Strife Arc:
Chapter 73: Toll of Velvet Bell
"...There was a presence of a progenitor before Sho Minazuki, whose blood bleeds the Limbo Recall.
A young teenage girl, long oranged hair; disappeared months ago. When you find Sho in the hideout, pull everything out from him."
-W
Aigis
Dark Hour – 30/11/2012(Friday) – Raku Hotel, Tatsumi Port Island
(Friday of War)
"Aigis, I need to say my farewell tonight."
She opened her eyes and saw Ryoji Mochizuki standing in front of her sleeping chamber, visibly concerned. Aigis left her seat and approached the former Appraiser, partly baffled.
"You're leaving? Where?"
"I... I don't know," Ryoji pressed a hand on chest, "But I must start somewhere, my search for the truth. About my goddess, my role, my origin."
"Is this about..."
Ryoji gazed away from her, "I don't doubt you, ever. If this mysterious man truly is an Arcana Shadow like me, then he must be my lost kin. I'm worried."
"I have never seen you so afraid."
"I don't have proof, but my instinct is screaming at me; Karu Juugo might be among the rising Arcana resurfacing after me."
"Only 5 Arcana Shadows left."
"Is this man the threat Nyx feared so much? Then he must have been connected to the pale rider. I must go, find this answer."
"I see..." Aigis hesitated, "Be careful. Minato will miss you."
He chuckled, "Good to know." His smile faded. "Beware of the other Arcana Shadow. Karu Juugo will make them unpredictable."
From the distance, Aigis heard a loud ringing bell from the direction of the island.
"Ah, I believe that's my cue," Ryoji said, "Goodbye, tell the rest of your friends I'm thankful for everything."
Kirijo's headquarter?
The dream again, alarmed by a ringing bell from an unknown location. Her office gradually distorted after a few visits, yet the man wearing her father's skin remained regal and tall.
The entity wearing her father's face had dulled her sense. Only small infuriation boiling deep within her suppressed emotion. Mitsuru drummed her fingers on the long table, watching her father's mimic approaching her from the other end of the table.
"It is soon," Takeharu said, "With Messiah's absence, someone must unite them in his stead. Gather them."
"And it has to be me?" Mitsuru replied.
"The emperor was the steward to his throne until he was omitted from the front line. An authority figure is needed for such a burden. You have proved your worth in your mission. Extended your aid to every persona user in the country, to you. The False Messiah can be toppled with an army."
She paused at this. Akihiko will be at Yagakoro city tomorrow to recruit two new members. But...
"Don't you command me with my father's face, imposter," She growled, "Don't ever dishonor his legacy."
"Do not blame this on me," He answered, "This is not your first face. While the mayhem occupying my realm limited my power for a more direct approach, only when I wear the mask of your kin do you allow me into your dreams."
"Then who are you?"
The imposter said nothing.
"Who are you?" Mitsuru pushed her chair away and reached for her holster, but found no Evoker nor weapon. Keeping her confidence, she strolled to the front chair.
"I will not save your friend from the Arcana Devil had I been your enemy."
She froze, recalling the strange lightning striking the huge Shadow overtaking Labrys days ago, "That was you?"
"I have other means of manipulating you. But what does your instinct tell you?" The imposter glared, "Am I an enemy, or an ally?"
"It tells me to make you earn my trust, imposter," Mitsuru warned.
He appeared visibly distressed, something new from the man. A few seconds of thinking return the light to his face, "I will let you rethink this offer. If you agreed, my mask will be unveiled before you then."
Something pulled her from the dream.
He watched the young leader disappear behind the portal, releasing his grip on the structure of the dream. Seconds later, Death slipped into the room like breaking through water tension, watching the entire conversation from beyond the false chamber.
"So you do like her," The newcomer brimmed behind his long scarf.
"Watch thou tongue, Thanatos," He faced the god of death, "Thy empress is stubborn. Honored attribute, but doubts gripped her relentlessly."
"But she can," Thanatos replied, "Until Minato Arisato return, Mitsuru Kirijo is the closest thing to a leader. Naoya Toudou elected her for reasons."
"Only thou Naoya Toudou returned as the steward."
"Of course, but we don't know where he is yet..." the god of death pressed a hand to his chest, "To be truthful, I have no objection in Kirijo being a leader, but I do admit we're going a little too fast. Why?"
He inhaled deep, "Emperor's shadow has returned to the sea, sent by the False Messiah."
Thanatos narrowed his eyes, "You mean Naoya's shadow self, Kazuya Toudou? What does this have to do with Kirijo?"
"Thy meant one thing; Nyarlathotep began to eye the loose end. Prime Anima and Animus must be eluded."
A hint of realization resurged on Death's face, "Oh no... Nyarlathotep knew the 'twins' won't work, so he'll come after the real one." He narrowed his eyes, "Mitsuru Kirijo is a bait to convince the enemy we found and protect the real Naoya. Otherwise, why would we pick another leader and abandon the real one? Thus, giving us more time to find Naoya first. You're using her!"
"Indeed," He felt no shame in his action, "We are done."
Thanatos said nothing more and remained silent. He made a quick bow but dared to probe another answer.
"I know you were there," Thanatos said, "I saw the vision. You modified Pandora's Box. You and Philemon imprisoned them, the thirteen Arcana released by Kirijo, including me."
The conversation was over. He veered away towards another exit.
"You knew who Karu Juugo is," He heard Thanatos speak behind him, "Am I wrong, Zeus?"
The lord of Valhalla paused his tracks. He glared at the god of death, dropping Takeharu Kirijo's disguise.
'Thou already know thy answer," The king of gods said.
Thanatos winced, for he was right.
Night – 1/12/2012(Saturday) – Raku Hotel, Tatsumi Port Island
(6 days before Strife's arrival)
"Mitsuru-san?"
Fuuka's voice dragged her back to reality. She hurriedly forced her attention on the screen.
"I was busy," She rubbed her forehead. A little too early for sleep.
"Yes, I know," The navigator reached to shut her laptop, but Mitsuru halt her hand. Fuuka sighed, "Was Katsuya-san too much trouble?"
"No, not him. I was..." Mitsuru bit her lips, attempted to change the topic, "How was that boy?"
"Well, I insisted I was busy when he begged for the training to start. He wanted a room with Pink Yukari, but I kicked him to another empty room," She grinned, "I must say, his persona is... fascinating."
"Not the same opinion you shared this morning," Mitsuru teased.
"He made the worst first impression," Fuuka answered, but her face was stern, "What's on your mind?"
'No fooling her...' Mitsuru cleared her throat, "Yamagishi, tomorrow Akihiko will bring two persona users from Yagakoro prefecture. Tatsuya promised a word from Masquerade, the rebel force opposing Takaya in Tokyo. Soon, Shadow Operative will have lots of connections, perhaps many recruits."
Fuuka narrowed her eyes in bafflement before widening them. Mitsuru didn't expect a chuckle. A servant entered the room with a coffee, probably Kikuno.
"You never about this stuff before," Fuuka said, "Just a few recruits. How bad can it be?"
"Please don't laugh," She regretted voicing it too soon, "Persona users are dangerous. What if one of them turns out like Sasaki? What if everyone in Japan came to me?"
"That's a little stretch, isn't it?" Fuuka accepted the coffee, gasped joyfully to see a few cupcakes readied next to it. Mitsuru politely took a bite, reminded of skipping her dinner again. She found herself nodding at the taste.
"I'm sure you can handle the entire country if you put your mind to it," Fuuka added, chewing another cupcake before drinking her coffee, "Wow, this is delicious! Thanks, Kikuno..."
They both turned to the servant and nearly dropped the plates on the working table. Katsuya Suou was wearing a pink apron, stains of flour on his hands. His cheeks went slightly red when being eyed upside down.
"It's the only one I found," The former police chief tugged the apron. Mitsuru and Fuuka stared at the cupcake, then back at him. Behind his dark sunglasses, Katsuya turned away, avoiding their stares.
"Being quarantined bored me. The kitchen was empty, so... A little service of my own," Katsuya pointed his thumb outside, "Don't worry, there are guards outside watching me."
"C'est Bien, that was... astonishingly good," Mitsuru nodded slightly.
"You could open a bakery," Fuuka said.
"My dream, actually," The ex-police confessed, "My father's unsolved cases years ago forced me to abandon the path of a pastry chef." He paused, "Forget it, it's a long story. What's this about persona users coming to you?"
Although annoyed at the sudden change of topic, she shared her anxiety with the man. He gave no obvious response at first. "You're not telling me enough, Kirijo-san. What prompt this thought?"
"I just want someone to tell me where to stop when my companions grow mass," Mitsuru gripped her arm, "Why am I like this?"
Katsuya's face grew hard, "My deduction? You're afraid; afraid of your responsibility, afraid of growing too big like your grandfather once did."
"Then it doesn't have to be me. Toudou, Nanjo, or even you would be better-"
"Exactly," Katsuya disrupted, "Yet here you are, leader of the Shadow Operative, spec ops founded for the sake of hunting Shadows. The first in... how many years since we knew of Shadows and Persona? Maybe the first, ever."
"Being a leader and commanding an army are two different things."
Katsuya burst into a laugh. The silent Fuuka, watching the scene, politely took her cup and share of cupcakes before leaving. Mitsuru narrowed her eyes dangerously when Katsuya peeked at Fuuka's departure.
"I overheard from Aigis you dreamt your father," Katsuya retained his composure after the laugh. Chill ran down her spine.
'How did he...' Mitsuru suppressed her shock with a scowl, "None of your concern."
"I think this 'father' of yours has motives," Katsuya nodded. "Using you. Doesn't change the point. You don't need an army, Kirijo, you need influence, charisma, and most importantly, reason. 'Why Kirijo?' Well, Nanjo is all about business, I'm in this mess. Tatsuya... I'm not sure he wants to lead right now. But you..."
He pointed at her, "In terms of authority, influence, and untarnished reputation, you ticked all the box. This 'father' of yours knew it."
"So I'm just a pawn. Then we shouldn't bother with Toudou from the start," She said sarcastically.
"Toudou already build his empire with Masquerade. You haven't."
Mitsuru widened her eyes, "Hold on, Toudou founded Masquerade?"
"My brother didn't tell you?" Katsuya frowned, "That fool. Anyway, you're the leader, you make the rules. Take it from a former police chief."
He left the cupcakes and coffee as he disappeared behind the door. The doubt, the confusion from earlier, seemed like a foolish notion now. Katsuya was snarkier than she thought. Her judgment.
"Fine, let's do it your way," Mitsuru mused, turning her eyes to the laptop screen. An email was sent to her an hour earlier, from an anonymous sender called "W".
"This...!"
Morning – 2/12/2012(Sunday) – Secret Hideout
(5 days before Strife's arrival)
"Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!" The entire escape plan fell apart when Nyarlathotep raised a kill order for him. There must be another path. Sho searched for another rumor and nearly slammed the keyboard when the line disconnected again. Choosing an abandoned factory near Sumaru was begging for a weak signal. No longer a progenitor of Limbo Recall, why should he be spared?
'All associate of the Revelation will be captured.'
'Kirijo arrested the former chief of Sumaru, Suou Devil?! Which side is Kirijo group?'
'Ace Detective fall from grace, attempt murder of town mayor.'
'Masquerade attacked another ward!'
"No better rumors for me?" The red-haired defector cursed, "Fine! I'll just escape by train, then-"
"Raghhh!" His captive growled again.
"Urgh, shut up, will you?!" He screamed, turning to the cage behind him.
In the small cage at the center of the factory, Inaba's mad detective was banging his head on the steel bar; eyes, nose and mouth, all were leaking blood. The vessel of Black rider groaned on the ground, clenching his chest in agony. Well, in a worst-case scenario, he had a valuable hostage.
Tohru Adachi was panting hard, sweats drenched his suit, "Hey, kiddo... I'm sick as hell. How about another dose of those?"
"Didn't you hear me, bastard? I'm no longer the progenitor."
"Like hell, you're not!" Adachi slammed the cage with his arm, but rapidly change his tone, "S-Sorry about that. We're partners, right? Won't you help me out? Oh crap..." Adachi groaned again, "If you don't help me, the prophecy's done. No more death, only madness."
"I don't care," Sho turned to the screen on his small laptop. When he detected a breach in the defense set around the area, he knew it was too late to escape.
"Bastard!" He threw the small laptop on the wall and immediately reached for his twin swords.
"What? What's going on?" Adachi asked.
"A force just surrounded us!" Sho lifted his jacket and began to bolt, but hesitation gripped him when he saw the mad detective.
"Hey, don't leave me here," Adachi gripped the steel bar, eyes glowed in yellow.
"...Damn it all," He sighed and rushed towards the cage, breaking the lock on it.
Dragging Adachi with his shoulder, Sho didn't make it through ten paces outside before being surrounded by ten armored soldiers, at the head was an officer he recognized as Kurosawa, Kirijo's underlings.
"Are you going to carry him all the way?" Kurosawa revealed a small dart gun and aimed at them, "Seeing as you barely rest since yesterday, I doubt you could go far."
"How the hell did you find me?" Sho glared. Impossible, no one should know his secret base. Did someone in Revelation spy on him?
"That's personal," Kurosawa pulled the trigger. Sho glanced at his shoulder and saw the tranquilizer dart. Before his vision went dark, he heard Kurosawa speak. "Can't take a risk with you, though."
Aigis
Morning - Kirijo's headquarter
"It is done," Aigis finished the conversation with Kurosawa and faced Mitsuru in her office, expecting the news to lighten her, "The intel was correct."
But the young leader's satisfactorily was only temporary, "Good, it seems our anonymous sender spoke true."
"Who could that be? Is there anyone with the first name 'W'?"
"Someone with the letter 'W' in their name..." Mitsuru pondered for a while before her interest was lost.
Aigis wondered if this sender might be the same person who sent the Second Verse to Kandori as described in the tape. No figure came to mind in matching the voice in the tape. But the new rumor this morning proved to be bigger trouble than the sender's identity. The young leader kept her left hand hidden beneath the table.
The monitor next to Mitsuru's seat made a tune. "Mitsuru-san, Nanjo is online," Aigis said, but she almost didn't hear her the first time.
"Mitsuru-san."
"Oh? Nanjo!" She quickly readjusted her seat and pressed the button on the monitor.
"If you need more rest, I can-"
"No, I need this call," Mitsuru insisted. Nanjo's face was equally paled, blinked into view. He barked a rasped laugh at the sight of Mitsuru.
"You look terrible, Kirijo," Nanjo commented.
"Good to see you too," Mitsuru replied, "Are your private residence safe from Takaya?"
"I was going to explain you can't drive there."
"Good," Mitsuru raised her left hand furiously, "Now, I need to affirm with you. Do you have-"
"Yes, I do," Nanjo cut her off and raised his left hand. A pair of matching white rings was emblemed on their ring fingers, "Trust me, our supposed engagement is the least of the ludicrous rumors spawning in days."
"The least?! I can't even take it off," She tried to pry the ring away unsuccessfully, "Where're your rumormongers? I was told she can sway the general public-"
"Calm down, Kirijo-san," Nanjo replied, "We're still not settling after what happened in Sumaru. If we rush our alliance, worse rumors will bloom in public. Understand? Good. Anything else?"
"Does Dark Hour reach there?" She kept her voice restrained, but frustration was still visible in her posture.
He shook his head, "Though it does around the border. Sonomura confirmed it last night." Nanjo rested his hands on his head. He was in a room, but the closed curtain made it dark to see the full view. That interior, was that a hotel? "To be truthful, we planned way too early. The contract doesn't finalize until the next two days."
"Of course, I understand."
"Scandals are guaranteed to emerge from this. So keep steady," Nanjo turned to something outside the screen, "Publicizing your arrest of Katsuya is a good move. Pro-Messiah will assume you weren't against them, but Anti-Messiah is unsure of your neutral stand. Still, the rumors will benefit the chief rather than staying fugitive. How was he?"
"Confined," Mitsuru bit her tongue, "It's not him I'm worried about."
"The detective prince?" Nanjo shook his head, "The enemy is definitely behind this. Right now, our alliance is the top priority."
"Such troublesome rumors, but..." She rubbed her forehead and she turned to another file, "Your email the other day; are you sure you requested three trucks of explosive to Mikage-Cho?"
"Absolutely."
"Which building do you want to bomb down?"
"A pyramid," Nanjo's eyes went sinisterly dark, "I know where they manufacture the Limbo Recall thanks to certain someone, but we have to do it fast."
"You better let me into details later," Mitsuru crossed her arms, "The antidote-"
"Yes, I have connections to manufacture it. You get thousands soon. Is that all? I need to go."
"We arrested Minazuki and Adachi a while ago."
It earned his attention, "Is there information regarding the Shadowmen in Tokyo?"
"The only device used by Minazuki was destroyed."
"A huge problem. Pull out anything you can about to it," Nanjo rested his chin on his palm, "Rumors of Shadowmen are getting bizarre every time I opened the net. If we don't stop them, these dark armies will gain personas. Mayuzumi can't stop these rumors herself."
"Unless we push for another rumor."
"True. But we still need a fail-safe countermeasure. I'm trying to contact Masquerade, the rebel force..."
Aigis and Mitsuru turned to each other in silence.
"What's with that look?" Nanjo growled, "Are you keeping an android army?"
"Not exactly, but I do have my own connections."
Nanjo raised his eyebrows and puffed out a chuckle. The two leaders reached for the off switch.
Mitsuru dropped her shoulder on her seat with a deep sigh once Nanjo disconnected. "Engagement with Nanjo? Let me fight Horseman instead."
"It might be inevitable," Aigis answered, "Rumors were getting more and more potent. If they know you're in Tokyo..."
"The cleansing is tomorrow," Mitsuru curved her eyebrows, "Shadowmen... Is this one of Karu Juugo's jokes about my grandfather? Seems we need an army after all."
"Too good to be true, Mitsuru-san." Aigis shifted her attention to the entrance of the office. In an adrenaline rush, she shouted, "Intruders!"
Mitsuru shared her view and gasped. A cat in uniform just stood on the front door, surveying both of them. Rows of badges glittered on his uniform like a general. Despite his regal stance, Aigis sensed no hostility from him.
"Pardon the intrusion," The cat spoke. Did she regain her communication with animals? "Rest assured, I did knock."
"Who are you?" Mitsuru asked. So he truly talked like a human.
"Lieutenant General Zula, commander of Ulthar Cat, one of Toudou's branches of the army. Igor sent for me because everyone else is cuffed with penalty yesterday," The cat bowed, "Mitsuru Kirijo has been summoned to the Velvet Room this instance."
Mitsuru pointed a finger at her face.
The cat nodded, "Just you. No time to explain, let's go."
Velvet Room
"I didn't expect this..." Mitsuru let her words trail off at the sight of a longed-nose man at the center of the room if it could be called as such without the walls barring the empty velvet space around her. Only Margaret greeted them upon entering, but the strange cuff around her wrists made her gesture unrefined. The cat Zula made a quick bow and walked towards Igor's left side.
"Good day to you, Mitsuru-san," Igor gave a slight bow, gesturing towards a small object on the table, It held the shape of a small bronze bell within a blue box, "My invitation today is of utmost importance. Your decision may change the tide of war."
Zula climbed the table and took the box towards her.
"What is this?" Mitsuru took the box but left the bell inside.
"A command," Igor answered, "Proof that you lead all ancient persona users throughout history. Proof of messiah's army."
She widened her eyes and understood his words, "Did you send that man to impersonate my father?"
He shook his head, "Naoya Toudou the emperor recommended you months ago, in the event he failed to find his real body by the time the prophecy began. The king's impersonation of your father was by his own choice."
"King? Ancient persona users?" Mitsuru caressed the bell, "Hold on, I need to process this. My army is a dead persona user from the past?"
"Reborn for this battle, but only if you agree to toll the Velvet Bell. Of course, all persona users within the world will be alert of the impending end and be prepared."
She had no words to give. "This... is more than I can handle."
"Don't worry. I'll provide my army and my advice," Lieutenant General raised a hand, "Although, there are still a few more processes to it."
She watched the bell in the box and finally pulled it out. "I hate making war."
"There's already war, we called him Azathoth." The cat rested a hand on his hip, "Well?"
The illusion of choice. She knew her path led her to this. What was there to think? Mitsuru shook the bell.
The small ringing sound from the object was followed by the loud booming sound. The suddenly glowing seven chairs in front of Igor flew out from their positions and scattered around the room, one of them nearly hit Zula. She pressed her hands to her ears, fallen to her knees.
She felt her body growing hotter and a new surge of powers flowing to her.
Mitsuru Kirijo
And then... silence. A strange quivering silence, the booming sound quenched by a low whistle hum fading in seconds. However, a strange new instinct began slipping into her mind.
She opened her eyes and ears to see the mark beneath the chairs' seat glowing with figures of trumpeters. The bell in her hand glowed bright blue, and she felt a strange power sip into her.
"What's going on?" Mitsuru regained her stance.
"You are free to begin," Margaret nodded, "The seven trumpeter chairs mark your army at Armageddon." She gestured again, "It had remained here, waiting for a commander."
"Which I will give to Naoya Toudou later," Mitsuru added. The attendant nodded again.
Lieutenant General Zula reached down to the chair nearby him and upright it. He sat on it, and it glowed brighter. One side of the bell in Mitsuru's hand formed a new pattern.
"Thus, I bear witness to your promotion, commander," Zula saluted, "You need to convince the rest of the army to join you. Tatsuya and Masquerade too," He pointed at the small bell, "They don't know yet."
"My team is already starting to recruit," Mitsuru answered, "I believe one of us has done so."
Clear Sky - Afternoon - Prison, Yagakoro Prefecture
Akihiko's first impression of Tetsuma Tsuge -dressed in tight police uniform and dark trousers- wasn't good enough to garnish trust. Supposedly reliable in his work, Tetsuma handled any evidence the usual cops failed to examine, though rumors of his perversive attitude towards female co-workers presented an issue for his promotion. Still, he knew his job extremely well, well enough to make a self-introduction in front of prison ground no less.
"Akihiko Sanada! Welcome to Yagakoro!" Tetsuma shook his hand vigorously, "Forgive me for calling you here, but you insisted on a quick introduction on her."
"An introduction to Genesis, actually," He glared, "But might as well bring two." Akihiko glanced at the entrance door. "She was inside?"
The policeman nodded, "This marked her third suspension in 6 months, though she was supposed to be freed next year."
"We got no time for that," Akihiko frowned, "What was her crime?"
"Shoot two high school students dead for beating a homeless man with a bat," The confession felt bitter on the policeman's tongue.
"An extreme one, brilliant... I'm surprised she only got suspension before this," Akihiko responded. Was this a good idea? The report he read this morning worried him.
"I-I mean, she was rather violent in her pursuit, but she was clever," Tetsuma stuttered in his defense of the cop, "In fact, she volunteered to prison time."
"An extremely violent, clever cop," Gripping the files in his suitcase and wiggling uncomfortably in this ridiculous black suit, what's else could make him look sillier? 'Right. Recruiting a corrupted cop. I'm starting to hate this.' "Let's meet our persona user."
They made their way into the heart of the building, where they waited for the prisoner to arrive.
"You're not a persona user, are you?" Akihiko asked as he waited.
"Nope," Tetsuma shook his head, "But I was part of the Shadow Experiment back in 1999, before the whole thing..." He gulped, "...blew up."
"Was it true that you designed Genesis-"
"Sousei." Tetsuma interrupted, "He has a name, a human name. Sousei Kurogami. Named after his true creator. Not many knew about his manufacture."
Akihiko narrowed his eyes, "A human name? So he never sleeps since the incident."
The policeman agreed, "The final Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon ever built, yet remains active for over a decade."
"Not a battle type."
"Unfortunately." Tetsuma paused when the door on the other side of the glass window opened. A lone, tall figure strode towards the chair.
Touko Aoi (Persona: Kushinada-Hime) was a deceptively alluring woman in the eyes. His instinct knew her unbroken confidence and attentiveness in her posture. Her eyes revealed age beyond her thirties, hands comfortably wiggling near her waist as if a phantom gun was there for her. Her long unkempt brown hair frayed behind her, yet her face and hands were curiously clean.
Akihiko knew then she was dangerous.
"Oh, you brought a new friend," Touko rested her chin on her arm and stared at him with a mischievous smile, "Hello there."
"Akihiko Sanada, of Kirijo Group," He introduced, "I heard about your potential and your innate skill."
Touko's expression faded to sternness, but her smirk lingered. She focused her eyes on Tetsuma, but he simply nodded. "Alright," Her tone shifted, "What does the famous Kirijo want with me?"
"Invitation to Shadow Operative," Akihiko lifted the suitcase on the desk and opened it, unveiling a sheet with Kirijo's seal, "An accord, if you, uh-"
"For freeing me?" Touko chuckled, but her eyes were cold, "I don't beg for freedom, and I don't regret the killing. Being a detective this long is a surprise for me."
"You were renowned in this city," Akihiko noted, "Youngest inspector in your department. Calculative, fast, professional; so much they overlook your killing. A necessary evil, they call it."
"Until one of those students turned out to be Yakuza's kid, and they were forced to take down those organizations when they fight back," Tetsuma added, "You've just landed on bad luck-"
"Tsuge-san," Touko sighed, "No condition, no money, influence, or mental stability should ever justify a crime. Still, some crimes go unpunished," She faced him, "A necessary evil, you say. But your voice shows your disagreement."
Akihiko gripped his fist hard, "I know corrupted people, like Takaya Sasaki, the self-proclaimed messiah of the world. I agreed law has its limit, but that's not an excuse you can use to commit murder," He showed the paper to her, "Yet here we are, trying to buy justice. That's what makes me pissed."
"As shown on the paper..." Tetsuma read, "If you assist Shadow Operative in fending the messiah Takaya Sasaki, your sentence will be shortened."
Touko read it attentively, "You don't like the idea of me walking free, yet you were desperate. Is Takaya a persona user?"
"Don't know the extent, but I think he's getting stronger, with an army," Akihiko responded impatiently, "Think of this as an atonement. Many lives can be saved by fighting the False Messiah."
Touko finally smiled, "An atonement. Pretty soft words, tough guy." She stood up, "You have my word, no-killing, no firearms, no harm to others. Only assist with the Masquerade, and that Suou Devil. I'm glad to keep my persona, thank you."
"Then we had a deal-" Akihiko felt chill, "I never said anything about no-killing and firearms."
"You will, in the next two minutes," Touko's smile broadened, "And in less than ten minutes, I will sign an agreement to be free tomorrow."
"How did you even know that?" Akihiko widened his eyes as he turned to Tetsuma. His casual expression told him the truth, "Your innate skill, precognition."
"Many things can happen in ten minutes. But Kushinada-hime makes sure to show me the most likely outcome," The detective stroked her long hair and turned away, "Buy me a warm coffee when I get out."
"Damn..." Akihiko turned to the policeman after she left, "Now that is a valuable skill. Oh?" His phone rang, "Excuse me... Yes?"
Mitsuru's voice was grim, "So?"
"Tomorrow morning, which means I won't be there-"
"Check the news, Akihiko," She sounded frustrated for some reason, "Takaya just made an official statement about tomorrow's cleansing. I think he made a few adjustments of his own."
"We already knew that from our insiders-"
"Akihiko."
He grumped, "Which channel?"
Shin Kanzato
Afternoon - Edogawa, Tokyo
Messiah shouldn't look like that. There's something unnerving about the way he looked at people and... the way he smiled on the screen. Shin glanced at his older brother, still gripping his hand amidst the crowd, and saw a speck of hope filling his expression. He wasn't the only one in the street to bear such a look.
"Tomorrow will be the first cleansing of mine," Takaya Sasaki pressed both palms on the large broadcast news stage, "But as you know, a rebel force calling themselves Masquerade are opposing me on every notion. Thus, I will be accompanied by a unit of my own as protection. These Stregas -named after my old cult- may present fear to you, but rest assured, they followed the true messiah.
The cleansing is operated by truck, where I'll be spreading my curing mist. There will be a set of paths my truck will take, between trucks manhandled by Stregas. Which means none of you have the opportunity to see me in person. Still, I'm eager to meet you all in Shibuya."
He heard his brother's cry amidst the moving citizens, devouring the space on the crowded street. Shin felt himself smaller than before, but Ryo's hands were tight.
"You hear that?" His brother faced him, "Tomorrow, Jun will be cured."
He said nothing.
"Why are you not at least happy?" Ryo frowned.
"Weren't rumors about Takaya-"
"Who cares about that?" Ryo scolded, "We need help, no matter how shady he is. Where else would we find help?"
"I heard Kirijo Group has a cure."
"Bah, not tested. Those rumors are nothing trustworthy," Ryo began pulling his hand again.
'You said you don't care about shady rumors?' He thought.
His brother pointed in one direction, "There. Wait at the stall for me while I draw some money. We're leaving for Shibuya tonight."
He left him in front of a small food stall, restraining himself to avoid the junk foods sold on his back. It was past noon, but the morning's mart bento was not enough to keep him full.
His eyes immediately focused on a strange card dropped on the ground in front of him. The owner with a tall build walked fast, holding a card box of overflowed cards.
"Sir! You dropped this!"
When the stranger with long red hair faced him holding the card, Shin nearly stumbled back in horror. The curious mask he wore resembled most of the rallies denoting Takaya around the city, but his mask... There's something eerily disturbing about the cracks in it. Was it real, or part of the pattern?
"Ah. You are..." The deep voice called out, a tone of recognition hinted. But he quickly shoved it aside and glanced at the box between his armpit, "Thank you. Show me the card."
Shin turned over the card and saw a figure with two hands holding a flame, a letter 'I' written on the lower side. The stranger took the card and examined it before reading Shin's expression.
"A Magician, good Arcana," The man crouched down and returned the card to him, "I believe the card is yours."
"Huh? What do you-"
"Take it, our encounter is no coincidence." He searched around after he took the card, "Are you alone?"
"Oh? No, my brother is withdrawing money at the bank over there."
"Would you like a company?" He said, pointing at the food stall, "I'll buy you some food."
"No thanks, I don't take food from strangers."
His stomach growled. Shin's face grew red as he turned away.
"I'll leave if you insist, but I swore as the Mask Breaker I will not harm a soul unless I had to."
Shin looked up, "The Mask Breaker?"
"We have a lot to talk about than you thought," The Mask Breaker continued as if ignoring him, "So?"
His stomach growled again, and Shin realized his brother will be a while in the bank. Defeated, he accepted his proposal and enjoyed some Dango stick, avoiding the thoughts of his enraged brother.
"Why are your name Mask Breaker?" Shin asked as he chewed down his food.
"Because I break mask," The Mask Breaker answered, "I destroyed the false persona of others and unveiled their true selves."
"Uh... Okay," He understood nothing, busily inspected the card, "This card-"
"Why are you here, boy?" The Mask Breaker returned a question.
"I'm going to meet the Messiah," Shin chose to be honest, "He can cure my brother."
"Sick?"
He nodded, "The Limbo Recall infected him months ago, and Jun was already weak as it is. But tomorrow, they said the messiah will go to Shibuya-"
"He's no messiah," The Mask Breaker crouched down to his eye level, "I'll do you one mercy. Don't go to the cleansing tomorrow at Shibuya. There will be a bloodbath."
Colors drained from Shin's face as he swallowed the last of the Dango. "What's going to happen there?"
"You don't want to know."
"T-Then, where should I go?"
"There was another company with an antidote. Do you hear the rumors?"
"Kirijo?" He widened his eyes.
"Go there. They're the safer option," The Mask Breaker stood up and left, without a single word.
"Shin!"
His brother's sour expression told a different story, "We have to cut some budget. Let's go home and-" He eyed the stick in his hand, "Did you just buy a snack with our lunch money?"
"No, some guy pays for it-" He palmed his mouth. Ryo glared furiously and tilted his eyes to his other hand, "Did they give you the card too?"
"It's a gift!" He hid it behind his back, "He gave it to me because I look bored and lonely, and..." His words trailed off as he avoided his brother's gaze.
Ryo narrowed his eyes before his face gradually softened. "Fine, but we're going now."
"Now?" Shin gasped.
"We need the front row. Come on, let's go home and pack your back." Ryo began walking, checking something on his phone.
"No, no!" Shin grabbed his brother's arms and reeled him back weakly. "We can't go there!"
"What? I told you nothing bad will happen!"
"We can go another day, but not tomorrow!"
"Shin! We're leaving!"
He didn't enjoy throwing a tantrum in the middle of crowded streets, but his hands were too weak to hold his brother back.
Matsuya Suou
Evening - Kirijo's headquarter
"I can't..." Matsuya felt his eyes twitching, eager to open.
"A moment..." He heard Fuuka's voice closing in on her. And all of a sudden, his persona activated. "What about now-"
"Yes! Yes! I can sense you!" Matsuya shouted.
"Alright, open your eyes."
Matsuya did as told and began grumping. Fuuka was merely a few feet away from him in the wide, pure white empty room. Multiple steel panels with roller wheels were cast aside for the last lesson today. The performance made him want to run into his room in shame.
"I see..." The analyzer jots down something on her notes, "Without direct vision, your detection ability ranged only three meters. With sight, your range extended to fifty-six meters; using binoculars increased only ten more; using bird-eye views from drones and CCTV does nothing." She grunted, "Notably... unbalance prospect."
"So I failed," Matsuya jumped from his chair.
"I never said that," Fuuka shook her head, "You do need more training. Now that you're done, let's head to the canteen and grab some food."
He nodded energetically.
Ten minutes later, Fuuka brought another set of paper to their eating table. Her eyes softened upon his face. Unexpectedly, the navigator wiped some sweat from his forehead.
"You can't spam persona all the time. It drains your mentally," Fuuka looked at the paper next to her, "Yet you still want to continue?"
"I want to get stronger fast," He responded as he chewed down his tuna sandwich, "I want to fight alongside my dad quickly."
There was sympathy in her eyes. "Alright, just a few more questions before we're done for the day. Are you ready?"
He nodded.
"Based on Mitsuru-san's information, you can 'create' weakness for the enemy. Is this correct?"
Matsuya nodded again proudly, "Not create, but change them."
"Elaborate the aspect."
"Elebo- Huh?"
"I mean, explain it to me."
"Oh! So, uh... It's like..." He put down his sandwich and began motioning his hands, "When we fought the Dark Youngs in my city, their status said they canceled all attacks and repel physical attacks. So, with a few minutes, I altered the states of the Dark Youngs to find an opening for a critical attack. Like, when you're fighting a boss in a video game, and sometimes you landed a hit-"
"Continue, Matsuya-kun."
"What I'm trying to say is; imagine focusing most of their power on all parts of their body except the heart. So what I did is make all of their stats repel the attack with heavier power, then make fire their weakness because everything else went to other stats."
"Focusing all strength to other parts to make the heart vulnerable," Fuuka chuckled, "That's incredible! You can make a weakness depending on which persona users with you."
"Uh... No, I mean," He stuttered, "I don't choose what change I made to them, just change it by chance."
Her smile faded, "So the alteration is random."
"But my skills are many! I can use many elements!"
"Only because you alter enemy's weakness," Fuuka pressed the tip of her pen on her chin, "I see... I understand now. Based on your report, I believe some aspect of your persona has been blocked by your mentality. Your psyche is too underdeveloped to make complex alterations to your power."
"Uh..." Adult sure loved using hard words.
Fuuka sighed, "You can't access your full power at your age."
"What?! No way!"
"Which means, what happened on Sumaru City is pure luck. Your power is too unstable for direct combat."
Matsuya felt his resolve fading by the minute, but Fuuka pressed a hand on his head.
"But don't worry!" She patted him, "You have potential, Matsuya-kun. In the hands of a talented navigator and a Wild Card user, your persona might be one of the deadliest ever."
He failed to hide his grin and returned to his sandwich. A strong stench robbed his appetite, however, at something on the lower floor, slowly ascending towards the canteen. Fuuka noticed his stares and made a small gesture. "Is the stench really strong?"
Matsuya nodded.
"Odd, I didn't sense it. Don't worry, Pink Yukari-chan is rather unique as a fleshed Shadow. Just avoid reaching for your persona."
"I thought you activate them all the time?"
"Remember what I said, using persona drains you mentally."
A while later, two figures walked into view. Pink Yukari, trailed by a maid (He forgot her name), entered the canteen area. Pink Argus's situation was similar to his mother's, but the full details still baffled him. No need to fear, a weird stench wasn't going to make him disinterested in his idol. Curious, it was hard to pinpoint where the stench originated from. But the area around Pink Yukari emanated such aura.
"Hello, you two!" Pink Yukari waved her hand, "Are you in training?"
"Finish for today," Fuuka checked, "I'm surprised Mitsuru-san let you out."
"Only if Kikuno-san followed me," She shrugged dramatically. So that's her name... "Did you hear? They caught Minazuki and Adachi this morning. Mitsuru is calling Inaba about them."
"I'm more concerned about Junpei and Labrys-chan. We've heard nothing since last night. Did the news about Naoto strike them hard?"
"Where is she, I wondered?" Pink Yukari tilted her head up in deep thoughts before she burst into cheers, "I'm sure they're fine! Anyway, Mitsuru is upstairs in her office. Should we-"
"I'm afraid the tour is over, Pink Takeba-san," Kikuno pulled her shoulder away from them.
"Now? You're the one who wanted to take me out here," Pink Yukari sighed.
"Only for fresh air."
"I supposed it can't be helped..." She sighed. The Pink Argus saw Matsuya's quiet stare and blew a kiss at him. "Did you enjoy the Featherman episode today?"
"I-It was good..." He avoided her stares, feeling his face growing hot at her gesture, a perfect mimic of Pink Argus's valiant and exotic pose on the screen today. The other Yukari cringed so hard watching today's episode, she haven't left her room since morning, insisting the actress wasn't 'her'.
The strong aura faded with their departure, but he didn't speak of it yet. Even his low sensory ability would not hide an extremely powerful presence in that building. But who? Where?
"Matsuya-kun, give me a moment," Fuuka left the table to answer a call from someone, "Hello? Yes, I'm with Matsuya."
Matsuya noticed colors drained from her face, "Ok. I'll be there." The analyzer rushed to his table, "Sorry, Matsuya-kun, but we need you home."
"What happened?" But Matsuya knew the question will be left unanswered.
"Don't worry, just private matter," Her weak smile wasn't reassuring.
Mitsuru Kirijo
Evening - Police Department, Tatsumi Port Island
"Where is it?" Mitsuru twitched in her chair as she continued glaring down on the prisoner, "Where's the progenitor?"
"I'm not telling sh*t," the red-haired fighter spitted on the ground next to him. One of the guards raised a baton, but she raised a hand towards him.
"I took you in because you're a responsibility of my grandfather's sin. But my mercy extends only so far-"
"How did you know where I am?" Sho cut her off, "Who sold me out? It's that professor, right? Throwing me aside because I'm no longer the progenitor. Or is it that delusional messiah-"
"Minazuki, I will not repeat myself," Mitsuru untangled her legs and leaned forwards, "Where is this girl, the progenitor before you?"
"How did you know about her?" He hissed, "Who told you?"
"Sho Minazuki, don't test me-"
"Screw you!" Sho kicked the chair towards her, but Mitsuru dodged backward in time to avoid the damage. Two guards hurriedly pressed him down on the interrogation table.
"Kurosawa."
The detective entered the room with a box of syringes. Sho eyed the objects in horror and began resisting. "No, not another of those! Put that thing away from me!"
"I'm sorry, but we can't risk your power controlling the officers here," Mitsuru packed her files and turned to Kurosawa, "Separate the jails between him and Adachi."
"Ryotaro Dojima just updated me," He whispered, "Junpei Iori just woke up."
She drew a long, grateful breath, "Thank you."
"And Shirogane is there."
"Is she..."
"Not waking up, just like Narukami and another one of his friends," Kurosawa's bitter eyes pierced her soul with a confession, "It's nightmare for those poor kids."
She forced a weak nod and nudged at the red-haired man, "Make it quick."
Mitsuru ignored the scream from Sho inside the room. White Yukari, or the real Yukari, peeked uncomfortably at the room from her seat as she stood.
"Is it true?" The archer sullenly checked her surrounding before she continued, "Did Yu Narukami almost die?"
"One of his party members was closer to death, but Iori saved him. Labrys is fine," She rubbed her forehead. Nothing but headache today. "Are they..."
"They're waiting at the limo," Yukari began pacing, with Mitsuru trailing behind.
The rest of the Shadow Operative, barring Pink Yukari and recovering Koromaru, crowded together in the limo. She was surprised at how well Ken Amada -the last to be informed of Inaba's circumstance- took the news. Despite giving no obvious comment, his serious gaze on each of them only deepened his grimace but refused to aim his frustration at them. Was she wrong to exclude him too much?
"I'll let on the good news first," Mitsuru began, "Akihiko successfully recruited Touko Aoi and Genesis into our team."
Aigis was the only one who smiled, "I can't wait to meet my brother."
The rest of them took it listlessly. Ken was the first to speak. "The bad news?"
"I'm sure you have heard from Yamagishi," She studied their faces, "But I want you to keep it calm. Akihiko didn't take it well, so I hope you will."
"Go ahead," Fuuka nodded.
"The Investigation Team..." She took a deeper sigh and tilted her head backward, suddenly feeling a hard burden pressing on her. A hand squeezed hers from her left. Yukari's grip made her aware of her trembling hands. She patted her friend's hand and answered.
"The Investigation Team marched a full rescue mission to save Marie, the sacrifice for the Black rider, today with Iori and Labrys. They entered the TV world before noon. Two hours ago, the ambulance sent all members, including Iori, to the hospital after Tatsuya made the call in front of Junes supermarket. Labrys was the only one with the able condition. Just now, Junpei opened his eyes, but Yu Narukami, Kanji Tatsumi, and Naoto Shirogane had not regained consciousness."
"Labrys is alright?" Aigis leaned forward.
"They found Naoto?" Yukari gasped.
"She was taken to the TV world, possessed by unknown Shadow," Fuuka added, "And-"
"So who's watching them?" Ken interrupted.
"Tatsuya-san, but only until tomorrow," Mitsuru flipped open her phone and typed something, "He planned on heading to Tokyo on Tuesday."
"So no one to monitor the enemy?" Yukari rested her head back into the cushion.
"The Investigation Team is out for now," Mitsuru continued typing her phone, "Fortunately, Tatsuya-san shared some interesting news. Remembered the Beast brothers I told you?"
"The one who attacked Junpei," Aigis nodded.
"They're leaving Inaba tomorrow morning, taking with them Namatame to Tokyo's hospital," Mitsuru clicked send button. All the phones in the limo rang. They read the details and narrowed their eyes. Mitsuru continued, "The Investigation Team is as safe as possible from their threats, but we only have a few days left."
She allowed them a moment to digest the mission she provided to them. White Yukari was the most shocked at the tasks.
"The other me is allowed on a mission?!" Yukari shook her head in betrayal.
"And you're going with her," Mitsuru made a quick nod.
"Mitsuru-san, these missions need a lot more than your company can provide," Aigis commented.
"Mitsuru-san," Fuuka focused her eyes on her, and Mitsuru knew she picked on faster than the rest, "You have made contact with Masquerade, did you?"
A satisfying hope glowed on their face when she chuckled.
"Who's their leader?" Ken raised his phone and read.
"Their former leader is with Tatsuya at this moment."
"Former leader?" Yukari furrowed her eyebrows, "Then who's the current leader?"
Mitsuru crossed her arms together and stared, speaking nothing. This time, their gasps were the loudest.
Velvet Room
"And thus, I renounce my title as the leader of Masquerade, promoting Mitsuru Kirijo as my successor," Kazumi posed with a framed picture of Mitsuru in front of the camera, sitting on a glowing chair picked from the floor. Lieutenant General Zula made another sign before he snapped the last pic and ended the video.
"Cut!" Zula shut off the camera, "Wear something nicer, dear Collector."
"This is Masquerade uniform," He flipped the black outfit with gold outline again.
"Masquerade has no uniform."
"It does now, and tonight, the empress Kirijo will wear it like a queen."
"Please take this seriously," Zula hissed, "We still need 5 more witnesses."
The Mask Collector examined the fallen chairs and shrugged, "We can just pick those we knew, like Tatsuya-san and Aigis. What about Nanjo? He should be included." Kazumi dragged his chair away, "I'm taking this back. No stealing."
Igor and Margaret watched the whole thing without a word, though their eyes flickered between them until the Mask Collector exited the door. With the script finished, the lieutenant cat dropped his charade and faced Igor with empathized eyes.
"Zeus picked her? You jest," Zula shook his head, "If this is what I think it is, it's a massive gamble."
"Indeed, Lieutenant," Igor answered.
Zula watched him and Margaret with a curious glare.
"What happened?" Zula rested on his witness chair and waited.
"One of the Men of prophecy nearly fallen today," Igor shifted the Arcana deck on his table, "His Wild Card is in shambles. We must push the rest of them forward as soon as possible."
"Oh..." The cat's expression softened, "One man missing, one out of commission, one is still sleeping, which leave..."
"Tatsuya must guide them in their path."
"If you told me such a year ago, I would have believed you," Zula sank into his chair, "Now, I wondered if the soul fuse was a mistake."
"Soul Fuse with your separated self should prove no lasting harm," Margaret answered.
"This is different," Zula objected, "He still saw them. Those visions. In exchange for Azathoth's power, he suffered his other self's trauma." The cat's eyes grew sharp, "Like Xibalba Lisa, his dead child never goes away. Soon, those traumas will consume him, making him dangerous.
"Do you know why they call him the Destroyer? Tatsuya doesn't break bones or face or beat demons. He destroys souls, Igor. Like Abaddon, the only angel whose duty mirroring a demon, the angel of the abyss. That's Tatsuya."
"The Sun fight with us," Igor insisted.
"But I fear him, Igor. And I fear for him. But no one fears him more than himself," The lieutenant left his chair and prepared a trip to his base, "Rihito just issue an assault tomorrow, to False Messiah. Take it as you will."
A while later, Igor dismissed Margaret for some solitary, his nigh-omniscient mind severely blocked by the Nuclear Chaos power. Lost in a dark, a puppet with no string.
Igor left the room and shifted to another area, the landscape overturned to a hidden chamber, where mirrors of different shapes and frames filled the walls and ceilings. Each mirror sparked small electricity. At the center of the room was a familiar figure.
"Igor." The man in white sparks spoke without turning to him.
"Mitsuru Kirijo will make a public message to all persona users during Dark Hour tonight."
Zeus made no motion when he spoke, "Zula is thy second-in-command."
"It shall be done."
The king of gods pointed in one mirror, "And thou challenge flood more..."
He trailed the movement in the mirror and waited.
One figure leaped out of the mirror, breaking the surface like a water tension. The young figure lay on the ground, shivering in desperation.
"We truly need our new master soon..." Igor clarified as they both closed on the young figure. "What should we do?"
"Send thee user to Morpheus Prison," Zeus commanded, "Run! This one must preserve!"
Mitsuru Kirijo
Dark Hour - Velvet Room
"What do I say?" Mitsuru turned to Margaret who handed her the standing microphone. A large camera stood in front of her, operated by Zula himself. The young leader herself dressed in a deep Velvet attire provided by the master of the room.
"Anything suits your need," Margaret position the mic, but her cuffed hands made it difficult.
"Why are you cuff-"
"Do not ask of that, Mitsuru-san," Margaret's eyes flared only for a moment.
"Suit yourself," Mitsuru took the mic and breathed in, "I'm ready."
Margaret faced the cat and nodded. Zuka tapped something on the camera, and the space around the room began to spin.
The large curtain around the room spread open. The members of Shadow Operative with her tonight stood watching eagerly.
"You can do it, Mitsuru-san!" Aigis shouted.
"I honestly can't believe what will happen," Ken surveyed the small studio beginning to shape around them, "Every persona user will listen to this?"
"Whenever you ready, toll the Velvet Bell," Zula raised a hand.
Mitsuru revised her posture and raised the Velvet Bell high with her arm.
She rang it hard.
Ring!
"To all persona users listening to my voice. I am Mitsuru Kirijo, leader of Shadow Operative and the Masquerade. Know that Takaya Sasaki is not your savior, for he is the one who plagued this world with Limbo Recall. He is the False Messiah, and he will lead everyone astray, blind as a sheep.
"We are fighting a war, a war we may or may not win. We face a threat greater than any of us could imagine. But united, we can achieve the impossible. We have the true cure, we have the truth. I don't want your faith, nor your lives. All I want is for you to realize you have a chance to fight this war, liberate the mass from the illusions Takaya has shown to you. I understand if you refuse, but we gladly accept any who will help. The world needs you.
"Two years ago, a boy saved the world because he believed the world deserved redemption, a chance for a life without fear and falsehood. Takaya Sasaki is destroying that chance he gave us. So I want to protect that chance, and I want you to do the same."
Dark Hour - Prison, Tatsumi Port Island
"What is she talking about?" Adachi called out from the next cell, "Was there a progenitor before you?"
"Shut up," He cursed, rubbing the spot on his neck where the drug was injected into him. The prison cell was too small, but Sho was thankful for the thick blanket.
"Fine, but if they try drilling those questions into you tomorrow, I won't give my support."
"I don't give a crap."
There long silence of Dark Hour settled on them. Alone, he wondered if there was a better outcome if he didn't make contact with the Crawling Chaos months ago.
"Her name was Mira." He relented to the question.
"What was that?" Adachi's cell made a shuffling sound, trailed by a banging sound on the wall.
"The progenitor before me, the beast with Silver Mask called her Mira," Sho upright his posture on the bed and leaned on the wall, "A friend of a sort, he said."
"What happened to her?"
"Don't know. Once they found me, Revelation transfer the parasite to me. And I never saw her again. She looks my age, oranged hair, petite. We met only once during the transfer, and she smile at me."
"Damn. So Kirijo wants her."
"Don't know, maybe she's dead. The bigger question is who told the young Kirijo about her. Only that professor and Takaya could have spilled the bean."
No response from the other side. Sho snickered and went to bed. Until Adachi spoke again.
"Did you hear that?"
Sho halt his breath and listened. Someone has approached their corridor in the Dark Hour. Has the False Messiah sent someone to finish him? Sho cursed as the visitor stopped in front of his prison bar.
"Found you, you fool."
"Who send you?" Sho pressed his back to the wall and watched the female's voice unlocking the door.
His eyes went wide at the familiar woman stepping into his prison, a large shock baton in her hand.
"No one, just me and you," The one he recognized as Babylon smirked, "I'm going to enjoy beating the crap out of you, bastard."
"Serizawa!" Sho screamed as the first swing of her baton struck him in the head.
A/N: Sorry for the late update. It's hard to find some spare time writing now. But I'll keep posting, though I can't promise a faster update.
Mitsuru Kirijo took command of Masquerade, and Shadow Operative recruit two new members. What is Zeus's secret about the figure landing in his chamber? Who is this progenitor? The next chapter will return to the fallen Investigation Team.
Please wait for the slow update.