Welcome to Tartarus (II)
Day: 19/Sunday Month: April Year: 2009
morning
"That is my promise as a knight, you know how to make an impression"
"Akihiko…shut up"
"As you say sir knight"
After not only being able to summon a PERSONA out of the dark, but doing it without an Evoker, it seems that it made me a rarity, after that Kirijo knew that my date of birth was December 25, 1993, he decided that I should enroll as a freshman at Gekkoukan, the local private high school, where Tartarus appeared at the dark hour, but since he had no record of any kind it would take a couple of days before he got in.
"Although I must say that your value impresses me, in order not to have memories you are taking it very calmly"
"Kirijo said the same thing, but the truth is that when I woke up, I wasn't so calm, the wound on my chest didn't help either, it was just luck that I managed to reach you"
"Anyway, I'm glad to see that you both chose to join."
"Thanks, I guess, but where are we going?"
"Let's go for weapons"
I was a little surprised, I had just followed Akihiko because I had nothing better to do, I didn't expect that we would end up going to the Paulowia mall, the place was unbelievably big, the games didn't do it justice in any way, I blame the developers and the lack of budget, it didn't take us long to get to the police station, where the players usually got their weapons.
"Welcome boy, I see you have someone with you"
"Good morning officer Kurosawa, the boy recently joined us along with another, we thought we need some things"
"Are they *that* for?"
"Yes"
"I see, come on, let's go to the back"
"Is this legal?"
He could not be the only one who found it weird walking into a police station and buying guns like it was nothing, even if the officer seemed aware of what was going on, that did not make it any less weird that they let a couple of teenagers walk in like it was nothing. inside I could see diverse types of weapons, not only what you could buy in the games, it seemed that there were other things like Po sticks, Kunais, Shuriken, there was also no lack of firearms, but I seriously doubted that an average high school student would know how. use them.
"How about? I think swords should be good for beginners."
I tried to take one, but I didn't feel comfortable holding it, which was ironic when thinking about the type of PERSONA I had, so I put down the sword and started trying other alternatives, throughout the game all the characters seemed to handle much more attacks Melee, with Yukari being the only one with a ranged option, maybe she could consider something like that.
"Ranged weapon maybe?"
With that in mind I discarded most of the melee weapons, I looked at various types of weapons, throwing weapons were not a very good option either due to the amount of expense they entail, that added to the fact that when trying to use them I lacked the skills to use them effectively, so I needed something that was not only profitable, I also needed to be able to use it, it was only after a while that I found something that finally clicked.
"East…"
"I don't think that's a good idea…" Akihiko started to say, but I ignored him in favor of looking at the weapon.
It was a Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle, the sight was a little dirty and out of adjustment, but that could be fixed, when checking the ammunition capacity it seemed that a modification was made to it to be able to carry 6 normal rounds or 4 of a larger caliber, the barrel It had also been modified to be longer to increase accuracy, it had the space to fit a bayonet, but it didn't look like it was close.
"The sight can be adjusted, its range should be minimum 500m, maximum 800m, optional rounds switch between precision and firepower"
"The boy knows his toys" murmured the officer who accompanied us
When I looked at Akihiko my mouth was open, the officer laughed aside from giving me a round of standard cartridges and a modified one before taking me to a shooting range, I held the rifle firmly resting the butt in the area of my shoulder, I got 5 perfect shots and one slightly off with the standard round, the mudded rounds just destroyed the figure, the recoil seemed muffled to decrease the time needed to aim between shots.
"Just... what was that?"
I blinked a few times at Akihiko who was shocked, before finally realizing what I was doing, it all came so easily to me that even a little scared me. What kind of life had I been living to know this so well? weapon? Being a military buff would not give me the level of skill that I have to use this thing.
"I… I have no idea…"
In a bit of a panic, I left the gun on the shooting range and went back to where the other guns were, just grabbed a sword like Minato's before almost running out of the police station, all without being able to shake the feeling that I really should not know how to use a rifle.
Night
"Did you call me Kirijo?"
"Yes, please come in"
Just one day and I felt like I had screwed up big time. What 15-year-old could know so much about a rifle? Worse still, use it efficiently as in my demonstration at the police station, I myself do not understand what happened, I just had to pray that the least I expected was not to be labeled as someone dangerous.
Looking around the room the only other PERSONA who was there was Akihiko, he must have expected it since he witnessed my abilities firsthand, Kirijo had as usual a serious look while drinking some tea, Akihiko… I could not say exactly since he seemed to be thinking of other things...
"I heard from Akihiko that you have great skill using firearms" Kirijo said putting down the tea in favor of looking at me
"I… yes… that seems…"
"Does that mean you remember something?"
"No…it was more of a conditioned reflex…one that must have been done quite a bit to sustain me the way I did…"
"Is that what you're worried about?"
"Yeah… I mean… that is not normal… Why do I know how to use that weapon? It is too strange… I… I do not know…"
The silence returned, I couldn't look at Kirijo's face, I just lowered my eyes hoping that what he was going to say to me wasn't so bad, the seconds passed and I got more and more nervous, but all the confusion doubled when I felt a hand on my head, when I looked up I realized it was Kirijo who had a slight friendly smile on his face.
"You worry too much, knowing how to use a weapon can be both good and bad, it all depends on the PERSONA, tell me, would you use a weapon to hurt someone innocent?"
"NEVER!"
I said as I stood up abruptly, it was when I realized what I did that I heard a light laugh, it was Akihiko who was trembling, trying not to laugh, seeing Kirijo just had a light smile on his face, I just looked at them still more confused.
"Honestly Tyron, but your face is not the best to keep secrets, you are like an open book to your expressions, a few moments ago you looked like a puppy that was about to be scolded"
I just brought my hands up to my face, I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks as Akihiko's laugh increased, to make matters worse Kirijo also seemed to want to laugh he seemed to have spent the rest of the day worrying senselessly, so least now he was calmer about it, although on the other hand, am I that expressive? Thing to keep in mind, I have to be more careful so that I do not get any secrets by accident, which was an assortment of problems that I did not want to open yet
"With that said I think you can have this"
I saw that Akihiko had a big case that he gave me to open, inside was the same rifle from this morning, but it was fully repaired, I examined it closely and it seemed that all the problems that I found were fixed, I also noticed that the case had boxes of rounds of 2 types, both boxes had the SEES logo just like the rifle.
"I thought it would be a shame not to use it when you were so good to it, so I brought it back for repair and modification" Akihiko said as he patted my shoulders
"Like other weapons of the Kirijo group, it is specially redesigned to be able to deal physical damage to Shadows, the smaller rounds you can use without fear, but the larger ones are difficult to make so do not use them unless the situation calls for it. worth it" Kirijo warned me
"At his command"
Placing the stock on my left hand and the barrel upright on my shoulder, I put my feet together and firmly placed my right fist closed on my chest, Kirijo blinked in surprise, Akihiko looked somewhat impressed, I tilted my head in confusion. .
"Well... that was weird," I muttered to myself.
"A little... but wonderful things about you." Kirijo said as he smiled.
"It's going to be great, surely you're going to help Yukari a lot"
You are me; I am you... you have acquired a new link, with the power of the arcane The EMPEROR you have opened the path of a new chapter...
"Thank you, Akihiko, you will see that they will not regret it"
Day: 20/Monday Month: April Year: 2009
Night
I had not had much to do during the day, when I got up in the morning the rest of the group was already preparing to go to class, so I only stayed alone, during the course of the day some boxes arrived that apparently were for To me, when I checked, it seemed that it came from the Kirijo group, a complete set of high school uniforms, some street clothes, basic things for school like a backpack and pencils along with first-year books, there I had been struck by the epiphany of going to school, I really didn't feel like going back to that hellish place.
So, I had spent a nice day organizing everything in what would be my new dorm, for anything else it was obvious that I would have to get a part-time job, but at least the most basic needs are covered in the dorms.
In the afternoon the first to arrive were Minato and Yukari, later Akihiko arrived and greeted me with a smile, the last to arrive was Kirijo who handed me some papers, it was all I needed to enroll, a resume, background, it was amazing what I had done in less than 2 days, it seemed that I would also be starting school on Wednesday, that only left me one day of freedom.
"Looks like you're settling in well," Kirijo commented as he looked at my room.
"As much as I can"
"It's good to see that, but it's time for us to meet, today we go to Tartarus, don't forget your weapon"
Nodding I just grabbed my gun case and followed Kirijo to the entrance where they were all already waiting, all along with a new addition, Iori Junpei, he seemed to be moving in with us today, which by default makes him part of our group. newly formed.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Iori Junpei."
"Is he going to start living here? Impossible! It must be a mistake!" Yukari yelled when she saw him
"I bumped into him the other day, he's just noticed it recently, but he has the potential for it," Akihiko pointed out.
"Potential? Are you serious?!"
"My pleasure, my name is Tyron Miller, only Tyron is fine, I will transfer next Wednesday to first year"
"A pleasure friend"
"Now we have a fit force we can begin"
"Are we going on a mission?! In that case I am the one!"
"In that case let's not waste time, we will meet at midnight in..."
"The school…"
Would it be but at night than during the day?
"I expected something more exciting..." Iori murmured as I placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Just watch, it's almost midnight already."
Just as Akihiko said, as soon as the clock struck 00:00 the dark hour began and the entire building began to twist and change in a way that should be physically impossible, I moved my hand from Iori's back to lift the jaw that was fall print
"This is the Tartarus, it is a labyrinth that appears only during the dark hour" Kirijo pointed out entering with our group following behind.
"This is where we will probably find the key to solving the mystery of the dark hour" Technically correct, point to Akihiko
"Right, it's extremely rare for a tower to only appear during the dark hour."
"Meh, to hell with the law of conservation of mass Yukari"
"The problem is that this place can also be called the dark nest, we never had enough staff to conduct a search before."
"But with all these new members we are able to pull it off."
With that said we all stopped at what should be the lobby, the main entrance, Akihiko took advantage and handed Junpei and Makoto some one-handed swords, a short sword for Makoto and a two-handed sword for Iori, Yukari took out a bow and arrows, I took out my rifle and loaded normal rounds and left some of the most powerful ones strapped to my waist, since they were the first floors I was sure that we would not be in much danger...
Better to leave that train of thought...
"You don't mess around" Iori whistled when he saw my team
"I... I'm not good with melee, which is ironic in many ways."
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll see it inside"
Passing through the entrance Kirijo gave us one last look before we entered, once inside Kirijo began to explain the basics, how the labyrinth changed with each incursion, some useful tips, possible things to find, like most of the shadows could be treated with our weapons without problems, only Iori who wanted to show off a little was the first to use his own PERSONA, a little later and taking courage Yukari was the next to use hers.
"Tiri tintin I leveled up!" cheered Iori, I could not help but laugh a little at the irony behind
"I'm going to add everything to DEX" add my two cents
"With your weapon I think it's an excellent choice, but why carry the Evoker if you don't need it?"
"Well… why not? Everyone wears one and I did not want to be left out, you know…as a group…"
"Tiri tintin, your relationship with Iori Junpei has improved"
Shaking his head a little at our antics he quickly took on a more serious mood, although he knew it wasn't too dangerous we still had the boss of the first area left, this one should be more difficult than the weak leftovers we had encountered, but before advance to where it should be a tremor began to be heard around the building indicating the presence of something large, calmly take out the normal rounds and insert heavy fire rounds.
"Coming" Was that a reference to something Makoto?
"What the hell is that?!"
"Calm down Iori, in the worst case we just die"
"Don't joke about it man..."
"Be careful! He is powerful!" Kirijo warned us in our heads
"I think the size made it clear!" snapped Iori
We quickly moved to hit him, Iori was the first to use his PERSONA again, but was easily repelled, next was Yukari, but the shadow managed to counter it as well and hitting Iori and Yukari with the PERSONA, only Makoto and Yukari remained. I, we had beaten the smaller shadows well, but the lack of experience showed that we still lacked to face slightly stronger shadows.
"I'll cover you" I said preparing my rifle
Makoto nodded as he stepped forward, the shadow was about to hit him, but with a precise shot I managed to stop the blow and giving Makoto time to summon his PERSONA, with this one out I took advantage and also called mine, when Makoto's PERSONAA was Being hit, King Arthur's sword got in the way and returned the blow, alternating between us we managed to completely stop and paralyze the shadow's movement until it stopped.
"Looks like we managed"
Raising my hand to give Makoto a high five, he just stared for a few moments before ignoring me, I could only make a wry smile at his behavior as he shook his head, it seemed like it would take a bit longer for him to open up, with that done we could stop for the day, was enough for an initial exploration.
"Time to go to sleep"
Day: 22/Wednesday Month: April Year: 2009
morning
"Well Tyron, you've already been through this once... I think... it cannot be that bad"
After 2 nights of exploration we had made some progress in the labyrinth until we turned on the portal that goes directly to the fifth floor, for now it seemed that we were doing well in the matter of fighting within the dark hour, but my next problem I had nothing to do with the dark hour, no, it was the fact that I was in my uniform and about to enter the school.
"Yo Tyron, are you ready?" Iori greeted me when I went down to the entrance of the bedrooms
"As much as I can be"
"Don't be nervous man, I know that the first day can be difficult, but we will be there to support you, right?"
"It's like Junpei says, just try to breathe, you'll see that most of your fear goes away" added Yukari trying to cheer me up
"You're a complete machine to finish shadows, but you have stage fright, talking about strange things"
"I know, but hey, it is time. Wish me luck! Leave!"
"Have a good trip friend!"
You are me, I am you… you have acquired a new bond, with the power of the MAGICIAN arcanum you have opened the way to a new chapter…
I am just back in high school. How bad can it be...?
I just screwed it up... fuck…