AN: Thanks for the reviews, everyone. Pretty much as soon as Chapter 49 was up, I went to work on Chapter 50, but I've had the story structure of this planned out almost from the beginning. There's still much to come, and Chapter 51 hopefully won't take longer.
As ever, please read, review, favourite, follow, etc. I've been excited to get to this point for quite a while, so hopefully you like it!
Chapter 50: Zero Hope
|Conference Room|18:20 pm|
The air in the room was tense, as Yoko held out her sword, her Persona ready to strike.
"The Mayor had a Persona all along…?!" Shintaro asked, shocked. "Is it...real?"
Something doesn't feel right. It's better than any of the Tetra Squads had!
"This, boy, isn't quite like yours. It didn't appear 'naturally', after all. But it is far beyond what the lowlifes that made up the Tetra Squads could command. It even outshines the Anomalies! Benzaiten and I will eliminate you. Come, Persona!"
Benzaiten concentrated, and sent forth a Bufudyne, freezing Shintaro to his core. Smirking, the Mayor charged at him, swinging her sword, but he recovered in just enough time to block his blade.
"Ugh...did Nisa Liat train you with the sword as well?"
"Ha!" Mayor Ashikaga was particularly amused by this question, for some reason. "I used to practice fencing while I was a student! Shigeru remembers. He was more into martial arts, so he never joined the fencing club..."
Yoko then turned around, and blocked Kohaku's fierce swing of her naginata. Annoyed, she tried to kick at the girl, but missed.
"My parents could have died because of you! I'll never forgive you for this, even if you are our own Mayor!"
"Ugh..." Yoko was disgusted by this, apparently. "Why must you people focus so hard on saving as many people as possible? And you, Teruya! Your parents spend so little time with you, don't they? Why care if they didn't make it home tonight?"
"You fucking bitch!" Kohaku screamed, face full of rage. "Airmid, we have to put an end to her, now! Magnadyne!"
The power of the earth itself concentrated, and struck the Mayor with an almighty quake. Frustrated, she immediately summoned Benzaiten again, and this time, conjured a flaming Agidyne. Kohaku screamed as the flames hit her, hotter than ever.
"Damn!" Shintaro said. "Ogma, we need your help! Hurry!"
Nodding, the heroic Persona called upon a strange green magical light across everyone. This was Masukukaja, and with it, all of his allies were enhanced.
Noboru felt a boost of confidence, as he turned to face his father.
"Dad! Both our Personas have become very strong now. Let's combine the powers of Dis Pater and Aengus!"
Shigeru stared briefly, but then he nodded, proud.
"Got it, son. This time, I'm following your lead."
Smiling, the young actor motioned for his Persona, whose holy swords shone brightly. In comparison, Dis Pater's energy blades emitted a dark blue glow. Both were ready to strike, and fast.
"Equinox Cross!"
Each Persona rushed at Yoko, and swung at her, their blades faster and sharper than ever. One cross was created that was a divine white light, the other a dark, cursed emblem. These both exploded, sending the Mayor flying.
"Argh" She yelled, quickly regaining her feet. She tried to swing her sword at Kei, but missed, the Wild Card's agility much higher than normal. In contrast, Kei's katana slashes hit every time, faster than the Mayor could dodge.
"Damn you! You think you're so clever, don't you?"
Kei ignored her, and swung again – but Yoko dodged it at last, gaining some distance.
"Dekaja, now!"
To Shintaro's annoyance, the boon of Masukukaja was dispelled, leaving him at his normal speed. Kei, however, remained calm, holding her katana firm with both hands.
"Come, Hariti!"
The Persona that came was a mother goddess of Buddhism, who gave a sympathetic look to her foe. Yet, this did not deter her from the Aquadyne she unleashed, augmented even further by her Water Amp.
"Argh…" Yoko cried. "No, not done yet! Heal me!"
She replenished her strength with a Diarama, and quickly lunged at Shigeru. He ducked under her sword, however, and swung with his fists, only for her to dodge them in turn.
"Damn!" He cried, as she continued to evade him.
"And I thought Seth might have been too much for you…" Yoko said, widely striking with her sword. "Good. It would be rather dull if all of you fell instantly. Let's see just how much power we have, shall we?"
She continued her assault, as did Shintaro and the others. To think that he would have to aim his own sword at the Mayor of his own city, it was insane. But he had to accept it.
Akari, I wonder how you would have handled this? Wherever you are, please, watch over us.
|Right Tower - Corridor|18:30 pm|
Masato had sobbed for quite some time. The others had moved on, but Hiroyuki and Natsumi had stayed with him. No Shadows nor Bythos agents came to disturb them. Finally, however, the tearful boy got up.
Maybe Eiji survived that fall. If he did, I can get down there and -
"No, don't look!" His sister begged. "Please, you mustn't see him..."
There was a moment of silence, as the young man stood at the window, where his friend had suddenly ended his own life. For Shintaro, it was Akari he would never see again in school. And now Masato would know that same feeling, with an empty space right next to him. He then realised, there was no way Eiji could have made it. He wasn't trying to. Only his mangled body would be there for him to find.
Eiji. When I got my Persona, part of me wanted you to have one too. You were my best buddy at school, after all. Baseball was so much fun with you. We should have made the city's team together. Made Shinshuto proud. Or maybe even played internationally. But all this time, you hated me. Why couldn't I have noticed?
"Kid…" Hiroyuki said. "You and he were really close, weren't you?"
"Of course we were!" Masato shouted, turning around, tears streaming down his face. "I should have noticed! I could have stopped him! Maybe he wouldn't have a real Persona like us, but...he could have survived this! We could have been famous together, on the field! But now he's...he's…"
Natsumi looked away, sadly. However, the soldier looked the young man dead in the eye, but not as strict as before. Instead, his eyes were tearful as well.
"I know. When a friend turns against you, it feels like the whole world is ending. It hurts so damn much, but nothing you do can stop it. Like with...Masayuki."
Masato stood still, unsure of what to say. He had never heard this name before. It had been a while since he had a proper talk with Hiroyuki, too.
"Masayuki Hara. I'll never forget that name as long as I live. He was the first friend I ever had. Heck, we knew each other from the day we were born. The same birthday, at the same hospital. Our families were pretty close because of that. We ended up in the same schools, so we kept following each other's lead. He wanted to do something, I'd follow, and vice versa. Once we were done with school, we decided to join the JSDF together. We weren't really the scholarly types, so thought military service would be the making of us."
"What happened to this Masayuki?" Natsumi asked, curious.
Hiroyuki took a heavy sigh.
"At first, everything was great. We were together, as we always were. But when it came to our military careers, I just had the edge. I worked harder on every assignment, and ended up getting promoted faster than I did. Having to serve under me was awful for him. But he told me he didn't mind at all, that I was the best of the best. If only I'd realised how jealous he was, how much he hated me for surpassing him. Then I might have been able to stop him from...from…"
Masato gulped, not sure what he was going to say next.
"From what?" Natsumi asked, nervously.
"From wanting to kill me."
Natsumi gasped. Masato, however, stood still. He had a feeling this was coming.
"He hated me that much for being better than him. So when we were on a training exercise, for the new recruits, he thought he could kill me - then frame one of the rookies for it. All of the thirty years we were friends didn't mean anything anymore. If I was dead, he wouldn't have to worry about me getting promoted above him…"
As Hiroyuki said this, his eyes began to water. Tears, the first time Masato had ever seen this man shed them.
"...It almost worked. But at the last possible second, our commanding officer spotted him by accident, and shot him - before he could hit me and pin it on one of our new guys. It happened in a flash."
So Hiroyuki could have died right then and there? My god.
"My commander wasn't trying to kill him, only stop him from opening fire on one of his own soldiers. But he misjudged his shot. Masayuki's wound was a lot worse than we thought. When we took him to the military hospital, he told me why he did it…"
Hiroyuki sighed, looking out of the window, at the city swarming with chaos.
"...He told me he'd hated me for he never wanted to be below me, and he couldn't stand not being able to catch up. Then he laughed...right before he died."
"That's horrible, Kita-san. I'm so sorry -"
Hiroyuki shook his head.
"It's been twenty years, Natsumi. I've...I've put it behind me. But...some things you don't forget. Like tonight."
Masato looked up at the older man, sadly.
"All your memories of your childhood must involve him. Does it hurt...to remember him?"
Hiroyuki closed his eyes for a second. But then, he spoke.
"It's never going to stop hurting. But it doesn't mean we have to forget. Eiji, Masayuki, and everyone else that we've lost. There were good times - you have to hold onto those, no matter how hard it is."
Even if during those 'good times', Eiji hated me? I don't know if I can.
"If you want to stop here, that's fine. You've done enough tonight -"
"No!" Masato said, shaking his head. "I...I'm not giving up just yet. I'll keep fighting. With you guys."
"Alright, Masato…" Natsumi said. "Stay close to me, alright? Hideki would be upset if we just left you alone."
"I'm sorry I sprung all of that on you. But kid, I...I want you to know something. You kids can rely on me any time. I became a soldier to protect people like you, after all." Hiroyuki said, managing a smile.
"...Thank you, Kita-san." Masato said.
The others walked on ahead, but before Masato joined them, he saw something on the floor, near the shards of glass from the window. It was Eiji's baseball badge - the one that he normally had on his blazer. It was the logo of Shinshuto's own baseball team, the same one that Masato supported ardently.
Eiji, you loved this thing. I can't just leave it behind. I'm not going to forget you, okay? You might think you were nothing compared to me, but it was you that inspired me the most.
Masato grabbed the badge, and ran after the others. While he was still tearful, he knew there was still a job for him to do here.
|Conference Room|18:40 pm|
Yoko seemed frustrated. Despite the power within Benzaiten, she wasn't quite 'destroying her enemies' as she would have liked. Indeed, they seemed to have the advantage. The Persona she had been given had numerous powerful spells already, but so did her enemies. When she saw Shigeru's face, she scowled, angry.
"Your Persona isn't quite the powerhouse you were promised, is it, Yoko?" Shigeru asked, as he dodged her sword swings. "I don't want to hurt you. Please surrender. For your sake."
Angry, Yoko swung again, this time striking through her former friend's body.
"I don't think so, Shigeru! You really expected me to go down that easily? Just as well Noriko-chan had the foresight to give me another power!"
"What…?" Kohaku said, healing everyone with Mediarama. "You have another Persona? What's this one like?"
"Did you seriously think that you had sealed away EX-NIHILO by hiding that Gnosis in the hotel?" The Mayor asked, sneering at the group.
"...Huh?" Noboru asked. "We...we destroyed that Gnosis, we didn't keep it. Kei, you slashed apart the half we found?"
"Yes, I did...but -"
"Shut up! This time, the wonderful EX-NIHILO and I will become one perfect being. Come…help me destroy all of these traitors!"
Her Gnosis emitted a red glow, as Benzaiten suddenly froze. She sank to the ground, and turned pitch black. Holding her head, she began to scream, her voice having a strange distortion. Then, there was something pulsating beneath her. Soon enough, her body burst like a bubble, leaving a gigantic pool of black blood. And beneath this was EX-NIHILO, wielding its behemoth sword.
"Initialising. Host Yoko Ashikaga is the ultimate subject and must be preserved at all costs. Beginning Battle 07 Procedure. Annihilation of Shinshuto must be fulfilled."
"N-No!" Noboru screamed, stepping back. "Not again!"
The Mayor's not being drained. This time, she's in perfect sync with it! Did Nisa Liat plan it this way? So that one day, her mother would get this freak as her Persona?
"Yes, it is! The same EX-NIHILO you've seen in your nightmares!" Yoko screamed. Her eyes were wide and wild, and they now seemed to be red. "Remember Hayami-san, Shigeru?"
"Yes, of course I do, but why bring him up now -"
There was silence. It seemed he had just realised something.
"No. You didn't plan for him to -"
"Yes, I did! That stupid, fat, annoying ugly pest who had some stupid fantasy of charming me! I couldn't stand it…I didn't need him, or any man! So I put the corrupted Gnosis in his coat pocket without anyone noticing. I couldn't believe how easily I was able to pull it off."
Noboru's face darkened with fury. "You...you're unforgivable! How could you hate him so much to force EX-NIHILO on him?! That fucking monster destroys anyone it touches!"
"Yes, exactly! Noriko wanted to use it on someone at Tanjoshima. And she asked me to find someone. The second I laid eyes on Taronosuke Hayami, I knew he was the one. Course, I expected he'd just end up a vegetable like all the others! That pathetic bully, your stuck-up girlfriend, Evelina's spineless father...all of them worthless! Their only value was to feed EX-NIHILO, so that one day, he would become my new Persona!"
Shigeru gazed at her, as she laughed wickedly. She was unhinged before, but now, having had EX-NIHILO as her Persona, she was beyond all hope. Shintaro had been fighting for her sake, but she was a slave to Nisa Liat all along.
Bythos and the Mayor – she used them both. And we were deceived as well. All of us were trapped in Nisa Liat's insane plan.
"...Yoko Ashikaga." Shigeru said, cracking his knuckles. "You're not the woman I met all those years ago. You are no longer my dear friend."
"Oh? That makes it easier, then. We no longer have to worry about hurting each other!" The Mayor said, laughing out loud. "Die!"
The Shadow unleashed a destructive Ex Nihilo, as it had done many times in the past. This time, however, it divided itself into five, but lost none of its intensity. Shintaro staggered, stunned by the strength of this power.
"Dis Pater!" Shigeru cried, unwilling to yield to this insanity. A fierce Eigaon engulfed the Mayor, who simply laughed as the curse struck her.
Why is she finding this so damn funny? This is torture for us. Or is that why she's laughing so much? Because of Shigeru's pain? Damn her!
Indeed, she seemed incapable of ceasing her laughter, even as she lunged at Shintaro, slashing at him. Her movements were no longer graceful or controlled, but seemed wild and feral. Her sword seemed more like an extension of her body, the way she wielded it.
"Argh!" cried Shintaro, who despite his best swordsmanship, could barely block her sword. So it was time to attack, now. "Ogma, hurry! Gale Blade!"
Nodding, the Persona gripped his sword with both hands, and swung it down, valiantly. The sheer force of the slash caused turbulent winds to strike the Mayor at the same time.
Kohaku spun her weapon, as she summoned Airmid to the fray.
"Persona!"
Gracefully, the goddess appeared, and knelt on the ground. She began to pray, and with the Prayer of the Earth, caused a massive tremor around the Mayor, while Kohaku felt a surge of peaceful green energy enter her. Her body was healed at the same time of the assault.
"You...you won't get away with that!" Yoko cried, wildly slashing at the girl before her. Then, EX-NIHILO struck with a mighty Nullity Blade, leaving a trail of pure darkness.
"A-argh!" Kohaku screamed, hitting the ground.
"Kohaku!" Noboru cried. He rushed at the Mayor, enraged, swinging with all his strength. Then, he sent forth a Kougaon, delivered by Aengus. "You won't hurt my senpai!"
"Ha! Protective of her, I see! Just like Teruko…!" The Mayor cried. EX-NIHILO conjured its energy, and unleashed a strange spell - it was almost like Eigaon, but it had a strange green flash at the start. The Gnosis described it as 'Eigaon EX'. It engulfed Noboru, who screamed in pain at the intense cursed energy bombarding him.
Just how much more powerful has the EX-NIHILO become?
She closed her eyes, then managed to teleport across the room, ready to slash Kei. However, she immediately turned around and blocked Yoko's strike, and performed a fast cross slash, powered by Tyr's lightning.
"Y-You! Wild Card, do you really think you can compare to my daughter? You're nothing compared to her!"
"If that's the case, Mayor Ashikaga, why is it that neither the Aeon Admins, Nisa Liat or you can defeat me?" Kei asked, calmly. "Well? If I'm so worthless, why have I never lost even once?"
"Arrogant little bitch!" Yoko shrieked, swinging recklessly. She was halted, however, by Tyr casting Ziodyne. "Ow!"
"You can't break free, can you, Yoko?" Kei asked, indignantly. "...There's no human left in you, is there?"
"You talk too much!"
The Mayor, ignoring this question, concentrated with EX-NIHILO, firing an Agidyne EX. As before, there was a strange green effect to the flame, that burned brightly, scorching Shintaro.
"Ow!" He cried. He nearly collapsed from the pain, but Noboru caught him in time.
"Senpai! Are you alright?!" He asked, frantically.
"...Yeah. Thanks." Shintaro said. Ogma appeared, as did Aengus. "Let's fight hard. Both of us."
"Right. Just like we've done since this all started. I'll follow your lead!"
A sound of a choir singing briefly echoed throughout the accursed room, as Aengus conjured pillars of light, that shone with a blue and white holy energy. In turn, Shintaro manifested a large green tornado, that absorbed the light pillars.
"Holy Hurricane!"
The high-speed tornado dragged Yoko inside, and the revolution of the wind caused lots of bright blessed flashes. Eventually, she was sent flying from the ceiling to the floor. But rather than crash, she gracefully regained her footing.
"N-Not bad, for pathetic amateurs like you!"
"We're not the ones depending on monsters like the EX-NIHILO!" Shintaro said, frowning. "Why would Nisa Liat give you that as a Persona?!"
"Is it not obvious?" Yoko asked, grinning, her eyes now blood red. "So I can destroy everything weaker than us! This whole fucking city is doomed, and only my daughter can rebuild it! But the weaklings like you that infest Shinshuto will only drag down the new world. Even you, Shigeru, can't be allowed to live."
"...I've never needed anyone's permission to exist. Not even my best friend's."
Scowling, the Mayor called down a Bufudyne EX, freezing Shigeru with cold, ominous power. Despite the chill, he stood tall, and stared down his friend. No, Shintaro told himself. This was no longer any friend of his.
"Dis Pater!"
The Persona's stern, harsh stare was a portent of the sheer power he was about to unleash. A circle of darkness, with a blue perimeter, appeared beneath the Mayor. A mass of red energy was absorbed into it, even more than Phantom Nexus. Then, the Netherworld Gateway opened, exploding with a terrifying blue and black explosion, one that sent the Mayor hurtling towards the ceiling. She quickly recovered, and was now standing on the chandelier, cackling.
"I still remember when you first told me about the Gnosis and your Persona. How you promised that you and the other 'lucky' recipients of the smartphone would save this city. Do you still believe you can? Or that this place is even worth saving?"
"I'll save this place from anyone. Even you."
"Ha! There's no saving you from this! EX-NIHILO, come!"
The Shadow - or now a Persona - swung down, and gripped its sword tightly. It swung the sword in a perfect circle, sending a shockwave of dark power, creating a Nullity Arc. Shintaro winced as it hit him, pushing him further back. As he struggled to regain his balance, he saw the Mayor jump from the ceiling, landing on both feet. Yet she now seemed hunched over, and began to laugh, utterly amused by the misery she was inflicting.
We fought for her and this city. And she knows that. Damn her!
"It's okay, everyone. Mediarama!"
Kohaku dutifully healed everyone, with the compassion of her Persona. Kei, however, immediately stabbed at the Mayor, who swung back. Both of their swordplay was stellar, but Kei's kendo club had taught her some incredible attacks.
"Wild Card, you're a fool if you think you can defeat me…" Yoko said, swinging her sword, sparks flying as it hit Kei's powerful katana. She had upgraded it via the Titan Tyrant recently, and it had a long blue hilt.
"...There's no point talking to an empty shell."
Just then, the Mayor's face completely changed, to one of no expression. She stared blankly ahead, yet remained a fearsome beast with her sword.
"Kei Kakusa, always up to no good. Why are you so interested in how this world came to be? What makes you so different from the others that have come here? Don't tell me - you're one of Shiozawa's students, aren't you?"
Huh? That's not the Mayor's voice. It's like when Menoetius started acting strange. What's going on? And who is she talking about?
Kei gasped. She clearly hadn't expected to hear that name. In her panic, the Mayor broke through her, and sent her flying.
"Argh!" Kei cried, in pain. "How the hell do you know about the Professor?"
"Fool...if you keep this up, just see what happens!"
As she said this, the Mayor immediately went back to laughing, as if nothing had happened.
"Kei, who is Shiozawa…?" Kohaku asked, bewildered. "There aren't any professors at our school, are there?"
She didn't answer, however. Instead, she slashed back at the Mayor, then summoned Hecate, a sorceress with a lion's head of Greek myth.
"Megidola!"
A huge blast of purple energy exploded, resounding through the room. The Mayor screamed, barely holding herself against the almighty force thrown at her. Yet she continued to laugh. This was all she could do - cackle at the tragedy her life had become.
Shintaro braced himself, ready for whatever could come next. The mystery of this 'Professor Shiozawa' would have to wait.
|Right Tower - Ground Floor|18:50 pm|
The two Hindu gods, Kartikeya and Ganesha, had been separated from each other by the tactics of the Aeon Admin. Aika, Celestine, and RInaka were handling the elephant-headed one, while Toki, Katashi, Asami and Keiya were battling the peacock riding, spear-bearing deity. Both sides were exchanging furious attacks, and thus putting up far more of a fight than the weakling soldiers the gods had massacred earlier.
"Ganesha! Can you not handle those four brutes?" Kartikeya shouted, dodging Katashi's knives. He thrust his spear at Toki, who narrowly blocked it with both blades.
"They're more tenacious than I expected. No wonder Nisa Liat hand picked them." Ganesha said, trying to deflect Rinaka's bullets. "But I shall eliminate them hastily. Die -"
Just before he could cast whatever spell he had planned, someone else ran onto the scene, and plunged his sword into the god's back.
"Shiro-san!" Rinaka cried, surprised.
"Sorry for the late arrival. I was with Kita's team for a while, but we separated to search the building. Just as well I found you all."
Shiro then spotted Toki, and his eyes went wide with surprise.
"...I wasn't expecting to see you fighting here tonight. Glad to see you."
Toki smiled, as he jumped away from the spear of his enemy.
"Some fights you just can't stay away from."
Shiro, you took care of me when I was at my lowest point. I wish I knew how to thank you. But I guess taking care of this pretty boy on a bird and the elephant dude will do.
Enraged, Kartikeya launched a Maziodyne at his four opponents, electrocuting them all.
"You Aeon Admins are indeed tough! No wonder Nisa Liat went through such trouble to recruit all of you…"
Asami frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Your potential to become Persona users, obviously." Kartikeya said, callously. "Not everyone can accomplish this. She searched far and wide for those who had potential. Regardless of whether they would join her or oppose her, or betray her - she wanted as many Persona users as possible."
"We witnessed this ourselves, when she first became Nisa Liat. She quickly subjugated us, and kept us as reserves in case she needed us. And so, here we are." Ganesha said, blowing his trumpet.
"Of course, for some of you, she had to motivate them to want to join a group like Bythos…" Kartikeya said.
"...What does that mean?" Asami asked, angry.
"Oh, wouldn't you like to know? Nisa Liat didn't tell us everything, but she did say that for some Aeon Admins, she had to 'adjust' to her liking. Draw your own conclusions, child. Right before you die!"
"Damn you, bastards!" Toki shouted, slashing back. "We'll kill you and Nisa Liat!"
"Just try it!" Ganesha cried. "Die!"
The Shadow launched a Swift Strike, deftly swinging his sword at his foes. Aika was struck, and nearly doubled over from the pain. But the vocalist wasn't done yet.
"Aika!" Celestine cried. "Are you alright?"
"It's nothing. Listening to the Titan Tyrant was more painful." The singer said, winking. Then, she turned serious, raising her staff. "Cecilia!"
Both Persona and singer sang in concert, performing a chilling melody, one to freeze an Anxious Heart. Ganesha was trapped in ice, struggling to break free.
"Now, Rinaka!"
The ex-cop nodded, twirling her twin opened fire, the sounds of her bullets echoing throughout the desolated corridor, then called on Breksta.
"Destroy him!"
Complying, the Persona charged up her weapon, and soared high above the battlefield. With the incredible power she had stored, she fired an Aerial Laser, which swept across, striking both Shadows and left a burning blue gash in the ground.
"Impressive…" Shiro said, immediately striking Ganesha. Due to the power of the laser, he was still in deep agony. "Mergen, appear!"
The Persona tapped into the darkness of the earth, turning it into Terror Firma. This merciless onslaught of earth broke through Ganesha's body, making him howl.
"The chances of you two surviving this battle are nil. Perhaps surrendering would be less painful overall. It's not too late for our mercy, Shadow."
Dispite his bulk, however, he got up very quickly, and hit back with a blindingly bright Makougaon.
"I will never yield to the likes of you, you pathetic teacher!" Ganesha yelled.
"You guys really need to cut the trash talk." Toki said, as he backflipped away from Kartikeya's Heartwave. Katashi whistled, impressed.
"Not bad, old guy. Maybe being paired with you wasn't the worst thing in the world."
Toki smirked, as Katashi athletically jumped up at Kartikeya, nimbly stabbing at the Shadow with his knives, each one charged with the power of wind. Derzelas emerged as Katashi touched the floor, surrounded by a glowing green wind.
"Turbulence!"
Swiftly, the Persona turned that wind into a sharp tornado, that drove the flying Shadow high in the sky, nearly at the ceiling. Seizing this opportunity, Asami clicked her fingers.
"Kaihime, now! Help us!"
The warrior Persona's spear was charged, shining at the type. She then lunged at the Shadow, piercing his flesh three times, in a Spear Flurry.
"Argh! You...you irritating naive child! It's about time I sent you to hell!"
His anger was so intense, his eyes had turned blood red. Any poise had been lost. His own spear struck Asami, then he followed up with an Aquadyne, a crushing blast of water.
"Ow!" Asami cried.
"Hmm…" Keiya said, gazing at his cards. "Sin. Draw your best card, the best Lunar Ace you have!"
Sin manifested, and the four blank cards appeared. This time, he chose Diamond, and sure enough, a large purple diamond appeared above his victim. It exploded tremendously, in a glittery blast of almighty power.
"Well? The Aeon Admins may not have done particularly well against Kei Kakusa and her friends, but even so, we're still superior to all of you. So if you insist on a painful, torturous death, by all means, keep fighting." Keiya said, with a sadistic smile.
Kartikeya scowled, still full of rage. He lunged at Keiya, but Toki's swords blocked him, almost shattering his spear.
"You stubborn oaf…! Why must you fight so hard to live, when your life itself is absolutely worthless!"
Toki did not answer this question. Instead, he took out his swords, and rushed at the Shadow, expertly slashing both god and his peacock steed. His swordplay was finally at the level it had been during his Black Condor days, only this time, each sword was real, and ready to kill.
Even more deadly, however, was the Persona he was about to unleash.
"Shuten Douji, it's time! Show us your best power!"
The Persona appeared, and the environment turned pitch black, with only a blood-red silhouette of a mountain far in the distance. Shuten Douji leaped on top of it, and seemed to grow gigantic, at least fifty feet. Raising his two swords high in the sky, they shined bright, charged with red cursed power. Smirking, the oni jumped off, and rushed at Kartikeya.
"Oeyama Emaki!"
Both of his swords were swung at the Shadow, each slicing through its body fifteen times. Screaming, Kartikeya's body vanished as it broke into pieces. Although exhausted, and panting for breath, Toki felt a rush of euphoria.
Kaii, I hope you were watching. You don't have to worry about me.
"You won't get away with this!" Ganesha screamed, casting Mamudoon. However, it failed to claim anyone. "N-No! Why now?! Not even one of you?!"
"Your luck's run out, it seems…" Celestine said, smirking. She twirled with her dagger stretched out, carving into his body repeatedly. "Now, Egeria! The strength of our waters will overcome any darkness!"
Egeria nodded, and raised her book. She began to write on it with the quill, and soon, gigantic waves of water came crashing from out of nowhere. The barrage seemed endless, until a white light appeared above the 'ocean', causing the waves to become still.
"Final Ocean!"
The waves then collided together to form a giant sphere of water, which lifted Ganesha high in the sky. Then, it fell, breaking apart with incredible force.
"Celestine, I didn't realise your Persona was so strong…" Aika said, impressed.
"Let me guess, Final Ocean's one of your books?" Katashi asked, smirking.
"It's the name of the final book, yes. Still to be written. But I know everything that will happen in it already. In my heart, it's already been written…"
"Just like these Shadows, then. Their fates were sealed when they crossed paths with us." Keiya said, staring at Celestine in admiration.
Ganesha, on the verge of death, dropped its sword, which dissolved into darkness.
"Ha...you won. At least we don't have to worry about...Nisa Liat anymore." He muttered. "We Shadows are born from the repressed thoughts of humans...just like your Personas. One and the same...perhaps what the humans really want...is the end of this city. At least then, they'll be free of the Pleroma Princess -"
"Don't talk shit. That ain't right." Katashi said, arms crossed.
"Think of all the people that have been freed tonight. All trapped in this building, day by day. But one of them still has to be saved…" Ganesha said, body fading away. "Kaiyo Komatsu...find her, if you can…"
Toki gulped. He didn't expect to hear his ex-wife's name. She was still in this building, full of Shadows and corpses.
"...Damn. What the hell is she doing here? We have to find her!"
The other admins looked at each other, then nodded in agreement. They ran off in different directions.
Toki hadn't properly spoken to Kaiyo for many years. After what he did to her and Noboru, there was no way she'd ever want to see him again. If he was the one that found her…
She'd go crazy. She'd scream every name at me, and try to get away from me. That restraining order's still in place. But I have to get her out of here. Not for me. But for Noboru. He's already lost two people he loved. He's not losing his mother too!
He continued upstairs, panting for breath.
|Conference Room|19:15 pm|
"Die, all of you! Die!" The Mayor screeched, as her sword narrowly missed Kohaku's weary body. "I'm tired of hearing about how wonderful you all are! How bright the city's future will be with you in charge! I don't care about your future! You don't have one, not if Noriko-chan has anything to say about it!"
Another Ex Nihilo was cast, splitting into five blasts of purely destructive nihilism. It destroyed most of the painting near Shintaro, and it fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
The battle was still ongoing, and Shintaro wondered briefly how the others were doing. Were Masato and Natsumi okay? Was Evelina-senpai still at home with her family? Were Toshiaki and Manami here? None of them had yet to make it here. Perhaps the Mayor had made it so no one else could enter.
It's all up to us now.
"Garudyne!" Shintaro commanded, guiding Ogma's swift winds at the Mayor. She was struck by the gale, but immediately returned to her bloodlust, hacking at Noboru.
"Just die and let the Kosmos merge! You can't stop that now! At least die peacefully!"
"The only way we're going to find peace is by defeating you and your damn daughter!" Noboru shouted, parrying her blade. He followed with nimble, yet strong slashes of his golden swords. "Everyone, I'll protect you all! Aengus!"
Bravely, the Persona summoned the Shining Wall, to protect everyone. The Mayor smirked, however, and simply ceased her sword strike.
"Foolish boy. I know exactly what that will do. Do you honestly think that I'd fall for your stupid trap, like the mindless Shadows that you slaughter by the dozen?"
Delighted at Noboru's frustration, she conjured Freidyne EX and Psiodyne EX, hitting both Shintaro and Noboru respectively. Both of them, exhausted, fell to their knees, beaten by the intense atomic and psychic bombardment.
"Ow!" Shintaro cried, rubbing his legs.
"Damn you, Ashikaga!" Noboru groaned.
Shigeru ran forward, and punched the Mayor straight in the face. Then, he continued to wail on her, with the strongest punches and kicks he had likely ever used.
"You've hurt my son enough, Yoko! Dis Pater, now!"
The Persona's energy blades were even stronger this time, having doubled in size. Thus, the Deadly Blades swung, again in a cross formation. The Mayor's screams of agony echoed darkly throughout the room, echoing painfully in Shintaro's ears.
"Why is it so hard to get rid of all of you? And where the hell are you, Noriko-chan? I need you now, more than ever!"
Kohaku quickly healed her allies with Mediarama, while Kei, again using Hariti, cast a Dekunda on everybody, restoring their faculties to normal. Both of them looked at their limit, and Shintaro felt a deep exhaustion too. It was getting hard to swing his sword now, and his hand was in great pain, not unlike that fateful battle at Tanjoshima.
"Fine. EX-NIHILO, I have no choice. We're using every last drop of power you have! Whatever it takes to destroy these children and that traitor! Go! Creatio Ex Nihilio!"
The 'Persona' plunged its sword into the ground, and held the hilt tightly. Then, it twisted the sword, and a gigantic spiral of darkness surrounded it. Both weapon and demon emitted a red glow, the colour of blood. With this much power, the Shadow twisted the sword once again, and a gigantic black wall of energy began to mass, zooming at everything in sight.
"N-No!" Shintaro cried. He was powerless to resist the sheer energy, the ultimate power that EX-NIHILO had been honing for all this time. His body collided into a wall, and he fell backwards, every single part of him howling in pain. His sword dropped, falling down the short flight of steps below him.
I can't move! Help, someone!
"How's that? Still breathing?!" Yoko screamed at her deeply wounded enemies, swinging her sword at the air dramatically. "You talk big, but you can't face the might of EX-NIHILO! My daughter's been busy for quite some time, but she didn't need to be here after all. I can kill all of you myself!"
"...Damn. The more she loses her grip on reality, the stronger EX-NIHILO becomes!" Noboru said, shaken from the onslaught.
Shigeru didn't speak. But from the dour expression on his face, he seemed to have lost all hope of victory. Kohaku was barely standing, using her naginata to stay upright, but her energy was all but gone.
"What do we do?" Shintaro asked, clutching his body in pain. He looked up at Kei, who remained standing, holding her sword in both hands. "There's no way we can retreat. We need the others -"
"Ostara. Come to me, and end this madness!"
The Persona appeared right in front of Yoko, blocking her from her next wild swing of her sword. There was a huge column of transparent white 'panels' surrounding both Kei and her Persona, who stayed calm and collected. Then, each one started to glow a different shade of green or blue, some even teal. Each of them was also generating a shine, one that clashed tremendously with the twisted, corrupted environment.
"Mayor Ashikaga. There is no way to save you. Shigeru himself wasn't able to rescue you from the despair you've lived for so long. It seems there really is no other way but to do this. Ostara, with all your power!"
"...Kei?" Shintaro asked, stunned.
"Dawn of Destruction!"
The resulting chaos was a phenomenon of brilliant blue and green explosions, as each 'panel' flew and collided with the Mayor and EX-NIHILO. Before long, it was impossible to even see them, and the resounding cacophony of the explosions drowned out any screams of pain they may have produced. Finally, with one final blast, it was over.
"...My god. Kei, that power -"
Kei fell to her knees, utterly exhausted. The Mayor and EX-NIHILO were both still, staring straight ahead, stunned. But then, there was an unholy screech of pain from the 'Persona'.
"Unable...to...save Master's mother...final procedure...an abject failure...goodbye…Master…"
Is it finally dead?!
Without any further sound, the evil EX-NIHILO fell to its knees, its body 'cracking'. Red bones were protruding from its eerie flesh, and tons of blood was flowing down. No longer able to cling to its sword, it fell backwards, completely collapsing into a macabre collection of bones and flesh. These melted away, leaving a swirl of red, black and purple, of countless shades. Floating on top of this morbid whirlpool was the dreaded mask itself – which Noboru's swords immediately pierced.
"Die!" He screamed, as he drove the blades further into the ground.
The mask bled too, and melted. All of the liquid then dissolved, into tiny white particles. The blade that the Shadow had left behind did the same as well, and these fragments ascended higher and higher, until they vanished. Nothing was left of EX-NIHILO, it had truly been vanquished.
"...Teruko. It's over. We'll never have to fight it again." Noboru said, gazing up at the ceiling. Tears were streaming down his face, but he was smiling.
Indeed, the being's very existence had faded, and this time, it seemed final. Shintaro just knew, somehow. The mayor stood there, eyes fixed on where her 'Persona had once stood'. Benzaiten and EX-NIHILO were completely eradicated now. There was no other backup. The Mayor was done for.
"...Well...done, Shigeru..."
Yoko's Gnosis fell to the ground, breaking into countless pieces that scattered all over the floor. The Mayor staggered backwards, dropping her sword – which immediately shattered as well, melting away into the ground.
"Ha...haha..."
The second her laughter ended, she fell backwards – but before she hit the ground, Shigeru caught her, holding her in his hands. Despite his own injuries, despite the exhaustion, he had been swift to reach her. He knelt down, his eyes locked onto hers.
Just then, there was a flash of white light, and Shintaro caught a glimpse of a college classroom. There they were, smiling in the back row. A younger, happier Yoko Ashikaga, next to Shigeru. Even then, he looked so strong. And while he never lost his strength, she had lost everything from back then.
"Shigeru-kun, can I ask you something? Where do you think you'll be in twenty years?"
"Twenty years, Yoko-chan? Hmm. I'd like to be doing something really important for this city. Being married, having children would be nice, but at the end of the day, I'd like to make a difference in people's lives. For generations to come. Starting with the schools in this city. Kansei and Chieki are fine places, but the other high schools are either ignored or reviled. I can't just let that go on..."
"...You're always thinking about others, aren't you? Then you should work towards that after we graduate. Maybe something in the city's education department. Make them change the other schools for the better. Hmm...maybe I should work for the government too. So that someone's always on your side, no matter what?"
The two laughed, with warm, fresh smiles on their faces. The white light faded, and Shintaro was back in the conference room. After seeing this, he felt his heart get heavy.
"That was...one of my favourite memories...of us together..." Yoko said, her voice almost a whisper. "I loved...our classes together...and we both ended up working in the government...I even became the Mayor...but look what happened. I cursed this city...they never should have voted for me..."
Shintaro and Kohaku gazed at each other, unsure what to say. The Mayor's old self was showing through, at the last possible moment.
"Yoko. I'm so sorry...I knew losing Noriko was destroying you inside. But I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry..."
Shintaro watched, numb. He could tell this would be the last time these old friends would ever speak. Kohaku stood near him, shaking. Noboru looked at his senpai, anxiously. As if he expected they could do something. But there was nothing anyone could do at this point.
"Don't be sorry, Shigeru...I can't...go on any more..." Yoko said, her voice quiet. "I'm glad...I met you...I wish I could have...been the Mayor you wanted to be. The Mayor the city needed me to be. Maybe someone like you can...do a better job..."
He didn't say anything. Perhaps he knew it too. And denying it would be foolish. This was the end of her life. The woman he met in college, full of dreams and aspirations for the future. Who he had stayed friends with, even after all they had been through.
"You were the one that inspired me most, Yoko...you made me apply for that role in the department in Education, remember? Because I wanted everyone to have the same advantages we did..."
Yoko smiled. She reached out her hand, and touched her friend's bloodied face.
"Please...save Noriko...please..."
With that, her hand dropped lifelessly to the floor, and her eyes closed. It was finally over. Mayor Yoko Ashikaga's madness, her grief, and her sorrow. Only her death could cure her of this. And now, she was free of pain.
Shigeru looked at her, mouth open. Then, he burst into tears, unable to contain himself any more. He didn't let go. The tears kept coming.
Shintaro, tearful himself, turned to Kohaku. His eyes were welling up, with the sadness of all these months having built up in him. Without a moment's pause, she wrapped her arms around him, as if to console him.
"Dad...I..."
Kei, finally back on her feet, put a hand on Noboru's shoulder, and shook her head. There was nothing anyone could do.
Shigeru had been trying for so long to save his best friend, who he had known even longer than Kaiyo and Noboru. Yet his strength wasn't enough. Not even close. Now, she was gone. There would never be a day when Yoko was able to be the friend he cherished so much again. Her sadness had caused the city so much devastation and sorrow, and no one could have healed that sadness.
Mayor Ashikaga. Please, find peace.
There was a massive flash, however, and everyone except Shigeru turned to the Core. It was complete, the final one.
"Kei..." Noboru said.
She didn't answer him, and just looked up at the Core in front of her.
"You...should probably take that, now." Shintaro said, wiping his eyes. "It's our only way to -"
"No!"
Shigeru looked up at last. Nisa Liat appeared in the middle of the room, fists clenched. She took one look at her mother, and her eyes lit up with fury. Indeed, a violent red aurora had engulfed her.
"What the hell have you done?! You...killed my own mother! How could you?!"
Her screams reverberated around the room, and Shintaro's ears almost hurt from the volume. He suspected the entire building heard it.
"This would never have happened to Yoko if you hadn't come back from the dead, Noriko!" Shigeru shouted, face covered in his tears. "You told her to fight us until the end! You even gave her EX-NIHILO...how did you think this was going to end up?! Because of you, I had to kill my oldest friend -"
"Shut up!" Nisa Liat shouted. "Don't you dare make excuses! My mother is dead...after all I've done to see her again! We could have ruled the Theio Kosmos together, but...but..."
She marched over to the Core, and touched it with her hand. Oddly, however, she didn't take it. Instead, there was a swift flash, and it fell to the floor, rolling over to Kei.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Kohaku said, confused.
"Take the damn Core. I don't need to hold onto them any more. I only needed to have touched them once. Here, take all of them! For all the good it will do you!"
With that, all five of the previous Cores were flung at Kei, whose Gnosis gathered them before they could hit her body. The Totsuka one flew into it as well. However, the building did not return to normal. Instead, it started to shake violently.
"What's happening?!" Shintaro shouted, frightened.
"There's no one left to rescue, isn't there?" Nisa Liat said, angrily. "So I'm going to tear this fucking place to the ground! With Kaiyo still in it! My mother died here, and so can your stupid wife!"
She screamed out loud, as she vanished. Yoko's body also disappeared, much to Shigeru's shock. Rubble from the ceiling was starting to fall, and the chandelier collapsed, shattering into countless pieces. The corpses around them that had once been reporters crumbled to stone.
"Run!" Kohaku yelled.
"We can't! My wife is still here!" Shigeru said, alarmed. "We have to find her, now -"
"You guys! What the hell just happened?!" Hiroyuki asked, his team having just arrived. "...What happened to the Mayor?"
Evelina's with them after all? But I thought she would have been -
"S-She's..." Kei began, but she was swiftly interrupted.
"Kita!" Shigeru screamed, grabbing him from the collar of his uniform, shaking him violently. Novalie jumped back with fright, shocked. "You searched the whole building, didn't you? Kaiyo wasn't there, was she?"
"N-No, there was no sign of her! Why would she be here now?!" Reia said, confused. "We would recognise her anywhere!"
"We don't have time for this. The building is falling apart! We have to leave, now!"
Hiroyuki grabbed Shigeru's arm, and the entire group ran off, faster than they had ever done before. Lingering here would only get them all killed. Every second counted.
|Shigeru's Office|19:30 pm|
This room was one of the few that had been untouched. Indeed, Shigeru had been in the Covenant System, so no one would think to look in this apparently empty office, the lone sanctuary in this chaos.
But one person was here, shaking, her heart racing. Kaiyo Komatsu was indeed in here, paralysed with fear, her back against the door. Everything had gone to hell shortly after she went inside.
"...Shigeru, where are you? What's happening?" She asked out loud.
Just before Noboru got home from school, she'd had a call from Mayor Ashikaga. They hadn't spoken over the phone for quite a long time.
"I understand why you're angry at Shigeru right now. I would be too, if I were you. But he's been working so hard this year to help me keep this city safe. He's fighting to protect everyone, you and Noboru especially. Don't you remember when he proposed? He said that he wanted to have the perfect family with you two. He's Noboru's dad, not that loathsome Toki. Come to his office, and just talk to him. You don't want it to end like this, do you?"
Kaiyo didn't know what to Mayor seemed very, very insistent that she come over here. But she was finding life at home unbearable, unable to even be in the same room as her husband. Perhaps coming to his office to talk things out wouldn't be such a bad idea. They couldn't just leave things like this, and they both knew that.
But when she came in, he wasn't there. Perhaps he'd just gone to the bathroom, she thought. But then everything went chaotic. There were Shadows all over, just like at Tanjoshima. And youths in uniforms, massacring the employees here.
She knew she couldn't hide here forever. But if she opened that door - no, if she even looked out of the window, it could be the end. And she had to stay alive, as long as she could.
Just then, the ground started shaking. Alarmed, Kaiyo got to her feet - but the intensity of the shaking grew even more intense. She gasped - the ceiling above her was cracking. All the items on Shigeru's desk had fallen over, except for one - a framed photo of her, her son, and him, taken right at the end of the Spring Break.
"I've got to get out of here!"
She grabbed the photo, and opened the door - but as she did, the shaking grew even more intense. It was all she could do as she reached the stairs, but before she could descend, the floor beneath her gave way.
Screaming, she fell down - but she did not hit the ground. Instead, she heard someone call out her name, and she felt someone catch her.
"W-What…?!"
She passed out before she could see her rescuer, who immediately began running.
|Outside Kibo-Jo|19:30 pm|
Shintaro, panting for breath, ran down the stairs. The crowds of people were gone, yet there were several dead bodies around, of both police and civilians. He could hear the entirety of Kibo-Jo collapsing in on itself all around him. Finally, when he felt he was at a safe distance, he turned around.
"Oh my god..."
The left and central towers were already almost gone. The right one was relatively intact, but it wouldn't last much longer.
"My office is there..." Shigeru said, anxiously. "Hiroyuki, you looked all over, didn't you?!"
"I already told you, we didn't find your Kaiyo! We looked all over! She's still at home, isn't she?"
"Actually..." Noboru said, numb. "She wasn't...no one was in when I saw the big announcement."
"What about Komatsu-san's office? She could have gone there..." Shintaro asked, now nervous. "You...didn't skip that room, did you?"
Hiroyuki looked at the rest of the group in his team, and gulped.
"...Kita. You forgot to check my office?! Don't you realise?! Kaiyo could be there, and you missed her!"
"Shigeru, I -"
"Shut up! Get out of my way!"
Just as he started to sprint back towards the building, the entire right tower collapsed, in a heavy plume of smoke. Shigeru's eyes went wide with shock. No one was getting out of there now.
"Kaiyo!" Shigeru screamed, gazing at the tremendous cloud of debris. "Kaiyo...no...she's...she's..."
"...Wait!" Novalie said, looking ahead. "People are coming out of the smoke!"
Indeed, several people were rushing through. And Shintaro gasped when he saw them all. Celestine. Aika. Keiya. Asami. Shiro. Rinaka. Katashi. And right behind all of them, Toki. There was someone in his arms, too.
"K-Kaiyo?!" Shigeru screamed. Shoving Hiroyuki aside, he ran as fast as his legs could take him. Sure enough, the woman in his arms was Kaiyo Komatsu. She was injured, but breathing. Toki immediately passed her body to Shigeru, who held her close, tears streaming down his face. In her hand was a framed photograph of the Komatsu family, on their vacation earlier that year.
"...She was still in your office. I don't know why. She must have wanted to talk to you...after all, you're the one that she loves most, right after Noboru." Toki said, smiling.
"I...I can't believe she was waiting there, all this time..." Shigeru said, stunned. "If...If you hadn't looked inside, I..."
"Don't...don't thank me." Toki said, shaking his head. "If anyone saved her, it's you. You gave her a new life after what happened with me. Don't tell her I'm the one that found her. I don't want her to feel like she owes me...I'm not worth her gratitude. I just wanted her to be safe, with...the real love of her life."
"...Kaiyo. I'm...so glad you're here...you're the only woman I ever really loved."
Noboru ran over, looking over his mother.
"She'll be okay, won't she…?!"
"Don't worry, my boy. Your mother's a strong woman. She'll make it." Toki said, happily.
Just then, Kaiyo awoke. Still in a daze, she looked up at her husband, then to Noboru.
"Shigeru…? Noboru…?!"
"You're safe now, Kaiyo..." Shigeru said, as he kissed her warmly. "That's...all I need."
"Mom..." Noboru said, right by his parents' side. "Why did you leave the house…?"
"Because...the Mayor called me..."
Shigeru looked at her, shocked.
"She said...I should come to the office and wait for Shigeru...that I can't just leave things be...we need to sort out our differences."
"The Mayor tricked you..." Noboru said, sickened by this. "She wanted to kill -"
Toki put a hand on his son's shoulder, and shook his head. This wasn't the time, Shintaro realised.
"...The city's government is gone." Kei said, gazing at the wrecked building. "Shinshuto is lost."
Shintaro wanted to refute that, but when he also saw the sheer destruction before them, he had a feeling she was right. It would be a massive ordeal to restore this city now. Every single district had felt the wrath of Bythos, in some form or another. And with what had just happened, with every one seeing their Mayor's insanity on TV, expecting normality would be foolish.
Just then, there was a flash of red light in the centre of the square in front of the ruined Kibo-Jo. Nisa Liat was there, standing tall.
"So, you all made it. Even Shigeru's pathetic wife..."
"Don't you dare talk about my mother like that, you bitch -"
"Shut up, Noboru!" Nisa Liat screamed. She then clutched her chest, as if to contain her anger. "Hmmph. This place isn't suitable for our final confrontation. Far from it. It's time I finally let all of you come to my Citadel."
"What?!" Shintaro shouted.
"The Bythos headquarters. Although at this point, 'Bythos' no longer exists, does it? The Aeon Admins abandoned me, all of my Anomalies are destroyed, and to force the Totsuka Cognition Core into being, I had all of my remaining soldiers killed. But that's fine. I don't need anyone else anymore. If my own mother is dead, then no one else matters! I'll just cleanse this whole damn planet of you worthless people!"
"No you won't!" Kohaku screamed. "Not if we have anything to say about it!"
"You've put us through hell enough times. So now we're going to make you suffer!" Masato shouted.
"This city used to be a great place for everyone. But you've taken that happiness and thrown it away! Well, we're bringing it back! So you can go to hell!" Natsumi yelled.
"You're all so full of hate, aren't you? Just like me. Perfect. Come to the Citadel tomorrow. Only then will it truly appear, above your own school of Kansei. The path will be open. If you can make it all the way to myself, you might just be able to stop me. But...don't dare think you can thrash me, like all the others you've destroyed! My mother's power paled in comparison to my own! Kei, you may call yourself a Wild Card, but your Personas have nothing on mine!"
"Don't think you're invincible..." Toshiaki said. "You've got nothing on us."
"You think we're going to run from you? As if!" Evelina said, pointing at her nemesis.
"What exactly do you think you can accomplish, now that you're all alone? Do you honestly think you can conquer all of us?" Manami asked, pleadingly.
Ignoring these three, Nisa Liat looked up at the sky, and held her arms aloft.
"If you can't reach me by midnight tomorrow, then everything is over. The two Kosmos will merge, and then the world will be at my fingertips. There won't be anywhere safe from me! Farewell..."
"W-Wait!" Kei shouted. "Are you really my -"
Before she could finish her question, Nisa Liat clicked her fingers, and the city shook. Now, surrounding the entire city, was a giant red barrier, made of flowing energy. It was bright, and visible no matter where one looked.
"That barrier won't let any of you escape. There's nowhere you can run anymore. If you don't want Shinshuto to end up like Kibo-Jo...you'll be at my Citadel. Goodbye!"
With that, Nisa Liat vanished. The stage of the final battle was set. Up in the sky, in the Bythos Citadel, Shintaro and his companions would finally put an end to this, one way or another.
"Everyone...listen to me." Kei said, authoritatively. This time, she was the one in charge. Perhaps, with her Wild Card, she always had been. Everyone turned to her, anxious.
"...This really is the end, isn't it?" Novalie asked.
"Tomorrow is our last battle. If we lose, there won't be any future for the people of this city. We have to win. No matter how hard it is, we must never give in."
Everyone looked at each other, at the friends they had made. At the ones who had once been enemies. There had been people here Shintaro had once hated, with every fibre of his being. Yet now, there was only one person he despised. And the person fighting her – he had finally realised something.
Kei. I keep thinking about you. When I look at you, my heart beats just a little faster. But why am I thinking about this now?
He thought he had loved Celestine. But was that just infatuation with an author he respected? Admiration? They had connected, sure. But something about Kei felt different. When she fell unconscious in the forest, he was afraid.
Afraid he might never see her again.
He might never hear her voice again.
"Kei..."
"What is it, Shintaro-kun?"
He gulped, red in the face. Everyone was looking at him. The words he was looking for didn't come to him.
"We'll get through this. Just like everything else. All the Shadows we've destroyed together – it won't be for nothing. We'll defeat Nisa Liat, and get rid of the Citadel – no, the Theio Kosmos! Then we'll be able to rebuild Shinshuto as the city we loved."
Everyone cheered at this – even Kaiyo, who was still in Shigeru's loving arms. There was no turning back now. All their power and strength would be required to brave through the horrors in the Citadel. But if they succeeded, it would be the end to the horrors the city had endured.
"For Shinshuto. For Akari For Kaii. For every friend we've lost! We'll make them proud of us, for years to come!" He cried, grabbing Kei's hand, and raised it high in the air with his.
I'm still terrified. But you're with me. You won't leave me. So I'll be alright. Wherever you go, I'll follow. That's what love is, after all.