bopdog111: Well things are getting intense.
Ulrich362: That's putting it lightly, Minato, Nyx, and Yukari are being attacked by the Magician.
bopdog111: And like we said at the last chapter the Magician will be fought in a battle instead of being torn apart by Thanatos this time.
Ulrich362: Though we do remember that Minato and Nyx don't have their Evokers yet. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own the Persona Series.
4/9 (Thursday; Next Full Moon: Today)
Yukari, Nyx, and Minato all stared at the monster in front of them wielding numerous swords. As it sees them it brandished the blades approaching forward.
"Those monsters... we call them Shadows." Yukari explained to them looking scared. She pulled out her Evoker trying to summon Io only for the Magician to launch an attack knocking her Evoker out of her hands causing her to cry out.
Unlike last time Minato ran, and caught the Evoker from the air looking at it, "Been a while since I had a tension like this..." He then turned over to Nyx, "If all goes well this will end like last time."
Meanwhile...
In the computer room Ikutsuki, Akihiko, and Mitsuru were looking over the cameras for the three's location. Finding them on the rooftop the two seniors nodded at each other preparing to move out only for Ikutsuki to raise a hand, "Wait!" They looked back over confused.
Back at the roof...
Minato turned back over toward the Magician as it squirmed over to another attack as he takes a breath before raising the Evoker to his hand. "Here goes like before... Come Orpheus!"
(Cue Theme: Unavoidable Battle)
He pulled the trigger as blue fragments swirled around him while Nyx watch interested, and Yukari watched stunned.
"I am thou, thou art I... From the sea of thine soul, I commenth, I am Orpheus master of strings..."
What emerged from above him was Orpheus his initial Persona, and the lesser form of Orpherus Telos roaring loud. Minato then braced himself for the pain he felt when Pharos takes over Orpheus to transform it into Thanatos like before. But after a few seconds nothing happened which made him lose his focus looking up at Orpheus, 'Pharos? Why aren't you doing anything?' His distraction gave the Magician an opening as it charged forward to attack.
"Look out!" Yukari cried firing an arrow at the Magician hitting one of its hands.
Hearing that he looked seeing it before jumping back dodging one of the attacks. He clicked his tongue, "Seems like Thanatos won't be getting rid of it like before..." He then turned over to Nyx telling her, "Guess it's just us this time Naomi." He called her by her alias cause Yukari is nearby. "You ready?"
She frowned but nodded. 'I don't have my power from before, something's wrong... right now this fragment is stronger than I am.'
With that they turned over charging forward.
(Boss Theme: Master of Shadows)
Boss Fight: Arcana Magician
Minato while running called, "Orpheus Bash!"
The Persona that's still with him charged forward slamming it's harp weapon which the Magician dodged the attack while Orpheus vanished before it charged an attack calling, "Maragi!"
Several bursts of flames appeared charging at the two which they dodged before Nyx moved slashing with the naginata Yukari gave her before Minato gave a front kick at the Magician but the Magician blocked the naginata with one blade, and dodged the kick before it crossed two of it's blades raising it up, "Gale Slash!"
Several slash attacks appeared charging at the two in rapid succession which Minato avoided a bit while Nyx quickly leaned back to avoid her share. Minato looked at the Evoker in his hand before turning, "Naomi!" She looked over as he threw it over, "Catch!" She catches it in one hand confused before Minato quickly explained, "Use it just like I showed you!"
She blinked before an image flashed through her mind as she saw Pharos looking at her with a smile only for Nyx to shake her head before holding it to her head. "Per...so... na..."
She pulled the trigger as a blue flash of light enveloped her before just like Minato blue fragments exited the Evoker as they began to take shape.
Mitsuru while seeing the battle in her spot remarked. "It's as we thought."
When the shape finished what appeared was someone familiar to Minato which made him widen his eyes.
"I am thou, thou art I... From the sea of thine soul, I commenth, I am Orpheus master of strings..."
It was indeed Orpheus that has long hair shaped as a girl with different colors on her too.
"Orpheus?" Minato asked stunned.
"What the, they have the same Persona?" Akihiko questioned seeing that. "How is that possible?"
Nyx looked over glaring, "Now your dead."
Her Orpheus moved to do a bash but the Magician blocked with one blade. After the Persona vanished the Magician charged forward to slash with one blade which the two quickly dodged before they ran forward, and Minato held out a hand. Knowing what it is, Nyx toss the Evoker to him while running as he takes it raising it up, "Orpheus Bash!"
He pulled the trigger as his Orpheus moved to attack which the Magician dodged before blocking attacks from the two before it clanged against there blades to push them back before Nyx jumped up grabbing the Evoker while in the air that Minato threw to her before landing a knee to the Magician's mask pushing it back before raising it up calling, "I summon you!"
Pulling the trigger her Orpheus appeared before it moved to bash which the Magician blocked again before it raised it's two arms like before, "Gale Slash!" The slash attacks appeared again before they charged forward which they dodged but Minato's left shoulder got hit making him grimaced in pain before they avoided, and he grabbed the Evoker, Nyx tossed at him before charging forward slashing with his sword a few times that the Magician blocked with it's own blades getting close enough, and used the Evoker, "Orpheus!"
His Orpheus appeared before managing the slam the Magician with it's harp with a successful Bash pushing it back but it doesn't look harmed much as it armed for more combat against the two. Minato slowly raised up as Nyx ran beside him as he takes some breath, "How are you holding up?"
"Better than you, but we need to talk after this." she told him only for her eyes to widen seeing the Magician moving again.
"Agilao!" it called as flames struck Nyx making her wince in pain.
They quickly moved avoiding the attacks from the blades before Minato toss her the Evoker which she takes, and after kicking the Magician raised it up, "Persona!" Her Orpheus appeared bashing against the Magician pushing it back again. The Magician only shook off the assault, and called, "Maragi!"
More bursts of flames charged at them which they avoided although barely while Nyx handed Minato back at the Evoker before charging forward jumping up, and slashing down which was blocked but the distraction was enough for Minato to charge forward, and use the Evoker, "Orpheus Bash!" His Orpheus appeared tacking the Magician before Minato moved, and slashed down slicing one of the Magician's arms off as it jumped back, and looked at it's frailing limb before it then meditated, and called, "Summon!"
At that two black sludges appeared in the ground in front of it before what rose were two smaller Shadows wearing the same masks as it does which Minato clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Now we gotta deal with some small fry now?"
"I can fight too." Yukari mentioned shooting an arrow though due to her hands trembling she only grazed one of the blobs.
"Well you need to focus if you can." Nyx said to her seeing that.
Minato looked at the Evoker before turning to Yukari. "Yukari?" She looked over to him before he said to her, "I know that your scared of using this thing too. Hell, I'm also scared shitless. But I'm not gonna stand around, and let this Shadow eat me so right here, right now." He shoves the Evoker in her chest as she grabs it, "Show them your not gonna sit back either!"
Her eyes widened as she looked at it only to nod as she held the Evoker to her forehead and with trembling hands pulling the trigger.
Yukari at the trigger pulled has blue fragments around her too before what appeared above was her initial Persona, Io, a black skinned woman with yellow hair, and chained with her wrists while floating on a throne shaped like a bull's head.
"So... that's her Persona?" Nyx asked seeing it a but impressed.
"Dia!"
At that call a green glow surround Minato as he rose up feeling his wounds heal with the cut on his shoulder gone but the tear still remained on his shirt.
"Any ideas?" Nyx questioned as Minato recalled something.
"We need to destroy that mask, it must be how it can see us." he mentioned.
"Then let's go after that!" Yukari said before handing Minato the Evoker which he takes before they charged forward.
The Magician now on it's last leg raised it's two arms, "Gale Slash!" The slash attacks charged at the three which they dodged avoiding before Yukari aimed with her bow firing an arrow which the Magician dodged before Nyx stabbed the ground on a blob through the mask destroying it before Minato raised the Evoker, "Bash!" He pulled the trigger his Orpheus slammed the second blob from the mask destroying it too before they charged forward as the Magician slashed a few times at the three.
They blocked or dodge while Minato threw the Evoker to Nyx who caught it, and raised it, "I summon you!" Her Orpheus appeared bashing against the Magician before she tossed the Evoker to Yukari who caught it before raising it, "Help me! Garu!" She pulled the trigger as Io appeared before blasting the Magician with a Wind Attack striking the Magician before she fired an arrow hitting one of it's arms before she tossed the Evoker to Minato who takes it, and slashed down slightly grazing the mask before kicking it forward, and raise the Evoker, "Orpheus!" His Orpheus appeared bashing the Magician before Nyx charged forward landing a critical strike at the Magician as it cried out collapsing unable to move to dodge any attacks.
"Time for an All-Out Attack!" Minato called over to Nyx seeing a moment to finish the Magician off after he had informed her of All-Out Attacks earlier.
She met his eyes before nodding as the two of them ran in while Yukari blinked before running after them and aiming point blank arrows at the Shadow while Nyx and Minato slashed at it together. At the end the Magician cried out collapsing before it vanished in black, and red smoke destroyed ending the battle in there victory.
(End Boss Theme)
The three remained as they stared at the destroyed Shadow as Minato breathed, "Well... that went well... didn't... it..." He lost consciousness leaning forward collapsing.
"Hey, can you hear me?" Yukari asked running over to him as Nyx dropped to her hands and knees breathing heavily clearly incredibly exhausted but still conscious.
The door burst open as Akihiko, and Mitsuru ran in concerned as Akihiko asked them, "Are you all alright!?"
"Can you hear me!?" Yukari cried concerned for Minato shaking him before noticing Nyx, "Are you alright Naomi?"
She turned to her. "I've been better, mind explaining what just happened and why some kind of monster just climbed the wall of our dorm and attacked us?"
"Well... it's a long story. But come on we better get Minato to a clinic to be looked at." Mitsuru told her.
Nyx nodded weakly getting to her feet.
Later...
After the Dark Hour ended everyone was at the clinic before the doctor exited Minato's room with a clipboard.
"How is he?" Yukari asked nervously.
The doctor looked before he answered, "He's just exhausted. We took care of some of his injuries, none of them are critical or severe. However his awakening had used up a lot of energy. He'll be alright."
"That's a relief." Yukari sighed.
"And how are you feeling?" the doctor asked her, "From what I heard you also used up some energy."
"I'm alright, just a little tired." Yukari answered before pausing. "Well... more like completely wiped out to be honest."
"That's normal after a battle." the doctor said before turning to Nyx, "What about you? An Awakening usually drains all of there energy."
"Tired, but I'm usually better at night." Nyx answered.
The doctor handed the two some nutritional gummies, "Here, these will help your energy. Then get a good night's sleep, and no fighting for at least a few days okay?"
"Right." Yukari nodded. "Thanks."
The doctor nodded before he walked off just as Akihiko, Mitsuru, and Ikutsuki walked over to them where the Chairman said to them, "Well that battle was certainly unexpected. But we managed to see 3 more students have the potential, and I'm glad your able to use your power Yukari."
"It was thanks to him I managed to pull it off, honestly... I was nearly paralyzed." she admitted with a frown.
"It's completely natural as it sure does set the feeling of life or death." Ikutsuki said to her assuringly with a smile, "But just remember if you haven't managed to do it, things would've been so much different."
"He's right, you three did a great job." Akihiko nodded before wincing in pain.
"Oh we didn't see how bad your injuries are senpai." Yukari said worried looking over him, "Where did that Shadow hit you at?"
"I'll be fine." he told her. "It was just a lucky shot that's all."
"Well I would say unlucky in your case." a nurse said walking behind them as they turned to her, "After your friend is admitted in we took a look like what the Chairman requested, and we seen your rib is broken, and bruised up a bit. We just need to bandage it up. But your also forbidden to fight for at least a month."
"What?" Akihiko questioned in shock.
"You heard the doctor Akihiko." Mitsuru mentioned calmly.
"Now come we we will get you bandaged up." the nurse said grabbing Akihiko's hand.
Akihiko looked displeased at this before he turned to the group. "...You all better not do anything special without me."
"Right, we'll make sure to wait until you're back on your feet to get randomly attacked by the next giant monster." Nyx mentioned rolling her eyes.
"What was that?" Akihiko sent an annoyed look at her.
Yukari at that quickly tells him, "C-Come on senpai, go get bandaged up. We will make sure to inform you what next."
Akihiko clicked his tongue before walking off with the nurse to get bandaged up. Now alone Yukari turned over to Nyx, "Hey don't you think that was a bit mean?"
"I guess, but the point stands we didn't exactly plan for that thing to show up tonight." Nyx pointed out.
"Well she does have a point." Mitsuru admitted at that, "We were lucky to be able to handle the situation for now but we need to stay on guard for a while. At the moment with Akihiko incapacitated, and I need to provide support our front line is focused on him, Yukari, and Naomi at the moment. For now we should rest up, and plan what to do next while also staying on guard in case another of those Shadows appears."
"Right." Yukari nodded only to look at the unconscious Minato with a frown.
"He'll be alright Takeba." Mitsuru assured her walking next tp her, and patting her shoulder, "It's thanks to you, you were able to save his life while fighting the Shadow with Yoru."
"Yeah, I know." she nodded as the four of them left.
Meanwhile...
(Cue Theme: Aria of the Soul)
Minato slowly opened his eyes.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Igor chuckled. "This is quite the intriguing reunion."
"Igor." Minato looked around for Nyx or anyone else.
"The others will be here at another time." Igor explained.
Minato looked at Igor as he explained to the young man, "Well like before your power is still weak. But from the knowledge you have attained from the last time on this journey you know to strengthen your Social Links-your emotional ties to others, to grow your power of the Persona. But this time your not alone. You also have Lady Nyx with you on this journey. Take this advice to help guide her to the path. Like you, her power is also weak at this time. So be sure to assist her in growing her power of the Wild Card."
Minato nodded hearing that. "Right, I understand."
"The next time you appear here will be of you, and Lady Nyx's own accord." Igor added to him before then saying, "And of course the next time you, and her arrive Elizabeth will be waiting. However it won't be just her to assist you in this regard."
Minato's eyes widened slightly before he nodded. "Right, and thank you for everything you've done... and are going to do to help us."
Igor nodded before then looking at Minato's left, "Thanatos, I can sense you. You can show yourself."
At that Pharos appeared beside Minato surprising him as Pharos bowed with a smile, "I almost forgotten you can manage to sense me even if I'm near him, Igor. It's wonderful to see you again."
"Ah good to see you two Thanatos." Igor chuckled a bit. "Well I'm pretty sure you already explained most of the situation with him, and Lady Nyx. I'll be sure to depend on you to help them out at times where it gets excessive."
"I'll do what I can." he nodded.
Igor turned back to Minato, "Well Minato our time is getting short, I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Just remember once you, and Lady Nyx come into Tartarus like before we will discuss more about her situation with the Power of the Wild Card, and then meeting Elizabeth, and the new assistant that can help her perfect her power."
"I understand." Minato nodded.
bopdog111: Well hopefully the battle was well.
Ulrich362: It was a difference from Minato's first time going through this year but with Nyx and Yukari's help they still managed to defeat the first of the Arcana Shadows.
bopdog111: But you all might be confused on Yukari using Wind Skills already but the reason was cause Yukari was stronger a bit during the battle, and fought against The Magician. In the game there are times where the new characters are higher leveled so this is the same thing in her case.
Ulrich362: Exactly. Well, hopefully Minato gets back on his feet soon enough. See you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!