Strife Arc:
Chapter 74: Reborn from Reed
"Report #32:
"The Subject is asleep half an hour ago. The extraction proved impossible. Gate to Limbo shut again. Permission to let Mira leave the confinement for a breather was denied again by professor Juugo. The Behemoth's condition is stable. Entering the final stage of Shadow materialized form.
I have decided, against the order of both Juugo and my brother, to release Mira to the Sea of Soul. There is no need to recall her. When the final seal is opened, the trumpeter will sound the judgment. Besides, something beckoned the young messenger in one direction. I believe Kirijo is a part of it. Will make another investigation.
-Ame Hitoshi
P.S: The lumps of Shadow wastage we store in the TV World went missing. How did Umashi miss that?"
Late Night – 2/12/2012(Sunday) – Nakatsukuni
(5 days before Strife's arrival)
Teddie yawned after waking from the deepest sleep ever woke up from (at least he assumed so). Mild recollection shifted into abrupt panic, images of being drowned vividly plastered on his mind. But he was alive, his flattened bear costume being blown cautiously by the gentle wind blowing from his right, crackles of bonfire erupting to his left. His suit had long dried beneath the night sky.
"You are awake."
He overheard a familiar crooked voice on the other side of the bonfire. Struggling, the bear compressed his power into his suit and regenerated. His body expanded to full size, though some waterdrop still sticking on his back. He faced his body away from the voice, ashamed, "I-I'm fine!"
"You want some food? I plucked some mushroom a while earlier," Tengu said.
"What time is it? How many days? Did I sleep without an alarm?" He snuffed, "No! My perfect attendance! Old Yosuke will mourn my loss!"
"It's only 7 hours since we escaped Yomi," Tengu answered.
"Oh..."
"Your friends are okay, they left escaped. But I brought you here to recover," He heard the bird chuckle, "We'll leave tomorrow. Come here."
"Ugh..." He grunted, closing his ears.
"Uhm! The mushroom's good!"
"I don't eat! I'm special!" Teddie still refused to see the bird, "Shadow doesn't eat!"
"But Shadow does eat, they eat a lot," Tengu's voice sounded joyful, "We could never escape humanity's nature. They are our birth and our end."
"I know I didn't have human parents!"
"I was being symbolic," Tengu made his first annoyance, satisfying Teddie.
"Why save me?" Teddie asked.
The was a long pause from the sudden question.
"Should I not?" Tengu finally spoke.
"I was being mean. I don't need your help, but you..." He rubbed his head, "Urgh! Why do you have to be cooler?! My team, we'll never be the same!"
"Yuki-nee is my friend. Any friend of Yuki-nee is my friend. But you are not their friends, you are family."
Teddie grunted, "They already have you now. Better, more popular-"
"Your human form, that's your bond with them. Replace you? Haha! I'm a visitor! Why should it change?"
He had no words or argument for it. Slowly, he stood up, still refusing to look at the bird. He unsealed only one confession from his mouth. "Thank you."
"Huh?" Tengu voiced out in his terrible crooked voice. How dare he interrupt his awesome confession?
"Grrr..." Teddie stood up and jumped to face the bird, "I said I-"
All words and thoughts killed in his mouth at the sight before him. Too stunned to speak, too paralyzed to hide, too shocked to comprehend the revelation. A flattened costume of a bird was hung on the branch not far from them. A few wooden sticks with mushroom was cooked near the fire.
Standing near the pyre was a young girl with oranged-curly hair, without a single fabric on her. Her eyes were pure sparkling grey, but her face felt oddly old despite appearing so young. In her right hand was one of the mushroom sticks freshly grilled.
And she was beautiful beyond words. And naked. And-
"Teddie? Ah, is my human form ugly?"
Her terrible crooked voice broke the illusion immediately. Whatever enemy nearby would hear his scream.
"T-T-T-T-T-TENGU?!" He pressed both hands on his eyes and turned backward, "I DON'T LOOK! DON'T SEE ANYTHING!"
"What's wrong? Are you not like this when you attain a human form?"
"B-B-BUT... YOU'RE A GIRL!"
"You didn't notice? Huh..." Why did she sound satisfied?
Teddie paused, dared for another peek. Tengu's faced away from him as she rubbed the bird suit and grunted, a faint pattern was reflected by the bonfire's light on her bareback.
A small pair of angelic wings.
A quick peek turned to full focus view, astonished. Since when did she seem so... otherworldly? The being was not human. No, she wasn't even an ordinary Shadow.
Teddie suddenly felt weak and bounced to the ground. "Tengu-chan, I still need more energy."
"The mushroom's clean," Tengu handed one stick, "Now that I saved your life, will you do something in return?"
"Anything...!" Her words barely entered his ears as he gobbled the hot mushroom.
"Will you keep a secret?" She crouched down and placed one finger on her lips, "About my human form?"
Teddie said nothing as he picked the second mushroom stick. But deep inside, he was partly curious. What was she hiding from? He glanced at the girl, still naked, and saw her flat eyes waiting.
"I'll never break a promise to my friend."
She giggled, "Friend."
Teddie stayed his hand. Resting the stick near the bonfire, he unlocked his bear suit and stepped out of it, lending the dried costume to her. She wrapped it around herself, and Teddie felt the strangest kinship he had ever bonded with.
Yu Narukami
Clear Sky - Morning – 3/12/2012(Monday) – Hospital, Inaba
(4 days before Strife's arrival)
The most frightening moment of waking up was the desperation of searching forgotten memories within his mind, shuffling for his name, his identity, and his desire to comprehend the incident leading to his predicament. All of it began with the first question: 'Where am I?', followed by: 'What happened?' Yet the nightmare gripped him still with the third question: 'Who am I?'
Sunlight blinded him as his vision stabilized to the scenery of the hospital room, morning light dampened by the light pink curtain. His body jolted with sudden ache, but he forced his head upward. A familiar man was reading something on the chair to his left, his eyes wearied with dark spots. He searched within his memories and realized he recognized this detective. He is a family, he is his uncle. Ryotaro Dojima.
And his name, his name is...
"Yu Narukami," He whispered.
The man glanced up from his files, eyes widened with wonder. He tossed aside his file and jumped from his seat. "Yu, can you hear me?!" He screamed to the door, "Doctor, he's awake! Where's the damn guy?! Hey!" He ran to the door, his voice echoed to the outside corridor.
A moment later, a doctor and nurse rushed into the room, uncle Dojima trailing behind. A moment later, a pair of teenagers, his friends, squeezed into the room, teary eyes and exhaustions visible on their faces. The younger girl was the first to cry at his sight.
"You guys..."
"Yu-senpai!" The girl he remembered as Rise leaped on his bed, which earned a scold from the nurse attending him.
"You've been sleeping for the whole day!" The other girl, Chie, exclaimed.
The doctor pulled his head to his side and pinched open his eyes. "He's still in shock, a heavy trauma," The doctor spoke, "Do you know who this man is?" He gestured to his uncle.
"Uh... Ryotaro Dojima, uh..." He inhaled, clenched the doctor's hand.
A vision flashed.
"Carry this man!" The doctor screamed. A group of high school students, his friends, follow the trolley in the hospital hallway.
"He's not breathing!" The nurse cried.
"Pump more oxygen!" The doctor screamed again. From the corner of the scene, he swore a man from his memory, a small red-hilt dagger jotting beneath his white jacket.
"Hello?" The doctor spoke, "Are you with us?"
The vision ended, returning him to his bed. Was that the doctor's memories? "Oh, what was I..."
"Slowly now," The doctor pointed, "Who is he? Who are they?"
"Ummm..." He gulped, "Yes, he's my uncle. They are my... my friend."
"What happened to him?" Rise asked.
"For a split second, he didn't recognize you; one of the signs of sudden amnesia. But his mind is slowly recovering, he needs lots of rest," The doctor released him, "Do you know what happen to you?"
Yu hesitated before Chie interrupted.
"It's hard to explain to them, but not to me," She ran to his seat, pushing away the nurse. Her whisper was soft, "Yu, we escaped from Yomi. We lost."
Slowly, the battles in the underworld resurfaced within his mind. Breathe quickened, he tried flipping aside his blanket, "Marie, where-"
"Rest" Rise held a hand, "We'll explain everything later."
"Doctor, give me a moment with them," Dojima took the doctor and nurse to the doorsteps before ushering them out. He returned a while later, faces red with nerve.
"Your friends have been tight lips about everything during their interrogations last night, but I bailed them out because I want to hear it from your mouth," Dojima roared, "You told me not to do anything rash, but you're half dead last night! They trolled your body from Junes!"
Yu didn't react, he felt as lost as him. The girls provided no hints of his predicament.
"This is about the TV world you're telling me about, isn't it?" Dojima continued, "I don't want to know what the hell you kids do in there because I thought you're taking care of yourself! But this time..." He palmed his face, "I told Nanako you're at a friend's house. How do I break it to her, Yu? She's already been through enough."
He noticed Chie started crying, "Dojima-san, it wasn't supposed to be like this."
"But it did," The grief was deep in Dojima's voice despite no tear. His eyes were directly on him, "You died a few seconds after midnight. How did you think I feel? My stupid nephew almost died without a farewell to his family."
"Uncle, I'm sorry," He spoke, but numbness still bind his voice.
"No, I don't want you to be sorry," Dojima shook his head, "In a couple of days, your mother will pick you home. I'll drag you to station myself."
Chie and Rise gasped, "But-"
"No excuse!" He roared, "No more TV world for you."
Dojima stormed out of the room, leaving the three in total disarray.
"Did we save Marie?" Yu broke the silence.
"Yu, we..." Chie clenched her fist.
"Tell me it's worth it."
"It's not easy," Rise faced rested a hand on his, "We... kinda succeeded."
He inhaled deeply at the vague answer, "Did we bring her home? Yes or no? Chie?"
"It's not... We did save her, but..."
Chie's word trailed off by someone opening the door. Rise didn't even peek before she nodded, "That her, the one we saved yesterday. That's 'Marie'."
A figure entered from the right curtain, and Yu understood. The hand he gripped that moment was the wrong hand.
"Izanami..."
"Hello, Wild Card," The woman snickered, "No, Wild Card no more."
Izanami, in her human form, stood at the end of his bed. She didn't change much from the last time he saw her. Without the voice and Shinto white attire, he would only see the gas station attendant, the beginning of his journey.
Was this the beginning of another journey?
"The hand you grasped that moment, it was firm," Izanami bowed, "Even with our mind lost in the darkness, we heard your voice. Unfortunately, the hand reaching out to you is not the one you seek."
Yu dropped his head on his pillow, accepting the defeat as Izanami continued.
"Wrong hand," Izanami revealed her pale smooth hand from her garb, "The drug impaled to my body -the one you referred to as Limbo Recall- rendered me immobilized, locked in this form indefinitely. My flesh bleeds here, Children of Men, and I have no power. A most curious incident."
"We don't know what to do with her," Chie added.
"When we found you, you wouldn't let go of her hand, even while unconscious," Rise explained, "Your uncle is suspicious of her, but Tatsuya-san cleared the rumors, saying she was a witness and nothing more."
He focused on her, "Tatsuya-san is here?"
"With another stranger, a very powerful persona user."
Yu felt his patience slipping, "Where's everyone else?"
Labrys
Clear Sky - Morning – Food Court, Junes
No word left Labrys mouth as she saw Yosuke and Yukiko finally resting their faces on the diner table, faces weary beyond anything she saw. The brutal interrogation last night left them drained, but she should've stopped them from searching.
"Sorry," Labrys spoke.
"Why? Not like you did anything wrong," Yukiko answered without lifting her head.
"That trophy you gave to police yesterday-"
"Busted," Yukiko waved her arm, "They said it was just a cheap product, nothing important."
Failing to probe further response from them, Labrys turned to the giant tree branching over the food court. It's been four hours since Junpei slept on the giant tree branch, bed of flowers withered around him. Most of his all wounds had recovered, but sometimes not all things could be cured, a downside of having a flesh. Junpei's passive skill was in itself a blessing.
"Junpei-san!" Labrys called out, "What should we do?"
The batter's head steered beneath his cap. He let out a deep grunt, "They want to find them, so let them."
"But they're injured!"
"Even if they're half dead, you won't change their mind," Junpei lifted his cap and peeked one eye to the side at them, "You would do the same."
"Yeah, but-"
She turned to the sound of tapping on the table. The haggard Yosuke stood up from his seat, lifeless eyes darted to the exit. "Guys," He spoke, "I'm going back inside."
"No!" Labrys hurriedly stopped him in his track and blocked his path, "Yomi is no more. You can't go there-"
"Teddie and Tengu are still inside!" Yosuke shouted, "I can't leave them there- Sorry..." Yosuke shook his head, but he began dodging to the side, "I need to go- Woah!"
"You're not going anywhere!" Labrys locked her arms around the man's waist and lifted him above the ground. She heard the innkeeper gasp behind her.
"Put me down, Labrys, or I'll angry!"
She shook her head until Yukiko grabbed Labrys's arm.
"Put him down. He's going to yelp even harder," Yukiko shook her head, thankful nobody was around to see.
"You're making me look like an idiot!" He screamed, "We looked everywhere! They must be inside the TV! I'm not abandoning them!"
"NO!" Labrys strengthened her grip, "If you go, I'll be sad! I don't want to lose you too!"
She ceased her grip, realizing he had stopped ranting. Slowly, she rested him on his feet, with Yukiko adjusting his sleeves.
"They'll make it," Yukiko nodded, "I believe that."
Yosuke faced her, faced on verge of breaking down. Unexpectedly, he dropped his head into her shoulder, weeping. Labrys did what any friend should do; comfort him.
"Teddie..." Yosuke cried, "He just wanted my attention. I should have... I abandoned..."
"We'll find him and Tengu, okay?" Labrys stroke his head.
"Woo... Yosuke got himself a girlfriend!" A voice teased from afar.
"Be careful of the Kansai machine!" Another voice added.
"Urgh! Shut up, Teddie!" Yosuke growled, "This is all your-"
Everyone turned to the two mascots exiting the elevator, carrying some snacks from the stores below. Their suits battered in dirt and odor, but it seemed convincing to believe they're just returned from a trip instead.
"Holy hell..." Junpei leaped from the tree and landed on the floor, eyes budging like the rest of them. Labrys couldn't read Yosuke's expression at the time.
"Hmmm? Why is everyone looking at us? Aww, you miss us cute pair?" Teddie swallowed another candy and posed with the bird. His face paled as Yosuke dashed towards him, "Yosuke-chan, why do you look like you just lost another nurse magazine- AHH!"
Yosuke punched the bear in the face, making him bounce to the back. His teary eyes glared with rage, "I was busy crying for you, and you're down the floor buying candies! You insufferable little beast!"
"Tengu!" Yukiko rushed towards the bird, "How are you alive?"
"Yuki-nee, forgive me for worrying you!" Tengu hugged her. Labrys' sharp eyes noted the missing padlock on the bird's zipper. His presence, it's changing...
'The same aura when the portal from Yomi opened. The one Tatsuya-san insisted he didn't conjure.'
"Well, it all ends well here," Junpei removed his jacket on his waist and wore it, suddenly shivering with chill, "At least with them."
"What will they do without their leader?" Labrys wondered, pointing a finger at Yosuke and Teddie, "And why is he beating him? Aren't they friends?"
"Uh..." Junpei scratched his head, "It's hard to explain- Woah!"
Teddie ran towards them and gasped, "You're both alive! Was it only Yu sensei and Kanji-kun?" He rasped, "I wish I was more useful!"
"Get back here!" Yosuke continued the chase, letting the chaos provide, even temporarily, a solace after the dark fate befalling Kanji and Yu. For the first time since their return, Yosuke twerked a small joy. A comforting sight to her. Their eyes met, yet the man curiously turned away, face slightly red.
"Guys!"
They all turned to the excited Yukiko, holding a phone up, "Yu just woke up a while ago!"
Naoto Shirogane
Hospital, Inaba
"I told you everything," She attempted to cross her arms together, but one of her wrists was cuffed to the bed, "And I will not speak another word until I get a proper lawyer."
"You don't have that privilege, Shirogane-san," The fat detective made another tour around her bed, "Even if you insisted you're kidnapped, the fact you were there at the crime scene does not change."
"With only one witness," Naoto growled, harshly stroking her long white hair; the most annoying part of it, "Not to mention the unreliable perception making it seem I was shooting."
"But you're still missing-"
"A lawyer, please," Naoto cut in, "And I want to see my friends."
"One of them with bullet holes," The reporter besides the detective sneered, "Was that your gun too?"
"Hey!" A shout came from the outside. Ryotaro Dojima barged into the ward, fury still hot on his expression, "You can't implode my interrogation with her."
"We're taking over the investigation-" The fat detective retaliated, but Dojima dragged his face to his inches away.
"No, you'll leave my case or I'll cut you off myself. GET OUT."
"We're arresting this criminal, like it or not," The fat detective bragged before voluntarily leaving the ward with his reporter. Dojima remained silent in the room, but his eyes flickered at her long hair.
"What happened to those?" Dojima pointed at her hair.
"I don't know. I think it's Marie Antoinette Syndrome, where extreme pressure and anxiety change your hair to white," She stroked it again, "Though I had no idea how it got this long."
"My nephew woke up."
Naoto froze. Without making eye contact, she begged another status. "And Kanji-kun?"
"Still asleep."
"You mean coma," She observed her shuddering hands, "Oh, god... I didn't mean to."
"So you admitted about Namatame-"
"No! It was Kanji-kun! I was-" She paused, "I remembered he asked for me. He was trying to- But my body..." She clenched her head, "Kanji-kun, I'm sorry..."
Thankfully, Dojima waited for her to finish. She wiped her tears and nodded towards him.
"If you didn't do it, then who?" He taunted a question.
"You won't believe me."
"True," He nodded, "Not as it matters anyway. Namatame is being sent to Tokyo for further medical. But the witness is here-"
"Namatame going to Tokyo? Who approved this?"
"The Hitoshi," Dojima frowned and shifted his head, "Your eyes just twitched. Is there something about them?"
Naoto kept her secret close and shook her head, "Can I see Kanji-kun?"
"Nobody is supposed to talk to you," He turned away, "But I'll try to convince them to let your friends visit."
"Thanks." She nodded.
Tatsuya Suou
Clear Sky - Morning – Abandoned Church
Yosuke Hanamura left too many details about the place. There was no way anyone would forget this kind of building. It was a decoy, made to distract from the true location. Within the collective unconsciousness.
But the church was long abandoned, its lone prisoner freed for years. Yet there was love in the structure to resist destruction from the hands of the maker, something unexpected from his research of the Hitoshi brothers.
He examined the Contact Card in his hand and sighed, the corner peeled apart, revealing another layer beneath it. What a mess of a situation. It was fortunate enough Junpei had a powerful passive recovery skill, though why he insisted on being carried to a tree branch didn't interest him.
But Naoto Shirogane and Kanji Tatsumi must not continue. Finally, regarding his fellow man of prophecy, he must withdraw from the fight, until the last moment.
Tatsuya shifted his attention to the staircase behind him, sensing a newcomer ascending the stairs. The man with the silver mask stopped a few steps before the top, cranking his head upward.
Tatsuya felt snickering malice behind it when he spoke, "When I first heard of Destroyer from Kujou, I had my suspicions about his identity. Then I sent someone to watch over you for a week. After a time, I believed you can't be in two places at once."
"Until yesterday."
He shook his head, "Until you reappeared in a white suit. Turns out Chronos is a player in this too."
"Behemoth, Beast of the Earth," Tatsuya faced his body towards the assassin and glared, "I will make a simple deduction and believe Naoto was just a distraction, a happenstance to your true objective. Though I lacked information about the mayor."
"We will ensure Taro Namatame is safe," Behemoth revealed a small camera from behind him, "My condolence about the detective prince. I assure you we'll clear her name once all of this is settled."
"Imprinted her with your beast mark warrants more than condolence, bastard."
"Like a said, she's a bait. Nothing personal," Behemoth aimed the lens on him.
Tatsuya flashed out a small black magnum gun and shoot the camera away. The Beast dodged aside as the camera flung out of his grip. His growl was harsh, "Saying no would be easier."
"I don't trust Shadow like you," Tatsuya aimed his Nightgaunt Magnum at the Beast, "Hitoshi brothers board the train to Tokyo before 6 today. Which begs the question; Who are you?"
"Progress too fast will get you killed, Destroyer," Behemoth wasn't intimidated by the gun, "But I believe Naoto had some deduction."
"Then why are you here?"
The Beast unsleeved his left glove, where an arrow mark was faintly visible on it, "Not even Leviathan's power can remove this status ailment. Your son has a curious power, yet to be broadened."
"Just let yourself get inflicted in your hideout and it should be gone."
"Don't mock me," He wore his glove, "If this thing hasn't gone before this Friday, I'll find that boy myself."
Tatsuya narrowed his eyes on him dangerously, his gun still aimed at the Beast.
"I guess that's a no," He turned away, "Amatsu Mikaboshi won't kill that detective, but if you remove her persona, it should save her life. Send my condolences to her."
He began descending the staircase. Tatsuya sleeved his gun, but something plagued his mind, "Why did Ame help Kandori years ago? Why keep the Second Verse a secret from Nyarlathotep?"
The Beast of Earth didn't turn his head to him, "We're keeping secret in another secret. You're a smart man. You'll figure it out."
"Is this had anything to do with the missing brother, Yamada Hitoshi?" Tatsuya pointed his thumb behind him, "23 years ago, a kid went missing in the mountain, never to be found. His two brothers who tagged along with him spoke nothing. And it became nothing. No more trace of it ever mentioned again."
Behemoth halted his movement as Tatsuya continued.
"Did he truly disappear, Beast of Earth? Or did he die, killed by Shadow?" He scowled deepened, "And that teddy bear with Investigation Team; is he your brother's Shadow-"
"Dig too deep into my life, Destroyer," Behemoth hissed, "And you'll regret it. I have yet gone all out."
Tatsuya stood by and watched as the beast disappeared behind the thick forest.
Naoto Shirogane
Hospital
Naoto almost didn't recognize Yu Narukami when he entered the room with her friends. He appeared too haggard, his eyes piercing everything he could see, a strange calculative mutter slightly visible on his lips, a bewildering expression as he laid eyes on her laying on the bed. From afar, he almost seemed like a stranger.
Besides him, everyone else was the same, though it took seconds for her to recognize Junpei and Labrys at the back. That bird (Tengu?) was the only one who appeared lukewarm to her situation.
Perhaps she was the real stranger.
"Naoto-kun!" Rise rushed to her side and hugged her.
"They wouldn't let us in at first!" Chie exclaimed.
"Until the officers outside finally relent," Yosuke smiled, but there was a pain in his eyes.
"Kanji," She gulped, "Is he..."
A frighteningly long silence, broken by Yosuke, "He's stable. Don't lose hope yet."
"Naoto-kun, don't look so down," Yukiko reassured, "That creature forced your hand."
"But I shoot him, with my hand," Naoto buried her face in her palms, "Oh, what have I done? He was trying to save me!"
She didn't know who let her bury her face into their chest, nor did she care. Kanji. The hotheaded fool always rushed ahead of everything, but he can be wise, stronger will than she gave credit for. If he stopped breathing, she had no idea how to live with his blood on her hand.
Naoto shamefully accepted the tissue from Teddie, who desperately tried to cheer her up, but Yosuke was more adamant in his attempt. If it weren't for the cuff on her left wrist, she would at least chuckled.
"I give more than half of my life force to him using Trismegistus," Junpei suddenly voiced out, "If I say he'll live, he'll live. Trust the word of his savior. You own me, got that?"
"Thank you, Junpei-san," Chie curved her lips, despite her red eyes, "But your persona..."
"I'm out," He raised both arms, "Don't ask anything more. I'm staying for vacation."
"How many were out?" Yu finally spoke.
"Kanji, Junpei, and-" Rise pointed at her.
"No, I can still fight," She pulled the cuff but failed, "After the trial, of course."
"They can't put you in jail, can they?" Yukiko turned to the rest of them, "Guys?"
"Hard to say," Junpei crossed his arms, "The testimony from Umashi doesn't bone well."
"Because he's the one screwing her up!" Chie lashed out, "I'm going to kick his *ss!"
"Shut your mouth and keep it low."
They all turned to two figures walking into the ward, the same fat detective and reporter from earlier, though the latter brought a curiously large bag.
"Sorry, sir," Labrys was the first to bow.
"Grouping here with a convicted patient is not a good idea," The fat detective replied. Naoto narrowed her eyes. 'His voice...'
"She's not a criminal!" Rise shouted.
"And you don't know half of it!" Yosuke added.
"Oh, I do," The fat detective reached for his chin, "This is not how you prove someone's innocence."
The reporter next to him repeated the detective's action and pulled their chins upwards. A fragmented cloud of dust fell off their body, revealing a familiar man and a masked stranger. In their hand was an object that resembled an Arcana mask.
"Whole floor could hear you talk," Tatsuya Suou dusted his white attire and lent the mask to the masked man.
"Tatsuya-san!" The Investigation Team spoke, which earned another glare from the former vice-chief. The man looked too different from the last time she saw him.
"You failed tremendously," He walked towards Yu, "And you nearly break Nuclear Chaos free with your death."
"But Yu-sensei don't die?" Teddie tilted his body.
"Of course he doesn't, I dragged his soul from death myself!"
"Tatsuya-san," Yu stated, "I was trying to save-"
Naoto gasped at the sudden jab at Yu's body. Her leader kneed on the floor, pressing his abdomen. Junpei and Labrys both hurriedly stood between them as the girls pulled Yu away.
"What are you doing?!" Labrys raised a hand at him, though she did flinch at Tatsuya's deathly glare.
"He is still recovering!" Yosuke snapped.
"Move," Tatsuya clenched his fist for another jab and nudged his chin to the side. They persisted around Yu, but the leader pushed Rise's shoulder away.
"Let him pass..." Yu stood on his feet with Yukiko's support and approached the former police, pushing past the two Shadow Operative members. He embraced for another fist, but Tatsuya halted mid aim and untensed his body.
"I don't think you understand how important you are, Narukami," Tatsuya grabbed him by the hospital garb, "If any of us, including the vessels, die, the Blind Idiot God wakes up, free from the chain of Second Seal. You almost kill me last night, along with Arisato, Toudou, and everyone on this planet."
"Not just Azathoth, though. We're talking about Nyarlathotep breaking loose, Atum regaining his true form, and..." The masked man next to him tapped his mask.
Yu grabbed Tatsuya's arms in an attempt to loosen the grip, but they both suddenly froze still. Tatsuya's eyes widened in shock, while Yu look indifferent.
"What did you see?" Tatsuya demanded, releasing the leader.
"I don't know," He shook his head, "I don't understand it."
Using this chance, Yosuke immediately pulled Yu away and attempted a glare at the detective, but shied away at Tatsuya's menacing eyes. The rest of them shifted their attention between the two men of prophecy.
"Huh? What just happened?" Teddie voiced out.
"Nothing," Yu's answer was instant, "Not important."
Something was exchanged between them. Naoto at the outer circle saw everything.
'Yu just did something to Tatsuya-san,' Naoto thought, 'What is it?'
Sensing all eyes on them, Tatsuya changed the topic, "Anyway, I'll let you off now because your soul is in shamble."
"What do you mean about his soul?" Naoto asked, but not the question she wanted.
Tatsuya revealed his lighter and fidgeted it, but his other hand revealed another object; a familiar card.
"Must have been a miracle," Tatsuya flapped the card in front of the team, "When you ran out of power, this card forced your soul beyond your limits. Izanagi drained you for one more spell. Your soul was being ripped apart by your persona, kid, till I can't comprehend your status."
"Me too..." Rise nodded, "He was hurt beyond anything I've ever seen. It's said some mental trauma can make you forgetful."
"You don't remember anything?" Teddie jumped up and down frantically.
"Not everything..." Yu gulped, "But it's faint."
"No more summoning your persona until you're a hundred percent," The masked man raised a finger towards him, but dragged it towards her on the bed, "Including you, lady."
"Yes, the other Shadow within you, Give me space," Tatsuya pushed past her friend and stood beside her, the masked man to her right. The former vice-chief raised a hand towards her forehead.
"What are you-" Chie's voice was cut short.
"Only a glance. Don't move," Tatsuya pressed two fingers on her. She sensed a surge of power from him, "Noden: Soul Diver."
Crash!
A Lovecraftian humanoid creature flood above him and aimed his trident on her. She gasped and-
...She was in another place, alone with Tatsuya. A large room with thousands of sketches and monitor screens pilling around her like walls, forming crossroad hallways. The floor was metal, but there was no ceiling. A yellowish hue loomed the area, but some stench of purple mist mangled within.
"Hmmm..." Tatsuya glanced around, ignoring her sitting on the cold floor, "You're very confused and annoyed, and frustrated-"
"Where am I?" Naoto interrupted. She stood up and dusted her hospital gown, finding small comfort without the tight cuff on her wrist.
"You know it better than I do, detective," The detective began walking towards one of the hallways. She studied the area and admitted her amazement.
"An impressive innate skill," Naoto trailed after the man, "But what are you searching in my heart?"
"The evil god within you," Tatsuya continued walking until he read another corner, both sides with visible dead ends. She heard a weak hiss before he raised a hand at the front wall.
The area shifted like cards, pulling them towards one path. The walls broke into wide space, where she gasped at a massive containment tube. Inside the tube was a mass of purple clouds, marring the yellow air.
She knew the creature and took a step back. The monitors around them switched on, flickering madly, rhyming to the beating sound of her heartbeat. Tatsuya faced her and glared.
"Calm down, you're agitating him."
"That creature's inside my body!" Naoto screamed, "He nearly killed Kanji-"
"And he's one with your soul now," Tatsuya pulled her hand and dragged her towards the tube, "Look closely."
The large tube was connected to dozens of smaller pipes, spreading everywhere in her heart. She pressed her chest, tempering it, and the purple mist dimmed slightly.
"What does this mean for me?" Naoto braved herself to touch the glass. Amatsu-Mikaboshi didn't react, sleeping, resting.
"If you forcefully pull him out of you, you'll die."
She turned to the new voice and saw the masked man furiously jotted something in his notes.
"You did not just let him inside my heart," Naoto glared at the detective.
"He's a mask collector, it's his job," Tatsuya turned to the man, "How bad is it?"
"Bad..." The Mask Collector shook his head, "He's like a parasite. Not even Igor can fix this."
"Limbo Recall?"
"Nope. Use too much, it will kill her."
"Anything else?"
"Her Arcana, persona, core traits; Everything change."
"Can someone let me into this conversation?" Naoto rested both hands on her waist, "My Arcana change. What does that mean?"
"Your personality trail will change over time," Tatsuya nodded, "When Amatsu-Mikaboshi hid within you after your last fight, your subconsciousness mistook him as your persona and latched to it. In a way, he's your prisoner, but you're his host."
"But hey! On the plus side, he's your persona now!" The Mask Collector raised a thumb, "Don't use it, though. You're gonna wake him up."
"So he's killing me from the inside, and you can't pull him out," Naoto chuckled, "You're here to offer me a coffin?"
"I will find a way to fix this," Tatsuya fidgeted his lighter again, "I sent you to the Beast unprepared. I won't make that mistake again."
"Not a lost cause. I have information on Umashi," Naoto nodded.
In a blink of an eye, she returned to the hospital bed, watched by her friends. Tatsuya removed his hands and stared at her.
"Now he's doing it with Naoto too," Yukiko commented, "What is going on?"
Labrys spoke, "For a split second, your persona just entered her body."
"I don't know how, but he dove inside my heart," Naoto answered.
"Rise Kujikawa," Tatsuya turned to the idol, "Analysis her Arcana."
"Huh? But I can't use my persona outside the TV," Rise answered.
He sighed loudly, "Collector, the ring please,"
The Mask Collector dropped his bag and rummaged something from within. He took out a handful of small rings and lent them to each of the Investigation Team. "This ring will allow you to activate your persona in the real world. Takaya or Nyarlathotep can't surprise you now."
"Woah! Are you serious?" Chie snatched the ring.
"I'm surprised you can't," Labrys raised an eyebrow.
"You miss a lot," Junpei commented.
"Grrr! It doesn't fit my hand!" Teddie tried to wedge it between his thumb but failed.
"We can use it anywhere?" Yukiko watched the ring. It's too far to examine from here, but Naoto noticed the diamondless rings were clad in three layers, the middle one silver, the other two were gold.
"I think so," Yosuke wore it immediately.
"Except Narukami," Tatsuya raised a finger before Yu could take it, "Not another damage to his soul."
Her leader said nothing but nodded. How curiously reserve of him.
Rise made the first demonstration with Kanzeon, analyzing her. Naoto felt her body tainted by the evil god's touch within her. Rise suddenly gasped and unsummoned her persona.
"Her Arcana change!" Rise cried, "Wheel of Fortune to Star!"
"Reverse Star, mind you," The Mask Collector added, "Get used to the new ace detective and your leader. Oh, I think our time's up."
"We'll talk again later evening," Tatsuya said before wearing his illusion mask. Uncle Dojima was furious at the crowd gathering inside, but the poor man had no idea his nephew was far from home.
Yu Narukami
Evening - Tatsuhime Shrine, Shopping District
"Why do you need it?" Yu asked the Priestess they were alone in front of the shrine, waiting for others. Tatsuya and Collector made a quick survey inside the honden hall, a hall of god's worship, behind the shrine box. Izanami, who entered a while ago, was delighted to make it her temporary home.
"I didn't tell anyone yet, but my persona..." Yukiko Amagi began narrating her event with her persona after a glance at Tengu chatting with Teddie near the tree. Even as she spoke, part of him continued to wonder at the voice. Even his memories of her were still fragmented.
"It... might be a good option to free it from my hand," Yu handed her the Contact Card Tatsuya insisted he part with, but never took it himself, "Just summon your persona, but not for long."
"Can I ask?" Yukiko gripped her arm and looked down, "What happened back there with Tatsuya-san?"
He could never explain the vision to her without sounding mad. A woman and a newborn, murdered by the one she loved. A man mirroring the Destroyer.
"It's nothing important," He shook his head.
Yukiko asked nothing more but nodded. Not long after, the rest of their friends -his friends- appeared from the staircase, though Labrys and Junpei insisted their part was done and thus excluded. Yu felt ready to return home, but despite their insistence, he saw Dojima Residence he walked by earlier as a resting place, his home further still.
Izanami appeared from inside the shrine, walking past the shrine box and watching each of them. She turned again at the structure, "This place is suitable enough."
"How do we explain her presence?" Yosuke said.
"Just said it's a ghost story," Chie suggested, "No one will question it. Right, Yu?"
"I..." Yu nodded slightly, "I believe some will, but she won't be bothered."
"Huh..." Yosuke narrowed his eyes at him. Amidst the watching gaze, Yu felt Izanami's alluring eyes pierce his own, reading his expression. Disquiet stained her wise face.
Tatsuya and the man -known as Mask Collector- exited the shrine. "Good, you're all here," Tatsuya nodded, "In any case, I'm surprised this place is properly overseen by locals."
"A family of foxes lives here. They help to promise the preservation of the place," Rise turned to Yu, "Isn't that right?"
"There is?" Yu raised his eyebrows. Must have been some important creatures, for they appeared startled by his question.
"Give it time," Chie reassured, "You'll get your memories back."
"You do remember Shadow Operative, right?" Yukiko titled her head.
"I will if I meet them," Yu's answer satisfied them.
"Shadow Operative..." Yosuke watched each member, "Our two Shadow Operative-"
"I know," Tatsuya cut in, "This is your tasks, not them."
"But that's not why we're here," The Mask Collector stretched out an arm, "We're here for what's next for all of you."
"You can't hold us," Yukiko crossed her arms, "We'll fight the fake messiah-"
"With your current states? Don't be ridiculous," Tatsuya shook his head, "We're here for something else. Let's talk about the one you failed to save."
They all turned to the goddess.
"Izanami, was it?" Tatsuya gave a slight bow, "A goddess in a flesh."
"Tatsuya Suou, I know," She smirked, "You were more polite the last time we met."
"We barely talked in that room."
"Not Xibalba. We met before, in Kadath Mandala 12 years ago."
For the first time, Yu saw Tatsuya's eyes dilated in surprise. "Come again?"
"Ah. Pardon my mistake," She bowed slightly, "It was the other you."
"You met before," Tengu spoke out.
"In a different world. Long stories," The Mask Collector shrugged, "Not me to tell. Right, Tatsuya?"
"...Well, an apology for the uncanny resemblance," Tatsuya took out and fidgeted his lighter, but this time without returning it to his pocket, "The bigger question is; Why you? I thought Narukami had a bond with Marie."
"Because she's the one with the bond to these children," Izanami studied each of the Investigation Team's faces, "Yet the one reaching out was not this young man."
"I'm lost here..." Yosuke grunted.
"Sensei was the one grabbing Izanami, no one else!" Teddie jumped.
"Wait. Not him..." Yukiko rested a hand on her lips, "The one who grabbed her was-"
"Izanagi!" Chie shouted.
Tatsuya's face brightened, "His persona was one reaching out to the goddess; husband and wife."
Izanami closed her eyes, her expression unreadable, but managed a slight nod, "A presence of my husband was within the young man."
"Oh... I get it now," The Mask Collector laughed, "The 'real' Izanagi resurfaced within his persona and reached out! That's what damaged the 'father's soul!"
"Yes..." Izanami lifted her hand and clutched her mouth, "Izanagi has returned."
Murmurs filled the room.
"You said he returned," Tatsuya raised a hand, silencing the room, "He was missing?"
"Separated," She inhaled deeply, "But I believe that's not your question."
"How do we get Marie back?" Chie agreed, "That drug should have worked!"
"It did," The Mask Collector sighed, "The problem is; where's the 'rest' of Izanami?"
"That's right," Yukiko rubbed her chin, "Do the brothers found them, or were they scattered?"
"Then why don't Marie-chan come back?" Teddie scratched his head, "Argh! This is confusing!"
"But the Limbo Recall worked as you said," Chie said, "Marie won't be the sacrifice-"
"You misunderstood," The Mask Collector interrupted, "If not her, then one of her other self will."
"For now, find Marie," Tatsuya concluded the discussion, "I'm leaving tomorrow. Until then-"
"Woah, Destroyer, slow down," The Mask Collector blocked his path, "You haven't rest for two days. Heal your fatigue first."
"I don't have time-"
"The Masquerade is here to help," The Collector jabbed a fist on his chest, "We're not useless, at least not much." He chuckled behind his mask, "They have the rings. And I'll be staying here for some research, until-"
"Friday. I get it, but the day after tomorrow, I'll boost out," Tatsuya pointed a finger at Yu, "And you. Be a good boy and don't do anything stupid until your persona recovers."
"My uncle wants me home with my parents," Yu replied, "In a few days."
"Don't. Takaya will find a way to capture all of you as he did with Naoya. It's only a matter of time."
"Then what are we to do?"
"Escape," Tatsuya headed for the staircases, leaving the shrine, "The False Messiah is gaining power. Your normal lives are no more." He disappeared altogether with the masked man, leaving no other guide.
No voice was heard, abandoned by their senior.
"I need to speak with your leader alone," Izanami's eyes glued to him.
"What are you doing?" Yosuke glared, "If you harm him-"
"Yosuke," Yu shook his head, "Go."
"Get well, Yu," Yukiko nodded as she patted her handbag, where the Contact Card was.
It took some time for Yu to shatter the heavy atmosphere dawning on the shrine after everyone left. The goddess approached him, smelled of foul herbs and damped water. Her expression was too bitter to frown upon, but her voice was gentlest, "Several thousand years ago, my brother and I so perfectly paired I believed we were greater than mere soulmates. We were proud of our mission, our existence. When reeds in this country were cleanly reaped for children of men, we ceased to be mere siblings. On the day he took my hands in marriage, he told me-"
"'You will bestow happiness to mankind by granting their wishes, and I will unify that happiness and wishes into one.'"
Izanami widened her eyes as he felt his hands trembling, "How did I know that?"
Izanami's eyes flickered momentarily, something ached in her throat, but she shook her head, "No..."
"What?"
"Nothing," She continued, "Despite our union, but our marriage was... profoundly disastrous with my death. What you learned of our fate in history is not far from the truth. But humanity missed one notion."
Yu dragged his legs to the shrine box and leaned on one pillar, "What did they miss?"
"That I cried, hard." Izanami trailed his pace and rested an icy cold hand on his left cheek. He flinched from the sudden contact but eased when the vision didn't appear. "But no more. I swore an oath to never shed another tear for the man. When the golden butterfly and the eight stars butterfly incited the Great War, we faced off on different sides of the army. And I walked a lonely path since."
Yu tried to pry her hand away, but the fear of vision stilled his hands. He inhaled, "What does this have anything to do Marie-"
"Several thousand years made me rethink our whole relationship. Humanity drift between happiness and pure wishes. It nearly drove me insane. We as a god splintered into many parts, notably the two Sagiri. Kusumi-no-Okami sealed herself, letting me, the one holding the old memories, free."
"Free to weep again," Yu muttered.
"I craved for his love and his role next to me. But my husband's absence will not make me abandon my mission. Thus, I fashioned the three Izanagi, to learn his way. Understand, child, the forgiving love towards my husband lies in me, not in the one you called Marie. Her bonds are with you and your friends."
Yu left his mouth hanging, finally understood the reason behind her love story. This was the thing that Mask Collector spoke of.
"I'm not allowed to choose either?" Yu voiced out.
"Kusumi's presence overwhelmed the rest of us. All you did is spare me. Her bond with you made her the strongest fragment, perfect lamb. Yes, Kusumi will remain a sacrifice."
"Unless you overwhelmed her."
Izanami smirked, "Good. Not a fool."
"You're telling me the only way to shift the role of sacrifice from Kusumi to you is to find your husband. And you said nothing to Tatsuya about this."
"I believe the Destroyer knew your fight is far from over. Leave the searching of Marie to your friends and start looking for the other two," She began drawing something in the air, although faint, he could see three Kanji letters; Hope, Despair, Emptiness.
"The other two?"
"The three Izanagi of my creation, you must unify them to find my husband. One is within you, but the other two..." The letters in the air faded.
"Adachi, and..." Yu inhaled, "Namatame, carted from here last night by Hitoshi. You're asking the impossible."
"You want to save Marie? This is the way," Izanami turned away, "That is all."
"Are you fine with this? If you offer yourself, then-"
"That is not certain."
"Still!" Yu removed his back from the pillar, grabbing her shoulder, "At least be concerned!"
"If I can see my husband for the last time, I will have no regret," the goddess shook her head, "Yet, this unconditional concern... Perhaps another charm should ease your burden. Close your eyes."
He followed her request despite the stupefaction, waiting. Not only in her humanly touch on both of his shoulders, even her voice, her hidden fear, her surrendering heart to the undying love for her consort.
The soft cold lips on his came unexpectedly. The tenderness of her kiss was not of joy, but grief.
His mind wandered into strange memories. Whispers beckoned places, then souls. A vision began, but this time, Yu knew it will last longer.
A pair of a man and woman sitting on a large tatami floor. But it was not the earth, nor Sea of Soul. It was deeper, secluded.
Secretive.
Five gigantic figures stood around the pair, their right palm raised, swearing a vow to themselves. The pair of lovers repeated their actions and spoke.
"We avow to Kotoamatsukami," The man spoke to the five figures, "Our bond is a prison, our role a curse, our hatred is a disease, our love is forbidden."
The woman with resemblance to Izanami spoke, "Our truth is secret, our mission is broken, our Shadow to humanity. No more embrace, no more contact. We shall-"
Her words suddenly became a loud static noise. Something began dragging him out of the vision.
He returned to the empty shrine, the goddess gone. Yu touched his lips, noticed the faint warmth.
Night - Amagi Inn
"Can I ask something?" Yukiko stopped Tengu before the bird left her room, "When you escaped Yomi, do you happen to hear a trumpet sound?"
Tengu faced her with an indistinct expression, "I only hear the flood."
"Lies, lies, lies... The winged messenger blew the trumpet..." The voice whispered in her voice.
'I'm so going to talk you out of this,' Yukiko exhaled before she smiled, "I see, thank you for saving Teddie."
"Are you alright, Yuki-nee?"
"I'm lucky, unlike the rest of us," Not another reminder of the battle again. She cried enough last night. Let's talk something else, "The padlock..." She pointed at the zipper behind him, "It's not there anymore."
"O-Oh!" Tengu hastily covered it, "It must have broken during the flood."
"Maybe you don't need it, everybody accepted what you look like," She patted his head, "If there's nothing underneath it." She paused, "...Or is there?"
He shook his head furiously, "Not telling! No removing it!"
"Alright, go to your room."
"You don't want to cuddle with me?"
"No!" She rested both hands on her waist, "Go to your room, or I'll get angry."
She waited until the bird was truly gone into his makeshift room before she locked her door and reached for the small object in her bag. The word 'Contact' on it had fainted, cracks spread at the lower corners, and she couldn't decipher the empty silhouette at the center. Whatever Yu did with it yesterday, it looked fragile enough to break with a single shake.
Yukiko slowly held the Contact Card, wondering if she should wear the ring as well. Maybe not.
"Amaterasu!"
The card glowed only momentarily. She inhaled deeper.
"Amate-"
Crash!
Her persona urgingly assembled at the center of the room, her broad metallic 'wings' nearly scratched the walls. Goddess of the sun's faceless head peered down upon her. Yukiko breathed in a few times.
"So... Can I start now?" She waited, but Amaterasu spoke nothing, "I'm not sure you're listening since you gave no response. Well, Yu said I only have to summon you, but this thing nearly killed him," She examined the card, "Amaterasu... san? Geez, this is weird. Talking to my own persona. I mean, you're a part of me. But that voice speaking to me, it was your own, right?"
"Thou art link to catastrophe," The persona finally spoke for the first time. There's no mistaking her voice. "The patriarch and matriarch of our world, my kin..." The persona suddenly clenched her head, "These memories... overflowing..." She faced the innkeeper again with an eyeless gaze, "Ask thou question."
"Alright," Yukiko gulped. What was that reaction? "Let's go straight to the point. Tengu keeps mentioning something about the 'sin' of Izanagi and Izanami. You might know since you have ties to them- at least, that's what the bird said. I saw Izanami and... Something strange is happening between her and Yu, something important. So, any idea?"
Amaterasu spread her wings wide and shifted her head to the wall on her right, looking at something. The persona returned her attention to her and began.
"Izanagi and Izanami made thy forbidden vow to Kotoamatsukami. Thee divorce a seal unbreakable, thee bond shall sever. Izanami buried returning love deep within the stone monument, never to stray thee path for thou salvation."
"Uhuh..." Yukiko nodded, understanding none of it.
"Izanagi is Truth, Izanami is Lie. Kotoamatsukami is Secrecy, blurring the line between. The five gods are supremely absolute, their words a spell. No one knows the secret vow the pair of creators swore to thee Kotoamatsukami, the one the father of creation broke yet again, out of love than fear."
"Kotoamatsukami, the hidden gods..." Yukiko muttered, "This sin isn't about him leaving her in Yomi, it's about coming back to her, breaking another vow. Another story untold." But how is a husband returning to his wife a sin? Didn't make sense one bit. Amaterasu continued.
"Return to thy land where Izanami and Izanagi broke their vow," Amaterasu continued, "Where reeds meet with heaven. The messenger with trumpet asleep, imprisoned."
"Messenger?" Was this about the trumpeter status they walked past in Nakatsukuni? "Oh? You mean, at that place we just went the other day?"
The persona peered down on her, "The memorial to the lost brother of the Beasts."
Yukiko exhaled hard, knowing the true location, 'That church Yu talked about...' She mused before speaking, "Now that you mentioned it, that place is too secluded from the town."
"Thee church hides secrets only Kotoamatsukami would know. Find them at the nexus of all memories. Izanagi held the power."
"Uhuh..." She understood a little of it, but not what she expected from someone talkative inside her mind, "That's it? You talked a lot more than that!"
The persona said nothing more. She sighed.
"I see. Not very helpful, but okay. I'll check them later."
Amaterasu disappeared into thin air, leaving her alone. Yukiko dialed Chie, hoping for a visit with Narukami to the hidden church tomorrow.
Naoto Shirogane
Night - Hospital
Naoto cursed the next person to open the door after relentless questioning from the cops and local reporters today. She was wearied of everything. Her failure wasn't just for her, but for everyone she knew. And it seemed they all wanted to remind her of her mistake.
Her frustration was cut short when she realized the lone man who walked in. Tatsuya sat next to her, his expression fierce as he looked forward, but his eyes darted towards her occasionally.
"Tell me again about Umashi," Tatsuya suddenly said.
Naoto inhaled, "The one who I supposed to shoot, and Umashi Hitoshi, are not the same person. Umashi is not the Silver Beast."
"But the Silver Beast might be Umashi," Tatsuya retorted.
She narrowed her eyes, "Explain."
"Limbo Recall," Tatsuya revealed a small vial bottle from his suit pocket and showcased it, "We have, so far, separated four different types of Limbo Recall. The Prime type is the one Juugo used to disable persona users, like what happened to Yukari Takeba. The Nameless Mist type is the one Takaya used, more potent, more infectious. The one Igor developed is called the Velvet type, the one curing Yukari and my wife, but also separating your selves. The last one was Messiah type, developed for Takaya to carry all the time, but stolen by Ulala. This bears the same aftereffect as Velvet type."
"I guess I was injected with Prime Limbo or Nameless Mist?" Naoto chuckled, "But it's unstable, right? Otherwise, I'll meet my other self by now."
"We don't know much ourselves," Tatsuya admitted, "But I presumed Takaya's in the same boat, except for the beasts."
Naoto widened her eyes, "You're saying... Hitoshi use the drug to separate their Shadow Self from the start?"
"Like the case of Yukari, yes. Meaning the one you shot might be Umashi's Shadow, rather than Umashi himself. That's why he can appear anywhere, without a trace," Tatsuya nodded, "You gave us a hint to beat the Beast brothers."
She wasn't happy with it, but she nodded regardless.
"I admitted. I messed up," Tatsuya returned the drug to his pocket, "But no more. I'll clean your accusation, soon."
"There's no need-"
"Yu will not recover as long as his 'world' is incomplete, which means I can't let you walk out for now."
"I have my pride," Naoto gritted her teeth, "All I need is another chance-"
"No! There's nothing left to do," Tatsuya turned to the door. The Mask Collector still carried that oversized book as he walked to the detective's side.
"It's done," He said, "Which one? The good news or bad news?"
"Get on with it, Collector."
The masked man flipped the book to a specific page, "The good news is there's one persona user who might save her life," His mask turned to Naoto, "His innate skill is unique. Perfect division, no supplement involved."
"The bad news?" Naoto spoke.
"Well, let's just say you won't trust a surgeon's first operation."
"The user young?" Tatsuya narrowed his eyes.
"Understatement. The boy's eleven."
"Goddammit!" Tatsuya leaped from his chair, clenching his head with one hand.
"He manifested his persona two years ago, during Apathy Syndrome cases, in Tatsumi Port Island. Here's an interesting take, his older brother and younger brother also awakened the power. But..." He flipped the next page, "His schedule with Velvet Room is six years away in Ayanagi city. So you might want to consider his amateurish hand in saving Naoto."
"What if we transfer his persona to a more able hand?" Tatsuya raised a finger, "You, or maybe me?"
"Possibly, but no promise," Collector shrugged.
Naoto watched the exchange in silence. Behemoth's mask haunted her since morning. She felt her true self slowly wilting away, replaced by more malicious intent. She must escape from this clutch, she must prove her innocence. Her true persona begged her to cleanse this fear of that man.
Find the Beast of Earth, bury this fear. Even if she must be a vigilante and kill others-
'No, stop. This isn't you...' Naoto pressed both palms on her ears, quenching the sound of her rage.
"...Maybe a month time, but the world's ending in a few weeks, so..."
"His name."
Naoto removed her hands and focused on them as their eyes were on her. The Mask Collector spoke.
"Shin Kanzato," The masked man suddenly went sheepish and closed his large book, "And I may have another bad news."
Tatsuya shifted his attention to him and glared. The man began pulling the former vice-chief further away.
Despite not a word heard, the conversation continued to sour Tatsuya's face. At the last moment, he immediately grabbed the Collector by the collar and lifted him above the ground.
"You gave me your words!" Tatsuya growled, "You're supposed to look after your friend!"
"I told you, I'm just the acting head!" The Collector gripped Tatsuya's hand, but he wouldn't budge despite the small body size, "Naoya lead us. He knew what to do. I can lead a team, but this army is way above me!" He chuckled, "I'm thankful to Kirijo for that."
Tatsuya dropped him on the floor, "Next time I meet him, don't stop me from breaking his arms."
"I'll hold on to that," The Mask Collector nodded.
"Something bad happened," Naoto commented when they returned to her side.
The Suou Devil made the most unsettling face she saw for the night. He rubbed his face, frustration boiling every second. "Sh*t... This boy, Shin Kanzato, your savior, was involved at this morning's riot in Shibuya-"
"Riot in Shibuya? How come I've never heard-"
"It will, soon enough, be heard all over the country. Don't interrupt. Dozen casualties, started by Mayan Cult, who was..." He inhaled, "...headed by Mask Breaker of Masquerade."
She widened her eyes in horror, "Masquerade started a riot?"
"Worse part is, Shin Kanzato went missing during the event. Which means... he's somewhere in Tokyo, either in the Mask Breaker's army, or Takaya's captivity."
She just knew her life would stumble for the worse. Naoto sank her head into the thick pillow and closed her eyes, "Forget it. I'll manage."
"You will not make it out alive," The Mask Collector shook his head, "If we can find this boy-"
"I just want the silver Beast!" She shrieked, hurriedly covered her eyes wetted with sudden tears, "Please, just let me try again... I'm begging you, let me avenge Kanji!"
"In chain? You're a detective, not fugitive!" Tatsuya scolded, "I'll find the kid for you."
"I'll run!"
"You'll be in prison for life. Besides, the beast already departed with Namatame to..."
Tatsuya suddenly paused. Naoto widened her eyes and knew his thoughts.
"They're in Tokyo, with Shin Kanzato. This is the best opportunity," Naoto nodded, wiping clean her tears, "I won't lose again. I swear it."
"The Beast will see you coming, unless..." Tatsuya cursed, planning something, "Mask Collector, let's say we separate one Shadow self from her, can we choose?"
The noiseless room was filled with a dangerous conspiracy. As they finalized the plan with Mask Collector revealing a small Limbo Recall cure towards her, Naoto smiled for the first time, hope reborn anew.
The hunt for the Beast of Earth continued.
A/N: The first update for this year. Hopefully, I can finish this arc before year-end, though my brutal timetable prevents me so.
Yu's memories and soul were shattered in the aftermath of the Battle of Yomi. In exchange, he received a strange ability. Izanami survived the Limbo Recall's effect, but where's Marie? Naoto seemed to have a secret plan with deranged Tatsuya and Mask Collector. What happened in Shibuya? How does it tie to Shin Kanzato?
Please wait for the slow update.