Chapter XIV: Recovery Period
Three days have passed since Tsutsugami Gai, who was now called 'Master Tsutsugami Gai' by GHQ underlings, made an announcement to the world about his return from the dead. More importantly, he warned the United Nations not to interfere with their operations or he will activate 256 Leukocyte satellites orbiting Earth.
Shu's friends are stationed in the few remaining Funeral Parlor hideouts since hiding in the Kuhouin estate was no longer safe with Okina dead. The Phantom Remnants witnessed the news and decided to take firm action.
Regretful of her actions, Haruka wanted to save her adopted son's life.
Meanwhile, GHQ has Shibungi meet with Gai. Shibungi expressed his anger and declared Gai's death. "I strive only to take your head," was the last thing Gai heard from Shibungi, but not before Gai left him with a diary containing crucial revelations to show Shu and his friends.
Then, Gai, Arisa, and their forces headed off to search for Inori, much to Arisa's jealousy over Gai's obsession to find the pink-haired songstress.
In the middle of their search for Inori, Gai's forces encountered one of the Phantom Remnants, Akechi Goro, who donned his black Crow garb and quickly took out several GHQ soldiers before setting his sights on Gai. Drawing out his jagged blades, Akechi methodically circled Gai, who stood his ground. Gai brandished a Tengu-styled dual katana Void he drew from a random Da'ath member.
"You look well for a dead man, Tsutsugami Gai. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you weren't entirely trustworthy. Initially, I'd call you a good orator for amassing a group like Funeral Parlor," Akechi said during their sword duel. As he dove forward with his blades, Gai swiftly moved aside and swung his dual katana.
"And you would know?"
"I speak as one deceiver to another. Even I've betrayed those I considered my colleagues," Akechi said, skilfully blocking Gai's attacks. He could see Gai was no slouch with weaponry and could hold his own.
"You're broken and tired, Akechi Goro. Give up now."
Crow chortled crazily. "Heheh, why? We've only gotten started! Or, are you afraid of what I can do? My best days might be behind me, but I won't yield to a government dog like you."
Gai scowled. "What did you say?"
"You've sold yourself out as a government lapdog. But who am I to call you a lapdog? I was someone's dog, too. Because we have that much in common, I'll gladly put you down like the old canine you are!"
As their duel continued, Crow's emotions stirred as he briefly went madly clattered at Gai's dual katana. Laughing maniacally, Crow pushed Gai back and attempted to tear through Gai with his jagged-bladed weapons. However, Gai turned Crow's momentum against him and sidestepped Crow. After kicking the back of Crow's left leg, Gai gained an upper hand and kicked him back.
Crow didn't want to accept his limits, but his aging body had taken its toll on him. Gone were the days of his graceful Phantom Thief days. Gai's nimbleness and his Void gave him an edge over the veteran warrior.
"This can't be my limit," Akechi muttered while favoring his leg.
"Your broken and battered state is transparent to me. The longer we prolong this, the sooner you'll keel over," Gai admonished the older Phantom Remnant.
While Crow stumbled back, Gai struck an elbow into Crow's chest and sent him crashing into a fence barricade. As Gai rushed for a killing blow, Crow let out a fierce roar and retreated when he saw GHQ soldiers arriving. When Gai faced the other way, he beckoned GHQ soldiers to find Crow. However, when he turned to face his opponent, Crow was gone.
Elsewhere, in another vicinity from where Gai and Akechi fought, the other Phantom Remnants received assistance from old friends Hasegawa Akane, including her husband named Joaquin Fujimura, a cloned Hokkaido wolf named Horkew, Sophia, and a woman named Nakamura Miki. They also received help from Skyler's friends Kaito and Rebecca.
Through the course of the night skirmish, the Phantom Remnants, Kaito, and Rebecca fought off and slew a group of Cryptial Nues of a different variety. Covered in black body hair and keen pink eyes with black irises, these simian beasts are Western variants composed of cryptids from North America unlike the Eastern variants based on Japanese variants. These Western Cryptical Nues are also smaller being baboon-sized and weaker in physical power, but they were more dangerous in numbers. The chimeric appearances of these Western variants were a mix of an olive-green body and the legs of a slimy Loveland frog, a gray-green Hodag's horns, back spikes, & tail, and the head, upper body of a black-furred Devil Monkey.
After vanquishing the Cryptical Nue hordes, the Phantom Remnants and their allies fled and relocated to another hideout since the Kuhouin estate was now compromised.
Meanwhile, in Shu and Inori's hiding place, Shu was reeling from the loss of his Void Genome and fell into a depression over failing his friends. At the same time, Inori was losing control of Mana, who was already taking a stronger hold over her body. Mana's voice taunted Inori, calling the songstress a fake and a literal monster. Trying her hardest to ignore Mana, Inori comforted Shu and reassured them she was always on his side, and temporarily knocked him out after kissing him.
Then, Inori went outside and confronted Gai's forces. Inori transformed into her monstrous state again and wiped out a ton of Endlaves. Her momentum was swiftly cut short when Gai shot her with Yuu's bow and arrow Void to trap her. Inori was then captured and taken to GHQ.
When he woke up, Shu looked around for Inori. She was missing. He realized he couldn't do anything alone to save her. It was then that the Reigizan returned from hiding and found Shu. After they regrouped, Shu and the Reigizan sought to reunite with their friends.
Meanwhile, a certain mother dearest who has been estranged from her daughter had grown worried for that aforementioned daughter. It wasn't just Hifumi but Skyler, too, who had grown worried for Heath and Akiko. Ever since the latest Apocalypse that struck Tokyo, they had lost contact with Heath and Akiko, both fearing the worst for them. Then, they closely followed the news broadcast that informed them that their children had been trapped in Loop 7 for months.
By this point, it was a few days before the exodus.
However, Hifumi's grief was so great she screamed out her worries for her children. As a result of her overwhelming grief, she collapsed and developed a fever. Thankfully, it was not an extreme emergency case that caused her to fall unconscious and required a trip to the hospital. Hifumi recovered in her bed with home medical aid.
However, during her recovery, Hifumi was truthfully recovering from her mental health, emotional pains, and guilt. She finally showed regrets of her rigid personality, which caused a rift with her family, and a family feud with Akiko.
As a result of her emotional anguish, and while sleeping in recovery at nightfall with Skyler and Otoboshi, Hifumi had a dream of being a lonely queen sitting on her throne in a Japanese-themed castle. Outside her castle, the sky was a bright red eclipse and the outer building structure was shrouded with Apocalypse Virus crystals.
Suddenly, Hifumi's castle was under siege and her soldiers & guards defended their queen's sanctuary from enemy soldiers infected with the Apocalypse Virus and their body parts, mostly their limbs, covered with crystals. Despite their infected appearances, the enemy soldiers were still humans. The weapons utilized on both sides consisted of katanas, yumiya, yari, bisentō, naginata, ono, ōdachi, tachi, and tanegashima. The walls of Hifumi's castle are lined up with cannons used to fire at enemies outside the castle. In response, infected enemy soldiers used siege ladders to scale the walls.
Just then, invaders materialized inside the throne room. These six, who led the infected soldiers, are cognitions of six fictional antagonists from various series. Hifumi recognized these terrible six from the fictional works in the past, which manifested as a result of Hifumi's despair. The leader of these six antagonists was referred to as the 'dark lord'. The other five antagonists were referred to as the morning star, the high seraph, the immoral sorceress, the liberating anarchist, and the corrupted fairy.
"You will not overtake me and take over this castle, dark lord!" Hifumi fiercely called out to the dark lord, who remained unfazed by her commanding tone.
"It will only be a matter of time. Once you witness the fall of your kingdom, your grief and despair shall overwhelm you. Give in to your grief, soon-to-be queen," the dark lord darkly chortled while taunting Hifumi, whose face contorted with uncertainty about her kingdom and its people. He had managed to delve into Hifumi's main source of grief.
"The destruction of your kingdom is all on you, queenie. We six are manifested from your thoughts and you could say we are six of your deadly sins. You are the seventh deadly sin," the dark lord revealed to her.
Realizing this, Hifumi came to terms with herself being the sloth, which represented her emptiness and sorrow as reflected in her current personality. The dark lord represented envy. The corrupted fairy is gluttony. The liberating anarchist is greed. The immoral sorceress is lust. The morning star is pride. The high seraph is wrath.
Suddenly, coming to the rescue of their wife, Skyler and Otoboshi arrived to counterattack the dark lord and his six associates. Skyler and Otoboshi didn't come alone. They were joined by the cognitive versions of Leonard, Ren, Akechi, Sumire, Makoto, Haru, Ann, Futaba, and Miki were conjured by Hifumi's positive thoughts. The newcomers were also seen cosplaying as fictional characters from the past.
Cognitive Leonard and Miki joined Hifumi's side as they confronted the dark lord.
"So, you've shown yourself again, dark lord. Your attempt to take over this castle ends here!" Leonard declared.
"We won't let you consume the last essence of hope that still resonates within Hifumi's heart!" Miki cried out passionately.
"You want to take away my hope? Try and take it!" Hifumi challenged the dark lord.
"I'll gladly snuff out your light as you fully turn into a lifeless shell of your former self, queen mommy dearest!" The dark lord openly vowed to destroy whatever positive light remained within Hifumi.
At last, a big battle escalated inside the throne room. While Cognitive Futaba supported her friends and Hifumi, Hifumi, Skyler, Otoboshi, Leonard, and Miki focused solely on defeating the dark lord. The other Cognitive Phantom Thieves and their associates engaged the other six fictional antagonists.
As they fought the dark lord, Cognitive Leonard wielded a crimson tsurugi, Skyler used a tsurugi, Hifumi wielded a heavenly tessen, Otoboshi fought with a hellish tessen, and Cognitive Miki used a ko-naginata.
Using brute force and skills to fend off his adversaries, the dark lord openly taunted and played mind games with Hifumi.
"Your daughter hates you. Just accept that Akiko will never respect you for the shell you've become! You've already pushed your friends away. Your ex-officer friend already hates you! Now your family will want to dissociate themselves from you! Face it, you're toxic to be around!" The dark lord cackled as he dug deep and elicited a furious cry from Hifumi. As Hifumi fiercely attacked him, the dark lord went deeper and mentally taunted her. "They will all hate you and they'll leave you all alone for you to fall into your pit of despair! Soon, your two lovers will leave you! You're meant to be alone in this castle of solitude that you've conjured to protect your pathetic soul!"
Skyler, Leonard, Otoboshi, and Miki noticed Hifumi wavering to the dark lord's taunts, which affected her battle performance. As the dark lord attempted to stab her, Skyler and Otoboshi narrowly saved their lover while Leonard shoved him back. Miki also came to Hifumi's defense and slashed at the dark lord.
Meanwhile, Cognitive Ren, Cognitive Akechi, and Cognitive Sumire engaged the morning star and the high seraph. It was an intense battle. At one point, the high seraph flew around the trio and attacked them with floating blades. When the high seraph was pushed against her limits, she flew past the ceiling of the throne room and unleashed a condensed laser toward the three cognitive Thieves. After overcoming the high seraph, the morning star used far more destructive means against the cognitive trio. Near the end of the battle, the morning star amassed a sun-like sphere above his head and tossed it toward Cognitive Ren, Akechi, and Sumire. Uniting their wills and strengths, the cognitive trio pushed the sphere back at the morning star. After being blasted by his attack, the morning star was weakened, allowing the cognitive trio to finish him off.
Cognitive Makoto, Cognitive Haru, and Cognitive Ann fought the liberating anarchist, the immoral sorceress, and the corrupted fairy. Cognitive Makoto fought and defeated the liberating anarchist. Cognitive Haru finished off the immoral sorceress. Cognitive Ann slew the corrupted fairy.
The dark lord was the only antagonist left but he refused to relent. As he fended off Leonard and Miki, the dark lord continued to taunt Hifumi.
"I know one way to hasten your fall into complete despair. Yes, why don't I experiment on you and your husband's children? Heheh, perhaps your children will take a liking to become my newest right-hand soldiers? Perhaps I can use them to kill you and your lovers, mommy dearest?!" The dark lord cackled maniacally, drawing ire from Skyler, Otoboshi, and the others.
However, something erupted outside of Hifumi. She finally unleashed her unbridled fury, which she had kept suppressed for a long time. All of her anger was turned loose against the dark lord.
"YOU WON'T GO ANYWHERE NEAR MY KIDS, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Hifumi screamed furiously as Skyler and the others were taken aback by her uncharacteristic outburst. "I'M GOING TO REMOVE YOU FROM MY GODDAMNED CASTLE!"
As if Skyler wasn't terrified enough of his wife, he was utterly speechless seeing this momma bear side of her. Empowered by her anger, Hifumi relentlessly attacked the dark lord. Finding himself on the receiving end of Hifumi's powerful attacks, the dark lord was losing ground. Then, Hifumi received help from her lovers and her cognitive allies. After Skyler, Otoboshi, and Miki dealt devastating blows to the dark lord, Leonard stabbed and injured him.
Hifumi ran toward the dark lord with her heavenly tessen. With a mighty swing, she let out a defiant scream.
"BEGONE AND NEVER SHOW YOUR FUCKING FACE HERE AGAIN!" Hifumi roared, using her tessen to cut the dark lord's throat, causing blood to profusely spew from his wound.
"No… No… NO! THIS CAN'T BE! HOW COULD I BE DEFEATED?! AND NOT EVEN TO A WARRIOR BUT KILLED BY A PATHETIC SPINELESS QUEEN?! AUGH!" The dark lord bellowed in defeat as his body collapsed on the blood that spilled from his neck wound. After his body violently twitched, he dissolved into black mist and ceased to be from Hifumi's dream.
After slaying the cognitive antagonists, Hifumi recovered from her mental state. By slaying the dark lord, she overcame her insecurities that caused her grief. Hifumi, Skyler, and Otoboshi embraced and shared a passionate three-way kiss.
Finally, Hifumi awoke as she recovered and was consoled by her two lovers. With time, her eyes regained the life and loving passion she had lost since Lost Christmas. The old personality that she buried deep within herself resurfaced.
"Skyler, we need to find and reunite with Heath and Akiko as soon as possible," Hifumi resolutely stated.
"But, they're on the other side of Loop 7. What can we do to help?" Otoboshi asked.
"Our kids are a resourceful pair and having met their friends, I trust in them finding a way out," Skyler smiled as he kissed Hifumi lips.
"Yes, but most importantly I'm ready to reconcile with those I've pushed away, including our daughter, Skyler," Hifumi said, referring to Akiko, Makoto, and the Phantom Remnants. "It's time for me to make things right." She said with renewed determination, vowing to see her children again despite the circumstances.
Back in Ward 24, Haruka opened a safe, which contained the third and final Void Genome. She retrieved it but was then pursued by Keido, who admitted to her that he is the one who killed Kurosu. As a result of Haruka's thievery, Keido sent Segai, Arisa, and their forces after Haruka.
Haruka, alongside Murphy, reunited with Kurachi and Oogumo alongside a few Kuhouin members taking refuge in an apartment hideout. They were making preparations to flee to the sole Funeral Parlor hideout.
Outside of the apartment center, and inside one of the GHQ bunker vehicles, Segai interrogated a female Funeral Parlor member at gunpoint to reveal Haruka's location. Afterward, Segai shot his hostage dead.
Inside the apartment hideout, Haruka told her story to her friends about being Shu's stepmother and how much he means to her as her stepson.
Suddenly, they were under attack by Segai's forces. Haruka and Kurachi escaped during the attack. Oogumo stayed behind to fend off GHQ's soldiers and got critically injured from gunfire before Segai finished him off.
Haruka and Kurachi are reunited with the others at the sole Funeral Parlor hideout. Heath, Akiko, and Walter become acquainted with Haruka. Argo regretfully informed his friends about Oogumo's death, who they mourned for, and reminded them that "he's with us all". This news especially devastated Kurachi, who fell in love with Oogumo during their time working together. They then discussed which candidate will use the final Void Genome.
"Which one of you wants to utilize it?" Haruka asked Heath and Akiko.
"I decline. I've seen how that thing works and I'm not cut out for it," Heath stated.
"Yeah, count me out, too. My bro and I already have our own Voids to worry about," Akiko declined.
Suddenly, Ayase pulled up with her wheelchair and approached Haruka.
"Then, I'll do it. Give it to me," Ayase openly volunteered.
"You do realize what this means, correct? By taking on the Void Genome, you bear the same responsibilities that my son faced. Moreover, if you're chosen to bear it, it can either accept you or, reject and kill you."
"I've already picked my poison. I've seen what Shu can do with that power. Thanks to him, I've seen my Void fully manifested and I've been able to fight on the frontlines without an Endlave. I'm ready to take the risk."
Before Haruka could apply the Void Genome to Ayase, Heath quickly interjected and protested this decision.
"You can't, Ayase. Do you realize you're throwing your own life away?!"
"Yeah, and I'm ready to take that gamble! Shu's not here now, I'm the best bet you guys have as another Void Genome user!"
"I'm more worried about what'll happen to you, Ayase! Your safety is important to us… for me!" Heath openly pleaded to Ayase while grabbing her shoulders tightly, letting tears form in his eyes. He allowed passion to get the better of him while talking sense into her.
"Bro's right, Ayase. You might wanna have second thoughts. What if it kills you? You might not be as lucky as Shu!" Akiko even tried reasoning with Ayase.
"You guys…" Ayase gasped as she saw Tsugumi shaking her head. Clenching her hands tightly, Ayase replied with forlorn eyes. "I know you guys care and it means a lot, but… I feel like I'm obligated to do this. If not me, then who else?"
"I don't know," Heath muttered, turning his eyes away as Ayase caressed his cheek.
"If you have to let me do this, Heath, I'm our strongest bet to fight our enemy." Before Heath could further protest, Ayase readily prepared to receive the Void Genome.
Suddenly, Segai's forces finally uncovered the hideout and attacked without hesitation. Arisa surprised everyone with her presence as many gave her disdained looks over her betrayal. Arisa summoned a new experimental monster called Shokuin, which to the shock and horror of Funeral Parlor, was Okina. Revived and under GHQ's control, Okina's head was used as the base for this experimental beast's body. The Shokuin was a tall monstrosity with a long, serpentine-shaped body with Okina's head attached and his beard is retained with large pointed ears. With a snake-like body, it possessed no limbs.
Laughing in a depraved manner, the haughty Arisa proudly declared the Shokuin to be her greatest achievement and her ultimate triumph over the Kuhouin legacy. She also declared it to be her freedom from Okina's shackles.
Segai also injected himself with a serum, transforming him into a tall, liber-bodied slender monstrosity coupled with a clown-like face that matched the look of his favorite clown doll keychain.
Heath, Akiko, and Kurachi fought against Shokuin. Heartbroken seeing her former boss turned into a monster, Kurachi used firearms on him to end Okina's suffering and while doing so she cursed Arisa's name. Heath's Tamuramaro fought off and slashed Shokuin with its katana. Swinging its ko-naginata, Akiko's Suzuka Gozen delivered cuts all over Shokuin.
Segai and Ayase fought over possession of the final Void Genome. Segai wanted the vial for himself. Arriving in time to save her, Argo and Walter helped Ayase hold off Segai. Then, the Void Genome rolled over to Shu, who arrived alongside the Reigizan. Haruka urged him not to use the vial, but he thanked her for her concern before calling her 'mother' for the first time and injected the Void Genome into himself. Shu then revealed his own Void, the King's Heart, a crystallized arm that replaced his lost one and has the power to amass the strengths and weaknesses of people's Voids.
Amid the skirmish, Heath and Akiko learned the ability to fuse with their Voids. Upon completing merging with their humanoid Voids, Heath and Akiko gained the combined features of their human and Void forms. Heath gained steel and rigid silver alloy body armor similar to Tamuramaro's, which covered his limbs, chest, back, and shoulders. The armor is also highlighted with light blue accents. In his right hand, Heath brandished his Void's katana.
Akiko gained Suzuka Gozen's sleek steel silver alloy armor, which fitted her physique. Her armor is also highlighted with light blue accents. She gripped her Void's ko-naginata in her left hand.
By using the powers of his friends' Voids, Shu helped wipe out the Endlaves. Then, he delivered the killing blow to Shokuin, releasing and giving Okina a merciful death. Finally, he briefly fought, outmatched, and maimed Segai using Yahiro's Void. Upon his defeat, Segai turned back to normal and looked up at Shu standing over him.
Staring deeply into Shu's resolute eyes, Segai gritted. "You're not a murderer. Admit it!"
Shu replied. "You may be right, but I can learn. I'll bathe in blood if it keeps my friends alive!"
And with that, Segai smiled with ecstasy while sensing the Void Genome's power as his life thread was cut by Yahiro's scissors Void.
Before dying, Segai shouted while laughing. "I feel it! Another essence, piercing my soul, I can feel the Void's light!"
Following Segai and Shokuin's deaths, Arisa escaped with her life like a thief in the night and retreated to GHQ headquarters.
However, the most important thing happened. Everyone was in shock that Shu not only used Souta's Void to fight but also his Apocalypse Virus infection as well. Shu's action cured Souta of the virus, but he took the burden for Souta as a result.
Back in Da'ath's quarters within GHQ, Mana has almost taken control of Inori's body.
While interacting with Gai, Keido, Yuu, the Aragami, and Arisa, Mana spoke through Inori's mouth. "It's a little cramped. This girl has a remarkably strong will for a clone. And there won't be a limit to having fun together, right, Triton?" She referred to Gai before turning toward Arisa with disdain. "And don't you dare touch my Triton, or else, I'll brutally torture you."
In response, Arisa held her ground in fear of not wanting to get on Mana's horrific side. Despite her fear, she also harbored deep anger toward Mana.
The Aragami bowed before Inori and addressed Mana's presence as their 'mother', vowing to help lay the foundation of the new Eden.
Gai informed the world on December 25, 2039, that the apocalypse will arrive.
Shu, the remnants of Funeral Parlor, the Kuhouin Group, Shu's classmates, and the Phantom Remnants escaped Japan on a large ship where they reunited with Shibungi. Shibungi then gave Shu the diary that Gai gave him. It was the journal from Shu's late father, which unveiled the history of the Apocalypse Virus.
In 2013, Keido Shuichiro was a graduate student of Tennouzu College researching Genomic Resonance and befriended Shu's father Ouma Kurosu, with the latter intrigued by the former's work. In 2017, sometime after the events of the Phantom Thieves changed Shido Masayoshi's heart, Kurosu met his future first wife, Shijou Saeko, a colleague whom he married after she became pregnant with their first child, Mana.
However, in 2022, and five years later, fate struck. A meteorite crashed on Earth and was discovered by Mana and Saeko in Izu Ōshima. Shuichiro and Kurosu discovered a virus inside the meteorite, which reacted when the Genomic Resonance was used. Their research earned them Da'ath's attention. Da'ath's mysterious representative, Yuu, offered to help them inside a warehouse studio, which Shu recognized as being the same location he used to hang out, spending time with his classmates, and first met Inori.
Da'ath had been waiting for the virus's arrival as it would become the catalyst to start the Apocalypse. Da'ath was the one who sent the meteorite and was revealed as the true antagonist that caused the events in the first place to restart and evolve the human race further with their new Adam and Eve. Furthermore, the virus began to infect Mana and Saeko, causing the former to go insane and turn her into patient zero while the mother was slowly dying through crystallization while being pregnant with Shu. Yuu ordered Kurosu to not abort the baby. Mana had chosen the baby as her mate that will help start a new race after the Apocalypse.
On July 21, 2022, Saeko died while giving birth to Shu, which sent Kurosu into a grieving period. Kurosu then refused to work with Da'ath again. Jealous that Kurosu's children will be the originators of the new human race, Shuichiro joined Da'ath and helped them find a suitable mate for Mana by experimenting on children with the Apocalypse Virus.
In 2028, Kurosu, who had kept himself busy finding a cure for the virus, fell in love with his new assistant, Shuichiro's sister, Haruka, who also helped take care of Kurosu and his children. She eventually married him and thus became Shu's stepmother. At the same time, a victim of child trafficking was adopted by Shuichiro. This child was Tsutsugami Gai. Shuichiro subjected his newly adopted stepson in his experiments, which eventually led to Gai escaping and being found by Mana and Shu.
The diary also mentioned another event, and as a side note written by someone: Two figures named Scrooge and Carol alongside their involvement in the Lost Christmas event and their history with Da'ath as former test subjects. Scrooge and Carol once interacted with Kurosu. They also encountered and destroyed assassins with names based on the Christmas ghosts:
Past, a specialized Endlave whose true identity was the vegetative state of Shu's real mother, and who protected Shu and Gai from the collapsing church before Past/Saeko died for good.
Present was another member of these Christmas Ghosts, and she resembled a little girl with long blonde hair and a black dress. Sent to assassinate Scrooge and Carol, she had the powerful ability to physically manipulate apocalypse crystal's movements.
And Yet to Come, whose true identity is the unborn child of Scrooge and Carol and survived in the form of a Void. Yet to Come's existence was revealed to inspire Inori's creation.
It was also revealed that Scrooge and Carol have been acquainted with a younger Shibungi, and it was Scrooge who convinced Shibungi to meet with Gai in Africa.
Scrooge and Carol were also revealed to be the ones to form the Guilty Crown that stopped Lost Christmas. In doing so, they sacrificed themselves to implement this power that prevented the virus from spreading outside Japan.
December 24, 2029. On the day of the Lost Christmas event, Shuichiro learned that Kurosu managed to find a cure for the virus by creating the Void Genome. However, Kurosu wanted to keep the burden of creating it on himself. But, a bitter and jealous Shuichiro accused Kurosu of looking down on him and killed Kurosu before leaving him with parting words for his former friend.
"I'm not your friend, you've always been my enemy."
Those words fell on Kuro's dying ears as Shuichiro stole the research before Haruka found her husband's body.
After the group finished reading the journal, Haruka revealed that Mana was able to enter Inori's body during the second outbreak and is slowly taking control of her because the Voids Shu has been extracting are Mana's genetic fragments.
With everything from Kurosu's journal weighing heavily on their hearts and minds, the group needed rest before preparing for the final attack on GHQ and Da'ath.
Standing outside of the ship, Shu reflected on everything he learned from his father's journal. On top of wanting to avenge his father's death, he muttered vowing to save Inori and facing Gai & Mana once more.
"Shu? There you are," Ayase interrupted his train of thought as she, Heath, Akiko, Walter, Tsugumi, and Argo approached him.
"That sure was a lot to take in, Shu. I'm sorry about your dad," Heath conveyed his sympathies for him.
"Hearing all of that no doubt has motivated all of us to take GHQ down. I can't believe I'll be alive to see it happen," Akiko remarked.
"We're all in this together, Shu. Thick and thin," Walter added, which prompted Shu to turn and face them with determination.
"Yeah, we're going to show them. GHQ and Da'ath will face what's coming for them. Most of all, I will save Inori. Even if it means facing and defeating Gai," Shu said with full resolve in his mission. As he and his friends placed each other's hands over the other, they shared a unified yell and headed to rest for the upcoming final battles.
A/N: Yes, the end is closer than you realize. Five chapters left to go.
After retrieving the King's Power, Gai asserts his dominance in this chapter. He gives an ultimatum to the world, helps capture Inori, and defeats Akechi in a duel.
And with the finale close, the Phantom Remnants make their return to resist GHQ while Crow/Akechi fights (and loses) against Gai.
This chapter also gave Hifumi an overdue rehabilitation. Her dream completes her character arc and overcomes her inner 'demons' before she seeks to make amends with Akiko and Heath, especially Akiko. Additionally, Hifumi's dream world is not connected to the Metaverse. None of the six cognitive figures will appear in the real world or the final battle against GHQ.
Although he lost Inori, that didn't stop Shu from getting the other Void Genome and restoring his power. Segai learned that the hard way.
Oh, and if you didn't hate Arisa any more than now, well look what she and GHQ have done to her grandfather.
Though briefly summarized, Heath and Akiko learned to fuse with their Voids. Once again taking inspiration from Astral Chain, this ability is a fusion between a human and their legion. When combined, the merged form resembles a chimera-like humanoid with the physical features of their legion. The same logic is applied here between Heath & Tamuramaro and Akiko & Suzuka Gozen, except Heath and Akiko retain their human features.
This chapter even summarized the events from Kurosu's journal and reveals startling details about the development of the Void Genome, the Apocalypse Virus, Mana becoming Patient Zero/Eve, Kurosu's wife's death, Kurosu meeting Haruka, and Keido betraying Kurosu. The journal even reveals the events of the Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas visual novel game, which is a prequel to the anime that tells the story of Scrooge and Carol.
As promised, I've brought back Heath and Ayase moments. There will be more in the next chapter when everyone settles down on the ship.
All There in the Manual - Chapter XIV
-The Tengu-themed dual katana Void from a random Da'ath member is named Ushiwakamaru Blade Dance.
-The names revealed of the six cognitive figures thought off by Hifumi's negativity and grief: the dark lord - Juzo Mido (Code Vein), the morning star - Lucifer (Shin Megami Tensei V, in his true form/final boss appearance), the high seraph - Ultima (Final Fantasy XII), the liberating anarchist - Makishima Shōgo (Psycho-Pass), the immoral sorceress - Kiryūin Ragyō (Kill la Kill), and the corrupted fairy - Oberon (Sword Art Online).
–-The liberating anarchist, the immoral sorceress, and the corrupted fairy seen together are inspired by the trio that appeared in a Guilty Crown mega crossover Cornerverse fic entitled Shinnen:New Year when they work alongside Da'ath in a Legion of Doom/Brotherhood of Evil scenario.
–-Relating to the series fauxnale's themes of Persona 5 in AnGC and loose references of Akane no Mai. The high seraph's goddess appearance is loosely reminded of Hifumi (AnM)'s goddess form/powers, while the morning star's personality is loosely reminded of AnM/Book I's main antagonist named Datenshi (who has an alternate Yaldabaoth as a Persona), both relate to Lucifer (Persona 5) being unlocked after the player completes Hifumi's Confidant storyline. The dark lord being Mido loosely relates to his Big Bad role for AnM/Book II onward.
–-The six cognitive antagonists manifested from Hifumi's thoughts and Hifumi herself relate to the seven deadly sins (and the themes relating to the Palaces) of Hifumi. Hifumi herself is sloth (with elements of emptiness and sorrow relating to her personality since Lost Christmas), the dark lord is envy, the corrupted fairy is gluttony, the liberating anarchist is greed, the immoral sorceress is lust, the morning star is pride, and the high seraph is wrath.
-The cosplays that the cognitive people Hifumi thought off with positive thoughts are Shin Megami Tensei related works: Cognitive Leonard as Flynn (Shin Megami Tensei IV), Cognitive Ren as the Demi-fiend (Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne), Cognitive Akechi as Odin (Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse/Shin Megami Tensei V), Cognitive Sumire as Nuwa (Shin Megami Tensei V), Cognitive Makoto as Artemis (Shin Megami Tensei V), Cognitive Haru as Idun (Shin Megami Tensei V), Cognitive Ann as Cleopatra (Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse/Shin Megami Tensei V), Cognitive Futaba as Amanozako (Shin Megami Tensei V), and Cognitive Miki as Chou-keshin (Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon).
-Just like in the official canon of the Lost Christmas game events, Segai encountered Scrooge and lost his left eye (and is replaced with a mechanical one) while first experiencing his fascination with Voids.
With only 5 chapters (technically, 4 chapters and the epilogue), the next chapter will be the last 'breather' before the final siege against Ward 24. I can't believe we're almost to the finish, my friends.
Until next time, leave your comments and send a review. Later, readers!
