Tsukio backed away as Minato clenching and relaxing his injured hand with a psychotic smirk on his face. "Well…" he licked some of the blood and sneered. "Come on, I dare you to touch her."
"Tch," Tsukio was shivering but not because of Minato but rather, the blue eyed child standing next to him, swaying back and forth with an even more sinister smile. That was no ordinary child, his aura was demonic and it was making her quiver.
Tsukio whipped around and made a run for it.
"Don't let her run! Rip her heart out," Pharos commanded and Minato listened. He ran forward and tackled the female through the door. Tsukio winced as the two crashed through the wooden door and ended up on the outside.
Minato got on top of her and grabbed a hold of her face, pressing it against the wall. "…" he held his fist up and snarled, ready to pound her face into an unrecognizable mess.
Tsukio stabbed Minato on the shoulder but that only made him snarl again. "Stupid bitch." he punched her hard across the face, cracking her head against the wall. Tsukio stabbed him again but Minato shrugged it off and kept punching her.
Tsukio tried to squirm from his grip but Minato didn't lessen it one bit. "You goddamn moron!" he got close and yelled right in front of her face, draining away the color.
"You need a fucking army to beat me," and he struck her on the face away, opening up a bruise. "You aren't going to touch her!" he pulled Tsukio close by the collar and shouted in his demonic voice. "Nobody is going to touch her!"
Tsukio poked him in the eye, finally making him release the grip. She quickly stood up and slashed the demented teenager on the chest.
"Dumb," Minato caught her neck and rammed her into the wall again.
Tsukio kneed him in the nads this time and Minato growled. She broke free and ran off once again.
Tsukio looked forward and stopped dead in her tracks as the demonic child from earlier stood just a few yards away from her, giggling and snickering as he continually bobbed his head back and forth.
"W-Who are you?" Tsukio was quivering again.
Pharos flashed his canines and that sent Tsukio to the ground, for a split second she saw a mirage of a horrific beast hovering over the child, with tattered clothes and a hollow mask.
Tsukio crawled backwards, deathly afraid of whatever was standing in front of her. She was never this afraid, Minato scared her yes but this was something entirely new, her very soul was shaking and that had never happened before.
"My brother will annihilate and rape your damn soul!" Pharos yelled out in a deep, horrific voice that drained away the color from Tsukio's face again.
Minato was watching it all for a distance and he liked it. He liked it a lot. He didn't know what got into Pharos but he enjoyed it, Pharos induced a whole other level of fear, fear that he could almost taste.
Minato rotated his injured arm and walked forward. "Afraid?" he asked the grounded female. "You haven't seen anything yet."
Pharos disappeared with a haunting laugh and Minato kicked the female hard in the gut, sending her a few inches up in the air.
"This was a bad idea…" Tsukio hacked out.
Minato flipped her over and clasped her mouth shut. "You goddamn bitch! If you had a problem with me then settle it with me! How fucking dare you even think about harming Hamuko!?"
Tsukio bit his finger and it only pissed Minato off further. "Squirm! Hamuko sure as hell did when that bastard shot her."
"M-Morpheus!" Tsukio called, covering the hall with darkness.
"My ass!" Minato yelled and punched her on the face again, cracking her concentration. "You aren't going to do anything! You're going to die, you're going to die the most horrific and brutal death ever!"
Tsukio started shaking again.
"I'm going to use your filthy corpse as a wake up present for Hamuko,"
"Let me go!" Tsukio struggled but the few seconds with the demonic child had taken too much from her, it was like her sanity was slowly cracking, second by second because she couldn't get the image out of her mind, it kept flashing before her eyes.
"W-Who was h-he?" Tsukio managed to get out.
Minato grabbed a hold of her collar and threw her against the wall. The raven haired female slumped to the ground and Minato started walking forward again, massaging his injured hand.
"Where is Takaya?" Minato demanded, cracking his knuckles.
Tsukio got up, still shivering as the image of the laughing blue eyed boy flashed before her eyes. "He's waiting…"
Minato stopped inches away from her. "For?" he curled his hand into a fist.
"To kill that bitch inside," Minato growled upon her answer and knocked the breath out of her lungs with a brutal right. Tsukio gritted her teeth and manage to slash him on the chest again. Minato let out a raspy 'shit' and dropped her to the ground again.
Tsukio crawled forward and broke into a run for Hamuko's room.
"Oh shit!" Minato ran after her.
Tsukio kicked the door open and set her sight on the still unconscious female. "Time to die!" she took just one step and was kicked to the side as Minato burst into the room with a demonic roar.
Minato started pulling on his hair again. "Stupid," he stalked forward and punched her to the ground again.
Tsukio barely stood up and saw the same child shaking his head at her. Pharos looked up and scowled at her, sending her cowering against the wall.
Minato gazed into her eyes and they were blank as a sheet. "She's breaking?" he didn't torture her enough to break her.
Tsukio couldn't handle the dread and she dropped to her knees, shaking and convulsing violently. "Frail ass bitch," Minato spat.
He looked back at Hamuko and saw no problems with her.
"Where is Takaya?" Minato asked again but Tsukio didn't respond, she was just quaking and shivering, her eyes still fixated on the spot where the demonic boy stood moments ago.
"Can you taste the fear?" Pharos asked.
"Yeah, tastes like a fucking happy meal!"
Pharos gave another sick cackle and disappeared from the room, taking away the deathly aura along with him. Minato sighed, that was a little too oppressive, even for him. He focused his attention back on the raven haired female and she wasn't moving.
Minato pulled out a knife and fixed his eyes on her throat. "Rot in hell, your filthy friends are going to join you soon enough."
"…"
"Especially that son of a bitch, Takaya, I swear on Hamuko's life," Minato was about to land the killing shot but was halted by a shout.
"Is everyone alright?" that sounded like Mitsuru, a little panicked but Mitsuru nonetheless.
The redhead followed the trail of blood and ended up at the doorway with Akihiko and Junpei who all gaped in surprise when they saw Minato towering over the broken female.
"Aww man," Minato spat, pocketing the knife. "You retards show up at the worst time ever!"
"Is Hamuko alright?" Junpei asked, running towards the female.
"Phew, she's fine," the capped teen let out a sigh and was actually surprised that Minato allowed him near the redhead, he was ninety nine percent sure that Minato was going to yell at him or shove him away.
"She's fine," Minato flipped Tsukio over with his foot and she was motionless.
"When did she attack and holy hell, what happened to your hand!?" Akihiko yelled, pointing at Minato's bruised hand with was dripping blood.
"Stop asking questions. Take this bitch back to the dorm," he looked at Mitsuru. "Did you hear that moron? The dorm, don't throw her into a prison so the rest can rescue her."
Akihiko picked up the broken female.
"I'm not done with her," Minato growled. "She's my ticket to Takaya and I'm going to beat an answer out of her, no matter what."
"Be careful, dude," Junpei said. "You don't know who else will attack…"
Minato actually nodded at him. "Nobody is going to touch Hamuko, I fucking assure you."
"I'll be staying here till she's up, do not disturb," Minato bit his lip. "I might end up mauling someone if you keep disturbing me."
"Very well," Mitsuru turned around. "Take care of Hamuko."
Akihiko and Junpei picked Tsukio up and walked away with Mitsuru.
Minato sighed and sat back on the seat, squeezing her hand again. "Damn it, wake up, already…" he groaned. "I want to see you before I die."
Minato summoned another sword and rested the blade against his side. He didn't care if Theo or Sho were going to show up; nobody was harming Hamuko on his watch, no one.
"Takaya…" Minato's brain rattled as Hamuko's scream rang inside his psyche again. "I can't wait to get my hands around his scrawny pencil neck…"
Takaya's power up surprised him to be honest, he actually fought him toe to toe for a while until Junpei barged in and the two started winning and the whole summoning thing made him blink. How the heck did Tatsuya summon a different persona? He had never seen him in the damn blue room before….
"There was something about his summoning," Minato recalled. Takaya screamed and yelled every time he tried to summon, unlike Minato who felt natural while summoning different personae.
"Tch, whatever," Minato spat. "I'm going to maul his sorry ass; no matter how many personae he pulls outta his ass." Dark Hour be dammed, Takaya's death was the single most important thing to him right now.
…
Akihiko hurled Tsukio on the couch and sighed. "Well, she hasn't said anything till now…"
"Just what did Arisato do to her?" Mitsuru wondered, observing the female who was still ghostly pale. "She seems to have suffered a huge psychological scar…"
"Minato is full of surprises," Yukari shivered.
"I'm kind of curious what he did," Junpei admitted.
"At least he shut her up," Shinjiro said. "That's what counts."
"Yes," Mitsuru pinched the bridge of her nose. "He won't be coming back until Hamuko is healed…. And I don't want to imagine what he'll do if Tsukio breaks free somehow."
"Yeah, that isn't happening," Akihiko nodded.
"I would like to correct you," the cold voice made everyone jump up slightly. "She is going to break free."
"What the hell?" Yukari cried.
Takaya was standing at the doorway, another sick smile playing on his face.
"You bastard," Akihiko growled. He looked back at the team and bit his lip, they weren't healed, especially Mitsuru and Shinjiro, the battle had happened just a day ago and the whole fiasco about Hamuko getting injured didn't give them enough time to focus on their injuries.
"Ugh," Mitsuru winced, the pain spreading over again. "Everyone, prepare for battle."
"Battle?" Takaya chuckled. "I don't think so…"
…
Beaten and tired from the earlier battle, the members of SEES were beaten and pummelled by Takaya. They managed to hit and cut him a few times, especially Aigis and Shinjiro but Takaya still held an advantage over them and soon, all of them were sent crashing to the ground in pain.
"Ugh," Junpei tried to stand up but dropped on his back again.
"Disappointing," Takaya panted, he was injured himself but the extra plumes he took surely helped him. "Seems like your leader is the only challenge left for me…"
"Challenge?" Junpei spat out. "It won't be close; Minato will slaughter your ass."
"Need I remind you what he did to you?" Takaya reminded. "Need I remind you what he did to all of you?"
"Shut up," Yukari growled, getting on her knees and glaring at the leader of Strega. "This isn't going to work on me anymore. We've mistook him for a demon, he's a human just like us,"
"…"
"Unlike you," the brunette hissed. "Despite all that he's done, he's still a far better persona than you'll ever be."
"He's also more of a man that you'll ever be," Junpei stood up. "Go on, he's waiting for you at the hospital, go on and fight him."
Takaya gritted his teeth and didn't respond.
"Coward," Yukari yelled at him.
"Mark my words, Minato will slaughter and bury you alive," Junpei promised. "He swore on Hamuko and that seals the deal. You're dead already."
Takaya sent a blast of almighty energy towards the two juniors, knocking them to the ground again.
"Y-You better run coward," Yukari managed to get out. "H-He might be coming at any time now." Takaya bit his lip, he really wanted to kill everyone but the Dark Hour was almost over and if Minato was really making his way back….. He would have a little trouble.
The leader of Strega grabbed a hold of the raven haired girl and dragged her away. A sick smiled spawned on his face. "When he arrives, tell him I'll be waiting at the underground basement."
"Go to hell," Junpei spat.
Takaya chuckled, despite the beads of sweats rolling down his forehead. He dragged Tsukio away and disappeared into the night.
"Ugh, crap," Yukari groaned, her eyelids getting heavy. "Junpei, call Minat-" she soon passed out and Junpei soon followed with a pained grunt.
…
"M-Minato," Hamuko finally spoke and Minato nearly sobbed out of pure happiness. He had been sending healing spell after healing spell and it was finally working.
"Dammit," Minato clasped her shoulders again and send another wave of energy. He was thoroughly exhausted but he didn't care at all and kept spamming the same spell.
Hamuko opened her eyes to see Minato hovering over her. Sweat was dripping down his chin but he looked happy and a little misty eyed. "You idiot…" Minato sighed and collapsed back onto the seat. He really wanted to hug her but restrained himself, she was still a little wounded.
Hamuko winced and tried sitting up. Minato grabbed a hold of her hand and helped her up. "I'm so glad you're up."
"I'm fine," Hamuko smiled slightly. "Oh no," she saw Minato sniffing. "Please don't cry Minato, I'm alright, seriously…"
Minato hugged her carefully and sighed again. "That's supposed to be my line."
Hamuko hugged him. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"Thank you for saving my worthless life," Minato bit his lip.
"Hush," Hamuko silenced him. "It isn't your life anymore." Minato pulled back and Hamuko smiled at him again. "Do you have any idea what would happen to me if you….. passed away?"
"Shit," Minato was feeling horrible again, his death was inevitable and her words made him cringe momentarily, what on earth was Hamuko going to do?
"Hamuko, I promise…" the blunet looked her in the eye. "I'm going to kill Takaya, just for you."
"Minato," Hamuko sighed.
"No, don't say a word," Minato scowled. "This was between me and him, he shot you and I don't care if that was a mistake, he'll pay regardless."
"Fine," Hamuko groaned. "Kill his ass."
"Kill him," Pharos blared into Minato's psyche soon after Hamuko spoke.
"Maim him for what he did," the redhead continued.
"Maim him for what he did to your woman," Pharos continued.
"I fucking will," Minato promised again, taking Hamuko's hands. "Here, let me help you get back to the dorm, you don't like hospitals, do you?"
"Nope," Hamuko nearly fell but Minato held her. "Thanks, I'm still a little injured."
"Don't worry, I'm here," the blunet smiled.
"Forever and ever," Hamuko smiled back.
….
"Oh God no," was the first thing that came outta Hamuko's mouth when the two stepped inside the dorm. The scene resembled a train wreck with the members of SEES sprawled across the floor, covered in blood.
"Guys!" Hamuko hurried over to them and cringed, they looked pretty beat up.
"Koro," Minato hurried over to the canine and gritted his tooth, his white fur was matted with blood. Koromaru was knocked out, much like the rest. "Who the hell did this!?"
"I-It was Takaya," Junpei managed to get out. Minato whipped around to face the capped teen.
"I'm sorry, Minato," Yukari cringed. "He took away the girl."
Minato rested the injured canine on the couch and growled. "That son of a bitch…"
"Takaya did this all?" Hamuko gritted her teeth.
"He told that he would be waiting at the underground basement," Junpei informed.
Minato, upon hearing that, bolted towards the door but before he could run out, Hamuko held him in place, stopping him from doing something reckless. "Halt."
"Let me go, dammit," Minato scowled. "I have a score to settle."
"It's obviously a trap and I won't let you jump in head first to your death," Hamuko yelled at him, actually dropping Minato on his ass.
"I-I can't control my anger," Minato admitted. "I need to…. I need to…" his fist started shaking. "Kill him, or else I won't be able to sleep at night…."
"You'll get your chance," Hamuko assured him. "The only one who can match him now is you." she looked back at the team. "Help me here please."
Minato growled but did as she ordered. He firstly helped Junpei and Yukari and then went to help the rest.
…
"Did you see a ghost or something?" Jin asked with a sigh, giving a glass of water to the still shaking female.
"W-Worst," Tsukio managed to get out. She was shivering, despite being wrapped up a in a blanket. "S-Someone is watching over them."
"Who?" Takaya leaned forward.
"Someone even more ruthless than Minato himself," she said. "Be careful, those three are fucked up…"
"Three?"
"That boy," Tsukio shut her eyes close and nearly yelled out in terror when she hallucinated about Pharos standing right next to Takaya. The female dropped the glass and fell backwards before crawling away.
"What?" Takaya asked, looking back to see no one.
"H-He's there!" Tsukio yelled out in pure terror but the other two couldn't find anyone else. "G-Get away!" she yelled at the illusion of the demonic boy.
"Minato scarred her pretty bad," Jin bit his lip.
Takaya sighed. "Shut her up, her screaming is giving me a headache." Takaya reached out into his pocket and pulled out another plume. "I will keep words in mind. We need to be fully prepared for him." this was going to be painful but the power was all worth it.
Minato kissed Hamuko goodnight and stumbled back into his room, wiping his eyes. He was so damn happy that the redhead was up and running again.
"…" he stepped inside his room to see Pharos swaying back and forth on his bed, grinning like a demon while doing so. "Greetings, brother."
"I liked it," Minato snickered. "I liked it a lot. You're getting there, kid, you're getting there."
"Brother, I'm starting to remember who I am," Pharos got on his knees and widened his smile. "What I need to do."
"Who are you then?" Minato asked, sitting next to him.
"Something horrific and demented," Pharos laughed. "My ultimate purpose is slowly getting clearer to me but for now, I have another objective."
"And that is?"
Pharos grabbed a hold of Minato's shoulder and pulled him closer. His blue eyes were flickering between black and blue and his skin… it was slightly cracking somewhat. Pharos started moving his head back and forth with a blank expression on his face. Minato bit his lip as the boy tilted his head to the side, God, he looked horrific right now.
"I want to bathe in blood, just like you brother,"
"There will be plenty for both of us," Minato assured and the two shared a laugh. A quiet but horrific laugh nonetheless.
Another "I'm back, dammit' kinda thingie. Loads of build up and the intro of Pharos as a somewhat important character, he'll be mad important in the next full moon which I repeat, is going to be brutal. Seemed like Minato didn't have to do much as Pharos broke the chick with a couple of smiles. Remember, Death is a monster here, this isn't the p3 version of Death, this is the personality of the one from the greek mythos and that was one mean sob.
Also, to the people who want to see a lemon : I'm sorry, I really am. I'm not that good of a writer to write a full lemon, I kinda struggle with regular fluff because it takes a while to find balance between something believable and corny... so... yup, can't write a lemon. I'm not ruling out that the two won't share a 'special night together' because goddamn ATLUS and social links but yeah, no lemon because I suck at writing that any my co-author is the biggest prude in the world. So, I'm sorry for the letdown/disappointement but I hope you enjoy the rest of the story... I guess.
Thank you all for the reviews. I'm free from the exam and I can update daily (because I got help!) if you guys give me a reason too. Translation? do review, heck if 10 percent of the favorites review, we'll be happy as fuck.
Hope you enjoyed this, there won't be much filler and we'll skip straight to the important bits. Cheers to all! \o/