Chapter 4: Fighting through the Darkness
|Foyer|
Now, this was an awkward situation. The red-haired man was the same one who had been complaining about his new car to his girlfriend. Amara now had a chance to look at him more closely. He seemed older than her, and a bit taller. Perhaps he could be considered a dashing gentleman. After all, he had somewhat of a dignified air around him. And now she knew his name. Nathan. And he somehow ended up in this world, like her.
"You're the guy I saw..." Amara said. Her face was red, and she bit her lip. This was what she did out of embarrassment. Nathan, however, didn't look mad at all. He just kept a calm, cool and collected expression. Hopefully, this man wasn't her enemy.
"That's not important. I've been called worse." Nathan said. "And considering our current predicament, I think it'd be best if we focused on that instead of your comments. So...if you got in here via the same door device like me, did you check the small screen? We need to find this power generator somewhere."
"Yeah, that's right. But I dunno where it is. Do you think it's outside?" Amara asked.
"I wouldn't have thought so," Nathan said, looking around. "Yet I'm thinking it's not far from here. Perhaps examining those computers over by the entrance would help us learn more about this building."
Thus, the uncertain duo walked over to the desk. The computer was unlike any device Amara had ever seen, and Nathan also looked impressed. It was an incredibly thin monitor, that put even the newest tablet computers to shame. The keyboard and mouse were both wireless, but they didn't seem to have any battery compartments.
Nathan tried quite a few things. He pushed the power button, but with no success. Then he typed in a number of keyboard commands that Amara didn't understand, but no luck was had either. Finally, the Albion heir, with all his grace, resorted to bashing all the keys on the keyboard and rapidly clicking on the mouse.
When has that ever worked?
"Crap. I should have realised that these things wouldn't be powered in emergencies." Nathan said, heavily sighing. "Whatever their power source is, it's not like anything on Earth. Most baffling is that there don't seem to be any actual wires coming out of this computer. They're not hidden away by cable covers or anything like that, it's like they draw power from a completely alien source."
"That is really weird, can't argue with that," Amara said. "but right now, we've got to find a way back home."
"I know that very well," Nathan said. "Clearly, we're going to have to find this generator by looking around."
Amara grimaced. The thought of scrambling around in unknown territory, especially one as dangerous as this, was rather foreboding. Her unease must have been very apparent, as Nathan frowned at her, folding his arms.
"I appreciate that you're reluctant to go. This may sound insensitive, but we haven't got a choice. It's not in this room, is it? And the computer's not going to tell us. We shouldn't be separated in a place where we're the only two people. Therefore, we must go, Miss..."
"Oh right, I'm sorry. It's Amara. Amara Furaha." She held out her hand, and Nathan shook it, his face softening. "Let's go. Together, of course. For the sake of survival."
"Nice to meet you, Amara," Nathan said.
The artist managed a brief smile, and so did the gentleman before her. They began to walk out of the large room, their footsteps echoing somewhat loudly. Out of curiosity, Amara decided to find out more about Nathan - specifically, what lead to him being here.
"So how come you ended up here too?"
"To be perfectly honest, I haven't had much time to process everything that's gone on. I was about to return home with my partner Priscilla. You would have seen her earlier, I assume. My car was taken to the mechanic's, so we decided to walk home. Then as she was getting out her handbag for a breathmint, a thief in a black cloak grabbed it. I promised Priscilla I would get it back for her, and I ended up chasing him all the way to Farawell. He didn't stop, he just kept running until they went into this run-down warehouse. Sounds like a horror film cliche, doesn't it? Yet he ran up the stairs, as did I. There, I found a metal door frame that had a glowing blue light through it, and as I was inspecting it, I was pushed through and wound up here."
"That's...almost exactly what happened to me!" Amara said, astonished. "He showed up outside the apartment building, gave me a card that said to follow him. Something inside me made me chase after him. I don't know what it was, but I kept running. I couldn't see his face at all."
"Neither could I. Judging by their body type, they're quite likely male, yet I couldn't say for certain. Just like what happened with yourself, the cloaked man dropped a card after he took the handbag." Nathan said. "Earlier, before I found the portal to this world, I discovered two weapons. One was the staff I'm holding right now. The other is the sword you're currently wielding. I felt more comfortable with the staff, but if you want to switch -"
"No, I'll stick to this blade. But this is creeping me out. It's like we were handpicked to go in here." Amara said, afraid. Before she could continue, she knew she had to ask about what she saw earlier. "Nathan, um...I've got an idea about who might be behind all of this." She pointed to the TV she saw earlier, and Nathan's jaw dropped. "Albion Incorporated. I know it doesn't make sense, but -"
"No," Nathan said, firmly. "They are not responsible for this. I've been involved with Albion Incorporated my entire life. And my father runs the company, and has always been a forthright, good-hearted pillar of society. The man I look up to. Please, trust me on this...!"
Amara looked at the ground and sighed. Something still didn't feel right about the Albion brand monitor, but she sensed that her new acquaintance wasn't the deceitful type.
"It's not that I don't want to believe you, but I was hoping we'd find some answers. I'm really sorry, Nathan."
"There's...no need to apologise." He replied. "I want answers, too. You have my word that if my company is in any way involved, I would get to the bottom of it. It's aggravating, actually. Someone here is tarnishing my father's reputation. And I will find them, and make them pay!"
"Wow..." Amara said. "You sound like me. I can't stand it if anyone says anything bad about my dad. I'm still a daddy's girl through and through. You're a bit older, but...it's nice to know you're the same."
Nathan smiled, and this time, his smile was warm and kind.
"Hey...we're starting to get along. Now I know we're gonna get back home safe and sound!" Amara said.
"Really? How can you be so sure?" Nathan said, looking curious.
"Because I said so!" Amara cheered. "And even if more monsters show up, my Persona can look after us both!"
Nathan suddenly chuckled. "If that's so, then having two Personas should also work in our favour!"
What? He's got a Persona too?
"Philemon spoke to you as well, didn't he?" Nathan asked. Amara nodded. "Good. Now I know I'm not imagining things. This time, the egg salad isn't to blame." Amara blinked, and Nathan shrugged. "Oh, that's...a story for another time."
"Sounds like a weird one. But we need to find this generator now!" Amara said.
Nathan nodded, and with their weapons at the ready, they left the lobby and went into a long, wide passageway. Like the corridor from before, this one had many locked rooms, but now there were windows - which showed large seating areas outdoors. There was no sound at all - not of any equipment running, nor any other voices. Clearly, this place was important, considering its size, but why was it deserted? Even after business hours, surely there'd be some guards around. For an abandoned building, it was in remarkably good condition.
The two of them soon reached the end of the hallway. The bathrooms at either side had signs saying they were out of order - even if they were, Amara still would not have trusted them. For all she knew, a monster could be hiding in the toilets, or the soap wound set her hands on fire. The door in the centre didn't have any signs above it, so it seemed unwise to go straight ahead.
Just then, Amara and Nathan heard someone screaming. It sounded like a woman, and it was a rather piercing scream. It hurt Amara's ears. Nathan didn't seem as startled though, and kept his weapon ready.
"What was that?" Amara said, shaken. The scream was still echoing throughout the building, as if it would never end.
"Someone else might be here, and in need of our help!" Nathan said, running ahead. "Hurry!"
Amara, still panicked, followed him. More Shadows were here...they had come after her and Nathan, and whoever was screaming was next. If she didn't awaken to her Persona ability, she was dead. Amara had to save her, and get everyone home safely.
|Shadow Generator Power Room|
The device in front of them was a strange black and grey cylindrical device, that had numerous compartments that looked like they could rotate, like the rows on a Rubik's Cube. Various other devices, resembling computer servers, were installed around the room. Amara figured they were installed to forward power to other sections of the building. The plaque on the wall said 'SHADOW GENERATOR: Authorised Employees Only. All trespassers shall be prosecuted.'
"Finally, we found it! But where's the screaming girl?" Amara said. Apart from her and Nathan, no one else was around.
"Not sure. Be on your guard at all times. There may be more of those abominations around. You did encounter them as well, correct? After all, you said you acquired a Persona." Nathan said. He seemed enthralled by the generator, and Amara could see why. This technology must have been beyond what even his company could create.
"Yeah…Hathor destroyed them easily. Now if - argh! Look up there!"
Amara pointed to the ceiling, at the horrible sight…of a grotesque monster, wearing another mask. It resembled a bizarre clown-type figure, with garish clothes and long, stretchy arms. The demonic mockery of a clown was holding a young girl, who was struggling in vain to break free. Now it was quite clear who was screaming.
"Damn! Madam, hold on! We'll save you! Persona!" Nathan, surrounded by blue mist, called upon his Persona…a young male, wearing a blue outfit complete with cape and gloves, with green skin and hair, holding a spear.
I am thou. Thou art I. I cometh from the sea of thy heart. I am Setanta, the loyal one who will one day have the power to protect all you care for.
Nathan grinned, clearly proud of his power. Amara had to admit, his Persona looked quite strong.
"Still as impressive as when he first appeared. Now then, take this! Garu!" Nathan called out - and a burst of green wind hit the monster, causing him and the girl to fall down. Reacting swiftly, Amara jumped forward to catch the blonde girl. Her Persona seemed to give her the extra strength she needed to carry her. It was then she saw the blue and silver necklace she realised - it was the same girl she saw at the memorial.
"Hey, are you okay?" Amara said.
"Y-yeah." the young girl said. "Wait, I saw you earlier!"
"That's right. I'm bumping into a lot of 'old friends' today." Amara said. "Don't worry, we're gonna find our way back! Just leave this clown to us!"
"Uh...okay." the girl said, stepping back.
"Here it comes!" Nathan said as the clown skated towards Amara, with an inhuman giggle. With wild contortions, it cast the same fire spell Amara could use on her - dealing a small amount of pain.
"Ha! Hathor can resist fire! Here's how you do it! Agi!" Calling forth Hathor - much to Nathan and the girl's amazement - she struck the clown monster with Agi, causing a lot of pain.
"Alright, let's finish this monstrosity off! I have someone waiting for me to return home, and there is no way in hell you are going to stop me!" Nathan yelled, awkwardly holding up his staff. I guess he doesn't know how to use it well yet.
Just then, the clown performed another magic spell - a powerful blast of ice - which caused Amara incredible pain. "Argh!" she screamed in pain and collapsed. The blonde girl screamed with fright and covered her eyes, unable to watch. The clown turned to Nathan, and cast another spell - a blast of rocks, which also inflicted dire pain on him.
"Ugh...how annoying! He found our weak points. This isn't good, I can barely move..." Nathan said. "Amara, Madam, we need to escape now and rethink our strategy!"
"Right...strategy. You better have a good one, cause I don't think we can beat this by ourselves!" Amara said.
"N...no!" the girl said. "Something weird's...going on...someone's talking to me! Per...Persona!" What? Her too?!
A blue burst of energy erupted from the girl, striking the Clown down. Emerging from the blonde girl's body was a young female, with bright blonde hair with white tips at the front in a ponytail. Her skin was light blue, and she had a white dress and silver sandals and gloves. There was a small moon emblem in her hair, that was shining as bright as the real thing. Holding a shining bow, she flew into the air, preparing to attack the monster.
"I am thou. Thou art I. I cometh from the sea of thy heart. I am Artemis, lady of the hunt and madam of the moon."