with fear lingering behind me and nervous within my hands as I try my best to courage myself like he would of done to me.
Luck, please help me.
[Chapter 9 End]