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.

95. Adieu

AN: The last of the Ater Vox chapters. And the Mummy fight ends at last. It took a while to finish this, and I'm sorry for making you all wait. But I'm hoping you'll enjoy the final five chapters to come after this! Thanks once again to all my readers and reviewers. I may take a little while to plan out exactly how Chapters 96-100 go, but I promise it'll be the best ending I can make. Anyway, please read, review, and enjoy!

I'd also like to point out that I changed the name of one character's attack. Mostly because it sounded a little generic to me, so I fixed it to suit my poetic tastes. :P

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Chapter 95: Adieu

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|Ater Peractorum - Stagnant Saragel|2:31 am|

Karl looked around, in wonder. He had already seen Saragel of days gone by, when he and everyone else teamed up to defeat Tomas and Rudo. Even with them gone, this place was still unsettling. Seeing the old homes by the beach, with grains of sand scattered over the cobblestone paths, was just as bizarre as it had been months ago.

Richard looked at the shore, in contemplation. The waves were coming in strong, and the smell of the water was wafting over the promenade. A crab was crawling up a short wall, and a flock of seagulls flew overhead. All of it felt so real, like a day on the beach with his friends. But Karl knew that all of this was from memories of people who had passed away, long before he would ever come to be.

"...That's right." Richard said. He looked serious, for once. "Bianca was here last time. Zao and Keisha were with her, too..."

Zao loved this place. It's on this beach that he met Amara. He was the right one for her. He should be with us now, trying to go for a swim. Or trying to find starfish.

"Karl?" Karen asked. "...You look lost in thought."

"When me and Zao were kids, our families came here. I never had so much fun in my life. Zao, he kept saying silly stuff just to keep me and Aimee laughing, and we buried him in the sand – and dug him out when his mother got mad. He kept splashing us in the sea, and even helped Aimee swim." Karl said, his eyes on the water. The sun's rays sparkled on the clear seas, just as they had done on that summer afternoon. "It wasn't until we got in the car home that I realised he was my best friend. In my pocket, he had left the prettiest seashell he found."

"Hehe..." Roger said, smiling slightly. "Zao was just that kind of guy, wasn't he? Never did like doing things for himself. Always wanted to be with friends, or make friends. It felt great knowing him."

"I can see him running around on that beach, having a ball." Karen said, warmly. "Yes. That's the way I'd like to remember him."

"Really? I just think about him and his fish. Like, he's holding the biggest trout, carp, haddock, or whatever, up high for the whole world to see. That's him. A guy who worked hard, so he could share his achievements with everybody." Richard said, smiling. "Then we'd tuck into that fish, getting out the sauces, the boiled potatoes, and some bread. That's probably what he'd do."

"Hey. Thanks." Karl said, his arm on Richard's soldier. "You guys, you make it a little easier. There are so many memories to think back on...and he won't be forgotten. Don't forget, Zao wanted us to carry on without him. He always thought of himself as the one in the background, trying to help out the 'real stars'. Well...I know who the star really is. Let's do him proud."

"Yes!" Karen cheered.

"Of course!" Roger said.

"Darn tootin'!" Richard said, grinning. "Come on, we got a Town Hall to find! We'll take a dip later!"

All of them left the promenade behind, and took the long road to the Saragel Town Hall.

|Hall of Heresy|2:41 am

Just up ahead, beneath a flying flock of squawking seagulls, was their destination. A huge stone house, taking after German architecture, with large doors in front of a short flight of steps. A banner was above the door, reading 'Saragel – the Haven of the Sea'. The windows were wide and large, exposing rooms that were lined with books and other records. A flag representing the district – a seagull's wing backed by blue – was flapping in the gentle sea breeze.

"This place..." Richard said, staring at the governmental building before them. The huge town hall of Saragel. This place had been the site of one of the worst Divine Sparks. Roger, upon seeing it, sighed, looking away. Almost everything that had happened that day had gone wrong, and it threatened to have severed ties between him and the others forever.

"This was all before I was part of your group..." Karl said, apprehensive. "Strange...in my world, it was just a lame museum I never cared about. But it's so much more than that, especially for you..."

"Yeah." Roger said. "Can't say I have a lot of happy memories here. Sometimes, I still see it in my mind. The moment Keisha got hit by the Divine Spark..."

Richard stared at the fateful building, poignant. "She was a real nice girl, Keisha. I know, that bubbly ditz thing she did was an act. I could tell she had her eye on Matthew, so I never said anything to her, but...I really liked her."

Just like his other self. His life is intertwined with hers. But...she's not interested in him. In fact, she still holds a grudge over something long since past. At least over there, they can patch things up if they want to. Here...they'll never get a chance to speak again.

"I'm sure she wanted to spend a lot more time with us." Karen said. "But she knew what she was doing. If she hadn't went to fight that Diva, then...the Eternal Road might have already happened."

"Really?" Karl asked, confused.

"Yeah. You know how much power that generator was pumping out. If it had still been running, Janus wouldn't need to do all of this. It'd have destroyed us all." Roger said.

"Then..." Richard said, his gaze now fixed at the sky. "I guess I ought to thank her. From the bottom of my heart. I just wish I could tell her that in person, but..."

"She knows." Karl said, hand on Richard's shoulder. "She fought her best so we could win. Somewhere, she's watching this, from her VIP box. Cheering us on. Let's put on a good show, buddy."

"...Heck yeah!" Richard said, punching the air. "Keisha, you and Kaman can just sit back and relax. Me and the boys – and the lady – will finish the match!"

Head up high, he and the others walked right through the doors. There may be no scientists in here this time, but there would definitely be a painful battle.

|Hall of Heretics – Fallacious Foyer|

"Well, this is nice and cosy." Richard said, admiring the nice carpeted stairs.

Yeah, I guess. I don't suppose Amara was too interested in the interior design back when she was here. Looks a bit crap, though...

This foyer looked well-decorated, with plenty of flowers and paintings around, but it was somewhat dull to Karl's eyes. It was still, like a painting. There wasn't even a hint of liveliness. Suddenly, a door upstairs opened, and out came an older man carrying a heavy stack of papers. He came down, but just as he was at the middle, something happened. The papers dropped, scattering all over the floor. His body slid down, leaving a red mark down the latter half of the steps.

Karl's eyes focused on the person standing above the fallen man. This fellow had an evil smile, his eyes bulging and his teeth yellow and black. In his hands was a rusty, bloody harpoon.

"How do you like that, father?! I told you before! Your days of being mayor are over! Real men don't just stand behind a desk and write with their quills! They get out and do what needs to be done! Just like I did in Amurdad...just like I did now! Now that I'M the mayor...hehe...It's time to make some changes! I'll get rid of all the rivals! Have those protesters hanged! And Harriet...she'll love me more than ever!"

The crazed man walked down the stairs, making sure to tread on his father's body – cracking some bones. Throwing the harpoon to the floor, his eyes lit up with glee.

"I'll tell everyone a burglar did it. They'll have to believe me – especially if I tell them how I tried to save dad from his wound! Hahaha...this is perfect! That old man was a coward...but the new Saragel is going to be different! I won't be tied up in bureacratic procedures! I'll just take care of anyone that gets in my way!"

"Not the kind of guy you'd share smoked salmon and white wine with." Richard mused. "Serena's book mentioned this, didn't it? The guy who wrote that thing was friends with that guy."

"Yes, you're correct. Eugene Dwight, the author, was in love with Edgar's wife Harriet." Karen said. "Although, shortly after this, she -"

Suddenly, the vision changed. The council of Legarte watched in fear, as the scruffy looking Edgar walked down to the front door with a meek looking lady. She had auburn hair and a pink dress, with a pretty ribbon in her hair.

"You idiots better keep things under control!" Edgar shouted to the politicians. They nodded, looking at each other. "Today is my anniversary! So while me and Harriet are away, you keep things ticking along. Don't think I won't find out if you ruin my plans. We're building the summer homes, and that's final!"

"Darling...we should be going." Harriet said, sadly. She looked at her husband, and forced a romantic smile. "Today is our anniversary. I want it to be special...just you and me."

"Oh...of course." Edgar said. His arm was tightly around her, but not in the kind, gentle way that Karl had been with Amara or Liam. Rather, it was possessive. The angry way he stared at her, this woman who was a foot shorter than him...there was no love there. Only a sense that she was property he had 'won', and no one else could attain.

They left the building, and immediately, the politicians breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"If only he would never come back!" One man said. "Everything was so much simpler when Frank was in control..."

Once again, the vision changed. People were moving items and documents into crates, and the politicians from before looked around, sadly.

"The end of an era, this is." A redhead male said, glancing up at the high ceilings. "They're going to turn this place into a museum..."

"We must make sure they remove everything relating to Edgar. The last mayor...and by far, the worst. Our people must not remember that lunatic." A brunette man said, grimly.

Just then, the doors shoved open. Barging in was a black, bearded man in a ragged cloak, hysterical.

"Harriet?!" He screamed. "It's me! Eugene! Where are you?!"

Before long, the guards came to remove him, and his ranting became quickly incoherent. He was thrown out onto the cobblestone road, and the doors slammed shut.

"How many times must he come in here, excepting to find her? Even we don't know where she went." The redhead man said, adjusting his glasses.

"Do you think it really was her who shoved Edgar off that cliff?" A blonde man said.

"Who else would it be? Edgar was planning to make his term a long one. He wouldn't have killed himself...but we'll never know." Another black-haired man said, sighing. "What an awful way to end the town hall's history. These are terrifying times...you've heard the stories. All across this fair city, the Amurdad ghosts are getting their revenge."

"Who are you gonna call?" Richard said, eagerly. No one followed this up, however. He sighed, shrugging. "Bad timing...right?"

"Just a tad." Karen said. "Pierre must be here somewhere. You should be preparing for that, not quoting movies."

"At least he has taste. When you were with us, you wanted to watch Titanic. Give me a break."

Suddenly, in the middle of the foyer, Pierre appeared. He did not look pleased with his predicament. Arms around his stomach, he looked at his guests, with absolute despair.

"You..." Karl said. "Pierre, what's happening -"

Suddenly, Pierre screamed. With a flash of red energy, he was now in his new body. His skin was a pale pink hue, with red curved markings all over his body – including circles around his eyes, also red. His hair had become a crimson flowing mane, with large bangs, going down to his legs. He still had his favourite earring, but around his neck was a glowing red pendant, and also a long red and white cape – with shoulder armour. On his forehead was a red jewel, that flashed whenever he blinked. Around Pierre's waist was a white and red loincloth.

"Holy cow..." Richard said. "Please, for the love of Okuninushi, tell me he's wearing something under that."

"That's what you're worried about? Now, of all times? Mon dieu..." Pierre exhaled. "Richard. This is serious now. Janus hasn't stopped using us, even after we were killed by Nihane. We're all going to absorb energies from the Divine Sparks, until there's enough to cause the Eternal Road. And I...I can't do a damn thing to stop it."

"Not...a thing?" Karl asked, sadly.

"You know what that means, kid. You get to beat the shit out of me." Pierre said, smirking. "Wish I had a better venue, but all the others were booked up. Heh. Look, just don't get upset, or start feeling sorry for me."

"But Pierre...regardless of what you did..." Karen began. "You were just another of Janus' victims."

"Yeah, I know. We all fell for it, didn't we? Disguised as Nihane's super cool Persona, giving him the edge above all of us...we thought we had hit the jackpot. I was gonna see my cousin again. And no one was going to bully him anymore! And...people like Karl wouldn't feel the need to hide who they really are!"

"Pierre..."

"You might not have gone through what my cousin went through, but you still had to suffer because of intolerance. Now there's no way of getting rid of it. Just more decades – no, centuries of trying to get people to tolerate you. But...even that's better than right clicking and sending this universe to the recycle bin."

"Um, if you're going to use a computing metaphor, wouldn't flashing a ROM chip be better?" Richard pointed out.

"I wasn't a hardware kind of guy. Give me a break..." Pierre said. "Just remember. It doesn't matter if I'm a psycho who murdered people like Cheri McHale, or if Janus is trying to get rid of all existence. The point is, you guys NEED to fight me. So just do it. This...this will be my last moment anyway. If I can't stop it, I might as well have some fun. This won't be like earlier. I'm at full power, so you better be, too!"

Karl stared at the now-demonic Pierre. He seemed to have been infused with Loki, the trickster Persona. And as he locked eyes with Karl, he smiled.

He wants this all to end. Then I'll do it. I'll take him out!

"Bring it, baby!" Karl shouted, taking up his stance. "Aeneas! GO!"

The knightly Persona appeared. Soon, he set forth the virtue of Valour into Karl, who grinned. Rushing at Pierre, he began punching, with a 'killer' combo he had picked up in his boxing classes.

"Not...bad..." Pierre wheezed. He flipped through the air, now floating. Concentrating, two rapiers appeared, one in each hand. Unlike the other Ater Vox' Personas, Loki did not equip weapons. Thus, Pierre had no option but to use his own weaponry.

Karl was soon beset by a flair of razor sharp slashes. However, one was interrupted by a spear thrust.

"Take that!" Richard yelled. "Now! Raphael Vita! Gale Force!"

The playful angel flew all over the foyer, sending out fast and sharp gusts of wind. Pierre screamed, out of annoyance, and aimed his blades at Richard. The plucky lad, however, leapt backwards, and jabbed with his spear again.

"As you can see, Pierre, today is forecast for heavy wind. Also...torrential downpours, beginning right now. Aquadyne!" Roger roared. Apsu, a fierce Persona, brought down a month's worth of rain.

"Don't forget, Roger, that there might be snow later on today! Bufudyne!" Karen, with the power of Daena, blasted Pierre with chilling ice.

"Ah, refreshing...ly painful!" Pierre said, cackling. "Nice work, but you haven't even scratched the surface! Maragidyne!"

Red hot flames ignited, scorching the four Persona users. Not finished, Pierre laughed again, and clicked his fingers. A tiny little flame flickered in the centre of the room, quickly burning out.

"That's the lamest barbecue I've ever seen. You got me hungry for s'mores for nothing!" Richard whined.

"What the heck are – oh, never mind. He's trying to trick us." Karl said. "See, his game is that we'll think he's already out of energy, so we don't take him seriously."

"Are you...sure?" Roger said, concerned.

"Maybe he's right, maybe he's not...but you might as well try and see!" Pierre said, tauntingly. "C'mon, take your best shot!"

I'm right, aren't I? I've seen through opponent's tactics plenty of times on the pitch! This ain't any different.

" Here we go! Gallant Gladius!" Karl shouted. Aeneas' mighty blade carved through Pierre, but the fellow just laughed. He flew at Karen, slashing far too fast for her to handle. Flustered, he broke her guard.

"Ouch!" Karen yelped. "You haven't learned any manners after being dead twice over, have you?"

"...Are the undead supposed to be polite and courteous?" Pierre asked, confused.

"It'd be nice." Karen said. "Makes a change from them trying to eat your brains. Daena! Void Sniper!"

Daena emerged, but disappeared a second later. Pierre looked around, but saw nothing. Then, from the ceiling, came a ray of dark light. It pierced through his body, forcing him to scream, and he fell to his knees. Daena then reappeared, laughing, then vanished once more.

"Holy hell." Richard said, impressed. He gave a big thumbs up. "Like a CoD pro!"

"...What the heck is that?" Karen asked, tilting her head. "The fish?"

"No, it's – oh, forget it. I'll explain later. Garudyne!"

Raphael Vita blew a fierce gale at Pierre, knocking him into a large vase – smashing it. The red-headed demon, however, laughed, and slashed him from behind.

"Not on my watch!" Roger cried. "Grave Scourge!"

Apsu thrust his spear at Pierre, three times – up, down, and centre. The final touch resulted in a miniature explosion, harming the Frenchman badly.

"Aren't we clever?" Pierre said, glancing at his enemies. "Roger and Karen, had you refrained from defecting...just imagine! You two could be in exactly the same position as me right now. Makes me wish I had abandoned my post too..."

"Considering you've died three times now...yeah, it didn't exactly work out. Should have gone with a geography career, bud." Richard said.

"Here I go, pal!" Karl yelled. He ran across, fists at the ready – but when his feet touched the centre of the room, he found himself hurtling towards the ceiling, and saw a huge flash of smoke. "Argh!"

"Karl!" Karen screamed. He landed painfully on the ground, next to a painting of Saragel beach. The painting's ocean, however, had turned blood red, and a fiery storm of meteors was about to rain on the seas.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Fooling Kyle might have been impossible, but you're perfect for my tricks!" Pierre said, wiping his lips with his finger. "Everyone else in the Ater Vox went for straightforward combat. You know, freezing a guy to death, throwing rocks at him, blowing him away, electrocuting him, the standard crap. I picked pyromania, but I had to mix things up a little...and look what just happened!"

"Wow..." Richard said. "You're a meanie."

"We've only just begun! Try this..." Pierre said, cackling. His laughter did not sound particularly genuine, however. It was more like sobbing, hidden behind a mask of animosity. His body vanished, and instead there were four Pierres.

"You've got to be kidding me! He's doing that thing ninjas do!" Karl said, annoyed.

"This guy is no ninja. You've got to look closer!" Richard said. "One of them's the real one. You just gotta find him! It's like picking out a good cantaloupe at the supermarket!"

"Best method for that is thumping it." Karen said. "So...what are we waiting for?"

She took out her katana, and held it in front of her. Each Pierre was running fast at her, his own blades poised to strike. She noticed something odd – the reflection in the northeast Pierre's blades. In them, she saw herself and her friends. Carefully, she rolled understand his rapiers, and pierced the northeast Pierre. The others vanished, and he cursed, stomping the ground.

"So, you're not discouraged yet? Tres bien. I didn't want my last ever battle to be full of grown men whining. I can listen to sports on the radio for that. You might want to pinch your nose for this one, though. Foncé Aroma!"

Fancy Aroma? What, is he going to spray us with cologne? I've been meaning to get another bottle...

Pierre could unleash the same lavender air as his Persona. It still smelled sweet, yet somewhat overpowering. Karl shuddered – it was even worse than that knock-off perfume he saw Amara test one day at the Catalonia Market in Farawell.

"Oh, I get his game." Richard said. "But you won't get to infect us, not with me around! Raphael! Ultraviolet Whirlwind!"

White, green, red and blue tornadoes appeared, courtesy of Raphael Vita, and they instantly combined into one larger multicoloured hurricane. It flew into Pierre, sending him crashing into the ceiling.

Karl looked out of the window, and gasped. Around the entire museum, a giant vortex of purple energy was spinning, obscuring the view. Not only that, parts of the museum's interiors were being sucked out the front door and absorbed into it, such as fragments of the vase or abandoned quills.

"Karl, where are you looking?!" Roger screamed. He shoved Karl, and took the hit – or rather, two painful sword stabs.

"Shit!" Karl shouted. Reacting swiftly, as he did best, he punched Pierre hard across the face, and even the stomach.

"It's started...there's no more running. Either you die, or...you beat me. No pressure or anything, right?" Pierre said.

"I've had a lot of pressure, you dickhead. I had to train for the biggest tournament in my whole life...and during all of that, I got dragged into this! But pressure isn't a bad thing, you know. You just have to seize the moment, destroy the nation! Mass Destruction!"

"Z-Zao?"

Aeneas charged up an impressive amount of energy in his sword. Closing his eyes, Karl saw Rashnu doing this in his mind, in front of an exuberant Zao. This image burned into Karl's heart, and as he opened his eyes, Aeneas slashed twice. The waves of energy from his blade resonated throughout the darkened town hall.

"Baby-baby-baby-baby-YEAH, that is an awesome move!" Richard said, excitedly. "...I just felt like saying that...hehe."

"Keep your head in the game, Karl, and you'll do just fine." Roger said. "C'mon, Karen! Show us something cool!"

"Yessir!" Karen said, happily. "Daena!"

The feminine Persona, elegantly hovering above the battlefield in her purple dress, held up her Icy Mirror. It released a perishing cold mist, covering Pierre in ice crystals. Yet the mist had another function – it enchanted Karen, protecting her.

"Ah. I see what you're trying to do...excellent." Pierre said, laughing. "I wonder if you can see through this, however?" Now he could cover himself with the Pierrot's Veil – an invisibility charm, as he had used long ago to confound Kyle. He vanished, with not even his swords showing.

"Hey, what the heck just happened?" Richard questioned. "He's done a runner on us – OW!" Something was hitting him hard with razor sharp swords, and kicked him onto the ground. "Son of a..."

"Oh crap..." Karl said. "Roger, you remember him doing this?"

"Yes, actually. Kyle managed to detect him. Smart kid..." Roger replied. He raised his hands, ready to block with his katars, a pair of Indian punching daggers. "I can't even remember how he did it. Wish I could just call him up, but I doubt he'll have time to text with Nina throwing icicles at him."

"Hey, idiots! I'm trying to kill you here!" Pierre roared. His voice had been manipulated to echo from all four corners of the foyer. Thus, one could not discern his location from the direction of his sounds. "If you want more time to talk among yourselves, fine. I'll just let you die slowly...hehehe." Pierre, laughing sadly, let out a Poison Mist – and it took hold of everyone. No one was safe from the acidic air.

Oh, fuck...now I feel sick...like when I have too much cider at the pub...

Richard, frightened, decided to hide behind the tallest person in the room – Roger.

"The heck are you up to?" Roger asked.

"Just shut up and let me cast this! Amrita!" Richard hurriedly used Raphael to quickly take away the poison. It had been a malignant virus, but now it was gone, Karl felt relieved.

"Crap...what do we do now? I can't just shadow box..." Karl said.

"You've been doing that for a while, actually..." Karen replied.

Karl frowned. "Oh, hardeharhar. Let's just try and deal with the Invisible Man, okay?"

"What was it..." Roger mused to himself. Richard yelped, and fell backwards – knocking Roger to the floor. "Damn!"

"Bad idea, huh...?" Richard whined.

"You're a lot heavier than you look...crikey." Roger said, wheezing. Richard hurriedly got back up, as did Roger, who gave him a dirty look. "OH! Now I get it...hehe."

"You do?" Karen asked, concerned. "Be careful..."

Roger simply smiled. Out came Apsu, who held his trident in both hands. A trio of watery chaotic spheres appeared out of it, and it was forcefully thrown right in front of Karen. She gasped – Pierre suddenly appeared, drenched by the Cosmic Waters.

"Ha! " Roger taunted. An orange glow briefly surrounded him. Strength was building up inside him, in sync with his confidence.

"How?!" Pierre demanded. "It should have been flawless this time! Janus enhanced everything else!"

"I hate to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty sharp for a guy in Kanaloa. My friends were into smoke-filled pubs where they blare sports games and guys get thrown out every half hour, but me? I sat at home analysing every film I could get my hands on. I saved up money just to go to the theatre! Trust me. I don't just glance over anything. I analyse it to the finest degree. And when I looked carefully enough...there you are. I just see a hazy outline of a person, standing in front of the woman I love."

"Haha...well played. A mind as sharp as yours must have helped your team out many times." Pierre said. He got up, smiling. "But you haven't stopped me yet! Don't celebrate too soon!"

"Wasn't planning too, man. I still need to put the champagne on ice. Aeneas! Solemn Stiletto!" Karl ordered.

"You're going to throw a shoe at him?" Richard asked.

"...A stiletto is a knife." Roger said, in disbelief.

Aeneas' sword became bright, with a red core in the centre. Swiftly, he thrust it into Pierre's chest, forcing the trickster to scream. Not only that, a green debilitating aura appeared – signalling Sukunda.

"Marvellous." Karen said. "Harrowing Hex!"

A strange pink hexagon appeared over Pierre, emitting strange gas. He stared at it, confused, until it went into him, and flashed.

"...What did that do?" Karl asked?

"Wait and see." Karen said, smirking.

"You might not get the chance! Puer Lumiere!"

Shit! I remember this one!

Pierre held out his hand, palm open, and a red beam of fierce light hit Karl straight in the heart. He felt a chill down his spine – as if something was there. A voice of unknown words, and sounds, but there nonetheless.

No...I won't be scared! Not this time!

Karl glared harshly at his foe. Leaping up, he punched Pierre hard in the face, worse than any of his boxing classes. He had never fought to kill, of course, in any of those. Now was different. Pierre had to die, if it was to save his soul...

"Not afraid? Fine. If it lightens Richard's workload, all the better. Haha...Cruelle Couer!"

Rings of black and purple dark power surrounded Roger, and flew straight into him. Unfortunately, he was still vulnerable to the darkness, and the pain was almost too much to bear. Not only that – poison had returned.

"Crap!" Karl said. "Roger, hang on!"

"It's okay." Richard said, calm and collected. "One more Amrita coming up -"

"No!" Roger yelled. "Don't waste it just for me...focus on beating him! Prioritise!"

"But Roger, what if -"

"Karen. I...I won't just let this kill me. I won't leave you guys again." Roger said, resolutely. "Do your worst, Leonard! Because I'll throw it right back at you, DOUBLE!"

"Unwise...you should be doing your best to prolong your life."

|Garden of Forgotten Love|3:40 am

"Perhaps now you'd like to run for your lives. I might be able to allow that. After all, Janus does not require your deaths to continue our plans. Even if he were to punish us...we would disappear shortly afterwards."

"What kind of coward do you think I am?" Other Amara asked. "We've fought this long. And we'll keep at it, until you're just a pile of bandages!"

"Tch. This time, fools and angels tread together...carry on your futile struggle, and see if it can satisfy you!"

"You're the only fool here..." Amara said, her eyes firing up with fury. "Maybe it's about time you were afraid of us! Force Sabre!"

Isis, with the grand power of her sword, slashed through the Liberated Mummy. Just as she did so, something on its body ignited, and there was a huge blast of red-hot flame. Other Amara had just detonated another Flare Bomber.

"You know, if you had just stayed here and looked at the pretty flowers, you might not be in so much pain right now." She said, winking.

"I have no need to amuse myself with meaningless hobbies. Begone!" Yet more agonising chains flew out from the Mummy's still burning body, and they hit Amara in the chest and torso. She crouched over, right before Alastair stepped in front of her.

"Al?" She asked. He held out his hand, as if to silence her. Then, holding his sword in the other, he slashed the Mummy repeatedly – even leaping up to attack it in the head. Alastair even blocked the Mummy's strong hands, confidently smiling all the while.

"Saintly Step!" Alastair shouted. Michael Deus prayed yet again, as a comet hit the deathly giant on its head once more.

"Everyone!" Ethan said. "We're doing well. Just a little more! Aquadyne!" Sraosha then emerged, and drenched the Mummy in powerful water.

"He is correct." Sophie said. "The Mummy may hide it, but its stamina has drastically fallen. Do not become complacent, however. Stellar Vision!" Another cloud of astral matter exploded around the Mummy, sending it into one of the only pillars left.

"You think you can win?! Utter nonsense! The greatest achievement you shall make tonight is that you were able to endure so long! Now DIE!"

The Mummy's chains of punishment raised, poised to strike. However, before they could crash into their victims, something flew at him far from the distance. It was...a ring of sharp metal. It carved into the Mummy's rotting flesh, then vanished.

"...Who did that?!" Amara screamed. "...The others haven't come yet."

"A Shadow wouldn't attack this thing. I'm sure of it." Sophie said.

"I may have seen something like that before." Alastair said.

"How lucky...an unknown ally?" The Liberated Mummy said. "Pity they weren't much help! Now, I'll kill you -"

The chains had been raised once more, looming menacingly overhead. Yet, something odd happened again. A red, hazy translucent ghost, holding a large solid red scythe with many spikes, had arrived. It swung many times, finishing with a vicious somersault. Then, the ghost disappeared, without a trace.

That looked like...but no, it can't be! They're...

"Amara...I think that was..." Sophie said, stunned.

"Tomas?!" Other Amara said. Her mouth hung open, in shock. Then, after a moment of silence, a tear trickled down her eye. "Dad, too...both of you are still here..."

"Yeah." Amara said, choking up. "They're doing their best, wherever they are...

No matter how old I get...they're still trying to look after me. I'm so lucky to have them in my life. And, if Tomas is trying to make up for everything he's done...I'm going to have to fight even harder! So he can keep trying!

"At least you can enjoy one moment of elation before your heart ceases to beat..." The Mummy said, annoyed. "Death will come to you sooner or later...this act of rebellion is laughably futile."

Other Amara attempted to strike, but her sword was halted by the merciless cold of Palida Mors. Cursing, she fell, shivering.

"Now then. This next Shadow was slain by your comrades when this land was still Inanis. For one last time, it shall come back. Persona!"

The Fortune of the Trauma Shadows arrived on the scene – the Reflective Chronicle. The gargantuan clock that Karl's team, aided by Pierre, had defeated. It was much grander than when Amara had fought it in its first state, but it functioned exactly the same. The hands spun rapidly, until they landed on their destinations – Fortune and Hierophant. These resulted in Magarudyne and Matarukaja respectively. Laughing, the Mummy accepted the added strength, as a gale took Amara and the others off their feet.

|Stagnant Saragel – Hall of Heretics|2:56 am|

Pierre's swords continued to dance, carving their wrath into Roger's body. Weakened, but not afraid, Roger stabbed rapidly, faster than he had ever done before. To his amazement, every single punch had hit Pierre in his ghostly abdomen.

"Aeneas, hurry!" Karl begged. His Persona, with a beard of equal measure – the hallmark of a man in his eyes – simply slashed Pierre thrice. A Hat Trick, just like Karl was capable of on the pitch.

"Mediarahan!" Richard cried, desperately. "Come on, hurry!" Raphael, true to his name, healed the team up rather nicely. Roger's Poison remained, but it would take longer to whittle down his health.

"Hypothermia!" Karen shouted, as she summoned Daena. A peculiar mist, of green and blue, surrounded Pierre. It turned ice cold, and sent painful shivers down his recreated spine.

"A most excellent attack!" Roger said.

"You would say that..." Karen said, smirking.

"No, I mean it! That looked like a powerful move!" Roger said, red in the face. "Apsu! Scintillation!"

From the sky, a disc of light appeared. It transformed into a shining spear, which fell down onto Pierre, blinding everybody.

"Argh...you do quite well for someone who's been poisoned." Pierre stated, groaning. "But...can you face the heat of malice itself, and survive? Flamme Mauvais!"

Dark red flames were spat out at the team, scorching them to the core. Karl winced, as the heat hit him hard. Not even the summer heat on him, as he trained in the early morning, was as painful.

"Ugh..." Karen moaned. "I feel strange...sluggish..."

"Yeah...like when I forget to have my morning cuppa..." Richard commented.

"Coffee...I could sure use some right about now..." Roger added.

"Damn you, Pierre!" Karl shouted.

"Are you expecting me to apologise for having to hurt you? Maybe the others will be like that, but not me! You HAVE to hate me, so you'll...you'll kill me! Make this all stop! Colère Rouge!"

Karl gasped. Suddenly, all he could see was red. He held his head, feeling his blood boil. Something in him was making him furious, at everything around him. He glared with utter contempt at his nemesis, and snarled.

"I'm gonna kill you, you dirty son of a BITCH!" Karl screamed. Karen gasped, while Roger was dumbstruck. Ignoring Richard's pleas, he grabbed Pierre, and shoved him to the ground. His rage could not be contained. His fists, heavy with contempt, rained down on the fallen Pierre's body. Alas, Pierre quickly warped away, and slashed Karl from behind.

"NOW can I use it?" Richard asked, as Karl chased Pierre to each corner of the room. The ceiling had disappeared at this point, and the fateful basement was now being sucked into the vortex.

"YES! Hurry up, damn it!" Roger said, coughing.

"Karl's like an animal..." Karen said, nervously. "Reminds me of when I had to fight you, Roger..."

"I was...that bad?" Roger said, shuddering. "I'm sorry. I...lost sight of the real me, just because I was trying to survive this crazy world."

"Well, with this, you'll get to stick it out a little longer! Raphael, my buddy, Amrita!" Richard demanded. The compassionate angel managed to provide the antidote to Roger, and the tranquilliser to Karl.

"Huh...?" Karl asked, stunned. His fist was outstretched, his rabid punch abruptly halted. "Did...I just have a hissy fit?"

"Hissier than a Russian Blue." Richard said. "Hey, relax. I got your back. Just like 'over there', right?"

"Yup." Karl said. He and Richard high-fived heartily. Before long, their weapons were upon Pierre – fists and spear were united.

"Those two are a handful, I imagine..." Karen said. "Makes me think of when we were young."

"You're still as pretty as you were then. To be honest, you look kind of hot with that sword..." Roger said, staring at it. He whistled, and she cracked up.

"Haha...I'm not in a bad action film, though. This thing is real! Just like this...Black Ice!"

Daena's hardest ice became a diamond of the winter. Dark wisps of energy were sucked into it, turning it pitch black. It smashed quickly into Pierre, sending him hurtling at a window-frame. The fragments tried to embed themselves on him, but he brushed them off with his blades.

"Aquadyne!" Roger, in sync with Apsu, blasted Pierre with gushing water.

"Yeah...that's exactly what I wanted to see! This is the best battle I've ever had!" Pierre said, smirking. "You've definitely improved, way more than I even thought possible. Course...Janus hasn't slacked off either. Bloody Roar!"

Circular shockwaves of dark energy rippled throughout the foyer, each one stronger than the last. There was a strange taint to this power...

"Weird..." Roger said. "That hurt, but..."

"Feels like my energy is slipping away..." Richard said, alarmed.

"Enervation, you guys." Karl said. "We should know what that is by now."

"You're the smart one here? Everything really is getting turned on its head. Maragidyne!" Pierre's torturous flames struck again, burning everyone – as well as most of the remaining objects. The battlefield was now just the foyer, the other rooms and the second floor all vanished, and the remains having an unearthly glow.

"Ah..." Richard said, groaning. "Feels like I'm in an oven...one of those fancy ones Alastair raves about..."

"Crap..." Karl said. If he falls, this team will be in big trouble. I've got to do something! "Guardian's Oath!"

A magical shield appeared in front of Richard, and span around, coating him with a strange dust. Karl knew this would be risky, but much less so than leaving Richard unprotected.

"Thanks..." Richard said, winking at Karl. "Guess I can try this now, then! Stone of Burden!"

A small stone appeared above Pierre's head. Laughing, the Frenchman prepared to impale his aggressor – only for something hard and heavy to land on top of him. The stone had grown to a massive size, at least fifty times larger.

"As impressive as that was, Richard...no 'stoned' jokes." Roger said, dryly.

"Alright then. At least I can still rock out, huh?" Richard replied.

"Oh, Richard..." Karen said, sighing – but smiling. "I...I wasn't sure if I should have gone with Nathan to fight Josephine or not, but...no! I'm glad to be here, with all of you! Bufudyne!"

Pierre gasped. Mere seconds after the rockfall, he was being blighted by the freezing cold of Daena. Immediately after this, Richard flung himself, spear downward, and stabbed him in the back.

"Not...so tough now, are you?" Richard said, laughing. Pierre's swords furiously swiped at him, but despite touching Richard's body, someone else yelped in pain. Karl. "Hey...are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry. Let's get him!" Karl said. He laid into his opponent, finishing a strong uppercut, while Roger summoned Apsu.

"Ocean Stampede!"

Massive dark blue waves were directed at Pierre, resulting in a gigantic wake. The splash reached higher than the walls, spilling over them. The revenant Pierre was send crashing into a wall, screaming in utter agony.

"Ugh...okay, it's time I got serious! Peur Lumiere!" Pierre fired another ray of fire, burning Karl quite severely. Next, Pierre clicked his fingers. For half a second, a cube appeared over him, each side with an eerie green sheen.

"Wait. The heck did that do?" Richard asked.

"Probably a buff move." Karl said, cracking his knuckles. "Not that it'll help him now! Eat THIS -"

Karl triumphantly leaped towards Pierre. With all his might, he punched forward – but his adversary did not even flinch. That was when Karl realised something was up. It felt more like he was the one who had been hit. And it was like a battering ram. Wincing, Karl fell down, and passed out.

"Dammit!" Richard cried. "Karl, you idiot..."

"His strategies aren't exactly working...perhaps he'd like to forfeit the match?" Pierre said snidely.

"Fuck no. You're not giving out any red cards today!" Roger said, suddenly smug. Pierre blinked, and raised his eyebrow. "Apsu! Deepsea Dirge!"

"Deepsea WHAT now?"

Apsu's mighty trident had been growing stronger with every water spell Roger had pulled off. The Persona held it down, poised to strike – and lunged forward. Each of the three spikes fired far faster than the eye could see. They embedded themselves deep in Pierre, and burst, leaving bubbles everywhere.

"Ooh!" Richard said, as a bubble burst on his hair. "Cool! You two better keep him occupied...I've got to play nurse again."

"Right." Karen said. "Pierre...I don't suppose you thought much of me when I was a Last Soldier, did you?"

"You were to be sacrificed, just like the others. No use getting attached..." Pierre said. "Ironic, isn't it?"

"You don't have to be part of Janus' scheme. Not if I can destroy you!" Karen said. "Arctic Absorption!"

Daena, cackling evilly, held out her mirror. Pierre saw himself in its reflection, and shuddered. He could see the demonic form Janus had bestowed upon him in its 'glory', and that was worse than the real purpose of this mirror. An icy vision of Pierre flew into the mirror, which was then converted into a healing power for Karen.

"Come on, Karl...don't make me do mouth-to-mouth, or your man's gonna get jealous...Breath of Life!" Richard cried. Out came Raphael Vita. His staff shined bright among the darkened, almost-completely destroyed land, as a beacon of hope. Tiny specks of light appeared, and surrounded Karl. They grew strong, and entered his body. He stirred.

"Hey..." Karl said, holding out his hand. One of the particles bounced on his hand, and into his head. "Whoa! What – Richard?"

"Yup! Come on, you're back on the field! Get him!" Richard cheered.

"Alright!" Karl said, jumping back up. This time, his punch connected – beautifully, he thought. Pierre managed to stay upright, despite being forced back a good few feet.

"Bloody Roar!" He shouted. Another trio of cursed waves were let out, seeping into the souls of his victims.

"Oh, come on..." Roger said, grimacing.

"This isn't good." Karen said. "I'm losing quite a bit of energy here..."

"Flamme Mauvais!"

A second barrage of evil fire was unleashed. Karl swore loudly, as it scorched his feet. The heat of this battle was getting to him...he wondered if even Amara could withstand this punishment.

"Hold on, guys. Mediarahan!" Richard cried. Once again, his healing light restored vitality to everybody. "We've got to fight harder...the sooner we kill him, the better!"

"You never used to have balls when it came to dealing with us...I'm almost proud." Pierre said. He jumped high, and sliced Richard with both his elegant swords.

"Yeah, well...I've surpassed the master!" Richard replied. With his spear, he pushed the swords out of the way, and drove it into Pierre's heart. "I'm never going to be pushed around again, you hear me? This time around, Richard Eden stands on top!"

"That's my boy!" Karl cheered. "Now then, Pierre...nice swords, but I think this one blows them out of the water."

Aeneas majestically arrived. His sword, held in one hand, turned as red as blood. Aeneas held it outwards for some time, eyeing his target up. Finally, it was time. The swing of his blade was so fast, there was no way for Pierre to run from this Bloody Destiny.

"That...seemed brutal." Karen said, amazed. "I can't fall behind these young men...Roger!"

"Yes ma'am?" Roger asked, smiling.

"Give me a hand. I want to see just what we can do together!" Karen said, eagerly. "Daena!"

"Ah, perfect. I've been waiting to see that myself! Apsu, come!" Roger ordered.

Daena's mirror turned pitch black, as did the surrounding environs. Only Daena and Apsu were visible before Pierre now. The sea creator god threw his trident to Daena, who absorbed it with her mirror. Next, Apsu flew to behind Daena, grasped her soldiers, and stared down Pierre with evil intent. Daena chuckled. Their powers were in perfect sync. The evil power radiating within the mirror was shaking the entire area.

"King Roger!"

Finally, from the mirror shot out a much larger and demonic looking trident. Each spike hit Pierre with the same malevolent strength. With a triumphant applause, apparently from nowhere, the darkness ended.

"Wahoo!" Richard cheered, clapping. "Encore, encore!"

"I wish going to the theatre was this exciting..." Karl said. "Liam keeps suggesting we go, but -"

"But nothing." Roger said, sternly. "There aren't as many theatregoers as there should be. This man is a winner, no doubt about it. So you're going."

"...I think that's an order." Karen said, laughing. "Going to the theatre with Roger has always been a treat. I can't wait to start doing that again."

"Nice...move..." Pierre said, in absolute agony. He clutched his insides, wincing. "Maybe you'll last long enough for your friends to come rescue you! Debilitate!"

With one flash of orange, green and purple light, all of the team's skill had been lowered. Karl did feel like his legs had gotten heavier, and a little more frail. Pierre certainly wasn't going to go down easily, not even after being impaled in the heart.

"Maragidyne!"

Flames of passion razed the stone walls and floor. It hurt even more now, Karl felt, as he brushed sweat from his brow. Richard, too, looked rather peaky.

"Dude...we gotta end this, and fast!" Richard said. "Or you're never gonna get home!"

"I know, but..." Karl said, anxiously.

"So...just follow my lead!" Richard said. "Raphael! Go!"

"Oh!" Karl said, as a light bulb shined in his head. "Gotcha. Aeneas, tag team time!"

"Aero Espada!"

Aeneas held his mighty sword with both hands up high. Raphael flew up high, flapping his wings, and lightly tapped the sword's tip with his staff. Immediately, a hurricane began around the sword, and Aeneas slashed forward – blowing a massive gale, shattering any remaining objects left in the foyer. Pierre fell over, in shock.

"Um..." Richard said. "I know this place isn't real, but I feel kinda guilty about trashing it."

"You do?" Karl asked, nonchalant. "Wimp..." Richard gave Karl a little punch, but the two laughed out loud.

"You still haven't won, you imbeciles..." Pierre said, angrily baring his teeth. "Do you not realise what this means?! Janus has made us all too strong to be beaten! You've lasted a lot longer than I expected, but -"

"Pierre, it's a big much to be bragging about yourself when you've never beaten any of us in a fight." Roger said.

"...What?! No, there was – there was – I let you go most of those times!" Pierre retorted.

"A loss is a loss..." Roger said. "We're not like you. We see our battles through to the end, even if we're coming up short." Apsu emerged, in a blast of blue smoke. "No matter how strong an enemy is, it will never stop us. Not until we've finished what we set out to do. Because that's the only way we can live!"

Apsu tapped the ground with his trident, and a great whirlpool began to rotate. Pierre attempted to slash Roger, but was punched back by Karl – and slashed by Karen.

"Be weathered by the storm and never darken our doors again! Kai E'e!"

Apsu was raised sky high by the whirlpool, which expanded and trapped his adversary. Roger's wrath was so strong, it pulled Pierre in, despite his desperate attempts to swim to freedom. The storm raged on, as heavy rain started to fall. Every drop that hit the whirlpool seemed to cause an explosion. Finally, the whirlpool ceased, dropping a drenched Pierre to the ground.

"You...you and your tsunami..." Pierre whined, unsteadily standing up. "A little closer to victory, but not nearly enough. Just like with Jacques...I couldn't change his situation fast enough. He couldn't handle the stigma. I came here to escape a home without him! But even if I did something great at work, it wasn't enough to satisfy me..."

"I understand that..." Karen said, sadly. "When I was younger, I was walking home alone through an empty park, and it was dark at night. I thought it'd be safe. Then a man, smelling of rum, came up to me, asking for change. I said no, and walked faster...but he wouldn't stop.."

"...Karen?" Karl asked, shocked. Please, tell me it's not what I think it is...

"He left me lying there in the mud, crying and scared..." Karen said, tearfully. "I couldn't believe it...it always felt like it was other people who ended up that way, but not me. I was too scared to leave the house, to let even my mother touch me. I felt horrible...like it was all my fault he had done that to me."

Richard stared at her, with abject sorrow. He had rarely gotten serious about anything. In fact, Karl had only seem him stop smirking or joking on a handful of occasions. One of which was Zao's death. The other was after the explosion of the Aeterna Vitra. And this was another.

"Roger helped me get back on my feet. He introduced me to so many beautiful works of literature and drama. Worlds I could escape into when it all got too much...poems I could read if I ever felt the world had lost beauty...and heroines I could turn to for inspiration. Audrey and Katherine Hepburn were my favourites. Thanks to Roger...I finally found the courage to report the man who abused me to the police. But even if he rots away in jail, there are thousands of other men like him who may never go to justice. Just like homophobia may never truly go away..." Karen said, tears streaming down her face.

"Despite that...you intend to go on?" Pierre asked.

"It's the only thing I can do." Karen said. "Maybe someday, humans can change. That's what Philemon is hoping for. What I'm hoping for." Daena appeared high above, draped in blue smoke. "It's better than throwing everything away, just so life can't hurt you anymore. Life can change, even if it takes generations!"

Daena held up her beloved mirror, a tool of vanity yet grace. She stared intently into it, and before long, hundreds of tears poured from her eyes. These were all dragged into the unknown vacuum inside the reflector. Then Daena turned around, and wiped away her tears. Now, she could smile in honesty.

"Tearful Reflection!"

Pierre watched, in morbid anticipation. Yet a sharp icicle hit him in the face. Soon, every tear that Daena had cried was being hurled out again, turned into sharp and murderous ice. They were not only lethal, they were frozen cold. Finally, the mirror had run dry, and Daena vanished.

"Karen, just...just wow." Richard uttered, completely amazed.

"You can count on me for the finishing touch." Karen said. However, Pierre was not finished...not just yet. The team gasped, in despair, as he arose.

"Even...all of that...wasn't enough!" He screamed, in agony. "Nothing can save you now. So you can burn in hell, like the rest of us! Maragidyne!"

"ARGH!" Karen screamed, faltering in the heart of the fire. "Oh, this is a nightmare..."

"Not like I'm having fun either, madamoiselle! I...I don't want this body! Or any body! I just wanted to die in peace. Even if everyone remembers me as a sociopathic murderer..."

"Pierre, I don't think you're -"

"Cruelle Couere!"

Karl was harshly interrupted by another sequence of miasma-filled rings of darkness. His muscled ached all over, and it felt like his body was going to tear apart from the agony.

"Still want to fight? Fine! Burn yourselves out! Only your ashes will be left here when all is said and done. This is the judgement for those who stand in the way of nothingness...Aesir's Demise!"

Karl gasped. He had seen this same technique before – Pierre's Personification. It had almost melted the Reflective Chronicle, on the same spot the stadium would be built. As Loki had done, Pierre laughed, sending out tiny embers of red hot fire. These were bearable, compared to the rest of his arsenal, but they grew in both magnitude and multitude. Eventually, there were thousands of them, and their heat radiated all over the area of Saragel. The entire room was aflame, burning away everything but the foundations of the foyer. A red blaze burned bright, obscuring the bodies that were to be cremated.

I can't see anything...it hurts...it hurts! Am I...on fire? Is this the end?

"Farewell, Karl Davenport. I may have little respect for sportsmen, but...you might as well be the exception."

|Garden of Forgotten Love|3:50 am|

"Ugh..." Amara groaned. "This is torture..."

"Tell me about it." Other Amara said. "It's not too late, though! We can stop this thing. Just believe!"

"You still insist on being strong-willed, so you can somehow kill me? It's a miracle you were able to last until now. All Persona users seem to have limitless willpower, no matter how weak their real power is in actuality. Disgusting."

"You really need a hobby, asshole." Amara said, angered. "Isis! Marakukaja!"

Her Persona raised everyone's defences, which was much appreciated. The Mummy's powerful offence was hard to bear, even the constant dance of the chains of purgatory.

"Agidyne!" Other Amara ordered. Nepthys, with more rage than ever before, sent forth the fire of the desert.

"Garudyne!" Ethan called out. Sraosha, a versatile Persona indeed, blew a gale at the Mummy, sending leftover petals flying far into the horizon. "Ashi, forgive me...this place should not have become a battleground."

"Why do you sound so tormented, Ethan?" The Mummy asked, coldly. "You know nothing of this woman. Ashi Kronos is but an ancestor, who was embraced by Death long before you were even an embryo. It's almost as she were your sister, and not Jahan's..."

"I know she's my ancestor. But..." Ethan said. "She's still family. And she must have spent so many days just planting and caring for all these flowers. Now they're only here because of memories. "

"Not knowing where you came from must have been hard." Alastair said. "But...those who came before you accomplished something wonderful. If it weren't for them, you wouldn't be here."

"...Obviously." The mummy replied.

"That isn't the point Alastair is trying to make." Seraphina said. "Ethan has a right to be here. He can carry on the wishes of both Ashi and Jahan. Surely, after all this time, they no longer desire vengeance. Their descendant got to see the home they grew up in. The garden, the roads, the houses...a place that is truly gone. They were forgotten by the world, but now the one that matters most remembers."

"Sophie..." Ethan said, surprised. "I...I'm not worthy of them..."

"You say that, but you stand and fight me? What an insult. Your resolve petered out far too soon..."

"Enough of your condescending." Alastair said sternly. "Filth like you could never comprehend the guidance of light. Therefore, you'll fall by my hand! Glorious Impact!"

He concentrated, with all his energy, and Michael Deus emerged from his soul. He held up his sword close to his chest, and it began to charge with immense holy power. The divine sword even grew twice in size.

Michael, invigorate more than ever, slashed the Mummy several times, each time with trails of pale blue light. Next, Michael hurled the sword into the air, and it aimed at the nefarious Shadow. With all its power, it fired an angelic ray of light, leaving nowhere for the Shadow to run.

"Wow..." Sophie said. "Reaching this level of strength is not easy, but I always knew you could do it." Using Sophia, she doubled up her Mind once more.

Amara gasped – flying right past her was the metal ring, slicing into the Mummy's unsightly body. Blood poured everywhere, and the ring vanished. Then, the ghost of Belial reappeared, to complete another Reaping Rondo.

"So, you are not content to await destruction? You have to struggle with all your might to stay alive? Very well. I shall thus deem you my equals! Omnia Mors Equat!"

Its laughter trembling throughout the empty streets of Amurdad, five spheres of light suddenly shot out from its mask. One entered Amara's body. As it did, it seemed to be siphoning away her health. It was like going from being well to a flu. Finally, it flew back into the Mummy's body, along with the four others.

"...Cretin!" Alastair shouted.

"That's the best insult you have?" Ethan asked, frowning.

"I'm not Blaine..." Alastair replied.

"There's only one of my kin to display. Persona!"

The red mist, for the last time, revealed a familiar face. The Heroic Rider, sans his bike. However, he still wielded his tremendous rifle. Sniggering, he pointed it at Sophie – and fired a Thunder Bullet. This, upon contacting her body, resulted in a Ziodyne. The Rider vanished, ending the medley of familiar faces.

"Ugh..." Sophie said, peaky. "I can't believe...he's cycled between all twelve, and we haven't won yet!"

"Your friends are probably on route...not that they'll be here in time."

"Oh they will, you bastard." Amara said. "They will!"

"Zandyne!" Alastair cried. A piercing blast struck the Mummy, but it seemed lacking this time.

"Megidolaon!" Sophie ordered. Charged up, this potent mental feat was much more effective – yet seemed to tire both the user and the victim. "Phew..."

"Seems...you're running on empty. Oh, well. Nemo Ante Mortem Beatus."

Nemo Ante Mortem Beatus? That sounds familiar. It means..."No one is happy before death." Oh – oh no!

"Sophie, get away!" Amara cried. She began to run to her friend's aid, but dark chains hit her, sending her into a pillar – shattering it. Other Amara was also flung, landing near the steps to the palace.

Sophie gasped. Surrounding her was a dark blue flame, and out of it came ghostly, emaciated limbs. Screaming, closing her eyes, they began to claw at her, as a giant skull appeared over her. The flames turned red, and soon...the ghouls were finished. Sophie fell to her knees, utterly weakened. Not a shred of energy was left in her. One hit, and she was a goner.

|Normal World – Nova Albion|3:00 am|

The upper class elite of Nova Albion were no better equipped to deal with this nightmare than any other citizen. Most of them were outside, watching the sky change rapidly. Occasionally, one would report seeing a 'monster', only for it to vanish in their eyes. Those who had gone to the perimeter found themselves unable to go beyond the vortex, created by an unknown phenomena.

"This is an outrage!" A middle aged man said. "Why aren't the police doing anything?"

"What could they possibly do?" A teenage boy said. "Arrest some aliens? Dream on!"

"Aliens?!" A hysterical lady said. "No! This can't be! My horoscope didn't mention this at all!"

"Where is he...?" A tall black haired man said, looking around. He tried calling, but his phone couldn't get either Wi-Fi or 3G.

"EEEK! Oh my god! I...I broke my iPhone!" A young lady said, staring at her hand in shock. "Why is this happening to me?"

"Everyone, listen up!"

The crowd turned around. Standing side-by-side were four resolute looking individuals. Alastair, Bianca, Kazuya and Richard.

"Who the heck are you?" The teenage boy said.

Emma Wakefield gasped. "Ally! It's you!" She practically swooned at the sight of her hero, the food critic she had dreamed of meeting.

"This entire city is in danger. I think we all can see that." Alastair said. "Many have gone missing, and most of us are struggling to cope. But you're all still here, aren't you?"

"Now is the time for us to stand together!" Bianca said. "We may not know what's going to happen. But the only thing we can do is support each other, in this crisis!"

"Yeah! If there really are aliens coming to abduct us, we've got to band together to kick their asses back to Mars, or Neptune, or Alpha Centauri!" Richard said.

"...That's a star." Kazuya said.

"They could be heat-resistant aliens." Richard said, defensively.

"Whatever. Everyone going mental won't help. We need to ask you to stay calm, and stay together. Find somewhere safe you can take shelter." Kazuya said.

"What about that freaky tornado thing? Or the sky?" The black haired man asked. "How are we going to get rid of that?"

"...We're working on that." Alastair said. The crowd stared in confusion, but no explanation came. The Holy Cross, however, seemed to know exactly what they meant. "Come on, get to it. Nova Albion will live to see another day if you work together!"

Slowly, the civilians began heading off, searching for friends, relatives, and anyone else they knew. Many offered their homes to those who were on their own. And to their relief, some policemen were around, offering to protect people in the station until this mess was over.

"Alastair, this was such a good idea." Bianca said.

"Yeah. I'm glad we didn't just sit around in your house having flashbacks." Richard said.

"We're not powerless. Even here, the Holy Cross can make a difference to the people." Kazuya said. "But our mission isn't over yet. We've got another neighbourhood to go to!"

"I'm worried about the hospitals..." Alastair said, concerned. "What can we do about them?"

"They've got electricity, for now, but if that runs out...no, we can't think about that. Just do what we can." Richard said. They walked down the road, heading towards Primrose Place.

From around a corner, someone peeked out, and saw them. Slowly, she started walking towards them, shakily. With everything she had seen tonight, she knew she couldn't be on her own right now.

Keisha Vivaldi began chasing after the Holy Cross.

|Stagnant Saragel – Hall of Heresy|3:16 am|

The scarlet bonfire continued to burn, and Pierre stood right in it. Normally, he would have been pleased to have finally vanquished his enemies. Alas, his goal was no more. His purpose was simply to gather power, only for the planet to be wiped out. And there would be no perfect world to replace it.

"Janus...if only one were to set you aflame...I could fade happily..."

"Leave that to us, then."

Pierre's eyes widened. Somewhere, deep within the burning wreckage, was a bright blue glow. Another appeared, then two more. This inferno had wounded them, but it had failed to burn away their spirits. Their demise was not to be, it seemed.

"How are you still alive?!" Pierre demanded. "That fire...it shouldn't have even left ashes left!"

"For that to have happened..." Karl said. "That fire would have had to be hotter than the one in my heart!"

"Do you realise how many Shadows we've beaten? How many hard battles we've been through? You should have realised something about us, baby." Richard said, happily. "We're indestructible!"

"It may be hard...but this heat still won't take me down...I won't let that happen! Not until I can honour Keisha's sacrifice!" Roger yelled.

"I'm not the type who gives up anymore." Karen said, angrily. "You can't expect this little bonfire to make me cave in."

"It's time to turn this hell into a real paradise!" Richard said. Raphael Vita shined bright, shrugging off the mighty flames. "We'll make our own eternal sanctuary, and deliver ourselves from peril!"

Raphael smiled confidently, and struck the scorched ground with his staff. The infernal area became bathed with his light, and the voices of an angelic choir boomed in all directions. Then the ground beneath them changed to a glorious garden, of pure greenery. The sky was a bright blue, with dazzling sunlight shining overhead. The flames had finally dispersed, as if they had never ignited.

"Yes...yes!" Karl cheered. All his pain had melted away. In fact, he felt stronger than ever. He could fight even a giant with these fists, he felt.

"This is it!" Roger cheered. "Apsu!" His Persona, no longer lethargic, began another Cosmic Waters. Pierre screeched, as the water sent him on top of a smouldering pile of wood.

"Daena!" Karen roared, her hair blowing behind her like a lion's mane. The Persona fetched more Black Ice, freezing Pierre to his core.

This is it. The final strike...Pierre's history! If I can do this, then even Janus can fall! Aimee, I'll be seeing you soon!

"Pierre...this battle has been the hardest I've ever seen. But also the best! I got to use all the strength my life can give...now I know what I'm really capable of. For you, my final strike!"

Aeneas held his mighty sword firmly in his two hands, and closed his eyes. His cape flapped loudly in the wind, and his tremendous sword radiated strong, warm power. Then his eyes opened, and the sword transformed into a magnificent blade of legend. He grapped Pierre, hurled him into the air, and chased after him. The ghost was now at the mercy of a medley of steel. Each slash sparked waves of light in the sky. Aeneas started preparing the finishing touch, while Pierre remained suspended in the sky.

"Go!" Richard cheered.

"Show him who's boss!" Roger yelled.

"You can do it!" Karen whooped.

"Symphony of Swords!" Karl hollered.

The final drive of his blade ended this onslaught. Pierre hurtled down to the floor, limp. No more energy was left in him, and his swords fell down, dissolving. Aeneas vanished, and Karl panted for breath.

"Now that's what I call a finale." Richard said, giving Karl a victory hug. Karl laughed, and hugged his friend back.

"Couldn't have done it without you guys..." Karl said, his heart pounding. "Pierre...he's finished, right? We don't need to rent another Obliterator, do we?"

"Hahaha...no, it's over..." Pierre croaked. He stood up, and all of his accoutrements disappeared. He was back to his human self, with short, stylish hair and a purple smart shirt. However, he was fading away, fainter by the second. "You...you were fabulous, Karl Davenport. And you three too. I...I was afraid I had to vanish alone..."

"Pierre..." Karen began saying. The town hall had come back, and the vortex was gone. All was normal, at least as normal as Ater Peractorum could get. "Is this goodbye?"

"Looks like it. Shame, and we were getting along so well." Pierre said, smirking. "You guys are something. Real Persona users sure kicked our butts this year...time and time again. You'd think we'd get the hint, but no. Heh."

"You pushed us to the limit, though." Roger said. "Everything you did to us just made us fight harder. In a weird way, I'm grateful."

"...I'll never get another chance for this." Pierre said. "Karl. My cousin...he had to move in with my family when he was young, because his father was an alcoholic and his mother was in jail. I wanted to help give him a normal life...let me show you that day he came to live with us. Me, and...my sister."

|March 27th 1988|Bordeaux, France - Leonard Chateau|15:00 pm|

The area had been replaced by a plush, mostly red living room. Plump cushions on black leather sofas and chairs, a finely tailored rug on top of hardwood floor, paintings with gold elaborate frames, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and to top it all off, expensive designer furniture. Sitting on a chair was a twelve year old boy, with a mop of red hair. Next to him was a girl of about fourteen, with hair of the same hue – down to her waist.

"Pierre...and his sister?" Karl asked.

"Yeah, must be. I never even knew he had family, other than his cousin." Richard said.

"Pierre..." the sister said gently. She then started speaking in French, in a soothing tone – but the words seemed to be translated in Karl's mind. "This isn't really a happy occasion. Jacques isn't coming to stay for a visit. This is a permanent arrangement."

"...But that's awesome! Jacques and I always get along!" The young Pierre said. "I know what happened with his dad is really awful, but -"

"You don't understand." The older sister said. "Jacques' father is an alcoholic. He's not fit to look after him anymore. His life has been turned upside down...you mustn't be upset if Jacques isn't happy here."

"Elaine, I..." Pierre said, but he trailed off. "I just want to cheer him up..."

"It'll take time, Pierre. These things do." Elaine said, warmly. "Oh. Here they come." Looking out the window, Karl saw a car pulling up in the huge driveway. Looking outside, this was a rather opulent neighbourhood. Flowers were everywhere, and the houses were fashionable and gleaming. The Mercedes Benz parked outside, and out came Pierre's parents – and a timid looking eleven year old blonde boy, holding a suitcase. Before long they were in the living room, all together.

"Um...hello, Jacques." Pierre said, waving. Jacques nodded, but bit his lip, staring at the floor.

"Welcome to our home, Jacques. We're having beef stroganoff tonight." Mrs Emilia Leonard said, hand on her nephew's shoulder. "Elaine, Pierre, could you show him to his room?"

"Yes, mother." Elaine said, getting off the sofa with her brother. The three children walked up to the third floor of the grand house, and into a guest room. There was a then-modern TV in the corner, along with various other decorations. Jacques opened his suitcase, which contained numerous items of clothing, toiletries, a tennis racket and a selection of Arsene Lupin novels.

"Um..." Jacques said, mumbling.

"Nice room, isn't it?" Elaine said, staring at the daffodils on the windowsill. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"Thanks..." Jacques said. "Last time I was here...it was Christmas, and everyone was having a lot of fun. I never thought I'd have to live here..."

Pierre was silent. He took out Jacques' school uniform, and hung it up in the wardrobe. Before long, all of Jacques' items were stored away, and the three of them stood still, unsure what to say.

"All done?" Mr Felipe Leonard asked, standing outside the door. "It'll be a while until dinner is ready. Maybe you can take Jacques to the back garden?"

"Yes, father." Elaine said. "Come on, Jacques. You'll love it." Before long, they were outdoors, standing on the patio of a huge residential garden. Lush grass, with a fetching paved path, numerous trees, and many daffodils around a small pond.

"You've got a wonderful home..." Jacques said.

"It is, isn't it?" Elaine said. "Once, a flock of ducks came here when there was a lot of rain, and Pierre fed them a whole loaf of bread."

"It was so cool!" Pierre said, happily. "But when the pond got shallow again, the ducks were gone, and mum got mad because she couldn't make French Toast..."

Jacques laughed a little, and walked around to the right. He noticed the barbecue, and smiled. "Oh! Can we have a barbecue sometime?"

"Well, it's still March..." Elaine said. "But, I could probably persuade mum and dad if I bring up my test results..."

"Great!" Pierre said. "It's been too long!" Jacques grinned, his mouth watering at the potential of barbecued meat. The three of them walked towards the large shed, which contained numerous gardening items – and Pierre's favourite blue and black soccer ball.

"Oh, wow!" Jacques said. "Is this new?"

"Christmas gift. Alongside the IBM PS/2 PC!" Pierre said, grinning. "Jacques, what do you wanna do? Play some ball, or try out some games?"

"...Both!" Jacques said, excitedly. He grabbed the ball, and Pierre ran out after him. Elaine smiled, watching the two boys practice their dribbling and shooting. It hadn't taken long at all for Jacques to feel at home – but this was only the first day of many.

"Jacques seemed such a nice boy..." Karen said.

"Looks like sporty, too. Could have made a great addition to your squad, Karl." Richard said.

"Jacques and I were always close, but after this day, we were more like brothers. And Elaine was the big sister to keep us from misbehaving. We were pretty rich, unlike his parents. I wonder if my folks still live here...?"

"Jacques looks really happy here...but everything went south, didn't it?" Karl asked.

"...Yes. Here, let me show you."

|19th November 1992|Leonard Chateau|16:40 pm|

Pierre and Elaine were sitting in the living room, now about four years older. Pierre looked more like his modern day self, and was wearing a navy uniform for a very expensive secondary school. Elaine wore the female's version of that same uniform.

"You look happy." Pierre said, looking up from his computer magazine. "Go on, then. Who are you going out to the Christmas Dance with?"

"Logan!" Elaine said, excitedly. "Only the most handsome man to ever grace our school. And one of the smartest too! He asked me out in the most adorable manner, actually. He sent me a love poem in an e-mail!"

"He probably copy and pasted it." Pierre said. "Well, if he's more computer literate than your previous beaus, he gets my seal of approval."

"Thank you, Pierre. And who are you taking?" Elaine asked, grinning. "Dorothy? Catherine? Xianglian?"

"I don't know yet. I have to weigh the options carefully. Like when it comes to joysticks for my computer." Pierre said. "Blondes like Dorothy have more fun, but Catherine has a lot more wit...and Xianglian has rather nice -"

Suddenly, the front door swung open. In came Jacques, now fifteen. However, his innocent face was bruised and beaten, with a black eye. Elaine and Pierre, in shock, got up to see their shaken cousin.

"Jacques! What happened?!" Elaine asked, dismayed. She took him into the living room, and sat him down. "...Not those boys again!"

"Y-Yeah..." Jacques said. "They said...a queer like me shouldn't sing La Marseillaise..."

"What?!" Pierre shouted, outraged. "That's it! I'm going to beat their fucking heads in!"

"No, Pierre!" Elaine said. "You can't stoop to their level! They're nothing but lowlife thugs. You and I are better than that!"

"But they're not going to stop, even if we ignore them!" Pierre protested. "Elaine, we've got to do something!"

"I know, but what?" Elaine said. "Jacques, I'm sorry...this shouldn't have to happen in this country."

"It doesn't matter where we go, Elaine...it's like this everywhere! Once everyone found out...all my friends sit away from me! They talk about me behind my back, and people steal my things, break them..." Jacques wailed, sobbing. "I can't take this anymore..."

"Jacques..." Pierre said. "Leave it to us. We'll think of something."

"You will?" Jacques asked.

"Hey, we're family." Pierre said, earnestly. "I'll make those fuckers learn not to mess with us."

"No violence..." Elaine said, frowning. "I don't want anyone here getting expelled. Or hurt..."

"Okay, I get it." Pierre said. "Let's go do something about those bruises, then. Then the three of us will go out to the cinema. How does that sound?"

"And we can grab some hot chocolate afterwards, my treat." Elaine said, happily.

"Best news I've heard all day..." Jacques said, smiling tearfully. "Thanks, both of you."

Karl was silent. He knew that this brief calm would be over shortly. This situation would repeat itself, over and over again, until one day, Jacques would reach breaking point.

It never ended. The bullies never let up. No one wanted to be his friend – mostly out of fear they'd get beaten up, too. Me and Elaine did the best we could, but...it wasn't enough. Jacques would cry himself to sleep every night. His school couldn't do anything...and neither could our parents. Finally, he got his hands on a gun, and...

"No..." Richard said, saddened.

"Yes." Karl said. "Pierre told me before. Jacques wasn't able to stand the abuse...I doubt I could, either. When the world has it in for you because you're not like everybody else...its hard to stay strong and rise above it."

Jacques ran into his room, locked the door, and held the gun to his head. I was banging on that door, begging him to let me in. He just sat there, crying...and then he sounded happy. It must have been because he found the answer to his prayers. The way to escape everything. I barged down the door the second my sister got home, and...he pulled the trigger.

"...That's so horrible..." Karen said, melancholic.

Everything went to hell after that. My sister blamed me for not stopping him...she was really fond of Jacques, you know. He was like her own brother. And I was the only one who could have possibly stopped him. I...I couldn't handle that. We were never going to be the same. I couldn't stay there anymore...so I went to New Motus City to study computer science. I never spoke to any of my family ever again...

"...That means your sister doesn't even know what happened to you?" Karl asked.

Pathetic, I know. But in my eyes, my sister had betrayed me. There was no way I could stay in the same house as her. The years went by, as I finished my degree and did some part-time employment contracts. Then one day, this guy I met at a party got me the job of a lifetime...

|June 11th 1999|New Motus City – Saragel - Locomotion|9:30 am|

"Argh! My ears!" Karen groaned.

The sounds of hip-hop remixes could be heard vibrating throughout the halls of the Locomotion club. It had shut down in 2009, to be replaced by Skadi, but during its heyday this club was one of the hottest around. In fact, several celebrities had been spotted here. Pierre, dressed in his best red shirt, was sitting at a big table with a bunch of trendy looking friends, some with piercings and dyed hair.

"Looks pretty 90's to me..." Roger mused. The club had lots of train-related décor, including a dance floor that was equipped with screens to make it look like it was hurtling down a 'party tunnel'. The expenses of the club played a role in its eventual closure. Karl was tempted to wander over and dance, but stayed to watch Pierre and his friends.

"Wait. Look!" Richard said, pointing to someone sitting next to Pierre. It was none other than Carlos. "What's he doing here?"

Mutual friends. A friend of mine was having a party, and she used to go out with him. Carlos...the greatest man I ever knew. He taught me one thing – tequila is awesome if drunk correctly, but when not...

"My eyes!" Pierre whined. The other clubbers laughed out loud.

"Yeah, the lime isn't optional..." Carlos said, trying his best not to join in. Alas, he gave in, and their laughter dominated over a club remix of a Madonna song.

"Ugh..." Pierre said, rubbing his eyes. "It's worse then firewater!"

"Oh! Let's get some of that!" A female blue-haired Swedish punk said, chugging down a margarita. "They do have that here, right?"

"Maybe in Majorca, but not here. Sorry, Dana." Carlos said. "Hey, the 'party train' could use some passengers. Who's ready?"

"Me me me!" Dana said, giggling. Karl sighed – he had been out with a girl like this. A bit dim, but she was too happy to care. "Hey Pierre, you Frenchmen know any cool dance moves?"

"Know them?" Pierre said, arrogantly. "We taught them to the world! Just watch, ladies!"

The group of fifteen got up to the dance floor, shoving some tipsy patrons out of the way, and soon the club was full of life. Pierre moved in perfect timing to the beat, even if his moves were rather flamboyant. Karen watched, mesmerized, as he did the splits.

"...I'm jealous." Roger said. "Why couldn't I do that?"

"Oh, you don't have to act like a fool to impress me." Karen said, giggling. Richard and Karl, influenced by the catchy beat of Believe by Cher, were dancing away, strutting their stuff – even if their 'fellow' dancers couldn't see them.

"Never has a point been so perfectly illustrated." Roger said.

Eventually, it was time for the gang to leave. Pierre left with Carlos, arms around each other, laughing and singing incoherently.

"Damn, you were on fire!" Carlos said. "Not even in Ibiza did I see anyone with moves as smooth as yours!"

"Are you kidding? France is THE home of dance! Although I never quite learned how to can-can!" Pierre said. "You think I could fit in one of those corset dresses?"

"You and no one else, amigo!" Carlos said, chuckling heartily. "Pierre, right? What are you doing when you're not putting all the clubs to shame?"

"Oh, talking work already? Well, I was doing a three month placement for an online store, but they're all a bunch of losers. They'll go bust just a little later than they would have without me. I need a company that knows what they're doing...someone that needs a computer...thingy guy."

"Computer thing guy? Hey, I'm one too!" Carlos said, grinning. "I'm with Aeternus. You know, connecting you...eternally! I think that's the motto, anyway. They're doing all sorts of cool stuff with the internet. And old man Archibald's trying to get more people, too."

"Oh yeah? I might have to look into that..." Pierre said.

"Hey. I'll put a good word in. Can't let a man of your talents slip away!" Carlos said. "And that's a promise. You're going to fit in just fine!"

"Really? Then...c'est manifique!" Pierre said, excitedly. "I'm gonna head home, but I'll probably be seeing you in your office Monday! Au revoir!"

"Adios!" Carlos said, waving, as he went off with Dana. Pierre, exhilarated, went away with a Polish lady called Kinga.

"So that's how Pierre got into Aeternus..." Richard said.

"Pierre...thank you for showing us these memories. Now, I can see you for what you really are...a victim." Karen said.

|Stagnant Saragel – Hall of Heresy|3:28 am|

"Victim...?" Pierre said. "Of Janus? I...guess you can say that. But when you look at what I did, without much prompting..."

"We're not forgetting that. Kyle will always know you as his mother's killer." Roger said. "Even so, you aren't some irredeemable monster. Neither of you really were. It was easier to hate you, and call you our enemies...so we could take out our frustrations on you."

"I see." Pierre said, amazed. "It's weird. Now that I'm dying...I feel more free than I ever have. There's only one thing left that I can't do..."

"Then leave it with us." Karl said, earnestly. "We'll beat Janus. This city might be in chaos for a while, but it'll be a lot better than having Shadows in the streets."

"...Good to hear." Pierre said, happily. "But that isn't it. I never did get in touch with my family after I left. I never even told them I was coming here. Karl, I...no. I can't ask you to do this. What rights does someone like me have?"

"Pierre..." Richard said. "Just say the word. We'll get the message to your family. That's a promise."

"Really?" Pierre asked. "My sister...Elaine Labelle Leonard. I don't know if she married or not. She was hoping to become a doctor...If you can find her, tell her this. I'm sorry I left."

"Alright. We'll do that." Karl said, holding out his hand. "Pierre, wherever you go...I wish you well."

"I'm not worried about that. I'll get to see Jacques again. I'll have a lot to talk to him about...including you." Pierre said. With that, his body was completely gone. But one thing was left behind – his earring. Karl picked it up, and stared at it. He put it away, as a memento.

"Well, we've got our work cut out for us. Finding his sister's not going to be easy." Richard said. "But at least it gives me an excuse to learn French!"

"You might end up eating frog's legs, you know..." Karen said, shuddering. "That's that, then. Pierre Leonard, of the Ater Vox – gone forever."

"Yeah. They all gave us a lot of headaches, but I'll miss them. They could have been our comrades, had things turned out differently." Roger said.

"I never used to like them, but...they're the ones that brought the Holy Cross together." Richard said. "I'll always be grateful to them for that. But we can't sit here getting all nostalgic, can we?"

"Nope." Karl said, staring out the front doorway. "We've got somewhere to be. Let's head out, everybody. This city's not saved yet!"

With the conflict resolved, they left Saragel, and the area became one of silence. This encounter would always be part of Karl's memory – as proof that even enemies can reach an understanding.

|Ashen Amurdad – Garden of Forgotten Love|4:00 am|

"No..." Alastair said. "Sophie, I'm sorry..."

"I thought I could win...like how I did against that angel! I, I just did the best I could with Sophia..."

"You should have realised just how far ahead I am. Well...no sense in dragging this out -"

"Answer me one question!" Ethan demanded. "Do you really have no purpose in your existence but to end it?"

"I thought I made myself clear. All Shadows come from a world that cannot touch the human world, yet is affected by it by every single action mankind takes. You are not the only fools to have crossed swords with us. Two groups like yours in recent years have braved places full of Shadows, and claimed victory over their nemesis."

"Two...groups?" Alastair asked. "Philemon mentioned something like this..."

"Philemon has lived since humans developed culture and enlightenment. Mankind is not satiated by basic survival. They need entertainment, politics, and religion to give meaning to being alive. After all, why exist purely for the sake of existing? Therefore, as long as humans try to define their lives with a deeper meaning, Shadows and Personas will never fade. It does not matter where the conflict happens. You have been to another city, Amara, where Shadows have appeared."

Another city? What's he talking about? Cairo? Glasswater? Now that I mention it, I did feel something familiar about that boy Noah...

"If you prevailed against us, then we would never vanish. We would languish, sure, and be unable to affect this world – for a long time. But human feelings would bring us back here, again and again. Do you wish to live in fear? Knowing that in the future, you or your descendants will be trapped in this conflict?"

"I..." Amara stammered. "I...I don't want the world to end -"

"Humans are never satisfied. Nihane Kronos, had he accomplished the goal Janus presented to him, would have grown bored of his new Amurdad. Just as you doubtless will, if you manage to sell your primitive paintings. In the end, you'll come up with more dreams to chase, and so will your children, and their children. Would it not be so much kinder to yourselves to let it all slip away?"

"Enough!" Ethan said. "I don't know what my future holds anymore, but I won't let you talk me into allowing genocide!"

"Right." Other Amara said. "You're my other self. You won't listen to him, right? You're not empty. Every day, your heart burns with so much passion you just have to put it to paper, so the whole world can see it!"

"I know." Amara said, shaking her head. "Humanity still has a lot of potential left! And I can't...no, I won't let you take it from us! I will see everyone else again, alive! Isis!"

"Nepthys!"

The two fiery goddesses, one and the same, faced each other and joined both hands. Their prayers were unified, their hearts were in perfect harmony. For there was one wish they yearned for more than any other. Simply to live, to see what tomorrow would bring. And the one after that, and so on – until everything had been achieved.

From their deepest desires came their strongest flames, forming a gigantic ring of fire. These flames eventually became a giant cone of supreme heat, trapping the Mummy within its walls.

We shall share our light and darkness. We understand what it takes to end combat. We join each other, on the path of sadness or the sun! This time, we will reclaim our lost joy together!

Right then and there, the cone flew off into the sky, and flipped upside down. Sitting on the base was a giant throne, fit for two. Isis and Nepthys flew to it, and sat by each other. Using their rods, they aimed down at their trapped target, with indignant glares.

"Throne of Flames!"

Little by little, the cone broke apart. Flames rained down on the Shadow, scorching every inch of its disgusting form. Finally, the flames had done their job – yet the throne dispersed into even more fire. The Mummy lay on the ground, as fire ravaged its form.

"I...I think we did it." Amara said. She feel to her knees, utterly exhausted.

"Me too..." Other Amara replied. "Dad...Tomas...you don't have to help us anymore. We can carry on now."

"You will always be my daughter, Amara. Never forget it. Just as you carry your mother's memento over your heart, I will be there too."

"Dad..." Amara said, smiling. "Thank you."

"It looks like it's finally over." Ethan said. "As weird as this is...I can't quite bring myself to hate those Shadows. They only wanted to have a reason to exist. Just like me."

"Like you?" Alastair asked.

"I was an orphan. I didn't know who my real family were. Without any heritage, I felt like I had just come out of nowhere. I didn't have a clue what to do with myself." Ethan said. "I kept asking myself, 'Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? Will anyone care what I do?' Just like those Shadows. They were born, but their lives were empty."

"Ethan..." Amara said. "You're not like them. You found a purpose, didn't you? Your friends in Aeternus!"

"Yes...but look what became of them." Ethan said, tearfully. "Now, my only purpose is to vanquish Janus. Once that is done, I will be just like those Shadows again – wandering aimlessly."

"Don't talk shit!" Other Amara said. "You can't just go on about how meaningless your life is! Not after what we just did!"

"...What?" Ethan asked.

"We faced Death, head on! If your life meant that little to you, you would never have fought so hard!" Alastair said.

"I...That was so we could fight Janus -"

"Ethan..." Sophie said, weakly. "All of us are fighting tonight for our future. If that meant nothing at all, you would have fallen in that battle."

"She's right!" Amara said. "Ethan, you might not know what you'll do – but there's still so much for you to accomplish! Deep down, you must realise that...you want time to realise your dreams!"

"I..." Ethan said, eyes wet with tears. "My dreams...I don't even know what those are anymore..."

"And that's why you can't just give up." Amara said. "You can find new dreams someday. Even if they're taken away from you, dreams can come again..."

"It's alright..." Ethan said, shaking his head. "I'll...deal with my life when we finish this. Your friends will be here really soon, you know. Let's let them see that we're alright."

Suddenly, the ground started to shake. The group gasped, and turned around. Cracks were starting to appear all over the paths of the garden, and there were sounds of humans screaming in despair.

"How fortunate that you humans can dream. We, Shadows you unknowingly birthed, cannot do even that."

The Liberated Mummy's blackened, ash-covered body lifted from the ground. Its limbs were limp, not even moving – still attached to their body, but without any strength left to tense a single muscle. Red and black sparks were flowing all over the body, and an unholy aura of the same colours emanated all around the area. Now, all Amara could see was her and her comrades, standing before the Mummy.

The screams got louder, as a dark mist surrounded the five Persona users' bodies. It bound their arms and legs, preventing their escape. Before them, the Mummy crafted five coffins – made from flesh and bone. Amara could even make out eyeballs, teeth and organs in them. She tried to scream, but no sound came out of her mouth.

"Janus...I have no more strength to give...but at least I will have taken these lives in your name. I thank you for all your guidance...farewell. Memento Mori."

NO! PLEASE, NO! DON'T LET ME DIE! DAD! TOMAS! BLAINE! SERENA! NATHAN! KARL! ZAO!

The coffins, as made by a madman, flew closer to Amara and her allies. The indescribable stench filled her nose, and the urge to vomit rose – but she could do nothing but watch. Then, the lid opened. Now, Amara could scream. For what she was looking at was a corpse unlike any other. Her own.

The corpse opened its eyes, and laughed. Then, all went black, and Amara felt a large impact. Nothing seemed to exist anymore. Not those horrid tombs, not the Liberated Mummy, not her friends. Not even herself.

This is it. Goodbye, everyone.