AN: I added some extra scenes to Chapter 78. Not long ones, though, but in this chapter Nina & Josephine appear, despite the fact that in the Interitus Legion Compound Amara & Co seemed to have actually killed them. I did mean to address that earlier, but it slipped my mind when writing 78. If you don't want to go back and read it, then it shouldn't affect your reading of this chapter too much. As ever, please read, review, follow & favourite if you like, and I'll give you Chapter 80 soon!
NOTE: This chapter contains a racial slur. I should point out that I myself am in no way racist, and am pleased to have people around the world reading my story, even if it's like one person in South Africa and another in Venezuela XD.
Chapter 79: On The House
|Secret Base|17:43 pm|
Ever since the events of Nakanobu Hotel, the rebels had been busy recuperating. The team had been vigilant, but nothing of note had happened at either Divine Spark site. The hole where the Supply Complex had been had been paved over, and already had turned black and purple from the malignant energies. As long as Nihane continued to search for the means to trigger the Eternal Road, nothing would change.
Matthew had been here since lunchtime, and he and Kyle had been playing several games via emulation. Right now, Kyle had started a play through of Final Fantasy VIII, and was having to stop to answer Matthew's never-ending questions.
"Okay, but how can Squall use that thing without blowing up his hands? It's a sword blade on a gun! It doesn't make sense!" Matthew said. "And how is his instructor only 18? Sure, she's smoking hot, but still?"
"It's a video game, Matthew. It doesn't have to make sense." Tara said, shaking her head in despair. "I mean, you can turn monsters into trading cards."
"So Tara, how's life in Clairdol?" Aimee asked. "Must be pretty boring compared to here."
"Perhaps so. It wasn't long ago that I thought all of this city was gone, and my parents were too. Then...the city turns out to be in the sky filled with these creatures! My family are murdered, and my home destroyed!" Tara said. "That village is where nothing ever happens. But I like that just fine!"
"Well if you like that boring dump so much, why even bother coming here?" Lucy asked. Blaine gulped, and almost moved to break up any fight.
"Because I want to make things right. I want the New Motus City of my past to be here once more!" Tara said. "Then...I will have made my family proud. I can't abandon this city, no matter how dull my 'dump' of a village is."
"Girls, please!" Matthew said. "...The village means a lot to me too. The Millers took me in, and it made being away from Dan a little bit easier. So please Lucy, don't call it a dump."
"Okay, I'm sorry!" Lucy said. "But wait a sec, isn't the village where you and Keisha did -"
"That doesn't matter anymore!" Matthew said forcefully. He clenched his fist, and sighed heavily. "Keisha's not on our side anymore. She wants to destroy the world...and every memory of us. I wish I could make her change her mind..."
"Matthew, don't get so upset. The Ater Vox wouldn't be plaguing us today if they could be convinced to stop." Shirley said.
"Is that my little brother moping over there?" Dan called from the bathroom.
"No, Dan, it's fine." Matthew said. "Anyway, Kyle, what the hell is a 'Fastitocalon'?"
"Sounds like Mexican food." Lucy said. "I went to a Tex-Mex once, couldn't stand it..."
"Really? I was pretty good at making enchiladas." Blaine said, looking smug. "It was pretty nice, having some beer to go with them. Of course, Matthew here couldn't have any. Even in Kanaloa, we don't give booze to nine year olds."
"Well, at least we're all having fun." Roger said. "You know, Kyle, I used to have a thing for Sorceress Edea."
"Oh really?" Kyle said. "She does have that air of power...those evil eyes...that long black and purple dress with the plunging neckline...and that epic head-veil thing...um, where was I?"
As the game continued, Dan left the base without anyone's attention. Soon he was in the other base, mostly used as sleeping quarters at night. Kaman's room was here, but he hadn't come out since the Nakanobu incident. After this much time, Dan was beginning to worry.
Come on, what's eatin' ya, pal? If you're feelin' down, we can have a few of those Czech beers you like. Or that Portuguese one...whatever you feel like!
Dan lightly knocked on Kaman's door, but there was no response. Then, Dan knocked harder, to no answer. Eventually, Dan was practically punching the door, making it shake. He heard something fall to the ground, possibly a painting. Dan gulped, but focused on the door. Was Kaman even inside?
Only one way to find out...
Dan, with all his might, slammed the door down - leaving quite a large hole in it. When he looked inside, he saw the unmade bed, the dirty clothes Dan used to wear at The Mole, and several empty glasses. Apart from that, the room was rather bare.
"The fuck?!" Dan shouted. Without a moment's rest, he ran back to his base.
"Whoa, where did you get too?" Matthew asked. "...Is something wrong?"
"Aimee, I thought you said Kaman wasn't feeling well?" Dan asked.
"...That's right." Aimee said. "I told you, the night we went to Nakanobu, Kaman said he couldn't face going back to Takanawa."
"Are you sure that's what you said?" Roger said, thinking. "...Whatever. So is Kaman okay?"
"I don't know! He's not in his room!" Dan said, frantic. "His door was locked, so I...kinda knocked it down to see if he was feeling any better."
"...You're just lucky it wasn't my room." Shirley said, frowning.
"So what's the issue, then?" Kyle asked. "Kaman's vanished?"
"Yeah!" Dan said. "Come on, Aimee, we gotta get Seraphina and everyone else back here! We've got to hurry up and find him, and fast!"
"...Alright." Aimee said, almost monotone. Reluctantly, she took out her mobile.
|Nova Albion|17:49 pm|
"I must apologise for my earlier hesitation to fight alongside you, Sir Richard. When we were opposed, I was predisposed to think of you as nothing but a foolish oaf." Seraphina said.
"Uh...thanks, Sera." Richard said, scratching his head. The group - Richard, Seraphina, Serena & Karen - had been performing a rather extensive 'clean-up' around the Nova Albion Divine Spark site. Ever since the tragedy of the Legarte Divine Spark, Shadows tended to congregate in these areas. As long as the rebels kept up their hard work, however, the people nearby could sleep at night.
"I think we're done here." Karen said, putting away her katana. "I always feel helpless when I'm alone..."
"Aww, come on, what are you talking about?" Richard said, winking. "You were incredible tonight! You killed those Shadows faster than...uh...a nuclear Concorde!"
"What does Aimee's Persona have to do with this?" Serena asked, confused, whilst Karen giggled.
"I must say Richard, for someone who screams and runs around a lot, you're quite a force to be reckoned with." Karen said. "Although when that Shadow poked you in the back, your reaction was priceless. I can't wait to tell Roger."
"N-No, please don't!" Richard said, blushing. "I don't always squeal like a little girl!"
So you admit you do that sometimes, Richard? That takes courage. Well done!" Seraphina said, her voice booming.
"Oh, leave him alone." Serena said, rolling her eyes. "Wait, forget it. Isn't that...Keisha over there?"
The others looked up in shock, and turned to what Serena was pointing at. Keisha was standing outside a semi-terrace, talking on her phone. The four of them sneaked closer, and stationed themselves behind a bus stop.
"Go there...why?" Keisha asked. "Okay...stop yelling, alright?...be there...few minutes...he will be in there? Really...? Fine...I'll get going."
She hurriedly ran off, straight past the team without having seen them. Breathing a sigh of relief, Serena wiped sweat off her brow.
"Could you guys hear what she was saying?" Serena asked.
"Not a lot of it." Richard said. "She said she was going somewhere, but that's the most I heard."
"I picked up that she was meeting someone." Karen said. "Although since we don't know who, we're completely in the dark."
"She appears to have already vanished from the area." Seraphina said, anxious. "Tonight, Keisha will rendezvous with one cloaked in a dark veil."
"The hell does that mean?" Serena asked.
"Lady Serena, this is a reading I cannot fully decipher. The chains of mystery envelope these developments." Seraphina said. "Please, do not berate me. I cannot unlock the gates to all of life's ambiguities."
"Okay then." Richard said, confused. "Well, can we get back to the base now? I could use a nap -"
Just then, Karen's phone began to ring. She answered it, and as she listened to Aimee's voice, her eyes went wide with shock.
"What's going on?" Serena asked. "Has something happened?"
"Perhaps. Kaman's gone missing." Karen said. "Richard, there's no time for rest. We've got a friend in danger!"
|Secret Base|18:12 pm|
"Oh thank goodness, you're all here!" Aimee said. "I was getting worried. You all know the situation, right?"
"Yes." Amara said, looking impatient. "By the way Dan, thank you for breaking my picture frame."
"I...um...sorry." Dan said, blushing. "Forget about that! Kaman's nowhere to be found!"
"Nowhere that we know of. The only place I could think of he might show up was where The Mole used to be, but there's nothing left there now." Shirley said. "And I don't really know where Kaman would go."
"At ease, Lady Shirley. I have been summoned. Therefore, I have my duties to carry out. Sophia!" Seraphina shouted. She began to deeply concentrate, eyes wide shut, as Sophia's sensory field grew larger and larger. Eventually, Seraphina opened her eyes, and shuddered.
"What?" Dan asked. "Please, tell us! Where is he!"
"He's in the Gold Coin Casino." Seraphina said, wary. "...Surrounded by the Ornatu Legion."
"Them? Why?!" Tara said. "Was he captured?"
"I fear that may be the case." Seraphina said.
"Hold on." Blaine said. "The Gold Coin's been closed since this whole thing began. How'd he get in there?"
Kyle immediately went into his web browser, and pulled up the Aeternus website. Right on the front page was a recent news bulletin. He began to read aloud, as everyone listened with interest.
RIQUEZA CENTRE & GOLD COIN CASINO REFURBISHMENT
Posted [2 hours ago] by Jason Gleeson
It is to our great pleasure that we announce the official reopening of the Gold Coin Casino on October 20th. Renovations have been underway since March this year, but recently the project's development has accelerated, and very soon the premises will be open for business for the first time since the Shadows invaded our beloved city.
The Ornatu Legion will of course be responsible for protecting all patrons from outside attacks. Several Neo Dimensional Doors have already been installed in the adjacent Riqueza Centre, allowing for easy and safe access to the casino. The Riqueza Centre has also been worked on, and will feature several high-calibre restaurants, exercise facilities, saunas, and stores. We have hired many trained professionals to run such delightful establishments already, such as the increasingly popular Last Soldier Keisha Vivaldi. The Casino's new owner had great passion and experience with the Gold Coin during its former glory, and will no doubt usher in a new exhilarating era of gaming.
When asked to comment on these exciting developments, Nihane Kronos of the noble and hard-working Ater Vox had this to say:
"It is high time we gave our citizens, whose patience during this time has been much appreciated, somewhere they can relax and have a great time. So many facilities in our city have been left abandoned over the last decade, and now is the time to rectify that mistake. In this year alone, several disasters have occurred, resulting in the death of many civilians and our soldiers. Our message to you, the people of New Motus City, is to finally put your fear and dread to rest. Come to the Gold Coin or Riqueza Centre, and become renewed."
"The fuck?!" Dan swore, angry. "Why are they bothering with this shit now? Who's gonna be able to afford gambling these days?"
"That is strange." Aimee said. "Hardly any citizen has a steady income. They're living on an allowance. Only those working for Aeternus, like the Ornatu Legion, can make substantial amounts of money."
"I get it..." Tara said. "Then they're refurbishing these buildings for themselves, not for us. Notice they haven't revealed any details on how much it'll cost to get inside or use anything there. A typical marketing trick - so transparent."
"So why is Kaman there?" Priscilla asked. "Did he try and investigate?"
"Perhaps. He might have seen them working on the casino and tried to figure out what was going on." Kyle said. "Either way, we've got to get in there and find him."
"Then let's hurry up and get there!" Dan said. He was about to head for the NDD, but Roger went in front of him. "Out of my way!"
"Are you stupid? The entrance will be heavily guarded! The Ornatu Legion will be all over the place. We might be able to handle them, but what if Nihane discovers we're there, and ruins everything?" Roger said. "Kaman might not survive!"
"Then what are we doing?!" Dan shouted. "How are we gonna get to him?"
"The long way." Karen said. "We go through the power tunnels to the Casino!"
"Actually, we'll have to head to the Riqueza Centre first." Kyle said. "According to these sketches, the Casino's using a generator located in the basement of the Centre, which is linked to the power tunnels. And there's a hidden underground service passage connecting the two buildings."
"So the longer way, then." Karen said. "Dan, I know it's frustrating, but this is the only way to save Kaman. I...don't want more bloodshed."
"Neither do I." Roger said. "I don't want to see anyone else here leave us."
Dan, calming down, nodded. In a few moments, the team were armed with both weapons and the NDD codes for the Riqueza Centre. The operation could finally begin.
|Gold Coin - Entrance|18:32 pm|
Most of the exterior of both the Riqueza Centre and Gold Coin Casino had been completed, giving them a classy sheen. The Gold Coin, a curved circular building, had the appropriate colour on the walls, as well as giant palm trees around the perimeter. There were many coin shaped decorations, and circular white lights around the domed roof, which was complete with a helicopter pad. At the main entrance, several Ornatu Legion soldiers were on lookout.
"Does anyone else think this is absurd?" Esther asked. "We're going to all this trouble for a casino barely anyone in town can use."
"Yeah. Unless you're working for Aeternus, you're flat broke." Adam said. "Perhaps the higher ups were too lazy to build anything like this back at HQ."
"I don't mind! There's a stage with a state-of-the-art microphone!" Cuiling said, smiling. "Even if no one can afford to drink, at least they can come see me!"
"But we're so busy working, especially now that we're having to take care of this place. How are you going to find the time to sing?" Atiqah asked.
"You know what the worst part is?" Sheila said, shuddering. "That man Nihane hand-picked to run the Casino! He might dress smart, but that's as far as it goes! He's constantly leering at us, he's a sexist pig, he doesn't shave, he's rude...it's like he's going out of his way to be the most dislikeable man in town!"
"Yes, I hate him too." Adam said. "He does seem to know how to run a casino, though. Look at all the machines, and the size of the bar in the centre. There's nothing worse than having begrudging respect for someone. You hate them, but you notice they're still better at something than you."
"Oh, like you and the rebels!" Cuiling said. "Why can't we have natural Personas? It'd be so cool! Right, Sheila?"
"...Yeah, I'd like that." Sheila said. "Then I'd be able to ditch this group and fight right by their side. It's suffocating here. I'm not making any sort of difference, am I? They give me cool Personas like Joan of Arc, but they're not real!"
"I understand that." Atiqah said. "Sheila, most of the Ornatu Legion want the same thing. The rebels live by no rules - they get to hide away, fight the Shadows at their own leisure, and wield power we can only dream of. They have no uniforms, no salary, no curfew. They have the freedom all of us dream of, but they're still trying so hard to give that freedom to everyone. I...wish there was no more conflict between us and them."
Esther, the leader of this group, noticed a message on her phone. It was from 'KB', a name which already sent shivers of displeasure down everyone in the Ornatu Legion. Hesitantly, she opened it.
Hey, tell the Chink she's performing tonight. Tell her to wear that bunny costume. Oh, and you're gonna be a waitress, cutie.
"Did I forget to mention racist as well?" Sheila said. "Cuiling, we should complain to Nihane!"
"That would be an exercise in futility. Nihane said that KB has complete authority over us." Adam said, shuddering. "Cuiling, I'm so sorry..."
"...I think I'll be okay. As long as you guys are hearing my songs." Cuiling said. "But...what's with this bloke? He's the creepiest man I've ever known!"
"We all agree. Unfortunately, we are stuck with him." Atiqah said.
A young man was about to walk up to the unit, when they all gave him piercing stares. Awkwardly, he left the area.
"Damn. Can't get muffins there either..."
|Power Tunnels - Saragel|19:45 pm|
"Whoa?!" Kyle said, as the group exited the 'Transport Room' into the tunnel. There were Shadows everywhere, rather fearsome creatures, of all sorts.
"Why now?" Amara said. "Don't tell me they're using these things to generate more power?"
"Perhaps..." Roger said. "Wouldn't it really suck if we killed all of them?"
"Yes, I imagine they'd be struggling to meet the required levels..." Karen said, grinning. "And these are the only beings I don't mind slaughtering. Shall we get started?"
"...Allow me." Aimee said. "Concordia! Ziodyne!" For many tonight, this was the first occasion they had seen Aimee actually attack a Shadow. During her formative years, all she had been able to do was use the weapon she had stolen to keep them at bay whilst healing herself. Now, however, she was out to kill.
"Holy shit." Roger said. "Since when did Aimee know how to do that?"
"Simple, Roger." Kyle said. "Something in her changed. From now on, she's on the frontlines with us. Now we're unbeatable!"
"Agreed! Sekhmet!" Amara cried. "Huh-whoa!?"
Just like her other self, her Persona was changing form. Sekhmet's body faded inside the blue phenomenon, and eventually it was replaced with a goddess alike Isis. However, her hair was cut shorter, and her headpiece was silver with a red jewel. She wore black and white armoured gloves, a black corset with a matching silk skirt, red boots and a tremendous black and white scarf that was billowing in the wind. Naturally, she wore the same ankh, and carried a black curved sword and a white and red magic staff.
I am thou. Thou art I. From the sea of thy soul, I am reborn. I am Nephthys, she who will sink shadow into the afterlife.
"Awesome!" Amara cheered. "Okay, then...Danger Zone!"
Nephthys complied, and using her sword and magic, created a giant red ectangular prison around several unsuspecting Shadows. Then, from within, there were many bright flashes, until the cage collapsed with one final explosion. Most of the captives were slaughtered, and the ones remaining had little fight left in them.
"...Unbeatable, just like I said." Kyle said.
He proved to be correct, as in record time, the Shadow horde had been destroyed. Neither of them seemed to know how to cope with such strong offence, and now the power tunnels were clear again. Throughout the labyrinth beneath the city, these tunnels had seen plenty of warfare. And that didn't seem to be changing even with the Divine Sparks.
"That was easy!" Shirley said. "It's weird, isn't it? First Aimee's only good for healing, then she's killing Shadows left, right, centre, above & below! It's incredible!"
"It does feel strange..." Aimee said, contemplative. "When I first gained my Persona, I didn't really want to fight. I barely could...all I wanted to do was to find someone else to help me. Anyone at all...so I could put an end to this crisis. Ten years on, and I keep losing count of everyone that's helping me."
"You're just a magnetic person." Roger said. "I can't really explain it, but you just manage to get us fired up for battle. Let's hope we can end this soon, alright?"
"Right. But first, we need to hurry up and save Kaman. I hope he's not injured..." Aimee said, looking at the ceiling. "Kyle, what direction do we need to go?"
"To the north, then right. Come on, we've got to hurry." Kyle said. Their foray into the tunnels continued, until they reached a newly manufactured sector. Unlike the rest, this section had no rust or any sign of Shadow damage.
"Looks like we're here." Dan said. "Kaman, wait up. We're coming to get you."
Within moments, the group were in the rather drab maintenance passage, with no foe in sight, not even a measly Legion guard. However, what would await them through the doors to the casino would be far more memorable...
|Gold Coin Casino - Main Gaming Area|20:16 pm|
"Wow!" Lucy said, looking around. "Everything's so gold and shiny!"
"Aeternus are good at renovating old buildings they take interest in. Like they did with that hotel." Karen said. "But this is something else!"
The group looked around at the massive casino floor, filled with all sorts of game machines in mint condition. Plush red velvet stools, mahogany tables, chandeliers, and amazing golden decorations everywhere. The carpet was a work of art, and as he stared at it, Dan felt guilty for not cleaning his shoes.
"Um, we're not here on a building inspection!" Aimee said. "We're trying to help Kaman."
"Okay, but where IS he?" Kyle asked. "There's no one here except us. There are three levels to this casino, as well as the rooftop with the helicopter pad. We should press on."
There was quiet, and no one moved. Nothing around them stirred - they were alone. Slowly, they moved closer to the centre of the place. There, they saw a marvellous golden counter shaped like a ring, surrounded by many plush seats. In the centre, there was a bar stocked with all sorts of drinks and ingredients.
"They've really gone all out." Lucy said, admiring her reflection in one of the pillars. "But what's the point? Is this really just for the Ornatu Legion?"
"Seraphina, where's Kaman?!" Dan shouted. "He ain't dead, right?"
"No! No, he is NOT dead!" Seraphina shrieked, punching Dan in the chest - rather weakly. He gulped, and looked away. "Did you expect me to withhold anything like that ever again?!"
"I...I'm sorry." Dan said. "But...Kaman put a roof over my head in the worst time of my life. Eight years, I was in his bar...if he hadn't found me, I'd probably be long gone. And I'd never know the truth about any of this."
"Kaman had his own problems too." Aimee said. "Losing his wife was more painful that any of us can imagine. Perhaps...even more than losing my brother. But I think we can help him! We just have to look through this building!"
"Intruders! Don't move!"
From all directions, even the ceiling, came armed Ornatu Legion soldiers. Among them was Cuiling, dressed in an incredibly tacky Playboy bunny-esque outfit, and most of the females seemed to be in skimpy outfits.
"...What's going on?" Roger asked. "Don't tell me Aeternus are cutting their budget."
"Uh...um...shut your mouth!" Cuiling whined. "I wouldn't have to fight in this thing if you hadn't come in here and stunk the place up! You stupid jerk!"
"Why are you dressed like that?" Priscilla asked. "...And these women. What sort of seedy environment has this casino become?"
"Priscilla darling, places like these are host to all sorts of dark vices." Nathan said.
"It's not our choice!" Esther said, angrily. "You want to know who's responsible? The most chauvinistic, self-centred, perverted barman ever!"
"Great, well once we've saved Kaman, we'll go beat him up." Lucy said. "Or do we have to fight you as well? I'd get more battle experience stepping on ants."
"Kaman...?" Adam said. "Kaman Barrs?"
"Yeah, that's it. We don't need to waste time describing him after all. Just tell us, kid, where he is!" Dan shouted. "We're not messing around, you know!"
Adam gulped, flinching. However, the rest of his comrades were summoning their Personas, such as Saki, Kusi, Nigi & Ara Mitama, Belphegor (a demon sitting on a toilet), Tzitlmitl, Dzelarhons, Kangiten, and La Llrona. Feeling the pressure, he finally summoned Byakko.
Unfortunately, they had chosen to battle intruders that were well-trained in combat. They had escaped from fighting the Interitus Legion with their lives, and those soldiers were on a different level than them. While their Personas were strong in their own right, they could not sustain themselves for very long against the genuine article, no matter how angry Ara Mitama could be. Eventually, every soldier had fallen, and their Personas vanished into thin air.
"...They seemed frightened when we said Kaman's name." Bianca said. "Why would that scare them?"
"Who cares?" Dan said. "Let's just hurry up and find the guy!"
"Always the brute, eh?" A voice said. "You only know how to talk with your fists. Guess all that booze sapped your charisma."
Everyone turned to the bar, and gasped. From out of nowhere, Kaman had showed up, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black vest, complete with a tie. Dan had never seen him wear anything so smart in his time at The Mole, just the same dirty old clothes day after day.
"Where did you come from?!" Lucy asked. "Didn't you get kidnapped?"
Kaman chuckled, with a sinister glint in his eye. He cleared his throat, and leered at her.
"You really are Blaine's type, aren't you? Nice rack, young and stupid...he doesn't need a brain, does he? Like he'll ever need to discuss art or literature with a ditz from the states." Kaman said.
"...What?!" Blaine spluttered, enraged. "Where the fuck is that coming from?!"
"Kaman, we came all this way to save you! Why are you talking that way?" Priscilla asked.
"Come on, let's hurry up! There could be more soldiers coming!" Kyle said.
"Oh yeah, I was meaning to ask you guys. How do you like their new costumes? Just the right colour and shape, right? I'm just glad they approved." Kaman said. "Perhaps Shirley could have used something like it. She'd have been the greatest pianist ever. Not that my customers came for her music, of course..."
"...Excuse me?" Shirley said. "This isn't making any sense at all!"
"Oh, you don't think so?" Kaman said, looking indignant. "You don't have a fucking clue! I'll tell you what really makes no sense here! Ten years ago, I was the happiest guy around! I had a wife, my own bar, and we were thinking about having kids a few years down the line! We wanted to travel all over Asia! To Seoul, to Tokyo, to Beijing, to New Delhi! Then Shadows showed up, and we were stuck in this city. That I could have accepted...at least I wasn't alone! At least Maria was there to keep my spirits up."
"Kaman..." Aimee mumbled.
"Then...something I can't ever forget. I see it every time I go to sleep, or even when I blink! My wife's body, torn in half! She didn't even get to scream...in one second, my everything was gone! THAT, you stupid bastards, is what doesn't make ANY bloody sense to me!" Kaman shouted. "I wanted to just throw myself at those fuckers, just so I could join her. But I couldn't it. I...had to stay behind and look after the bar."
"You didn't do that very well then. You haven't forgotten the state it was in by the time Carlos blew it up, have you?" Shirley said.
"Like the clientele gave a damn. All they needed was to drown their sorrows." Kaman said. "In just a few days, my little bar went from a cool new hangout to a stinking homeless shelter, with free drinks. And one of my 'customers' was Dan. Poor lonely Dan, with his entire hometown being turned into the 'enemy' headquarters. His brother was dead, and his sworn brother had stabbed him in the back! We had something in common back then...no hope for the future. No one to help us through this mess. All we could do was drink ourselves into oblivion, waiting for the end to come. I thought you, Dan, were the only one who could ever understand me."
"...What makes you think I don't?" Dan said. "I really was in a bad way. Matthew, as far as I knew, was dead. The little brother I held in my arms when I was twelve, the one I promised I'd take care of...I had failed! Blaine, my friend, had destroyed everything!"
"Yeah. For eight years, you and I were trapped in this world, and the ones we loved more than anything else were dead and gone. Then, one day, I got a call from a kid asking to buy some computer parts. He didn't need the NDD to get inside. I didn't understand how some cripple could just open the front door, all chill. That's when things get weird. Dan followed him out of the door, and next thing I know, he's wearing new clothes, carrying a freaking rifle, and he's living somewhere else!" Kaman said, glowering. "He's...smiling again, too! I didn't know what to think. But I figured, if Dan was happy now, then that was okay. At least one of us could move on..."
"What's your point?" Richard said.
"Glad you asked..." Kaman said, smirking again. "The part that makes no sense at all. Turns out little Matthew isn't so dead after all! All grown up, sitting with his bro! How the fuck does that happen?! That kid is at my bar, and not my wife! WHY?!"
"Please stop!" Priscilla shouted. "I understand you're jealous. But what does that have to do with this?"
"Ah, about time I got there." Kaman said. "I ended up one of you guys not too long ago, and I put up with that shit for a little while. I really tried to get along with you all, really. Aimee, you're a strong girl, with a good heart, but with these guys as your soldiers, you'll never topple Aeternus."
"...That's not true...at all." Aimee said, oddly flat. "Come with us...please!"
"Look at me now, Aimee." Kaman said, solemn. "I'm in charge of the Gold Coin now. I couldn't stand being a rebel a minute longer. I had to choose the right side in the end. Shall I say it flat out, old buddy?" He stared directly in Dan's eyes, and he recoiled at the limitless hate in them. "I'm a Last Soldier. I'm gonna get Maria back!"
"You..." Tara said, angrily. "You're seriously siding with them for that?! That's so pathetic! What makes you think they'll let you have your dream?"
"Oh, why wouldn't we?"
Josephine emerged in front of the bar, and sat herself down on a stool. Right after her, Nina and Keisha appeared, and also took their seats.
"Keisha..." Matthew said. Keisha bit her lip, and looked to the floor.
"What the - I thought the Ater Vox got killed!" Amara said. "Back in the Interitus place!"
"Killed? No, it was not - huh?" Josephine said, seemingly conflicted. Nina seemed momentarily pained as well, deep in thought. "No, it does not matter! Nihane was struggling to control the situation alone, but now we stand by his side!"
"We...will win." Keisha said, rather glum.
"You traitor!" Blaine shouted. "Kaman, I thought we were friends! We had a great back and forth! But now you're just another backstabber!"
"These two are far more than dishonest traitors, you fool." Nina said, protectively. "Keisha and Kaman both made the right decision in the end. Their dreams lie within a new world granted by the Eternal Road. What could you possibly do that would satisfy them?"
"I..." Dan said. "Kaman, you're not seriously part of them now! Right?!"
"What can I tell ya? I came up to them, asked if I could sign up, and they gave me this place! And some sexy waitresses, plenty of alcohol, glitzy machines...it's a palace!" Kaman said, cheerfully. Rather smug, he pulled out a beer mug, and poured a golden pint with plenty of head. Then, he span it on his finger, and miraculously it did not fall off our spill. With an arrogant smirk, he placed it on the bar, and looked back at Dan. "One last pint, like old times. It's on the house."
There was an uneasy silence. Josephine and Nina both had looks of self-satisfaction, but Keisha couldn't look at the team at all. Suddenly, Dan picked up the glass, and hurled it straight at Kaman. Almost immediately, Chandra appeared to block it - and then, it began to transform. Nina and Josephine gasped in delight, whilst Keisha stared at it blankly.
Chandra's new form was rather different - the arms and legs were covered in a silver armour, free from bloodstains. The skin was purple, with dark tattoos that formed a feminine shape on the torso. The eyes were purple and blue, and wide open, and its hair was a light pink with a ponytail that ran to its feet. The weapons were now gold, and the wings had changed from yellow & green to blue & pink.
I am thou. Thou art I. From the sea of thy soul, I am reborn. I am Soma, he who brews godly elixirs of prosperity.
"Cheers, man." Kaman said. "How about we test it out? You sure Ol'Tez ain't gone flabby?"
"I've had enough of this." Tara said, angrily. "I thought we trusted each other! I used my own power to heal your wounds, so we could fight together! Your wife may be gone, but I thought you were enjoying time with us! This time, I turn my blade on YOU!"
"Same here!" Shirley said, getting into her battle stance. "Kaman, you gave me shelter, and I'll always be grateful. But to treat us like dirt is unforgivable! I'll make you pay!"
"Tara...Shirley..." Dan said. "...You know what? Forget it. Nothing I say is going to change your mind. If you've chosen your path, you better have the guts to stick to it. Only thing left for us is to fight!"
"Smartest thing you've ever said." Kaman said, leaping to the front of the bar, Soma behind him. "What are you waiting for, girls? Help me out here!"
"Of course!" Josephine said. "With my help, I can preserve Maria's beauty and grace! In your case, Kaman, I'd have to start from scratch."
"Keisha, why are you still sitting down?" Nina said. "Get up and fight!"
"...Alright." Keisha slowly arose, and pulled out her weapons. Nina smiled, and clicked her fingers. Soon the Casino was swarmed with Shadows, and everyone gasped.
"Dan, we're gonna have to take care of these things!" Blaine said. "...Don't let him get you!"
"Wasn't planning to." Dan said. He held his rifle, albeit shakily. "I never thought I'd have to fight a friend again. No other way, right?"
"Yeah. Glad you understand." Kaman said. "...Aimee?"
"I'm...not going to let you harm him!" Aimee said, spinning her glaive. "All your talk...is just jealously, pure and simple! Maria would be ashamed that we're turning on each other!"
"...Then fight the Shadows with the others." Kaman said. "I didn't want to hurt you. Don't force yourself."
"No, I must!" Aimee said. "If I can make you understand, I will! Be prepared! Shadow Flare!"
Gaseous spheres of darkness surrounded Kaman, then they ignited into black and bright blue flames. He stared at Aimee with both pain and surprise - this would be the first time he ever saw her attack.
"Since when did she have offensive capabilities?" Nina asked. Then, she realised something. "Her Persona is different now. So that's why..."
"Tessitura." Keisha said. Euterpe played a song, and Kaman gained some confidence - his defence had been raised.
"Cheers!" Kaman said - but his praise was cut short by a Ziodyne. "Oww...that kinda stung."
"We shouldn't be doing this! You know that!" Dan shouted. Kaman laughed, and punched Dan in the gut. "Damn...you..."
"Maybe you shouldn't. But I got no choice. I gotta put an end to your false hope...you undeserving bastard." Kaman grumbled. "Kshuparaka!" Before Dan could even stand upright, he was being bombarded by wind gusts.
"How dare you turn on a friend!" Shirley said. Kaman leered at her, and beckoned her to attack him. "You arrogant piece of - fine! Phantom Edge!"
Rhiannon, at the speed of light, rushed right through Kaman, blade outright. He yelped, but before Shirley could kick him, he landed a punch on her. Soon, they were in a skirmish of their own, until Dan shot him in the back.
"Ha! You're not as good as you claimed!" Nina said. "I suppose we'll have to handle this, Josephine!"
"Um, I am still here, you know -"
"Hailstone Tempest!" Nina ordered, as Keisha back flipped away from Tara's sword attack. Hailstones gathered around the icy Hel, whose double-edged spear became so cold, it could be felt from the entire casino. The frosty goddess then twirled her weapon around, and thus brought down immense icicles upon her enemies.
"Damn!" Tara shouted. "Was this your idea, Keisha?!"
"Huh? N-no!" Keisha said, adamantly. "You've had it in for me ever since we met! Now you're going to blame me for any defections? That's just childish!"
"I won't be insulted by traitorous scum!" Tara snarled. "Magnadyne!" Keisha was blasted away by fierce rocks, but right after this, Cybele struck her from behind with Fury Brand, a series of angry slashes.
"Ah!" Aimee gasped. "Are you alright, Tara?"
"Not yet!" Tara screamed. She dashed at Josephine, and began wailing on her. Most of her attacks missed, but the ones that did were rather severe. "DIE!"
"Crap!" Dan said. "What do we do?"
"Hang on..." Aimee said. "Enradi!" Concordia managed to end Tara's short, yet chaotic rampage. Thankful, Tara had to evade a whole series of bullets, not to mention some nasty sickle swings. "Please be careful! Now, let me try this... Septentrione!"
The area went black, and the Big Dipper appeared around Concordia. Each one was a different size and colour, but one of them - Alioth - was the brightest of them. Smiling, Concordia attached Alioth to her staff, and immediately afterwards, she conjured a starry poisonous wave to attack Josephine.
"Argh!" Josephine cried, weakly. "You vermin!" She let loose, scattering shots all over the area. Several glasses got broken, and Kaman groaned. "...We'll replace them tomorrow! Get with it!"
"Right..." Kaman said. "I never thought I'd be fighting you girls. Shame you're not on my side. Still time to change your minds, you know."
"Why would we side with those attempting to commit mass-genocide?" Shirley said, glaring at him. "I don't care how you doll it up. It's still nothing but murder. Shame on all of you!"
"...Cabaletta." Keisha said bluntly. Euterpe's alternate defence boosting song had another, less desirable effect - Josephine was free from poison.
"Thank you." Josephine said. She looked down on her foes, and fired a quick volley of shots. Kaman stormed through the team, and tried to punch Dan in the stomach - but he blocked it, and bashed him with the butt of his rifle.
"Ouch!" Kaman said, angrily. "You ought to take better care of that thing. You might not be able to find your next gun lying on a street corner."
Dan did not reply to this 'advice', instead wordlessly calling forward Tezcatlipoca. Kaman gulped, as he became subject to the unpleasant Guillotine Fall - where every strike of the swing seemed to draw blood. Kaman gulped at the gushing pool beneath him, and recoiled.
"What are you doing?!" Nina shouted, swinging her sickles at Aimee - who managed to block them with Zao's glaive. "...That blood isn't real!"
"It's not?" Kaman said, confused. Shirley kicked him hard in the chest, sending him into one of the stools. "Figures...when you guys become self-righteous, you're dangerous." He rubbed above his lip, taking off some of the 'blood'. It slowly began to fade. "Nice trick, Daniel. Let's go back to basics. Aquadyne!"
Dan got knocked back by Aquadyne, and then sliced violently by Nina's sickles. When done, she tossed him aside, and turned to Aimee.
"I have to say, that weapon of yours looks awfully familiar." She said, smirking. "Did you...borrow it from somewhere?"
"Nina, don't..." Keisha muttered, but Nina nudged her aside. Aimee bit her lip, shaking her fists.
"It must be hard for you, Aimee. But there's plenty more fish in the sea, especially now you've got his rod!" Nina said, chuckling.
"THAT'S IT!" Aimee screamed. She leaped into action, twirling away from a Bufudyne. Then, she brought down the full might of Zao's weapon, slashing Nina all over. The final swing actually cut through the chain connecting Nina's sickles.
"I did say 'don't'." Keisha said, shaking her head. She clashed swords with Tara, nimbly ducking under fast swings. Reacting swiftly, she jumped on top of the bar - knocking a full bottle of Chardonnay to the floor - and performed her best somersault, driving her swords into Tara.
"Argh!" Tara cried. "You're even more annoying than when you were with us! Chehooit, teach her some manners. Precious Land!"
Chehooit raised her staff, and phasing through the ground were giant luminous rocks. These seemed to be full of various precious stones, including opal, peridot, amethyst, topaz, garnet, ruby, sapphire, emerald & aquamarine. These rocks then crashed into the ground near Kaman and his team, and with a tremendous shine exploded, hitting them with sharp fragments of the rocks.
"Ugh!" Josephine shouted. "To think someone could have such mastery over the earth..."
"Jealous?" Tara said, smirking. "Maybe I can teach you a few things! Like to take your eyes off Nathan!"
"Get serious! All I would learn from you is how annoying you really are. Mamagnadyne!" Josephine barked. Cybele fought with her own earth power, and everyone felt its wrath. "Are we done?"
"Not even close." Aimee said. "For Zao! Garudyne!" Josephine blinked, then gasped - Concordia managed to conjure fierce winds to rend her apart. She stumbled, much to Aimee's delight. "Kaman! How dare you put us all through this!"
"Easy, Aimee. You don't want to do it, go back through those tunnels and head on home." Kaman said. Aimee ignored him, and struck him down with her energy weapon. "...Sorry."
"Aria Di Sorbetto." Keisha said. While her words lacked a shred of passion, Euterpe's melody remained a masterpiece. Aimee was hit by ice, then by Keisha's flurry of sword swipes.
"What's with you today, Keisha?" Kaman asked. "Come on, you went through this before!"
"I'm trying to concentrate." She replied, dodging Dan's sharp rifle bursts. "Phew..." She raced at him, slashing him repeatedly, but Tezcatlipoca's appearance interrupted her melee.
"Xibalba!" Dan cried. Tezcatlipoca turned the surrounding area dark, and the limited amount of features nearby became blood-red and demonic in design. Then, what seemed to be something invisible struck all four foes, creating waves of scarlet energy. Finally, there was another burst of power, and Tezcatlipoca restored light to the battlefield.
"Holy crap!" Keisha said, timidly. "I thought I was gonna die!"
Kaman looked at Dan, and shrugged. Not a shred of remorse seemed to be in him. Now there was no going back, Dan thought. However, before he could pull the trigger, Kaman had punched him across the face. Then he did the same to Shirley, knocking her into a poker table.
"Dan, you're a joke." Kaman said, stifling another laugh. "Here's some food for thought. Even before there were Shadows...how many times did guys like me those their wives? Or wives losing husbands? They were supposed to stay together until the very end. But because of this ugly world, good people have to go on alone!"
"...Even without Matthew, I'm not alone." Dan said, angrily. "You never got us at all! Once Kyle saved me, I knew there was a future! You're the joke."
"Tch." Kaman said. "Maybe you guys do have a future. But it's not gonna be a happy one! Go, Soma! Karka!"
Soma took his weapons, and swung them to the side. Suddenly, strange feathered vines burst out of the ground near Dan, and held his legs down. Then, Soma slashed Dan twice, and the feathered vines burst out, slashing him even further.
"Paranoia Impulse!" Shirley cried. Rhiannon charged up an ominous reddish light, and fired it. Soon, it was bouncing all over the area, and collided with Nina, Keisha, Josephine & Kaman. "Alright!" Keisha, trembling, ran away from Shirley - yet not before she could stop a brutal kick to the knee.
"You're becoming quite a liability tonight." Josephine said, folding her arms. She quickly used Cybele to free Keisha from Fear, then ducked under more shots from Dan's rifle. "Ugh! You still can't use that equipment properly!"
"Oh yeah? Have you seen the way you use those pistols?" Dan said, scowling. "And I used to think women with guns akimbo were hot..."
"Perhaps you need to cool down." Nina said. "Winter Warhead!" Hel stuck one end of her weapon into the ground, and ice crawled up it onto the exposed blade. Then, the ice condensed into a giant, more polished blade, yet Hel could wield it with just one hand. She did just that, and smacked Dan silly with the enlarged spearhead - then she drove it through his body, and painfully withdrew it.
"Urgh...that's...freezing..." Dan whimpered. Kaman burst out laughing, only to get another slash from Aimee.
"I didn't think you could get this angry..." Kaman said. "Do you think you're strong enough to handle Nihane, Aimee?"
"Not alone..." Aimee said. "I couldn't do anything alone. That's why I worked so hard in getting new members! This is why I can never forgive you or Keisha!"
"Stay calm, Aimee." Tara said, unaware of the irony, considering what had happened earlier. "Everyone, we have to persevere! To the end of traitors! Beloved Meadow!"
For a few moments, all Tara and her allies could see was exactly that - a beautiful, grassy meadow filled with flowers, tall trees, and birds chirping as they flew across the blue sky. Their bodies were rejuvenated, just by looking at the breathtaking scenery.
"...What are you guys even looking at?" Kaman asked.
"Does it matter?!" Josephine shouted. "It is high time I did the same! Mediarama!" Her time received ample healing energy too, and the fight raged on.
Meanwhile
Aside from the main battle at the bar, the war between the remaining rebels and the Shadows was growing more and more intense. Neither side was letting up, yet the humans were still troubled by Kaman's spineless betrayal.
"We need to finish these Shadows off quickly." Priscilla said, killing a Jotun with Crystal Queen. She turned around, and gasped - a Machine was about to cleave her with its oversized sword, but Blaine and Kyle punished it with Torment and Crushing Eagle.
"Go! Ultraviolet Whirlwind!" Richard cheered, blowing away some tenacious Beetles. Bianca struck down a pair of Twins with her White Rose thrust attack, whilst Alastair tormented a Nyogo with Sacred Impact.
"Divine Flame!" Kazuya ordered. A golden flame, brighter than most, ruptured and consumed an Idol. A Musha, however, ambushed him and slashed him with its katana. "Ow! Now that's not very civilised, is it?"
"Says the guy who burnt one of them to death!" Lucy said, exasperated. "Let me take that one. Passion Ablaze!" The heat of her flame melted down the Musha's armour, and put an end to the tenebrous Samurai. "YEAH! Who's next? Huh?" A Maya slithered by, only to be immediately shot at.
"Good thing we practised." Blaine said, proudly. Lucy giggled, reloading her firearm. He took out his own gun, and gladly gave the Maya more bullet holes.
Amara quickly bisected a Magus with Sable Cross, and admired Nephthys' swordsmanship. She soon targeted another Magus, and pierced it with her own sword.
"Liath Macha!" Nathan hollered. Cu Chulainn, even stronger than Setanta, slaughtered a defenceless Raven. The Book floating nearby cast Ziodyne on him, but was destroyed by Serena's Tranquil Sea.
"Watch out!" She shouted. A huge Cyclops had sneaked behind Nathan, and was ready to ravage him. She hit it in the face with her whip, distracting it. "Go, Seraphina!"
"As you wish." she said, preparing her power. "Sophia! Bestow upon these foolish denizens of the dark, your Stellar Vision!" Heightened wisdom strengthened this blast of power, and with the stars in the night sky, the power grew even more. The Cyclops was unable to resist, and fell over, dissolving. "As expected."
Karen, keen to avoid being outnumbered, had mostly struck solitary Shadows. Yet now she was surrounded by four Towers, and they were sparking from the power of their formidable Zio magic.
"...Uh oh." She said. "I...how did I let this happen?" While her targets were solitary, their Ziodyne spells made it difficult to approach them for close-quarters combat. So she had to sheathe her sword for now. "Damn! Black Ice!"
A diamond-shaped block of ice appeared from Aeshma's mirror, and tendrils of darkness fused with it, turning it pitch black. Then, it crashed into one of the Towers. The resulting dark dust of ice then became dense, and encased the Tower, completely immobilising it.
"Ha!" Karen said. Unfortunately, she had let her guard down. Before she knew it, three Ziodyne spells had zapped her, and she felt the electricity surge through her flesh. "Argh?!"
To her relief, she saw Roger and Matthew come to her aid. Before long, they were assaulting the Towers at full strength, and Karen finally had the chance to unsheathe her sword. Her slashes were like the art of iaido, fast and controlled. Before long, two of the Towers had been felled.
"Gale Claw!" Matthew cried, and his trusty Acol pounced at one Tower and toppled it, ending its existence.
"Ocean Stampede!" Roger ordered. Kanaloa proudly rose in to the air, and using his trident as a guide, conducted massive dark blue waves to crush the remaining Tower. Right after the final wave's wake, it disintegrated.
"Thank you both!" Karen said, cheerfully. "If only...we weren't in this situation."
"Why did Kaman suddenly switch sides now?" Matthew said, confused. "I knew his wife meant the world to him. But why not just go straight to the Ater Vox? What was the point of fighting alongside us?"
"He's an opportunist." Roger said. "He just weighed both sides, and picked the one that gave him the most benefit. I've had the exact same mindset plenty of times..."
"...In my mind, I still see it. Keisha, in the opera house, saying it all meant nothing. I had to turn my knives on her...why all over again?" Matthew said, despondent. "And my brother...he's over there, having to fight Kaman! This is horrible..."
"I know!" Roger said. "I hate...friends turning on each other. That time in Saragel was one of the worst days I can remember. I'm...so glad I came back in the end."
"Me too..." Matthew said, tearfully. "I...didn't want to go back to how I was then...but now he's done it!" He glanced over to the bar, and saw Kaman's fist strike Dan on the cheek. "I've had enough! Let's get him -"
Before they could approach, a fearsome looking Knight appeared in front of Matthew, knocking him into the blackjack table.
"Matthew!" Karen cried. "...Will these days never end?"
"They have a start, so they have an end." Roger said. "That's what I have to keep telling myself." Karen quickly helped Matthew stand, and then the three of them took on the Knight together.
"No Shadow gets between the Kingsley family!" Matthew said, hurling a knife.
Meanwhile
"Now this is the best bar brawl I've ever seen!" Kaman said, sidestepping from Tara's sword. Dan took aim, but was too slow - Kaman's punch was strong enough to knock it into the ceiling, and as it landed, it broke apart.
"Shit..." Dan said. Kaman laughed, only for Dan's fist to collide with his face. "What? You think these muscles are just for show?"
"Bastard..." Kaman said. "Nothing ever gets you down, does it? What does it take to make you like me?!"
"After tonight, bud, I kinda don't want to be like you!" Dan said. "Up yours! Nocturnal Clutches!"
Dark blue lightning sparked into life around Kaman, and wrapped around him. Then, after several pulsating shockwaves, there was a pure black explosion, and he screamed in agony.
"Good..." Kaman said. "At least you've not made it easy...that would be a total insult."
"We shouldn't be using our attacks on each other!" Dan said, pleadingly. "I only wanted to defeat the Shadows and the Ater Vox! Not you or Keisha!"
"Too late now. You don't like it, go help yourself to the beer you threw all over the floor." Kaman said. "Moonstone Herald!" Soma generated an aurora of pale white, that completely encircled Dan. He took in the strange energy, and looking at his fists, he seemed rather confident.
"Here!" Aimee said. "Stardust March!" A pale shimmering dust, the same colour and brightness of stars, flew around her and her allies, and soothed their wounds. Dan even felt his hands get a bit stronger, and he walloped Kaman hard in the face.
"Monodrama." Keisha said. Her words still lacked any feeling, yet the resulting energy blast from Euterpe's flute certainly caused Aimee plenty of pain. Keisha then had to deal with Tara's sword swings, as well as Shirley's fast kicks. She managed to hit both with one sword each, then somersaulted over their heads.
"She's faster than I thought...Grieving Rune!" Shirley cried. Despite her best efforts, Josephine was enraptured by Rhiannon's immense darkness.
"Ah!" Josephine cried, dropping her pistols. Shirley used this chance to pull off her spinning kicks, via changing stance. It helped that her shoes were hard, and thus good for beating people to a pulp. "You should have stayed on our side, with your friend! Perhaps you'd have a happier ending."
"Give me a break." Shirley said. "Why would I want to go back there? You never got me that piano I asked for! Or the microphone! And I'm still not happy about you destroying the universe, either."
"I see. How disappointing. Then I shall strike you down!" Josephine said. "Vile Upheaval!"
The ground beneath Shirley turned a dark green, and lifted up in the form of a giant jagged rock. Then more and more dark pointed stones erupted from the earth, jabbing into Shirley's body, until the platform beneath her crumbled, causing her to fall onto a pile of corrupted stone.
"Shirley!" Dan shouted. Kaman chuckled, and managed to dodge the flurry of punches from Dan's fists - which was no easy feat. Nina's sickles may have been separated, but they were no less sharp - as she discovered by striking Tara.
"Walled Garden!" Tara, using Chehooit's divine power, covered herself & her allies with a green vibrant shield. Nina's sickle strikes seemed to lack any effect now, as did Kaman's punches. Keisha's swords were useless, and even Josephine's bullets could not pierce the shield. "Ha!"
"You're a worthy foe, Miss Miller." Nina said, smiling. "Yet you will regret opposing us very soon. Avalanche!" Indeed, a cold snowfall blasted the team, but Walled Garden seemed to slightly lessen the impact. Nina swore, and ducked around a swing from Tara's blade.
Dan hit Kaman once again, this time knocking him into the bar. "Face it, idiot. You're not beating us here!"
"So you say..." Kaman said, laughing. "Soma! I beg of you, give me the strength of the gods! For my foes who struggle in vain, deliver upon them the storm of death! Indu!"
Soma emerged, and the ceiling disappeared to reveal a night sky, where there was a gigantic blue moon. It began pulsing with life, and a torrent of water burst out from above, falling upon all its victims. Then, that same torrent began to twist and turn in the manner of a tornado, growing vaster and stronger. Kaman laughed once it was over, and Dan & team were lying on the floor like drowned rats. The moonlight seemed to have shone on him, as he did look less exhausted now.
"Wonderful." Nina said. "This should be over very soon - ugh!" Dan, against all odds, had managed to heave himself up. When he looked upon Kaman, something snapped in him. This wasn't some friendly bout - this was a fight to the death. And Dan, after tonight, felt the killer instinct flow within him.
"Tezcatlipoca..." Dan muttered. "Kill him! Kill him now!"
aaa
"Dan, what are you doing?!" Aimee shouted. "Please, try and focus -"
"Oh, I am! Just like he said, no going back!" Dan said. "Stay back , ladies. This is between me and him now. Tez, rip him to pieces! Blood Blitz!"
While he had used this several times before, this time it was far stronger. Keisha, Josephine & Nina were not spared, yet by far the worst victim was Kaman, who was being zapped from all directions by the red thunder. He screamed, yet there was no mercy. Finally, with one final shock, it was over, and he fell over face first.
"...Ugh." Kaman said, groaning, as he tried to raise his weary torso. He wiped blood from his chin, shuddering. "Never thought it'd hurt this much...my heart...ugh!"
"What? NO!" Nina said, concerned. "We must stop! Now!"
"Agreed." Josephine said. "We must retreat. Shadows, dismissed!" She clicked her fingers, and the horde of Shadows vanished. "You rebels listen good. If you dare try to get in here again, we will destroy your base and hunt every single one of you down."
"Yeah...you heard her." Kaman said, weakly coughing up blood. "Wouldn't...want that, would you know? You've got nowhere else to stay...than a filthy basement...pitiful..." With that last word, he fainted, his wounds slowly dripping blood over the carpet.
"Only thing in here that's pitiful is you." Dan said. "Get him outta my sight. Now!"
"We don't take orders from you, Mr Kingsley. You ought to remember our authority." Nina said. "All of you get out of here, and never return!"
"Just one last thing!" Matthew said. "The man that called the Ater Vox to capture Dan at The Mole...that was Kaman, wasn't it?!"
Nina and Josephine chuckled, and Keisha just stepped back, looking over Kaman's body. She covered her mouth, and gulped.
"I see you're cut out to be a detective after all." Nina said. "Kaman contacted Pierre some time ago, in an attempt to make a deal. He would hand Dan over, and we'd bring back his wife. At the time, we had no inclination of granting his request. Now, however...Kaman will be lucky enough to reap the rewards of the Eternal Road."
"That's enough talk. We must consult Nihane. We'll take the helicopter." Josephine said. "With our wounds, teleporting may be dangerous..."
"Right." Keisha said. "Everyone...please leave."
Nina lifted Kaman's body, and she, Keisha & Josephine hurried towards the elevator in the back. Slowly, the group made their way out of the casino, without a word.
|Outside Casino|20:46 pm|
The sound of the propeller could be heard all over. Before long, the vehicle on top of the casino had taken flight, and set off towards Aeternus HQ. The helicopter was a mighty looking machine, jet black and streamlined, equipped with several laser-type weapons and a huge propeller. Soon, the helicopter was out of sight, and all was quiet.
"...Why?!" Tara demanded, stomping the ground. "He's siding with them, when they're the ones that killed his wife to begin with! How can he be so callous...?"
"Tara, stay calm!" Matthew said, grabbing her hand. "Kaman...he's not coming back. As of now, he and Keisha are Last Soldiers."
"Why now? After Zao..." Priscilla said. "Why are we losing our comrades?"
"I can understand why Keisha didn't want to stay with us, but..." Roger said, downcast. "I assumed Kaman would be with us until the end."
"...Maybe the end is now." Aimee said. "The Eternal Road should have happened. If Nihane figures out what to do, he won't hesitate to do it. We don't have any assurances at all. How can we be the rebellion if we know that we know nothing?"
"I don't know what the hell to think anymore." Dan said. "I thought I knew what I felt a moment ago, but...I'm just confused. I should have paid more attention to what Kaman was going through...I might have been in the same position if Maria had come back from Clairdol instead."
"You aren't gonna blame yourself, are ya?!" Blaine shouted. "That's bullshit. You haven't done anything wrong. You only wanted to have a drink with your kid brother, right? Kaman might think you were trying to show off, but I know that's not you at all. Next time I see him, I'll -"
"Blaine, I don't want to think about him anymore. Please, just let me forget about tonight..." Dan said. "We should have stuck together, him and me. He gave me a roof over his head, and I did the same for him. But while I have my little brother again, he'll never see his wife. All he's got left is a wedding ring."
"Aimee. We should return to the base. I suspect reinforcements may arrive shortly." Karen said.
"...Hang on." Shirley said. "There's...somewhere I'd like to go. Don't worry, I'll be fine by myself."
"You sure?" Lucy asked. "It's not far from here, is it?"
"It's in Saragel. Remember, the place I was staying that Nick and Brad attacked? I want to see it again..." Shirley said.
"Dan, go with her." Blaine said. "Sure, she can look after herself. But it's lonely that way, right?"
"...Yeah." Dan said. "Shirley, do you mind?"
"Well...no!" Shirley said, smiling. "Thanks! Aimee, we'll see you back at the base soon."
|Saragel - Craigmillar Road|21:19 pm|
"...Just...as I thought."
What had once been a hastily converted homeless shelter was now a completely paved over slab of lifeless land. Every trace of it had been wiped away, and instead was various pieces of graffiti, featuring crude depictions of Shadows, various unpleasant curses, and anti-Aeternus slogans.
"You okay?" Dan asked, putting his arm around her. "Oh! Sorry, I shouldn't have -"
"It's alright." Shirley said. "I...wonder if anything survived the fire. I had a book of old sheet music, you see. One day, me and this nice lady called Joanna were taking books here for the children. I picked out the music one for myself. The idea was to play some music for everyone, to take their minds off their troubles."
Dan looked around, and to his relief, the area was quiet. Not a soul in sight. Yet Shirley had her eyes on the cloudy sky, anxious.
"Joanna must have escaped." Shirley said. "I was the only one left when I got taken away...but where did they go? A lot's happened since last September, you know. She had two boys and a husband with a bad back. What if they got caught up in our mess?"
"Don't say that." Dan said. "Joanna and her family are out of your hands. I won't make false promises. But until we know the truth, don't think of them as dead. Maybe they started over, like you."
"Like me?" Shirley asked. "I've been starting over my whole life. I went from being in the shelter, to being locked up in a museum, to playing the piano for drunks, then working for Aeternus, then...siding with you. Everything keeps changing, not just with me. Kaman's our enemy now. He wants to start all over again...but that's not my idea of starting over."
"Then...what is?" Dan asked, gently.
"Isn't it obvious? I make the best of what I have, and move on!" Shirley said. "My family are gone, but I'm still here. I might never see Joanna again, but I have to fight on so she might be safe! And...the bar might be gone, and Kaman's no longer by friend, but you and I are still here. Lucy came back, too...I'm so glad she's fighting with me. You and her make me feel so lucky to be alive."
"H-Hey..." Dan said. His cheeks went red, and he looked away, scratching his head. "You're a special lady, you know that? Someday, you'll be playing that piano in peace. And I'll be there listening. Cause it's not just pretty music - it's the language of the soul."
"Yeah, I guess so." Shirley said. She laughed, and stood closer to Dan. After a few silent moments, they stared directly into each others eyes. He began to raise his hands, and held hers. "Dan...um..."
"Maybe...it's time we both started over." Dan said. "You know...once we defeat the Shadows. We won't have to hide in basements, or use our weapons anymore. It'll be a whole new start of all of us. And...um..."
"Just say it." Shirley said. "You said it once before, remember?"
"Yeah, but...you kinda ran off afterwards!" Dan said, with an awkward laugh. "Guess my charm wasn't working that night!"
"No, Dan. It wasn't anything to do with charm. I think I was afraid..." Shirley said. "Afraid of being caught up in some horrible war between you and Aeternus. All I wanted was to be in peace..."
"I'm sorry." Dan said. "You really did get dragged into a real mess. To be honest, I'm sick of fighting too. I just want to go back to the good old days. Going to work, coming home, then heading out with my friends for a few drinks..."
"You don't have to apologise, Dan." Shirley said. "Now that I have Rhiannon, I'm kind of glad this happened. I got to meet so many different people, and now I can save everyone that's not like us! Maybe even protect Joanna and her family! But I'm not in it for the fighting, either. I want to fight...so we can stop one day."
"So..." Dan said. "Okay, then I'll say it again, loud and clear. I love you, Shirley." She beamed, and reached up to his face, and their lips met. Their eyes were shut for a long time, as they stayed there, in silence.
If only you didn't have a Persona - no, maybe it's for the best. You can look after yourself, and help us save this city...that's probably better than playing music no one but me listens to.
"Hmm." Shirley said. "I could say it back, but that'd be kind of boring. So...hmm." She reached up, and lifted off Dan's cap. Surprised, he watched as she replace it with another one - a shiny leather black one, with fine stitching. "Blaine told me you were a bus driver. So...I tried to find the kind of caps they used to wear. After looking around, a man gave this to me. He said his father wore it."
"It's just like the one I had!" Dan said, beaming. "Learning how to drive that bus was a thrill! Being in charge of such a huge vehicle, helping people get around the city...it felt great! Shirley, how can I ever thank you?"
"You've done plenty for me." Shirley said, happily. "...So does this mean the four of us can go on double dates?"
"Of course!" Dan said. "You'll love it. When Blaine gets drunk and there's breadsticks around, he does walrus imitations!"
"...Interesting." Shirley said. "Something to look forward to, then. Shall we get going? Lucy's going to be thrilled!"
"Yeah, Blaine will be chuffed too. Never thought something like this could happen again!" Dan said. "Hey, what's that?"
"What's what?" Shirley asked. He pointed to something in the corner of the ground that was once the shelter. An old book, with a blackened cover and very yellow pages. Shirley wandered over to it, and picked it up. "Oh my goodness! It's..."
Dan went over to her, and watched as she opened it. Inside were pages and pages of sheet music, for all levels of skill. He had no idea how to read it, but she seemed to smile at each one with glee.
"Is that...the book you were talking about?" Dan asked. "I never saw it when we first got here!"
"Me neither!" Shirley said. She turned to the back, and as she did, a small note fell out. "Hmm?" She picked it up, and read it.
Don't worry about me, young lady. You go and play some of these tunes for your man. If he doesn't like them, whack him over the head with the book. It's multi-purpose!
"...Joanna?!" Shirley shouted. There was no response, but Dan burst out laughing.
"Looks like I better behave myself!" Dan said, grinning. "Come on, let's go home!"
"Yeah. Home!" Shirley said. The two held hands, smiling at each other, with the music book. No matter how it was used, it was going to be kept safe.