Extra Boss: Melody of Fear of Death
"You've met one in the past haven't you...? An Embodiment of Death."
"Huh? Yeah, why the sudden interest?" Akko asked, surprised at the question.
"Just curious," Sucy shrugged. "Angitia already explained it to me, but I wanted to hear what you knew. Since apparently Jasminka has something like that toiling inside of her, I thought it would be a good idea to know everything before we go talk to her. You definitely have experience with something like that in the past, right? Otherwise you wouldn't have freaked out the way you did back then."
"Yeah, I want to hear it too," Lotte chimed in. "With a title like "Embodiment of Death", it has to be something really dangerous… Just what are they Akko?"
The brunette crossed her arms and pondered, her expression souring at the unpleasant memory. "Alright... It happened about three months ago, before I came to England… That's where I met that Skeleton..."
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-Three months before Akko attended Luna Nova, Cognitive Tokyo
"Faster, keep going!"
Berith galloped through the twisted streets of Cognitive Tokyo, his summoner goading him to run faster as a hoard of skinny humanoids with rotting green skin and large floating masses of decaying limbs gave chase.
"That's it! I not coming back here unless I have someone else with me!" Akko vowed as she pulled a few hooked beads from her cape. "Berith, Maragi!"
The duke of hell waved his trident with his offhand while Akko crushed the beads in her hand, throwing the resulting red dust at the hoard. Several waves of flame washed over the undead Shadows, their screeches of pain accompanied by the crackling of fire.
For good measure, Akko threw out three small balls attached to small balloons. The harmless looking projectiles gently floated over their targets before suddenly exploding in a surge of pure white energy. Finally erasing all with the white flare of Armageddon.
Berith came to a stop as Akko let out a sigh of relief.
"It seems we've made it, if not without a little hassle," Aradia commented. "At least I was not without due compensation."
"... Due compensation, huh...?" the brunette groaned, rummaging through her cape. "Yeah right, using those San-zun Tama and Smart Bombs felt like such a waste… Wish I can buy them back somehow..."
The Persona user went back to collect her loot, netting her wallet about ¥23,000 and a ton of disguising bits of rotting flesh that she refused to take.
"Well, that's done." Akko sighed as she smoothed out her outfit and dusted her hands. "Let's go home now, I can't wait the watch the newest episode of Featherman!"
Her main Persona metaphorically crossed her arms. "What was thy schedule, Akko?"
Akko puffed up her cheeks. "But… But…! Today was so tiring and-"
"Thou has a test next week. Remember the consequences should you fail it… Since it was thy decision to come to the Cognitive World, you now have to do both."
"Fineeeeeeee… I'll watch it after I study, again," the brunette grumbled. "Even though I'm sure I've already got it in the bag…" she pulled out a GOHO-M and raised it into the air…
The item sparkled, before suddenly the light radiating from it sputtered and died.
"Huh…?" Akko paused and examined the item. "Come on, work!"
No response.
"What the…" Akko flicked the item a few times. "Is this one a dud-?"
Just then, a single, drawn out note echoed through the streets. One note became two, then three, and continued to grow in volume and variety until a haunting melody played through the streets of Cognitive Tokyo
"Damn!" Aradia exclaimed. "Here, now, of all places?! How is this possible?!"
"Uhh... Aradia?"
"This is bad, Akko!" The fear evident in her voice, the false goddess continued. "We need to leave! Call out Pixie and use Traesto!"
"A-Aradia?! What's wrong?!" the brunette asked as her eyes widen with worry. "What are you talking about?! Whats coming?! Is it the Reaper-"
"JUST LISTEN TO ME! We need to leave, now, before it's too late!" the goddess yelled.
"Kaka… now naive. Escaping a meeting with Death is impossible…"
Without warning, the streets of Cognitive Tokyo shifted. In a flash of white light, the streets became a grand theater with Akko standing center stage. Columns of skulls, walls lined with ribs, spinal cords lining the floor, and other miscellaneous human bones constructed the macabre room.
"W-What is this?!" the brunette stuttered. "A Distortion?!"
"CURSES!" Aradia exclaimed, "Akko, keep your wits about you and prepare for battle! A EMBODIMENT OF DEATH IS COMING!"
Akko let out a gasp as clusters of black aura manifested before her, solidifying into a levitating humanoid and confronting the Persona user.
The being was a skeleton garbed in a hat decorated with a feather, a red pink-ish outfit that resembled medieval musician and white gloves. In his hands was a violin.
Beside him were two identically tall figures in jester outfits. They were both faceless and had a red question mark on their head. They carried deadly looking scythes as they stood upon a single leg.
Akko reactivity brandished her bat and readied herself for combat.
"Greetings to you, Wild Card, and welcome to my domain. I am David, he who plays the melody of Fear of Death," the skeletal Shadow politely greeted.
"David…?" Akko pointed her bat that the musician. "What do you want with me?"
"Simple, really… It is the duty of all Embodiments of Death, to help you meet your end!"
"My end!?"
"That's right… you, who have escaped your demise is an abnormally to this world," David pointed his violin bow at Akko, condemning her. "And I am very interested to see if you can achieve such a feat a second time! So come, show me if it was merely luck or the result of your own power!"
David began playing his violin, a long, dragged out note echoing throughout out the theater. In response the jesters rushed Akko, following haunting melody as they begin their dance of death.
Akko crushed the Fool arcana. "ARADIA!"
Using her larger size, the false goddess manifested to intercept the scythes that would've dismembered her summoner, using two precise claw swipes to parry the deadly weapons before retaliating herself. Akko joined in with her own bat swing.
David responded with another melody. His music changed so naturally and seamlessly that most normal ears would never tell the difference. The shift in tone caused his followers to doge the counter attack.
"They're fast!"
"Expect nothing less from the fable Macabre." Aradia responded as she summoned her scepter, sending a spear of light as one of the jesters only for them to step out of the way again.
"Now… don't be like that…" David chuckled. "The dance of Death should be enjoyed. Move your body, immerse yourself in my music… and enjoy the last few moments of your life!" His muttered as his hollow eye sockets flashed red...
Akko managed to just barely dodge the small iceberg that erupted under her feet,
"This isn't good. You thinking what I'm thinking, Aradia?" the brunette cried.
"Always."
They clashed with the jesters again, the clang of metal ringing with each strike met. Both Persona and user were forced back towards the edge of the stage as the jesters rushed in for the kill, both of them leaping through the air for a powerful, overhead cleave...
*Clank
Thanks to their predictable swing, Aradia managed to catch the handles of the scythes, the tips of the blade almost touching her shoulders. Her scepter levitated before her, its satanic goat head had a mocking grin as its eyes flashed. Two light spears slammed into the jesters' body, leaving a crater in each of their chests. Yet despite the seemingly mortal wound, the jesters continued to stand, still attempting to pressed down their weapons.
Akko, frustrated at their durability, reached into her pouch and retrieved a handful of rice. "Expel them! Segaki Rice!" Throwing a handful at the Macabres, the grains transformed into tiny needles and slammed into their marks, before erupting into massive pillars of holy light, erasing their existence.
The brunette lets out a sigh in relief before directing her attention David. "Your move!" She pointed her bat the Embodiment of Death.
The violinist didn't cared from Akko's threat, however, as he finished this melody first before addressing her.
"That was a wonderful first song…" he responded. "A shame my dancers were unable to keep up," the skeleton mused. "But no matter, it's time for the second act."
His prepared to draw his bow again.
"Be on your guard Akko. He's stepping up his game!"
"Yeah!" Akko nodded and rushed in with Aradia, preparing to stop the dreaded music.
"The Fear of Death appears before man time and time again, its forms ever shifting," the violinist chuckled. "Just as I am here now! Listen to my violin and succumb to the sweet embrace of your demise! BEHOLD… MY HAUNTING RHAPSODY!"
David played with inhuman accuracy, bringing forth a complicated melody.
As the music played, Akko felt her body weaken substantially. Fear welled up inside her and her mind became uncleared. Both Persona and user dropped to their kneels, struggling to stand.
"W-What… is this…?" the brunette muttered weakly. "It's like… I got hit by all of the weakening spells…"
"All that live fear their end, and Life is but a distraction that helps the living forget that fact. My song has the power to harness the Fear of Death," David explained. "Did you honestly think you are above it? Foolishness."
The skeleton's eye sockets flashed, an explosion engulfing Aradia. The false goddess lets out a squeal of pain as she shattered into countless glass shards.
Akko screeched in pain, clutching her head and collapsing to the floor. Her eyes watery and her breathing rapidly panting.
Without mercy, a hunk of ice followed and slammed into her midsection, rocketing her painfully through the air and dropping her harshly onto the stage floor.
The skeletal musician at this point seemed bored, tilting his head lazily. "It would seem my beautiful tune has captured your heart completely. Then victory is mine, Wild Card." The music slowed as David sang something akin to a lullaby. "Paix à son âme."
His eyes flashed as the eldritch circle of Mudoon span around Akko. With Aradia broken, there's no way she could block the incoming instant death...
"This isn't… over yet…!"
Akko struggled back to her feet as she shakily brandished her bat. "Don't you... dare put me to sleep just yet…!"
"So you still have some fight left in you. Impressive," the musician mused. "But you've lost. Accept you end and-"
Akko shot down the skeleton's smirk face by tossing out a white fleshy humanoid thing at the incoming Mudoon, the curse magic being absorbed into the artifact as it crumbled to dust.
David laughed, giving Akko a slow clap. "Nicely done, Wild Card! If you're so insistent on our dance continuing, then I am happy to oblige!"
The embodiment of Death played his Haunting Rhapsody at full blast again, causing Akko to buckle under the force as it washed over her. Through sheer force of will, she remained on her feet, limping her way towards David.
"Aradia… are you ok?" Akko whispered into her mind.
"Somewhat," the false goddess whispered, still weak. "However I am too injured to be of much help-"
"I don't think so… he has spells to hit everyone's weaknesses… I am too weak and too slow to change Personas without him interrupting me…"
"We need to think of something quick then," the false goddess muttered.
"Even now you resist the Fear of Death and you mind is cleared…" David muttered in disbelief. "Ah… I see now…! This is how you lived through your destined end, wasn't it?!"
With a quick flash of his eyes, a chill crept down Akko's spine...
"Magic Mirror!"
The cognitive treasure blocked the powerful ice spell, sending it back full force at its caster. The musician took no damage from the reflected attack.
"He's immune to his own elements… so that rules out Fire and Ice…" Aradia thought. "And the Embodiments of Death are surely immune to Light and Darkness… that would leave us with four options left for his possible weakness…"
"So a gamble huh…?" Akko frowned. "Yay…"
"Thou apologize… if only thou have more luck to offer you…" the false goddess sighed.
"It's okay… we are here today because of luck too right?" Akko shook her head as she smiled to herself. "So you are already my lucky goddess, Aradia!"
"Akko…" the false goddesses' face spread into a grin. "Then let's go, my SHINING STAR! Make your choice and live for your dream!"
A massive explosion of fire rocked the theater as Akko defended against it with another Magic Mirror, causing many flickering embers to cover David and the stage.
"Kaka… KAKAKAKAKAKAAA…!" the skeleton laughed. "My Haunting Rhapsody continues to lose its grip on you! That unshakable will… no wonder you are the Wild Card!"
"That's right, David! I have no reason to fear anything, let alone Death!" Akko lightly beat her chest, letting it illuminated her Believing Heart's azure light. Standing half a meter before him and her eyes glaring intensely into the Embodiment of Death's sockets. "So long as I am pursuing my dream, I FEAR NOTHING!"
"Then show me, Wild Card!" David's eyes glowed, ready to end the brunette where she stood. "Show me the melody of your life!"
Akko retrieved a a hooked bead with divine aura. She clutched it to her chest as she activated the cognitive treasure.
Please work… pleasebeweaktolightningpleasebeweaktolightningpleasebeweaktolightning…!
"ROAR! SHIDEN NO MAGATAMA!"
A massive purple thunderbolt engulfed David, forcing him to the floor with a scream of Agony.
"YES! WE GUESSED RIGHT!" Akko cheered. Not wanting to waste her chance, she leap in with her bat using all of her remaining strength.
"Take this! Tatsumi style Mad Assault!"
The strike slammed into the skeleton's violin, destroying it and sending wood splinters scattering across the stage. The Embodiment of Death let out an ear piercing screech, black smoke leaking from his body as his bones and clothes began breaking down.
"It seems the violin is where his essence is," Arada commented, relieved. "We won Akko. We actually beaten an Embodiment of Death!"
Akko was panting but still worriedly glared onto the disappearing Shadow.
"Kakakakakaka…" the fading David hollowly humored, "... to gaze upon the Fear of Death unflinchingly with those eyes... Your heart is the bravest humanity has to offer… You have continue to do well living on, Wild Card… Well done in overcoming the fear one have toward their inescapable end..."
Weakly, he took his cap off his head and bowed to Akko gracefully. "But do not think you have won with this victory... The Fear of Death is inescapable to all life, and I will be sure to appear before you one day, in another form… Farewell for now, Kakakakaka…!"
With that he, along with the theater, faded. Akko found herself on the lonely streets of Cognitive Tokyo once more.
Akko let out a tired sigh, relieved that the whole ordeal was over. "That was too close for comfort…"
"You are a lucky girl, my Shining Star," Aradia comforted. "We shall continue to push forward, no matter what life may throw at us…"
"That sounds good and all... but I'm suddenly not all that interested in traveling around the Cognitive World…"
"Indeed, let's go home… You can also take a break and watch your show."
Akko smiled at that.
"YAY!"
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"After that Aradia told me in detail what an Embodiment of Death was. I'd hoped I would never have to see one again, but I guess that's not happening."
Silence lingered when Akko finished her story. Lotte swallowed a lump that built in her throat and sighed. "It must have been hard, going solo like that for so long. Promise us you'll never do anything like that again!"
Sucy nodded, agreeing. "Honestly, the fact that you lived this long by yourself is a miracle onto itself."
"Hehe…" Akko rubbed the back on her head, lightly laughing. "No need to worry guys, my usual runs were nothing like that at all! That skeleton was honestly an unexpected surprise…" she sulked.
"The Wild Card's story foretold a dangerous future..." Angitia whispered. "If Embodiments of Death are appearing in the perception of mortals, a great calamity are surely upon all of humanity."
Sucy relayed her Persona's comment. "So if I am hearing this right… these Embodiments of Death things are warning signs for something way worst that is coming?"
"Aradia said the same thing too… so pretty much…" Akko sadly nodded. "Let's hope there's something we can do about it…"
Sucy and Lotte trade looks of uncertainty between themselves before returning their sights to their friend.
"Whatever, no use worrying about it now. We will deal with whatever when it happens." Sucy shrugged, yawning.
"It's a scary thought… but Akko, let's do our best to find out what it is!" Lotte said, showing her rare brave expression.
The looks both of them were giving to Akko were genuine and full of support…!
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Akko eagerly nodded, planting herself between her friends and pulling them close. "Muhumm! No worry guys! There's nothing we can't overcome!"
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Embodiment of Death:
David (Death)
Null: Aliments, Fire, Ice, Bless, Curse
Weakness: Electric
Skills: *Haunting Rhapsody, Mudoon, Agilao, Bufula, Dekunda
Profile: A violinist of inhuman power who appears as a skeleton. He travels around Europe with the Romani and plays his enchanting violin that causes people to dance the "Dance of Death". He embodies the fear men feel toward their inescapable end.
*Haunting Rhapsody- David only skill. Reduce all stats of target with high chance of Fear or Confusion. Affected by Ailment resistance.
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Enemy Shadows:
Legion (Fool)
Null: Curse
Resistance: Psy
Weakness: Bless, Fire
Skills: Rampage, Life Drain, Mamudo
Profile: The spirit who said, "For we are many," in ancient scriptures. The name comes from the Roman military term for an army unit of 3,000 to 6,000 men.
[]
Ghoul (Death)
Resistance: Curse
Weakness: Bless, Fire
Skills: Bash, Poisma, Sukukaja
Profile: A cannibalistic demon from Islamic lore. It feeds on the flesh of both the living and the dead. It is indistinguishable from normal humans and prefers to prey on children and travelers.
[]
Macabre (Death)
Null: Curse
Weakness: Bless
Skills: Kill Rush, Stagnant Air, Dodge Phys
Profile: An evil spirit with the same name as the Death appearing in medieval oratorios. It dances the feared "Dance of Death".
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741AuthorNCS: There we go, Krimzon Flygon. You didn't really touched the Fiends in your fic so...
Again, go check out my friend, Krimzon Flygon's, SMT fic Megami no Hanabira. The poor guy wrote 200k words of entertainment through pain and suffering and got like no popularity what so ever. Life is so unfair...
Fun fact: Smart Bombs' Japanese name is 風船爆弾, which is the name for that Japanese WW2 weapon, that's why they are air ballrooms.
Thank my beta for the umpteenth time for helping out despite his busy life.
BTW, there's a poll on my profile, go vote for it if you want to influence the next chapter! See ya all next time!