AN: Sorry it took so long to put this one out. Hope you enjoy it, regardless! 105 won't take so long, I'm quite sure of that, but you never know. Hehe. Anyway, Cosmic Waters (Roger's skill) is now Fjord Tempest, since...I like that more. And he's a Shakespeare buff. Read, review, and favourite!
Chapter 104: Soulless Singularity
|?|
At no point did Amara's feet touch any solid ground. She just continued to fall, without seeing anything below her. Exactly where she was she couldn't tell...but normality had completely unattached itself to the fabric of reality.
This thing did this? But how?
So this was the true face of the Void Masquerade. A Shadow that had eluded the mighty Trauma Shadows, and risen above even their power. And here it was, in an attempt to conjure up its own body. Beneath its skin, one could see pulsating parts of the other Shadows clicking into place, forming a makeshift skeleton and organs.
"Who are you?!" Ethan demanded. "You're one of the Trauma Shadows, aren't you? Tell me the truth!"
Correct. Now is the time I can stop hiding myself. You see, I initially appeared in your world simply to give you a starting point for your Shadow Energy research. Then you all forgot about me, until you embarked on other projects. Indeed, the Ater Vox crafted other Shadows from my body...or rather, other avatars I could pass my will into.
"So all of the Blank Maya...and the Doppelgänger...that was all you?" Aimee asked.
The power of the Fool is absolute zero. Yet from that zero means infinite potential. One does not have to settle upon a defined personality, as did my 'family', but they can continuously develop. That is why I was the only one never to take form, remaining in the primordial 'Maya' form all Shadows are born from. Throughout my own research, via the Blank Maya, Doppelgänger, and what you have just witnessed, I have grasped one fundamental truth. Humans have infinite potential in their lives. Thus, that is the form I should take...
"Whoa, weirdo, you've lost me." Matthew said. "How the hell did you go back in time? We went back to last year!"
The powers of Shadows can alter time and space, if properly used. Indeed, a famous company in the land of the rising sun attempted this for their own devices, but the results were catastrophic. We are beyond ordinary science – we are capable of anything you imagine. Yet you should know this - our group created teleportation devices, and via those one can cross into alternate worlds. Indeed, I have the energy contained within me that can make anything happen. All I needed to do was play up to your preconception of me being a sitting duck, and unleash the gargantuan energy required to take both worlds back in time...
"Not even the Mummy could do that..." Amara said.
Of course it couldn't. It only knew how to end lives. Not a difficult task. I wear this 'human' guise now, so I can become one myself. The ultimate being of endless potential, like all of you are! For a Shadow to become human is not unprecedented! I sensed such an incident long ago, but I never knew how it came to pass! This, though, shall be close enough!
"Perhaps your determination is admirable. Yet Janus is dead." Ethan said. "You've got nothing left to fight for. If you intend to strike out on your own, then we'll put a stop to you!"
"How are we gonna do that? We've got a leg to stand on, sure, but nowhere to put it!" Lucy snapped.
As she said this, however, everyone 'landed' on the solid black space below them. Amara realised then that they had been arranged into three groups of eight, with Ethan all by himself. When their feet touched the 'surface', four glowing red circles appeared, each bearing the Aeternus emblem in the centres.
"What?" Amara said. She tried to run towards another circle, but she was flying back. She saw a red rippling effect – a forcefield. "You can't be serious!"
"Ethan!" Aimee said. "I...I can't get to you from here! Sophie, will my healing spells still be able to reach him?"
"...No. The barriers block all contact, even my telepathy..." Sophie said, grimly shaking her head. "The only certainty I have is that we are in a dire situation."
The Masquerade, however, had permission to move between the circles. He went to the south one first, where both versions of Amara, Nathan, Serena and Blaine were gathered.
"I...I wish I could help, but..." Ethan said, defeated. "Please, you must not lose! We're still going to get you back home!"
I have nothing to fight for now...but nothing can always become something. That is the crux of my existence. Once I am the last human left, then Janus can finally accomplish our goal.
"Last human...?" Ethan said. "W-What do you mean by that!?"
I have grown tired of rabbiting exposition at you, Walters. Nihane Kronos was a pathetic tool for Janus, but even he was more impressive than you. Yet each of you have shown me your powers, the same ones I now know are the strongest this island has to offer!
The body of the Masquerade became shrouded in red air, and out of this air came a familiar Persona. A negative coloured Isis – Amara knew right away what to expect. This Shadow was the origin of the Blank Maya and the Doppelgänger, meaning only one thing.
Her own attacks would be used against her.
True to her intuition, he cast down a mighty Tefnut's Raze, burning around her and those closeby. Angry, she struck the Shadow with her sword – only for it to block with one of its own.
"So you're copying our weapons too?" Amara said. "Then take this! Force Sabre!"
The genuine Isis powerfully slashed, leaving a bright trail that lasted for a few seconds. The Masquerade was sent far back by the force, closer to the other Amara.
"Your new body's gonna burn up nicely!" Other Amara said. "Flare Bomber!"
Nepthys, a fiery sort, planted the explosive onto the Masquerade's body. The Shadow, however, did not seem to mind its imminent explosion. Rather, it leaped at her, swinging its sword in motions like Amara herself. She, however, was able to dodge these attacks, familiar with her own fighting style. Blocking, she struck back, until something else hit the Shadow – breaking its guard.
"Whoa! Thanks." Other Amara said. Both Blaines, back to back, aimed their guns. A fierce volley of bullets struck them, as Cu Chulainn appeared.
"Why must I endure your kind still...?" Nathan said, in despair. "Gae Bolg!" Infused with the winds of courage, the mighty titular spear was driven through the Masquerade's body.
Although in pain, the murky Shadow did not make a sound. Instead, it called upon it's own form of the Celtic hero. Channelling the wind, he called down a Mór Gaoth. A hurricane, with turbulence unlike any natural storm, slashed through half of the arena.
"Shit! Serena, you okay?" Blaine said.
"Y...Yeah..." Serena said, wincing.
"You coward. Stealing our abilities does not make you anything but a thief." Other Nathan said. "Your human life ends here and now! Brave Storm!"
A lurid green and yellow hurricane engulfed the battlefield, causing much of the forcefield around it to flash red. The Masquerade collapsed to the ground in a heap, twitching in agony.
"Let's get him!" Other Serena said, glancing briefly at her counterpart. Immediately, she went after the Shadow, whip at the ready. Serena quickly caught up, and her own weapon quickly entered the same tempo. Loud cracks echoed throughout this empty dark space, followed by yet more bullets.
Finally, the Masquerade got up, bashing away the whips with what seemed to be a long rod – like Nathan's. He span it with exactly the same finesse, even finishing off with the same thrust – hitting Serena back hard.
"Ow!" Serena said. "That hurt, you...jerk!"
"That's the word you're going with?" Blaine asked, dumbfounded.
"I don't like cursing, okay?" Serena said. "I just can't rattle off cusses like you can!"
"Fine, then I'll do it for you. Go drown that motherfucker." Blaine said, with a sinister glint in his eye.
"You heard him, Selene! Moonstone Wave!"
A sparkling white wave, from an seemingly invisible sea, crashed onto the Masquerade. Its potent energies surged in its wake. The Nullity Masquerade, while no longer verbose, clearly wasn't done. Its weapon, now a gun, fired bullets at Serena and her other self.
"Every single movement it makes is plagiarised from ourselves." Nathan asked.
"A Shadow and an art thief at the same time...I might just hate this one the most." Amara said, grinding her teeth.
"They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery..." Other Nathan said.
"More like the biggest insult I've ever seen..." Other Blaine said. "This is how you do it, bitch!" He fired rapidly at the Shadow, bullets piercing through the 'flesh' and 'bone'.
"I think you'll need more firepower than that. May I?" Other Serena asked, summoning her Selene.
"Packin' some heat, are ya?" Other Blaine asked. "Go on, then, let loose!"
"Lunar Scope!" Other Serena commanded. Selene's sacred bow fired down lunar arrows, piercing through the Masquerade and flashing at the same time.
"Now that's a bullseye!" Blaine said, in awe. Alas, the Shadow did not quit. Its disturbing body was not going to be destroyed so soon. It slashed the other Serena with a sword, and beckoned an inverted Selene – which in turn summoned a Tranquil Sea.
"Ugh..." Amara said, as the water hit her hard. She tried to stab the Masquerade, but a bullet hit her in the shoulder. "OW!"
"A-Amara!" Nathan said.
"Calm down! It's not a fatal wound!" Other Amara said.
"I know that! I just...I just didn't think it'd still hurt this much..." Amara said.
"Right, that's it. A piece of shit like you needs some real pain." Blaine said, cracking his knuckles, as Quetzalcoatl manifested. "Punishment!"
Through many revolutions, the mighty god's hammer built up intense strength. Finally, the hammer was thrown, seemingly crushing the Shadow. If there was any actual ground to shake, there probably would have been several big tremors. Yet here, there was nothing, just the vague sensation of standing on something.
"You still want more? Keep this up, and I'll end up rippin' that mask clean off ya!" Other Blaine said, reloading. Quickly, he fired his gun, and summoned his Persona at the same time. Changing weapons to Serena's whip, the Shadowy adversary darted at him, only to be interrupted by a massive electrified hammer blow to the head. Torment was not someone one could overcome so easily, it seemed.
The Doppelgänger stood up, its malignant energies swirling around it and creating a negative Quetzalcoatl. Immediately, the Shadow brought about a Stormy Ascent, shocking the entire team.
"Ah!" Nathan yelped. Serena screamed, brought to her knees from the electrocution. Her other self was in equal distress, shaking, trying to bear the the shock.
"Dammit..." Other Blaine said. "This thing thinks its human? More like a fucking monster!"
"Now!" Amara said, looking to her other self. She nodded in response, and via Nepthys, began the detonation. The explosion scattered burning embers all over the circle, and cracks appeared in the forcefield. Eventually, these cracks grew so large, so tremendous, that they broke the barrier down into dissolving 'glass' pieces.
Not bad...you've certainly managed to educate me on this sensation called 'pain'. Unpleasant, yes, but this is what it means to be human. Now then, you can recuperate here while I test another batch of your friends. Don't think you can interfere...
Laughing, the Shadow disappeared, and the red circle grew dim. The Nullity Masquerade was starting to live up to its boasting – it may not have its own power, but it could expertly command those of others.
Amara just wanted to be out of this mess, to be back home. Everything should have been so simple...
|Second Quadrant|
Sophie gasped. Right before her was the Shadow that had caused this mess, and now it was her turn to face him down. She backed away, grimacing at the sight of it. This creature had limitless energy, it seemed. After all, it had become the greatest Shadow out of its pantheon.
"You fiend..." Alastair said. "How much longer do you wish to prolong this?"
"This will only end with its death..." Bianca said.
"Fine with me. This thing doesn't deserve to call itself human." Kazuya said, brandishing his daggers. "Let's go, Uriel! Itami!"
A diamond-shaped flash of dark purple, green and black air forced itself onto the Masquerade, dulling its lustre. All of its attributes had been lowered significantly, and it seemed to be carrying poison in its bloodstream.
"Eat-a-me?" Dan said, confused. "Why's it called that? No one got eaten!"
"Dan, mate, Itami is Japanese for 'pain'." Richard said, sniggering.
"Ah, shaddup." Dan said, frowning.
Despite the Masquerade's sluggish state, it still could wield a Persona. And thus, Uriel Prime – in a reversed form – appeared, to blight Kyle with Inspiration. Divine thunder struck him, causing him to slump forward.
"Shit!" Dan said. While he ran to check on the boy, however, a spear was thrust at him. Richard's – in the hands of the Masquerade. However, before it could pierce Dan's body, someone else stabbed it – Richard himself.
"Backstabber, meet backstabber." Richard said. "There's more where that came from! Swift Swallow!" Brimming with energy, he called out Raphael Prime. Who promptly flipped the bird at the Masquerade, all too literally. The Shadow was thrown near Kyle – who did not waste the opportunity. Before long, his sword was slicing through its makeshift body, as were Bianca's rapier and Alastair's broadsword. Shots from Dan's rifle made rather large holes, yet did not seem to strike any vitals.
"Sophie, have you tried scanning it yet?" Priscilla asked.
"Hold on." Sophie said, performing her Maestro Analysis. "...Unbelievable. I detect energies from all of us in there. Even myself. My own thoughts...of destruction and hate."
"...Of course. That's why it had all of us fight it when it was taking the bodies of other Shadows." Kyle said. "It wanted to witness our will to destroy it, and learn from us."
"As it stands...it can only use one of our abilities each. Yet with how large our cast of characters is, that adds up to over twenty abilities. ...Hmm?" Sophie said, confused. "I...There's something there I cannot identify..."
"What do you mean?" Alastair said. "Are you detecting the Masquerade's own energy?"
"No..." Sophie said. "Its own energy is quite minimal. Its only ability is total emulation of other souls. Yet I felt a soul in there that I do not know..."
"Never mind that! Watch out!" Bianca said, bracing herself. Sophie gasped – before she could react, she was swept away by an Ultraviolet Whirlwind. And the culprit was a reverse Raphael, a fallen angel if there ever was one.
"Nrgh..." Sophie, in deep pain, slowly got back to her feet. However, she was immediately hit by a loud burst – one akin to Dan's rifle. "ARGH!"
"Back off, you miserable failure!" Alastair yelled. Quickly, he called upon Michael Deus, whose sacred wings flapped with a luminous brilliance. Their razor sharp feathers made their marks, cutting deep into the Masquerade's false flesh.
"Are you alright, Sophie?" Priscilla asked.
"You've finally gotten used to calling me by my real name..." Sophie said, clutching her shoulder.
"I've had six months to work on that, you know." Priscilla said, smiling. "Sophie...it's a nice name. So was Seraphina, of course. Either name you want to use, I'll remember it."
Alastair clashed swords with the shadowed nemesis, sparks flying everywhere. The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed infinitely – there was nothing around except four red 'arenas'. However, the Masquerade's blade broke through Alastair's guard, hitting him hard.
"Ally!" Richard cried.
"No!" Bianca bemoaned.
Silently laughing, the Masquerade conjured up a false Michael – who delivered upon Bianca the penance of a Saintly Step.
"Oh, crap!" Kazuya said. "Bianca! Alastair! Are you two alright?!"
"It's nothing...I was too careless." Alastair said, almost ashamed.
"I...I'm still used to this kind of pain..." Bianca said, in dismay. "I was looking forward to the day it'd be a distant memory..."
"It will be, missy!" Dan said, lifting up his rifle. Fiercely, he aimed it right at the Masquerade's heart. "We're gonna get home, all of us. Mictlan, show that bastard some...eat amy?"
"Itami!" Kazuya said, slapping his forehead in frustration.
"Alright, Kazoo, I got it." Dan said.
"...Kazoo?" Kyle questioned.
"Soul Harvest!" Dan roared, raising his fist high in the air – as if that was the cue for Mictlan to follow. As expected, the Persona gleefully brandished his scythe, and drained the Masquerade of much of its energy.
"Savage as always, my man." Kyle said.
"Hey, you're one helluva beast too." Dan said, smirking. "Show 'em what you got!"
"Vulcanus, come forth! Volcanic Divide!" Kyle bellowed. The fiery Persona had once used this infernal strike of the sword against none other than Janus. This opponent was proving to be challenging, but it was still very vulnerable to the heat. Dan and Kyle high fived each other, impressed with the results.
"YEAH!" They cheered.
"Trust the boys to get excited..." Bianca said.
Priscilla laughed, smiling. While the two of them together could be rather loud and boisterous, she had to admit it was fun to watch them. Even when she caught them playing some of Kyle's games, like Call of Duty, with Blaine & Matthew as well.
The Masquerade, however, was not willing to forgive this dire assault on its newly forged body. As macabre as it was, it was the apex of power – or so the Shadow believed. Pulling out what looked like Bianca's rapier, it jabbed Kyle and Dan quickly, with rather dainty and elegant spins and kicks thrown in.
"No!" Bianca shouted. She ran forward, striking at the Shadow – but before she could get at it, it summoned forth what appeared to be an inverted Mictlan. This 'Persona' was preparing to usher in the forces of Xibalba. Normally, this technique brought total darkness to the area, and turned any visible features blood red – but here, that would not have made any difference. Thus, the scarlet waves of energy cut through the eight Persona users immediately, and the final wave was the brightest one.
"Argh..." Kyle said, in agony. "My...back..."
"We have to send this Shadow to its grave!" Sophie said, forcefully.
"And will that fix everything?" Alastair asked, wearily.
"I...cannot say for sure. Yet if the Nullity Masquerade is the perpetrator, destroying it should undo this chaos." Sophie said.
Alas, its anarchy persisted, resulting in a negative Vulcanus. It brought forth a grand fortress wall, which flew forward – crashing into Kazuya.
"Oh shit! Kazoo, you okay?!" Richard asked.
"...You're not going to stop calling me that, are you?" Kazuya asked.
"Nothing wrong with a pet name..." Richard said. "Look, forget that, lemme heal you all!" Healing everybody at once was exhausting, but he managed to subdue their pain.
Bianca was crossing swords with the Masquerade now, as if they were in a very fierce fencing duel. To be fighting against somehow who could mimic the exact way she held her sword, right down to the way she put her thumb on top of her fingers, was eerie. It was a sensation she could not tolerate. In her anger, she aimed below the belt.
"Every rose has its thorns!" Bianca said. "...Now you're making me spout clichés! You piece of pond life, take THIS! ARGH!" She stabbed the Masquerade right in the heart, in the invisible middle line that separated male and female halves. "Hear me, Gabriel Praeco! Water Lily!"
A pink and orange flower blossomed, and grew to a grand size. Once it began to spin, each petal fired out fierce gushing water. The Masquerade crashed into the invisible wall, leaving him open for some brutal assaults – and a shot to the head from Dan.
"Alright! Got him!" Dan said. "You're shit out of luck, buddy!" In the other circles, Sophie noticed the others cheering them on. Their hope was that the Masquerade would be dealt with this time around, and thus normality could resume. Alas, Sophie doubted this confrontation would end so soon. All she could do was fight as hard as she could, in this oppressive environment she did not understand.
"This Shadow's blood burns hot...but not even that can escape the winter's wrath! Scathach!" Priscilla ordered. "I beseech you! Graceful Blizzard!"
The regal Persona danced divinely, as a mighty hailstorm set forth. Every snowflake that fell upon the Masquerade was sub-zero temperature, and before long most of the 'ground' around the Shadow was frozen over.
However, this adversary was not content with living in an Ice Age. Rather, by raising its feminine fist into the air – clutching Priscilla's staff – it called upon a reverse Scathach. Rather soon, Dan was subjected to the tyranny of an arctic Crystal Queen.
"Fucking...hell...that's cold!" Dan said, shivering.
"If you meant Hel, then you'd be rather accurate." Alastair said dryly.
"Not helpful, Alastair..." Bianca said angrily.
"Sorry." Alastair said. "Here, Daniel." He offered his hand. Dan, still in agony, took it, rubbing his arms to warm up.
Sophie gasped – Richard and Kazuya were dashing at their deadly foe, swinging their weapons wildly. No matter how many times their blades and spear pierced the Shadow's flesh, the Nullity Masquerade would not succumb. It quickly slashed through them with Alastair's sword, and holding it in both eyes, turned towards Sophie.
"I haven't a moment to spare for a worthless reject like yourself, Masquerade!" Sophie said. "How appropriate your name is. You masquerade as ourselves in attempt to understand humankind, and gain power...but you're aligned with a cause that will see humanity's extinction! And with that, your power means nothing. All you've learned from us is how to perform some of our special moves...you'll never really understand any of us!"
Clenching its fists in anger, the Masquerade threw away the sword, which instantly disappeared. It held its right palm straight ahead, and Sophie did the exact same gesture. At once, they summoned Sophia – both true and reverse.
Sophie sensed familiar energies being directed right at her. The sheer force of the Starry Heavens. All six of the ethereal comets were hurtling towards her, but she did not budge. Rather, she invoked a power of equal magnitude.
"Stellar Vision!"
Basking in the glow of outer space, the nebula that Sophia rafted was sent forth. On its way to the Nullity Masquerade, it engulfed the six spheres – forcing them to detonate prematurely. Sophie still felt the aftershocks, but not the full damage. However, the Stellar Vision was unstoppable. Upon touching the bewildered Masquerade, there was a gigantic explosion.
"Holy shit!" Dan said, covering his eyes. Priscilla gasped, while Kyle shielded his eyes.
Once it was over, Sophie saw the floating cracks on the now-visible barrier. With one touch of her finger, the weakened forcefield was shattered. Yet the Masquerade was still in one piece, clutching the grave wounds inflicted.
I will become human! I swear it! If Shadows are...parts of the human mind, a Shadow can develop its own personality! I am on the verge of becoming real...the only way I can prove I exist...is if I kill you ALL!
"Is that so?" Sophie said. "Then prove it, if you can."
Seething with rage, and insulted by Sophie's apparent nonchalance, the Masquerade fled, to terrorise the third group. While the eight of them could surely handle the coming fight, the fourth group consisted solely of Ethan. Sophie would have to wait and see what transpired next...
|Third Quadrant|
Immediately, Matthew and the Masquerade were in a knife fight, barely getting out of each other's blades. They aimed to kill, to pierce each other's vitals, but neither of them to get at each other. Finally, however, Lucy shot the Masquerade in the back.
"Thanks, Lu...but why didn't you do that earlier?" Matthew asked.
"I thought you'd have struck him first!" Lucy said. "Then again, I guess his knife skills are equal to yours..."
"Oh yeah?" Matthew said, with a glint in his eye. "Well, no one can master Ehecatl's wind like I can!"
"Yeah, especially after eating a Spanish omelette." Tara said, barely missing a beat.
"...Not that kinda wind!" Matthew said, face red. "Ehecatl! Primal Twister!"
With a mighty roar, the feline Persona trapped the injured Masquerade in a gigantic tornado. The turbulence shook the Shadow all around the forcefield, causing an array of flashes. Finally, the Shadow was let free – only for Shirley to kick it back up in the air.
"HA!" Shirley yelled. With even more kicks, she kept juggling the helpless Shadow, before she forcefully shoved it near Karen – who slashed it straight near Roger. He quickly pushed it back with his claws, near Lucy – who kneed the Shadow in the groin.
"Now I get why Shirley's Arcana is Death." Karl said, in awe. "They sure didn't teach me those kind of moves in boxing class."
"...That's because she does Tae Kwon Do, you moron." Lucy said, rolling her eyes.
"Look out!" Aimee cried. The Masquerade arose, and summoned a false Ehecatl. Upon arrival, the Persona decided to prove it was worthy of being deemed the Tornado Beast. Thus, it set its sights on Lucy, and pounced on her. She shrieked, as the beastly Persona slashed through her body with its claws. Yet someone outside the arena was screaming just as loud as she was...
"Oh god..." Shirley said.
"Get off her, you scumbag!" Tara yelled. She stabbed the Masquerade straight in the 'heart', and managed to guide both blades of her sword through the Shadow's body. Lucy fell down, intensely hurt. Struggling to get up, she coughed – and saw someone pounding on the forcefield from outside.
"Blaine...stay back..." She said. Other Blaine, exhausted, fell to his knees, hands still on the forcefield. He shook his head, but he was at a loss for words.
"It's alright, Blaine. She's with me." Aimee said resolutely. "With Concordia, I can heal any pain. Diarahan!"
While Lucy was being healed up, Tara began a heartfelt prayer to the goddess in her own heart.
"Chehooit, come! Precious Land!"
Chehooit raised her staff valiantly, and bursting out of the ground were large, shimmering rocks. There were enough valuable stones and minerals in these rocks to fill up a jewellers. These priceless boulders were subsequently smashed into the ground, causing an avalanche of rocks to fall upon the Masquerade's head.
"Alright!" Matthew cheered. "You always were the most down-to-earth!"
"Oh for the love of..." Shirley grimaced.
This Masquerade, now very fatigued, had finally come to realise its new body was not impervious to pain. An inverted Chehooit, dark blue and purple, manifested. Soon, the team were transported to a Beloved Meadow – yet only one soul there found solace. For the beautiful land offered nothing, not even to its original owner.
"Shit...healing himself. Herself..." Roger said, irritated. "What do I call this thing? It's like with Janus, it wasn't male or female!"
"Does it really matter?" Karen said, hands on hips. "We have to refocus and destroy it, without further delay. Why worry about being politically correct in a situation as dire as this?"
"You sure sound like a journalist." Lucy said, smirking.
Tara, however, was in a similar frame of mind to Karen. Angry, she stomped, clenching her fists.
"You copycat! You don't have any power of your own! You're just ripping off our abilities!" Tara said, annoyed.
"This guy would do well on TV cop shows, then." Matthew snarked, staring at the hermaphrodite Shadow in front of them. It's half male, half female body evoked imagery such as the Hindu Ardhanarishivara, the fusion between Shiva the Destroyer and his wife Parvati. Was that what the Masquerade was trying to emulate? Two genders in harmony, to surpass one in perfection.
"Weren't you even listening to Karen? I don't feel like joking around anymore. Not before we wipe this...thing off the face of the earth. Your mimicry is all that's keeping you alive, you scum!"
"Alas, it's rather powerful mimicry..." Aimee said. "It's able to match us exactly. To think we were completely clueless of you, the ultimate Shadow..."
You braved my 'children' in the past, so my existence should be no surprise to you. Of course, when you were in that haunted hotel...something else was on your mind, wasn't it? Yes, not one of you suspected those peculiar Mayas were just imperfect clones of myself. All because you were hung up on losing such a Fool.
Aimee froze, gasping. Before she could regain her composure, however, she was struck down – by her own weapon. The same one that Zao had once wielded – in the hands of her current adversary.
"I'll get you, you bastard!" Karl shouted. With all his power, he called out Aeneas. "Orichalcum!"
Eight blue metallic orbs appeared around the team, and swirled around them, releasing the energy equivalent of Matarukaja. And yet, Karl had managed to preserve his pittance of energy. All for the sake of destroying this creature, that dared to slight his sister.
"I'm gonna paint this empty wasteland with your BLOOD!"
The Masquerade tried to fire Lucy's gun, only to be punched in the face by a berserk Karl. Without mercy, he began to beat the Shadow to a bloody pulp, punching so hard one could hear bones cracking. Then, he finished with one final, brutal punch, sending the Shadow across the floor.
"Karl!" Aimee said, astonished. "Please, you have to calm down a bit more...this creature isn't worth such anger!"
"Like hell it isn't! I...I'm trying to put what happened behind me, every day of my life! But then this mime goes and mocks us for caring about him...it's not gonna get away with that!"
Alas, the Shadow remained resilient. Oblivion was not ready to consume itself, for it had managed to produce an alternate Aeneas. Using its Gallant Gladius, it swept Karl to the side, giving him no time to dodge.
"Bastard!" Aimee cried. "How dare you...Concordia, I beg of thee...help us! Celestial Force!"
Spirals of cosmic power gathered around Aimee and her allies, and with a final starry flash, their bodies seemed to be fully charged up. All attributes were heightened, meaning their potential for destruction and survival rose exponentially.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Lucy said. She turned to the man waiting outside, and smiled. "You don't need to worry about me. But anything that dares to keep me from being with you, Shirley, or...fuck it, any of you guys is going to burn in hell. Ishtar! Passion Ablaze!"
Red hot flames, with a pink tint, sparked and roarer, the heat turned up far beyond a summer's height. The Masquerade, although without a proper face, seemed to be in agony, judging by the way it covered its mask with its hands.
"Hell is empty, and all the devils are here." Roger said, in awe. Karen, recognising the quote, mockingly clapped.
"That's me, alright." Lucy said, with an evil smile.
Right as the flames ceased, Shirley summoned the grand Ceridwen. Concentrating deeply, she roared: "Mirage Sabre!"
With her scythe, Ceridwen duplicated herself into four. Then, rushing all at once, they sliced through the Shadow, passing through it and each other as if they were simply air. The Masquerade fell to its knees, clutching its stomach. Its pain was considerable...but it still had stamina.
"Oh great...what now?!" Karl groaned.
Out came a reverse Ishtar, with an icy blue colour scheme instead of fiery red. Alas, her flames were still red hot, as proven by her mastery of Amor Leonis. Lucy gasped, upon seeing the fiery lion being created before her. She prepared to block, but the lion missed her – bashing Karen to the ground instead.
"No!" Roger yelled. Karen, susceptible to heat, seemed paralysed by the flames. Before Roger could exact vengeance, however, he was punched hard in the face – by the Masquerade. Karl seethed, noticing the Shadow wore the same boxing gloves he used.
"You bastard!" Karl said. Lucy, irritated, reloaded her gun and fired with reckless abandon. Karl took this chance to rush up, ducking under the Masquerade's punches, and hit the Shadow high in the air. A radiant swing of Aimee's glaive sent it even higher. Yet somehow, the Shadow managed to regain its footing, landing on the ground with considerable grace.
"I'll get you!" Karen screamed, slashing with her katana – but she was blocked by its Shadowy counterpart. "Ugh!"
While their blades were locked, out came a reverse Ceridwen. This form of her was a red-haired fiend with red clothes and green eyes, yet she was just as deadly. As such, she subjugated Roger to the Nocturnal Seal. A huge circle of darkness, resembling a puddle of oil, materialised on the ground – its shininess distinguishing it from the surroundings. Within this oval, runic symbols of blue and purple light up, unleashing supreme energy – launching Roger into the air.
"Shit!" Karen cried. She was quickly sent up with him, via a powerful high kick – much like Shirley's. Angry, the actual Shirley tried to kick the Masquerade from behind, but it was to no avail. The two of them launched hundreds of kicks at each other, yet neither of them seemed able to connect.
"Dammit..." Shirley grimaced, leaning to the side as a kick barely missed hitting her jaw. Likewise, the Shadow ducked to avoid Shirley's legion of kicks hitting its throat.
"K-Karen, are you alright? Roger, what about you?" Aimee asked, concerned.
"I'm okay..." Roger said. "Give me a minute, and I'll kick that thing's butt!"
"I don't even need a second, Roger." Karen said, cool and collected. "Daena! Destroy, now! Hypothermia!"
A green and blue mist, of Antarctic temperatures, flew out of Daena's mirror, and swirled around the Masquerade's body. It stopped kicking, due to the massive cold air around it. Freezing, it tried to warm itself up, but to no avail, and fell down, making a sound like teeth chattering.
"You trying to earn sympathy points, buster?" Shirley asked. "Not happening!" She dauntlessly stepped forward, and stomped hard on the Shadow's face. While this was painful, and one could hear bones breaking, she was caught up in this brief act of sadism. Her leg was grabbed, and thus she was flung high into the air. Reverse Daena then appeared, much to Shirley's fear.
A diamond of pure ice was formed by the cursed mirror, absorbing dark masses of power. It then quickly hit Shirley, before her descent – and she became encased with ice. Thus, her fall was a long and painful one, as the ice broke all over – digging deep into her flesh.
"No!" Aimee cried. She tried to run over, but the Masquerade blocked her path, wielding Roger's katars. "Out of my way! NOW!"
Must you insist on playing nurses? An altruistic role you claim, yet your actions will lead to needless suffering. Prolonging doomed lives, to give yourself meaning...and you dare belittle me?
"Doomed?" Roger said, annoyed. "You ought to look in the mirror that Persona you just summoned used. You see, you are nothing. And nothing will become of nothing."
"Roger..." Aimee said.
"Don't listen to another word this pissant says!" Roger said. Quickly, he stabbed the Masquerade with his weapons, rapidly hitting him all through its back. "Apsu! Fjord Tempest!"
Apsu, the mighty god of fresh water, held down his trident. A trio of chaotic watery spheres appeared in front of it, and these were all thrust sharply at the Masquerade – making tremendous splashes, and knocking it almost off balance. Once it had regained its footing, however, it called upon another Apsu – a dark orange and brown one.
"Oh, goody..." Roger said, irritated.
Massive dark blue waves came crashing out of an invisible ocean, slamming hard and fast through the entire arena. Aimee gasped, for she had never learned how to swim – and the thought of drowning, no matter how brief, was horrendous.
"Damn you!" Karl shouted. "That's it, we're finishing this guy off now!"
I don't think so. I'm tired of eight versus one battles. Why not skip to the finale? Ethan must be all scared and alone, waiting for me over there. But before I leave you all behind...
Reverse Concordia – a possible Discordia – appeared, bearing dark blue hair with pink tips, and her weapons had become a greenish gold. Rather than decimate her enemies with powers like Shadow Flare or Septentrione, this Persona tapped into her divine healing ability. As such, she began a graceful Stardust March. The pale, shimmer dust of the stars greatly healed over the crippling injuries the Shadow had sustained.
"Fuck...no!" Roger said.
"Stop right there!" Aimee cried. "Concordia -"
The Masquerade flew right through the barrier – shattering it, just like the other two had done. Now, the majority of the Persona users were able to regroup. Yet they were powerless to save the one that was still caged like a mouse...
|Fourth Quadrant|
Ethan had his sword ready, as did the Masquerade. With only one opponent in this arena, Ethan would need to rely on all his strength and vitality to have any chance of winning.
You are all alone, poor Ethan. No more Ater Vox to order around. No Shadows to command. And your new friends can only watch as your life ebbs away.
"I...I'm prepared for that." Ethan said. "Whether by my hand or theirs, you will lose. As long as the two worlds have their peace, I can die happily."
"Ethan, you can't mean that!" Amara said, horrified.
"Amara." Ethan said. "Your optimism...yes, I can admire it. Truly, I do. But I don't have the same hopes for my future."
Quite right. For your life is irrevocably changed, no matter what happens. You will be greeted by suspicion by the entire planet, as will your city. Greedier nations will take advantage of this opportunity...they will turn your impoverished nation into another gold-lined pocket. Furthermore, all your people know secrets that the world can never know. They won't be free, and neither will you. Perhaps dying right now would be the greatest kindness possible.
"...I won't ignore the difficulties we face. But everyone outside this arena is desperate to claim back some semblance of reality. I won't let you take it from them. Sraosha! Evanescence!"
Three lights, of orange, green and purple, swirled around the Nullity Masquerade, combining together as they faded. With their force, however, they had greatly diminished its potential.
A smart tactic. Yet I know one that will ruin you...
Ethan, anticipating a reverse Sraosha, glared – but his eyes became wide with surprise at what actually appeared. A Persona, garbed in blue uniform, with orange hair, wearing a grand golden helmet and mask, adorned with a bright white feather. Fluttering behind its back were angelic wings.
"Rashnu?!" Aimee shouted, in disbelief.
"No! Stop right there!" Karl demanded, hammering the forcefield with his fists.
This Rashnu seemed to resemble the one the Other Zao had used. As such, it could use one of its potentially most devastating skills – Life Lock. A peculiar pink aurora surrounded Ethan, and a part of him felt like it was blocked off. Like an thought in his head he just couldn't remember.
"...What was that?!" Ethan asked.
You'll need to make do with your health the way it is. Without your nurses in here to save you, it's a matter of time now...
"So that's your game. You're...just scum!" Ethan roared. "SRAOSHA!"
Without hesitation, Ethan summoned the grand thunderstorm of Kifuka. Electrocuted the Shadow might be, but it was living up to its boasts as the strongest Trauma Shadow. Withdrawing its sword, Reverse Rashnu began to foretell a Bloody Destiny for Ethan.
"Oh my gosh..." Tara said, covering her eyes. "Hey, Sophie! How do we break through?"
"I...do not think we can." Sophie said. "All the energy used to sustain the other three is now channelling this one. It would take a gargantuan amount of power on our half to get inside, and by that point we would be exhausted. Ethan can only rely on himself now..."
"That's messed up!" Blaine said. "We can't let that freak do this!"
"...We have to believe in Ethan. What other choice do we have?" Amara said, sadly. "Ethan! We're all here for you, so kill that Masquerade for us!"
"...I will, Amara." Ethan said. Clashing swords, the two foes were stuck in the middle of the arena, unable to gain any lead in this fight. This was quite alike fighting Nihane in that place, Ethan thought, but this enemy was even less humane.
Ethan then summoned his loyal Persona, casting down the ice shelf of Voyeykov. Alas, the Shadow was prepared to display even more heavenly wrath, resulting in a piercing Astral Laser.
My body...it hurts all over. I don't know what I can do...casting Aeon on myself would be pointless. The only choice is to hold nothing back, and utterly destroy this Shadow. Yet my successes as myself have only been possible thanks to others aiding me. I have to prove to them that I can be just as strong as Nihane...
If you concede now, I can move onto fighting your allies sooner. Then they will no doubt vanquish me, and your death will be avenged...poetic justice, no?
"You're more like a limerick." Ethan said. "Prism Apex!"
Sraosha fiercely gribbed with both hands. Then, gazing at the Mummy with pure hatred, he thrust it forward – and a large laser came from the blade's tip. This beam was of pure light, and burst into many particles of angelic power.
Wounded, but unfazed, the Nullity Masquerade called forth Reverse Rashnu yet again. The Persona struck a 'heroic' pose, clenching his fists and holding his sword up high. Then, from his heart, came a radiant blast of what could only be described as pure power. It grew bigger and bigger, brighter and brighter, until it ended with a final bang.
"Argh..." Ethan said, falling backwards, slumped over. "Why..."
"We have to do something!" Amara yelled. "Can't anything we do get through?"
"Not without using all of our force..." Sophie said, shaking her head. "Ethan's vitality is running low...if the Masquerade strikes again, he may be at death's -"
"No! Don't say that!" Other Amara said, hysterical. "After everything that's happened to him, he can't die now!"
"I..." Ethan said, standing up. "I don't want to make anyone suffer anymore...you must accept whatever happens."Summoning Sraosha, he shut his eyes, deeply praying for his Persona's success.
Sraosha brandished the Claíohm Solais, a sharp blade of light. Striking the Masquerade, Ethan felt his heart racing. Beaten and bruised, he realised something. He had never felt more alive.
I need to do everything I can to bring this enemy to their knees. Then, once I am gone, it will be right behind me. That is my only hope.
Is this the best you can do...? A puppet like you is a better personification of nothingness than I could ever be. Such a waste of potential...
"Trash talking me is a waste of time, too." Ethan said. He swung his own sword, only for the Shadow to block. "You're never going to let us go, are you? Shadows like you hounding us, never letting us out of your sight...! You should have died long ago! Even Janus has fallen!"
And that is precisely why I will NEVER leave you be, Ethan Walters! For you are responsible for destroying the Eternal Road! The path to our never ending salvation! You should have ushered that final era in, but instead you sealed it away...leaving us to languish for another lifetime! What choice did I have...?!
"Is this what you consider just revenge? Ridiculous." Ethan scoffed. "And you called Nihane pitiful, when he was following the exact same motivation. You haven't become anything."
SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! Your victory over Janus will ring very hollow, once I have vanquished you all! For you see, for all of humanity's potential, billions of people waste it via their personal distress or worry! I will not make the same mistake...
Rather than Reverse Rashnu, another being entirely appeared. It was so hazy, glowing white, but Ethan just barely made out a feminine form with four small fluttering wings. He saw faint blue colours around her, but not many details.
"...What the hell is that?" Blaine asked. "I don't remember that one."
"It's not Gabriel..." Bianca said.
"That's what I detected earlier...a sensation of the Masquerade that isn't any of ours." Sophie said, in awe. "No one I've ever known has used her. Could there have been another Persona user? One that died long ago?"
"It doesn't resemble any Persona that I've ever come across. Not even among the pantheon used for the Legions." Kyle said. "Never mind that. This Persona could be dangerous..."
A sphere of pink and white energy appeared around the Masquerade's body, gathering curative blue particles. These collided into the sphere, creating mighty flashes – causing this healing power to flow into the Masquerade's 'bloodstream'. For a second, Ethan could clearly see the makeshift anatomy inside it's body, considering of a black heart pumping 'blood' to bizarrely shaped organs and flesh.
"...What was that?" Ethan asked. "That Persona you just summoned. Whose is it? There weren't any other Natural users! I was on the lookout for them for ten years, after all!"
You had the entire city patrolled for a decade, and came up with nothing. That is because they never left your side. Think, Ethan. Even before your birth, they were with you, unable to be seen or heard. Yet they wished to wipe away your many tears, or hold you tight to calm your heart. You alone should have recognised that Persona, but it seems I alone remember it. Sad...
What is it talking about? Never leaving his side? But none of the Ater Vox ever used that, not even Josephine...
"...I've no time to play your games." Ethan grumbled. "This is the end for you!"
Ethan ran up, and swung his blade – only to be struck down. A Reverse Sraosha appeared, wearing red, and exposing green skin. Amara gasped, face pale, at what happened next.
A gigantic swirl of white and blue energy trapped Ethan, leaving him trapped. Frantically, he tried to get away, but to no avail. The swirl grew bigger and brighter, until it exploded massively, akin to a supernova. No one could make out Ethan, but they saw the forcefield shatter into millions of pieces.
"...Ethan! No!" Serena yelled.
When the light vanished, they saw Ethan lying face first on the ground. Weakly, he gazed up at the Shadow, gasping for air. He couldn't even budge his arms, and his legs would not move. This was as far as he could go.
Farewell, Ethan Walters. Do not worry. I am quite sure your friends will see to it that you are given a grand funeral...
Ethan's mouth hung open, but he was too weak to even utter a word. He shut his eyes, as a tear streamed down his cheek. Without any life left in him, Ethan fell into a deep sleep.
"...No." Aimee said.
"This can't be happening...Ethan, buddy, come on!" Blaine yelled.
"I'm so sorry...I wasn't able to rescue you." Nathan said, gazing sadly at the fallen friend in front of him.
This is what he wanted. To be rid of everything, and escape an uncertain future. Perhaps his life was unfair, but now that is over, he has the peace he would have never known in life. If you cannot accept that...then continue your fight! Struggle as much as you like to make it back home...
"...How could you?" Amara said, crestfallen. "You won't get away with this..."
She was seconds away from summoning Ishtar, when something else appeared. It was quite similar to the feminine Persona the Nullity Masquerade had used moments earlier, but with pink colouring. Holding some kind of red sceptre in front of her, this Persona let loose some magic of her own.
Four diamonds appeared around the Masquerade, each one imbued with blue and pink light. Each one began sending ghostly images of themselves to the Masquerade, each time faster and faster. This carried on for quite some time, each phantom diamond hitting the Shadow's body with great velocity. Each diamond was growing bigger and brighter as a result. Finally, the diamonds came together, and burst into an explosive display of lights and smoke.
"...No way!" Lucy said. "Who did that?!"
"Someone else is here...I can feel them now." Sophie said. "Yet they won't reveal anything to me..."
"Never mind who did it, look! The Masquerade..." Priscilla said, pointing.
The cobbled-together skeleton beneath the cold, dark matter was beginning to rattle, and break apart. As such, the limbs of the Shadow were rapidly losing form, becoming more like jelly loosely defined as four points. The skin began to ripple, as if pebbles were being skipped across its surface.
"Is it..finally dying!?" Roger asked.
"Thank goodness...I was beginning to fear we were trapped here forever." Bianca said.
Amara looked at Ethan, and saw his chest rising. Still breathing, even after all the pain he had been forced to endure. She walked over to him, and checked his pulse. He would live through this, another fierce showdown with a formidable opponent.
"...It's over." Other Amara said. "You're never going to be a real human now."
The masks began to shine brightly, slowly lighting up the increasingly volatile body of the defeated Shadow. The Nullity Masquerade could not maintain its humanoid body any longer, as it soon became overwhelmed by its own light.
Why must you all be so indomitable!? You have escaped death too many times! If you hadn't been allowed to flourish, you would have fallen long ago! You want to go back to your homes? Fine, then, I shall take you there. Consider this my parting gift. Janus, it was an honour to serve you even after your fall...
Amara watched, curiously, as the Masquerade floated beneath everyone, into what seemed to be total darkness. Then, it turned completely white. With one mighty explosion, its body became billions upon billions of tiny particles, shooting out in all directions. All four of the red circular 'arenas' were blotted out, never to be seen again.
Amara suddenly began to fall again, as her body collided with the particles. Screaming, she tried to reach out to anyone around her, but she couldn't see them anymore, not with all the light.
"Help! Someone!" Amara yelled. "Help...HELP!"
She could hear nothing but the roaring energy around her, as particles came together in what sounded like massive bursts. Then, she felt her feet land on something, and the noise began to quiet. Instead, what she could hear was the wind, and what sounded like rain against a window.
She blinked rapidly, and slowly the light faded to reveal...
Her apartment.
|Amara's Apartment|
Amara looked around her. She was in her living room, and it looked just like it had done when she left for the mall. However, she had tidied it up, and for once everything was put in its proper place. How she got here, she didn't exactly know. But this was a good sign. The Masquerade's attempt to reap vengeance had failed flat on its face, allowing the heroes to have won after all.
"It's...really over?" Amara said. She looked out the window. No one was outside, but this was a quiet street anyway. Yet it seemed weird to see no one waiting by the bus stop. Nor any cars. In fact, she didn't hear anything on the roads. How unusual, she thought. She touched the window with her finger, but all of a sudden, the glass broke into tons of pieces, falling onto the pavement below.
Amara yelped, stepping back. These weren't high quality buildings, but she didn't think the windows were that fragile. Momentarily paralysed with fear, she waited to see if any of the neighbours - or people outside – reacted. But there was nothing. She couldn't even see the rain anymore, and the wind had stopped. Carefully, she walked closer to the now-empty window frame. Yet there wasn't any glass on the pavement.
"I must be imagining things..." Amara said, shaking her head. Then she gasped. Somehow, the apartment had reverted to its messy state. There was a set of watercolour paints on the desk, sheets of paper all over the floor, a protractor next to the phone – which had red fingerprints on it, from a painting mishap – and pencils covering every square inch of the place.
What is going on?!
She tried to sit down on the sofa, hoping to relax. Yet as soon as she did, she fell back further, landing on the floor. Her own sofa had vanished. Crying out in pain, she slowly got to her feet. Was this a bad dream, she thought? Had the Masquerade tried to break her mind with these weird illusions? She reached for the television remote, but as soon as she did, both the remote and the television broke into pieces, shattering all over the carpet. And those pieces disappeared.
"...Shit. How am I gonna return it now?" Amara said, reminding herself of the HDTV's price tag. Breathing heavily, she looked around. She picked out her mobile phone from her pocket, but no matter how many times she pressed the power button, nothing happened. Not even a glimmer of activity. Anxious, she flung open the door to her bedroom. It seemed to be normal, yet when she touched her bed, it collapsed onto the floor – and disappeared into the ether.
What the hell do I do? I'm not...waking up. Is this a dream or not?!
All of her possessions were vanishing the minute she touched them. Right now, she didn't know what to do, or where to go. But she had to find someone, anyone, so she wouldn't have to be alone. Running, she grabbed her key and opened the door, to see the stairway down. She stepped onto it, but as she did, she stopped feeling the door handle. She looked back – and saw just a gaping hole where her apartment had been. In fact, she could see right down to the ground, which consisted of what appeared to be half-finished foundations and various construction vehicles.
My key...it's gone too. There's no turning back now, is there?
Gulping, she had an idea of what was happening now. But she needed to get outside to be sure. She started to talk down the steps. Yet when she looked back up, after getting to the lower floor, she noticed all the stairs she had gone down were no more. The entire apartment building was reverting back to the construction site it had once been. Once she was at the ground floor, the only thing left was the front door. She walked out, ran onto the road, and turned back.
The Falcon View Apartments were gone completely, with work having only just begun. Cars were on the road, many of them looking older than Amara was used to. In fact, a great deal of them had 02 or 01 on the license plates. Not a single one of them was moving, even those that were in the middle of the road. Amara walked closer to a Honda, and gulped. The driver seat had no one inside, yet the seat belt was strapped as if someone was there.
And there was a copy of the Motus Street Maps 2002 lying on the passenger seat.
"...I'm back in time?"
Looking up at the sky, she saw only a black void, with purple streams of energy travelling around her. And up ahead, she saw a sight she had not seen for months.
A Shadow. With a Magician mask, crawling over the pavement. It had seen her, and was quickly advancing at her. Even if it was a mere underling, its primal rage was one that could not be quelled.
Amara's sword, having vanished, was now back in her hand. The only thing to do was to use it, Amara realised.
Running straight ahead, she plunged her blade into the Shadow's body, slicing it in two. Once again, the area became completely dark. As cliché as it might sound, one might just hear a pin drop in this silent empty space.
Am I the only one who made it? No, that can't be. I've got to find anyone else I can!
There was no clear road in sight. No one telling her where to go. But simply staying put would not fix anything. She ran down the road, looking left and right, with her weapon in hand.
A new ordeal had just begun.
|?|
Ethan had fallen unconscious after his defeat. Yet when he awoke, he felt himself land on soft grass. There was a refreshing breeze, and he could see flowers to his left and right. The sky was blue, with light clouds, and he could see a few seagulls fly overhead.
A million questions were billowing inside Ethan's mind. Yet with no one in the immediate vicinity to ask them to, he continued to lie back, enjoying a rare moment of comfort. Here, for the first time in years, he felt relaxed. Happy, even.
"This is nice..." Ethan said. For quite some time, he laid there, enjoying the breeze and the warmth. But then he heard someone coming towards him. Their footsteps were not loud, but he could hear them through the grass. He ignored them, however. He just wanted to rest, to forget all about the past.
"You can't lie there forever, you know. People are going to need you some day."
"...Who's there?" Ethan, still seeing the flowers. He stretched his head up, and beyond the grassy plain and flowers were blurry buildings. The person he heard walking towards him was made up of pure white, but he vaguely recognised the shape. It was a woman, wearing a long dress, carrying something in her hand.
"Are you alright?"
That voice...I know it!