AN: Well folks, I'll warn you that this chapter is mostly going to be a long battle. But you can probably tell what it's going to be, right? From the chapter's title, and of course the fact that there's only one opponent left. I hope you all like it, as this is probably my favourite out of all the fights in the story. I'll leave it there, but please read, review, favourite, follow, whatever you fancy. (I haven't had a review for a little while, so that would be appreciated.) Please enjoy!
Chapter 89: Nihilism's Conquest
|Aeternus HQ – 30F|12:25 am|
"Amara, don't look!"
She looked at Karl, who was shaking his head, stunned. Against his wishes, she looked outside the window – and saw hell itself.
The Aeterna Vitra, ironically, had been reduced to a gigantic burnt out shell. Flames erupted all around it, and pieces of wall and wire fell to the ground aflame. The bridge had been completely destroyed, beyond recognition. All Amara could identify was part of the railing. The black ground around was now bright purple, having been exposed to the massive outburst of energy.
Matthew had his hands against the window, his mouth wide open. His eyes were permanently fixed to the burning Aeterna Vitra, but the inferno had completely taken over the entire building. Nothing could possibly have survived. Upon realising this, he let out a tiny wail, and slid to the floor, head in his hands.
Dan stood tall, looking down at his younger brother. Tears fell from his own eyes, and his lips quivered, but he did not cry. Rather, he knelt beside his younger sibling, and gently held him close. Staring outside the window, he saw once more the devastation, and glared.
"Keisha..." Amara breathed, heart pounding. "Kaman..." Karl looked to her, numb. In their despair, they embraced, both tearful.
"Why?!" Serena said, sobbing.
Lucy couldn't hold it in. She flew into Blaine's arms, crying her heart out. Sophie was crestfallen too, and turned away from the windows, eyes to the floor.
"Sophie, did you...have any idea this was going to happen?" Priscilla asked.
"NO!" She exclaimed. "Of course I didn't! Yes, I did sense that we would only have one Devil and one Death. Lucy and Keisha were both Devils! Shirley and Kaman Death! Yet I never foresaw this...not in a million years."
"Even if you had..." Shirley said. "I doubt we could have stopped it. That Diva was tethered to the Aeterna Vitra's generator. Destroying it must have overflowed the generator, causing it to...well..."
"Did they know this would happen?" Nathan asked, face white in horror. "...They must have done. No wonder they sent Roger and Karl on ahead."
"But...didn't they want to come with us?" Bianca asked. "Surely..."
"They did. I'm sure of that." Other Blaine said, still cradling a devastated Lucy. "They knew they had to shut down that generator by any means necessary. Even if it meant...this."
Matthew got up, eyes red from crying, and looked back on the fiery ruins.
"Keisha...she must have been so scared. Knowing that...she had to die, to help us!" He looked at his comrades, as his brother still held him by the shoulders. "We can't stop now. She would never forgive us if we moped around here! Kaman too!"
"Those who are gone...they would want us to fight on." Aimee said. "Zao too."
"Then that's what we'll do. Right now." Amara said. "...Nihane has nowhere to run now. Everyone, we're up against the strongest opponent we'll ever meet. Stronger than the Ater Vox. Stronger than the Trauma Shadows. But this is our only chance. We have to go!"
Everyone nodded. Using the five keycards, they opened the door to the staircase. It was dark, but they managed to find their way up, eventually reaching the 35th Floor – where the Meeting Room was. That had been where Aeternus made most of their plans, yet now it had no relevance. There was no sign of Nihane on this floor, the group discovered, as they searched every inch in silence. With only one more place to look, they reached the staircase again, going up onto the roof.
|Aeternus HQ – Rooftop|12:36 am|
As soon as the group got onto the rooftop, they gasped. This was a much more decorative view than they expected, with giant columns in all four corners, ornate white marble fences, black and white flooring with the Aeternus Emblem, and in the very centre designs that appeared familiar.
Those are what we saw in the Chamber of Eternity. That means...
Bizarrely, a white stone box phased through the centre of the roof. It had the same doors on it that Amara had seen throughout the building. However, the box suddenly vanished, leaving the glowing symbols that were on the walls, and five strange red gaseous bodies floating lifelessly.
"Welcome, Motus Rebels."
Standing in the middle of it all was the mastermind behind all of this. Nihane Kronos, leader of the Ater Vox, and the one Amara hated the most. He had laughed in her face about Zao's death, not to mention how much suffering he had caused for her father and Rudo.
"I sense you all saw the lovely fireworks display?" Nihane asked. "Losing all power to the building does certainly complicate things. Yet I foresaw the need to have contingency plans. The power I need can easily be generated from your bodies instead."
"Nihane...shut up!" Amara said. "You know why we've come here! You're all on your own now!"
Nihane shook his head, smirking. "Perhaps so. Yet that is the way things must be until the new world. After all, my homeland was taken from me. There was nowhere I could belong in this life. Not in Birmingham, not in New Motus City, not anywhere! Amara, did you think these fools would be enough to stave off loneliness?"
"...What the-"
The five souls trapped in limbo were none other than those of the Ater Vox. It had been as she suspected – Nihane had been the one to kill each of them, and create a false body.
"They were useful for a time. I couldn't possibly have found the Shadows all by myself. If that hadn't happened, Janus would never have been able to find me and teach me the truth." Nihane said. "Yet they were just temporary allies. The true people that call me friends are those of Amurdad, awaiting reincarnation. Do you intend to deny them the breath of life?"
"How...could you?!" Other Serena cried. "You used my sister! She would have done anything for you!"
"As would Josephine. She may have seduced my father, but...she didn't deserve to die by your hands!" Other Nathan shouted.
"Archie...you bastard!" Other Blaine growled. "How can you stand there and call him temporary? He was my friend!"
"They all hated their current lives. Carlos and Pierre too. What had transpired in the past was too much of a hurdle to leap over. With my Eternal Road, they found something they could cling to. Hope. A drive to do away with this planet, to create an ideal one of their own. They did very well, helping me. But their only reward shall be watching me claim the prize, and not them." Nihane said.
"You sick son of a bitch!" Blaine shouted.
"I can't believe it! I...We swore an oath to you!" Alastair said.
"We could have still been following your every order..." Bianca said, sickened.
"This is awful. Your ancestors would be ashamed, Nihane. As horrific as their demise was, they would never condone you doing far worse." Kazuya said.
"Right! You've made a mockery of human life. This world is too precious for you to just right click and delete!" Richard shouted. "So go to hell! And we won't be joining you!"
Nihane sighed, irritated, and walked closer, sword in hand. "It needn't be this way. Neither of my comrades had the heart to summon a natural Persona. I had to manufacture particularly stronger ones, using thoughts and feelings of those close to them. A difficult task, indeed. But once Amurdad is here, no more blood needs to be spilled. Perhaps you can appeal to me to live there in harmony. You certainly deserve it more than those who assumed they could earn my friendship."
"...We don't WANT to deserve it!" Kyle said. "I want to stay here! In this city, with Dan, Matthew, Serena and everyone! You're not going to convince me to betray them!"
"As he says. I will have no part in your plans." Priscilla said. "The future may be full of turmoil, even if we win, but someday the people will find their way again. A false paradise is of no interest to me."
"I already have a real paradise, Nihane. My family and friends are the ones that make it. I don't need your precious Amurdad. So no, I will never appeal to you." Sophie said.
"Same here! You're nothing but a scheming cunt!" Dan said. "We're standing over the place I called home! You – not Blaine, YOU – are the one that destroyed it. I thought Matthew was gone! And Kaman wouldn't be...he wouldn't have blown himself up if you hadn't done this! So fuck you and your harmony!"
"...Self-righteous dogs." Nihane said, coldly. "Are you never going understand? Sacrifices have to be made for all causes! Millions have died in the past. Do you intend to have made this city go through countless deaths, economic turmoil and isolation for nothing?"
"Where do you get off?" Matthew said, angrily. "You're the one who did that! Maybe killing you and putting things back to normal won't be easy. I don't care! But Keisha died so I could stop you. If I lose here, THAT would be for nothing!"
"Your arguments are empty and void. Such a childish person." Tara said. "Great world leaders fought for the future of their people, not to destroy the future of others. You can't compare yourself to them. You're just a brat throwing a tantrum."
"And what's stopping something like this from happening all over again in your new world?" Roger asked. "You think you can just mind control all the people who are gonna live there? Or that you can change the way humanity acts? Eventually, your utopia will fall apart, and you'll be left with nothing."
"One person alone doesn't have the right to dictate law and order. I realise that now." Karen said. "Any Amurdad you create would soon fall into pure unbridled chaos, all because you tried too hard to impose your will on the people. Those desperate for guidance may turn to you, but those with free spirits will reject you."
"Is that what you earnestly believe?" Nihane asked. "That I can't control my people? That I'm simply a child? Your hatred has clouded your eyes. I can see the way forward so clearly now. The last Divine Spark, the Eternal Road, and the new world of Amurdad, that will be built over the remains of all other nations!"
"Look, you asshole! You don't get to call the shots anymore. It's all of us against you. There's no one left you can fool." Lucy said.
"I would never forgive myself if I didn't give this my everything." Shirley said. "Surely you understand, Nihane. You've devoted yourself to this cause. If words cannot solve this, then..."
"There's only one thing left to do." Amara said. "Nihane. Let this be our last battle. Whatever happens, we must not give up. Neither of our dreams are weak enough to be torn apart by words!"
"I agree." Nihane said. "Then draw your weapons."
Just then, Shadows were heard from below. They were coming up the stairs, in hordes.
"Crap..." Dan said. "What do we do? We can't just leave them!"
"Then...five of us will fight Nihane! The rest will destroy the Shadows!" Aimee ordered. "Amara! Nathan! Serena! Blaine! Brother...if you care about this world just as much as your own, fight to save it. Promise me!"
"I promise, Aimee. We'll win this." Karl said. "For you and Zao. I'll help you lay the foundations for a new city, bigger and brighter than before."
"I knew from the very start that this was going to be important. I can honestly say I'm glad to have discovered this world! I shall fight, until my dying breath!" Nathan cheered.
"Nihane can't stop me!" Serena said. "I've lived through so many hard battles. This is just going to be the hardest! But everyone's here...I can do it! I can save the world!"
"We all can, baby!" Blaine cheered. "I used to think I was just a jackass from Kanaloa who got drunk every weekend. But this time, I'm making a difference to everybody."
"You know our feelings, Nihane." Amara said. "We're not the weaklings you vanquished in Kanaloa. We're the champions of this city. And I know we'll claim victory!"
"One melodramatic, corny speech after another...typical. How hard do you want your fairytale ending?" Nihane asked. "Janus, show them all what sort of future awaits them!"
As you wish, Lord Nihane. Those of the other world, your will is truly strong. Your adventures have strengthened you to the point where you can contend with my master. Therefore, we can not hold back. Die, as our equals!
Amara and Nihane clashed swords, the sparks flying everywhere. As their stares pierced into the other's souls, the strength they forced into their blade increased. Finally, Nihane backed away, and ran at her, slashing wildly, and she barely managed to block the barrage of hits.
"Now this is what I was hoping for. You really have transformed from those weaklings in Tachibana. You're a force to be reckoned with." Nihane said. "Ha!"
He swung his sword down, just as Amara rolled away. Summoning Isis, she cast Marakukaja. Defence was crucial, especially now.
"Wise move, Amara." Nathan said. "Masukukaja!" Everyone's agility increased too, on behalf of Cu Chulainn. There would be no sense in going into such a battle without being prepared, and Nathan would give his team every advantage he could spare.
"Reservoir!" Serena ordered. Selene caused it to rain, and a pool of curative water appeared beneath everyone's feet. It would heal them whenever things got too risky. Serena too was giving it her very best.
"Power Charge!" Blaine called out. Quetzalcoatl amplified his power, and Blaine gave Nihane a devilish smile.
"Hero's Steel!" Karl's inner strength was greatly boosted by Aeneas, passing down his sword mastery.
Nihane chuckled, then pointed his sword to Amara. The male Janus swung his scythe at her, but it didn't seem to hurt. Rather, it changed something in the atmosphere around her.
"What was that?" Amara asked.
"You can't tell?" Nihane said. "Well...by the time you know, you'll be a Broken Soul." Amara raised her eyebrows, but kept quiet. She ran at him, but he leaped over her, attacking Serena quickly. "Peerless Ascent!"
None shall live to call them our equal.
A great white and purple column of light engulfed Nihane's body, fuelling him with masses of power. Amara could sense it, after so many battles. Power Charge. Mind Charge. All three of the kaja spells. Dealing with all of this would be hard...but surely not impossible. Amara had to keep telling herself that.
"Not bad, Nihane." She said. "Tefnut's Raze!"
Raging flames struck Nihane, who was stunned by the heat. Shrugging the pain off, he leapt through the air, and tried to pierce Nathan with his blade. However, Nathan blocked him, and knocked him back. Alas, Nihane managed to dart around him and attack, with ferocious swings.
"Damn you!" Nathan said.
"Did you expect me to stand on one spot and cast spell after spell?" Nihane asked, bemused. "I have to fight for my life, remember. This body is still corporeal, unlike the others."
"You should be the one that's dead, not them! Gae Bolg!" Cu Chulainn wielded his spear of the same name. In Celtic legend, the spear was granted to the hero by Scathach. Great spirals of wind surrounded Cu Chulainn, as he leapt into the air, and holding his spear downwards, drove it through Nihane.
"Ugh!" Nihane screamed, spiralling towards Serena. She did not waste this opportunity. She whipped him as fast as she could, no matter how weak her weapon was compared to his. Angry, Nihane slashed her multiple times, until Blaine got him with his gun. "You..."
"Thanks, Blaine!" Serena said. "You should know better than to pick on a cutie like me!"
"You imbecile!" Nihane shouted. "Are you trying to emulate Zao?"
"You might see that as an insult. But that's one of the best compliments I've ever had!" Serena cheered, smiling. She gave Amara a huge thumbs up, who returned it. "He died believing in us all. You might have zapped me ages ago, but not this time! Lunar Scope!"
Selene's arrows were fired on Nihane with a lunatic's aim – and despite his attempts to deflect them, most made their mark. Annoyed, Nihane tried to slash her, but he ended up striking Blaine.
"You stupid musclehead! Do you want to die that badly?" Nihane asked.
"Not really." Blaine said, pushing his sword out of the way. "I've been in plenty of fights to know I can take the punishment. Serena never should have had to fight to survive, not at seventeen. So I'm looking out for her! Torment!"
Quetzalcoatl, unlike the Aztec god, was no feathered serpent. Yet he was every bit as dangerous as one. His heavy hammer, which he held with both hands for extra strength, was charged with electricity. This hammer was soon brought down upon Nihane's head, shocking and pulverising him.
"W-Well done." Nihane said. He slashed him fiercely, and leaped over his head. "You're getting warmed up nicely. I told you once that your attacks mean nothing. Well, that's no longer the case." He laid eyes on Karl, and snarled. "Alas, you're still powerless!"
"Nihane, you've been using your great power just so you can kill the entire planet." Karl said. "With someone like you as our enemy, we had no choice but to get stronger."
"Ah, so I inspired you to greatness?" Nihane said, smirking. "Good to hear it. Not only are you in peak physical condition, you're of a sound mind too."
"Stop praising us! This is war, not a duel!" Karl yelled. "Mass Destruction!"
Aeneas mimicked Rashnu with every swing of his sword. Nihane did not manage to escape, but his eerie smile continued. Was he even in any pain? Amara couldn't tell.
"Marvellous." Nihane said, clapping sarcastically. "You can't do anything without brute force, it seems. Nor can your Persona. I, on the other hand, can master so much more. Behold, Agnethe! Fire of Ruin!"
The inferno shall burn even courage to ash.
Serena gasped. The group were transported to an imaginary landscape. Yet the human brain was convinced the searing heat was real. They were stood around the crater of a giant volcano, and surrounding them were dozens of ruined houses, where fire had consumed all the flora and fauna around. It was not unlike Pompeii. However, the volcano erupted, and lava gushed down and crashed onto Serena. The velocity of the eruption was so much, the crater's top broke apart and melted.
"What the hell?" Serena yelled, as the rooftop came back into view.
"Haha...there's more. Shimmering Wasteland!"
Behold a land where only nothingness shines.
The atmosphere had completely changed, and all Amara could see was an Arctic tundra. Nothing but snow falling everywhere, with a dark cloudy sky above. The cold was unbearable. Far worse than any winter she had experienced. Just then, the snow turned into a great blizzard, raining down on Amara like knives. She fell to her knees, shivering, as the pain built up.
"Hahaha..." Nihane laughed, sweeping a hand through his hair. "It would seem Amara can't handle the cold. Not that I should be surprised. She came from Egypt, after all."
"Ni...hane..." Amara wheezed. "You'd know...about the cold. You're the coldest one here!"
Nihane raised his eyebrow, and yawned. "Nice retort. But if you didn't want me to fight you, it would have been wise to accept my offer. Oh well..."
"Like hell!" Amara screamed, racing forward. Nihane gasped, and was struck down by Amara's blade. He rolled away before she could stab him with her sword, and dodged a swing from Serena's whip. "Force Sabre!"
Isis, with all her might, struck Nihane with her onyx blade. He winced, but did not make a sound. His face was now full of hate, rather than smug confidence.
"Garudyne!" Nathan cried. Cu Chulainn bombarded Nihane with wind, yet he stood tall, braving the storm.
"Ugh...why do you all have to irritate me so much?" Nihane asked.
"Aquadyne!" Serena cried to Selene, ignoring the question. A blast of high pressure water collided with Nihane. It was unable to make him flinch, yet his face of rage said it all.
"Ziodyne!" Blaine, using Quetzalcoatl's divine thunder, shocked Nihane. This situation was proving to be the opposite of their first battle – they had gained the dyne spells he had used to cripple them. Yet he had the strength to hold his own, against all five of them.
"Gallant Gladius!" Karl shouted to Aeneas. His mighty sword become gold, as it was used to swipe at Nihane three times. The energy from Peerless Ascent had been tapped into by Aeneas, and thus Karl felt the same effect. "YES!"
"Don't even think that'll save you!" Nihane hollerred. Holding his sword tightly in one hand, he raced at Karl, and slashed him many times in a berserk fury. While Karl was reeling from the pain, Nihane leapt up into the air, and brought down his sword forcefully. "No more praise for either of us! I swear, I will kill you! And no one will ever hear from you again! Vermillion Edge!"
Your blood will fill an ocean.
The male Janus somersaulted through the air, and hit Serena violently with his scythe, the weapon leaving a red arc. Serena cried in pain, but Nihane wasn't finished yet.
"Air of Retribution!"
You and your hope shall be suffocated.
The atmosphere changed again, to a barren plain being ravaged by tornadoes. Dead trees lay everywhere. Suddenly, all of the tornadoes combined into one tremendous twister, engulfing Blaine and sending him high in the sky, only to bring him down as the storm subsided.
"Damn..." Blaine uttered, shaken. Nathan saw his friends in pain, and gasped. With out a moment's thought, he ran at Nihane, spinning and striking with his staff as hard as he could. With all his practice, he was like a master martial artist using a 'bo' staff.
"Annoyed...are you?" Nihane asked, hastily trying to block. "Well, you've been nothing but pests since you crossed dimensions! You should have stayed home tonight...because you won't be going back!"
Amara seethed. Grinding her teeth, she summoned Isis. "Agidyne!"
Isis eagerly burned her nihilistic nemesis with fiery fury. Nihane roared, but before he could move, Serena whipped him from behind. Then, feeling bold, she kicked him. Right then, Nihane and Cu Chulainn activated Mór Goath, terrorising Nihane with intense wind.
"Urgh..."
"You don't scare me! Not anymore!" She said. "Mediarahan!" Selene arrived to heal up the team. Nihane's dreadful attacks had been devastating, and she wasn't about to let the team fail now.
"Volt Circuit!" Blaine shouted to Quetzalcoatl. The intimidating Persona created a strange wheel cast out of electricity, which span insanely fast – and hit Nihane right in his chest. Annoyed, he held out his sword, and leapt into the air – somehow floating.
"What the -" Amara said.
"Your friend Daniel is not the only one who can do this." Nihane said. Amara realised what he was up to – Janus was sending energy into his weapon. Just like the handful of times Dan had done this with his Persona to break through barriers. Nihane swung down his sword, and a fierce red energy rain came down, hitting everybody.
"...Lame!" Serena shouted. "How come we didn't try learning how to do that?"
"Generally, our Personas can do plenty of damage by themselves." Nathan said. "Yet Nihane isn't an ordinary foe. We're going to have to watch out."
"Right." Karl said. Then, he looked at Amara. "You might not need it...but I'll protect you from this creep! Guardian's Oath!"
Amara gasped. A strange magic shield appeared around her, and it was very robust. Yet she knew what this would do. Karl would take any killing blows for her, so she could carry on.
"...There's no one left alive for me to swear an oath to." Nihane said. His angry expression faltered, and he looked lost. He shook his head, and glared at this foes. "No! Your vow isn't enough!"
However, for a brief second, Amara saw someone standing in the same spot. He looked just like Nihane, but in a white and red coat, black jeans, and red shoes. And his eyes were an innocent blue. Ethan was there, pleadingly looking into her soul.
I don't understand this whole deal, but...if you're still in there, I'll keep fighting. You don't want this to go on any longer, right? I'll end it. Trust me.
Ethan vanished, as Nihane cried out for Janus."Scarlet Crusade!"
The fields shall be fertilised with blood.
Male Janus held his scythe in both hands, and the blade became bright red. The land beneath the ground became the same bloody colour, as the scythe suddenly flashed through them – and the pain took a few seconds to arrive. When it did, it stung badly. Karl, however, was entirely unharmed. In fact, the attack seemed to have energised him.
"Dead Sea!"
Be drowned by sorrow and regret.
The entire area changed again, to what appeared to be a boat being knocked back and forth by waves in a the middle of a huge storm at sea. The water was dark and murky, and the rain was torrential. Suddenly, the waves grew in intensity, and smashed into Karl, breaking apart the boat and flooding everything that remained.
"Argh!" Karl fell against the barrier, before Amara could reach him.
"Karl!" Amara cried.
"None of you have the right to live through this!" Nihane screamed. "DIE!" He swung his blade at Amara, but she parried the slash with the same fury.
"If that's the case, I'll earn it, for all of us!" She snapped. "Ethan too!"
"...What?" He said. "...You speak as if Ethan and I are two different people. What do you know?"
"Why would I tell you?" Amara asked. "Helios!" Zao's fiery passion engulfed Nihane, with Amara now guiding it.
"Liath Macha!" Nathan commanded. Supersonic winds propelled Cu Chulainn into the air. Then, after reaching the apex of height, he held his mighty spear Gae Bolg downward, and came crashing down, driving the spear through Nihane's body.
"GAH!" Nihane shouted. "So you have surpassed the Ater Vox after all...yes, all of you! Even those preoccupied. I commend you, Nathan Albion, but do be aware that I don't make idle threats."
"And I don't keep false promises." Nathan said. "I promised Priscilla I'd marry her next year. Don't think any threat, however serious it may be, can break a promise of love!"
"...Trite." Nihane said. He dodged Blaine's shots, and Serena's whips, and struck Nathan with his sword with a mighty combo of slashes. "Ha!"
"Aquarius!" Serena cried. Out of nowhere, a giant vase of water appeared from the sky. Then it tipped over, and powerful freshwater fell onto Nihane's head, drenching him completely. This water disappeared right afterwards, returning to the vase, and it vanished.
"You really needed that bath!"
"Comedienne, are you?" Nihane chided.
"Hey Karl...let's go to town on this loser!" Blaine yelled.
"Right! The unbeatable drinking buddies unite!" Karl said, cracking his knuckles. "Aeneas, go go go!"
"Quetzalcoatl, follow his lead!" Blaine said.
"Thunder Blade!"
Aeneas held his long steel blade high above his head, aiming at the clouds. Quetzalcoatl flew above him on a dark, ominous cloud, yawned, and punched down on it – and lightning gathered onto Aeneas' blade. With a tremendous swing, Aeneas slashed Nihane, sending jolts all over the rooftop.
"DAMN!" Nihane shrieked. "That's it! Janus, help me! Pulse of Life!"
You cannot halt our master's recovery.
Red, ominous curative energy flowed from Female Janus into Nihane's body, which had grown weary from the various assaults thrown upon him. With some confidence back, he segued into his next move. "Crimson Riot!"
All you shall see is bloodshed.
Male Janus brandished his scythe once more, and span its blade in a blur. Amara gulped, and braced herself – but she wasn't quite nimble enough. The reaper figure attacked everyone at lightning speeds, and all the untrained eye could see was a red crescent shape darting around.
"Ugh..." Amara moaned.
"Are you alright?" Karl asked. Amara breathed a sigh of relief. Of course – Aeneas absorbed all physical impact. Neither of these red attacks could even pierce him.
"Yeah. It hurts like hell...but so does this! Heartful Cry!"
A great heartfelt burst of power was flung into Nihane, causing him to howl in anger. He clashed swords with her again, and managed to block every one of her swings. Laughing, he hit her, and somersaulted over her head to slash Nathan as well.
"No!" Nathan said, blocking with his staff. The two kept trying their get each other with their weapons, neither giving in. Finally, Nathan managed to force his way through, and hit Nihane as hard as he could in the stomach.
"Ugh..."
"Brave Storm!"
Cu Chulainn created a green ball of light, and sent it into the clouds. It then exploded into a giant green and yellow hurricane, trapping Nihane. Serena and Blaine followed this up with Aquadyne and Ziodyne respectively. Karl's only speciality may have been physical force, but he was a powerhouse. Aeneas's blade flew through Nihane three times, forming a Hat Trick.
"I guess someone as limited as you are would focus on one talent alone." Nihane said, scowling. "Thankfully, I don't have that issue. Now then -"
"Get on with it." Karl said, tapping his foot.
"Fine. Sinking Mountain!"
Even the highest of heights will be dragged down to hell.
Everyone was at the top of a giant mountain, far grander than Lucille Hill. All around them was a burnt, dried up landscape, with ominous craters around then. Next, the mountain started to break away, and the fragments of parched earth slammed into Karl. The entire area completely disintegrated, and when all was normal, Karl was left on the ground, groaning.
"Perhaps you'd prefer a slower demise...?" Nihane teased. "Next! Noble Banishment!"
Even the prestigious cannot flee from death.
Another new environment appeared before the team. Fluffy clouds were beneath their feet, and before them were golden gates to heaven. Suddenly, those gates flung open, and a gigantic godly fist grabbed Nathan and took him into paradise – and there was a huge flash of light, blinding everybody.
Nathan lay on the ground, unconscious. Nihane could not help but laugh out loud, at both him and the anguished faces of the others.
"Nathan!" Amara gasped.
"Nathan, can you hear me?!" Blaine shouted. "Buddy, get up!"
"That won't work." Nihane said coldly. "This is the end for all of you!"
"...No." Amara said, as bitter rage swelled deep within her. "No it isn't! Force Sabre!" Isis swiftly hit him with her sword, sending him near the edge of the roof.
"Please, Selene, hurry!" Serena cried. "Samarecarm!" Selene's lunar power resurrected Nathan, who while disoriented, seemed healthy.
"Thank you..." Nathan said, hand on his head. Before he could move, however, Nihane slashed him down with his sword. "Argh!"
"You little shit!" Blaine snapped. He took out his gun, and fired as many rounds as he could on Nihane. "Punishment!" Quetzalcoatl slammed down his hammer on Nihane with a mighty thud, shaking the ground.
"Bloody Destiny!" Karl ordered. Just like Janus' scythe, Aeneas' sword could become the colour of blood. Slowly, the Persona prepared the slash, and then with some swift strike, cut through Nihane.
"Tch..." Nihane grumbled. "Janus, aid me! Feared Curse!"
The howls of the dark cannot be silenced.
All Amara and the others could see was darkness. It was similar in effect to the 'Ater Vox' spell they had been subjugated to back in October. Had they not countered with their own attack, they might have never escaped from that prison. Suddenly, a pair of red eyes opened, and they were pure evil. They fixated upon Blaine, who became trapped in a pair of red, rotting hands. He froze, glancing at the decaying fingers in fear, and no matter how hard he tried, he was forced 'below', fading away into the dark.
When it all faded, Blaine lay on the floor, knocked out. He was pale with fright, shaking.
"Rapture!"
The day of reckoning is upon you.
This was a less flashy move, but just as powerful. A light purple pillar of light fell down on Karl, and immediately sent him crashing down. Nihane's mad cackling echoed throughout the dark plains that had once been Amurdad and Kanaloa, as rain began to fall.
"If you're willing to continue, my friends, I'll oblige!" He said, with a false smile. "I've waited ten long, tedious years to have a confrontation like this! Don't disappoint me now, Amara!"
"This isn't for your amusement, you bastard!" Amara screamed. She and Isis struck the nihilist with a burning Agidyne. Despite the flames, he ran forward and tried to stab her, but she blocked expertly. "I've gotten used to fighting...all for this! So the people of Amurdad can rest in peace instead of having you as their ruler!"
"How can they possibly rest!?" Nihane screamed. "Their entire way of life was erased from the annals of history! No one will ever know their passion for the world. Not one among them will be remembered. It may as well be that they never existed!"
"That's not true!" Amara said. "We know the truth. We saw Amurdad, with our own eyes, and the sad memories of that day. I saw...Nihane's daughter die right in front of me!"
"Ashi..." Nihane said, shaking. So that was her name. That poor woman...you're watching this fight too, aren't you? Ashi, I may never have met you, but I won't let your descendant win. "I never had a brother or sister. But Janus told me about my ancestors, and how close they were. I want that for the new age. To experience having a family...you won't take that from me!"
Nihane had recovered from his earlier assault. While Nihane was trying to attack, he let loose with another Liath Macha. Serena, however, was busy tending to Karl, and used another Samarecarm.
"Hey..." Karl said, wearily. "Sorry for making you worry..."
"Don't be silly! This is why I'm here!" Serena said. Nihane ran straight for him, but Serena whipped him from behind, and they were soon in a frenzy of attacks. Unfortunately, Serena lacked his physical prowess, and was knocked away.
"Perhaps getting rid of you would have been the wiser choice." Nihane said, grinning sadistically. "Midnight Dawn!"
No light is without shadow.
An orb of pearly light, and an orb of onyx darkness flew from the two halves of Janus. They circles an uneasy Serena, until they flew into each other. In a fantastic display of light and dark, the explosion sent Serena to her knees, whimpering.
"No...it hurts..."
"Of course it does. That was my intention." Nihane said flatly. "Now then. Judgement!"
Do you consider yourself above rightful punishment?
Janus seemed to have nigh unlimited power. The male flew to the left of the group, and the female flew to their right. They shot a white beam of energy at each other, and they collided with a magnificent flash, that could be seen from all over the city. The point of collision turned blue, and this metamorphosed into a gigantic azure ball of energy that engulfed all four targets, damaging every part of them.
"Damn..." Amara whimpered.
"I'm...I'm okay, I think." Serena cried. Shakily, she stood up, as did Nathan and Karl.
"I wouldn't push it any further." Nihane said. "I haven't even used either of the best attacks yet. If I did, there wouldn't be any bodies left to heal. Not here or anywhere else."
"Shut up!" Amara yelled. "Tefnut's Raze!" Burning flames raged beneath the smug Kronos, but as hot as they were, they did nothing to quell his arrogance.
"Garudyne!" Nathan cried. Winds of great turbulence rushed at Nihane. Serena took this time to reviving Blaine, who awoke to seeing everyone in pain.
"Crap...how long was I outta action for?" He asked. "It's alright. I'm back. Trust me...we're all goin' home. I still gotta meet Lucy's folks..."
"Right. And there's someone back home I might have a future with." Karl said. Amara gasped, but smiled. "There's only one thing to do. Fight! Aeneas, go! With all your power and strength, you have to go on!"
Aeneas held his sword firmly in his hands, and shut his eyes. His cape billowed in the wind, and his almighty sword shined bright. Then his eyes opened, and the sword suddenly became a shining beacon of blue energy. He took Nihane, threw him into the air, and flew after him, and began a fierce medley of attacks. Each slash sparked waves of light in the sky, and finally, Aeneas prepared one final hit, while Nihane was still subject to this assault.
"Brilliant Blade!"
The final swing forced Nihane down, with a final spark of power resonating in the air. Karl gave Serena and Nathan a high five each, and whooped and cheered.
"You said it. Brilliant." Blaine said.
"I'll say. Maybe Isis could take sword lessons from Aeneas." Amara said, giggling.
"She won't need to. Beating Nihane is all that's left, remember?" Karl said.
"Logically speaking..." Nihane said, snickering. "Yet even if you try, you can't stop me! Rightful Purity!"
None shall infect us with the seed of defeat.
Female Janus embraced Nihane with both her arms, and there was a white glow around both of them. All of the spells that had diminished Nihane's combat performance had been erased. Now he was free to fight at full power. Gleefully, he gave himself another Peerless Ascent.
Amara, glared at him with hatred, and used a new ability. Garnet Veil cloaked the team in a strange red aura, similar to Marakukaja, but it allowed them to resist the wrath of fire. Therefore, Fire of Ruin would be but an ember.
"You have my gratitude." Nathan said. "Cu Chulainn! You are me, and I am you! Now I know where your strength comes from, I want to protect everyone with it! Therefore, may we both take a road of our own – to victory!"
Cu Chulainn supreme energy pulsed throughout his very being, and outward across the rooftop. The gallant Persona's eyes changed to a beastly red, and he held his spear Gae Bolg out. After a moment of silence, he went berserk, and flew at Nihane, swinging his spear without any strategy, other than to tear him to pieces. Each swing seemed as fast as the wind. Or rather, they moved with the wind in perfect harmony.
"Heroic Frenzy!"
Finally, the assault was over, and the wind subsided. Cu Chulainn politely bowed to an irate Nihane, and disappeared. Nathan did the same, with a cheeky grin.
"Awesome!" Serena said. She took this chance to heal everyone again with Mediarahan, further to Nihane's consternation. Blaine fired off a Ziodyne, shocking Nihane to his core, and fired more bullets – ducking under his opponent's sword.
Karl did not hesitate to help his friend. With a quick Power Charge, he gave Nihane a good one-two, and punched him high in the air – allowing Amara to slash him fiercely.
"What synergy..." Nihane said, chuckling. "But I'm afraid this is the end. You survived this before on a technicality. Now you will see exactly why the Holy Cross and the Ater Vox fear me! Why this city is powerless to stop me! Janus! Equinox!"
The light of hope. The darkness of despair. Total opposites shall be forced into a false harmony. Neither side shall claim victory, creating an endless waltz of war, peace and rebellion. You have no option but to watch.
Millions of small clusters of energy gathered around Janus, and they began to collide. Amara shuddered at the mere sight of this, as she remembered the small blasts from sphers hitting each other. They were just for show, it seemed. Eventually, the sheer power from the collisions resulted in an ominous, pulsating and gigantic monochrome sphere. It was a grim planet, where the ocean was pure white, but the landmasses were pitch black.
The globe suddenly began to flash rapidly, and the ebon continents started to form a swirled mess with the ivory seas. Both halves of Janus rammed their weapons into it with their utmost strength, giving it a foreboding red aura. The planet descended into the ground, and all seemed to be breaking apart around her. She fell to the ground, screaming in absolute agony, as her arms and legs felt like they were being torn off. All she could see was swirling black and white.
No...this can't be happening...Dad...help me...
"Dammit...is this it?" Blaine asked. Amara couldn't see him. Every bit of her body seemed to be under siege by this ungodly force.
"No, it can't...be like this!" Serena howled in despair.
"Amara...are you there? I can't see anything!" Karl said.
"Why...why can't I move?" Nathan said, voice hoarse.
Guys, please...hang in there!
Suddenly, she saw someone's hand in front of her. It was not familiar at first, but something about it made her pain dull slightly. Moving against the rushing force of Equinox, she reached out to it, and held it. Instantly, the endless blur of light and dark disappeared, and her hand was holding on to nothing but air.
"Amara, you're okay!" Karl shouted.
"What the – why are you still not dead?!" Nihane screamed. "Janus, that should have killed them all!"
It appears our foes would prefer an even more painful demise, Lord. Let us continue, until we can arrange such a fate.
"I'm holding you to that promise!" Nihane yelled. "Die – argh!"
Before he could impale Nathan, he had been burned by Isis' Agidyne. This was quickly followed by Cu Chulainn's Garudyne, warding Nihane away.
Serena stared at Nihane, and sighed. Instead of a hateful glare, she looked at him with great pity.
"You're reduced my sister to nothing but a ghost. Did you think there was no one left who loved her?" She asked. "Because you couldn't be more wrong."
"Dear Serena, it's precisely that love that has driven you to such a dire situation. If you had let yourself die before now, your pain might have lesser." Nihane said.
"How weak do you think I am?!" Serena cried. "I don't care how much pain I have to go through! Nothing you can throw at me will ever be as painful as...being told in that hospital that Nina was dead! And now you've killed her with your own hands. So I guess that means I have to do the same to you! Titanic Rainfall!"
Nihane was completely trapped by Selene's giant blue bubbly sphere. He swung at it repeatedly, but his sword just flew through it like water. This orb of imprisonment resonated in the moonlight, and giant raindrops fell down onto Nihane, hitting him like trucks. Once the monsoon was over, the giant sphere crashed onto the roof, splashing the lunar water all over the ground.
"How...spirited..." Nihane grumbled. "Is this how determined you are to preserve a world that killed my people?"
"Yeah. Sucks to be you." Blaine deadpanned. He quickly hit Nihane with Lightning Circuit again, and grinned at the electric shocks.
Karl unleashed a Power Charged Mass Destruction, a move that was living up to its name. Amara was now pleased that Aeneas didn't have any elemental power behinds his strength. It meant every attack was sure to be godly in power. She watched, despite her body's fatigue.
"This fight has been going on for a while..." Nihane mused. "Not that I have anything else to do today. Other than create a new planet. Shimmering Wasteland!"
Amara screamed, in fright. In her condition, the ice would be impossible to survive. She shut her eyes, waiting for it to attack. She felt nothing, however, but heard another person scream.
"Karl...?" Amara said. She watched, horrified, as Karl fell to the floor, with a smile on his beleaguered face. "H-Hey! Please, wake up!"
"NO!" Serena cried.
"You bastard!" Nathan roared.,
"I hope you weren't expecting me to feel guilty. You're all trying to kill me, after all." Nihane said, nonchalantly. "Now then...Vermilion Edge!"
Amara gasped. Janus was coming right towards her. As weary as she was, she desperately leaped away from the scythe, and watched as it sliced the air.
"Losing your edge, pal?" Blaine said. He shot Nihane again, after reloading. "Don't you worry. We're not giving up yet. Not by a long shot."
"Right!" Amara yelled. She swung her blade, clashing with Nihane's. Her arm hurt from all the slashing, but she had no choice but to ignore it. It was all she could do to fight him without mercy. "Helios!"
Nihane was struck by a burning fire, even hotter than Rashnu had made his. This must have been Zao's gift, Amara thought. Giving his friends the skills they could use to their full potential. She imagined Zao by her side now, fighting with all the strength he had. If only that dream could come true.
What am I thinking? The others are here with me. Karl just risked dying to save my life. How can I stand here thinking about Zao when they need me?
Not only was Nihane forced to endure yet more flame, but Cu Chulainn had just plunged his Gae Blog into him. He groaned, furious, and slashed Nathan.
"Selene...we're really having to work hard tonight, aren't we?" Serena said. She looked at Karl, and gulped. "Please...come back, once more! Samarecarm!"
Karl stirred, slowly opening his eyes. Amara ran over, anxious, but at the sight of him still breathing, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Looks like it did the trick..." Karl said, weakly. He raised himself to his feet, and shook his head. "Remember...I keep my promises now. I won't lose control again..."
"I know." Amara said. "You're stronger than before. I can see it now. The one who score that winning goal, while me and Zao watched. I'll never forget it."
"We're on extra time here. Let's go for the win!" Karl cheered. Amara nodded.
Serena was whipping at Nihane wildly, but he kept bounding over her chained weapon. Annoyed, she tried to slap him, but her palm just lightly brushed against his face.
"Ugh!" She moaned. Just as Nihane was about to stab her, bullets hit him in the side.
"How much ammo did you bring with you, Blaine?" Nihane asked. "You've certainly got plenty to spare, or you wouldn't be wasting it shooting me!"
"Oh, the bullets I enjoy wasting aren't wasted." Blaine said, grinning. "They're just building up to one big shot. There are two things with this name, and I'm the only guy that can master them! Tearing up the streets, so you can't run away, this will show you exactly why Blaine Spencer is one man you don't piss off, not if you want to sleep again! Black Lightning!"
The storm clouds overhead were bursting with fierce power, as thunder rumbled all over the city. From those dark clouds, bolts of lightning pummelled Nihane, one after another, and they were black and blue, building up amps of power. Finally, this storm ended with one thunderous bolt, one that flashed brighter than any Amara had seen before. Nihane lay on the floor, in deep pain.
"Well done, Blaine." Nathan said. "This fight is as good as ours."
Nihane laughed, standing up and grabbing his sword. "You shouldn't tempt fate with those arrogant words, Nathan. Or you'll regret it. Crimson Riot!"
Everyone screamed, as the scythe from Janus rushed through them. Karl just laughed, but when he saw what happened next, he swore.
"Pulse of Life!" Nihane had restored himself yet again, and was prepared to do this as many times as necessary. To think five people would struggle so much to take him down...Amara sighed. Surviving Equinox was a miracle. Lasting long enough to have a chance of defeating Nihane would be worth a thousand.
"You..." Amara muttered.
"Maddening, I know." Nihane said. "This situation is entirely of your own making, remember. You can choose to die now, and be proud you got this far."
"Never." Amara said. "I'll survive. I have to. I thought I was going to die, the first time I was in this world. But now I'm not alone. I'm not like you! Everyone that's fought so hard by my side...they mean the world to me! Just as much as my mother's ankh!"
Isis, a fiery and passionate goddess, created a tremendous gemstone, one coloured deep red. This masterpiece had a bright red glow, which grew to cover the whole area. Now it was aflame, giving out heat hotter than Amara had ever known. She grinned, confident in this power. For she and Isis were one and the same.
"Desert Jewel!" Amara yelled. The two halves of the precious stone rotated in opposite directions. Slowly, the stone opened up slightly, releasing heavy fireballs. This firestorm rained down on Nihane. Finally, the giant ruby separated, letting out one last fireball to incinerate Nihane.
Nathan smiled, impressed. Things were finally going their way. With the staggering weight of burden lessening, he used another Mór Goath. Nihane had barely had time to recover from the heat before he was swept away by wind.
Serena, knowing it was necessary, cast Mediarahan. Nihane glared at her, and dashed fiercely, only to be punched in the face by an indignant Karl.
"Idiot!" Nihane yelled, slashing him instead – but as he did, he was shocked. The culprit was Quetzalcoatl, via Stormy Ascent. "Ugh!"
"What?" Blaine said, smug. "I don't need to stop ageing to kick butt. I'm like a fine wine. I get better with age!"
"Foolish..." Nihane said darkly. He somersaulted above Blaine's gunshots, and hit him with his blade. Alas, another sword swung at him, in a trio of slashes. This was Aeneas' Hat Trick. Karl cracked his knuckles, eyeing Nihane.
"How much longer do you think you can last?" Karl asked. "Doesn't look like you've got anyone left on your substitute bench. Dumb move, mate."
Nihane glared, and struck the ground with his sword. By now, the rooftop had been utterly wrecked by the battle, having lost all beauty thanks to the myriad of elements being conjured here. Without a word, he used Sinking Mountain once more – on Nathan. And then, he went for Midnight Dawn. A weaker blend than Equinox, but not really the group's cup of tea.
"Cat caught your tongue?" Amara asked, sticking out her tongue. She had a good feeling about this. If he didn't have the energy to speak, then this fight had to be drawing to a close. Relieved, she cast Agidyne. Nathan went with Garudyne, Blaine elected to use Ziodyne, and Karl used Gallant Gladius – taking the effect of Peerless Ascent yet again. Serena, however, was anxious, and used Mediarahan.
Nihane was exhausted, bruised and beaten. It was tiring to even hold his sword. However, he still could cast two high-grade spells. Megidolaon and Judgement.
"ARGH!" Amara yelled.
"Shit!" Blaine moaned. "How the fuck does this guy keep going?"
"He's not going to give up." Nathan said. "He'll try to win, even if it kills him. We came here with that same mindset."
"But he's just one man. All of us, we're in sync." Serena said. "Now is our only chance to do this! We have to get him, now! All together!"
"Absolutely. This is the best team I've ever been part of." Karl said. "Let's all do our part! Just like before. When we nearly died in that void."
"I'm down for that. This Eternal Road isn't something I want to be part of. So I'm givin' it my alll!"
"Right. Then...Isis! Go! For the sake of both worlds! Rudo, Tomas, Zao, and everyone here!" Amara pleaded.
Nihane laughed, but each howl of laughter was hollow and empty. His eyes seemed distant. Had he come to a realisation? Janus had been quiet, too.
"It's useless. This isn't something you can conquer with team spirit." Nihane said, shaking his head. "This was fun. But it's time we all said goodbye. For when it starts, no one's going to be left. Janus, go. Erase them all!"
The building blocks of the human body shall be taken apart, to disappear forever. All shall be destroyed, even what the eye cannot see. Even memory itself will vanish. This shall be a death beyond death, for there will be nowhere for your soul to rest. Once you are gone, you will never have existed. Nor will those who would mourn your passing, or celebrate.
The two embodiments of Janus span around Nihane, generating a spiral of immense power. It was in every colour of the rainbow. Then it turned pure white, and formed a massive column of multicoloured light. It rose to mammoth size, nearing the group.
"No...don't be afraid!" Nathan yelled. "This is not our end!"
"I'm not...I can handle this!" Serena cried adamantly.
"There's nothing that can scare me now!" Blaine yelled.
"We won't be erased. I refuse to let that happen!" Karl swore.
Isis, Cu Chulainn, Selene, Quetzalcoatl and Aeneas all emerged, radiating a massive bright blue aura of indomitable energy. It was like a roaring fire, standing in the way of the giant pillar of light. Nihane's smile faded, leaving only anxiety. Was he praying this would work?
All five of them spoke at once in unison:
For those with a firm grasp of their identity, we will not forsake our duty. We art thou. Thou art we. Even in a false realm of Shadows, your wills cannot be shaken by deceit. If that is so, our power is without all limit! The world you wish to save, you shall return to!
Everyone held hands, as the quintet of Personas became fuelled by unlimited power. Then, as one, they fired it all around. Blue energy bullets shot forward, piercing the omnipotent pillar and hitting Nihane. Not a single one would miss.
"Amara!" Aimee yelled. She and the rest of the rebels forward. The hordes of Shadows they had fought had been dealt with, but it had taken them too long to do anything about this, two unstoppable forces meeting.
"Erasure!" Nihane cried, as Janus hit the pillar, accelerating it's advance.
The five enemies of Janus did not cower and hide. They stayed strong, and with total command over the Personas, their inner being, they called out a name to counter the dark power before them.
"Voice of Light!"
All five Personas unleashed a dazzling burst of light, just as Erasure connected with their users. All of the Aeternus HQ became blanketed with nothing but pure light. The entire city shook from the masses of power unleashed by both sides. Howls of energy could be heard from miles away, but not even the other rebels could tell what was happening. Aimee's screams were drowned out.
The battle had finally ended. Yet had either side won? It was too soon to tell. The light began to fade, and Aimee slowly opened her eyes, anxious. She hoped it would be the result she had been yearning for.