Chapter 66 / Twilight
July 28th, 2012 / Time Unknown
TV World
KANA'S POINT OF VIEW
"Mitsuru? Do you read me?"
"Fuuka?" Mitsuru said as she cut down a Shadow.
"Thank goodness. I can sense all of you. Whatever was blocking me previously has stopped but... oh no. Everyone you have to go! Hamuko-san and Setsuko-san's readings are weak and... I can't sense Labrys and Aigis..."
"The Shadows, they've stopped," Yukiko called out.
But I didn't register anything else that was said. It didn't matter. I ran in the direction of Hamuko. This is what I had been worried about. Even though there were four of them and they were more than capable, something seemed off. I know I was being rash. Even if I got to her... if she couldn't handle what had happened then what good did I hope to be? And yet I didn't slow or hesitate.
I'm not sure how long I ran but it felt like it took far too long for Hamuko to enter my view. "ONEESAMA!" I screamed seeing the blood around her. I sprinted and slid down next to her. I brought my hands to her face, her eyes hazy.
"Kana?" Hamuko seemed unsure and her voice weak.
"Yes, I'm here," I eagerly answered.
She smiled, "It's selfish for me to want you here as I'm dying."
"No, no... you'll be fine Oneesama... I know you will," I was desperate. My vision blurred by the tears that now fell from my eyes. I hated this... this feeling. Please, no. Someone stop this.
"That's right, no one is dying today. Samarecarm," A light wrapped around Hamuko and I watched as her wounds began to close. I looked up to see Yukari standing there with a smile. "Not about to let my sister-in-law die on my watch."
Hamuko gasped for breath and shot up, wrapping her arms around me as she seemed to regain the feeling in her body. She coughed against me, "Ow." She laughed and then coughed more.
"Thank God," I breathed and clutched her.
"Sorry, Kana," Hamuko whispered. "Wait, how are the others?"
"Don't worry. Setsuko-san was healed by Yukiko-san and Aigis and Labrys were healed up as well."
"Fuuka, it's good to hear you," Hamuko pulled back from me. She looked passed me, as if looking for something. Then her eyes went up and froze. "LOOK OUT!"
A cold wind rushed by followed by what looked like spears of darkness attacked us from every direction. I held onto Hamuko tight and leaped back and then summoned Eurydice using a Myriad Arrows attack to halt the darkness. The arrow attack was shattered and it looked like both Hamuko and I would be skewered. But coming in fast was another individual that shattered the attack.
"Keep your guard up," Setsuko had been the one to stop it but immediately went on the attack.
"Kana, let's do this," Hamuko said as she separated from me and a tarot card appeared in front of her.
I nodded and did the same. All of us attacked the winged and faceless creature that was Nyarlathotep. His presence was terrifying, and if I didn't have Hamuko and the others beside me I don't think I could face him. There was a deep chill, as if the mere sight of him could plunge my heart into the very depths of despair. Still, I used Eurydice to add my own attack and poured all I could into it. Everyone was here... Narukami Yu and the Investigation Team made a coordinated attack on Nyarlathotep's right side, while the rest of us attacked his left. Powerful attacks in succession, using buffs and charge skills to dramatically increase our effectiveness. We enveloped the winged monstrosity again and again, with every element type, every physical attack we could muster. Again, and again. On and on.
"It's too late," Nyarlathotep's voice echoed and his power in his voice made all of us halt what we were doing. "The fog will soon..."
"Is that what you think?" a new individual suddenly drops onto the ground between all of us and the presence of Nyarlathotep. Standing there in heels with black pants and jacket with white pinstripes. A woman with black hair and glasses stands and points to our adversary. "The fog has stopped. You won't be able to blanket the world."
"Marie?" a shocked Narukami Yu called out.
"Nope," she shook her head. "I'm Kusumi Mariko. Just your local weather lady. And Goddess. So don't think you can just do what you want here."
"You truly believe you can stop me with your power? You whose source of power is humanity's desire for truth? You believe you could stand up against humanities potential of destruction?" Nyarlathotep laughed, and it sent a chill down my spine.
"Shut up," Mariko glared. Then a moment later a being with a pitch black female figure with flaming red eyes, scale like armor wrapped around her and wore a long red robe-like cape. Floating behind Mariko. "Kusumi-no-Okami." The robe seemed to expand out and covered all of us. And that oppressive and dark cold feeling seemed to disappear. "This place was created by mistake. A part of who I used to be thought this was the way to grant the wishes of humanity. But I've learned a lot thanks to my friends. One of which you stole the powers of."
"So you say. And what wish was it you tried to fulfill? Turning all of humanity to Shadows? The desires of humanity, their wishes have always been foolish. They wish to dream, they wish to be happy and yet when they can't get what they crave they look to place blame. To create a scenario in which they don't need to claim responsibility. No matter how much time passes, humanity will be the same pathetic simple creatures. The only end they deserve is one they bring about themselves. I'm only here to help them along the way," Nyarlathotep laughed, but his presence no longer held sway over us.
We all stood behind Mariko. I had only briefly heard about her but had never met her in person.
"I wonder if you believe you can properly claim to be capable of judging humanity, when you only exist because of them. The same goes for me. I was conflicted enough that I couldn't even remain whole. I split myself apart in order to guide humanity to the wishes I thought they wanted granted. But when you only listen to one side, you never see the whole picture. Someone might wish for death one minute, only to be comforted by a love one and pulled out of despair. Everyone here next to me is an example of what happens when people come together and become more than what they were before," Mariko stepped forward. "How many times must you lose your wager with Philemon to understand this? This is the real potential of humanity."
Nyarlathotep didn't react to her words for a long moment. Then something came from him, dark tendrils came from his back, coming towards us but slammed into something invisible. A shimmer... it was likely what was protecting us from his influence. Mariko's power. But something started to crack, like as if working across a pane of glass. "Philemon, you dare speak that name? You think it matters to me what you believe to be true? Humanity will only destroy itself given time. It clothes itself with words like justice, belief, love as a shield to enforce their views onto others. And they are rash, selfish creatures that resort to violence to force those who disagree with them under their thumb. And as long as they continue this cycle, you cannot hope to match me!"
The protective shield that Mariko gave us started to break away as the pressure from him was too great. Then like the shattering of glass it broke away. Mariko's eyes widen as she called on the power of Kusumi-no-Okami once more to try and shield us, but the dark tendrils attacked the summoned Persona with swift precision.
"MARIE!" the entirety of the Investigation Team swarmed in to protect their friend. That cold oppressive atmosphere from before hit us all again with more force than before. Making all of us go to our knees. All except one.
"No! I won't let you be blind to the truth!" Narukami Yu smashed the tarot card in front of him. Izanagi-no-Okami appeared and spun its weapon. "Myriad Truths!"
The attack slammed into Nyarlathotep but he raised his hand. The explosive light stopped in front of the faceless winged monster. "My eyes are open, bearer of the World Arcana. Your 'truths' is better left to the unenlightened." The attack faded and then... it happened. A light appeared above him with an amber like glow.
I was pushed back, and I saw the panic in Hamuko's eyes, "Run! KANA! GO!"
No, not without her. I reached out to grab her.
All the light around us disappeared... no swallowing it. I couldn't see anything.
"Crawling Chaos."
An attack, likely the one that had taken down Hamuko. She wanted to save me. Mariko's protection was gone. I could feel as if the very breath in my lungs was forcefully pulled from my body. I expected pain, something but it never came.
A musical like tone went through the air, past all of us and collided with the source of this attack. I breathed in heavily and found my lungs eagerly taking a breath that had just been stolen from me. My eyes took a moment to adjust as the light source returned and I was able to see once more.
The sound of a chain being pulled back before the weapon was caught. By the only one I knew that could use a weapon in such a way. The man spun the sickle, standing at his side was his counterpart, Rise.
Ikakure Kayane was back.
KAYANE'S POINT OF VIEW
The dark cold chill in the air surrounded me. I guess a lot of my life seemed to be like this. Or that was just how it had always felt. I felt the blade of the razor against my skin, bringing a comfort I wish that it didn't. Day in and out it had always been the same ever since Miyuki's death. Taken away from all that I knew. My Uncle was imprisoned for beating me. Adopted by my childhood friend's Mother. But, Miyuki was gone. Why was I here with her Mom when it should be her? Why did she spend so much time trying to help me when we were basically strangers?
I was alive, but should I be here? Was it worth it? Was I worth the effort that these people gave to me to save me? No, No I wasn't.
I put pressure on the razor and it easily cut through my skin, as I had done so many times before. A feeling of relief came as I watched the crimson liquid slowly begin to emerge from the cut. I watched as it ran down my arm.
She would hate to see me like this. She had asked me never to do it again, and yet I had, and without much resistance to that old desire for this release. It was as if all those worries, concerns and silent judgement of my value would leave through the open cut and the blood that ran from it. I watched it with an odd comfort.
I felt a tinge of pain. Wait, who was "she"? My head racked with pain for a moment when I saw someone. A woman with... copper colored hair? It hurt. Who was she? Why did it matter to know who she was? But the image didn't stay with me for long.
I looked back to my arm, but the small stream had suddenly become a steady river of blood down my arm. I panicked and put my hand over the cut, to halt the bleeding. No, I was careful, how did it start bleeding like this? I took my shirt, wrapping it as well around the wound. But it didn't stop. It didn't slow.
"I didn't mean to. I'm sorry," I found myself saying as tears fell from my eyes. After all those thoughts, I was still scared to die. No, I had to stop it. "Please stop!" I begged my hand as I took more of my shirt, wrapping my hand, ripping the rest of my shirt free from my body and tried to tighten it around it. I was losing strength, I couldn't get it tight enough.
"I don't want to die. Not like this, please. Not when I... I..." I looked around desperately, but there was nothing here only darkness. Who was I hoping to find? "I can't die here. Stop, please. I didn't mean it. I know I was the one who made the cut but it wasn't my intention... I didn't want to hurt anyone by it. I just had to let it out. The pressure is so much and I just want to make her happy..."
WHO? WHO DID I WANT TO MAKE HAPPY? It was hurting and now tears streamed down my face even more than it ever had before.
A voice, a song suddenly surrounded me.
"Out there all on your own
You feel as if your all alone
I see you struggling
I see your tears
That's the reason I've come here"
My tears slowed as I looked around, clutching my arm, still willing the blood to stop. I was trying to find the source of this voice. It was so beautiful. The voice was so familiar to me. Who was she? IT was her, wasn't it?
"You need a light
A helping hand
I am above you in the stars
You no longer need to be in the dark
I will shine my light your way"
"Where are you!?" I called out. As I did I felt a warmth at my back. A light. I tried to turn towards it but I couldn't. Why? What was stopping me? I had to see her, to get to her before I ran out of time. Before I lost too much blood. Please, before I die.
"And I will be Star Bright
So that I can light up the night
And when you look to the sky
I can lift you up
And together we'll be Star Bright"
The warmth grew as I felt hands, warm and comforting on my back, and then she stepped around me. Brown eyes looked into mine and smiled. She placed her hands on my hands above where the cut was and it began to glow. I could only stare as she continued to sing.
"I know your struggling
But you are not alone
I can't fight your battles
But I can sing for you
I know that my love
It will find its way to you
And I will be Star Bright
So that I can light up the night
And when you look to the sky
I can lift you up
And together we'll be Star Bright"
Her hands pulled my own hand from the wound and then the bloody cloth that was once my shirt. The wound was gone. I blinked as I looked at her.
"R-rise? Is it really you?" I was crying again, but this time it was for a different reason. Relief and utter joy filled my heart as I realized, I was me again. Flooded with memories of my life and this amazing girl that had pulled me out of the dark... not once, but so many times. And the first time was years ago. I had attempted to commit suicide days before. And I was so lost after that. That was when I had heard this very song. It was her voice that sang with such emotion, it felt like she was singing just to me then. And now, she sang it to do so once more.
"Shh," Rise put her hand up and wiped away one of my tears. She kept singing.
"I know what it's like to struggle
I know what it's like to give up
But I know you're stronger
And I know you can pull through
I'll be here singing your support.
Just look up to the sky
And I'll be shining down."
The world shifted around us. Suddenly a gorgeous field of flowers and a beautiful waterfall and lake was around us. It was as if every word she sang gave life to the world around us.
"And I will be Star Bright
So that I can light up the night
And when you look to the sky
I can lift you up
And together we'll be Star Bright"
Birds, butterflies, and the flowers seemed to bloom even brighter than before. But even as I saw this my eyes turned back to Rise.
"I will be Star Bright
To protect you through the night
Look up to the sky
I've been waiting for you
You are no longer alone
My love is all around you
Together we are Star Bright"
She then stepped towards me and kissed me. The warmth of her lips on mine was a comfort I had never really experienced, and yet everything about this, her voice, her touch, everything about it invigorated me. I kissed her back eagerly and felt just a well spring of comfort and joy bursting from me.
I broke from the kiss, "God, I've missed you, Rise."
"Were you sitting in that darkness all this time? You must have been so alone," Rise wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head against my chest.
I could feel memories awakening in me though... although it felt like I had been trapped in that darkness for months it was in reality only part of me. "That's right. While I was trapped in the coma, I was able to fight. Just when I thought I had found a way back I was... trapped in that darkness. Miyuki was there to help me fight up to that point, but it was in that process of waking up when Nyarlathotep had attacked. He split part of me off and trapped me here. But I couldn't tell you what part of me he pulled away."
"Who cares about that?" Rise kissed my cheek. "What's important is you're here now."
"I remember now," I closed my eyes. "My greatest fear is hurting the people important to me. Despite all my insecurities and me cutting and hurting myself. I remember the way Mom looked at me after my suicide attempt. And now... that look you had when you saw I was cutting myself. That hurt in your eyes... it scares me so much. I didn't want to hurt you, but I wasn't able to handle the pressure. I let you down and..."
Rise kissed me again, stopping me from saying anything else, She slowly pulled back, "No, don't blame yourself. I know you didn't do it to hurt me, or even yourself. I think I understand it much more than I could have back then, before we started dating. I was always searching for a way to connect with you, because I felt like something was wrong ever since the coma. I could just never put it into words. Even still, it wasn't like you weren't you. Maybe you weren't completely whole, but it was still you. I love you, Kayane. My, Kayane."
"Yours, huh?" I smiled and laughed. How long had it been since I had felt like this? I couldn't even wager a guess. "In a way it feels like our relationship happened to someone else. Who could have guessed that the singer of my favorite song, Star Bright... the one that helped me keep pushing forward would be the same one that I would fall in love with."
"We can start over if you want," Rise smiled.
"We'll have plenty of time for that but... we have something we have to do first. Isn't that right, Miyuki?" I looked past Rise to see my childhood friend, dressed in blue clothing standing there.
"Oh, Miyuki," Rise turned around but took my hand. "Thank you, for all your help."
She shook her head, "I barely did anything. You were the one that was able to reach his heart. Still, how did you think singing was the key?"
"Something that his Mom... well she's your Mom too. But it was something she had said to me when Kayane was in the hospital. She told me that it was my song that got through to him when nothing else did. I didn't think about it then. I was busy sorting out my own feelings for him. But looking back, when I was desperate I remembered. And there was always one song that Kayane would come back to. He always compared my work to that song. And if I'm truly in his mind I just needed to sing that song. Because of that I was able to knock down every obstacle to get to him. I feel so stupid for not figuring it out sooner," Rise sighed.
"You had to be deep enough to reach him. Once he was able to hear you, he subconsciously cleared the way for you," Miyuki giggled a bit. "Took you long enough, bro."
"Sorry, Miyuki. I never really let go of you," I admitted.
"I know, but hey, you're ready to move on now, right?" She turned away, and clasped her own hands behind her back. "With this, my part is over. I've fulfilled my side of the contract. You two have everything you need to resolve this crisis."
"Miyuki, thank you. For everything you did for me. Without you, I would never have gotten to where I am today," I stepped forward.
She turned back towards me and with a smile she stepped closer. "Maybe now, you'll make good with the promise you made and seem to have forgotten."
I blinked... and then I remembered.
"Miyuki-san, we could run. We don't have to stay here," I found myself saying. We were on the playground from back then. I remembered this scene vividly.
"Don't be silly. Where would we go?" Miyuki shook her head. "And if we got caught… who knows what would happen."
"I know what he did to you, Miyuki… I can't just…" That's right... her Father had done such horrid things to her...
"Stand by and let it happen again? Besides it isn't like you are in any better position than me," Miyuki let out a long sigh. "Running wouldn't help either of us. Not in the long run."
"But…"
"Look at me, Kayane," Miyuki's face already told me what to expect.
"I don't want to see you get hurt," I spoke.
"I know," Miyuki came up to me and poked my nose. "Make me a promise."
"A... promise?" I blinked.
"No matter what happens in the future, I want you to be happy. And you'll do your best, got it?" Miyuki put her hands on her hips.
"Miyuki..."
"Promise me!" she demanded.
I nodded, "Okay, I promise."
Miyuki playfully poked my nose, "Ah, you do remember. I mean, you've done alright. You have certainly worked extensively on your musical skills, but..."
I laughed and looked to Rise and squeezed her hand in mine. "I needed a little help. But from now on, I'm going to do all I can to make sure that happens. I'll have Rise here with me to keep me in check."
"Good," She giggled and looked to Rise. "Take care of him for me. Not that I needed to say that, you've done a great job already."
"Of course, no matter what, I'll make sure he's safe and happy," Rise replied with her own smile, despite not knowing the promise Miyuki made me make when I was a kid.
Miyuki skipped away from us and turned back. She pulled out the grimoire and flipped it open. "This is my last gift for you. I'll send you back. But be ready to fight."
"Miyuki..."
A tear fell down Miyuki's face, "Kay-chan. I am so thankful I had a chance to see you again after I died. Take care of Mom for me. And give her my love. And that I better not see any of you for a long time. And when I do hear you I expect to hear about all the family the two of you have."
"Goodbye," I used everything I could to smile.
Miyuki smiled back, despite her tears and the grimoire in her hand began to glow. I held onto Rise's hand and the two of us left. Back to the real world. Where we would go fight to secure the future. Thanks Miyuki. You saved me again. I hope now you can rest in peace.
Looks like we had been a little too close for comfort there. Any second later and it might have been a much different scene. No point in thinking about that. I stared at the entity that was no doubt Nyarlathotep. He was intimidating to be sure. Something about it was also a bit sad. Faceless, and even his form was rather... non distinct. Almost as if his identity was that he didn't have one.
"You've been with me since December. I thought that maybe a little bit you would have seen a glimpse of this world in that time. Though you were focused entirely at breaking me down to take my power," I found myself sighing.
"And you contributed your part to this. You might have reclaimed your power but you are just as powerless to do anything to change the outcome," he scoffed at me. Though there was a lack of any visible emotions, I was used to the subtle differences in his tone because he had been with me for so long. He sounded no different to me than when he had posed as my Shadow. Honestly, how could he say this considering he had to steal my power to get what he wanted anyway?
"Excuse me, Kayane-san. You sure took your sweet time getting back here," a familiar voice called out to me.
I turned to see a sight I hadn't expected, "Marie?"
"I'm Kusumi Mariko now," She corrected. "I'm glad to finally be able to meet you. The real you."
Everyone around seemed to be confused by her words. I laughed a bit, "It isn't like it wasn't me you know."
"No, just not the complete you," she stated.
"But now he is, so don't hold it against him," Rise was close to me, pressing herself against my side.
"Sorry it took so long. I had to say goodbye to someone," I smile thinking of Miyuki. "She can finally move on without having to worry about me anymore."
Nyarlathotep, attacked, dark tendrils came towards us, targeting Rise and I. I had felt it before it moved. But the attack didn't reach us. I looked back at him. "I should tell you something about my powers. The ones you used to try to spur the world to violence, isn't what you think. Last Symphony, and how I used it was but one way it could be employed. But you know that, didn't you? That was why when I had suddenly acted and used that power on myself, you panicked. You knew I would be able to take control of it."
"You believe you're in control now?" Nyarlathotep laughed. The dark tendrils might have been stopped but they were still surrounding us, as if to swallow me and my friends whole. And if nothing was done, it was possible for it to happen.
I shook my head, "It isn't that simple. I don't have much power on my own. My Persona and strength comes from my friends. It was never something I alone controlled."
"Say what you will. But it is already too late. The world is now covered in fog. And with it I will..." he paused his head turning.
A tarot card appeared in front of me, I sliced through it with my sickle, "Ostinato Intonation!" Then a wave of musical tones moved out from me, rapidly moving and gaining speed. This would echo throughout the fog across the world.
"What did you do!?" Nyarlathotep demanded an answer.
"I created a musical phrase to correct the pitch on the one you released to incite people to violence. This will reverse those effects, and calm them temporarily before they return to normal. To me, music was always the biggest motivator, so my unique abilities that were born from my heart are bound to music. I had a feeling you might not have realized it. But I can hear it, tones and sounds that were weaved into the fog to get the desire you want. So I changed it. Using your methods. Though it seems you didn't know how it did it. You were simply satisfied with making it happen," I raised a sickle and pointed it at him.
Rise held up her baton pointing at him, "You've done enough damage."
Nyarlathotep put one of his claws to the side of his head, and laughed, a deep icy laugh that felt like it was trying to chill us to the bone. I simply tilted my head in response. "So you would claim my hubris has made me make an oversight? That I wouldn't have a way to counter your ability? Then you are..."
"...also foolish? Also blinded by hubris?" I cut in. "Who knows. Maybe one day I'll make a mistake like that but even if I do. Well, I have someone to pull me back."
Rise held a tarot card up, "I won't ever let him face the future, and my resolve has given way to my own power! Synchronicity!" The tarot shattered and a wave emitted outward, it rippled and went down the dark tendrils that had been surrounding us all this time. Then they retreated back as I felt a warmth around me. Wait... this was...
"Rise?" I blinked and turned to her. She dropped her weapon and reached her hand out to me. I dropped my sickle and took it, intertwining my fingers with her. I closed my eyes and realized something. This was... me?
"Synchronicity," Rise whispered. I opened my eyes and everything else around us was gone. We were... back in the music studio, back home.
"What but how are we... here?" I blinked and spun around.
"This is a memory. A time, a place that might have happened. Hard to say, but what do you expect from something that can't be clearly defined? It was you that came up with the name for the band, remember?" Rise giggled a bit. "And in my struggles to try and catch up to you I awakened this skill. Even Igor and Miyuki couldn't say what it did. But, I did some research on the term. The concept was Carl Jung, funny enough the terms Persona and Shadow are often credited to him as well. But Synchronicity can manifest in three different forms according to him. The first, a coincidence of a certain psychic content with a corresponding objective process is perceived to take place simultaneously."
"Essentially a connection without proof of actual causality to relate them to be connected. But they are," I expanded.
"Second, the coincidence of a subjective psychic state with a phantasm which in turn is an accurate reflection of an event that took place simultaneously," Rise continued.
I thought for a moment, "The TV World? The word phantasm could easily be interpreted into how we perceive and interact with the world. But Carl Jung's perspective would be just a way for things to be explained right? Someone that showed up on the Midnight Channel would end up day after the fog showed. Nothing would ever be able to connect them together in any meaningful way. No one would make the connection that who we saw on the midnight channel were Shadows, not the real people... and that those phantoms would be what killed them."
"Why am I not surprised that you would connect all this? Then again you did say before you studied some psychology to prep for college exams," Rise giggled. "These were Carl Jung's theories that he thought could prove the existence of the supernatural."
"Sounds like it was possible an incident like what we've experienced might have happened near him. What is the last one?"
"The third is mostly the same as the second, but instead of an event happening simultaneously it is about an event that will happen in the future, but shown by the means of a phantasm," Rise stepped forward and twirled in place. "I think that this falls somewhere in that category. A place, a memory of a possible future. Or perhaps a past we didn't experience."
"In the end, Synchronicity is a connection, unseen and can't be reasoned with. Just as the things that can or will influence events can't be predicted," I chuckled. "Such as the song of an inspiring idol coming to the ears of someone that desperately needed it. Words and a voice that gave him more comfort and motivation than he could ever describe."
Rise blushed a bit, "Can I confess something?"
"You know you can tell me anything," I said without hesitation.
"My Uncle told me that when I sing, I should have a goal in mind. Take the feelings of myself and the song I sing into consideration. Whenever I sang Star Bright I always imagined singing to someone. But they never really had a form, I could never picture them clearly. But this last time... when we were in the darkness. It was the first time where I could see him clearly. It was you. All this time, I felt like I was searching for the person who needed me. Maybe its silly, but after all that has happened, maybe it isn't fate that I believe in, or even destiny. But I know without a doubt that I have always been looking for you. Ever since I first sang Star Bright. That was when everything truly started for me," Rise then moved up to me. "I'm so happy that it was you that heard my song."
I leaned in and kissed her. I could never believe in fate, or something that might say that something was going to happen. At least in some form. But I knew that life was not simple, and the presence of Shadows and Persona had shown that the supernatural definitely had an effect even if you weren't aware of it. So perhaps there was a better way to think about it. Some things in life were fated encounters. No matter what may happen I was likely going to meet Rise, one way or another. But that is as far as fate in involved. It's our choices that determine the outcome. Perhaps the one she saw didn't really necessarily mean me. She couldn't see me before because it wasn't set in stone. But now... now was different.
I pulled back, "I love you, Rise."
Our eyes met and she smiled. That smile that stirred my heart in ways that I couldn't possibly describe accurately. "And I love you, Kayane."
I see. I feel like my mind was finally clear. After all these years where I focused so much on the past and what had happened to me. Even after meeting the others I felt I would only be a hindrance, but there was a part of me who still believed and why I had stayed with them. In a lot of ways I hadn't fully understood who I was. Underneath everything there was still someone that wanted to believe in people. Someone that wanted to live and look to the future. I just needed some help to remember that.
The two of us looked into each other's eyes. I held my hand out to her. She took it without hesitation. "I think its time Nyarlathotep took a long rest."
"I was just thinking the same thing," she smiles as her fingers intertwined with mine.
Then we both looked back, and we were returned to the exact moment she had activated the skill of Synchronicity. A light beamed down on us, like a spotlight, and underneath our feet was green grass and flowers, the true form of the TV world. We held up our other hands as tarot cards appeared.
"What do you think your power can do?" Nyarlathotep stood defiantly, anger seeming to exude off him like steam from boiling water.
"We don't want to destroy you," I say after a moment. "I don't think you are something that can ever be lost to humanity. The worst sides of us are part of what define us as a species. Because we have free will. For every person that wishes for salvation will be someone that wishes for ruin. That's why, we won't let you interfere with that."
"As if I would allow such a thing! Armageddon!" Nyarlathotep's spell quickly began to gather.
"Come, Persona!" Rise and I shattered the tarot cards in our hands simultaneously. Then something else happened. What emerged was not Benzaiten or Inahime.. Both of our Personas had changed. This sudden evolution of our Persona released a wave of power that completely dissipated Nyarlathotep's spell.
"Nobuyuki," I said as I saw the image of a figure in a black and red kimono, attached to his waist a katana and wakizashi and his face covered with thick makeup that was notably . His presence was intimidating.
"Komatsuhime," Rise commented about her own. I looked to see her Persona, a female figure with long flowing black hair, but dressed in a black and red kimono, as mine was. However, she held many different weapons, ranging from a katana, to naginata and a nodachi.
Nobuyuki and Komatsuhime, huh? I suppose this showed just how our thoughts of the future aligned. Those names were that of a husband and wife, well known in Japanese history. As we both stood there we looked back at Nyarlathotep who seemed to be unable to comprehend what had just happened. The fact that our evolved Persona had pushed away his attack so easily. Rise and I kept our hands intertwined as I felt as if our Personas mirrored us in our actions.
"Be imprisoned by a serene lullaby," Rise and I said in unison as I felt our intentions and desire unite to one. This was what it truly felt like to believe in someone, to trust them. There was so much more for us to go and experience. "Duet of Harmony!"
Rise and I danced, as did our Personas and a sweeping melody appeared and wrapped itself around Nyarlathotep. Then adding layer upon layer.
"No! No! I will not be.." Nyarlathotep tried to fight back, using his power to try and push back the melody, but the sound that began to move around him didn't stop. He clutched his head, covering his ears but the sound persisted against him. And then it began to soothe him. As the onslaught of sound continued it, forced Nyarlathotep to relax as if it was lulling him to the deepest of sleep. Then as he ceased struggling, something bright began to wrap itself around Nyarlathotep, like a white blanket wrapped around a child. An immense light poured from around him, and the melody of Rise and I's duet drowned out everything around us.
Everything changed... no it would be more accurate that everything returned back to the way it should be. Instead of the cold world that is Nyarlathotep. Instead we could feel the warmth of a sun, with the scenery we had seen before. Rolling hills, fields of greenery and flowers. A waterfall, river near us, and the sound of peaceful nature. This was the true nature of the TV world.
Rise and I stood there for a moment looking at the nature around us, before turning to each other. I smiled and couldn't help but laugh.
She smiled big and brought her hand up to my cheek, "Kayane, you don't know how long I've waited to see you smile like this."
"Get used to it, you're going to see it a lot from now on," I chuckle.
She then put her arms around me and rested her head against me, "I'll look forward to every single day."
"Kay-chan!"
"Oniisan!"
I looked to see my sister, Setsuko and Labrys coming towards me along with the others. A moment later they had also put their arms around me. And it turned into quite the massive group hug. I could only laugh and smile.
It took some time for everything to start settling down. I had been so out of it for so long that it was hard to really expect otherwise. I had made all of them worry about me. Not like I had much choice in the matter. Nyarlathotep had attached himself to me after I had first used Symphonic Discord and saw the potential ways he could use it. The reason for the coma was his attempt to overtake my body more directly. Though in the process he had nearly killed me instead. And likely if it hadn't been for Miyuki's help in the place within my mind... well I likely wouldn't have made it. Plus her intervention had served to delay Nyarlathotep and forced him to change his plan and methods.
"This place... it's the true form of this place?" Hamuko asked out loud looking to the waterfall in the distance.
"This is the world of the human consciousness. A part of it. This peace is likely due to Kayane's influence when he reversed the effects that Nyarlathotep had been spreading through the fog," Marie explained before looking at me. "I feel like I should be insulted on how you were able to control it better than me, considering this is my world to maintain."
I scratched the back of my head, "But it was my power. And all I really did was change a few notes in..." She glared at me. "Right, sorry, Marie."
She shook her head and strolled up to me. "That's Kusumi Mariko, remember. And don't you start falling into old habits already and take credit for something amazing that you did."
"Okay, okay. Thank you Mariko-san," I said and leaned away from her.
She blushed a bit and turned away, "Youdontneedtoaddsanidiotstupidjerk."
"Still, thanks for coming to help us," Yu came forward. "You helped us a lot."
She folded her arms and tilted her head away from the silver haired young man, "Of course I did. I said I would protect this place, didn't I?"
"But I have to ask," Hamuko spoke up getting everyone's attention as she turned towards Rise and I. "What did you do to Nyarlathotep?"
I looked to Rise and shared a glance with her, "We sealed him."
"Way to be vague," Rise giggled and took my arm standing close to me. "We realized that you can't truly defeat him. We forced him into a deep sleep and then imprisoned him in a place deep within this world."
"We basically imprisoned him in a music box that will continually play a tune to keep him asleep. Presuming no malicious being is able to find him, it should effectively keep him there for... well hopefully forever but... can't really say for sure," I shrugged slightly. I let out a sigh and realized just how incredibly tired I was. But Rise seemed to easily support me but noted my fatigue.
"Teddie, I think it's time for an exit," Rise smiled.
"You got it! One extra big exit coming up," Teddie twirled and tapped his foot on the ground. then appearing were actually bigger TV's.
"You mean all this time you could have made bigger TV's for us to get out of the TV world and you didn't?" Yosuke quickly moved to Teddie. "Squeezing through the old one was always a pain in the ass you know."
"Hmm? Was it smaller?" Teddie coyly said as he stepped towards one of the TV's.
"Get back here you damn bear!" Yosuke chased after him as the two jumped through the TV.
Some things just didn't change it seemed.
"We should go as well," Mitsuru said looking back to me. "I will make sure we have transportation back to Tokyo. I'm glad you're okay, Ikakure."
I nodded, "Thanks. For you and the rest of the Shadow Operatives. Though I suppose this kind of thing is supposed to be your job."
She chuckled, "Yours too. You are a Shadow Operative. And I'll do all I can to support you." Then she also went through the TV.
"Come on Kana. Don't worry, you got plenty of time to spend time with Kayane later," Hamuko was pushing her would-be twin towards the TV. "Hurry up, everyone. We got a concert to get back to." The two jumped through, Yukari also giving a wave before following herself. Hmm? I guess Akihiko must have left behind Mitsuru.
"Think you'll be healthy enough to perform, Kay-chan," Setsuko, who had remained close to Rise and I stepped in front of the two of us.
"I'm tired as hell, but I think I can manage. Beside, you'll all be there to watch me. Right, Nee-san?" I smiled at her.
She sighed but still smiled back, "We have a lot to talk about. But that can wait until after. You too, Rise-chan."
Rise nodded, "Yeah, I agree. But you and Kayane should get some family time. Just the two of you, you know?"
She chuckled a bit, "Yeah that would be nice, but well I know Yoko is going to want to be part of it."
"Hope ya two ain't forgettin' me," Labrys interjected.
"Of course not," I shook my head.
"I would also like to join," Aigis said. "I am alive because of the work your Father did, so in a way... I too am his creation."
"Naturally," Setsuko confirmed. "Never mind what those idiotic researchers and things did to my Father's design, the core of it survived, and is also why it was impossible to completely control you. After all, the will of a living being is not so easily suppressed."
My sister was definitely proud of the work our Father had done. But I barely knew anything about it... after all when I had met her it had been so much harder to fight Nyarlathotep's influence, "Nee-san, Labrys and you Aigis. I want us all to start over. I can't say I was really myself when we all met..."
Setsuko stepped forward and pulled me into a hug, "I'm still finding out who I am myself. But we have time now." She pulled back and stepped away towards the TV. "Hurry up, don't want to miss your own debut."
"Yeah, get movin' Oniisan," Labrys said before she and Aigis both followed suit and the three went through the TV.
All that remained now was me and the Investigation Team, along with Mariko. Well, minus a Yosuke and Teddie.
Chie smiled a bit, "I'm going to make sure Yosuke and Teddie aren't causing any trouble. You guys take your time. Just not too long." She then went through the TV.
I pulled away from Rise and looked up into the landscape, thinking about how crazy it had been. I guess this was an end to a chapter in all our lives, and the start of a new one.
"It's hard to believe everything, even after all this time. I still remember that moment when I heard you call out to me. Calling me 'Senpai' when I was there in front of my Shadow. I turned to see a bunch of crazy Yasogami High students that had rushed into a labyrinth to save me. Someone they had never talked to or known," I couldn't help but laugh.
"Do you ever need a reason to help someone?" Yu countered as he came up to my side.
"Yeah, I think so," I said honestly. "Even if you don't realize it. We all have our reasons for what we do. It isn't to say that you expect something in return. Sometimes the very act is what we are looking for. Because we all want someone there to catch us when we fall, to comfort us when we suffer. To make it so someone else doesn't have to experience what you've gone through. Or maybe, you just believe that you should reach out your hand when someone needs it. Everything has a reason."
"You know, I think at the beginning of the year I would have disagreed," Yukiko said. "I was still wrapped in my thought that some sort of dream prince existed that would just swoop in and take me away. To save me from the problems that I thought I had. But now I see things differently."
"We all do," Naoto added. "I must admit that at the time I believed that there was a possibility that you would simply reject our help. Or that the trauma of your life might make it more difficult than we could handle. I'm glad I was wrong."
"You're one tough dude, Senpai," Kanji stood next to Naoto. "Watching you fight again and again. It's impressive."
"Would have been more impressive if I had been more aware of what was happening to myself. Most of it I was just... going through the motions," I shrugged. "Sorry, I don't mean to think about all this. Let's get out of here."
"Agreed, we got a show to perform," Rise said as we went to the TV and everyone started to go through.
I stopped and looked back, "Coming Mariko-san?"
She turned to me, "Don't worry about me I'm just going to..."
"Well you can't come to the concert if you stay here," Rise cut in.
Her eyes widened, "Oh well, I suppose that's true. But leaving Inaba..."
"You can probably sense it without being here, right? Besides, I wouldn't want to launch my career to start with one of my friends missing the debut," I smiled.
Her face went red, "Yeah, okay. Let's go and stopstaringitmakesmeembarrassedstupid."
I couldn't help but chuckle as she approached and then the three of us all stepped through and back to the real world.
July 29th, 2012 / Afternoon
LMB Festival Stage
"Talk about leaving it down to the wire," Taro glanced over at me.
"Not like I did it on purpose, you know," I said back to him.
"Yeah, Kayane had to be super nervous. I mean it's our big stage debut!" Reiko chimed in, bouncing next to Taro. "We all know how hard this has to be to stand in front of such a crowd. It looks absolutely packed."
"Are you really feeling okay, Kayane?" Saya asked.
"Seriously, this girl was up all night worried about you, you know," Tsubasa added.
"Tsubasa!" She blushed and looked away. "I just... after all the work you put into our music. You did so much, and I couldn't bear the thought that you wouldn't be able to see the response to it."
I chuckled a bit, "I didn't write the music for them." The lights on the stage was dimming. The time was almost at hand for us to take our place.
"That's right, this is about doing what we love. This music, this performance is for us. But it isn't just Kayane that worked hard. All of us contributed in one way or another. We are all here because we love music, right?" Rise was at my side and for a moment took my arm. The brief touch made me relax though as I could feel my nerves building with each passing moment as the sound from the crowd began to rise.
"That's right," Taro was the first to agree. "This is the first time I've felt like I've improved. Not to mention playing with all of you is the most fun I've ever had."
"D'ah... Taro..." Reiko smiled and grabbed his arm.
"Stop it, I'm being serious," Taro shook her off but definitely looked embarrassed by his own words.
"Me too," Tsubasa said next. "To be honest, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my future. Music was just something that I always did with Saya. But I want to see how far we can go, together."
"Absolutely," Saya agreed.
"Damn right," I grinned. "This is just the first step. Let's keep this rockin' as long as possible."
The others all laughed which made me scratch the back of my head but everyone else just grinned.
"I can get used to this new side of you Kayane. Kind of hot," Reiko winked at me.
"Oh no, Reiko. Kayane is all mine, and I'm not sharing," Rise glared.
"Oh, but the whole world is about to get a dose of how hot your boyfriend is you know," Reiko teased.
Rise frowned and looked at me.
"Don't give me that," I start. "I've spent a long time having to deal with the way people look and objectify you, so don't think you get to pull that on me."
"But, Kayane..." Rise pouted.
The lights all went down. It was time. We all huddled up. "Time to rock, Synchronicity."
We split and everyone headed out to their marks on the stage. I moved across the stage to my own mark and sat in the prop that was waiting for me and sat back. I was facing away from the audience for the start of our performance. This introduction was thought up by my Mom. A slow reveal of every member of the band, with Rise and I being last. The two of us sat on identical thrones like props. One a king, and the other a Queen. The others in the band were also dressed up like members of a royal court.
After leaving the TV World yesterday, we found it to be late at night. But Mitsuru had arranged quick transportation back to Tokyo. She had informed those who had needed to know that all was going to proceed as planned. With Kirijo Group holding up everything, and our performance pushed back a day, it looked like things were going to work out. Mom had definitely freaked out after I had returned. She hugged me, and wouldn't let me go for probably twenty minutes or so. I did my best to comfort her but it was clear to her that I was exhausted. And so she sent me up to my room. But I held an impromptu meeting with the rest of the band to apologize to them. Mitsuru made an appearance as the Kirijo Group CEO and gave an excuse that I had been ill while working on something for her company, and so she had rushed me to a hospital and paid all expenses to see me healthy. I mean I do work under her but just not part of the Kirijo Group.
They were all relieved to see me doing okay. If anything it probably didn't matter what the reason was. Only that I was safe. My life truly was different now. I wasn't alone. No, maybe I had never been alone. I was just too blind and ignorant to notice it. Mom had always been there since she adopted me. Loved me as if I were her own son. Then I knew that Saya and Tsubasa had always been around, just out of reach from me. But I could recall now times that I had acted cold and dismissive. But now... I had so many friends. So many people I could count on. And then there was Rise...
The music began. The sound of a piano, and light blue spotlight shone down on it where Saya was playing. The next was Reiko on the drums, followed by Taro. Then Tsubasa on the bass. It felt like it had been so long since we had all played together. When in reality it had only been a few days ago, before I had been taken to the Midnight Stage.
This song... it had been hard to decide what we should open with. A premiere track was something that could define you as a band. And since we didn't have a single released this would be our debut track. My Mom had selected it, and said it had everything that defined what Rise and I were together. It was called, "Composer and the Songstress." I don't know if it was the definitive form of what we offered as a band, but I trusted Mom's judgement as I could never really decide something like this. Music was the one passion that had seen me through my life. And it was music that had saved me. And it was Rise and her voice that had managed to save me again and again. First when I heard her demo track all those years ago that ended up launching her career. Then she challenged me when she came and saved me from the TV world. Shedding tears for me that I didn't feel I deserved. But she continued to be a guiding light and comfort. She was pulling me out into the world, to stop me from hiding myself, from hiding from the possibilities that I had for the future.
The music started to build up. The mix of instruments felt so right to me, and allowed myself to be carried into it. The piano, the guitar, the rhythm of the drums and the underline of the bass that rounded the sound. All that was left, was us. But this one, it would start with Rise. I looked at her, and she smiled at me as her chair spun around towards the audience and a spotlight appeared on her as she started to sing.
Rise: "Filled with dreams and wine
The Composer sits with time
He waits for words to come, the clock ticks away
Nightmares come and go, from a past of hate and pain
Haunted by the dark and the nothing that he's become"
Her voice was met with cheers and excited screams from the crowd. I could hear them, welcoming Rise back to the stage. Her voice was meant to be more haunting in this song, different than the ones she had sung previously. But now I sang.
Kayane: "Tried to forget you
Want to runaway, but I just can't get away
They keep asking of you, but your cold and gone
I'm left here, by myself
I just want to fly away from this hell
Forgive me
No one listens
No one hears
The words I write are useless, without a voice to sing them
I'm left here, by myself
I just want to fly away from this hell"
The throne prop spun in place, and I found myself staring into the crowd. I got to my feet and smiled as I heard the music building and I continued to sing into the next verse.
Kayane: "A voice with hope and love
The Songstress looks above
She waits for the song, that speaks to her heart
Battling against herself, of who she really is
Determined to keep moving on, waiting for that one perfect song"
All this time, I spent so much of my life ignoring others, trying to not be a part of people's lives. I never sought to heal, I had lost that motivation somewhere along the way. I put my head down, buried it in the ground and the only outlet I allowed myself was music. So all of that creativity got put there. Not knowing how my own music cried out for help and I just never noticed. I never intended for anyone else to hear my songs. And now I found myself looking out into the crowd of a few thousand, maybe tens of thousands. Honestly I stayed away from knowing the seating capacity because I didn't want to think about it if it was packed. And damn it was packed.
I really had changed.
Rise: "Do I know you?
I can tell by your eyes that you want to run away
Ignore the voices that pain your heart
I'm here now, by your side
I'll shield you from the dark, let your heart sing
Trust in me
I will listen
I will hear
I will give your words voice, and sing to the world
I'm here now, by your side
I'll shield you from the dark, and let your heart sing"
She really was here, and by my side. The two of us had gone through a lot to get here. What was it that she had said back then? "Our lives have already changed. Let the world think what it wants. This performance is just for us." Rise said that right before we got on stage for the culture festival. Funny how I had just told my bandmates something similar. This performance is for us... I'm sure Rise is going to tease me about it later. That culture festival ended up being the boldest I had ever been in my life. Performing on stage again... something I hadn't done since I was doing piano performances when I was still with my Uncle. But now... now I could move forward without having to think back on that.
Kayane: "The words I write are useless, without a voice to sing them
I'm left here, by myself
I just want to fly away from this hell"
Funny, these were words that had long been trapped in me. Yet now that I feel like I didn't have to say them when the whole world would be introduced to them. I'm sure there were going to be a lot of things said after the release of the album. Lots more said about myself and what had led to Kujikawa Rise leaving the life and fame of Risette behind. Many would likely be angry about the whole thing. It wouldn't be surprising to me in the least. But Rise wasn't worried.
Kayane: "I wish I could be like you
Smiling without effort with beauty like you
Your voice soothes me and pulls me to you
How do I begin to understand you?
Adversity surrounds you, taunts you
What would hold me down, means nothing to you
You remind me of the one that haunts me
Of pain I wish that would remain forgotten"
At first my appearance had caused a stir in the crowd. But as I continued to sing, a lot of that disappeared and turned into cheers. I don't know why, but I was able to face them. I could definitely feel myself being nervous. I know if I stopped then I would start to shake. But all I could feel at the moment was the music. Me and everyone that supported me all this time was here.
Kayane: "You're so close, yet so far away
The Songstress asks me for a song
But my mind continues to stray
How can I hope to become strong?
She tells me that I can
That I am more than a simple man
That I will Compose a dream
One that her heart yearns to sing
Yet my thoughts are plagued
With the memory of you
Tried to forget you
Want to runaway, but I can't get away
They keep asking of you, but your cold and gone
I'm left here, by myself
I just want to fly away from this hell
Forgive me
No one listens
No one hears
The words I write are useless without a voice to sing them
I'm left here, by myself
I just want to fly away from this hell"
Rise stood at my side and the two of us put our backs against each other. She leaned her head back, laying on my shoulder as she took over singing. I closed my eyes briefly to focus on her, the one that I had no doubt fallen deeply for. Even though the entirety of our relationship I had never really been myself. But it wasn't like it wasn't me. To put it a different way, it was like watching myself through a video... I could still control things but it didn't feel real. There was a disconnect there. But no it was all real. And finally I could feel her, next to me. Her warmth, her voice... everything about her. There was so much for me to make up for.
Rise: "He sits alone for countless hours
Looking off towards distant flowers
There is beauty in silence
Yet he seems to yearn for guidance
What pains his heart when I see his eyes?
I want to know but I can't help but pry
I hear his heart pains from a love long gone
Can I mend the wounds and show him a new dawn"
She flipped around me, so that the two of us were face to face. She put her hand out to me. I took it as the two of us started a dance as she continued to sing. Our movements intentionally stiff and I acted to attempt to get away a couple times.
Rise: "I can see glimpses of the real you
Hiding within is a brilliance I know is you
Your voice soothes me and pulls me to you
How do I get closer to you?
Nightmares surround you, haunt you
These tortured thoughts that only hold you
Can I convince you to take a chance on me?
You will write the song that makes both our hearts sing"
I had written this song thinking about how difficult I made it for Rise to get close to me. At the time this probably bared my true feelings despite me never saying anything. It was obvious now that I had vented in the creation of music. But I ignored the meaning, I only focused on the sound. That was all that mattered to me. Each note that passed, the two of us started to coordinate better with the dance. But I had to keep up a bit more the illusion of me fighting against her.
Rise: "Do I know you?
I can tell by your eyes that you want to run away
Ignore the voices that pain your heart
I'm here now, by your side
I'll shield you from the dark, let your heart sing
Trust in me
I will listen
I will hear
I will give your words voice, and sing to the world
I'm here now, by your side
I'll shield you from the dark, and let your heart sing"
As she finished her version of the chorus the two of us suddenly stopped, stepping away from each other but our hands still connected as the music shifted again. Then I pulled her to me, and as she came close she spun, wrapping her own and my arm around her before I pushed her away. She spun away and then we stepped towards each other before we broke and turned to the audience.
Kayane and Rise: "Now we stand on this stage
The Composer and The Songstress
His songs have been written
Her voice has begun singing
Now his pain will become his strength
And she will stay by his side"
There are a lot of things I wanted to say to Rise. So much I had left unsaid. So much time between us that I felt had been wasted. I had been afraid, not of her, but the fear of the pain that might happen should anything wrong ever occur. Shielding myself from ever being hurt again from the harshness of reality. Rise was persistent though. As much as I tried to push her and the others away, that was part of what made Rise want to keep pushing to help me instead.
I remembered one time where after I had told everyone about my suicide attempt and how much of a mess that had been. I remember the question that stung me the most then. "Is it really so hard to believe that I would care about you?" Rise had been tending to the cut on my arm at the time. She had stayed behind when everyone else had left, and wasn't going to leave until she made sure I was bandaged up. Earlier that evening she had kissed me, but it wasn't a moment that many would consider romantic. I was frustrated, having revealed to them the truth about myself and I just started rambling about how I didn't deserve anything, didn't deserve to be saved or anything else. Rise didn't know how to make me stop, but she didn't want me to say anything else, so she kissed me, and had a death grip on my shirt so I wouldn't immediately get away. I can't say I fully understand the logic of that being her action, but it was definitely effective.
I couldn't comprehend them. This group of students, younger than me, rushed in to save someone they didn't know. I couldn't fathom why anyone would be willing to risk themselves in order to do something like that. At least not then. But before long I had joined them, to help them find the one responsible for the kidnappings and gained friends I couldn't replace. My heart was healing and a part of me fought against that. Life is unpredictable. You can't know when something might come in and change everything that you believed you knew about life. I thought there wasn't anything for me to enjoy beyond music.
No one ever expects to meet someone that can change your outlook on life. Rise made me realize there was so much more for me to experience. Well it wasn't just her, but I don't think I would have tried to change without her. And now here I was, standing on a stage and singing with her, in front of the whole world.
Kayane and Rise: "Now I know you
From now on we'll be together everyday
Our voices will sing what's in our hearts
We're here, side by side
Through the dark and pain, we will sing
Open your hearts
We will listen
We will hear
We will weave the words to sing to the world
We're here, side by side
Through the dark and pain, we will sing"
The music came to a stop as I stood next to Rise, and watched as the crowd started to cheer.
"Hi everyone! What do you think?" Rise asked the crowd, to which they responded with cheers and pumping their fists in the air. "You guys enjoying the Love Meets Bonds festival?"
They responded to her again, the cheers and the way they responded to her just made the reality of the situation sink in. This was the side of Rise I never saw. I had always loved her music, her voice, but had never seen her perform that music in concert or such. So I lost myself in this moment as I realized just how amazing of a person I had fallen in love with.
She turned to me and quickly took my hand, "Everyone, this is Ikakure Kayane. He wrote and composed the song we just sang." Shen then released my hand to face the audience, "To be honest, I never intended to step on stage again. I lost my reason I had become an idol after my Uncle had died. So I was just going to quit. I was lost, and then I heard someone playing the piano. It wasn't a song you could find anywhere, it was unique and beautiful. I followed it and found him sitting behind the piano. From that point on things started to change. I made new friends... created bonds that I know will last long into the future."
As she said this, our friends all came onto the stage. I smiled a bit and despite my nerves I spoke, "Thanks everyone for coming to the Love Meets Bonds festival. It's my hope that through our music and show, that maybe you can take something that speaks to you."
Rise was looking at me, smiling. I turned to see Yu, Yukiko, Chie, Yosuke, Naoto, Kanji, and Teddie also smiling. Yeah, I guess the person they first met wouldn't have had the courage to be here on this stage, much less speak out to thousands of people. But it wasn't just them, Taro, Reiko, Tsubasa and Saya were here, and they also supported me. Just like I needed to support all of them. I gave a nod to Taro.
Time to get on with the show.
A/N:
Nyarlathotep is defeated. Now things can truly start to move forward. So what does it mean? Guys we're at the end. Only 2 more updates left and Last Symphony will be completed. I'll have more of a retrospective when I post the epilogue, but as of this, the writing for Last Symphony is completed. Man, it has been quite a journey.
I learned a lot as a writer in the years it took me to eventually finish this story. A process that became difficult as real life and struggles hit me along the way. And because of that there were months at a time where I wouldn't even think of this story. While I keep rather robust notes and story outlines, a lot of times I would have to re-read the entirety of the story to really get back into it. My state of mind has changed a lot over the course of the writing of Last Symphony. But either way, it was a long journey to finally get here.
From very early on I had the idea of Rise singing the song that first connected with Kayane in a moment that could save him. And so when Kayane is pulled from the depths it is about him finally taking control, and also fully accepting Rise's help for the first time. Kayane, for the most part, doesn't trust the help from the others and relies more heavily on his own powers. Both abilities, Symphonic Discord and Last Symphony, are rather selfish abilities in their own ways. Symphonic Discord is used to separate Shadows from each other. While Last Symphony causes an individual to face the choices they've made in life, and shows them the consequences of those choices. It's meant to make the individual feel guilt. The only one it wouldn't have an affect on is people that have truly accepted themselves and the things they've done in the past. Which Kayane never did until this point.
I'd love to hear what people think. I enjoyed writing it, but with anything there are a lot of things I wish I could have done better or explored more. Such is the journey of any creator. Anyway... Just 2 more updates to go. See you next time!
