[Chapter 14]

Listen to my voice

[Jennifer POV]

August 26

Friday

After School

I sight with relief to finally hear the bell ringing on the room and today is a Friday so I can finally rest the entire weekend by playing video game. I smile at my plans and I decide to take the short cut to my house through the back of the school and I pull out my game console so I wouldn't be bother or bore by the long walking.

All right, I wonder what I should play today.

I felt relax as I inverse myself into the game and began to easily walk alone in the hallways as I enjoy my game. I manage to reach the back of the 1st floor without bumping into someone and I can see the exit to the pool side of this building.

"I see, you believe in this guy rather than your boyfriend? Do I need to remind you on who pay your mother's hospital bill?"

I hear the voice of a familiar male and he sounded angry which made me scare at this boy's voice so I desperately look for it to find three people standing outside of the door from far away from this door. I flinch with fear as I see Lucas angry about the boy and girl hurdle together which made me worry about their safety.

Oh no, they made Lucas angry…I can't believe their luck…

I can feel my legs shaking at the Lucas's anger and I couldn't help them nor call out for help since I just watch from afar, afraid to do anything. Lucas approaches them as he extends his right arm to the petite girl behind the guy. The guy suddenly extend his right arm to block the path of Lucas which surprise me as he stand up to Lucas. My eyes gleam with joy at the boy's courage and seeing Lucas push away by him. Suddenly, I could hear the sound of footsteps from behind me and I quickly hide in one of the room nearby. I peek through the door's window to see a confident girl pausing at the sight and without hesitation, rush out from the exit to do something.

Who was that?

I wonder but I quickly came out to see the girl from before punching Lucas on the face and I cheer for her. I became surprise at my joy seeing that bad guy being push around and I really like it. They seem to be talking for a while until the council president show up and speaking something Lucas. I press my ear into the door to listen to their conversation which got my attention.

"Come on, I can't hear.." I mumble.

"You idiots, it doesn't matter if you hear it or not, in the end." Lucas grins. "I will make you all four get expelled from Morning Star High school and I will use every power my father has to do so."

I froze as Lucas announces their expulsion from Morning Star High and it made me feel sorry for them and after their bravery act. I pull back from the door to see the boy feel despair and I felt sorry for him. I notice Lucas running to this door and I immediately hide at the same room. I hear him pass by as I sigh with relief as he didn't see me here and I wait to hear footstep slowly passing by.

"We need to find the answers in Hotspot, we can't afford to stand by and let you all expel for my mistakes."

"It isn't your fault Luck; it was mine and for me being too selfish by putting my problems into you…"

"It isn't nobody fault….yo….hav…"

The voice slowly went away from the door and I became puzzle as to their next action and it seems they are in deep trouble. I sigh as I sit in the door as I hug my knees as what I want to do next.

"What can I do? I am not good with talking to people and I am weird….the only thing I have is my video games…" I mutter, sadly.

I stare at my treeds with teary eyes as I am useless to help someone and I see a dialogue play out from the game.

"Lord Jess, we mustn't abandon civilian. We must always protect the weak from all evil and it is your job to protect those people of yours."

"But I can't, I am just a normal person without any power like in Water Emblem." I reply. "I can't do it alone.." I spoke, weakly.

I began to think as I put the game console away and I shook that thought away as I felt their courage speaking out to me. I quickly get up as I felt motivate to join their cause and I open the door to follow them so I may help them in any way. I huff as i don't run so often and I manage to catch a glimpse of them walking to the side of the school. I sigh at this running stuff but I need to catch up in order to tell my opinion and I dash away yet again. I went down the small stair to see them hiding in the bushes and I peek thought the bushes to see them all gather around the glass star statue rotating. I notice the student council president wasn't present in there but I didn't paid attention to it.

Wow, I never seeing this statue before.

I quickly burst out from the bushes to see them shock at my appearance and the boy spoke with worry.

"No! Don't -"

I notice the reflection behind me to see darkness swallowing the scenery from the reflection and suddenly, I felt scare as I look around the sudden scary atmosphere and the new appearance of the others.

[Luck POV]

I watch as Lucas ran from the scene as I felt guilty for causing my friend to be expel from school for my actions. I look down with dread but soon I felt a touch on my left shoulder and I look up to see Luke smiling regardless.

"It is going to be okay, Luck. He won't accomplish that task when I am here, so don't worry about it." Luke spoke, smiling.

I felt his smile very contagious as I smile as well and felt a bit relief to have Luke by my side as I told myself many time. Ayakane bow to us as she probably felt the same way I did but even worse as I look down at her.

"I am so, so sorry for this. I-I try my best t-to.." Ayakane spoke, but stop as she began to sob.

I could see her trying to hide her face and removing her tears with her hands but Jane comfort the little girl as Jane embrace her. I look quite stun as I see Jane hugging Ayakane to relax her mind from this problem.

"Shhh, it is fine. Just relax and take deep breaths, we don't want you to cry in front of the boys, right?" Ayakane softly spoke, as she smile.

Ayakane blush as she buries her face on Jane's chest while I and Luke embarrassingly laugh it off.

"Anyways, I have to remain here and report this to the faculty office and the main office about this. He will most likely use this power he mentions in the next meeting." Luke explains.

"When is that next meeting?" I ask, curious.

"2 week from today, September 9 on a Friday morning." Luke answer, serious.

"What do think we must do?" Ayakane ask.

We all look down to see Ayakane calming down and looking very serious about our current dilemma, I felt happy about Ayakane quick recovery and so, I keep my cool as I figure out a plan.

"Why don't we look for the answer of that case, it may help us in a way?" I spoke, unsure.

Everyone became silence at my proposal until Jane look up with a gasp as he got an idea to our problem.

"I understand, you trying to say that we can find this culprit of Zoey and it may drop the expulsion since we found the answer to that old murder case." Jane explains.

"That could do it, but even so, I can't guarantee our safety from his father's connection." Luke mutters.

"We can try, I will help you acquire the answers and we can happily go back to our club." Ayakane smile.

Ayakane smile fill us with hope for a better future of the Paranormal Club and with this plan of ours, we immediately set it in motion as Luke went to the main office to explain our situation and while we march toward the statue. We reach the statue safely and Jane gave Ayakane a flashlight to traverse the darkness inside of Hotspot.

Okay, we can finally explore the 1st floor fully before we can safely call it a day an-

The sound of bushes caught me off guard as I look back to see a girl jumping out and embarrassingly trying to stand up from her jump. The girl's height is about 5 ft. 2 in. and two brown eyes looking at me. She has dark-brown wavy hair that barely manages to reaches her shoulders. Her uniform consists of a black blazer with a red tie and black boy's pants which is odd for a girl to wear. She has glasses just as I wear mine but she has a different type. I became scare as she might be suck inside of Hotspot with the rest of us and I try to block her view with my body.

"No! Don't-"

I try my best to safe her from being drag with us but Hotspot manage to pull her in with us and I notice my clothing and body change to confirm it. The little girl look frighten by the new atmosphere which I didn't blame her for it.

"You shouldn't have come here." I spoke.

"Ummm…sorry.." She spoke, shyly and scares.

I notice her looking at me with fear as I glance back to see my pairs of black, feathery wing popping out from behind me.

"Ah, sorry for the sudden change but I can explain!" I spoke, nervously.

The girl remains frozen by my change and I sigh as I cover my eyes with my left hand as I try to think of something to say.

"Calm down Luck, this girl came here for a reason. Don't you remember what I told you before?" Jane asks.

I began to think on what Jane is speaking and I can faintly remember something relating to the person's appearance in Hotspot.

"Oh right! People can only come in if they have the potential to summon their Persona or being drag by Zoey." I reply, shockingly.

"Wow, then does that mean she has a Persona like you two, and I can get one myself." Ayakane happily spoke.

"Correct, although, getting your Persona require some requirement which I don't know.." Jane mutters.

I glance back at the girl still frozen with fear about my strange form and Ayakane took action as she began to pet my left wings. I flinch from her warmth hands as she began to cuddle her face with it and I didn't know why she is doing it.

"A-Ayakane!" I spoke, shock but I began to chuckle.

I felt ticklish from my left wings as I kneel down and began laughing at Ayakane's touch.

"See, Luck isn't scary at all but rather a cute and fluffy angel." Ayakane smile.

The girl became a bit relax at my laughter as she slowly approaches me and began to follow Ayakane's lead by touching my wings. I felt a bit relief to feel a slow touch as i exhale with relief and look up to see the new girl rubbing my wing for comfort.

"Are you afraid now? I don't really hurt.." I mutter, smiling.

"Oh, of course.." She mutter.

The girl felt sad about something in her mind as she cling on to my wing and Jane approach the girl with an angry face as to her decision.

"Why did you follow us? This place should of being a secret place from new students." Jane asks, angrily.

The girl became nervous at Jane's strong aura and she fluster to answer her question.

"W-Well, I saw you fighting with Lucas and I overheard that you were all going to be expelled." She answers.

Jane became stun as she remain silence at the girl's answer and Jane approach me as she began to whisper in my ear about something.

"Luck, she has the potential to summon a Person if she could enter her. She as might well join our cause since she know that much." Jane whisper.

"What!?" I spoke, shock.

I look at a possible teammate and a club member shyly standing in front of me and I can hardly believe such fate appearing to me. Jane became unfazed by her potential as she knew a lot about this place than me.

"Don't you remember what I told you; there is two possible paths to enter the Hotpots. One, to have the potential to wield a Persona and awaken it here. Two, to be force in by Zoey or perhaps even the Shadows looking for negative feelings." Jane explains.

"Oh, now I understand why I enter Hotspot. I had the potential as well." Ayakane spoke, smiling.

My teammates began discussing about the Hotspot's paths and the new girl became confuse by our conversation since she doesn't know about Hotspot, yet. The girl tilts her in confusion as she looks rather interest on the subject and we all see her raising her right hand for some question.

"Ummmm, what's a Persona?" She asks, curious.
The girl look at me with excite and curious eyes as I scratch my head to answer her curiosity.

"A Persona is a person's most inner thought, like a shield that protects you from hardship, from what I can tell anyways. I explain, unsure.

I felt a touch on my right shoulder and I turn to see Jane with a disappoint face as she smile at my attempt.

"You try Luck that's what really counts." Jane softly spoke.

"Hey! Don't make fun of my explanation!" I spoke, childish.

Suddenly, we hear laughter coming from the new girl as she felt more comfortable by our friendly fighting and I smile at her.

"Sorry, I just laugh at how silly I was thinking you were all dangerous people. I seeing you all act nice by protecting one another." The girl smile.

I and Jane look at each other at this girl's smile and we regain our composure as we cough while blushing to get by to business.

"What's your name?" Ayakane ask.

The girl turn with gleaming eyes as she turn to Ayakane and became very happy about her presence.

"Oh wow, you are like pretty famous around my classroom; you are the Ayakane Koifumi, the female artist everyone is talking about. I can't believe I am talking to her." The girl excitedly spoke. "Right, my name is Jennifer Kunikida. It is nice to make an acquaintance with all of you." Jennifer smile.

Ayakane felt happy to hear her happy voice and nod to her rather excite performance as she jump with joy from meeting Ayakane and us. it is quite a sight to see a girl jumping from meeting Ayakane and I felt embarrass as I thought if I act like that from my childhood.

"Likewise, i am happy to meet someone like you and I hope we can get along together." Ayakane smile.

"Nice to meet you Jennifer, errrr.." Jane blush. "I am sorry for seeing me like this and please don't be afraid of me because of it. My name is Jane Hanamura, nice to meet you." Jane spoke.

"Its fine, you were trying to protect me and stuff, I was excite to meet you all so I am the one to blame for this." Jennifer answers.

Jane sigh with relief to hear Jennifer forgiven for her overprotective for her friend and Jennifer turn to me with curious eyes about my name. I felt overjoy at this girl's introduction and I spread my wings with my arm in the air.

"My name is Luck Arclight; I am the leader of this group and the one leading the Paranormal Club." I proudly announce.

I could see her eyes gleam at my introduction and I felt happy to meet her expectation of me.

"Luck, huh? I will remember that. I do have a tiny, small favor from you, senpai." Jennifer asks.

"Senpai? Hmmmm, I like the sound of that." I smile, as I rub my chin. "Sure, what is it?" I ask.

"I want to join the Paranormal Club!" Jennifer excitedly asks.

I became shock for her trying to join the Paranormal Club and I turn to the others for help with her question as I am not sure about it. Ayakane smile warmly at the thought of another member joining and Jane seem bother by it but she smile as well at her curiosity. I nod at their obvious answer and I didn't need to hold back my excitement for it.

"Sure, welcome to the Paranormal Club and I hope we can get along." I reply, smiling.

"Yes! So, where do I get my Persona thing you speak of? Is that a badge or a shield like you said? Oh! I want it like my video game if it isn't too much to ask." Jennifer asks, smiling.

"Oh boy.." Jane mutters, as she sighs.

I felt embarrass at my explanation as she doesn't understand what a Persona look like and so I materialize my thin sword from my right hand. I swipe my diamond as it illuminate brightly while I raise it in the air to shine the darkness away from this spot and summon my Persona.

"Persona!" I yell.

Tam Lin show up as he held his spear on his right hand and look down at them all as I smile mischievously at my power. Jennifer felt overjoy at the true meaning of a Persona and not scare of my power.

"Wow! I want one! I want one!" Jennifer happily spoke.

I sigh as i calm down the light coming my sword's socket and my Persona vanishes from me as he went back into my consciousness.

"That will take time and it happen naturally, so don't rush it, okay?" I ask.

Jennifer felt a bit sad to know it will come out naturally but still remain chipper about having one inside of hers.

"Now that our introductions are over, let's head inside of the building and find the answers to that old murder case." Jane spoke.

"Answers? What are you here for anyways? It look rather scary and not a place I want to be.." Jennifer mutters.

"You see, we come here to find the killer that kills Ms. Zoey back then, and to reduce our chance of us being expelled by Lucas." Ayakane reply.

"Ah, right…" Jennifer sadly, mutters.

"In any case, let's head in there and we will protect you and Ayakane from trouble so don't worry." I reassure her.

Jennifer nod with a smile on her face and Jane went ahead with calm Ayakane to the building with their flashlight on hand. I follow their lead while taking out my camera as Jennifer touch my wings and I turn to see her having some question in her mind.

"You all look like those people in that show I watch at night, Ghost Finder!" Jennifer smile.

"Oh yeah! I never thought of it like that but that seem like it." I smile. "Although, I prefer to be a protagonist than a ghost investigator." I said.

"Protagonist? Oh, are you a hardcore cosplayer or something? If so! Then does mean you play video game like me!" Jennifer excitedly spoke.

"I live it, play it, and experience it. This experience I am referring to is to spend time with my friend here and figure out this abnormality." I answer.

Jennifer look at me with a smile on her face as she think of something and I tilt my head in confusion at her quietness as she seem very talkative.

"I want to apologize again for being scare of you.." Jennifer sadly mutters, but smile. "I know that feeling very well and yet, I saw you as an outcast or a monster and I want to apologize for making you feel like that." Jennifer sadly bows.

I stop after seeing Jennifer bowing her head to me which made me feel uncomfortable for making her apologize to me about such silly thing.

"Please, raise your head and I don't blame you after seeing me like this so don't apologize." I spoke.

Jennifer raises her head but with teary eyes showing on her eyes and a smile slowly build up on her face at my words. After that, Jennifer felt happy knowing about me forgiving her and we continue on into the abandon building. We enter the main hallways with their flashlight moving around and checking the surrounding. I look at my camera to spot a gate from before blocking the stair case and I narrow my eyes to see a padlock in the gate.

"Everyone, there is a gate blocking the stairs leading to the 2nd floor." I spoke.

"What!?" Jane asks, angrily.

Jane quickly turns her flashlight to the stairs to reveal the black gate with a white padlock and she became surprise at this.

"Hm? What's the matter guy?" Jennifer asks, curios.

"There wasn't a gate there before and now, there is one.." I mutter.

I began to think that Zoey was the reason for that gate and she didn't have the time to bother with us any longer. Suddenly, we all hear a thud coming from behind us and it made flinch at the loud noise. We all turn around to see the main door being block by the same gate but no padlock is present there.

"Are we trap? There is another way, right Jane?" Ayakane ask, slightly worry.

"That was the only exit I know…" Jane mutters.

"In other words, we are trap here and inside of this scary looking place." Jennifer, calmly spoke.

"Yeah." I nod.

Jennifer calmness suddenly went away as she became nervous at her surrounded and we could hear the sound of chain dragging across the hallways. I immediately recognize the sound of that chain dragging and I began to command the others at the big threat coming.

"Turn off the light you two, quick." I command.

Jane and Ayakane immediately turn off their flashlight to welcome the darkness hiding us from the big Shadow approaching the main hallways. I became impatient and worry at the sight of the big shadow from before walking around. I became scare as I notice another one behind this one and I felt nervous at our probability to win this battle if we were found. Ayakane grab Jane's hand as she is scare of this Shadow that she didn't see and one of them turn to our way which made me pause my breathing. I hear the sound of Jennifer heavy breathing the cause of that big Shadow attention and she seem very frighten by their threating aura.

No…..

The big Shadow roar at our direction which made me jump into action as I drew my blade ready for this impossible battle of ours and Jane join my side with her big blade on her shoulder.

"I-I am sorry.." Jennifer mutters.

"Its fine, just stay back and try to escape from here with Ayakane. We wil try…" I trail off, thinking as I sigh. "We will try to let you live from here while I and Jane buy you time to get out of here." I spoke, sadly.

I could feel Ayakane's despair even without the light and I felt a tug from behind me.

"Y-You can't! after I just got you back, I can't leave from your side ever again so I will-"

"You need to live Ayakane!"

Ayakane flinch at Jane's angry but truths respond as she became shaken at her death which isn't easy to accept, even for her. Jennifer felt despair at our attempt to sacrifice our self for their safety and protection. I rush toward the big Shadow with a heavy heart weighting me down and I felt sick. The two big Shadow transform into two female witches and I felt like I couldn't talk myself out of this one.

I hope, those two live on and stay out of danger..

I shook my head of any negative thoughts as I glare at the two Shadows grinning at my loss and mocking my determination. The Shadow witch has a rather large black witch hat as they carry a black broom with them and levitating from the floor. She has large light-blue hair reaching down to her knees and wearing a black corset dress as she looks at me with her orange eyes. Jane arrives by my side to try to win this battle no matter what and not letting Luke down.

"What cute human you two are, I wish I didn't have to kill you two but orders are orders." The witch playfully chuckles.

"We don't have to fight, you can join me and we ca-"
"Don't bother boy, you don't have the power to handle us nor start this conversation." The other witch interrupts.

I sigh at my power being too weak to reach out to these two and I have no choice but to use force to get pass here or at least, let them live. I raise my sword to summon my Persona while Jane clenches her necklace to do the same.

"Persona!" I shout.

"Come, Bahamut!" Jane calls out.

Tam Lin slash at the witch which only manage to do little damage to her and Bahamut's fire attack did the same also. I clench my right fist as our little damage to them and we need more help to accomplish this task.

"Lets us show you our power now!" The witch spoke.

The witches raise their hand up as a I see a familiar dark attack coming up and it manage to hit both of us, but this attack is very strong against me as I struggle to get up.

"Luck!" Jane yell, worry.

[Ayakane POV]

I watch nervously from far away at those two's bravery to stand up against those Shadows and I remain useless, like nothing have change. I couldn't talk back at Jane and now, I remain in the backline hoping for hope for those two. I look to my right to see Jennifer even worse of a state than me as she looks petrified by the look of it and I need to do something.

I-I need to awaken to my Persona, no matter what!...if you are listen, which I know you do. Please give me the power to protect my friend…to protect Luck.

I look back at the battle to see something horrible, Luck on the floor and Jane screaming worry about his safety. I gasp with horror at the sight of the Shadow approaching him and I need to speak up, for his sake. Suddenly, I felt my body becoming hot and I began to huff at something speaking inside of me.

"You truly wish to save Luck? Even if you sold your soul, body, and judgment to me in exchange for your happy ending?"

"Yes! I will do anything to protect him like he did to me so give me that power that I desire so!"

I struggle to stand up as my legs began to shake at the power coursing inside my body and I slowly walk toward Luck as I extend my right arm to him. I felt a chain around my neck and I began to grab something in front of it as I desperately reach out to Luck.

"Then so be it, I will do the same thing in return. I am thou, and thou art I, men have given you their judgment solely on our body alone and stain our judgment with their lies. Speak up your truly feeling, and making him looks at you and you alone!"

"Siren, protect Luck!"

[Jennifer POV]

I look at Luck on the floor and Jane trying to help him while I remain afraid to speak up, just like before.

Speak up! Scream, do something me! They will get hurt…Persona…

I grab my hand together to pray to have the courage to speak up and stand up to anything so I can protect mine new friends from the Shadows.

"Come on, don't get sad. Cheer up!"

I widen my eyes as I could hear a voice speaking up inside of my head and I wonder if this voice can help me.

I need to help my friends from danger! But I don't have the courage to speak up..

"Are you sure? You are hiding away from people's judgment because you believe they may hurt your feelings. You need to accept that kind of hardship before I can help you out…"

I felt my body growing hotter as I breathe heavily as I began to think but I look at Luck which causes me to have enough to answer and remember his words

"Sure, welcome to the Paranormal Club and I hope we can get along." Luck replies, smiling.

I will accept that hardship, so please help me, I beg of you!

"Good, now I can finally help you out with your adventure and protect you from that hardship other people's judgment has given you, so in return, I want you to say my name, pretty please?"

I smile at my Persona's gullible personality and I notice a silver bracelet materializing on my left wrist with A milky white opal in the shape of a quartz. I raise my left arm as I use two finger to touch the quartz and I happily call out my Persona's name.

"This is my power, come Lyra!"

[Chapter 14 End]