Chapter 3: Other You

|Unconciousness|

"Ah...help! Someone...help!"

Amara could not open her eyes, no matter how hard she tried. Still, she could see something far in the distance fluttering towards her. Coming into her vision was a blue butterfly, glowing brightly. Bright sparks of light flew everywhere with every beat of its radiant wings.

"What the hell is that...?"

Amara Furaha. Heed my voice.

A deep voice boomed all throughout the area - which seemed to be endless darkness. Could this butterfly actually be talking to her? This evening was turning out to be pretty strange, so it wasn't impossible. All she wanted now was to wake up in her bed. That wouldn't work tonight, however. This was no dream.

I am Philemon. The time has come for you to awaken to your inner self. Perhaps recently, you felt like something deep inside your physical form was struggling to break free. That is the power you have honed ever since you developed an ego. The 'other you'. I am here to grant you the power to call upon the other side of your soul. Your feelings will become your power.

"What...are you talking about?" Amara said, still unable to move. "How do you know...my name?" The butterfly was becoming clearer and clearer. Its wings illuminating the darkness with every flap.

Whether you have the cruelty of an evil demon or the divine love of a goddess, your other self will show that side of you. That is the power you possess. It is the only weapon against the shadows born of man's heart. Now, you must awaken. You will unleash the power I have bestowed upon you. You desire to return home, to safety and comfort. Yet very soon, different desires and goals will come forth. Do not be afraid. What happens from here on is entirely up to you, as long as you retain your grasp on who you are.

|Unknown Building|

After 'Philemon' had finished speaking, Amara finally woke up. Oddly, the pain she felt when she hit the floor was completely gone. Also, her chest seemed to have recovered. She felt relaxed - like a burden had been taken off her hands. Philemon hadn't made much sense, but his words were oddly comforting. This time, Amara knew she was in reality, as she felt her heart beating and noticed her breath.

"So I guess this isn't the end of the road after all? Still, I've got to find out where I am."

She stood up and noticed the sword was by her feet. She picked it up, relieved, and looked around at her surroundings. She had wound up in a strange square room, with white walls and floors, and strange-looking blue lights on the ceiling. It was almost like a dentist's office, but the only thing in this room was a doorway. Upon closer inspection, it looked exactly like the one she was shoved through.

"Thank god! I can go home now!" Amara said, exuberant. Unlike before, the light was gone. Amara tried pushing the red button on the side, hoping it would turn the device on, but nothing happened. She began mashing the button in desperation - but to no avail. After a closer examination, she saw a small screen on the door. The panel displayed a scrolling error message:

ERROR 004: Shadow Energy Generator Deactivated. Emergency Power Mode.

Okay, makes sense. Not. What do I do now?

Why did that cloaked man shove her in here? Was this Stella's doing? Amara was more confused than ever, but she knew she couldn't find answers by staying in here. Waiting here could be dangerous.

There wasn't anything she could do in this room. Cautiously, Amara opened the heavy door to her right and looked outside. A vast corridor was right in front of her, with almost regal golden insignias on the white walls and floors. More strange blue lights were on the ceiling. Perhaps it was due to the 'Emergency Power Mode', but they seemed to be flickering. Despite the clear amount of detail put into this building, it didn't give off any sort of personality at all. Even a hospital had some life to it. Amara couldn't tell what sort of facility this was supposed to be, and the lack of people didn't help the building's soulless feeling. Worse, the corridor had no windows, only locked doors.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Amara called out, as she made her way down the corridor. Not a single response. "Dammit! Where do I go now?" None of the other doors opened at all. She had the feeling she wasn't welcome here. If she was caught, she was in for serious trouble.

After what felt like aeons walking towards the right, she finally saw a door that opened, that led to some sort of rest area on the roof. Amara was on the highest part of the building, but when she went over to the railing to look down, she realised she was at least twelve storeys up. Not only that, but the buildings across seemed very familiar. She couldn't put her finger on it, however.

"Am I in some kind of virtual reality game?" Amara asked, almost expecting a response.

If it is, it's a little too realistic. And incredibly barren. Give me someone to interact with! Someone friendly would be nice.

Alas, no other humans appeared before her. No one seemed to be lurking inside the building, not even security guards. She was going to have to do this all by herself, however difficult it would be.

Tired and hungry, Amara sat down on one of the benches. If this was her own world, it might have been possible to relax. Alas, this world's eerily purple sky did not allow for ease of mind. Whilst this didn't feel like her own world whatsoever, part of it felt like something she knew. Her own world's sky was beautiful, especially in the summer, but here it was like being in another realm. Something was definitely amiss here. Amara sighed. Not even her father could help her now. Stella did predict she would go to another world - yet not that she would return.

Maybe I should have asked her for more predictions. Why didn't I trust her more? I might never see her again. Come on, don't think like that. Wait, what was that?

Just then, Amara heard some strange noises. Weird moans and painful cries. They seemed to echo throughout the entire area, gaining in both loudness and agony. This resonance made the pain in her body increase even more. Now, it was surging all throughout her body. Her head, her arms, her legs, even right down to her fingernails and toenails.

"Who's there?!" Amara shouted, sword in her hand. Although she didn't know much about swordplay, she would have to make the best of this. Unless her enemy had a gun, in which case her fate was sealed.

The threat soon made itself visible in front of Amara. Two bizarre black blobs broke through the window of another room, with eerie silver masks on their 'faces'. These masks had a strange face on them - they bore a peculiarly vacant expression. These beings seemed to be constructed of dark slime, that shined with the eerie sky. Two skeletal arms, also made of the creepy black fluid, emerged from each of the blobs.

"Argh!" Amara screamed. Whilst their appearance was not outwardly disturbing, seeing them move completely shattered Amara's calm. They looked upon Amara with a bestial hunger. "What the hell are you things?! Get away from me! Stay the hell back! If you touch me, I'll...I'll...!"

I'll what? Run? Cry? These things aren't even human! This sword is all I have!

Panicking, she stepped away. It was foolish, she knew, but she desperately hoped these freakish beings would leave her alone. Yet, they got even more agitated and advanced. Amara's anger - at Stella, at this new world, at these freaks - got the better of her, and she charged at the monsters, attempting to slash one of them with her blade. Yet, it was like slicing the air. Her blade just flew through the monster, not even slightly harming it.

"No way! It's not working?!" Amara shouted. The monstrosities oozed towards her further, and she tried to run away - alas, she was soon cornered. One of them started waving their arms around rapidly, seemingly chanting something. Perhaps it was about to cast magic - or summon something far worse.

"No...this can't be happening! Help! Someone! Anyone! Dad...save me...please..."

Amara shut her eyes, hoping this would be over quick. How could this happen? On the first day of a new job, she wound up in this place and got killed. Isn't there anything I can do? Amara shut her eyes and prayed this would be quick. She wouldn't see her father again. He would never know she was dead. Would he spend the rest of his life trying to search for her? That thought was too much to bear. But there was no way she could return to him now.

Just then, a soothing blue aura surrounded Amara, causing the monsters incredible pain.

"Huh?! What's happening now!?" she said. She felt the power of this aura grew stronger. Was this...magic?

An image of the butterfly appeared in Amara's mind. Philemon. The words he spoke briefly echoed - the shadows, the other 'you', awakening to a power. Then she had a brief vision of a feminine golden figure. An incredible sensation was rushing through her body. Something that yearned to be free. This time, however, there was no pain. Unlike before, Amara felt ready to let it out. The power inside her felt tremendous, unrivalled by anything she had ever experienced in her life. One word...that word would break the cage of her soul, and release the power. She was still frightened, still confused, but now she felt she had a chance. All she needed to do was to say that word. She knew what it was...

"Persona!"

With an incredible blast of energy, the aura around Amara begun a glorious transformation. It became a beautiful golden female, with long and luxurious black hair in a ponytail. She wore golden bracelets and anklets, as well as a black skirt and a golden breastplate, complete with lapis lazuli decorations. Her eyes were red, but they were not of malice. With a sun-like orb in one hand and an Egyptian staff in the other, she rose into the air. So, this woman...she was the power trying to get out of Amara's body this entire time. This had to have been what Philemon meant all along.

I am thou. Thou art I. I am Hathor, and with the grace of the Sun, I shall bless you with the fortune and love to conquer all calamity and hate.

"Ha-Hathor?!" Amara screamed. The Egyptian goddess, Hathor...was this the goddess herself? The deities of her homeland had conspired to aid her, despite her being so far away? Then she remembered Philemon's words about the power of her inner self. Amara started to realise this was not a goddess. Perhaps, if Philemon could be trusted, she was part of her own soul. If so, Hathor was somehow symbolic of Amara's own heart.

"So...this is called a Persona? Then..." Amara said. She looked back at the two monsters, who very agitated by what had just happened. Everything was quiet. Then the Shadows started roaring again, erratically waving their arms. Amara flinched - but then she saw Hathor floating in front of her. There was genuine power inside of her. Perhaps...could it be? Was this power supposed to kill these things?

"Hathor...if you really are the inner me, see me through!" Amara pleaded.

One of the creatures tried to bash Amara with its arms, but Amara frantically sent it back with a quick strike of her blade. "Hey! It works now!"

Looking at Hathor, she had an idea. "Burn...it to ashes! Please!" Strangely, she felt aware of what her 'Persona' could do. Hathor twirled her staff around, and a powerful blast of flames struck the shadowy being, making it burst into pieces that faded away.

"Wow! This is awesome!" Amara cried. All her fears were gone now. No longer was she afraid of dying. This Persona, if it really was her other self, was incredible. Instead of the crippling fear, Amara now felt an incredible rush of euphoria. This was her power, and she could use it at will. And these bizarre monsters were about to learn the true potential of this power. "Hathor, attack!" Amara shouted.

Hathor's staff mysteriously changed into a black sword. The remaining creature looked panicked, and tried to escape - but with one powerful swing, the monster was vanquished. Amara suddenly felt exhausted, but relieved. Hathor had saved her. Or rather...her own emotions did. Philemon had been right all along. Now she had the power to kill any more monsters like those ones! Maybe now, she could find this power generator and get it to work again, so she could get out of here! Nothing would stop her from seeing her father again. Ever.

Hathor disappeared. However, Amara instinctively knew she could call upon this power at any time. Whoever Philemon was, he really did save her. If only she could return the favour. Then Amara remembered something else. Stella mentioned others going through this ordeal. Could there be other Persona users in this world? If so...was this going to go away at all? She didn't want to come back here. At all. Yet she had to focus on getting out of here, first. Steeling her resolve, she looked to the sky. The purple hue...had she seen it before today? Something felt familiar about it.

After catching her breath, she decided to head down the pale white steps, all the way down to the ground floor.

|Unknown Building - Foyer|

The place was like nothing Amara had ever seen before - grander than even the place her college held it's graduation reception. The lobby boasted a vast size, with sleek and streamlined white chairs and stainless glass tables and strange crystal ornaments decorating each one of them. There was what looked like a reception desk in the centre of this lobby, but no one was there.

"Um...is anyone there? Hello?" Amara asked, moving further in. There were a number of glass pillars, filled with water. Yet nothing was in them.

I feel like this is a massive waste of water. They could have at least turned them into elaborate aquariums.

To Amara's dismay, no one was in sight. She still didn't know what kind of building she was in. There wasn't any hospital equipment, but the only room she had been in other than the corridor had next to nothing in it. If this was another world, something had happened here.

Amara looked at the blank TV monitor above the entrance. It wasn't like the fifty-inch ones she saw on sale last week in the Caramathia Department Store. This model looked much more advanced, the kind often depicted on sci-fi shows. The monitor wasn't displaying anything at the moment, presumably due to the power outage. Yet, there was a familiar logo on it. It was a red logo - of a sword behind the word 'Albion'.

"Wait...Albion?"

Amara thought about this for a minute. In New Motus City, Albion Incorporated was a hugely successful technology company, and a family-run business. Their products were available all over the world. Currently, their CEO was Reginald Percival Albion, known for his philanthropy. His ancestors had settled the Nova Albion area many years ago, and the company was still headquartered there.

"Why is that here?" Amara stared at it, in confusion. It may well have been possible that Albion Incorporated was behind this. But that didn't seem to make sense. A virtual reality game that was powered by human psyche - that wasn't their forte. However, she didn't have enough information to come to any other conclusions.

"Dammit! I don't even know what's going on anymore!" Amara said. "Today was just fine until Stella ruined everything! Then that snobby redhead jerk started whining about his car, then I go look at the place I almost died in ten years ago! Then I end up in here, but why?! Still..I've got Hathor now. I can fight whatever comes out of nowhere. Yeah...I'm gonna be fine. I'm on my own, but...I'm fine."

She smiled to herself, but as she turned around that smile turned to shock. Someone was there. It was a familiar man with red curly hair, in an expensive blue suit. Him?! Here? What the crap? Instead of his briefcase, he was holding a long green staff.

"From the look on your face, madam, you weren't expecting the 'snobby redhead jerk' to wind up in here. I'd prefer to be called Nathan if you don't mind."