[Chapter 25]
The Ins and Outs of Shadows
I see Jennifer's Shadow returning back to its owner's body and hopefully gaining another ally into our group. I get up from the floor as I dust off my clothing and get back to the others so I can tell them the good news.
"Senpai…"
I turn around to see Jennifer standing in the staircase and looking like she's about to cry.
"Jennifer? What's wrong?" I ask.
"…t-thank you, for accepting someone like me into the group..I o-owe you a lot." Jennifer smile, blushing.
"It's nothing; you don't have to repay me back. I just did what I thought was right and I did." I answer.
I smile as I became certain about my reason to help my friend and I approach her so we can leave this place for today.
"Let's go Jennifer; the other must be sorry sick about me and now you too." I said.
"Yeah! I will follow senpai anywhere and everywhere he goes." Jennifer happily said.
We march down the stairs as we regroup with the others and hear some relief sighs coming from them.
"Thank god you two came back.." Jane sighs.
"H-Huh! Of course I came back, I wouldn't go there alone if I wasn't so sure about it.." I reply, puzzle.
"We know, we did send Jennifer to check up on you and I am glad it turns out all right from the looks of it." Luke smile.
"Yeah…what did you do and what is this Shadow self you speak of?" Kae ask, curious.
"That's a bit hard to explain right now.." Ayakane look around, worry.
Everyone looks around and realize their environment and the Shadows lurking around in every corner. We didn't have the luxury to explain such thing out in the open and also I feel worn out from that Shadow interaction. I notice Jennifer feeling a bit more confident of herself ever since her Persona and Shadow came together.
"Don't worry Ayakane; I will protect you and everyone here with my Shadow." Jennifer proudly announces.
"Awwww, how sweet. I hope I can rely on you more if a threat does show up." Ayakane smile.
"Even so, we still have to leave from here. We don't want any unnecessary fighting when our stamina is low. I propose to leave for today and try again tomorrow." I mutter, tired.
"I strongly agree with that plan since I need to return home and do other important stuff there." Kae spoke.
We nod to the plan and quickly left the 2nd floor through the little mirror by warping to the outside of the school. We exit the Hotspot through the usual exit and say our farewell to each other before parting ways. I return home as I talk with Amy and before long, I return to sleep as early as I can due to the fatigue from entering Hotspot.
August 31
Wednesday
Early Morning
I woke up like usual so I can go to school as early as I can since I have Kae waiting for me by the 7th Street close to the train station. Me and Kae went through train station together while riding the train, I notice the sky cover by thick cloud everywhere the eyes can see
"Don't you watch the news? Today is going to rain in a couple of hours and also, I am carrying an umbrella…" Kae spoke.
"Well…" I scratch my head, smiling nervously.
As Kae gave me a disappointed look, I became serious and unnerve at the discovering of rain.
This isn't good….if it rains now, then today's investigation will be troublesome. We need to be very caution with those Shadows now.
I spend the rest of my free time thinking about the upcoming battle inside the Hotspot the rain will most likely make the Shadows even more dangerous. We arrive to the school and we depart ways at her floor and I meet up with Luke and Jane.
August 31
Wednesday
After School
School and lunchtime came and went as I gather the whole team since we need a meet up to explain about the rain and other things worth mentioning to them all. Everyone in the team is present at the Paranormal Team's building and seat at the table with confuse looks at the sudden meet up.
"You all probably are wandering at the sudden meeting, right?" I ask.
"We are, are you going to cancel the investigation?" Luke asks.
"I don't think so." Jane reply. "I am confident he's going to tell you about the rain and how it will affect the Hotspot." Jane explains.
"What about the rain? W-Wait! Does it make the Shadows…s-scary!?" Jennifer asks, nervously.
I see Jennifer becoming a bit nervous at the bigger threat coming and she should be since those Shadows in the rain are something to worry about. I could see the team shaking as they began to look at me for some explanation and my decision on whether we go in like usual or bail out for today.
"During the rain, the Shadow will become agitated by the heavy rain going on at the Hotspot so we need to be very careful on dealing with the Shadows for today only." I explain, seriously.
"I was worry you were going to say that if those Shadows are going to become a threat to us, then we must stick together the whole time so we can prevent any major casualties." Ayakane answer.
"Ah, I understand your view Ayakane. It's the best solution to deal with those enhance Shadows and as expected from an older member of the team." Kae nods.
"Okay, we know now about the enhance Shadows lurking around and the danger we will face today. Is there anything worth mentioning before we go inside." Luke wanders.
"I-I do! Should we call those "enhance Shadows" with a more precise name l-like "Buff Shadow!" Yeah, that sound more likes it to me." Jennifer cheerfully said.
Everyone laugh nervously at Jennifer's suggestions as she smiles proudly at the idea, but I had to make the decision and I sigh at the obvious choice for the name for those Shadows.
"We have a winner! Buff Shadow it is!" I happily announce.
I dash at Jennifer on my knees while I move my fans at her and gladly accepting such name for those Shadows. Jane quickly became angry at my performance and approaches me as she grab my collar.
"Luck, you are making a scene….again." Jane angrily mutters.
"I wonder if you need some sort of courage to do something like that for attention…." Kae wander.
"I think you guys are missing the most important thing here.." Luke launch nervously, as he smile. "You know, the fact that he pulls out two fans from nowhere." Luke reveals.
Everyone looks at me as I distance myself from Jane, cough in my hand and adjust my glasses to get back on topic while I use the fan to cool off.
"In any case, the Buff Shadow will not be the only problem there's the issue involving a unique Shadow my team encounter during yesterday's investigation." I spoke, seriously.
"Yeah, totally ignoring the fan thing…" Luke sighs.
"Are you referring to the spider Shadow? What about it?" Kae ask wondering.
"Spider Shadow? We haven't encountered such thing during our run through the 2nd floor." Ayakane wander.
"You should have been there Ayakane! I-It was big, very big and with its icky legs moving around-ugh! S-Scary.." Jennifer explains, imagining the spider.
I nod to Jennifer and Kae statement about the Shadow spider from yesterday and I close the fans as I explain even further with Luke.
"Luke, remember the Shadow we first encounter and almost kill us in the Hotspot. The first time we met actually." I smile.
"Yeah? I don't know what you're getting a-Oh! You don't mean…" Luke trails off, thinking.
I smile mischievously as Luke understands more than anyone here about that unique Shadow wielding chain.
"How could I forget that…that thing was so eager to finish us off no matter what. Now that you mention, that Shadow did attacks us while not changing unlike the other we had see." Luke finish.
"Exactly! Compare to the normal Shadows, this particular Shadow can engage combat with us without the need of changing into a lost Persona. I don't want anyone to be discouraged if I say that they are a serious threat without our Shadow self involve." I said, calmly.
"But now with the rain, they will be even more stronger.." Jane mutters, worry.
Everyone fell into complete silent after learning more about this unique Shadow and grasping the situation of our investigation even more. The higher we go in the building, the more we risk our lives to prove something but without any hard evidence to back up our goal, it is hard to keep hoping. The thunder roars above us as if intimidating us into not venturing the Hotspot today but I am confident enough to take the challenge with my power. I look at them to see them bit discourage on their own way since this will put our lives at the edge so I wasn't surprise to see this reaction.
"You don't have to come, you know? You could dodge this investigation and try again later so you don't have to face those Shadows." I said, smiling.
There is a brief silence as everyone look at each other and having their own opinion on the matter.
"Pantodýnamos Unorthodox Enigma." Kae mutters.
"Huh? What is that?" I ask, puzzle.
I see Kae thinking on something as everyone look at her and they also want to know what those strange words means.
"That's the name of that particular Shadow you mention before, since Jennifer name one of them, I decide to name one myself." Kae reply, thinking.
"Unorthodox and enigma does fit the bill for those Shadows Luck mention but I don't understand what Pantodýnamos mean." Jane spoke.
"It mean all powerful or almighty in Greek." Luke reply.
Kae nods to Luke's answer which made him feel proud to know such fact and I felt like I need to study more so I can understand their knowledge.
"Pantohdyno-ugh! What Kae say is a very difficult word to say and also memorizing it as well." Jennifer smile, nervously as she pokes her head.
"How about P.U.E? It is an abbreviation of Pantodýnamos Unorthodox Enigma and it is easy to remember than the longer one." Ayakane smile.
I became impressing by how quickly Ayakane memorize that word and I felt even sadder at my lack of progress.
"Amazing! My childhood friend is making me proud; I know you were very special from the very beginning." I spoke, excitedly.
"S-Special!?" Ayakane stutter, blushing.
"C-Childhood friend!? Jennifer ask, surprise.
"I see, now I understand on how you manage to recruit the most idolize girl at this school so easily. I would have never guessed this." Kae smile, thinly.
"Shouldn't we get going? It is going to be late if we don't hurry up." Jane spoke.
I glance at the clock to notice I had kept the group for a while now but I have to explain a lot more so I decide to explain my power in another time.
"You are right; this meeting is done at the moment so we can start the investigation. Now, let's go to the Hotspot and reach the fourth floor today!" I announce.
Everyone became excite to start the investigation and no longer having any doubts about the buff Shadow or the P.U.E. We share a umbrella buddy as Luke pair up with Jane, Ayakane with Jennifer and me with Kae. We ran across the yard as the slippery floor made it difficult to move and reaching the Hotspot didn't made it any better. We step in the muddy floor and the rain kept going even here as I remember.
"It rain even here…" Kae sigh.
"No need to worry, we must use the little mirror to warp up to the 3rd floor where we left off." I answer.
Everyone walk slowly through the muddy ground as we notice another mirror next to the already mirror outside. It has the label "3" on it and we immediately look at it due to the constant rain going on outside. We teleport to the 3rd floor as we all sigh at the safety of the school and we put the umbrellas next to the little mirror. I look around to feel the heavy atmosphere going on around the 3rd floor and I can sense a lot of Shadows nearby.
"So, what's the plan Luck?" Jane asks.
"We will stay together like I mention and I will nominate Ayakane, Luke, and Kae to be with me on the frontline. Meanwhile, you and Jennifer must stay hiding and helping us to locate any unwanted Shadows." I explain.
"Deal, I will do my best to meet your expectations and hope we can get through this together." Luke happily agrees.
"If you want me then I will do my best as always." Kae spoke.
"Let's go Luck." Ayakane smile.
We head to the left hallways as the chosen people follow my lead and we quickly found a group of three Shadows hurdle together near a door. The Shadow quickly spots us and changes into a Persona, but they seem off since the very beginning. The Personas had dark coloring with red glaring eyes and strange looking aura around them. One of the Persona is a snake with wings, the next one is a star with an eyes in the center and the last one is weird looking hog as it has scale, a horn on top of his head, and a gaping mouth.
"It looks like the rain did have some weird effect on the Shadow like you spoke of." Kae mutters.
"Everyone should be careful, they are coming!" Luke spoke.
The Shadow roars violently and wildly like some kind of animals that rely on instincts. They rush at us with the intention to kill and we all dash toward them with our weapon out to fight against them. I try to make the first move but the snake Shadow interrupt me as he lunge with his mouth which I block. The Persona forcefully pushes me away from the others and I had to finish him quickly or talk my way out this.
"Hey, why don't we-"
I try to speak with him but he keep on attacking and not talking at all to me which confuse me. He sends a strong wind at me which stop me from talking and It was strong from your regular attacks.
"Fine, we can go with plan B!" I said.
I took my stance as lunge with my blade which connects as he did not try to evade my attack. He growl at me which cause me to back away quickly so I could avoid any retaliations but I felt something behind me pushing me toward the angry buff Shadow. I clench my teeth from the sudden pain from my back and I glance behind me to see the hog buff Shadow from before making an aggressive charge from my blind spot.
They aren't the thing I must take likely or else.
I look in front of me to see the snake buff Shadow with his large gaping mouth open to eat me whole and I pull my revolver to shoot the hog to forcefully stop his charge. The sound of the bullet firing fill the whole room but the charge didn't stop not even slow down which made me think of their strong defense while taking this form. I look at the mouth as I have no other escape in mind and I couldn't do anything beside waiting for my defeat.
"Out of the way!"
Suddenly, the snake was push away by an arrow coming from my left and hearing Ayakane yelling with anger. I quickly follow up as I push myself from the hog to escape from his charge which cause it to hit the buff Shadow.
I smile at the result of her my childhood friend quick thinking and deep down, I felt a bit relief to see I fix the [Broken World] that was causing a lot of problems.
"Luck, are you okay!" Ayakane ask.
I am fine, just keep focus on the battlefield and I will do my best to keep myself well protected." I smile.
Ayakane felt relief to see me alright and I glance at the two buff Shadows look a bit weak while the star one is dealing with Luke and Kae. I look at my claw as I extend it toward them and I look at Ayakane.
"Come on, let's finish this together." I smile. "I need help to finish this battle." I laugh nervously.
"Sure, let's finish this." Ayakane smile.
Ayakane extend her left hand close to mine and I felt more proud of this moment as friend and friend are fighting together as one.
"Zan!"
"Aqua!"
Our Persona emerges from our sea of consciousness and began attacking the buff Shadows with their own elemental magic power. Like last time, they didn't think twice of dodging and they gladly took the damage as the force and water made then disappear front thin air. I nod to the victory and Ayakane felt proud at her power of crushing the Shadows. I turn to the others to see them already finish handling the last threat and regroup with us.
"I underestimate them, I would never imagine they could be this aggressive and not flinching from the pain." Luke mumbles, thinking.
"That's what makes them so unique compare to their normal counterparts. We should probably avoid fighting this buff Shadow if possible to avoid any fatal casualties to the team." Kae propose.
As we defeat the Shadow, money appears from their spot and I smile at the green paper flying around.
"Wow! That's a lot of money!" I yell, excited.
I jump around wildly as I catch the money flying around and the reward for our hard work as usual but the amount of green paper is over my expectations of any previous battles.
"And you are ignoring what I just told you.." Kae sigh.
"Imagine! We could be rich by fighting this buff Shadow and we could buy our need like this." I propose. "In fact, I would probably make a living out of this." I smile, mischievously.
"I think you should focus on the task in hand, Luck. We don't want to lose a friend from constantly battling this dangerous beast." Luke smile.
I pause as I felt some dangerous aura coming from Luke's smile and I laugh nervously while I scratch my head at my silliness.
"In any case, we should keep moving and check the room to find the key since those Shadows was keeping an eye on it." Ayakane spoke.
"A wise decision, let's check it out." Kae agree.
They decide to head to the room while I quickly grab the money and follow their lead to the room in question. We stumble upon an empty room as they use the light to illuminate the room and I use my camera to spot any irregularity. From my analysis, this room looks very empty with the exception of a glowing key lying in the middle of the room and everyone felt sketchy about this scenery.
"Something feel odd about this.." Luke mumbles.
"Well, we need to grab the key regardless so let's approach it with caution in mind." Kae advice.
We slowly walk toward the key as our eyes look at our surrounding and expecting something to pop off from the darkness. Strangely, nothing out of the ordinary happen as we reach the key and I pick up the glowing key from the ground.
"Okay..." I spoke, unsure. "I think we found the key to the 4th floor." I said, confuse.
"I feel like this key was too easy to be found and how this investigation is going so smoothly." Ayakane said, slightly worry.
"I didn't want to say this but I kind of agree with you there. I am happy to finally reach the top floor but.." Luke trails off.
"But you expected something big to halt out process, right? It is shocking but it looks like this is it." Kae reply.
Everyone became silence by this easy task and our celebration felt bittersweet due to this situation. I step up in front of them as I held my key and improve the atmosphere of our group.
"It's fine guys, it only means we gotten stronger that we may forgotten to relax and enjoy the easy solution once in a while. I am rather happy to see this so congratulation." I calmly explain.
I turn to their eyes as they felt more at ease from my little speech and resume our regular composure as I gave them a confident smile from within the darkness.
"Seeking the attention as usual, I could always see you even through this thick darkness.." Kae mutters, smiling thinly.
"It has being a tough journey from this past days so maybe this could be a great leap of power from this investigations after all. I could enjoy this power to protect my friends and figure out something." Luke smile, proudly.
"Wow, it is hard to believe I became so strong and I was just painting not too long ago…" Ayakane think. "It kind of scary if you think about it but I know we need to get stronger in order to find something here in the first place." Ayakane spoke, confident.
I nod at their [Realization] of their true power and growth which made me feel very happy to see that.
"Now, we must move forward so we can fix our major problem outside and find some clue at the final floor!" I spoke, excited.
"Yeah!" They agree.
We carefully move around the dark hallways as we use my camera to walk around so we can reach the staircase to the senior floor. I call out the others so we can have a familiar serious talk about the thing that awaits me in the last floor and I could easily guess from the orders.
"What's up? Are you going to have a meeting here?" Jane asks, wandering.
"L-Let's not, those buff Shadow have super armor and it is hard to hit them like that.." Jennifer spoke, worry.
"Super armor?" Kae wander.
Luke chuckles. "Don't you know about super armor from video game, Miss Kae?" Luke tease.
Kae felt a bit embarrass as she nod and remain quiet which cause Jennifer ready to answer such easy question to a friend.
"It is a property that prevents someone from flinching when hit by an opponent attack!" Jennifer excitedly explains. "Although, they still do feel damage from the attack and this feature is always included in fighting game, arcad-"
"Okay, slow down.." Kae sigh.
"Jennifer looks so happy when someone mentions about video game, I am happy to see her smiling and talking with her friends." Ayakane smile.
"Indeed, I am proud to see our bond growing and we will grow even close from this like a family. Don't you think so too, Luck?" Luke asks, smiling.
"Family…" I smile, hopelessly.
I look down as something I wanted to forget came to mind and I notice the others slowly realize my strange behavior. I quick pull out my regular smile, even if it was a fake smile, to ease their worry about me and I bring my hand in my chest.
"Of course, it will happen someday! But for now, I wanted to talk about the Shadow waiting for me upstairs." I cheerfully spoke.
Everyone became silent and still worry about my well-being as they realize my sole job from this point on.
"Okay, but please do call us out if anything bad happen.." Jane spoke, worry.
"No worry." I smile. "I always manage to get the job done and feel happy about it." I said, jokingly.
I gave them a thumb up with a smile and I quickly turn the lock gate near the stair. I took out the glowing key to insert in the padlock which cause it to disappear and making way to the true path. I look down as I adjust my glasses and hiding my emotions from anyone while I pray for my safety.
[Chapter 25 End]
Luck [Lv. 8]
Jane [Lv. 7]
Luke [Lv.7]
Ayakane [Lv. 8]
Jennifer [Lv. 7]
Kae [Lv. 8]
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)