Persona: Duality

by Sraosha

Amara Furaha is an aspiring artist living in the idyllic metropolis of New Motus City. One day, she is stranded in another world, and is attacked by unholy creatures - the Shadows. She, along with many others, will begin a journey to eliminate them and put a stop to the organisation that has jeopardised the safety of her beloved city. Yet, she must also try to live a normal life.

87. Rebellion of Justice

AN: Sorry I didn't finish this one sooner. It was getting so long, I had to divide this into two chapters. Sure, I could have kept it like Chapter 72, but it felt better this time to save some scenes for later. Not to worry, it shouldn't make this arc drag on too long. Hopefully you guys will like this one. Please read, review, favourite, follow, whatever! And a belated Merry Christmas to everybody!

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Chapter 87: Rebellion of Justice

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|Aeternus HQ – Reception|21:30 pm|

The entire reception felt so clean, and yet so lifeless. As if people weren't meant to be in here. The spotless walls and floors were forbidden to age, and machines that looked as if they had never been used.

"There's...no one here." Nathan stated.

"That's weird. There's usually someone inside." Other Blaine said.

A door to the right opened, revealing two young women – presumably receptionists, from their smart attire. They seemed anxious, but when they saw everybody, they screamed.

"Oh my god! You – you're the lunatics that broke down our barrier, aren't you?!" The brunette began, dramatically waving her arms. "What should we do?!"

"What do you think?! We have to call security!" The older blonde woman said, irritated. "Did you miss the show yesterday?! Aeternus are going to make the Shadows go away, with that new weapon! How dare you try and stop them!"

"There IS no weapon." Other Blaine said. "Aeternus aren't quite as charitable as you think. Their plan is to destroy this city, not save it."

"Yeah right! You guys just want to rule this city instead! Well, too bad!" The brunette shouted. She leaped over a desk, and pressed the red security button. "Come on, let's get out of here!"

"Right!" The blonde said, grabbing her younger assistant's hand. They stormed back out the door, as sixteen Necromancers descended. Amara withdrew her blade, and rushed into battle...

|5F – Hallway|21:32 pm|

The hallway was packed with screaming employees. The minute the barrier had broken, Shadows had invaded every inch of the building. While the Interitus Legion were working hard to eliminate them, this did nothing to calm the staff down. Hysterical, they were pushing and shoving to lock themselves into their rooms.

Archibald walked calmly towards the stairwell and mused to himself how little attention these peons paid him. In the face of death, man only cares for this own life. Not Timothy, though. He had stuck up for him, because he had the strength. These crying people had no use anymore. No protective doors could possibly save them from the Eternal Road.

"Ah, there you are." Pierre said. He and Carlos were coming down the stairs, all ignoring the disturbed employees. "The rebels are causing mayhem downstairs. You better get to where you're supposed to go."

"Are you intending to give me orders?" Archibald said. "Back in the day, it was me who gave instructions to this team."

"I preferred your leadership. If only Nihane hadn't usurped control. You might have been less bloodthirsty in your approach. Still, after today, that will be irrelevant."

"Indeed. We'll have plenty of time to celebrate later. In the meantime, I'm heading up to Metalworks. Carlos, shouldn't you be up in Personnel?"

"I wanted to check out the conference hall first. I should have plenty of time. The Last Soldiers better not mess this one up." Carlos said. "Take care, everyone. I'll see you both back upstairs." With that, he walked away.

"I've been waiting to see this new generator!" Pierre said, excitedly. "It's always nice to try out new toys. Archie, I'll be clinking glasses with everyone soon enough. If only I had thought to prepare more hors d'oeuvres."

He left for the Maintenance Bridge, not even looking at the troubled staff still making their way to safety. Archibald shrugged, and sluggishly began climbing the stairs. Ten years of hard work, and it had been tiresome. Still, today would be the dawn of a new world for everyone.

|Reception|21:36 pm|

"Hiyah!"

Aimee swung her weapon straight through a soldier's stomach, vaporising them. All sixteen had been defeated, thankfully without any casualties.

"The people who work here aren't going to treat us lightly." Alastair said. "After all, we've destroyed the wall separating them from the city, and broken into their HQ. We must avoid involving them in our conflict."

"Of course." Aimee said. "I'm...not sure where to go from here. The last time we were in HQ, we ended up above. Should we try to get back to those Training Floors?"

"Maybe.." Priscilla said. "Blaine, can you tell us a bit more about this building's layout?"

"Well, I could, but there's a sign just over there. Take a look." Other Blaine said, pointing to it. The group read it carefully:

FLOORS AND DEPARTMENTS:

GF: Reception – Cafeteria – Living Quarters A – NDD Maintenance – Emergency Department

1F-5F: Business & Commerce Department + Living Quarters B

6-10F: Records Department + Living Quarters C

11F – 15F: Surveillance Department + Living Quarters D + Studio

16F-20F: Production Department: Metalworks, Pharmacy, Food Court

21-25F: Research & Development Department

26-27F: Training Centres 1-2

28: Gymnasium

29: Swimming and Spa Centre

30: Soccer, Basketball & Tennis Courts

31-35F: RESTRICTED AREA

Only the Ater Vox are permitted to go beyond the 30th floor unless they give permission to others. Any attempting to force entry will be [executed]. No exceptions.

Littering on any floor is forbidden.

"Oh, I remember all of this!" Lucy said. "Me and Shirley were in the Training Centre when Blaine found us!"

"That was one bad day." Other Blaine said, sighing. "Thank god that's all over now."

"Soccer? If only I had the right shoes on." Karl said, sighing. "Not that we have time for a five-a-side, of course..."

"I presume our intention is to break into the Restricted Area?" Priscilla asked.

"Correct, Priscilla." Alastair said. "Up there is where the Ater Vox keep their offices, and our old rooms were up there too. At the highest floor is the Meeting Room, right next to Nihane's office."

"Of course, we're not going to be able to just walk up there. They MEAN executed. Too bad for them we're hard to kill." Shirley said. "So we're going up!"

|Business & Commerce Department – 5F|22:05 pm|

The group had fought their way up from the Ground Floor, having dispatched many Interitus soldiers and Shadows. There had been more of them than she remembered – perhaps due to the circumstances. She had heard that there were less Shadows in the city today – had they gone here instead?

The floors all had the same uniform design, an artificial cleanness – as if every second, the wall and floor were being polished. No decorations were in sight, other than signs and documents posted on boards. One detailed something about currency exchange rates, and another mentioned a supplier of LCD screens.

"There's no one here..." Amara said. "Are they all hiding?"

"Look!" Nathan said, pointing ahead. In front of them was a familiar looking door. Amara distinctly remembered it from last time. Inside, Nihane had appeared and almost killed them. But it was higher up, she recalled.

"It's here as well?" Serena questioned. "It was on that Training Centre! What kind of weird architecture does Nihane have going on?"

Blaine shoved forward, and tried to open the doors. He shoved them hard, even shoulder bashing it, but they did not budge. Shrugging, he walked away.

"Guess it only opens when that jerk feels like it. Typical." Blaine said, looking down the hall.

They continued walking down, examining any room that was open – just plain offices, and some other facilities that contained NDDs. There was a bedroom door open, and inside was a man taking a nap. He looked rather older than his years, with greying wispy hair and wrinkles on his face. He woke up, rubbing his eyes, and looked up.

"Oy! Who are you guys? Shit, I knew I should have shut the door..." The man said.

"Um..." Aimee said. "We're...visiting. Nihane invited us, as members of the public."

"Yeah, something like that. Nice place you've got there." Serena said. "Wait a minute, isn't that Wing Zero?" She pointed to a highly detailed figurine of a mech. In the 1995 anime Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, this Mobile Suit was piloted by the show's protagonist Heero Yuy.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Must have been 12 years ago when my son was into it. Truth be told, I was kinda into it, too. Big ass robots fighting each other with guns and swords and even a scythe, what's not to like? Lady Une and Noin were kinda sexy, too." The man said, cheering up a bit. "Thing is, my son didn't want to live here. You don't get your own room if you're unemployed, you see. So he only gets to come and see me every weekend. But he's doing okay. He's good at keeping himself out of trouble."

Has he been waiting to tell people his story? I hope he doesn't keep us too long.

"Your son didn't want to join the Ornatu Legion?" Aimee asked.

"Oh, he did. Problem was, he was scared of fighting. He got bullied at school, you see, and that didn't help at all. I used to have to drag him there...promising to buy him a muffin if he didn't play truant." The man said. "Listen, you guys would be better off checking out the higher floors. Nothing's going on here, never is. Most fun I had was being part of the International Masquerade Team."

"What does that entail?" Priscilla asked.

"Basically, we co-operate with top-secret guys in the United Nations that know about us, and make them tell the world the city's got an epidemic going. And we use technology to make sure no one sees any Shadows from satellite images." The man said. His badge indicated his name was 'Grant Henley'. Shirley seemed to recognise the name, judging by how she raised her eyebrow.

"Um, excuse me, did you once research Persona activity in Japan?" She asked.

"Maybe. My sister and her husband live in Ikebukuro. Sorry, I'm..kinda knackered. Almost forgot. Here, take this." Grant handed over a card key to Aimee, and smiled. "You'll need it to get around the place. You know, I thought I saw the Ater Vox go in the Conference Hall earlier. Might be worth looking out."

"Thank you." Aimee said, happily. "Please, take care. You don't want to worry your son."

"Aww, aren't you sweet?" Grant said. "C'mon, get along. I need some sleep, big time. Thanks for giving me some company, though. Sure beats crunching numbers..." He yawned, and fell back onto his bed.

"Conference Hall..." Shirley said. "I never went to this floor, but it must be further along, correct?"

"I think it's across from the bathroom. Hurry!" Other Blaine shouted. Amara and the others went down, until they saw the glass doors revealing the plain white & black staircase to the meeting hall. They opened them, prepared for anything.

|B&C Department – Conference Room|22:11 pm|

Inside, the place had black velvet seats and rows of white desks, with no sign of ever being used. The walls were panelled with more metal, painted white, and there were many circular overhead lights working with wall-mounted ones to illuminate the room. It was as if all life and soul had been sucked out of a university's lecture hall. The 'stage' was a slightly raised platform, where beneath a large plain white wall were buttons to control projectors and HDTV displays.

"It's like looking at a house that's up for sale. They must have to clean it everyday." Kyle said, amazed.

"Not really. What they actually do is regenerate these rooms. Just replace dirty walls, floors, chairs, whatever with brand new ones. Kinda like an axolotl. Apparently it's quite easy, but you have to do it often or they'll disappear forever." Other Blaine said. "They didn't want to waste time having this place built out of real materials, so they put all their energy into making this fucked up magic castle."

"...Fucked up is right." Other Nathan said. "Every meeting here must be so dull. The same routine, day after day. This year probably did liven things up for everyone working here, but not for the better."

"That will all change tonight, depending on how things go." Kazuya said. "I wonder...if we do put the city back to normal, what will happen to this area? Will it just be empty land, once again?"

"Who knows? I never thought of that." Blaine said, pondering this. "Whatever the case, it'll be a chance to make a new and better Kanaloa. Just like Roger wanted, yeah?"

"True, Blaine, but my ideology wasn't right. Not for everyone." Roger said, regretfully. "Anyway, we're off topic. Didn't that man tell us there was information about the 'weapon' here?"

"Yes, but..." Shirley looked around, nervous. "I wouldn't know where to look."

"Oh, come on. There has to be some computer for that projector to connect with." Other Amara said. "See?" She pointed to a small panel to the right, that had a keyboard beneath it.

"Leave it to me!" Kyle said, heading to it. He glanced at the system, and eagerly pressed the power button. Immediately, the lights dimmed, and all the chairs and desks were retracted into the ground.

"Did you push the disco button?" Blaine asked.

"Huh? No, I just turned it on!" Kyle said. "There's no screen. The power LED is on, so -"

"Hang on." Other Serena said. "I...feel funny..." She held her head, looking a bit peaky. "

"My head...it hurts like hell!" Other Blaine howled. Lucy ran to him, concerned.

"What's going on?" She asked. "Is it a migraine?"

"No, it's...it's even worse! A-Argh!" He collapsed, falling into her arms, unconscious. Frantic, she started to shake him, but to no avail.

"Nathan!" Priscilla screamed. The other Nathan had fallen victim to this mystery infirmity, and soon after, Other Amara and Serena had toppled over from pain. Next to suffer this fate were the Holy Cross.

"Alastair?!" Serena cried. "Kyle, what did you do?!"

"I didn't do anything! I just turned the computer...on..." Kyle said, anxious. "Oh god..."

"Does anyone else feel ill?" Nathan asked, glancing at the others. No one else seemed to be passing out, to his relief. "Why just eight of us?"

"Hold on. Something's coming back to me..." Blaine said. "Back at the Cathedral...that's it!"

"What?" Karen asked.

"The eight of them were in there when the Divine Spark happened, and we were convinced they had all died!" Blaine said, stunned.

"You may be right..." Kyle said, glancing at Other Serena with fright. "The only other person who survived a Divine Spark was -"

The doors opened, and marching down towards the stage was none other than Keisha. Her eyes were completely white, her face unmoving, and both swords were drawn.

"...Her." Matthew finished. One by one, the other eight stood up, without a sound. Their eyes were exactly the same white hue, and they reached for their weapons.

"Stop!" Kyle shouted. "Serena, whatever has happened, you must stop!"

"Blaine, please look at me! You wouldn't hurt us, I know that now! Fight whatever is trying to eat your brain!" Lucy begged.

Quetzalcoatl appeared, and sent down a mighty Maziodyne. With great displeasure, Lucy attempted to shoot him, her shaking hands trembling before his precise trigger finger...

|Hallway – Outside Conference Room|22:26 pm|

Carlos admired the confrontation from outside. With everything going well, this battle would take care of at least eight warriors. Kaman had been instructed to at least recover Keisha, for she risked becoming a casualty too. At this moment, the Holy Cross were blasting their foes with Hamaon spells, and the healers were growing overwhelmed. Hysteria was high, and sparks were flying.

"A dirty trick." Carlos said. He felt an unsettling irritation in his heart. Since waking this morning, he had felt rather lethargic. The strength in his muscles seemed to have sapped, somehow. Of all days for this to happen. Even worse, however, was the knowledge of this sinful deceit.

Julia would never forgive me for all of this. All I need to concentrate on is the new world, where we can be together. I wonder if you're still my beautiful senorita? What am I saying, of course you are. A heart as beautiful as yours would shine bright. Unlike ours. We are mired in sin...and that will be washed away. I need to avoid bloodshed, and fast.

"Sir!" A voice cried from down the hall. It was Hawley, running hastily towards his boss. "What's going on in there? You told me to give that card to those guys, but...why are they beating each other up?"

"I haven't a clue." Carlos said. "Don't panic. I'll intervene if it's necessary. You should go back to your room, Grant. Your son would worry if you weren't careful."

"Yup...but you ought to look after yourself. You're looking a bit peaky today." Hawley said. "They better not get our secret weapon. I'm counting on that thing to save us!"

"It will. Now go. You'll be safer away from here." Carlos said, sternly. "In case something should happen..."

"Huh?" Grant asked.

"I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your hard work." Carlos said, with a friendly smile.

Grant's face lit up, enthused. He had never truly liked the Ater Vox until now, but Carlos had been the only one to call people by their first names off-duty. And hearing such praise was a delight. He gave him a thumbs up, and headed back towards his room.

"Nihane, you never saw these people as anything but tools. But they're humans. Humans that will guide me to a future with Julia. I don't want to forget their sacrifices."

Suddenly, there was a scream so loud it pierced Carlos' ears, causing his eardrums to ache and also a mighty migraine. Blood also splattered over the floor and walls. In front of him was Hawley's corpse – and a Macabre's scythe had done the deed.

Carlos was silent. The zombie-like soldier from afar stood still, holding a sword. A Necromancer had dropped from the ceiling, and had activated – yet had eliminated more than just a stray Shadow.

"A...Argh!" Carlos screamed.

His every vein was throbbing with pain, and as he summoned Venti, his head became home to a sensation worse than a migraine tenfold. Even so, his Persona wasted no time in turning the corridor into a wind tunnel, slicing up all in its path with sharp winds. The soldier and Necromancer were completely destroyed, yet the trail of destruction did not end there. It continued all down the hallway, sending tiles from the ceiling down, taking out chunks of the wall, and even destroyed NDDs.

"...Why?" Carlos whined, clutching his head. "I feel like...I'm going to be ripped to pieces...by the pain!"

Uneasily, he lifted Grant's body onto his bed. Blood was still dripping everywhere, but that did not matter anymore. He had to get to safety, to preserve his dream.

"Julia, I...I won't die...not yet. I will see you again."

|Conference Room|22:42 pm|

Words were not getting through to them anymore. The corrupted rebels were fighting with their full power, and Amara was desperately dodging sword strikes from her other self. Yet Nepthys seemed just as hollow as her wielder had become.

"Stop..." She begged, as their swords clashed, sending sparks flying. "I said stop! We have to do this together, right? There's no time for this!"

It was to no avail. Amara was forced to take another Tefnut's Raze, and barely missed another strike from the sword. What could she do to stop this?

I've seen this before...haven't I? It's not like the Interitus Legion, or the other Zao. Their wills haven't been lost – just suppressed. There's got to be a way to break it through!

"I swear, I'll save you!" Serena cried, as she ducked under the whip of her other self.

With the chaos and confusion of the fight, no one heard the doors open again. Yet Nathan caught glimpse them swinging shut. Running down towards the stage was Kaman, who seemed to be in a panic.

"Damn, why did I have to be late now?!" He moaned to himself. Now was the worst time he could have possibly shown up – yet his attention was directed towards the computer. "This better still work..."

"You did this, didn't you?!" Nathan yelled. "How dare you make us fight each other! You won't get away with this!"

Kaman ignored him, instead frantically typing on the keys. A white screen showed up, and windows popped up detailing rather complex functions. Just as Nathan was about to strike him on the head with his staff, the room's lights turned back to full brightness. The other Amara blinked repeatedly, dropping her sword, and Nepthys disappeared.

Alastair, Kazuya, Bianca and Richard had also ceased hostilities. Keisha had landed on her knees, glancing at her hands, as Matthew stood over her.

"...What was that?!" Other Serena demanded. "I couldn't do anything! My body didn't do what I wanted it to at all! Kyle...did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm alright." Kyle said, relieved. "I was afraid you were a goner..."

"Nathan!" Priscilla quickly embraced her fiancée, tearfully. "I...I was so afraid...losing you again, I -"

"It's alright...It won't happen again." Other Nathan said.

"You scared me to death too, you meanie!" Lucy yelled. "I knew you didn't mean it, but...I was trying so hard to get through to you!" She shook Other Blaine by his coat, and he stared glumly into her eyes. He held her close, letting her sob.

"I'm sorry, Lu...I heard every word. Just relax...you won't have to turn your gun on me anymore." He said, his voice trembling.

"I thought that was it...that we'd have to be killed so the others could go on." Alastair said, grimly. "Thank God that didn't happen."

"Indeed. That wasn't the first time Nihane took control of us, either. Remember the Cathedral?" Bianca said, still in shock. "We were forced to attack the Commander, and the other three showed up, and we were sent down to Inanis..."

"Scary." Richard said, shaking. "Nihane is a total jerk! I can't wait to tear off that annoying cape of his!"

"That's what annoys you the most about him?" Kazuya said, sighing. "Good to know you're back to normal, I guess."

"Amara." Seraphina said, smiling. "I knew you would return to us. Nihane's foul plans cannot succeed, not as long as we counter them with righteous ones."

"Sorry, everyone..." Other Amara said, weary. "I think I'm okay now. That was hell. Wait, how did that spell or whatever end?"

Dan looked over to Kaman, still standing by the computer. Nervously, he spoke up.

"You...?"

"Well duh. If I hadn't gotten the code from Nihane's office, you guys would have been in hot water." Kaman said. "Keisha, are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah..." Keisha said, standing up. She adjusted her white hat, and grumbled. "But we need to give everybody that medicine..."

"Ah, of course." Kaman said. Amara just noticed a large plastic box by his feet. She had been so preoccupied, she hadn't seen him carrying it into the room. He unlocked it, and displayed the contents. Syringes, filled with an odd fluid. "The spell only works on guys who went through Divine Sparks. I had to go the extra mile to get those ladies in Science to make this vaccine, but they did it. Keisha, you should have taken it before you ran off!"

"I...I don't like needles!" Keisha protested. "Fine, I guess I better..."

"Wait." Amara said. "What's going on here? Why are you two helping us now?"

"Ah..." Kaman said, sheepishly. "Looks like I've got some explaining to do." He turned to Aimee, who nodded firmly. "Back before we all went to check out that hotel..."

|October 13 2012|Secret Base|18:55|

"Okay, enough chit-chat!" Dan said. "Looks like we've got a new mission. Find Amara! And while we're there, we take care of that hotel!"

"Right." Aimee said. "If that's the case, then Nathan, Serena, Blaine, Karl and I will focus on the first duty. We should be able to find her swiftly. Everyone else, investigate the Nakanobu Hotel and wipe out the Shadows!"

One by one, the group went through the NDD, winding up in the Yamanoka Supplies Company building in Takanawa. However, Kaman hesitated, and looked to Aimee, anxious.

"Are you alright, Kaman?" Aimee asked. "...Oh, I should have realised. Times like these must bring it all back. I..."

"That's not it." Kaman said, taking a deep breath. "There's something I ought to tell you...before I go."

"Go?" Aimee asked, surprised. "Where? You aren't going to the hotel?"

"There's no time to waste." Kaman said, shaking his head. "Aimee, don't get mad...damn. Of course you'll be mad. I've got a plan to help us beat Aeternus, but it's...not one you'll like."

"A plan?" Aimee asked, curious. "Kaman, you're starting to scare me. What plan is this?" He looked away, sighing. "Tell me!"

"A-Alright." Kaman said, nervously. "If one of us was a double agent, then they'd get access to top-secret info on Aeternus. The kind you can't get by hacking, or from beating up their soldiers. You'd have to do a lot of dirty work to get it, but if knowing that stuff helped us get the upper hand, it'd be worth it. Right?"

"I...maybe...I don't know." Aimee mumbled. Then she looked up at him, disturbed. "No..."

Kaman nodded, staring deep into her eyes. "Yes, Aimee. I'm going to become a Last Soldier."

There was total silence for some time. Aimee and Kaman simply looked at each other, trying to understand the other. Kaman was about to speak again, but before he could utter another syllable, she threw herself at him, pounding his chest in fury and crying her eyes out.

"How could you even suggest that?!" She wailed. He stood there, taking the beating. To his surprise, when she was furious her fists were a lot stronger than they looked. Or perhaps it was her tears that hurt more. "You want...to turn on us, just in case it'll help us?! What if they don't believe you? Kaman, they might...kill you!"

She finally lowered her fists, sobbing. Kaman took her in his arms, sighing, and patted her gently.

"I know it's risky. But listen. They'll believe me without question. I just have to tell them how much I want to see Maria again, and that I've had enough being with you guys. If I'm a free agent, they'd be stupid just to let me run free." Kaman said. "Trust me...I've got a lot of bitterness inside I can tap into. I'll even turn on the waterworks."

"But what about having to fight us?!" Aimee shouted. "Even if we all know, they'll make you attack us at every turn!"

"...Aimee. You're the only one that will know." Kaman said. "It won't work if everybody knows. If they're just pretending to be outraged, it'll show. And then I'll be forced out again."

Aimee sobbed, whimpering, as her tears left a damp patch on Kaman's shirt. He held her tighter, his eyes watering as well.

"I'm sorry. I could have just left you all behind...but not you. Aimee, ever since I met you, you've reminded me of her. The good memories, the ones I used to get teary-eyed at. She was a great leader, you know. Best teacher I knew. I think maybe now, I can look back on those days and smile." Kaman said, chuckling.

"You're...really going ahead with this, aren't you?" Aimee asked, finally letting go. He nodded, and his eyes shined with genuine kindness.

"Believe me, I've through this through. Not only can I get secret information on their plans, I might just be able to convince Keisha to come back to us." Kaman said, smiling. "Listen. Go on ahead to Nakanobu. They'll be worried about you."

"...Please, be careful." Aimee said, wiping her eyes. Kaman nodded, hand on heart. She smiled, and headed to the NDD.

"One last thing." Kaman said. "I can't hold onto these while I'm playing the villain. Here." He placed two gold wedding rings into her hand. One she recognised as his own, the other was for a smaller finger. No doubt his wife's. "Please, protect them. They'll be safer with someone I can trust one hundred percent."

"I...I will!" Aimee said, still teary-eyed. "Um...good luck." She leaped through the NDD, prepared to lead the expedition to the hotel.

|December 21 2012|B&C Conference Room|22:56 pm|

"So..." Dan said, shaken. "You were just fooling? That means..."

"Yeah. I really was good at acting. Better than I thought." Kaman said. "But Dan, I did hate you for a while. Maybe not you, though. I hated life itself. One person got to have their family back, and I was on my own. Living my days out in a dead bar."

"Then you tried to tip off Aeternus..." Shirley said.

"I didn't have anywhere to go after Carlos blew up the bar. So I figured I'd try out this Persona thing. I didn't think I would, but...I kinda liked being on your team. It felt like I was doing something with my life. And I had good people around me, guys I felt like I could trust." Kaman said, sincerely. "Dan was a good man...and he would have wanted me to be happy too. I get that now."

"Man...I wish I'd known all this before you started trying to smash my face in!" Dan snapped. "You could have saved us a lot of pain, you idiot!"

"True. But if we hadn't done it my way, they'd never have believed my betrayal was real." Kaman said. "I fooled everybody, and it worked out great. You see, I wanted to get the Ornatu Legion out of the casino so they could help protect the city. So I treated them like shit to drive them away."

"...Even forcing the girls to dress up in those raunchy uniforms?" Priscilla asked.

"That's...um...part of the casino vibe." Kaman said, blushing. "Remember Lorean Tower? I was there, you know. While you guys were beating the crap out of Pierre and that tin man, I turned on the self destruct switch. That way, their plan to make an Interitus Zao could never work. I was never gonna let them do that, not to such a great kid."

"...It makes sense now." Amara said, relieved. "Kaman, thank you. Zao would appreciate it."

"Then what about that Temptress?" Tara asked. "That thing nearly killed you! Did you really lose control of it?"

"Not even once, Tara." Kaman said, smirking. "Was a tough job, but we got everybody to run out of the Riqueza Centre in time. The Ornatu Legion helped us out with their Obliterator, too. So with them all out of the way, the plan was for someone to find out an emergency was going on, so they'd come investigate. You and Matthew got there early, so we rolled with it."

"That was awful!" Keisha moaned. "I had to let her send me flying out of the door...Kaman really made everything look real, didn't it? She obeyed every command perfectly. Although we never made it talk about its kinsman, dunno what that was about."

"You guys really stuck your neck out for this." Richard said, giving a thumbs up. "Damn, though...you put us all through hell!"

"Sorry." Kaman said. "It was all worth it, though. Nihane blabbed about this trap yesterday, but in case Keisha got affected, he gave me the code to undo it."

"Keisha..." Matthew said. "Are you really on our side now?"

"Of course I am!" Keisha shouted. "Nihane...is insane! You don't even want to know what he did to his own comrades. He's nothing but a psychopath. I don't want anything to do with him anymore! I never should have believed in his stupid plans! Matthew, I...I'm sorry! For Terpsichore, for...everything!"

"Hey, relax." Matthew said, holding her hand. "I forgive you, okay? Just don't cry. This is an occasion to smile. You two are part of the family again. That means we can take down Nihane together!"

"Confident little man, eh?" Kaman said. "Good. If none of you think you can handle this, you're already dead. Come on, you better use these. They contain this special chemical that blocks out mind tricks."

The Holy Cross, Keisha and the other four took the syringes, and injected the vaccine into their arms. Amara had to hope it was enough, otherwise they would be delayed further.

"Okay!" Keisha said, happily. "So far, Nihane thinks his plan is going well. Let's turn the tables on him! See what happens when his plan goes haywire!"

"I'm beginning to like this new you already." Amara said. She raised her hand, and gave Keisha a big high five. "Where do we go from here?"

"This is a huge building, so plenty of places to look" Kaman said. "It'll work out better if you all split into groups. The Ater Vox are all in different areas, and each of them have card keys to take you above the thirtieth floor."

"I assume that's where Nihane will be?" Other Amara inquired.

"That's my guess. He hardly ever goes below 31F." Kaman said. "He usually hangs out in that Chamber of Eternity. Chamber of Boring, more like. Thing is, the Chamber is like an elevator. You saw the doors on this floor, right? They're on all of them."

"That's strange. What purpose does that big room serve?" Other Serena said. "And is Nina here? I want to see her...our last chance to talk, just the two of us."

"This is my last confrontation with Josephine. I need to be prepared." Other Nathan said.

"Archie's waiting for me somewhere. I need to speak with him, too." Other Blaine said.

"And we'll need to deal with Carlos & Pierre, too." Karl said.

"Aren't there Trauma Shadows left too?" Aimee asked, concerned.

Keisha gulped. There were many things left to do tonight, and far too little time. A moment's hesitation would prove fatal. So it was crucial for them to move quickly.

"Pay attention, everybody. Josephine went to one of the Training Centres. Archibald went to the Metalworks to test out one last new project. Carlos is somewhere in the Records department, probably doing something with the Interitus Legion. Nina is on the Surveillance Department somewhere, something to do with controlling the news bulletin on the TV and Internet. Pierre said he wanted to check out the Aeterna Vitra." Keisha replied.

"As for the Shadows, Cherub's in the Science Department. The workers there are supposed to take notes on it. I heard Stella and Seraphina White were in charge." Kaman said, looking over at a certain psychic. "...You know who they are, right?"

"...My mother and her partner." Seraphina said, sadly. "I will go to them. It has been long enough."

"Your...parents work here?" Aimee asked, surprised. "Now is your chance to save them, then! Amara, Shirley, Tara and Matthew I'd like you to accompany her."

"Right." Other Amara said. "My dad couldn't be saved, but I'll make sure your parents get out of here alive! I promise, Seraphina!"

"You have my gratitude." Seraphina said, a little calmer.

"Oh, and the other one. Diva's been hooked up to the Aeterna Vitra, to boost the generator there. Apparently, the more energy Nihane has, the more likely the final Divine Spark can happen." Kaman said.

"...Divine Spark?" Roger said, confused. "All six of them happened! That doesn't make sense."

"That's what we all thought." Kaman said. "Yet Nihane seems pretty sure. That's not good. So we gotta hurry. We need six teams, four with four, two with five."

"Right! Then it's time I took over!" Aimee said, smiling. "Seraphina's team are set. Nathan's team will be facing Josephine. Serena is going after her sister. Blaine wants to fight Archibald. That leaves Carlos, Pierre and the Diva."

"I'm going with you, Nathan!" Priscilla announced. Alastair and Richard raised their hands, as well. Other Nathan nodded, holding her hand, yet he looked nervous.

"And I'm on your team, Serena." Kyle said, gazing into Other Serena's eyes. Bianca, Karen and Kazuya went over to them, too. Serena smiled, and ruffled Kyle's hair.

"Blaine...if Archibald's that important to you, I'm sticking with ya." Dan said, seriously. "They built this stupid place over our old home, so now I'm gonna demolish them. Sound good?"

"Sounds fantastic." Other Blaine said, smiling. Lucy and Aimee offered their support, too.

"Fine with me. Good luck, everyone." Amara said. "How about we go after Carlos?"

"Good idea. That guy talks about honour, but he's just as evil as the rest!" Serena said, angry.

"Interesting..." Kaman said. "I was planning to take on Pierre, anyway. Me and Keisha might be able to shut down the generator, so leave that to us. Roger, you're with us. You okay with that?"

"Fine with me." Roger said. "Karen, we'll see each other alive again. Don't worry about me."

"Hang on, there's just three of you!" Karl said, concerned. "I'm gonna tag along then. Amara, is that okay with you?"

"Sure. You do your best." Amara said, her heart soaring. It was all coming together at last. Each team would work together to beat the Ater Vox and the Shadows. Although there was still Nihane at the end to deal with...and he had no doubt grown even stronger. "Then it's time we got out of here! Everyone, when we're finished, we'll meet up on the thirtieth floor! We fight Nihane together!"

Everyone got out of the meeting room, but Dan hesitated. He looked over to Kaman, who appeared rather reluctant to go near him. The last time they had met had not ended well. Both had fought each other in a fight to the death, or so Dan believed.

"Dan..."

"Forget it." Dan said, extending his hand. "Someday, we'll look back on this and laugh. This city's gonna be back to normal real soon, you know? Then you and I can hit that casino again for real. That drink better still be on the house, you hear?"

"...Damn straight." Kaman said, smiling. They shook hands firmly, and left the room together.

|Aeterna Vitra – Observation Platform|23:09 pm|

Inside, the walls were chrome, with metallic columns decorating the platform. A large glass wall blocked it off from the actual generator. This macabre creation consisted consisting of several transparent red chambers, beating like a decaying heart, wired up to a gigantic round metal control system. Pipes and wires were connecting to every square inch of the walls, and went beneath the floors. Yet in front of the Aeterna Vitra's generator was a powerful shadow.

Pierre gazed upon its feminine features, and shuddered. She wore a surprisingly nice hot pink dress, with a white fur collar with cuffs to match, and draped around her neck were some shining rainbow pearls. Now, her red high heels were studded with diamonds, and her sparkling gloves were of the same colour – that of blood. Her hair seemed to be in the style of a beehive, gold in colour with whitish streaks here and there, except protruding from the top was a ring of dark blonde hair with periwinkle ponytails hanging down from it.

"...Why is it so repulsive?" Pierre asked himself. He felt his innards shake, and his throat was on fire. His day had gone on like this. None of his comrades seemed particularly well, either. Was this a bad sign? Everything was going swimmingly. The rebels had broken inside, using the bus. He had sent the Rider after them, to improve their chances of destroying that barrier.

And now this Shadow was being used to generate far more energy than the previous solution – thousands of Shadows. Yet this Diva did not mind at all. It was instead content to take stray Shadows in, and coax them into giving their power for this generator.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. They were here, he realised. He turned around, even as his legs ached, and gasped. Roger and Karl, he had anticipated, but Keisha and Kaman.

"Bonjour." Pierre said, weakly smiling. "Giving our guests the grand tour, are you?"

"The fuck is that thing?!" Karl screamed.

"Now now, that's a little rude, Mr Davenport. What a shameful lack of manners." He laughed, trying to hide his coarse throat. "That mademoiselle over there is the Benevolent Diva. Keisha remembers her older namesake well, I gather."

"I see what your game is. You're going to use all the energy she's producing to make the Eternal Road happen." Roger said, scrutinizing both the singer and the generator. "Not a bad plan."

"Obviously. We just did as Nihane told us..." Pierre said, now melancholic. "What, you think I'm just some kind of slave to him? I bet you guys do nothing but follow orders, too! Don't you dare judge me, you mindless drone!"

"Actually, we never said anything like that." Keisha said, confused.

"There's no point wasting time." Kaman said. "Long story short. The two of us are back on this team, not yours. That means we're going to do something about this place."

"...In the end, we're by ourselves." Pierre said, looking tearful. "The Holy Cross! The Commander! Roger, Karen, Lucy, Shirley! I would have accepted all of you in your group, you know! You have the power to shape reality, and dismantle this ugly, xenophobic world! But people like you are the ones who made Jacques..."

"You really think we're the same as his tormentors?" Karl asked. "You don't know us at all. I'm the same. I felt like hiding it from the world for a long time..."

"Karl..." Keisha said, surprised. "You're bi?"

"Yeah." Karl said. "I've mostly been with girls...but there were some men, too. Trying to keep it secret from everyone was horrible, but I just couldn't tell anyone. Until now."

"It's hard when you want people to accept you for what you really are." Kaman said. "Nothing I did ever impressed my wife's family. I tried to act normal around them, smiling and chatting away during social gatherings. But what I really wanted to do was to call them out on how unhappy they made Maria feel, for treating me like dirt. Never found the courage to say all of that though...wish I had done before any of this happened."

"Keeping secrets...isn't the right thing to do." Keisha said. "I had to hide all my anger behind that cheery mask, all for some stupid act of revenge. The words I wanted to say never came out, until it was too late. And I ended up hurting Matthew in the process..."

"I know I should have told people before now. It just took me a while to realise...there are people who care. People who will listen. If your plan for acceptance, Pierre, is to kill off everyone who won't welcome people like me or Jacques, you're not making any progress at all!"

"...Are you trying to relate to me?" Pierre asked. "It is not the same. Not even close. On the surface, no one would suspect you were different. Lucky you get showered in praise, for being yet another brainless athlete. Sickening. Jacques didn't have that to protect him. Nor was he as strong as you...he couldn't take the beatings! Day after day, abuse was hollered at him! In the end, he was the victim of a diseased planet's evolution. I don't care what I have to do to make a new planet, but I WILL do it! I will NOT listen to you, Karl! I'll kill you where you stand! Loki!"

His Persona was summoned, although the red aurora was brighter than before. Pierre was hyperventilating, his veins coursing with rage. Karl gulped, but took up his southpaw stance – and called on Aeneas.

"If our planet's evolution is as diseased as you say it is...then we'll cure it. Without killing."

|Research and Development Department – North Corridor|23:17 pm|

This particular hallway was in shambles. Many walls had been completely smashed, revealing the destroyed rooms behind them. Light fixtures were dangling from the walls and ceiling, and there was a massive crater at the far end.

"Has the Cherub done this?" Shirley asked, afraid. "We need to be fast!"

"Mother!" Seraphina cried. "Are you there?"

Suddenly, the doors to the Computer Suite flew open, their glass shattering into tons of fragments. The group gulped, and made their way inside...

|Computer Suite|23:18 pm|

The Suite was host to hundreds of high-end PCs, all running custom OS based on Linux. Each one was equipped with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and they were grouped into clusters – which had several printers, scanners and other peripherals to share. The windows to the left gave a panorama view of the entire city, revealing the dark smoldering perimeter where the barrier had been, and to the right there was a giant screen displaying various announcements.

Only now, most of the Suite lay in ruins. There were only a handful of computers that hadn't been crushed into pieces, and the windows had all been destroyed. The screen had fallen onto the floor, exposing a large server – or rather, the remains of one.

"Oh my god!" Matthew cried. "Is anyone still here?!"

From the distance, Seraphina saw someone peeking their head out from beneath an instact desk. It was a short, petrified brunette – Stella White. Her birth mother. Right next to her was a teal-haired, tall woman. The real Seraphina, her other parent.

"Aren't you people part of that underground terrorist group?" she asked.

"We're not terrorists! We've come to save you." Matthew said. "Please, come nearer us. We'll protect both of you."

"Oh...Oh!" Stella said, surprised. "I remember you. The one in the dress...what was your name?"

"I..." Seraphina began. Her lips trembling, and her fists were shaking. How could she find the words? To be the daughter they thought was gone...it would shock them to the very core. Yet it had to be done. "I'm...your -"

Suddenly, all around there was a loud noise. A heavenly choir, descending from Heaven. With it, came down a headless marble white statue, in one piece. Floating above it were three identical giant stone heads, with curly hair and laurel wreaths. Their faces were youthful, and their expressions were blank. On the statue's back were two long white feathered wings, flapping elegantly. Above the heads was a spiked metal ring decorated with stained glass windows, depicting various ranks of Angels, including the Seraphim and Cherubim. Riding high above this, blindingly bright, was a sparkling gold halo.

We are the promised thirteen. Our kinsman expects much of us. All of their enemies must be offered as a sacrifice, for they have deemed us 'evil' and themselves 'good'. Humans cannot possibly be wholly one or the other. It is an absurdity that must be annihilated.

"As I feared..." Aimee said, shaken. "That ludicrous angel construct..."

"No! The Divine Cherub!" Seraphina White whimpered. "We're done for!"

"No you're not." Seraphina said, smiling. She closed her eyes, and reached for her hair. In one swift movement, she became shrouded in blue smoke, and her wig was soaring through the air. Confused, the Cherub span it's metal ring, shredding the wig into pieces.

"...It...it can't be!" Seraphina White exclaimed.

"This...is this a dream?" Stella asked. "You-you can't be-"

"Huh?!" Shirley uttered. "Seraphina?"

"That was her name. But now she has a better one." Other Amara said. "What's your name, miss?" She grinned, giving her a thumbs up.

The psychic had shed her disguise to great relief. With great joy, she reached for a blonde wig, identical to her teal one, and fixed it firmly on her head. Then, she reached for her eyes, and took out the purple contacts. She threw them as far as she could, as Sophia emerged from above.

"I'm Sophie White!"

Sophie's mothers, stunned by this turn of events, hid in the upper area. To their fortune, the Cherub's attention was on the Persona users. The statue part managed to put its hands together in Ungodly Prayer, and a heavenly choir could be heard singing dissonantly from nowhere.

The front head opened its mouth, revealing a gaping black hole – which lit up white, as a Shadow emerged. This was the powerful Zealous Giant, a Justice Shadow. It seemed to be a giant tower, somewhat similar in style to the Eiffel Tower, that carried a Balance in one hand and a Sword in the other. Perhaps it was akin to one Kazuya had seen last month, resembling Tokyo Tower. It was a fusion of the two Justice Shadows that the Unblessed Cherub could summon – and most likely far stronger.

"Just like last time...eww." Shirley said, shuddering. "At least it's only one. We can do this! Fight!"

"Right on!" Matthew cried. "We're probably gonna need all the speed we can get! This thing's slow, but it's got size and flight to compensate! Masukukaja!" The group's agility was boosted, allowing Aimee to roll away from the sharp feathers the horrid angel could hurl at her.

"Celestial Force!" Aimee cried. Concordia dramatically sent spirals of cosmic energy around Aimee and the rest of the team, ending with a big starry flash. This extra energy gave everyone additional strength and defence, and stopped Dekaja from taking it away.

"Sophia, read the stars!" Sophie summoned her Persona. Using her potent Maestro Analysis, she was able to relay information to Sophie. "Listen carefully. Light attacks will be no use whatsoever! Likewise, it will soak up all water like a sponge! However, its afraid of the dark. Shirley, make use of that!"

"Aye aye!" Shirley triumphantly summoned Ceridwen, striking a heroic pose. "Mirage Sabre!" The Persona became bathed in shadow, then struck the Divine Cherub right through its body – causing it duress. "Ha!"

The Zealous Giant had not been idle, however. It tried bashing Amara around with its sword, but she was fast enough to duck under the swings. She stabbed it with her own sword, yet this seemed incapable of piercing the reinforced steel that comprised the sinister facsimile of Paris' most famous building.

"Sacré Bleu!" Amara said, jovially. "En Guarde! Tefnut's Raze!" Scorching hot flames of the desert tried to lay siege to this tower, and it seemed rather painful. "Oui!"

"Stop kidding around, Amara!" Sophie said, pointing at the angel. "Any minute now – argh!"

The Divine Cherub naturally had an affinity to Light, much like the Holy Cross did. It proved this with a swift Hamaon towards Shirley. Thankfully, Ceridwen had completely nullified this spell, leaving nothing but particles of light.

"Great. That angel won't be killing me off anytime soon." Shirley said, confidently. "Hiyah!" She kicked the Castle, but no matter how hard she focused the strength in her feet, the walls did not give. It slashed her powerfully with its blade, much to her annoyance. "Damn! That smarts... No point trying to hit that thing, is there?"

"The Endless Castle will not be conquered with physical force. While the Divine Cherub is not immune, as long as it is airborne hitting it with weapons will not be possible." Sophie said. "Sophia! Mind Charge!" She gathered massive mental strength inside of her, preparing for a ferocious attack.

"No worries. I'll make this thing afraid, just you see! Paranoia Impulse!"

Ceridwen forced a foreboding red ball of destructive energy through both Cherub and Giant, causing them to violently convulse. This sheer energy seemed to be disrupting them, prompting the Giant to swing its sword wildly for several minutes. However, its blade hit Sophie. It was her parent's screams that were loudest, not hers.

|Records Department – 7F – Farawell Records|23:25 pm|

The interconnected areas on the seventh floor that were not Living Quarters were all devoted to collecting data on living or dead persons living in Farawell, civilians, personell and military. Thus, the staff here had been working around the clock, trying to keep track of every single person in the area. While Aeternus did not go as far as to keep watch over the inhabitants of New Motus City, they made regular checks as to who was living or dead. All in the name of 'resource management', as Nihane had deemed it.

Carlos still remembered that term, and him questioning its morality. Nihane insincerely apologised, but made no attempt to humanise any of the citizens they had reaped into their control. A person could be a soldier, fighting Shadows to ease the minds of others. Or they could work here, in a vast number of roles. Failing that, there were positions outside, such as the Shopping Complexes. Extra blocks for the toy castle.

We have made a mockery of human life. Has Nihane never really cared for people? Surely not...we were closer than brothers once. I doubt he can remember that feeling. It feels like I forgot, too.

He sat down on one of the chairs, glancing outside the panelled windows. The buildings outside their compound emitted so many colourful lights, as the stormy skies grew darker. The day he had moved to this city had been a lonely one. With his career as a boxer over, he had packed his bags in Barcelona. He dreamed of making a name for himself, so he could support Julia.

"...There!"

Carlos' ears pricked up. His sides were hurting, as if he had been doing one sit-up too many. Regardless, he stood, and faced the four intruders. Amara, Nathan, Serena and Blaine, from that other world.

"Hola. I see you made it here alive." Carlos said, clapping sarcastically. "As Nihane requested. He would have been irate if you had died anywhere else."

"Sorry to disappoint ya, amigo, but we're not dyin' anywhere!" Blaine said, flexing his muscles. "How about we just get into the fight?"

Carlos laughed, despite his throat's pain. "You have the right idea, Spencer. After all this time, neither of us will make history with monologues."

"Wait..." Serena said, anxious. "Carlos, are you really going to kill us for your daughter?"

"...I don't have a choice." Carlos said, adjusting his gloves. "Me and Julia never had a chance at a normal family. I wasn't much of a father, just a boxer with a drinking problem. Her mother said I was too violent to be a good dad. So I came here, for a chance to reinvent myself."

"I'm a foreigner myself." Amara said, earnestly. "This city gave me that chance, and I seized it. But why did you abandon your honour to take part in this plot?"

"You've treated us fairly, considering the circumstances." Nathan admitted. "Yet your actions have consumed an abhorrent amount of human lives. Tara's parents were among them. If your honour meant anything at all...would you have let Julia's father become a killer?"

"I was one before I arrived here." Carlos said. Everyone gasped. "My last ever boxing match. My opponent wanted nothing more than to beat me, the Hurricane Brawler. But I was young. We got carried away, until I punched his lights out. Not long after that, he was declared brain dead. I had to read it in the paper, when they turned life support off."

"...That's a horrible story." Amara said, stunned. "But compared to this -"

"In my current state, I am nothing more than a lowly killer. One who hides behind a cape of honour and justice." Carlos said. "I cannot return to Julia, not until I am renewed. So please...I must take all of you to the grave."

Venti emerged behind him, despite the massive migraine that erupted in his head. Nathan gulped, but kept quiet.

"Carlos...we're going home after this! No hard feelings!" Serena cried.

|Computer Lab|23:26 pm|

"Hang on!" Aimee said, holding her up. "Are you alright?!"

"I...I'll be alright. That was just a scratch!" Sophie said, adamantly. "Come on, let's beat the angel!"

"Septentrione!" Aimee called out to Concordia. The area darkened, and the Big Dipper gathered Concordia. Each star was a different size and colour, but this time it was Megrez that illuminated outer space the most. The power of the star created an astral cyclone, brutally attacking the Cherub.

"Tornado Beast!" Matthew demanded Ehecatl. His Persona violently pounced upon the Giant, and with sharpened claws powered by wind, slashed through many times. The strikes were so powerful, they actually seemed to have weakened the entire structure of the Shadow's body.

"Whoa!" Amara cried. Millions of feathers were approaching the group. She hastily leaped over them, ducking over others, and even slashing them away with her blade. "Stop moulting, you freak!" She stopped, and called on Nepthys. "Get him! Danger Zone!"

She complied. Utilising her sword and sorcery, she manifested a giant red box prison around the Cherub and Giant. From within this container, there was a sequence of bright flashes, until the cage detonated. The angel and its supporter were both struck severely by this force – yet the attack's other ability had evidently not worked. The Giant had just cast Heat Riser on its master, and from the way its mask was gazing up above, it was determined to succeed.

"Well done." Sophie said. "I...will show just how far I've come since I fled this place. Megidolaon!"

Her supreme magic, far stronger than her younger years, exploded with ultimate power. The Almighty spell had been strengthened over the recent turmoil, and now it had proven deadly. It sent the Cherub to the ground, writhing in pain. Without anything stopping them, the ground ran in for an all-out attack, swinging their weapons to kill.

As the Cherub eventually arose, its heads and halos revolved at terrifying speeds. From above, pure water gushed down on Aimee – a Sinful Baptism. This act made its victim feel rather odd afterwards.

"Aimee!" Amara cried in shock.

"Ow...if only I could resist water..." Aimee said, soaked. "Concordia! Ziodyne!"

A bolt of divine lightning struck the Divine Cherub from above, sending out sparks everywhere. In response, the Zealous Giant used Mediarahan – prompting Matthew to swear out loud.

"Goddamit! Stop making this drag on!" He complained. "That's it, I'm ripping you to pieces! Berserker!"

Ehecatl dug into the Cherub's stony, harsh faces, and plunged its sharp claws through – and strange ethereal 'flesh' fell down. Aimee gulped at the sight of them. After four utterly savage attacks, the primal Persona finished with one final strike, leaving red-hot scratch marks on all three angel's heads.

"Nice!" Amara said. "Okay...Sable Cross!" Nepthys joined in the attacking, with her favourite cross-slash attack – powered by the dark.

"Nightmare!" Shirley cried. Ceridwen flew to the Justice Mask on the Giant, and grabbed it with both hands. The entire area around it turned into a hellish landscape of swirling dark colours, where odd symbols flew all over in random directions. Evil laughter could be heard, the pitch and reverb changing also at random. Finally, all symbols and light gathered into the Mask with a black and red flash of phantasmal energy.

"The fuck was that?" Matthew asked, eyes wide with horror.

"You deaf? It's called Nightmare!" Amara said. "Fitting, right?"

"Shirley, you must be careful. The Cherub will not stand for this." Sophie cautioned.

"I know that!" Shirley said. "But we can't afford to lose, considering what's on the line!"

"...Of course. Thank you." Sophie said, as she smiled.

Sophie turned out to be right. The Cherub flew over its subject, who was too terrified to budge, and made it rain. Malaquadyne pummelled the entire group with gallons of water, soaking the floor and several machines too.

"Argh..." Amara winced. "You're going to pay for that! Agidyne!" The Cherub was struck by fire, forcing several feathers to drop off from the flames. Matthew's Garudyne also added to the pain, causing the halos to spin around wildly – making sparks of light rain down on everybody.

"Argh!" Aimee wailed, clutching her arms. "Matthew, what did you do?"

"I...I dunno!" Matthew said. He back flipped to dodge another, and rolled underneath a nearby desk to evade three more. "Don't hit that halo, I guess!"

"Well I certainly won't now! Crap, why does it hurt so much?" She whined. "I'm mad! So here it comes! Garudyne!" Her own wind attack took the frozen Giant by surprise, buffeting it with lurid green air.

Shirley rolled to get out of the way of some sharp feathers, which were falling even faster. The Cherub's wings seemed to be replenishing their stock, too. So ammo was not something it needed to worry about.

"Mudoon!"

She clenched her fists, and chanted "Yes" over and over again, waiting for it to consume the Giant's life. Sadly, nothing happened. She clicked her fingers in frustration, and punched a nearby chair, breaking off the backrest. "Uh..."

"Wow." Matthew said. "I just hope my brother can handle you when you're like this."

"You pig! I'm not like this that often!" Shirley shouted.

"Zandyne!" Sophie shouted, and Sophia send a weaker Almighty blast. The force caused some turbulence, but the Divine Cherub remained flying. The wings did not quite look strong enough to support the weight of its body, but Shadows often defied the laws of physics.

Now the Cherub had prepared another delight for its subjects. With its halo glittering far above the dilapidated computer lab, the entire ground seemed to shake, and a gold seal appeared beneath the feet of the team. The halo began spinning faster than any propeller, and thus a massive storm of light spheres came hurtling down. Each one's explosion was merely tiny, but they were numerous enough to create a field of utter chaos – Sacred Penance.

|Surveillance Department – 15F – Studio|23:37|

Nina walked inside, where the set was exactly the same as yesterday evening. Right now, all channels were playing that very broadcast, and the video was being watched online as well. Thanks to that announcement, every family in the city had a cause to celebrate at last.

Family. A beautiful word to some people. For me, not so much. My sister deserves better...even if it means destroying her present self.

She had come a long way since they lived in the same house, as sisters. Serena was so young and innocent, with an adorable smile. And she had loved dressing up, pretending to be various princesses, mermaids, or on occasion, a 'good vampire, one that drinks gazpacho instead of blood'. Yet the truths she gleaned from her parents had shattered her faith in family.

You cheated on each other. You kept secrets, without caring what that would do to us! The only reason you got married was because Mum was carrying me...

She looked behind her, and saw the cameras and studio lights in place. Everything had been executed perfectly, from the destruction of that secret base, tethering with a Trauma Shadow, and the rebels getting inside to investigate the non-existent secret weapon. Any minute now, she would encounter them. Her sickles were ready, and yet she seemed to lack any finesse with them. Eliminating Shadows seemed trickier, and she had felt such agony around her stomach, too. Whatever this condition was, she hoped it would vanish...

"Sis!"

Outside the studio was none other than Serena. The little sister had grown up, and had become a true Persona user. Were these siblings playing out Cain and Abel? It seemed that way...

"Hallo, Serena." Nina said, affecting her best accent. "...Perhaps you'd like me to flip the cameras on? We could broadcast this battle to the entire city. You'd be famous, the little sister that tried to kill the big one!"

"Stop messing around!" Serena said, upset. "You have to stop all this! Please, can't you see how screwed up this is? We shouldn't have to fight each other at all!"

"If this was a better world, you'd be right." Nina said. "...Unfortunately, there are far too many dysfunctional families out there. I can't possibly ignore them. Especially ours. You knew so little, but you were young. Ignorance is bliss. Our parents treated each other, and us, like crap! I bet you didn't even know that they only married because she was pregnant!"

"Are you making that up?" Bianca asked, incredulous.

"Not one word." Nina said, icily. "I heard that one day, when they thought I was fast asleep. So many arguments that I could hear from below the floorboards. Serena...every child deserves to belong in a family that loves each other. Yet there are so many worse than ours, aren't there? The unforgivable crimes of child abuse, heinous examples that ruin innocent lives! That, too, will be stamped out. There will be no victimised children in my perfect world!"

"But Nina..." Serena said, wracking her brains for an argument. "...You think you can stop all that? It's not as easy as you make it sound. Families need to work together for the sake of their kids...forcing them to get along doesn't happen!"

"She's right." Kyle said. "My parents ended up miserable together. When they divorced, both were happy – they didn't have to involve me in anymore arguments. Maybe they could have worked things out, but Mum was just glad to have me! And tomorrow, I'm going to find my dad!"

"The crimes you spoke of should never happen. I completely agree with you." Bianca said. "Yet becoming a tyrant and dictating the world order is just as grave a sin! There are other ways we can try, and we will!"

"Did you even bother trying to reconcile with your parents? Or did the idea of magically replacing them seem that much better?" Kazuya said, sneering at her. "If that's your idea of solving disputes, replacing them when things get tough, you don't deserve any family!"

Nina brandished her sickles. They felt more weighted than before, yet she would cope with that if she must. "Hel!" Her cold Persona burst into existence, surging with power, yet Nina grit her teeth. Summoning her was never usually taxing. "I...I won't give up! Not until my dream comes true!"

"Then this is goodbye, sister!" Serena yelled. "Selene!"

|Computer Lab|23:38 pm|

"ARGH!" Aimee wailed, having collapsed. Sophie gasped, and ran to her aid. "I...I'm fine...I know what to do!"

"What?" Sophie said, wary. "Let me do this! You can hardly stand -"

"No...your priority is attacking with the full power of your magic! Mine is keeping everyone's health up..." Aimee said, weakly. "Concordia! Stardust March!"

True to the ability's name, stardust was scattered all over the injured team, and began their work of restoring their bodies. Not only that, it amplified certain aspects within them.

"Alright!" Shirley cheered, standing up. She stuck a pose, as did Ceridwen, of a tae-kwon-do master. "Go! Enchanting Awen!"

In Welsh myth, the enchantress Ceridwen had brewed a potion containing inspiration – awen – to give her hideous son the gift of infinite wisdom as compensation. The Persona bearing her name thus used her spells to cast a white and black glyph into Shirley's body, thus granting her the wisdom to use greater magic.

"Yes!" Shirley cheered. The Giant had recovered from its dark slumber. It could not emote, but its reckless sword swings were clear signs of its intent. Raising its broadsword, it gave both itself and the angelic master the gift of Matarukaja.

Next, it swung down its mighty blade, breaking through the ground, but Shirley was very agile. She narrowly dodged every slash, and managed to run up the mighty blade, onto the Giant's head, and leaped upwards to give the Cherub a massive double kick.

"...Wish I'd done that." Matthew said, envious. She landed on the ground next to him, on both feet, laughing.

"How about you try something cool yourself? That's not mauling Shadows to death." Shirley said, grinning.

Matthew gasped, then gave a mischievous smile. "Oh, I can do way more than that. Ehecatl! Primal Twister!"

The panther-like Persona landed onto the ground, and firmly stuck his hind legs into the earth. Then, he swung both arms forward as if snaring prey – and both Shadows were immediately strapped in a painful twister. Both halos were being spun rapidly, but the tornado absorbed the sparks of light. The three angel heads moaned, aggrieved by the perfidious act they beheld.

Amara paid no heed to their outrage, and gave the Cherub another Sable Cross. Sophie grinned, watching this Trauma Shadow's life ebb away.

"I must contribute too! Mind Charge!" Sophia amplified Sophie once again, perhaps just in time. The eyes on all three heads began firing red lasers at random, destroying what little technology had survived its attack, and zapping the group with impunity.

"Shit..." Matthew said, annoyed.

"Nepthys, attack!" Amara demanded. Her Persona launched into Wiping All Out – a sequence of five swift slashes, faster than the blink of an eye. Each one seemed to pierce through the stony exterior of the Cherub.

Aimee went for Septentrione again, and ended up with the star Mizar. This pulsed with the darkness of outer space, which enraptured the pitiful Zealous Giant.

The Cherub was irritated, and span its sharp halo beneath its feet – slicing everyone with the metal ring. Next, the Giant used Mediarahan – prompting further aggression.

"May you fall! Starry Heavens!"

Sophia's great magic came forth. Six giant magic spheres were constructed from mana itself, and half hit the Cherub, the other the Giant, with equal arcane strength.

Shirley leaped over a desk to avoid a flurry of angel feathers, and used a USB keyboard to block the other. When she lowered her hands, she gulped. The feather had cut through it, and the keys were falling to the ground.

"This isn't how you do evangelism!" Shirley bemoaned. "Go to the darkest reaches of hell! Nocturnal Seal!"

The Giant had been tortured by dark power plenty in this battle, and it had grown tired of its fate. Unable to take anymore punishment, it rammed its Brave Blade into Shirley.

"Ugh..." She clutched her stomach, in agony. Even if Ceridwen could ensure she survived these attacks, it still hurt like hell.

"Crap!" Matthew shouted. Without thinking, he slashed the Giant with both his knives – but it had zero effect. "Damn. I knew that wouldn't do it. Well then, Plan B!" He put aside his knives, rolled under the dark tower's sword, and grabbed Shirley. He leaped away, but not before calling upon Ehecatl. "Berserker!"

"Back to mauling already?" Shirley said. "Good! Tear these bastards to shreds!"

Ehecatl did exactly that. Four strong, fast swings were followed by a massive cartwheel into the air, then a swift downward strike – making use of the spikes in his shoulders and tail, too.

"Not exactly a house cat, is he?" Matthew said. "C'mon, let's see what else you've got! Make my day! Not even angels are above me to arrest!"

This angel did not take kindly to shows of arrogance. It chanted darkly, and sent Matthew into the abyss of Hamaon. Stunned, he fell over backwards.

"No!" Aimee cried. "Matthew!"

"It's okay...we'll keep him from getting killed. Please, try and revive him!" Amara shouted. She hit the Giant with another Agidyne, while Seraphina used Mind Charge yet again. The Giant was also struck with another Paranoia Impulse, by an irate Shirley. This dark power had finally conquered the tower, forcing it to degenerate into nothingness.

"They're all so strong...all of us are! That's why we're here now! To bring peace to the children of our city!" Aimee said. "So here goes nothing! Faerie Whisper!"

Concordia gathered her power, and two strange faeries made purely of green light fluttered around Matthew, with a playful giggle. They seemed to resemble a Pixie and a Sylph. They blew kisses into his body, and with that, he awoke. He immediately got up from the ground, dusted himself off, and waved the magic creatures goodbye.

"Sweet!" Matthew cheered, grabbing his knives. "Aimee, thanks. Let's get back into the fight!"

The Cherub did not intend to join its partner so quickly. Its Sinful Baptism had hit Amara this time, much to her annoyance.

"Phew...at least that wasn't cold water." Amara said.

Aimee gulped, and without hesitating, used a Mediarahan of her own. Now her allies were at near physical perfection.

"Thanks!" Amara said. "...Flare Bomber!"

Nepthys took her flames, and covered them in a strange red orb. This orb then was flung into the air, affixing itself to one of the windows on the stained glass halo.

"Huh? What did that even do?" Shirley asked.

"Oh, that's for later. If we need it." Amara said, grinning.

Matthew reapplied the Masukukaja. Shirley had learned a new move, which she quickly put into action – Debilitate. All of the Cherub's parameters had fallen, making it frailer than normal.

"That proves rather advantageous. As does this! Makarakarn!"

Sophia's magic shield covered everybody, and in this case it could not have come sooner. The Cherub was alone, but not weak. It wished for its holy prayers to be spoken for all eternity. Thus, it conjured Mahamaon.

Amara gasped – it had bounced off the shields, and destroyed them. Naturally, the magic did nothing to its originator, as it was the embodiment of Light. Yet if Sophie had not thought on her feet, all of them could have died here. And the others would be left to pick up the pieces.

"We're...alive!" Shirley cried. "Thank god!"

"Yeah! Seraphina, or...Sophie, you rock!" Matthew said, clapping.

"Don't get so excited, guys. We still have to defeat this angel." Aimee pointed out. "Septentrione!"

Phecda was chosen for this move. The sheer cold from the sun-deprived reaches of space was delivered upon the heavenly body above them, and chilled it to the bone. Some feathers had frozen over, and fell off, breaking into ice shards.

"Grieving Rune!" Shirley cried. Her dark attack ravaged the Cherub, whilst the Flare Bomb stayed intact. Amara launched into the fray with an Agidyne, even with feathers and lasers hunting her down. Matthew and Ehecatl managed another Tornado Beast, cutting further and further into the angel's terrifying trio of heads.

"We are nearly done! I can see it!" Sophie said. "Megidolaon!" Her mind could not be broken. Her grand magic had created a pure explosion of limitless energy, and yet it still had not been enough to turn the Cherub into a fallen angel. "...Why?!"

"Wait!" Amara said. "Something's up..."

The shape of a cross appeared on the Cherub's body, an eerie pale red. Then, it turned the hue of fresh blood. Amara could not believe how distasteful this angel could be, even if she did not practice this faith. This cross – the Cherubim Sigil – signalled two things. The Cherub's diminished energy, and its last stand.

It shook off the effects of Debilitate, and then drowned the team with Malaquadyne. Immediately after this, Matthew was hit with Baptism, completely soaking the cluster he was in.

|Production Department – 20F – Metalworks Factory|23:48 pm|

For the first time in forever, the factory was completely quiet. Archibald was walking up to one of his newest devices, specially ordered by him after the loss of the Seraphic Compendium. These were large gauntlets, that would emit pulsating energy to form blades from their wrists. These would be superior to his old pair, by quite a wide degree.

"Well..." Archibald said, pleased. His brow was covered in sweat. He had felt rather sluggish today. Perhaps some kind of virus had afflicted him. Yet at times, a strange feeling had occurred. Like his heart had stopped beating. Or perhaps that it wasn't there at all. An X-Ray had not shown anything unusual, although it did seem awfully brighter than usual results.

He checked the weapons over, and put them on his hands. They were heavy, and it was hard to balance. In fact, after putting one on, he tumbled to the floor. With a bit of effort, he put the other one on. He needed something to test – so he clicked his fingers, and an Eagle Shadow emerged. With two blasts, it was vaporised.

"Yes! Perfection!" Archibald yelled. "These ought to counter my tiredness."

He stared to head outside, when the doors opened. He raised his gloves, and blasted at them repeatedly, breaking most of the front wall in the process. This was exhausting, however, so much that it was a struggle to look up at the intruders. Blaine, the old Commander, and Aimee. Also accompanying them were Dan and Lucille.

"Archibald..." Tara said. "We were looking for you."

"A nebulous objective. What purpose does finding me serve?" Archibald asked. "Nihane is the one truly in command, after all. Even if you somehow killed me, it won't get rid of any Shadows."

"You fucking asshole!" Blaine shouted. "Look at what you've done over the years! You spend all your time designing new weapons, or doing some fucked up experiment! How many people do you have to kill, you old bastard? For my dad, of all people!"

"...Blaine?" Dan said, confused.

"Timothy...yes." Archibald said, laughing – albeit weak and quietly. "A very good friend of mine, back in the 1980's. He saved me from being beaten to a bloody pulp, and introduced me to his family. Plain to see from a mile away was how much he loved his son. Blaine, of course."

"Is this all real?" Tara asked.

"This guy was your old man's buddy?" Lucy questioned. "Where do you get off? You're seriously trying to end the planet for him? That's...that's...crazy!"

"I'll tell you what's crazy, Crossman." Archibald said, angry. "Our moments of true happiness are fleeting. They slip away before you can appreciate them! And...we never have the chance to say what we always wanted to. Timothy showed me friendship I never knew. I loved being round for dinner, trying to coax Blaine into eating his veggies. The Christmases we spent together were my finest. Sitting in front of a open fire, with the tree lit up. Your dad always cut down a fresh one, and it smelt great."

Blaine listened intently. A tear trickled down his eye. These were memories just as dear to him. Christmas had been special, regardless of the lack of expensive presents. His dad went out of his way to get the nicest tree he could find, and both parents slaved away in the kitchen to cook the plumpest, tastiest turkey he ever ate.

"You okay?" Dan asked.

"...No." Blaine said, glowering at Archibald. "This is a joke. Can you really say my dad, my own father, would let you do all this? You're just some washed up mad scientist, trying to live in the past!"

"Sad. I was sure you'd do anything to see your father one last time..." Archibald said, returning his harsh stare.

"I'm still the crybaby that misses his daddy." Blaine said, fists shaking. "But you know what? There comes a time when you have to stop crying, and walk forward on your own two feet. Maybe the future isn't so bad. Look what happened. Dan, my best friend. Lucy, the girl I love. And Aimee, a friend that took me in as one of her group! They've found new happiness, and if you had tried...maybe you could have, too."

Dan, Lucy, and Tara nodded, all glaring at their foe with pure anger. Heading towards the future was what mattered most, not trying to recapture the past for eternity.

"You can bombard me with soliloquies until the cows come home. Yet your precious future happiness will be gone sooner than you think!" Archibald shouted. "Thor! It's time...argh...to fight! Blaine! Don't expect me to show mercy!"

|Computer Lab|23:49 pm|

Oww...that hurt...my heart is spinning..." Matthew moaned. He reached for his forehead, and wiped away some blood. "Shit..."

"Matthew, stay strong!" Aimee pleaded. "It's not giving up, is it? Fine then. We'll show it what happens when the Motus Rebels get serious! Lost Legacy!"

Concordia raised her staff high above her head, and her shield combined with it to increase the power it could channel. Fearless, she flew up to the dying angel, and impaled it through the 'stomach' with her powered staff, resulting in a series of flashes and swirls of strange, ethereal power.

Sophie managed another Mind Charge – for the fourth time. Amara gulped. If she could survive this angel's assaults, she would be able to utterly wreak havoc. Feathers, lasers, and strange light arrows were raining down on the battlefield, and there wasn't a single workstation left usable anymore.

"Mirage Sabre!" Shirley attacked once more with this ghostly attack.

Matthew felt power flow through his veins, and using his instincts, he and Ehecatl returned to their feral Tornado Beast.

"Tefnut's Raze!" More scorching hot flames razed the Cherub's body, burning many flames into ash. The regeneration had slowed down, but not stopped. Bringing this angel down was a lengthy process, she realised.

Aimee finally got around to healing Matthew. Had she been any later, it may have been his last breath. The Hamaon it directed towards Sophie did not work, but its mighty Dei Iudicium did. The halo of light extended, to cover the entire ceiling. Next, glyphs of holy magic span around, until they locked on to every single one of its targets. Massive pillars rained down from the sacred firmament, capturing all five 'sinners', and piercing them with godly judgement.

"Oh, for god's sake...wait, that works..." Matthew mumbled, drowsy.

"No, we cannot quit...!" Aimee stated. "Not now! Not ever! This creature does not halt our advance!"

"You look pretty confident...but how the hell do we stop this thing...?" Shirley asked.

"The same way as before. I give you the vitality to carry on." Aimee said, getting up. "And that is what I shall do! For Eternal Peace!"

The group's bodies were levitated by Concordia, and she pointed her staff at all of them. Each of them felt their bodies slowly recover, as well as a strong sense of peace. The soothing blue light around the party banished all wounds, until perfect health was restored. Pleased, Concordia lowered them, and vanished.

|Training Centre 2 – Room 5|23:55 pm|

It had not been long ago when new recruits battles Shadows here. Privileged to have been selected as members of the Ornatu Legion, they fought test enemy one after another. However, there was only so much a fake Persona could accomplish, before it killed its host.

Josephine was here now, wandering between the now-vacant areas. All the equipment was gathering dust, as the Interitus Legion simply had no reason to practice. Their skill level could be adjusted freely, making them far more efficient. And yet, this fact filled her with doubt.

We can shape these soldiers as they see fit. Yet they have no heart at all...they live only to fight. Before, they wanted to make us proud. I thought of them as a nuisance then. Why do I miss them now? Especially on a day such as this?

She walked around, into one of the battle rooms. Heated fights had once taken place here, some ending with fatalities. Now there was nothing but a cold, still air. The machines that could summon Shadows laid dormant, with little chance of being switched on again. The technology she and Archibald had devoted so much time to would be cast away soon, she knew. So perhaps now was the time to reminisce.

"What amazing machinery..." She said, running her finger over the cool black plastic casing. However, it was much colder than she had imagined. It seemed to send chills down her body. Today, she had found it harder to breath. As if she had a bad flu. Other parts of her body seemed sluggish and weak, too. Pulling the triggers on her guns felt like a chore, and her aim was rather off. Perhaps it would be best to simply wait, until her new world was here.

To her astonishment, the doors opened. She wasted no time, and fired a warning shot above the intruder's head – just missing his mop of red curly hair. Grumbling, she put aside her arms.

"Ciao, Nathan." She said.

"I've been looking for you." Nathan said. "This is the end. You know it would come down to this someday."

"Indeed." Josephine said, arms crossed. "I've grown used to this. Battles to the death with Reggie's boy. Yet as of tonight, it ends here. None of you will get to see this city go back to the old ways!"

"Josephine, don't you realise what your goal has done?" Priscilla asked, bitterly staring at her. "The Albion name has been ruined because of you! You even took Reginald away..."

"Ha! You understand nothing..." Josephine said, shaking her head. "All living beings age. Moments of beauty and youth are fleeting. Look at the lengths people will go to convince the world they've still got it. And even worse...beyond the surface, the human body grows weak and stagnant with time. That is what I want to change."

"What, you want people to stay young forever?" Alastair asked. "That's ridiculous. Maybe ageing is hard on plenty of people. Yet to go this far just to bolster their ego is ridiculous."

"It is not just about ego, Clark." Josephine said, tutting. "People will have more time to enjoy pleasures that can only be experienced with youth. My husband could not fulfil all of his life's ambitions, before he drew his last breath. Now, with eternal youth, there won't be any need to worry! We will have as many chances as we deserve. Come with me, and you'll be able to chase all the opportunities out there!"

"...We don't need your help." Richard said, angry. "You know what will really happen? People will just procrastinate like mad. With infinite time, there's no need to rush and get things done. It's because we're mortal that we're motivated, to make the most of the time we're given! And if ageing is that much of a problem, there's Photoshop!"

"Josephine. I'm sorry about your husband." Nathan said, with genuine sympathy. "Still, I cannot turn back. My father loved you once...he wouldn't have wanted you to choose this path." He raised his staff, fearless. "Therefore, in his name, I will take you down!"

Priscilla joined his said, raising her staff. "It's unfortunate, but words won't change anything. We'll never stop, until this city is ours again!"

"We were nothing but servants to you, once." Alastair said. "Yet now we stand above. Josephine, prepare yourself!"

"Gladly!" Josephine hollered. "Cybele!"

|Computer Lab|23:56 pm|

"No faeries this time? That's kind of a bummer. But this is even better!" Matthew cheered. "Shirley! I know what we ought to do!"

"Right! Ceridwen! Help Ehecatl! You might need a leash..." Shirley said, sticking her tongue out.

Ehecatl leapt into the air, and Ceridwen grabbed it by the cuff of its neck, weapon in the other hand. They leapt forward, and bounced off the various tables, chairs and walls to drive their weapons through the Cherub. Ceridwen assisted by imbuing the onslaught with shadowy power, giving each strike a dark edge.

"Dusk Mount!"

Finally, Ehecatl span around in a complete circle, cutting the Cherub with both dark claws and Ceridwen's dark sorcery. Little by little, the Cherub's life was fading, but so was its patience.

"I got this!" Amara said, clicking her fingers. At last, the Flare Bomb had exploded, completely shattering most of the stained glass, burning off the metal housing, and scattering pieces of the stone heads to the ground. "Yes! Now it's over!"

"Not quite..." Aimee said, pointing upwards.

The angelic halo had not been affected by the incendiary flame. It began spinning at tremendous speeds, reaching a size even greater than that of Dei Iudicium. However, the five warriors facing it had been flown into the air, on top of a glowing platform similar in style. A pillar of light connected both platforms, nearing the chosen victims closer and closer towards the Divine Cherub. A loud choir could be heard singing in harmony, yet their lyrics were incomprehensible.

"Someone, do something!" Shirley begged.

Our faith is undying. As determined as you are, you cannot comprehend this world. Let it fade away. There is no need to torture yourselves any more. I will witness your deaths tonight, and many more. My duty goes on.

Both halos were forced together, resulting in Adeste Fideles. No light could hope to match it. The Divine Cherub held its arms in prayer, wings spread out, and all that could be seen was bright white light all around.

Sophie's parents had been watching this battle in shock, but were speechless at this sight. The light slowly faded, as the five slowly descended to the ground, seemingly slain. Yet one was awake. Sophie landed on her feet. Before her was the herald of her death, and around her were the others that had faced it and failed.

"Thank you all. I'm grateful we got this far. Even so, I intend to go far further than that. I reach for the stars, and whatever lies beyond them! You, disgraceful angel, are nothing but an abomination! A mockery of good people's faith in the divine! I'll judge you!"

To her parents, this looked like she had become mad with grief. Yet Sophie stood tall in front of this adversary, both on the brink of defeat. Soon, Sophia laid her hands on her head, and began concentrating as hard as she could. Not a single weapon from the Cherub could disrupt this trance.

Suddenly, purple orbs appeared around the Cherub, each containing an ancient rune within them. These lit up, and began forming a double-helix akin to a strand of DNA. The Divine Cherub was caught within this odd prison, and it could not even beat its own wings.

"UNIVERSAL WISDOM!"

The entire area went dark. Amara stirred, and opened her eyes to a mighty flash. This was the first massive blast, a green and purple phenomenon of true power. Shirley, Matthew and Aimee arose, to be greeted by the sight of destruction. The hundreds of runes all were activated, trapping its prey into a medley of complete annihilation.

The Divine Cherub's wings stopped moving abruptly, and began exploding in small amounts, sending a rain of feathers all over the lab. Next, the statue collapsed, breaking into pieces of ruined marble. The halo spike ring had shattered completely, with the coloured fragments of glass landing on top of the ruined machines. The heads, screaming in pain, began to crack, their eyes and faces breaking away.

I'm tired of playing your game of good and evil. In the end, the thirteenth shall stand above us all. Yet we do not lash out in jealousy. We shall applaud his final victory, over a world filled with nothing but humans that contradict themselves. Alas, if the thirteenth cannot prevail, then our sorrow shall never end, and we shall be powerless forever.

The crumbled angel finally disintegrated, with a sorrowful moan. The Justice mask was the last to fade, leaving behind a hall of wreckage.

|Aeterna Vitra – Observation Deck|11:14 pm|

Karl, braving Loki's Agidyne, rolled away from the twin pair of rapiers Pierre was fond of. He punched his foe right in the face. Then, he summoned Aeneas.

"Gallant Gladius!"

The Persona's trustworthy sword struck Pierre powerfully, and the trail it made through the air remained visible for a few seconds. Pierre gulped, and feel knees first to the ground. Loki froze, flickering several times, then fell as well, in the same wounded position.

"...What?" Roger was confounded. "We hardly did anything!"

"Don't tell me it's because..." Keisha said, disturbed. "That's it! He got revived twice!"

"What are you talking about?" Karl asked. "...Lorean?"

"Yeah." Kaman said. "The blast had to have killed him. Thing is, Nihane has another ability. He can emulate the Necromancers with his magic. AND put human souls in the bodies, too."

Pierre gasped, as he coughed up blood. Strangely, this blood did not land anywhere near him. "That's not true! Nihane has never done anything of the kind!"

"When you say 'twice'..." Roger began. "When did Pierre die the first time?"

"After the last Divine Spark. I saw it, with my own eyes!" Keisha said, shaking. "They all turned on him, thinking they had been fooled. Nihane was too strong! He actually killed all five of them, and used Janus to create bodies out of thin air."

"You're lying!" Pierre screeched, struggling to stand up. "This is my real body...I would know..." He glanced at his hands, but something odd happened. They were transparent. His arms were becoming see-through, too. And in fact, more and more of his body was looking ghostly in fashion. "This...no! Why would Nihane do this..to me?! I'm not dead! This has to be something else!"

"Pierre..." Karl said, stunned.

"Get out of my way, scum! I need to see Nihane..." He staggered towards the open back door, that lead to the bridge to 5F. The others followed him, in anxious pursuit.

|Bridge|23:17 pm|

"Nihane!" Pierre cried, his voice echoing throughout the entire area. Now his body was cloaked in a feeble red mist, and his Persona was floating behind him, without a hint of life. "Why did you do this! I supported you! Please, answer me!"

Karl ran towards him, instinctively. He had no idea what he should say, or what to do. Yet this man he had once hated was now pitiful, on the verge of disappearing altogether. Maybe his attempts to sympathise with this man were in vein. After all, he had caused a lot of death and havoc. Yet all in the name of building a world of tolerance.

"Pierre...Nihane has deceived all of you." Karl said, sincerely. Pierre did not even look back. "He won't give you what you want. His only care is Amurdad. Can't you see it now?"

"Listen to him!" Pierre said, back still turned. "He's trying to...pity me! All because he thinks he has something in common with Jacques. As if...he could hide one forbidden desire with one no one would bat an eyelid at. Nihane, please...save me from these bumbling oafs..."

"Karl, get back." Roger said. "He's not listening to you."

"His mind is broken..." Keisha said, sadly. "Let him go."

"No!" Karl snapped. "I want the same thing as him! A world where we can accept anyone! I may not have suffered as badly as your cousin, but I might be able to help those who have. Come with me, and we can stop Nihane together!"

Pierre turned around, tear-stricken, and glowered at Karl. His eyes were bleeding, and he seemed to be losing all strength in his legs, from his slouched posture.

"You think your fame and fortune will end ignorance...?" Pierre said, holding onto the railings to support himself. "Many have tried. Thousands have. In the end, though, human nature will never be fixed via celebrity! I...I cannot fight you any further...but Nihane, I will pray for your victory! Farewell..."

"Stop!" Karl shouted. Pierre strained himself upwards, and before Karl could reach him, he was dangling off the railing of the bridge. Distraught, he laughed out loud, allowing his fingers to become too weak to hold on. His body fell towards the dark ground below, until it disappeared without a sound.

"I can't believe it..." Keisha said, crestfallen. "He's gone..."

"Pierre Leonard. Of the Ater Vox." Karl said, wiping a tear from his eyes. "May you rest in peace." He held his hands together, and shut his eyes, to pray. The others hesitated, but joined in also.

"...Sorry." Roger said, hand on Karl's shoulder. "For what it's worth, you did the right thing. We always thought of these guys as villains, but they're real people being toyed with."

"...Nihane's not getting away with this!" Karl shouted. "I have to find the other Ater Vox, before it's too late!"

"Good thinking." Kaman said. "Roger, can you go with him? We'll handle the Diva."

"You think you two can handle it by yourselves?" Roger asked.

"We didn't really break a sweat back there. So we're still at full fitness." Keisha said. "Karl, go on. We'll catch up as soon as we can!"

"Good luck." Karl said, smiling.

"Before you go, could you tell Matthew something?" Keisha asked. "Tell him, once he's free, to call my number. He'll be worried about us. If he hears my voice, he'll be okay."

"Sure." Karl said. "Come on, Roger!"

"Right." Roger said. "Keisha, um..."

"...You're off the hook, by the way." Keisha said, smiling. "What happened to Brad and Nick is history now. And it will never happen again. Go on, you can fight with a clean conscience."

"I...I will remember those two, for as long as I've alive." Roger said. He and Keisha stared at each other for some time, before they embraced. When it was over, he and Karl turned back towards the HQ, beneath the cloudy dark sky.

"You didn't have to do that." Kaman said, surprised.

"I meant it." Keisha said. "There's no time left to leave things hanging. Right?"

"Right." Kaman said. He and Keisha returned to the Aeterna Vitra, not once looking back.