Chapter XXIII: A Spanish Guest
Toshimaen Niwa no Yu (としまえんにわの湯)/Koyama, Nerima City, Tokyo (東京都練馬区小山)/October 5, 2019 (2019年10月5日)/(Reality: October 5, 2021)/4:45 PM (JST)
Nearly a month removed from the last Yami Matter incident, Ren and Ann decided on a trip to a bathhouse. The other Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants joined them to take advantage of the therapeutic experience. The Elven Princesses, Yumeko, Ryōta, Mary, and Midari also decided to tag along, placating Yumeko's desire to swim in a steaming hot bath.
A barrier separated the men from the women in a spacious bathhouse. On one side, Ren drank some sake with his male friends and compatriots. Splashing water on his face, Skyler received his sake cup.
"Whew, now this is what I'm talking about!" Yakumo hollered.
"Great choice to pick this place, man," Ryuji sipped sake with Ren.
"Hey, Louis. Doesn't being here feel familiar? I remember we used to share bathhouses," Skyler reminded him of their previous times in their dimension.
"I seem to recall we had mixed bath springs," Louis said.
"This place vaguely reminds me of those bathhouses," Jack stated while he relaxedly sipped his sake.
Upon hearing this, Ryuji yelped loudly. "What?! You mean, y'all took baths with the ladies?!"
Leaning back on a rock, Louis sighed. "Yeah, what's the big deal? Even now I take baths with Mako-chan and Haru-chan."
"But, in a bathhouse?"
"Is it that surprising? You've never heard of mixed-gender baths? They have them here as well," Akechi quickly informed Ryuji.
"Eh, maybe I wasn't paying attention," Ryuji shrugged. He shifted away from the bath and saw Morgana outside of the hot spring. "Yo, what's up, Morgana? Come on in! There's room for a cat."
"Grr, I'm not a ca…" A sullen Morgana grumbled and then audibly sighed. "It's not fair. The ladies sure don't want me with 'em now. I can't even sit with Lady Ann or Lady Mia." He sighed and sank his head.
"Hey, keep it down over there!" Ann's voice was heard chastising them from the other side.
"Heh, don't mind them," the Phantom Thief leader smirked coolly, leaning his back against the barrier. Unbeknownst to him and Ann, they had their backs facing each other on opposite sides of the barrier.
"Still, that's quite intriguing. You shared space with the ladies in hot springs?" Yusuke asked Skyler, Louis, and Yakumo. "That's usually reserved for couples."
"Intriguing he says," Ren chuckled over the artist's comment while not paying much care. He turned over to Skyler and watched him sipping his sake. "I understand that you and Hifumi worked things out."
Hearing this, Skyler smiled. "We have, but we had two friends help repair our relationship."
"Who?"
"Nadia and Anastasia did. They took us out on dates. I went with Nadia and Hifumi paired with Anastasia. There were some bumps along the way. Nadia and I even butted heads. I'm telling you Nadia is a fierce and stubborn woman, but she straightened my ass out. Us having intercourse with those two cleansed whatever self-doubts we've had after that Yami Matter incident."
"That's great. So, it sounds like it all worked out better than expected."
Overhearing the men's conversation, Makoto turned toward Mia. "Is everything they're saying true?"
"About what?" Mia asked.
Makoto added. "About you guys using shared baths? Not that you mind sharing with us?"
"Based on what memories I can dig up, I remember hot springs and me sharing a bath with men and women. Which was why I was ok with Morgana sitting with us."
"I hope Morgana enjoyed it," Ann chuckled, looking past her shoulder where she could hear Morgana whimpering outside the hot springs.
"Maybe we should let Morgana in with us?" Sumire suggested. "I see no harm in it."
"Well, that's not a big deal for me and Mako-chan. We've taken baths with Louis and we've had no issues. Right, Mako-chan?" Haru delved into their private sessions, which made Makoto slightly blush.
"Yeah, sure," Makoto replied with a composed smile.
"The best moments I've spent have been with Jack in a bathhouse," Eva said with a relaxed sigh.
"Yes, I enjoy baths more when I'm around company," Io said, splashing water across her arms and face.
"I concur. I don't have issues sharing baths and rooms with Skyler and Io," Hifumi addressed Io and Mia.
"So, it's true you two helped Hifumi and Skyler through their troubles?" Ann asked Anastasia and Nadia.
"Hell yeah, we did. Thanks to us, we got them out of their miserable funks," Nadia said, happily sipping her sake without hesitation.
"It wasn't easy, but us going out the way we did was a lot of fun," Anastasia stated, massaging some hot water against her large breasts and shiny skin.
The dark Elf princess chuckled while listening to Skyler's conversation with the guys. "After we left the nightclub, we cooled off after our argument. Then, we had hot sex. It wasn't until we had intercourse that I realized I learned to love Skyler. I understood what Hifumi saw in him." Unbeknownst to her, the dark Elf started feeling flustered as she reflected on her intercourse with the Revenant man. "The way he held me in those strong arms of his. The way he massaged my ass and licked me."
"I felt the same way, Nadia. When I was making love with Hifumi, I could see clearly why Skyler loves her," Anastasia said as she leaned next to Hifumi and massaged the woman's shoulders. She elicited a relaxed sigh from the Shogi champion. She then giggled aloud. "Perhaps we should form a harem with Skyler, Hifumi, and Io?"
"Now, there's an idea I can get behind!" Nadia yelled excitedly. "What do you think, you two?"
"I'm not opposed to it," Hifumi replied. "We'll have to arrange a time and place for us to commit to it."
"Wherever Hifumi and Skyler go, I'll be there. I accept to be in this harem," Io willingly stated.
"Then, all we need is for Skyler to get on board, but knowing him he won't object," Nadia said.
"Right, well, I sure wouldn't mind if Ryōta was here with me right now," Yumeko giggled while squeezing hot water from her hands and into Mary's face.
"Augh! The hell, Yumeko?!" Mary wailed as she nearly dunked Yumeko's face into the water.
Leaning back, Midari breathed in the hot air. "Mmmm, c'mon can we for once have some peace without you making so much noise?"
"She started it!" Mary pointed to Yumeko, who gave a teasing cat-like smile.
"How about we all relax?" Ann suggested as she splashed a bucket of water over her head. "That's why we're here. To unwind and stuff, especially since Ren and I needed it most."
"So, how are you feeling these days, Ann?" Haru asked her.
"Much better, but this hot spring is the perfect therapeutic solution I needed!"
"It's also pretty healthy for the skin and body. Ah, I can feel all the tension from those hours of a sedentary lifestyle going away!" Futaba let out a deep, relaxed inhale before exhaling hard.
"So, what else is there to do here besides sitting here? Not that I mind staying in here," queried Mia.
"So much to do. They even have chairs to sit on. They have gaming and leisure rooms. I hope they have someplace where I can lay down and read," Makoto conveyed her wish to lie down with a novel to read.
"And there's a drink bar. So, why don't we head on over and see what they have besides sake and fruit drinks?" Ann suggested.
As he heard his wife suggest hitting the drink bar, Ren stood and announced.
"So, how about we all get some more drinks?" Ren asked them.
"Sounds like a plan!" Ryuji chimed in.
"Or, how about nonalcoholic drinks before we get drunk off our asses?" Skyler said.
"Drink however you'd like. This is our off-day," stated Louis.
The men and ladies headed over to the same drink bar. Most ordered drinks and others took advantage of the leisure spots. Ren and Ann tipped glasses of juice. Skyler, Hifumi, Io, Nadia, and Anastasia ate some shaved ice together. Louis, Makoto, and Haru played poker at a table. Mia scooped some of her shaved ice and shared some with Morgana.
While the groups partook in their leisure activities, they were taken by surprise when Mina and Kyosuke appeared to them. Unlike the others who wore bathrobes and body towels, Mina and Kyosuke came in their usual wardrobe.
"Mina and Kyosuke?" Ren was taken aback.
"Hey, look! It's Mina and Kyosuke!" Yumeko called out to the tall, muscular woman.
"It's been some time since we've last seen each other," Skyler acknowledged the passing time since they last trained with them.
"I heard from a little bird you'd be here," Mina replied, scanning the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and the Spiritual Gamblers in the bathhouse.
"That little bird being?" Hifumi asked.
"Probably Yuriko," Ryōta said.
"Oh, so she told you we'd be here?" Yumeko smiled. "We invited her to come, but she had to stay and tend to Meiji Shrine."
"Yes, and that's why I'm here and I'm glad I did," Mina said.
"How have you been, Kyosuke?" Skyler asked him.
"Beyond training with Mina and wandering town? Nothing much," Kyosuke responded.
"We're just glad you and Mina are doing well. We haven't heard from you two in a while," Hifumi said.
"Would you like some sake? They have some here," Louis offered the man.
"Are you buying? Well, I gladly accept."
Mina scoffed. "Bleh, are you broke, Kyosuke?"
"No, I just forgot my wallet back home."
"You're hopeless. Here. You owe me though," Mina gave Kyosuke a couple of yen.
Suddenly, there was a slight rumbling that caused the tables and glassware to shake. Initially, everyone assumed an earthquake, but the ground wasn't shaking.
"The ground isn't shaking. If it's not an earthquake?" Yusuke deduced.
"Then, would that explain it?!" Futaba pointed to a hole opening above them.
Then, a bright flash of golden light beamed out of the fissure and disrupted the bathhouse fun. This erupted in panic from most of the bathhouse visitors. The Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, the Spiritual Gamber trio, Mina, and Kyosuke rose as they faced a vortex brimming with golden light.
"Do you sense that, Mina?" Kyosuke queried the muscular woman.
"Yes, there's no mistaking that's Amrita energy," Mina nodded as her Guardian Spirit, Saoirse, materialized opposite her and Kyosuke's Makami.
Everyone turned to the golden vortex as a figure floated out of it. The Thieves, Hifumi, and Yumeko instantly recognized the face and stature of this individual. Skyler was initially confused, but a few brief flashes of this person came back to him.
As the golden aura cleared, the individual in question was revealed as an alluring, young Spaniard woman with shoulder-length blond hair. She wore her blond hair in a right-sided single-braided ponytail. She wore a dark brown uniform and a white dress shirt underneath. She also had on white dress pants, wore a golden cape, and dark brown boots. Sheathed on her right hip, she carried a rapier.
"Dude, it's her!" Ryuji shouted.
"It's that woman we fought in our cognitive world!" Morgana recognized her wardrobe and rapier.
"No way!" Futaba exclaimed.
"Who the hell is that?!" Nadia fiercely yelled.
"She has a strong vibe," Anastasia sensed the woman's intense aura.
"So, we meet again," Ren fiercely glared at the Spaniard woman.
Meeting the assembled group, Maria meticulously scanned them. Her potent gaze deterred a few of them, but the ones who fought her before didn't back off.
An aloof smirk formed on the composed woman's features. She pursed her lips, eliciting a calm chuckle. "Yes, we do, my worthy opponents." Speaking in their native tongue, she recognized the Phantom Thieves in their civilian appearances. "I've traversed through time and space hoping I'd meet you again."
"I seem to remember her face," Louis recalled.
"Same here," Jack added.
"It's because you have the memories of your cognitive selves that fought with us," Hifumi reminded them.
"Yeah, I remember the previous Sion faced this woman before," Skyler recalled.
"You want to fight us again?" Ren asked Maria
"What else would I be here?" Maria willfully closed the portal and landed in front of the group. She quickly drew out her sword and pointed at them. "Draw your weapons or summon your Guardian Spirits. It's time we finish where we left off, children! Vamos al duelo ahora!"
As she said this, there was a brief awkward silence that confused Maria. She looked at them in befuddlement.
"Well? What are we waiting for?"
"We're in a bathhouse? This is not the best place to fight us," Ann remarked.
"And we're not all fully dressed," Eva pointed out.
"Some of us are freaking naked!" Nadia shouted.
"And there's bystanders who'll get in our way. They have nothing to do with us," Ren pointed out, letting the Spaniard survey the other bathhouse goers.
"If you had any honor, you wouldn't want bystanders getting in our way," Skyler said.
"We can relocate to a more open vicinity," Louis offered her to reassess her challenge.
Having finished scanning the bathhouse area, Maria noted the enclosed space. It was certainly not fit for a fight requiring open free range. She put away her rapier.
"Yes, I understand. Then, our duel will be set in a location of your choosing. However, understand whichever location you choose, I will defeat you."
As the groups came together to assess their situation, Mina and Kyosuke stepped into their briefing.
"Listen, not just one of you will be strong enough to beat her," Mina advised them. "This will require a group effort. So, who's going to fight her?"
"Y'all need to decide fast because she doesn't seem like the waiting type," Morgana whispered to the others.
"I've elected myself to fight on behalf of my group," Ren said.
"I'll fight on behalf of us Revenant," Louis volunteered.
"Be careful, Ren. Remember, the last time we fought her?" Ann expressed concern for her husband.
"Don't worry. I'm not fighting her alone."
"If you two are going to fight her, then Hifumi and I will come, too," Skyler offered to aid the Phantom Thief and Revenant leaders.
"I shall accompany Skyler and Hifumi," Io acknowledged and nodded in approval.
"Yay, I've got to fight her again!" Yumeko merrily chimed in. "Mary and Midari are joining me, too!"
"Another chance to kick his lady's ass. I'm in," Mary eagerly added.
"Sure. I'm game," Midari grinned. "I'm also packing heat. Let's see how she fares when I'm shooting her ass."
"And so, the rest of us sit out then? Man, that sucks," Ryuji sighed.
"That's probably for the best. We'll be on reserves in case one of us is needed," Makoto said.
"If you want more aid, then Mina and I will gladly help," Kyosuke offered.
"Since you two wield Guardian Spirits, that'll certainly help," Skyler replied.
As the groups turned and faced Maria, Ren walked up and confronted her.
"We accept and have decided the venue for our duel."
"Very well. Let us go then."
"Before we do, let us get dressed first," Skyler asked.
With arms crossed, Maria replied with a cold and rigid gaze. "Hurry then. Time is fleeting."
Shakujii Park (石神井公園)/Shakujiidai, Nerima, Tokyo (練馬区石神台)/8:30 PM (JST)
Having relocated from the bathhouse, the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, the Spiritual Gamblers, Mina, and Kyosuke faced off with Maria. Nightfall was the perfect timing for this duel. The Thieves and Remnants picked Joker, Tennyo, Sion, Sekiken, Tamamo, Brave, and Azure as representatives to duel the Spanish warrior. Mina and Kyosuke voluntarily stepped up to fight Maria.
"Is this who you've chosen to face me? Are you certain this will be fair for you?" Maria asked Joker, her response gave off an assertive tone.
"I think so. You weren't dealing with just me and my friends last time. Now, you'll have to worry about these four," the Phantom Thief smiled, pointing to Brave, Azure, Mina, and Kyosuke.
"Make that six. Louis and I are going to join you. I recall facing this woman based on the previous Sion," Sion stated, recollecting his memories of him teaming with the Phantom Thieves and dream versions of his Revenant friends.
"Yeah, I remember her face now," Sekiken said, meticulously eyeing Maria.
"The last time we rumbled with her, she kicked our asses badly," Brave reminded Tamamo of their last encounter against the Spanish warrior.
"Undoubtedly. Last time we brawled with her, nobody won."
Azure readied her pistol. "Too bad y'all probably weren't packing heat like last time. I'm going to tag her good!"
"Whoa, you're actually going to use that, Midari?!" Ryōta cried out.
"Why not? This lady didn't lay out any rules, so I assume anything goes?"
Maria overheard. "Feel free to use any weapon. Sword, firearm, or spiritual entity, it makes no difference to me."
"Ugh, she's so self-assured it's scary," Ann scowled.
"She did beat us in the last outing. I just worry about the collateral damage that may come out of this fight," Makoto reminded her.
"Joker, Hifumi, Skyler! Y'all got this! Kick her ass!" Loudly hollered Ryuji.
"So, I heard dream versions of us were involved in a fight with this Spanish lady, Louis?" Yakumo turned to Sekiken.
"Yes, that's true. We weren't actually there, but we have recollections of their memories," Louis replied, subtly hinting at some essence of their real selves dreaming of this event. "Or, maybe our cognitive selves were there through our dreams."
Hearing this, Mia gasped. "Yeah, now that you mention it. It's weird, but I kinda recognize that Maria lady."
Nodding, Jack noted Maria's presence. "Her aura and stance look vaguely familiar."
Eva concurred, cautiously eyeing their single opponent. "I kind of remember fighting against someone like this woman."
"That would explain why the rest of you have some shred of memories about her," Morgana said to the other three Revenants.
Mina and Kyosuke quietly faced Maria. With her and Kyosuke present, she hoped she could help even the odds.
"Be careful, Skyler and Hifumi. Her strength is beyond anything you've faced until now," Io warned the two, assessing Maria's spiritual power.
The Spanish woman produced her rapier and proficiently slashed it around. Taking on a swordsman stance, Maria waited for her opponents to engage her.
"Attack me individually or at once. It matters not to me," Maria said, veering her eyes toward Joker, Sion, and Tennyo. "I expect no less from the ones I've dueled before." She then pivoted at Mina and Kyosuke. Her steely gaze was unfazed by their spirits. "And I certainly don't expect any less from William's successor." Her stern gaze then met those of Tamamo's. "And I won't let my guard down around the one who inherited the Nine-Tailed Fox again." She gripped her rapier and beckoned her adversaries to attack. "Come!"
Running steadfast at Maria, Joker, Sekiken, Sion, and Tennyo led the pack against the Spaniard. Maria prepared to cut the three off with quick rapier blows, but Joker and Tennyo split off, giving Sekiken and Sion a chance to attack. Sion invoked his Stinger-Type Blood Veil, shooting his metallic scorpion's tail at Maria. Maria sidestepped the metal tail and swerved behind Sion. The Revenant then recoiled the tail and narrowly dodged Maria's rapier.
Before Maria could rebound, Sekiken swiftly attacked her with his Enduring Crimson sword. As the two sword wielders clashed blades, Sekiken turned his arm into his Ogre-Type Blood Veil, striking her head-on with his demonic hand.
Having taken a direct blow from Sekiken's Blood Veil, Maria scowled. "What was that?! That came so quickly!"
"Way to go, Louis!" Yakumo cheered him on.
"Nice hit!" Mia called out.
"Stay on her, Joker!" Ann inspired her husband.
"Congratulations on getting the first blows, but those will be your last," Maria scoffed as she dove in to attack Sekiken and Sion again.
Reacting quickly, Joker dove in and intercepted Maria, throwing a pair of knives at her. Maria batted the knives with her rapier and charged at the Phantom Thief. Nearly stabbing him with her rapier, Tennyo countered the Spaniard's rapier with her ko-naginata. With a cold and piercing gaze, Tennyo quickly slashed, forcing the Spaniard to evade. Running head-on, Tennyo unleashed successive swings while her ko-naginata collided with Maria's rapier.
"Hifumi, watch her sword!" Sion called out to Tennyo.
In the middle of Tennyo's brief clash with Maria, the Spaniard's rapier glowed with an intense golden sheen.
"Hifumi!" Io cried out.
"That's the power of the Amrita! Hifumi, move!" Mina shouted to her as she and her Guardian Spirit, Saoirse, intervened.
Raising her rapier overhead, Maria dropped its weapon and unleashed a golden wave of Amrita power. Tennyo narrowly dodged Maria's attack. Then, Mina stepped in with Saoirse. As the Guardian Spirit stood in Maria's path, a swirl of water materialized and stopped the dark golden wave.
The Spirit Gambler trio mounted an attack and sent their Guardian Spirits. Tamamo's Nine-Tails blasted Maria with fireballs. As Brave's Janomecho and Enku diverted the Spaniard's attention, Brave drove her spear into Maria. Maria sidestepped Brave's attack, but a bullet from Azure's gun came hurtling toward Maria. The Spaniard narrowly stopped it with her rapier. When Maria let her guard down, Azure's Spirit Guardian, Blue Dragon, repelled the Spaniard warrior with a powerful wind.
"Take that, bitch!" Azure shouted.
"Thanks for the save, Midari," Brave said.
Then, Azure's Blue Dragon and Nurarihyon instinctively attacked her. As the Blue Dragon's wind slightly knocked back Maria again, Nurarihyon blasted her with water. Maria swung her rapier and unleashed an Amrita wave that nullified the Guardian Spirits' elements. Azure took no chances and fired a round of bullets at Maria, who dodged and blocked every minute with her rapier.
"Ya gotta be fucking kidding me here!" Azure growled, her mouth dropped as Maria evaded and stopped every bullet. The final bullet she shot was cut in two by the Spaniard's rapier.
"Ooo, she's gotten better! This is so exciting!" Tamamo squealed happily with delight.
"Maybe to you!" Brave and Azure shouted at her.
"I could gamble how many strikes me and Nine-Tails can take?" Tamamo proposed to Maria.
"You're a strange woman, but challenge accepted," Maria said. She rushed forward and unleashed a quick succession of rapier strikes.
Nine-Tails's flames helped provide defense for its wielder. Maria's Amrita-imbued rapier nullified the fox's flames. One rapier poked through and nearly grazed Tamamo. The Spaniard then knocked her down with a kick.
"Yumeko!" Ryōta fearfully shouted.
Joker, Sion, and Tennyo rushed into Tamamo's defense, but Mina stopped them.
"I'll take it from here," Mina insisted.
Clenching her fighting gloved hands, Mina took on a kickboxer's stance and ran forward. Maria ran forward for a straight thrust, but Saoirse stopped her rapier with a water barrier. Mina swerved over to the Spaniard's blind spot and went for a straight jab. Maria turned her head, dodging Mina's fist. Mina then unloaded with a succession of jabs, hooks, and an uppercut. Maria parried and dodged Mina's blows. When Mina went for a roundhouse kick, Maria countered with her left arm.
"Impressive. You've gotten better since the last time we clashed, Amazon warrior," Maria acknowledged Mina's fighting prowess. She pulled away and eyed Kyosuke coming at her with Makami. As she turned to attack, Kyosuke sent Makami to attack.
The Guardian Spirit wolf lunged and struck headfirst with Maria's rapier. The wolf ensnared her rapier and tried disarming the Spaniard. In response, Maria's blade glowed with Amrita's power, forcing Makami to withdraw and evade her attack. Kyosuke ran toward Maria's left side. When the Spaniard veered over to strike him, he defended with his ōdachi.
When the Spaniard went for another strike, a bright orange aura enveloped the man. Makami vanished and seemingly possessed Kyosuke, invoking a transformation to his Yokai Shift form. He raised a giant fist at Maria. The Spaniard dodged the demonic man's melee blow.
"Do you remember me?! Let's see if you handle this!" Kyosuke roared as he attacked Maria head-on
Dodging Kyosuke's attacks, Maria remained calm and resolute. "Your attack patterns are pitifully predictable." However, Kyosuke caught and repelled her with a fiery orange wave.
"Kyosuke, don't let her get away!" Mina called out to her transformed friend, who turned his sights on the Spaniard.
Running ahead to attack, Kyosuke raised his arms and smashed his fists down. As the force of his punches impacted the earth, it caused a small split. This forced Maria to spring backward. In response, Maria prepared to run him through with her Amrita sword. Then, Mina and Saoirse went over to cover for Kyosuke. Mina commanded Saoirse to summon a water barrier that barricaded Kyosuke.
"Get him, Kyosuke!" The muscular woman encouraged her friend, who tossed fiery blasts at Maria.
Swinging her rapier around, Maria unleashed an Amrita wave that nullified Kyosuke's blasts. Maria quickly turned and ran away, luring her opponents out of the open area.
"Get her! She's getting away!" Sekiken shouted.
"Right! C'mon, Hifumi!" Sion said as he and Tennyo followed Joker, Mina, Tamamo, Brave, and Azure with Sekiken catching up to them.
Kyosuke was already catching up with Maria, who headed into an area with more trees. The Spaniard slipped into hiding and concealed herself from the demonic man. As Kyosuke arrived, some bystanders backed off, confused as to whether this was a man in cosplay. Their concerns were quickly answered when a blade pierced through the demonic man's right shoulder. Glancing past his shoulder, Kyosuke bellowed and saw Maria with her rapier being driven through him.
"Kyosuke!" Mina's voice was heard in the distance.
"The Amrita I wield should be enough to neutralize your power," Maria muttered, channeling Amrita energy into Kyosuke while repressing his Yokai Shift.
In response, Kyosuke's fiery aura nearly enveloped Maria, but the Spaniard managed to utilize Amrita's energy to suppress Kyosuke to his normal state.
"Maria, I bet you aren't ready for this!" Sion declared and invoked his Envoy of Vein form.
As Maria was taken aback by Sion's white clothing and aura, the Spaniard became drawn by his enhanced power. Readying her rapier, she headed off and attacked Sion. Maria conjured golden Amrita. Imbuing white light through his Queenslayer sword and Hanemukuro, Sion unleashed enough power to break through her Amrita shield.
Overwhelmed with shock, Maria was baffled by Sion's Envoy powers. Not taking any more chances, Sion overwhelmed her with consecutive slashes and overwhelmed her with his Will of d'Artagnan.
Sekiken followed up Sion's strategy and invoked his Envoy of Vein form. Imbuing white light into his Enduring Crimson, Sekiken slashed Maria with his Blade of Athos technique.
Tennyo produced and tossed a Divine Thorn at Maria. Maria slid past Tennyo so fast she outran Tennyo, throwing her attack. Then, Tamamo's Nine-Tails launched itself head-on with Maria and pushed her back.
"I've got her!" Tamamo called out as she, Brave, and Azure surrounded the Spaniard, who rose wobbly but readily poised to attack them.
Tamamo's Nine-Tails quickly defended her from Maria's attack. Brave's Janomecho and Azure's Blue Dragon combined their wind elements, forging a powerful wind that knocked Maria into the air.
After being knocked high into the air, Joker summoned Satanael and beckoned his Persona on Maria.
"Pillage her, Satanael!" Was all Maria could hear when the Persona unleashed Megidolaon on the Spaniard.
Attempting to get out of another close encounter situation, Maria invoked the Amrita coursing through her rapier. She unleashed a golden wave that collided with and neutralized Joker's Persona. But, try as she might, Joker was a step ahead of her this time.
Spikes shot out of the ground and ensnared Maria. However, none of the spikes pierced through Maria, instead grabbing her. Making use of her Ivy-Type Blood Veil, Tennyo seized and pulled back, bringing Maria down. Upon bringing the Spanish woman down, Sion jumped up and invoked his Stinger-Type Blood Veil. Out of desperation, Maria used her Amrita to defend, but Tennyo pulled her down so quickly she didn't get a chance to finish augmenting her defenses. Sion's metal scorpion tail slammed Maria down.
As Joker, Sion, and Tennyo landed, Sekiken performed his Phantom Assault Gift, enabling him to repel Maria with Fire Storm. After being repelled by Sekiken's flame blast, Joker sent Satanael to attack the stunned Spaniard. The demonic being blasted Maria with a Riot Gun. As the attack shattered Maria's Amrita defenses, she was left open.
"Now! Give her an All-Out Attack!" Morgana cheered them on.
Not one to disappoint the cat, Joker rallied Sion and Tennyo to unleash a barrage of rapid fire attacks. The volley of blows connected and knocked Maria around so much she couldn't take it. The final came from Joker, who battered her with force. As Maria crashed hard into the ground, Mina and Kyosuke came up behind the Spaniard. Mina quickly ran up and punched Maria with a mean right hook. After taking her down with a punch, Joker pointed his pistol at the back of Maria's head.
"Looks like we've won," Joker said, flashing a self-assured grin. He watched Maria drop her rapier and raise her arms. "Do you surrender?"
"Well done. You've grown more impressive since our last encounter. You have my respect," a composed smile formed on the Spaniard woman's face. She stood with arms still raised high. A low chortle escaped her puckered lips. She turned and addressed Mina. "And you managed to get a blow on me much like William." She then turned toward Sekiken and Sion. "And you two especially caught me off guard with those enhanced powers that surpass my Amrita."
"We learned from our cognitive selves' rookie mistakes," Sekiken informed her.
"My power has far surpassed the previous Sion."
"We've beaten you, Maria. Fair and square. You'd better leave us alone," Joker plainly stated with his pistol still aimed at Maria's back head.
"Yes, I'll respect your wishes since you and your colleagues decisively defeated me," the Spaniard openly conceded. Upon dropping her arms, she faced Maria. "And you've shown me immense strength like William. And like him, you are a most worthy adversary."
"I don't know how to respond to that, but thanks?" Mina was taken aback by Maria's admiration for her.
"You've all far exceeded my expectations. I shall leave you to return to your activities. I lost this duel fairly to you," Maria addressed Joker, Sion, Tennyo, Sekiken, and the Spiritual Gamblers. She picked up and sheathed her rapier. "However, I do not intend to leave here just yet."
"Why? What other business do you want with us?" Sion queried.
"Do you recall your encounter with John Dee and Edward Kelley?" Maria asked them.
"Yeah, that happened nine months ago," Joker recalled the first Yami Matter event when the Hyakki Yagyō waves occurred at Meiji Shrine.
"Those beings you fought were revived by some anomalous dark presence."
"We know. It's the Yami Matter. The entities have already conjured a series of events, including one in a parallel dimension," Tennyo added, giving Maria insight into the Yami Matter situations.
"Yes, so I was observing strange activities through my timestream travels. The anomalous entities have been creating illusions and sending them into your world's reality," Maria hinted at the Yami Matter's influence on their world.
"Yeah, and that would explain the time reset our world got," Joker nodded.
"Maybe you can help us, Maria?" Mina offered the Spaniard to join them. "Kyosuke and I could use a helping hand like you." She then nodded. "No, sorry, I mean all of us here could use your power to help us fend off this next Yami Matter incursion, whenever it happens."
"We could use all the help we can get," Sion said as the other Phantom Thieves, Vein Remnants, and Ryōta approached their friends.
"Yeah! You showed us you like to fight hard! We could take a huge gamble with your strength, Maria!" Tamamo said as Ryōta checked with her.
"Hey, don't try and provoke her, Yumeko."
"I'm not, Ryōta. I want her to fight on our side. I bet it'd be pretty freakin' great if she sided with us."
Taking a deep breath, Maria responded with a reserved look. "Since we're likely to fight the same enemy, I'll consider your offer."
"I have a place you can rest at, Maria. We can even talk about strategies," Mina offered her a place to unwind.
"Thank you, but I must scour this reality and investigate any more of these dark presences. But, I gladly accept your hospitality if I choose to meet with you," Maria replied to Mina's offer. As she turned away, she acknowledged Joker, Sion, Tennyo, and Sekiken respectively. "This victory is yours and earned. We will meet again, but no longer as enemies. Hasta luego, Phantom Thieves and friends." With that, she walked past them and left the park with onlookers watching the beautiful blond-haired Spaniard march out of the park.
"Dude, that was freakin' awesome! You, Skyler, and Hifumi showed her!" Ryuji enthusiastically cheered him on.
"You all earned that victory," Morgana nodded in approval.
"An exquisite finish to that spectacular battle!" Yusuke added with flair.
"I'm so glad you and the others are ok," Ann hugged Joker.
"Man, I so wish I could've been there fighting with you all," Makoto sighed.
"Way to go, senpai! You, Hifumi, Skyler, Louis, and the others fought hard out there!" Sumire said.
"She never saw those Envoy forms coming," Mia stated.
"Right, but look who's still standing?" Sion smirked as Io approached him and Tennyo.
"That would be us, Skyler," Sekiken said as he and Sion fist bumped each other.
"Well done, Skyler. Defeating her was no easy feat," Io smiled proudly.
"No kidding. She fights like she's a super hard DLC boss," Futaba remarked, using gaming terminology.
"I hope she'll consider aiding us," Haru said, facing the route Maria took to leave.
"Regardless of what she decides, we must remain vigilant of impending Yami Matter activities," Mina advised the groups.
With bystanders crowding the area and clamoring to meet the Phantom Thieves, the groups quickly bailed as fast as they could. Joker, Sion, Tennyo, and the Spiritual Gambler trio separated from the rest of their packs to reconvene later. The murmurs of a 'monster' and Phantom Thieves' sightings aroused suspicions.
The Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, the Spiritual Gamblers, and the Elven princesses amassed near the bathhouse awaiting Ren, Skyler, Hifumi, Yumeko, and the others to return. When the aforementioned did return, they were in their normal civilian appearances.
"Thankfully, we got out of there before those crowds caught up with us," Yusuke stated.
"That's a good thing. I'd hate to be jumped by the fanatics," Yakumo remarked.
"I can handle crazy fanatics. Bring it on!" Mia added.
"Yeah, yeah, let's not get carried away," Louis chortled.
Ren then readdressed the groups about Mina's statement. "I know things have been pretty lax since the last Yami Matter incident, but Maria showing up should remind us not to take things for granted." He motioned over to Skyler, Hifumi, Louis, Yumeko, Mary, and Midari. "Working together got us through this encounter."
"It sure did, but this fight has shown how far we've come," Louis said.
"Yeah, we know. We'll need to strap ourselves in and expect some unforeseen encounters," Skyler concurred as he and Hifumi held hands. Both had resolute looks on their faces.
"We'll be ready for anything now," firmly stated Hifumi.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁)/Kasumigaseki (霞が関)/Chiyoda, Japan (千代田区, 東京)/October 10, 2019 (2019年10月10日)/(Reality: October 10, 2021)/8:37 PM (JST)
Having gotten out of work, Makoto walked over to get on her motorbike. She climbed on and put her helmet on. When she prepared to rev the engine, a hand tapped her shoulder. She instinctively turned and saw Takarada Minami with a sneaky, shit-eating grin on her face.
Letting out a restrained sigh, Makoto responded with a huff. "What is it, Minami? I don't have time for your crap."
"Oh, nothing! I just wanted to tell you to be safe, Makoto-senpai. There's been a spike in the number of motorbike accidents lately."
"I'll manage by myself just fine. Besides, those were reckless drivers. I'm a responsible driver."
"Right, who am I to say you aren't?" Minami backed away.
Makoto turned and pointed to her own cheek. Confused, Minami pointed to hers, too.
"Remember that right hook I gave you there? That's for picking on my colleague and trying to fight me for defending a colleague. Do you remember that?"
"Yes, a lesson I'll never forget," Minami mumbled furiously, watching Makoto rev her motorbike.
"Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
"No."
"Well then. Have yourself a good night and thanks for your concern," she drove off, leaving Minami behind to reflect on her flattering remarks.
Clenching her fists, Minami openly scowled. "Yeah. Goodnight, Makoto-senpai. Like I care if you get in an accident…"
"Having problems, Minami?" A voice that she recognized chimed in.
As Minami glanced past her right shoulder, she saw her friend, Hamada Shūhei, behind her with a collective demeanor. The Pack leader was accompanied by his colleagues, Sakaguchi Tomoyuki and Watanabe Kimiko.
"What are you three doing here?" Minami queried her Pack colleagues.
"We've been summoned by a renowned individual. I was able to use my connections to acquire a meeting with him," Hamada smirked, lifting his glasses with a finger.
"They wish to see all four of us," Kimiko asserted.
"They?" Minami questioned.
"Mr. Silva and Juzo Mido," The Pack leader revealed the names of their newest benefactors.
Chapter Soundtrack
Persona 5 OST - Beneath the Mask - The gang hanging out at the hot springs.
Nioh OST - Alchemists I - Maria returns and confronts the protagonists.
Bloodborne DLC OST - Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower - vs. Maria.
Jurassic World Evolution OST - Clever Girl - The Pack gathered to meet with The Consortium.
A/N: Yes, Maria came back for a rematch but she got more than she bargained for with stronger and resolute Phantom Thieves, Vein Remnants, and Gamblers. She sure didn't expect the Envoys of Vein to be the difference maker.
I went for a smaller-scaled and quick battle because I'm saving the big battles in the chapters after the next one. I only needed a select group to fight her. And since they decisively beat her, Maria offered to help them encounter more Yami Matter conflicts.
The last scene saw The Pack's return. Looks like they have a meeting with The Consortium.
That's all I have to say now. The next one will be out by Halloween. Until next time, see you soon.