Long time no see everyone. Sorry I've been gone so long, work has fired up and I jumped right back into that and just didn't have the energy to write anymore once it became full on. My hours at home was quite low. It's probably seen in the quality in this writing but I just needed to get this out. This was actually finished before I started work but it needed a lot of editing since this was split off from the last chapter, but I've added some extra stuff to it to make it more relevant. Chapter 9 will be a bit harder to get out since it's only have done but it won't be anywhere as long as this so it should be out sooner. I hope everyone is doing ok, I should get back to writing soon but life is busy in the household. I'm hoping to use this as motivation to get moving again. Anyway thanks for sticking with me, love you all.
Day Advent: Path of the Divine
He felt that he was floating, the endless stream of life flowing through and around him as he looked on as his mind started to piece together everything that had happened. He groaned in pain as the memories of everything that happened before he used the other world as temporary salvation which got him into this mess. With the reintegration of his soul back into his body, his mind was still putting together his memories, his ambitions, his hopes and his dreams. Even the basic aspect of knowing one's name was going under a full reconstruction to make sure everything was back in order. It had been a long time since the separation of his soul and physical body which made the feeling of everything surreal and quite painful. They've had two different experiences that need to be put together in real time, to him they were nothing but split time lines where he was at two places at once...
Holding a hand to his head, he shook it softly. Not entirely sure what this pain is supposed to be. The mere thought of having a memory or recalling the past gave him nothing but a headache as the sensation of his mind forcibly moving things around plagued his brain. Slowly he opened his eyes in what felt like eternity. The soft blue field around him felt oddly familiar but all too strange and foreign at the same time. The warmth flowing around him was a new sensation he hadn't felt for the past few days but it was something he wouldn't trade for the world. His fingers felt the inside of his palm, the texture of his palm was something he hadn't felt for ages. The rough feeling of his hand was something he felt like he lost for a considerable amount of time. His memories pulling at two different versions of what has happened since he 'lost' it. The first was the paper-like feeling as his sense of touch was dulled from the lack of a human soul in his body, only the remnants of something that could only be described as a husk of a corporal form. The other was the soft sensation of Naoto's hands, something he felt like nothing but a passenger too. The sensation he had only experienced 2nd hand, the warmth was something she's given him but since then he now experienced it as being a part of her body. His mind pulsed at the paradox of experiences, his mind confused that both of them happened separately yet simultaneously. It didn't make any sense to the logical part of his mind causing it to freeze up.
Looking around, just outside of his vision he felt the presence of the beings that seemed like a part of himself of a different time. His neck felt awkwardly stiff as he turned it, seeing three figures looking over him as they seemingly discussed things either about him or something else as they stared at him intently. His hand clenched again, his bones clicking like they've been unused for a few days. The lady who's red eyes peered at him carefully only widened in concern as she watched on, as he tried to get his body to do things that he knew that he was capable of, like to move.
"Why is it so hard?"
His question only brought a collective frown between the three of them. They were worried about him, that was true but he wasn't sure what they were concerned about. Was it about him or was there something about his body that he couldn't see. He looked down at his body, his clothes seemingly untouched since the last time he remembered-
*Pulse*
It hit him again as he struggled to recall what happened, his mind denying him the opportunity to recount it, almost like that memory wasn't ready to be accessed. The brain's ability to work like a computer was so uncanny it worried him. The man in the long jacked looked down , his concern now matching the woman standing to his left.
"It will take time..." His words echoed around him, his voice sparking his brain into action. He could feel the heat running through his frontal lobe as his mind worked harder, seemingly reacting to the voice that felt familiar, that felt a part of him. It soothed his worry, made him feel like whatever it was could be, it would be fine. Blinking a few times he lifted himself into a sitting position, his bones creaking the same way his fingers did like he arose from the dead. The pain was different to the one in his mind but it faded as quickly as it came, making it bearable and a lot easier to manage. The three sets of eyes now set on him looked a little more settled, seemingly happy with his small bit of progress. Raising his eyebrow, at the collective interest in him made them change to subtle surprise, why were they focusing on him.
"Young man..." The woman in the middle started, her cloak flapping in the windless atmosphere, it was something he tried really hard not to question, and decided that there was more important things at hand.
"...Do you remember your name?" He was about to answer, confidently, from what felt such a long time but-
*Pulse*
The beating in his head made him pause for a second as it yet again tried to reorganise his mind like a jigsaw, quickly putting back pieces where they seemingly fit and moving the ones to other places that didn't quite make sense. It took a second but his mind gave the answer it was looking for. A small smile graced his lips as he knew what it was. An assurance he had in himself was something he hadn't experienced in so long, what felt like a long time anyway. While the three staring at him didn't react to his more confident expression, he saw the shift in their posture, obviously waiting for his answer.
"My name is Souji Seta."
The declaration was simple but it was enough to bring about a small smile to the three watching over him. Their biggest worry seemingly fading from them as his answer alone seemed to wash away their burdens. Looking down at his own hands, the ability to flex them and the feeling he got from them was oddly satisfying. The ability to see his eyes without the midnight blue tint was also something he enjoyed. His mind paused for a second...
The blue tint...
His mind didn't pulse this time but seemingly the memory was in place. His vision used to be poor. He could barely see light, mostly colour blind to anything red and green in one timeline and in another he couldn't see at all, needing the assistance of others to see the outside world as they carried him. Seeing the world around him in a vibrant colour was enough to make his soul jump in happiness. Knowing he was only in the ethereal plain he couldn't help but grin at how much of an upgrade it was. He wasn't awake in a sense but he wasn't asleep either.
"I can see..." He muttered.
The man in the long coat looked on, his smile only getting bigger like he knew the implication of what he was saying. Turning to the lady on his left, he shot her a smile of knowing which only made her frown at his confidence. Looking back at the young man facing him, the life in him was something he missed. After everything that he had experienced over the past week, he felt whole as the connection to him started to repair, energy flowing into him again.
"Izanagi?" Souji asked in question softly, bringing the attention to the three looking at him in a way that took them by surprise.
The man in the long coat's expression showed something that he hasn't expressed in a millennia, it was pride. Even with the difficulties he faced now and the calamity at its doorstep he was able to recognise his inner self. The restoration of his memories working faster than what he expected. Only then it was Izanagi who noticed the colour in his eyes had returned, his humanity back to how it should be or at least working towards it.
Souji shook his head slowly, the palpitations of his mind as he felt his brain work over time still but things were becoming clearer. His ears picked up the soft flowing noise of the ethereal stream flowing around him, the constant ringing in his mind all but gone. It had never felt clearer as he could focus on everything around him without the distraction of something else happening around him. The infernal tone in his ears gone but the incessant chatter of all of the other sides of him also gone, allowing his mind to be clear in his own thoughts, the lack of said voices made him feel a little lonely.
"I'm happy that you remember me." Izanagi said softly, his voice barely a whisper but everyone around him heard. His voice was enough to attract the attention of the lady to his left. The emotional reunion was enough to make her take the man in the long coat's hand in hers confidently. Looking back at Souji, her red orbs, which were quite heavy in her stare, softened to ask her question, trying not to be intimidating. Not wanting to push his memories too far.
"Do you know who I am?" She asked slowly.
Souji was about to answer but his mind became blank for a second, seeing nothing but seeing images that were covered by static. It made him groan as he closed his eyes in the pain his memories brought that weren't ready to be shared.
*Pulse*
"I'm sorry, give me a minute..." Souji requested weakly. Placing a palm to his forehead he tried his best to soothe the returning migraine, trying his best not to concentrate too hard and not overworking his brain past the capacity it's already running at. Against his wishes, he could feel his mind prioritise her question. Looking back at the lady asking the simple request, her expression was showing concern, his well being was something she seemingly took great interest in. Souji blinked as his mind worked against seemingly as the static image in his brain started to clear. Multiple people, multiple entities all being one person, all being one being came into his mind. For a second his mind racked with confusion, trying to find a way of decoding these memories, these images from his mind to give her a more coherent answer.
"You are..." His pauses only made her lean forward more in anticipation. "...You are Izanami... But I call you Marie..."
The god blinked for a second as she processed his answer. Her expression then turned into a gentle smile. She felt the hand interlocked with hers tighten as all she could do was nod, a small tear running down the right side of her cheek. She quickly blinked it away before anyone could notice, the glow of her red eyes dulled even more, mirroring her now relaxing posture, the edge now taken off in the situation.
"Sorry... It's still a little rough for me..."
Souji carried on, apologising that his answer wasn't what he wanted or needed. Quickly she shook her head, cutting off his concerns. It was all she needed to hear, the irony wasn't lost on her on how she originally lost her husband at the start of time, while the person in front of her was different, the situation was different, and she never wanted to repeat the same mistake.
"No no, Child of Man. I'm more than happy with your answer. You have done well in your recovery. You were broken, pulled apart, damaged even but your will is so strong that it's coming back altogether."
Izanami tried not to cry. She really held back the tears, not wanting to gush in happiness. It was him and his team she had faith in, the ones who challenged her to prove that the will of man was to improve and better themselves and not regress. To stand up to what's morally right and always seek the truth. Since then it's always felt like her responsibility to make sure they were cared for and they had what they needed to make sure they carried on in life upholding the values like she herself was created for, to protect the will of man and it's most positive traits.
Her overflowing happiness made Souji smile even more, something in his heart glowed at her expression. The bonds he had with her felt like they were thickening, stronger than what they were before whatever happened, happened. Finally taking note of the first person, his most striking feature was the half mask on his face, his own expression sporting an amused smile at the given situation.
"I'm not sure who you are? Sorry I'm drawing a lot of blanks." Souji pointed out, finding it weird that his face didn't even jolt his memory. The man shook his head, un-phased by his comment and his lack of familiarity.
"I would be concerned if you did know who I am, but to confirm your thoughts, yes we have not met, you've probably never even heard of me before but I've been travelling with you all this time..."
Souji's expression went from curious to bemused as he tilted his head to the side, unsure what he was getting at.
The man simply opened up his hand and a blue glowing butterfly flew out, it's fluttering wings leaving a trail of blue glowing dust in its wake before it perched itself on Souji's hand, taking a second to settle.
"I know these, I see them so often... Is that you?" His voice showed obvious wonder, not hiding his curiosity. His head tilts as he observes the butterfly in more detail. It gave the odd flap of the wings but stayed docile.
"In a sense I am. I make sure that my chosen ones are safe and free to make their own decisions free from influence from ones like them." Quickly motioning to both Izanagi and Izanami, "Divine beings should not be allowed to interfere in matters of man in this way. To challenge them yes, but they've overstepped their boundaries. This is where I come to meditate. I like to keep out of the way, to not allow myself to be an influence myself but something like this needed my attention. I've made the mistake of not getting involved fast enough before, but this time I won't lose another one of my chosen ones again. You have the strength to inspire those around you but you dying as a martyr is unbefitting of you, you will not join your predecessor. Your story does not end here."
The grin on the man's face was unwavering but his sincerity was laced in his words. Souji couldn't help but agree. He didn't have much of a choice currently.
"I won't give you any information on me because you are struggling to put your own memories back together. Giving you more will only stunt your recovery."
Souji nodded again in agreement.
"So where am I?"
The three looked at each other for a moment, amongst them they traded glances thinking of the best way to explain the situation to him without straining his mind any more. Izanami nodded, taking a step forward, her hand still held by her Husband.
"You are in your own mind space, recovering from the trauma of your last battle. You are picking the pieces back together as your mind and soul recovers. You've made enough of a recovery however to create everything around you. What you did before to split your soul from your body was risky and something that shouldn't be done unless it's a last resort. It not only could have gotten you killed, it could have gotten you erased from history. Luckily someone was able to piece you back together-"
'Piece me back together...'
'Together...'
'Souji-kun!'
"Naoto!" Souji shouted without prompting, causing the three divine beings standing over him to take a step back in surprise. Souji blinked for a moment, all the memories and experiences with the woman's name he just shouted came flooding back without delay. They weren't broken at all, seemingly they were intact from early on in the recovery process or never broken in the first place. Just thinking of her brought a smile to his face. His mind went through everything they experienced like a highlight reel, it was consistent, there were no images lost, no frames broken by glass and nothing was blank. They were all intact.
"She... She saved me didn't she?"
He looked up to see the three nod at him.
Izanami continued...
"She was the one who brought your soul and body back together. If it wasn't for her, things would be grave but you have inspired others to take up that mantle you held and help. To be in your place while you are incapacitated."
A fuzzy memory of what he was fighting before things became a mess came into his mind.
"Is she fighting whatever did this to me?"
Three curt nods yet again.
Souji suddenly stood up, his joints groaning in protest but he ignored it, his love and worry pushed him to persevere.
"I need to help her; I can't sit on the sidelines after-"
Izanami's raised hand cut him off.
"You cannot do that Child of Man. You are not even conscious in the world of the living; you will be nothing but a hindrance."
"But I can't just stay here, I have to do something!?"
*Slap*
The air hung in silence as Izanami's raised hand stayed in the air after a swift strike pausing Souji's words and thoughts, his eyes widened at the sudden physical contact against his face.
"Settle down and have some faith in your loved one..." Her tone of authority came in, memories of him facing her, where she looked down on them played in his mind as that same voice.
"She is strong and you are in no position to battle."
Lowering her hand, Izanami sighed.
"While you are currently not in combat, your battle spirit lives on. You are contributing to the fight in your own way."
Nursing his cheek, Souji looked back at her, slightly calmer than before but downcast at his desire to help rejected.
"How so?"
"We've transferred a temporary image of your Wild Card to her so she can use your powers as her own because the bond you both share is so strong. Even I'm surprised how smoothly it went, you two are much more compatible than you think."
He looked down in thought, coming to a small realisation.
"That explains why it's so quiet in here..."
"Indeed..."
Izanami broke away from her Husband as she reached for the side of the face she struck a moment earlier. He winced at the contact but couldn't help but relax at the soothing feeling she left with her palm.
"With that I also transferred Izanagi's battle experience so everything you know in combat, on how to wield Persona to how you swing your sword is all there. You are there; you are with her doing what you can to help guide her to victory. But you need to put full faith in her ability, you know deep down she can overcome anything."
The deity frowned as she saw a single tear roll down his face, making contact with her hand. His next words came out broken, voicing his sadness and frustrations.
"I- I just don't want her to be alone out there..."
Doing the only thing she could from instinct, she pulled him into an embrace, his head resting against her bosom as he openly shed tears. She was aware of the mess his mind was but this growing pain of putting his mind together was necessary for his recovery.
...
...
...
Naoto quickly turned to the other two.
"Right we have only one shot at this now. We should at least be able to hit her." The two room assistants nodded.
"Sister, would you mind guarding my..." She turned to Naoto for a moment who raised an eyebrow quickly. "I mean our fool, I think she will try and attack him while we fight her to create an opening."
Elizabeth nodded, getting her compendium ready. "Not a problem, save some for me however."
"Agreed,"
Drawing her revolver in her right hand and shifting the Toukasa blade into her left she got ready to charge. Her eyes narrowed before jetting forward, Izanagi-no-Okami still her persona of choice as she closed the distance. Margaret took off flying in behind her with her Le Grimoire open as the dragon they faced off leapt into the air to create some distance.
"Pathetic!"
She roared as her heads shot various elemental spells at the two of them. Side stepping to the left Naoto quickly avoided an Agidyne cast before stopping in place for a second before firing with her revolver. The first three shots missed due to the distance created but one clipped Amanozako's main head causing her to flinch in the sky throwing off her other attacks, sending them in various directions.
"I can't hit her consistently from here! Any ideas?" Margaret flipped through her compendium just before she deflected a spell attack back into the air.
"Let's use lightning. We can clip her wings without needing to get too close." Finding the page she wanted. "Yoshitsune, come to me!"
Naoto looked on and grinned as she saw the god charge an attack from her main head.
"Go! Izanagi-no-Okami, bring down the wrath of the gods with your Ziodyne!"
"Yoshitsune, Ziodyne!"
Both of the Personas formed behind their respective masters and aimed upwards. With a short cast, their glow of electricity around their weapons faded as the skies quickly turned stormy just above Amanozako before they started to rumble.
"Idiots!" It took a second for to realise what was happening when she looked up. Trying her best to haul her giant body out of the way, the lightning crashed against her large form, catching her huge wings with full force knocking her off balance, leaving her floating in the air as she tried to shake off the initial attack.
"I won't go down that easily!" She fired a beam of energy as Naoto and Margaret dived out of the way of the highly pressurised thermal beam before calling their Personas again once they were clear of the blast radius.
"Izanagi-no-Okami, do it again!"
"Once more Yoshitsune!"
Both Personas channelled their spell once again, this time causing a direct hit temporarily stunning the beast by forcing her wings to fail for just a second. This caused her to struggle to keep her altitude and dropped a considerable distance before she was able to stabilise. The dragon growled then roared in anger as she turned her forced descent into an offensive one and swooped in. Her giant mass homed in at the pair as she bore her talons made of blades as they shone in the moonlight. Naoto grimaced, noticing she didn't have much space to dodge either way.
"Izanagi! She screamed as she braced herself with Souji's sword to guard, the persona of the World standing in front of her as he raised his weapon in stance. She closed her eyes waiting for impact but only felt a slight judder as she was pushed back a few inches. She looked up and saw Margaret's Persona Ardha with a third one to her right of Thanatos helping push back against Amanozako's talons. Looking behind her she saw both Sisters concentrating heavily on feeding their personas energy. With a great heave, they pushed back, forcing the dragon back forcing her to land with a great crash. The three shared a quick nod as they separated. Naoto hopped out of the way as Amanozako's claw came crashing down at where she was standing, cracking the floor at it's impact. What she didn't see was the large tree-like tail coming in from her right as it caught her in her side launching her into the air as she landed hard on the ground a few feet away.
"Urgh..." The Sleuth groaned as she tried to pick herself up. She gasped at the Wolf's head of the trio staring her down. Its mouth formed multiple ice particles eagerly getting ready for an attack.
"Fortune!" With a sudden crash Ardha flew directly into the wolf's head, striking it with such impact that it forced it to reel back and fire its attack into the sky. Using that as a welcome respite Naoto scrambled to her feet and began to shoot back with her revolver.
The shots once again cause the dragon to flinch but this time, she countered by leaping into the air and tried to come crashing down on top of the detective. Out of quick thinking Izanagi formed in front of her and grabbed a fistful of Naoto's tattered shirt and threw her to the side before Amanozako was able to land. She rolled out of the way before the sound of the giant dragon landing hit her ears. Sighing in relief she kicked up back onto her feet.
"That was close. I can't hesitate."
It was another swipe of the tail just like before but Naoto had it scouted. Just as it swept across, she lunged for its blade first before stabbing it cleanly. Amanozako roared in pain as Naoto let go of the weapon, allowing the gods tail to flail into the air without putting herself in a situation to be dragged along with it.
"You insolent child!"
The tengu head turned to the Sleuth and was about to fire off a wind spell but Naoto unloaded the rest of her clip into the head causing it to snap back from the velocity of the shots, interrupting it's cast stunning it temporarily.
"We need to disable the extra heads. Margaret can you?"
Naoto's request was met with a soft affirmative.
"I'll look for a solution." She said as she sidestepped another claw attack before she got Loki to launch a chilling ice attack as a counter. The Bufudyne spell slowed down the second swipe as it froze over the claw long enough for her to dance out of the dragon's grasp. It caused her to roar in frustration at the attendant, energy fuelled anger caused the ice to shatter into pieces making it look like a localised hail storm. The main head followed up with another energy beam attack which Thanatos blocked by absorbing it into a coffin before sending it back through another forcing the tengu head to blast it's own incoming beam with an Agidyne spell.
"Thanks Sister!" Margaret told her thankfully as Elizabeth landed behind her, compendium drawn.
"Don't mention it." She replied while turning to Naoto just as she saw the detective send Izanagi out for a lunging attack before backing up."We need to find a way to stun her to work on the heads. Got anything?"
Naoto scanned Amanozako's giant body for something until her eyes spotted Souji's weapon still lodged in her tail.
"I have an idea, get ready. Izanagi-no-Okami! Aim for Souji's sword!"
"What are you planning Fortune?"
"I'm about to give you guys an opening. Ziodyne now!" Izanami-no-Okami aimed carefully before firing a full power bolt of lightning right towards Amanozako's tail. Thinking it was aiming directly at her she used her massive wings to create an updraft big enough to move out of the way but she didn't anticipate the attack landing in such a place. As soon as the electricity landed on the embedded weapon, the conductive material sent the attack surging through the god's body, shocking her from the inside out. Amanozako wailed in pain from the intensity as all of her veins were set alight all at once, the lightning coursing through her body. The shock to her system was enough to bring her down in a heap. Puffs of smoke kicked up as clouds of dirt covered the other combatants of the fight.
"Now!"
Elizabeth and Margaret ran down the enemy from the flank, both of them with their compendium drawn and glowing with power, ready to attack.
"Go Ardha! Subdue the bird-like-head and hold it still!"
"Thanatos keep it down!"
The dual body Persona quickly grabbed the tree trunk-like neck of the bird head before slamming it to the ground to stop it from resisting. It swaked loudly in protest as it tried to fight, but the main body was still stunned from the electrical pulses still running through it. it tried to flail but the enormous natural strength of Margaret's Persona held it down with a little struggle.
Thanatos leapt into the air and with a vicious stab from the sky, impaled his blade right into the neck of the wolf's head causing it to collapse in pain as it howled into the night. As it tried to recover he twisted the blade into it, as it cried harder from the excruciating anguish each time Thanatos rotated it's blade, using all of its standing weight to stop it from lifting itself up.
"Fortune!"
"Shirogane"
Putting the full focus into the head that Margaret's Persona was holding down she called her boyfriend's Persona who stood magnificently in front of her in a golden hue. The particles that fell from his coat showered Naoto in light.
"Izanagi-no-Okami, tear off the tengu head. Raijinzan!"
The persona nodded before it took off into the air. It's double sided blade ready as it shined off the light of the moon, it descended as the electricity started to form on its weapon, picking up speed as it fell. It only took a second before the ascended Persona slash connected with a clean and uninterrupted attack. The force of the impact was enough to throw Ardha off Amanozako's bird-like head as it recovered quickly from flipping up as it hit the ground. Izanagi paused for a second when he hit the floor; seemingly waiting for this attack to have an effect. Almost on queue the strike of lightning came with the attack before its head cleanly split from the base of the neck as the gods whole body reeled back from the sudden decapitation of one of its appendages. It was enough to cause it to tumble and fall back forcing Thanatos to jump off before it was caught under weight.
"Nice!"
"Good work!"
Izanagi-no-Okami quickly jumped back to Naoto's side.
"That was excellent Izanagi."
"Only doing what I'm told."
The fallen head turned to purple smoke as it hit the ground. Amanozako scrambled to her feet and roared at one of it's heads being taken out.
"How dare you do this to me!"
Naoto just quickly reloaded as Margaret and Elizabeth stood at her side. The three traded glances as they silently decided on their next course of action.
"Should we get the other head?"
"Makes logical sense,"
"It will make this fight a lot easier."
Naoto nodded, happy that they were all in agreement. Quickly closing her eyes, she waved her hand in front of her to change her persona. Nodding to the other two they charged down the giant dragon as Amanozako charged it's next attack with her main secondary head. Margaret flicked to a new page of her compendium and Loki shot out at speeds towards her target. Quickly putting its hands together it shot out a freezing beam of hail aiming for the head charging it's attack. The god blocked the attack with a raised claw before firing back a blast of it's own in return which separated the trio as they split up to avoid damage.
"Nornir! Debilitate!" Naoto screamed as the Persona holding a giant clock floated behind her. The ladies holding up the device quietly pointed at the god causing it to flash a hue of blue for a second as the debuff started to take effect.
Amanozako groaned under the new effect, feeling weaker than before. Instantly notice her reflexes slowing down and the sudden flash of weakness as she tries to defend herself from the various incoming attacks. Shaking her head, she tried to fight back against the debilitating ailment.
"Take this!" She cried as she jumped back and swung its thick tail at them. Elizabeth growled as she held her arms out trying to intercept it. She was joined by Thanatos as she was pushed back by the recoil as her Persona struggled to hold back against the giant limb.
Margaret's look of concern pushed her to act.
"Fortune, I need to assist my Sister, cover me please."
"Got it. Nornir, Garudyne!" The Persona formed behind her as it charged the highest tier wind spell and aimed for the wolf's head that was tracking the elder attendant speeding across the battlefield trying to help her younger sister.
"Don't you dare!" The head to her right fired another Agidyne blast directly at her before it was blocked by Naoto's wind spell causing them to crash together and explode over Margaret's head, cancelling each other out. She flew through the remaining embers of the colliding attacks as she launched Sigfried into Amanozako's tail giving Thanatos support in its battle of attrition. Joining Elizabeth at her side...
"On the count of three!" She quickly nodded.
"One..."
"Two..."
"Three!" They both heaved, pushing the massive weight away from them with both of their Persona shifting the mass to the side causing Amanozako to quickly move off balance. Just before it was out of reach, Margaret grabbed Souji's sword and tugged it out of the tail and threw it backwards into the air, sending it spiralling up.
"Catch!"
"Lucifer!" Naoto called out another Persona.
"Die!" The god shouted as it used the momentum of its body moving to leap into the air and to jump on the two attendants. The action happened so fast that it took Margaret by surprise, thinking quickly Elizabeth grabbed her Sister's hand and teleported out before their enemy could land on them. Landing a heap together behind Naoto, the pair scrambled to untangle themselves in a mess of limbs before brushing themselves off. Shooting a sly smile to her elder.
"Playing it a little dangerous? You are starting to get more like Souji than you think."
"Save that thought for after the fight." She said simply, blushing slightly.
Naoto felt the burst of mental energy pour into her mind as she charged up ready for her next attack. Looking on, her sharp eyes narrowed dangerously on the god that stood before her as her enemy did the same locking eyes. On queue Souji's weapon landed blade first, embedding itself into the ground in front of her.
The world stood still as their gazes froze on each other, daring the other to make a move first. Their game of chicken felt like it went on for eternity as she both waited, charging for an attack to intercept the other and overwhelm them. Naoto's fingers twitched as Amanozanko leaned forward ever so slightly. The sound of Margaret turning a page on her Le Grimoire spurred the Detective into action as she shifted weight onto her left leg. That's all the god needed as a signal.
"Take this!"
"Bufudyne!"
Lucifer's blue and deformed hand sparkled before a blizzard of ice shards shot out from his palm turning the air frigid, freezing the ground under it. Amanozako fired back a beam containing the almighty attribute. The resulting shockwave tore up the ground around the impact point sending tremors through earth under the two. Naoto held firm as the two attacks collided, the crash causing an explosion of blue and white as shards of ice flew in every direction. The two blasts of elemental energy cancelled each other out as the bright light of the flash point blinded the two combatants. Amanozako reeled back slightly before getting ready for another attack.
"Now!" Margaret screamed as her and Elizabeth burst through the explosion as Thanatos leapt into the air, descending blade first, the edge shining brightly against the night as he intended to spike his target.
"Not a chance," Amanozako enormous wings flapped hard enough to move her large body to the side early enough to avoid the incoming persona and was already aiming with the wolf's head as it charged another fire attack. The god locked eyes with the persona as she saw it miss it's lunge before turning to the sisters ready to finish them both off with an attack it was planning for the Sleuth. It was about to fire before she flinched, a large weight landing on her other head causing the fire attack to hit the ground in front of her, blinding the dragon temporarily losing track of her targets in the resulting smoke
"What the!?" In an attempt to move, she felt her wolf head snag, as it was pinned down by something. Barely able to turn, it sensed a spiritual form on it's body applying pressure trying to hold her still.
Acting quickly, Amanozako tried to flail and roll in place to bring around her tail to interrupt the siege but Thanatos drove his sword into her tail causing her to flinch and fall to her side in pain. In one swift movement he pulled it out and spun back before sticking his blade right between the eyes of the now restrained face of the dragon's left head. The wolf's head howled as it hit the ground struggling under the weight of two swords embedded into it.
"Fortune, now's your chance!"
"Izanagi-no-Okami!" Naoto called as she raced to them, covering as much ground as possible. She pulled out the Toukasa Blade as Souji's ascended Persona appeared before her lowering it's weapon signalling her to jump off it. Seeing this move Souji himself performed, she leaped forward taking a step on the hilt of Izanagi's double sided weapon as he launched her upwards towards the subdued god. She pointed the weapon down as she dove directly at her target, her eyes narrowing as she aimed right at the base of the Wolf's neck. As she started to fall and pick up speed, the sword crackled with lightning as it flashed a magnificent white and gold as she felt Izanagi-no-Okami with her, pouring it's spiritual energy into the blade.
"AAARRRRHHHHGGGG!" She roared as she slammed her blade into the base of the wolf's neck all the way to the hilt shocking the dragon as the outburst of electrical power poured out of the weapon delivering a tremendous amount of voltage causing sparks to crackle and fly each way. Yoshitsune and Thanatos were forced to jump away to avoid collateral damage.
Suddenly Izanagi-no-Okami came crashing down on where Naoto stabbed earlier, finishing the attack with a clean and precise slice, cutting through the tough scales and thick flesh of the dragon as it fell away with ease. Catching Naoto on the way down, the persona leapt away as the head came crashing down hitting the floor with a mighty thud before dissolving into black mist. The attack sent Amanozako to roll back from the sheer force as she realised she had been dismembered for a second time.
Landing gracefully next to her allies, Izanagi-no-Okami placed her down gently, as she nodded to him.
"Thanks Izanagi," She told him, a small smile on her face.
"It's the boy's wish,"
She heard him say in her mind before he dissipated into thin air.
"What... What have you done!?" Amanozako panicked. She panted, the tide of the battle finally taking its toll as she looked on. Her three enemies looked relatively healthy after their rally before that fool came in to make this fight 'fair'.
"I said you won't win." Naoto proclaimed, taking a step forward. "Either leave or we will send you back to the plain of higher beings in ruins."
Both Margaret and Elizabeth took a step forward, compendiums drawn as the both nodded, agreeing with the threat.
Amanozako scanned the battlefield, seeing if there was anything she could do to end this fight now and end it decisively. It wasn't until she saw the prone body of the Wild Card user she tried to murder a few days ago on its own a few meters back from where her opposition stood, where she in her mind found her most favourable win condition. Flooding her body with whatever energy she had left her veins glowed white under her red scales before she took off from the ground with a gust of wind.
Naoto and the others covered their eyes as the blast of air almost knocked them off their feet. As they looked up, the dragon ascended high into the sky, her only head left, opened its mouth and started charging.
"You won't win. You will not WIN!" She blared as the ball of energy started to grow at an alarming rate. However, where she was looking confused her. It wasn't seemingly aimed at them. It was aiming behind them...
She looked back,
"Shit!" Naoto took off as fast as possible.
"Fortune!" Margaret asked bemused before looking where she was running to. Her eyes widened at the realisation. "It's after my Fool. Elizabeth, can you-"
"Way ahead of you." Taking her sister's hand she teleported the two of them the distance to Souji's body. As soon as they touched the ground, both of them pulled out their books as they began to use Mind Charge to increase their next magical attack in anticipation of using it on defence.
"Persona change Izanami-no-Okami!" Naoto shouted as she skidded to a halt and turned on her heels to face the dragon in the sky. The ball of energy was now three times bigger than before as Amanozako poured all the energy she had left into this one last attack.
"I can't block this one..." Naoto said to herself as she looked up, the energy ball looked big enough to destroy literally everything in its path, this made her fire breath attack from earlier look like a warm up.
"Let us show her the spirit of man. You can overcome this!"
Izanami told her in her mind. The words were comforting yet sombre. They were calm but focused as Naoto took a deep breath.
"Let's do this, Mind Charge!" Izanami nodded as she flooded Naoto's body with spiritual energy, enough to feel every nerve she had stood on end as her body. She felt the wind kick up around her, hair flapping as the energy that Izanami fed her continued to grow, her mind now running thousands of scenarios at once due to her increased mental capacity. Looking up the growing orb of energy, it started to absorb the stars in the night sky as any matter and colour near it was sucked into the black hole like-vacuum effect of the energy ball. With the increase of its size the wind started to pick up as well.
"We need to fire back with everything we have." Naoto said to the two behind her without looking back."
"Are you sure that's the best course of action?"
Hearing Margaret's voice, Naoto only shook her head.
"No but I don't have any other options. Any ideas?"
They both stood in silence as an answer, unable to come up with a rebuttal to her plan.
"Just have to show her how powerful we are." Elizabeth's voice comes through to snap the two of them out of their thoughts. She took a step forward, eyes glowing with renewed focus.
Naoto nodded, taking the words on as encouragement.
"Izanami, would you guide me?"
"Certainly,"
"Thanatos, let's get to work!"
"Master Philemon! Let's show them the way of the teachings of the Velvet Room."
From high up where matter was quickly disappearing into the attack that Amanozako was preparing. She laughed at the energy protruding from her three targets below her.
"If that's the best you can do I'll wipe you out as well as your precious Wild Card users. This is my time. I will be coronated with the power that I deserve!"
Naoto simply turned to her two allies.
"Ready everyone?"
"Indeed,"
"Yes, let's make this quick."
"HHHHAAAAAAAAA!" the energy beam from the heavens flew down with such force that the floor quaked from the initial fire alone. The wind was enough to tear at the clothes of Naoto she watched on. Raising her hands she prepared herself, focusing her mind and spirit in a way she had never done before, the only thing on her mind was overcoming the beast in front of her and protecting her love ones. Everything was on the line in this moment and the only thing stopping what they were fighting to reach its end goal was her and the two people that stood at her side.
Her mind has never been clearer.
"Izanami-no-Okami!"
"Thanatos!"
"Philemon!"
They took aim at the incoming attack.
"Megidoloian!" The trio shouted as three separate blasts of Almighty damage headed towards the incoming attack as the three beams spiralled together before merging into one. The three ladies held their own as their combined attack ripped through the air on a collision course with Amanozako's last ditch effort to overwhelm them. There was a massive flash of light to accompany the sonic boom as their attacks met in the middle. The sheer amount of ethereal energy warped the atmosphere around them as the eyes narrowed, keeping their focus on both sides. Naoto gritted her teeth as her attack hit the trickster god's as the two beams battled for victory, pushing back against each other in a back and forth between them.
"She's strong..." Elizabeth grunted as her arms wobbled from the pressure.
"Indeed she is Sister..."
Naoto's legs tensed as she brought every ounce of energy she could as she felt herself shift back an inch. Growling in frustration she poured even more SP into the attack, graining the ground she lost just a split second ago.
"I... Can't... Give up..." Pushing back against the attack the trio gained a meter in the air as their beam attack started to push forward causing Amanozako's wings to flap erratically for a second.
"I won't lose to mere mortals!" The various lines of energy under her scales glowed brighter as various inscriptions of kanji appeared over her body as she flooded her attack with even more spiritual energy, the burst of power increasing the size of the beam being emitted from her mouth. She couldn't hear it over the thunderous rumble over her own onslaught but the opposing forces yelped at the increasing intensity as they were pushed back a couple meters. Amanozako's beam pushed them down as it gained half of the distance, only leaving them a quarter of the way from destruction.
"She had more!?" Elizabeth panicked as she felt the burn in her arms as her body did it's best to keep the flow of energy going.
"It seems..." Margaret pushed back the best she could as she started to feel the sweat from her forehead go into her eye while she panted tiredly. "...She is gambling everything on this..."
"Souji-kun... Everyone... Please give me strength..."
She could feel her arms and knees give away as she was quickly reaching the pits of her SP reserves as she heard Izanami growl in frustration in the back of her head. She knew that wasn't a good sign as she felt herself get pushed back another few inches, the orange light of Amanozako's attack looming over her dangerously, the ground in front of her starting to lift up the closer it got. Her eyes narrowed as she pushed the splitting concrete getting near her feet out of her mind as she did the best she could to keep up the intensity.
"I didn't get this far to fail now..."
"You can do it, child of man..."
"I'm trying..."
"You can do it..."
She felt another palm on her shoulder as she looked back for a second to see both Izanagi-no-Okami comforting presence standing next to his wife as they both started to channel as much energy as they could into her as a vessel. He nodded softly as she did the same, taking it as a sign of confidence.
"I'm not going to give up..."
"Damn right you are not!"
That voice...
It couldn't be...
"Finally I got through to you! Naoto-kun whatever you do, don't give in, you have this. We are all rooting for you to finish her off and bring him home."
The sound of her navigator came through her ears loud and clear as a screen showing her face appeared in front of her. She couldn't be any happier seeing her face.
"I'm sorry we aren't there to support you but we are here routing you on. Everyone is here and I'll make sure you'll get all the support you need." Rise said enthusiastically as multiple screens appeared in front of the three fighting for their lives.
"Come on Naoto-kun smash it' in!"
"Naoto-kun finish her off and bring our leader home."
"Finish the fight and come home to us!"
"Finish her off and save Souji-kun!"
"Use the power of Sensei and win!"
"Please save Big Bro!"
The faces of her teammates were all she needed to see. After all of the doubts that they would never remember him, that she was on her own and alone without the team who made her accept who she was. They have come through at the perfect time. They were right, she couldn't lose here. She had to press on, unlike this dragon she had a home to go to and people to see. This was all or nothing...
...
...
It all became hazy for a second...
'Where Am I?'
Wherever she was, it was hazy, she was unsure how she had gotten here but Naoto decided to dig deep for what seemed like the final push to end the charade herself, Margaret and Elizabeth was facing. She was annoyed it went on for this long; her own ability came into question wondering that maybe anyone else would have been able to finish this God a lot quicker, not give her this opportunity to come back and play her trump card. Figuring she was at end game with the amount of power now gathering at the end, she needed to dig deep and give it everything she had. However her mind was suddenly here, it felt like she was lost in her own soul...
'What's going on here?'
One by one, each Persona she was in control of formed around her, their expression stoic, unmoving as she turned to inspect each one, all of them keeping a close eye on her as they were summoned. A thousand thoughts went through her mind like they might have possibly turned against her in the final minute of need. At last the final Persona she had was summoned in front of her and it was none other than Izanami flanked by Izanagi and Yamato Sumeragi. Naoto's eyes looked at Yamato Sumeragi in concern, hoping her personal Persona could answer any questions she had. He simply shook his head, and shot back an expression of worry, not helping her in her current moment.
"What have I done wrong?"
Her voice caused all the other Personas to focus on her again, she felt the air around them stiffen. Naoto looked at Izanagi and Souji's Persona kept his steely expression firm, locked on to her. It was that moment she noticed other than his eyes narrowing; he's never had another expression for as long as she'd known him. Turning to Izanami, it suddenly felt like she was on trial. However the dark mood in her mind cracked when Izanami's expression slipped into a serene smile.
"I'm sorry about that, I can feel a flood of energy coming in and a moment of doubt flooded through your mind. We are here to reassure you that you will be fine." She turned away for a moment and around her hundreds of screens suddenly appeared focusing on various moments in her life, quite a few of them focusing on the time with the Investigation Team and with Souji. They were all static images but it was enough to have all of them fight for space in Naoto's mind even if it was for a brief second.
"Of course I remember all of these. I've been well aware of what's been going on all this time."
The glow in Izanami's eyes brightened as she turned to face her again, her smile a little wider, almost in amusement. Her hands straightened out her cloak for a second as she thought of the best way to put what she was going to say next.
"Even with the infusion of Souji's power of the Wild Card I don't want you to feel you are in his shadow or you are just masquerading as someone with his power. Your ability to wield it so comfortably and carefully comes from your own tenacity, dedication to the people you love, your own set of experiences. You may not feel it but you feed off those to channel the power you use right now. Your ability to love fuels every spark you have. That burning flame has never burned brighter than now. The need for Justice and fairness and caring for the people around you has brought you this far. If I didn't think you were worthy I would never have suggested this situation to this combination."
Naoto pondered Izanami's words for a second. She would be lying if she thought she hadn't worried about being as strong as Souji since she got here. She was scared of failing since it was something she hadn't seen happen to him in the time she's known him. It was a scary trait of his and it frustrated her that she couldn't live up to the same expectations that were put on him. If anything she felt now was the best time to voice her doubts.
"I've never seen him fail. I'm worried that I can't live up to what's put on his shoulders. He's supported 8 other people emotionally, mentally as well as physically including me. How do you live up to that? "
The God's smile turned sympathetic.
"Yes when you put it that way it is difficult. But let me ask you this, if he has never failed, why are we in this situation now?"
That was the key question on what was at play. Izanami was technically correct, if he was as perfect as she thought, he would be fighting right now without her being none the wiser and winning. Giving it some thought, Souji always had difficulty accepting what couldn't do and how much effort he took to do what he needed, putting himself in danger. He had fallen, and quite spectacularly lost his powers and almost his soul. If it wasn't for the people supporting him now, he wouldn't have had the chance of survival he had now.
"Yeah I see what you mean. It just makes me wonder what is needed to overcome it if he couldn't..."
Izanami folded her arms, while her smile still remained, her eyes narrowed sternly. Subconsciously Naoto knew what the answer was. The thought of being the saviour, the thing keeping despair away from the planet was taking its toll. Izanami was right however, she has given her lover a second chance, an ability to come back from the brink, before today he was a walking corpse, she saved him from fate that was shoved on him.
The look on the Goddess' face snapped Naoto back to reality.
"Please excuse me; I'm acting like a child. You've given me an opportunity to right his wrongs; I should be more accepting of them, and of myself."
Izanami only shook her head.
"No need to apologise, just like yourself Souji needed the same encouragement and justification like yourself when he had to dig his deepest. When it looked like there was no hope, he had to look for others for strength. Just like what you are doing now, he has done the same. Before he looked upon his closest friends for the power to pull it together and believe in his ideals to make the plane of the gods hear his plight. Do not believe for one second that your lover is unflappable. He is just as human as anyone else with his own insecurities and worries..."
Naoto nodded, looking down at her shoes, she shuffled uncomfortably, her words shaking her psyche. She has always had huge expectations put upon her shoulders and the only person that never put any on her was the one she was saving today. However, now she had to turn the expectation into belief, call upon the same strength that Souji himself did to overcome all odds.
"You're right,"
Izanami's eyes softened at Naoto's newly formed resolve.
"Hmm, everything here has been a personification of not just Souji's growth but your interaction and relationship as well. While you may not have been an original Wild Card user, you have been involved in many of the experiences that have made him who he is today. Your connection with him and your own competency as a Persona user is more than enough to step to the mantle and unleash your potential. This is your time, and you are capable of being it, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"I hope I can rely on everyone's power here." It was more of a request rather than an implied instruction. While these powerful Persona were under her control it was a two way street with them granting her power. Respecting just how dangerous and destructive they were was the first step to mastering something so powerful as the power of the Wild Card while inheriting Souji's experiences.
The surrounding Persona nodded in time, agreeing with the Sleuth. Something about their acceptance of her lifted a weight off her shoulders. She half expected them to believe that the only reason they complied before is due to the underlying will of Souji that flowed through her or from the guiding hand from the Goddess of Creation. However they were trusting with her command because they had the same goal she did and her ability and drive is the main reason for them lending their power.
"See, they are involved because they want to. They want to see the same end goal as the rest of us. Push ahead with the same determination you have had before, the same feeling of do or die, all or nothing. Taking the big gamble and not walking away from a situation until you are satisfied. Use what brought you here and you will succeed. IT will be difficult but you can do it."
Naoto closed her eyes, emptying her mind of everything except what drove her to be here today, what made her grow...
...What she was protecting.
"Feel the energy flow through you, let it fester and boil, then nurture it, make it your own and let it become a part of you."
Izanami's words seemed cryptic and nonsensical at first but the glowing light she could feel from within her started to pulse and react to her whims. Naoto felt it from the depths of her ego as it began to manifest, grow and expand outwards taking up more and more of her inner self, wiping pushing aside the doubt and the anxiety.
"Can you feel that? Channel it, control it with your emotions and refine it with your determination."
Letting the goddess' words sink in she felt the breeze she made when she fully accepted the divine power. The pulse grew in intensity, she felt the wind pick up, catching her hair in the updraft.
"That's it, let your body remember. We are all here for you. We are supporting you and every decision you make. You are strong! You can fight!"
The cackle of electricity shook the air around her, as she felt the jolt of energy rise from her feet as it coursed through her body. The tingling feeling of her fingertips that she became familiar to since receiving the power of the gods. In the back of her mind where all of the Persona she adopted earlier, there was a sense of déjà vu like this was something they've all seen before.
Letting out a small sigh she realised what it was...
'This must be how Souji-kun felt when we were all taken over by the will of Izanami from before. Is this what it is that manifests oneself to its truest potential? To be able to overcome the impossible? To strike down the gods, is this the level of Zen one must feel?'
"Feed on the memories of the past to build your future. Learn from my downfall to craft a way to your victory."
Naoto tensed her hands as the static enveloped them. She could feel every nerve on her body at high alert. Everything became hyper sensitive yet relaxing all at once. Taking one more deep breath, she suddenly felt all the doubt and fear fall away like an animal shedding its skin. It only left behind a warm clarity that she hadn't felt since her last Persona evolution from over a year ago. Now behind that clarity was a fierce intensity, one she hadn't ever felt before. The experience was unreal but now she felt the will to go on, the will of the people she needed to protect...
...The will of those she loved.
"Naoto you're incredible. You should never doubt yourself. You are the strongest person I know."
"It's only because of your faith in me..."
"No, don't sell yourself short. This is always what you were capable of. Go do what I can't and finish this."
"Souji-kun..."
She could feel the ethereal energy around her as she absorbed the incoming light like a solar panel. She could feel the elements, the dreams, the victories and defeats each one had taken as they did their best to provide her the spark to win. Suddenly over her shoulders was a white cloak, seemingly made from the energy given to her. Opening her eyes she gazed at the new item of clothing before looking back up, seeing it's almost the exact same one Izanami was wearing.
"You gave me..."
"It's a sign of your power. Allow it to bring your victory, child of man."
Naoto took another deep breath, causing Izanami to smile as she saw the deep yet glowing blue in her eyes, fully aware of the extent her powers have manifested. Seemingly pleased by the development, her grin grew wider as her red eyes glowed happily. She looked on to her husband and made a small gasp. In the longest time she'd known them since their unfortunate split; his face donned the smallest of smiles through the gaps of his mask.
"She's strong isn't she..."
Izanami could only nod, proud that her vessel was able to meet his approval. Once again turning to Naoto...
"You are ready, now with the will of the gods, settle this!"
"Got it!"
...
...
Naoto's eyes shot open...
"I AM DONE WITH YOU!"
In a burst of bright light, almost blinding the two velvet room assistants behind her, an unfathomable amount of power burst from her body. The two looked on at awe as within the radiating brightness, Naoto seemingly donning Izanami's cloak while it was brimming with her newly found resolve.
"Shirogane..."
"Fortune..."
Like a fountain of power, the spiritual energy pouring out of Naoto created a wave of freshness that washed over her two teammates. The both closed their eyes in relaxation as they felt their SP reserves regenerate at breakneck speed. Their veins flowed with renewed vigour with the increased effect of increased magical output. Feeling super charged they both dug deep before they let out a roar of defiance and joined Naoto with increased resistance.
"WE. WILL. NOT. LOSE!"
The simple declaration was more than enough as Naoto's eyes glowed, an untold amount of power suddenly flowing through her making her veins come alight, the power of the Wild Card insider her now working overdrive, exceeding the limited that even made Izanami roar with a battle cry behind her. Her arms crackled with energy as all of her pent up emotion exploded at once, flaring around her in an aura not seen before. Her voice bellowed as she focused on her hands causing their trio's travelling blast of Almighty energy to turn a bright blue before growing exponentially almost tripling in size. Just as quickly, the tides turned in their beam battle as Amanozako's orange beam was pushed back seemingly with ease from the power of the three below her.
Her eyes widened as she felt herself lose control of the situation, her wings flapping recklessly as all of her excess energy wasn't enough to keep the attack stable at the amount was fighting back causing her to lose the battle faster than before.
"Th- This can't be?" The god cried as she Naoto's attack overwhelmed her, pushing her own attack back into the sky as all she could do was helplessly as the beam battle crashed into her letting off a massive explosion splitting the night sky in half in a vibrant mixture of orange and blue light as the particles rained from the sky, lighting it up like fireworks on new year's. The beam of light from the trio of fighters faded quickly into the night as Elizabeth and Margaret panted as they finally dropped their arms from being close to the brink. They traded looks and tired smiles with Elizabeth giving small thumbs up. Margaret could only nod, trying to take a breath.
Through the various screens around her cheers and hollering could be heard as
From the aerial mushroom cloud the dragon's smoking body fell through it as it plummeted to the ground helplessly, scales scorched and body smoking from taking the attack head on. Her wings were in ruin as they were clipped with burnt holes in various places, her bladed teeth shattered and broken as one of her eyes were completely blown out from the damage.
She hit the ground with a crash; the shock wave was enough to send everything around her flying in various directions, creating a small crater at the place of landing. Naoto was unphased by the sudden gush of air as her hair fluttered in her face.
"Fortune that was-"
The Sleuth raised her hand, cutting her off.
"She's still alive."
Picking up Souji's sword she took off forward, ignoring the rubble and soot kicked up from the landing of her enemy, all the while her cloak fluttered in the soft breeze, still prim and proper even with all the dust in the atmosphere. Looking concerned at her sister she took off after Naoto causing Elizabeth to sigh before going with them.
As Naoto got closer her focused eyes noticed that the dragon's body twitched, barely able to move as it struggled to shift its own huge weight. Coming to a slow,
"You are finished. Get out of here before I remove you permanently."
Amanozako barely moved but growled angrily.
"I don't accept losing to you and your pathetic beings. You are nothing but a fake. I'm immortal, I have ascended. People worship me!"
"Their faith is misguided..."
Saying no more, the Sleuth silently reloaded her revolver making sure all six clips were in before closing the latch and snapping the chamber back into place.
"Anyway you've caused me enough grief so I'll enjoy this."
The god narrowed her only working eye angrily, but struggled to get back to her feet falling back again in a heap.
"Like you could finish me off."
"Suit yourself," Slamming Souji's weapon into the ground blade first. Izanagi-no-Okami formed, in front of her charging the blade with holy energy, it's golden aura bathing Naoto with almighty light. Suddenly Yamato Sumeragi appeared from behind her, merging with her firing arm as it latched on creating an extra scope on her weapon, shielding the same arm with armour while creating an aiming visor over her face. Various ancient patterns and Kanji appeared all over her cloak as she began incantation.
Bracing her hands armed with her gun on the hilt of the Toukasa Blade, she took aim at the prone body of the god in front of her, as she stared daggers. Naoto paid her no mind as she called down the final performance.
"Izanami-no-Okami!" The Goddess of Creation appeared before her, her cloak flapping from the swirl of energy around Souji's blade. Her hands out as both palms glowed with golden energy.
"What is your command child of man?"
"Songs of Creation!" Naoto shouted as she pulled the trigger and unloaded her whole clip infused with magical energy of different elements right through Izanagi's body. At the same time Izanami started to sing lightly as the orbs from her hands turned into beams as she aimed them directly through the centre of Amanozako, piercing through her from head to tail burning a hole at her core. Then the six bullets struck, each one causing the dragon to reel back as they cut through her scales and thick flesh, each bullet exploding various times as it passed through her body, causing her temporal body to become unstable as the ethereal energy started to come apart.
She cried in agony as black mist started to leak from various parts of her carcass. It only took a second later as the concoction of the multiple elements and energies in Naoto's attacks started to mix before the reaction was formed. Through the cracks of Amanozako's scales energy started to seep through from inside her in beams of light. She made one last roar before her body reached a critical point and exploded in rays of holy ambience. Her voice echoing into the night sky, finally fading into obscurity and soon to be from people's memories.
As the essence of the fallen god started to dissipate, Naoto took a deep breath in to bask in the victory that she earned, silently placing her revolver back in what was left of her holster. Quietly her cloak faded into nothingness, disappearing into night like her once fallen enemy.
"A job very well done child of man."
Naoto sighed before giving off a small smile.
"Couldn't have done it without you."
Izanami shook her head while Izanagi only gave a small bow with his.
"Not at all Child of Man. We only personified your will and determination to overcome great odds. This is the power of your own doing. Bask in it, enjoy it, you have earned much from today, take pride in what you have achieved."
There was something about the way Izanagi and Izanami held hands in front of her, how this moment was a lot more intimate than what she first realised.
"I'll go make sure Souji-kun is ok, it's a shame he had to miss all of this."
"I'm sure the outcome will make him happy."
Izanami's serene smile only made Naoto grin as she began to jog back to where the others were standing. It felt almost ceremonial as she lifted Souji's blade out of the ground with a heave, smiling at even with the wear of battle she could see herself in the reflection of the blade showing it's excellent craftsmanship.
"Now can I give my congratulations?" Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at Margaret's retort as Naoto only shook her head. The three trading glances of a job well done, finally able to relax even with the TV world around them showing signs of the chaos and destruction they were a part of only minutes before.
"I think a party is well earned after this, but we need to get Souji-kun back and..." She pulled at her tattered top that was barely covering her and then looked down at her trousers ripped in various places.
"I'm a mess and need a new set of clothes. I can't exactly go back to the real world like this without raising a lot of suspicion."
Both the attendee sisters nodded in understanding. Together they walked back to Souji, Margaret lifting him up with ease and placing him over her shoulder. Naoto noticed the soft rise and fall of his chest signalling he was asleep but alive.
"We need to head to a place where we can enter a portal back Fortune, and considering the damage of this place, I don't think there are many around here."
Looking around Naoto couldn't help but agree with her assessment. Suddenly a screen popped up in front of her, Naoto's best friend and famous idol with a smile on her face, obviously happy with the outcome of the battle.
"Luckily for you Naoto-kun, I can guide you guys to an exit even from here. The TV World is a TV world and all. Just leave it to me!"
"Lead the way Rise-chan..."
"Happily,"
...
...
...