AN: Here we go again, everybody. After a trip to the Highlands last week, I'm ready to rule the fanfics! Haven't had many reviews since Chapter 102, which is a bit disappointing, so please feel free to leave some. Rest assured, I'm not planning on dragging this out indefinitely. And I have a new story plan that may or may not begin before Duality finally ends. Please read, and hopefully enjoy!
Oh yes, and I've been giving some feedback to the talented elgeonmb for her new story, Half A Fool. Please give that a look too, because trust me, it's shaping up to be something really special.
Chapter 105: Hiraeth
|Unknown|
"You're alive! Thank the heavens."
The lady who said these words of gratitude was now standing right over Ethan. Still a white silhouette, she leaned closer. Ethan tried to blink, and suddenly, the area around him turned black, while her face was revealed. Pink eyes, fair skin, silver hair...
Who is speaking? I know that face, don't I? Why is she here?
"Where are we...?" Ethan asked, still weary.
"Oh? You don't know? I was hoping you could tell me..." The young lady said.
Her outfit, no longer a dress, had become more practical. She wore a long green shirt with golden cuffs and rim, brown leggings with a lighter diamond pattern stitched in, brown and black boots, and a pair of fingerless leather gloves. However, around her torso was a gold coloured shawl, painted with blues and oranges, with jewels decorating around the neck.
"...That's some outfit you've wearing." Ethan said.
"Excuse me? You're one to talk! Just what is that metal thing on your shirt?" The lady said, pointing to the zipper on his top. Curious, she pulled it down, unzipping it. "What the – wow!" She pulled it up again, and this too amazed her.
"You're acting like you've never seen a zipper before." Ethan said, a little bemused.
"Is that what you call this device?" The lady said. "Clothing is evolving quicker than I realised. Perhaps I should acquire a new outfit. So I don't stand out so much."
Ethan looked to his left. No longer confronted with immense darkness, he saw tall, ugly buildings overlooking him. Dirty, grim apartment blocks, with dingy looking shops and establishments beneath. And dirty, aged cars were parked on the streets, while cans, cigarette stubs and bottles were scattered everywhere. Graffiti was all over the place, consisting of a lovely collage of swear words and crude depictions of the human anatomy.
"Ah! Now I see it. This place is Kanaloa." Ethan said.
"Kanaloa?" The woman said. "I've never heard of that place."
"Oh? It's not a popular place among the tourists, so no wonder." Ethan said. He sat up, his hands on the concrete flooring now. The lady then felt his forehead, and after a few seconds, she seemed satisfied.
"No fever...good. You seem healthy. That's a load off my mind." The lady said. "This is not a very nice place, is it? Apart from this square. Every building I can see is covered in dirt and grime, but they look far different than anything I can recall. As if something other than humans built them."
"Madam..." Ethan said.
"And those things on the road, with four wheels each. I don't recognise them, but I presume people use them to get around on the roads? If I were to have one, I'd have a much prettier one. Maybe in pink, actually."
"...You don't even know what a car is?" Ethan asked, incredulous.
"No...I...didn't." The lady said, now somewhat sad. "Forgive me, but...I don't know much of anything. Peculiar...my mind was filled with all kinds of knowledge. And I loved to share that knowledge with people."
"Do you have a name, madam?" Ethan asked, solemnly.
"...I must do, right?" The lady said. "We all identify ourselves by names and faces. Yet I can't quite recall what mine is. How queer, I must have introduced myself to a large number of people. You see, I do have some vague recollections. For example, I was responsible for speaking with many different people, all of them needing my help with something or other. As to what I helped them with, I couldn't say."
"I see." Ethan said. "Then you must be suffering from amnesia."
"I've worked that out for myself, mister." The woman said. "It could be much worse. I can at least talk with you, and walk. Yet I don't know what to talk about, or where to walk to..."
"That's unfortunate. Oh, my apologies. My name is Ethan. Ethan Walters."
"Oh, I see..." The woman said. "That's...really what they call you? I can't quite picture you with that name. Don't ask me why, I don't know. I...I wish I knew more. Why I'm in such a strange, gloomy looking place, who I am..."
She looked down, despondent. Who was this woman? She had a familiar sounding voice, one rather pleasant. In fact, it almost felt curative to listen to her. There was something about her, the kind eyes, the silver hair, everything.
Ethan stood up, and looked to the sky. Something didn't feel right. The scenery around him looked as if it was being lit by ordinary daylight, but the sky was pitch black, covered with red and purple swirls. It was like seeing an amateur 3D modelling project by a student who hadn't figured out how to use a shader program.
"Miss, try not to panic. I can teach you a lot of things." Ethan said. "This is Kanaloa, in New Motus City. Do you know where that is?"
"I...I do. I think." The lady said, shivering. "Is all of the city like this?"
"Not at all. It gets nicer as you go from here, honest." Ethan said. "I...I have a lot of friends here. Right now, though, it looks like something terrible has happened. Something that would be difficult to explain. But if you come with me, we might be able to understand what's going on."
"What other choice do I have?" She said, angry. "...Forgive me, that sounded harsh. The fact of the matter is, I don't have any other escort. Therefore, it would be foolish of me to go off into this strange place all by myself. I will come with you, Ethan. Please, don't leave me behind."
Wait. I know that face. And her voice. This is...my ancestor's older sister. Ashi Kronos. How...is she here? She died many years ago! Killed, after her baby was drowned. Yet her spirit saved me not too long ago. Why is she here now, alive and well?
"Is...everything alright?" The woman who looked like Ashi said, looking closer at the panicking Ethan. "Am I going to be a burden on you?"
"Not at all. Don't be silly!" Ethan said, holding out his hand. She took it, her fingers soothing to the touch. "I promise, your trust is not misplaced."
"You have my gratitude!" She said, shaking hands with her new friend. "You told me about your friends, but do you have family, Ethan?"
"...No. I'm an orphan." Ethan said, shaking his head. "I grew up in an orphanage in Birmingham. Which is in -"
"Let me stop you there. I am not completely clueless. That's in England." The lady said, shaking her head. "...Even more peculiar. I knew that, but not my name."
If you remember your name, you might remember even more about yourself. Even your death...how can I let you remember that? You would be lucky to never remember anything of that time. Yet without that, you don't have anything at all...what am I supposed to do?
"You should have a new name, then. So that people will have something to call you. After all, a lot of people are going to want to know your name." Ethan said. "How about..."
Let's see, a good name. I'm not great with this sort of thing. What would suit her? Nothing that sounds too much like Ashi. So that takes out Ashley, at least. One moment...there was a girl at the orphanage with a nice name...she got adopted long before I left it. Probably the only person there I actually liked.
"Hmm?" The woman asked.
"...Ava." Ethan said. "Do you like it? It means 'Alive'."
"That's not bad, actually. Nice on the ear! That settles it. You may call me Ava as much as you like. I hope your friends like it name, too." 'Ava' said, pleased of her new christening. "Although I don't have a surname. Isn't that strange? I don't have a family to belong to."
"Neither do I, really. 'Walters' is the name of the orphanage. There was nothing else to give me, so they went with that. Maybe you could pick it, too?" Ethan suggested.
"Ava Walters?" Ava asked. "...I could learn to live with that. Neither of us with a family to call our own. Maybe we were destined to meet, Ethan. Whatever is happening here, us meeting will surely deliver us from misfortune."
"...Maybe you're right!" Ethan said, faking a smile. "We might find out who you really are, too. My friends might know something. I don't know where to start looking, though. We should go search in Kanaloa."
"Alright. You'll have to take the lead, then. I really don't know this area's layout. Although this place seems comforting. Look, those trees. They're beautiful." Ava said, pointing at the trees. "Why are they stuck like that, though?"
"Like what?" Ethan asked. They looked like windswept trees, but ones in still images. Yet they were right in front of him. "Oh. I see. It's as if time has frozen."
"This does not bode well. There are few people here, but I know there are others besides us. That's my faith, anyway." Ava said.
"I will find them, Ava." Ethan said. He noticed something lying by his feet – his sword – and picked it up. Ava gulped, but he held out his hand, to reassure her. "This is just for our protection. If we're really in danger, it'll come in handy."
"This city is that dangerous?" Ava said, sadly. "You're so young. You shouldn't have to raise a weapon against anybody!"
If only life were that simple, Ashi. Then Amurdad would still be around today.
"That may be, but it may not be people that we have to worry about." Ethan said. "Calm down. I know what I'm doing. I'll protect you, Ava. We'll figure out a way to get you home."
"Home?" Ava said. "My home...? I wouldn't know where that is from here."
"You'll figure that out soon enough, Ava. Let's go." Ethan said, as the two finally left Pride Square. She had seemed so sad to find out about his sword...why was Ashi Kronos with him, two and a half centuries since her death? What was going on with the city?
This isn't the end, I know that much. The Shadows aren't going to give up that easily.
|Farawell|
The entire land of New Motus City was deserted. Wandering around this place was more like walking by a giant painting – everything was completely still. It was as if this beautiful, peaceful city was cruelly to be warped into a warzone, and all the civilians were evacuated to make way for the devastation and chaos.
Walking past a street of cafes and speciality stores, she noticed something peculiar. A drop of water, about to fall from a leaking rusty pipe. Yet no matter how many seconds passed, the water did not touch the damp patch on the ground. Amara then saw something by the nearest cafe, at a table filled with delicious pasta dishes. There was a tall wine glass, that was tilted. Gravity did not seem to take hold, refusing to let the white wine pour onto the aged chequered tablecloth.
So not only was Amara stuck eleven years in the past, time had reached a standstill. She was the only one seemingly allowed to move in this city, one trapped in a dead sea of darkness. Well, she and the Shadows. Right around the corner, from an alleyway filled with overflowing trash dumpsters and carelessly discarded electronics, a dark blob was materialising. This one was a Rampage Drive, a Hanged Man.
"Leave. Me. ALONE!" Amara screeched, dispatching it with a quick Agidyne. Then, she began to walk quickly, and her stride soon became a fast sprint. There seemed to be hordes of them in every corner, every alley. All she needed was to find someone, anyone at all, so that she wouldn't go insane in this world. Yet the more she walked through Farawell, she didn't see anything but Shadows, who seemed to thrive in this environment.
Isn't anyone going to help me out...? I know that sounds pathetic, but I can't take this, not by myself...
The Cathedral was just up ahead. And it was just as it had appeared on her second night in the Other World. Which world was this, she wondered? How far in time exactly was she? Amara stopped, and thought deeply. That bizarre Nullity Masquerade had taken them back to 2012, but was it possible that its death had turned back the clock even further?
Not to mention, those of both worlds had been able to fight together, without needing an NDD. Then it finally hit her. This was neither of the two worlds. It was both of them...or rather, the world on the exact second before it became two. Yet why were there Shadows? And where were her friends?
Despondent, Amara staggered to the Cathedral doors, and slumped against the huge doors leading into the grant church. Even after her personal eureka moment, she still didn't understand the situation. This madness was not giving away – but the doors were.
"Argh!" Amara yelled, falling on her back. The echoes of the doors hitting the walls resounded for miles, and were quickly followed by the angry, bloodthirsty howls of the Shadows. "Son of a -"
Getting up, Amara took her sword in hand and summoned Isis – only to be faced with a gigantic horde of Shadows. At least fifty, of various types, but mostly Justice Arcana, were assembled. Amara did not yield, however, and quickly attacked with a Maragidyne. Only four, however, died instantly, and those remained darted at her.
"Crap!" Amara yelled, running further into the dark, cold cathedral. Normally, she would have been entranced by the intricate details, such as the altars and the windows. Now, she wanted nothing but to escape from these creatures, so she could hurry up and reunite with her allies. She found a door near the back – one that lead to the upper areas.
Didn't we end up coming through that way to find the other me? Maybe she's here...? Only one way to find out!
She grabbed the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. And the swarm was coming towards her, unconcerned about defiling a holy sanctuary. Amara kicked on the door, but nothing happened. Sighing, Amara turned away, and brought back Isis.
"You want a church service that badly?!" Amara taunted, eyeing the leader – a Change Relic. "Then you're just in time for the cremation!"
Another Maragidyne set forth, scorching the Shadows and the pews they were between. Yet this time, only three perished.
"You had to make my one-liner look stupid, didn't you?" Amara said. "Argh!" The Mother, seemingly flame-resistant, had just cast down Bufudyne. And the other Shadows were casting their own ice spells. "Dammit! What the hell do I do now?!"
Just then, the door she had previously tried to get through went flying, crashing onto the Mother's head into pieces. Amara saw a huge gaping hole where the doorway had been, and behind it were Dan and Matthew.
"...You guys!" Amara said.
"We're not too late, are we?" Matthew asked.
"Nope." Dan said, blowing smoke from his rifle. He adjusted his hat, and smiled evilly at the surrounding Shadows. "You guys can pray all you want, but I'm still gonna send ya all to hell. Mictlan!"
"Ehecatl, I'm counting on you!" Matthew yelled. Their Personae appeared, both savage and ready to slice, dice and crush their foes.
"Alright!" Amara said, standing up. "I'll need you to take care of the ones that resist fire! Dan, the Justice ones will probably all die from your Dark attacks! Matthew, just tear as many of them apart as you can!"
"Now that's a strategy order I can get behind." Matthew said. "GO!"
And thus, for a few minutes, utter mayhem ensured. Ehecatl, pouncing madly, tore and gutted most of the Shadows it came into contact with. Berserker, Hunting Beast, and Tornado Beast ripped through these Shadows in a mass of bloody carnage.
Mictlan was not to be outdone, however. Via the depths of its darkness, it blighted its Shadows with cursed Mudoons, one after another. Neither of them seemed to have any capacity to fight off the dark, and their nyctophobia lead to their downfall.
The Change Relic, still intent on following through on its murderous rampage, feebly tried to bash Amara. But, she simply sidestepped, cast an Agiydne, and it fell onto the hard stone floor. Dan, sighing, shot it in the forehead, killing the monstrosity.
"...I really owe you guys." Amara said.
"Don't sweat it." Dan said. "We've been wandering all over trying to find anyone. I found Matthew crying -"
"Dan!" Matthew said, outraged. "I was not! I was worried, yeah, but -"
"You were on your knees in tears outside that drug store!" Dan said.
"Like you weren't crying when you found me!" Matthew said.
"...Okay, we both got emotional." Dan said. "Um...anyway, we're just glad we found someone else."
"Me too. Really." Amara said. "I don't suppose you know any more than I do...?"
"Jack squat." Dan said. "Matthew said he ended up outside a school playground. And I was in the cinema, but the film just stopped and there was no one around..."
"I was in my apartment. But...it was like the way it is now, until I started touching things. Then everything vanished into thin air, even the apartment block!" Amara said. "And now, I think...we're in 2002."
"Yeah..." Matthew said. "I saw a poster outside the school advertising a parent's evening for June 8th. But...for the year you just said."
"So in short, that Masquerade sent us back in time and we're all scrambling trying to find each other." Dan said. "Christ, I don't fuckin' know what to do...can we just keep wandering around and searching the city? We don't even have the mobile system Kyle and Aimee worked on..."
"We should stick to Farawell, I think." Amara said. "I...I trust everybody else. They'll make it out of this alive, I know it."
"Blaine...he's probably shitting his pants worrying about his right about now." Dan said, anxious. "C'mon, let's get going. We ought to find everyone in Farawell we can."
"Righty." Matthew said. "I just hope we're not the only three left..."
|Nova Albion – Albion Inc. HQ|
"...No one here, either."
Nathan sighed, as he walked further and further to the entrance of what was now his business.
Even in 2002, Albion Inc's headquarters were an impressive sight, managing a pleasant blend of white stone walls, tall blue glass windows and decorative crests depicting the company's logo, itself originally used to denote the entire Nova Albion area.
One could still argue that the Albion family ruled the area, judging by their meteoric success domestically and worldwide. As of 2013, they had managed to penetrate even rapidly emerging markets such as India and Pakistan. Not content with that, however, they had begun an initiative to get children interested in computing, trying to influence schools to offer introductory classes.
Yet in this state, none of that progress meant anything. The building's past glories, and prosperous future were sealed, trapped in this strange world that refused to move even a second further. Nathan had noticed this when he found himself in his house, and before long everything switched from his furniture and belongings to those of the owners ten years prior. To see his wedding album fade away in his hands had left him speechless, until coming here. Staggering through the neighbourhood, he tried his best to find anyone at all.
Especially his beloved.
Nathan, to his surprise, was able to push the front door and get inside. There, he saw on the right hand wall a giant framed photograph from the 1980's – Reginald Albion, new CEO at the time, with a bright red head of hair and a moustache. Next to him were two female employees, the blonde Elena Dean and the brunette Marta Higgins. In front of him was a computer, reminiscent of the standard of that era (such as the Commodore VIC-20 or 64), but in a mostly red and white colour scheme.
"...I remember this." Nathan said, gazing fondly at the keys and various ports. It was the Albion Paladin, the 1983 8-bit machine that had firmly established Albion Inc. as a technological powerhouse. The computer was connected to an off-white monitor, displaying an advanced – at the time – text editing tool.
Dad actually worked all night and day on helping Elena and Marta build the first working prototype. Back then, he must have been so alive, doing his best to expand and grow Albion Inc. to make my grandfather proud. ...I wonder if history can repeat itself? Can I be that man showing off the result of weeks of hard labour? What can I bring to this company?
Nathan was brought out of his bout of self-doubt by a loud ding. Two of the elevators opened, revealing very different occupants. On the left hand side were four Rampage Drive Shadows, each somehow fitting inside. On the right hand side, however, were Kyle and Roger.
"What?! How did you two -"
"Let's save the questions until later, boss man." Roger said. "We got uninvited guests stinking up the place!"
"There are other Shadows in the building, and they're coming this way." Kyle said, pointing to the computer screen on his armrest. During the Spring, he was finally able to upgrade his wheelchair's on-board computer system, finally able to determine the thought patterns of Shadows. "Be prepared!"
Nathan nodded. "I was always prepared, Kyle. Cu Chulainn!"
A terrific Magarudyne raged through the lobby, blowing through the four Rampage Drives. One of them took the wind far worse than the others, and was immediately vanquished. The three remaining, however, advanced, picking their targets.
"Volcanic Divide!" Kyle screamed. Vulcanus, far stronger than its slender build would imply, drove his burning sword through the Rampage Drive, cutting it completely in half. "Yes!"
"Well done, kid!" Roger said. "Apsu!" A shining disc of light appeared, becoming a fierce and sharp spear. It impaled another Rampage Drive, leaving a large hole – and the hole grew bigger and bigger, until the Shadow was no more.
Nathan, distracted, just barely managed to leap out of harm's say – from the Rampage Drive's Primal Force. Now standing on top of the reception desk, he jumped back down, smacking the Shadow hard with his staff.
"I'll vanish you! Gae Bolg!"
Cu Chulainn gripped the eponymous spear tightly, prepared for a valiant strike. A grand whirlwind surrounded Cu Chulainn, propelling both the ace hero and his spear. Having reached a great enough height, he drove the spear into the Rampage Drive with a terrific descent.
"...Phew." Nathan said, brushing sweat off his forehead. "I'm not sure how well I could have handled all of those by myself. Fighting that Masquerade should have rekindled my fighting prowess, yet -"
"Hey, we've all been slacking off. After Janus, we thought everything was going to be okay. Guess someone really has it in for us, huh?" Roger said, shrugging. "You're the only person I've seen since running into Kyle."
"Thing is, I was in my house..." Kyle said. "And it was just like old times. I tried going outside, but then Shadows started popping up, and...before I knew it, I was in Nova Albion, and Roger was running around like a headless Chocobo."
"...Chocolate what?" Nathan asked.
"Never mind. We've got bigger things to worry about. Like, where the hell is everyone else?" Roger said. "Kyle was saying we ought to try looking here, in case you or Priscilla turned up. And I dunno where else you'd go in Nova Albion. We went all the way upstairs, looking in your dad's office – guess it's yours now – but then we got chased back down by the Shadows!"
"I'm wondering if we're the only ones in Nova Albion. If only we had developed a proper protocol for when we get separated...not that we could have expected this." Kyle said, angrily.
"The important thing is, some of us have found each other." Nathan said. "And we should get out of here and investigate thoroughly. It might take us some time before we're reunited, all of us."
"Sure thing." Roger said. "Hey, I had one of those..." His eyes had darted to the framed photograph, which ten years later had been moved to Reginald's house to make way for a giant touch screen detailing the company and their headquarters. "Played a ton of games on it, too. Shame it wasn't well known out of New Motus..."
"Damn, I want one know!" Kyle said, wistfully. "I could just emulate the software, but...that's not the same! The keyboards, those big controller ports...it's even got one of those old printer ports! It's...a dream come true!"
"I suppose next month I'll have to get you an old one somewhere." Roger said, ruffling Kyle's hair. "After all, you're gonna be eighteen. That means we celebrate in style, and I don't want Dan showing me up..."
|Lucille Valley High School|
"Hello?! Guys, are you there?!"
Serena had been shouting desperate questions like this for quite some time. Unable to locate anyone near her household, not even her parents, she ran as fast as her legs could take her, forced to contend with Shadows along the way. All she could think about was what had happened to her family and friends.
Without any idea where else to turn, Serena managed to take the long way to her school – a place she would only be attending for one more month. Seeing all the motionless traffic made her heart skip a beat. She saw a car driving right into the side of the other, and in this frozen moment, she could see the metal and glass beginning to bend and break respectively – and blood splatters over the seats.
Now, she was in front of the school itself, and while not as opulent looking as it was eleven years later, it still managed to boast an impressive, cutting-edge image. She made it through the doors, and noticed that everything still looked more or less the same, even if it had been repainted since.
"...Anyone?" Serena asked, shaking. The only response was an angry growl behind her – an El Dorado Beast Shadow. Screaming, Serena almost jumped out of her skin. "GET AWAY! Selene!"
It took two Aquadynes to drown this beast, but four more suddenly appeared. Serena, without thinking, took off. She had thought that this school could be her safe hiding place...after all, it had been where she could be with Kyle for the day, as well as her newer friends.
She ran up the main staircase, passing the various departments. Her heart was pounding, especially when she heard the Shadows get louder and louder. At last, she was at the highest point, which was a doorway leading to the rooftop area. With unknown strength, she kicked the door open, and ran outside. The view of the city around was incredible, but there was another sight that drew her attention.
"Oh no, are there more reinforcements coming?" An exhausted Priscilla asked, attacking a Pure Papillon.
"No!" A drained Karen said, turning around. She had just barely been able to block a Rain Wind Musha's katana with her own. "It's Serena!"
Serena gasped out of relief, running closer. "Am I glad to see you..."
"Serena, please..." Priscilla said, in pain. "We've been trapped here for quite some time, and I don't know how much longer we can keep fighting..."
"Ah!" Serena said. "Got it. Mediarahan!"
With an extra pulse of healing energy, the two ladies were back to their full potential. As such, the surprise Shadows were easily caught off guard by a fierce slash and a mighty hit. With this, Karen and Priscilla summoned their Personae, poised to strike. Meanwhile, Serena turned, to face her Beast foe.
"What took you so long?" She said, smirking. Angry, it pounced, but its claws missed, causing it to fall flat on its face. "Loser! Aquarius!"
A magical vase of water tipped over, unleashing its enchanted pressure onto the Beast. Extremely vulnerable to the damp, the creature writhed in agony, until it melted away with the liquid.
"Nice one!" Karen said. Slashing fiercely, her sword sent sparks flying, loud enough to be heard through Legarte. Yet her sword could not quite force the Musha to surrender, judging by its Vorpal Blade – striking all three women. "Let's see if your armour can withstand the cold, shall we? Black Ice!"
Immensely dense ice emerged from Daena's mirror, an item proving to be quite a fantastical accoutrement. Dark wisps of gaseous energy were absorbed into the icy diamond, turning it pitch black. As soon as it was ready, the ice crashed into the Musha, and froze over its armour. Before long, every piece of it broke apart, leaving nothing but a fading broken sword.
"Not bad, Karen." Priscilla said. She turned her attentions towards the fluttering butterfly in front of her. "You should have flown away a long time ago...guess I'll have to freeze your wings solid! Scathach! Queen's Cannon!"
Scathach lowered her gun-spear, and fired fiercely. From the barrel, a miniaturised cannon sculpted from ice was launched. This armament rapidly rocketed into the sky, and fired an Arctic beam ice, hitting the Papillon point blank. With this, the insect Shadow was squashed, never to flutter its wings again.
Now, the school seemed to be free of metaphysical corruption. Lucille Valley High, while still vacant, was safe for the time being. Not that it mattered, without any students or teachers left inside...
"I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner..." Serena said.
"You arrived in time, Serena." Karen said. "If no one had reached us, we might have died. Thank you so much..."
"Serena, have you been able to learn anything?" Priscilla asked.
"...At this school?" Serena asked, without thinking. "Yeah, a lot! Like about the Euclidean Algorithm -"
"No, dear, I meant about our situation." Priscilla said. "Me and Karen found each other outside Motion Publishing, and we've not found out anything."
"...Me either." Serena said. "All I can tell is that we're in 2002. That Masquerade sent us back in time..."
"Perhaps to the very day the worlds split." Karen said, thinking. "Maybe the exact second. Which means the two worlds are back to being one..."
"Seriously?" Serena said. "Then, how are any of us going to get back?"
"I don't know!" Priscilla said, sadly. "I just...I can't think of anything, at all! All that came to mind was trying to find anyone else! If we're the only ones left...I..."
"Calm yourself, Priscilla." Karen said. "I doubt the situation is that grave. We've simply been placed far apart from each other. Our mobile phones aren't working, but Sophie's telepathy might kick in. She'll come up with something."
"You sure?" Serena asked. "Then...should we just wait here?"
"No, that would be risky." Priscilla said. "I think we should keep looking. Nathan's going to be worried sick, trying to find out where I've gone. I need to show him I'm alright. Let's get out of here."
"Righty." Serena said. "Kyle, I hope you're okay too..."
|Kanaloa – Black Wolf|
Blaine had been through hell. He had been taken to his old house with Dan, and everything seemed out of place, such as the TV that they had gotten rid of years ago or a fridge full of items that expired in 2002. Confused, he had left his former home – only to see a dark, gloomy sky and what seemed to be a frozen world. A beer bottle that was in the middle of smashing, dripping its contents onto the pavement. A motorcycle swerving around a tight corner, avoiding a rusty old Honda.
He felt sweat building up, as he feared and panicked for everyone else. To be left alone, in a landscape that had ceased to move anymore, and never see anyone again was horrifying. Especially one thought...that his future with Lucy would never happen. It would end with them being in a small flat, with his ideas for a business with Kaman never coming to fruition.
I don't want my life to stop here, like this place! But how the hell do I get back to my time?
He walked down Gregory Street, which barely had changed. On the way, he saw an old damp newspaper, next to some dirty bags and trays from the cheap Chinese takeaway nearby. The front page discussed an incident Blaine had long since forgotten about – a man who lost a hand trying to steal money from an ATM. Just then, however, a dark figure stomped over the newspaper – a Hand Shadow.
"Hands off, buddy!" Blaine grumbled, pulling out his pistol. A Ziodyne zapped it into submission, but before he could eliminate it, more Shadows began to appear. Two Chaos Fuzz, a Rebellious Cyclops, and a Inviting Nyogo. Frustrated, Blaine tried to fend them off with Maziodyne, but this only wiped out a Fuzz.
Oh, for fuck's sake! I'm outta here!
Running as far as his legs could take him, Blaine fled Gregory Street. Without anywhere particular in mind, he soon ended up near his local – the Black Wolf. A grimy, rough tavern mostly populated by uncouth construction workers, with a strong smell of alcohol wafting over the premises. It had not improved much in 2012, from what Blaine had heard, even though he and Dan got banned due to a bad fight with some of the regulars.
He didn't exactly care where he ended up, so long as he could find a drink to calm his nerves. Thus, he opened the door, to be greeted by the worst smell he had been subjugated to. Cleaning the bathrooms seemed to happen once a fortnight here. However, he heard the sounds of two women gasping.
"Who's there?!" One of them roared, running to greet their intruder. There, in front of him, was Tara. "Oh! It's fine, Sophie, it's just Blaine!"
"Thank god you're – aw, crap!" Blaine yelled. The three Shadows had followed him all the way here, and were bursting into the cramped pub. "Fuck! Sorry, girls -"
"I suspect these ruffians are better looking than the usual clientele..." Sophie said, calmly summoning Sophia.
"Normally I'd be worried about breaking something, but to be honest I think I'd be doing this place a favour." Tara said, conjuring Chehooit. "Get a move on, Blaine!"
"I sure know some tough chicks." Blaine said, impressed. "Quetzalcoatl! Let's show that narc not to fuck with us!"
With a heavy, electrified hammer, the feathered Aztec God was poised to smash any foe that came his way. The Chaos Fuzz attempted to shoot Blaine, but it was smashed into the ground, without leaving a trace of its existence.
"So that's what it means to break the law." Tara said, clapping. "Sophie! Which one should I take out?"
"The Nyogo is a Shadow based on nature...Earth won't harm it. However, the Cyclops should be powerless against Mother Earth. Leave the tree to me." Sophie said.
"Thanks. Okay, you freaky bondage slave!" Tara said, glaring at the Shadow. Blaine raised his eyebrow in surprise. How does she know what one looks like? Pulp Fiction? "I'll crush you! Precious Land!"
The ensuing rain of rocks and gems fell upon the Shadow, who grasped violently just to stay alive. Fortunately, it was too weak to hold itself together, and quickly faded into non-existence.
"Priceless." Sophie said. Calmly, she walked nearer the last remaining Shadow, and scoffed. It attempted to hit her with Aquadyne, but she bore the gushing water with grace. "Disgusting. You can imitate the beauty of nature as much as you like, but at the end of the day, you're even more of an abomination than pollution. I'll be more than glad to break you into tiny little twigs! Megidolaon!"
Damn. How did I have the luck to end up on a team with these women? Bad-ass babes, just like my Lucy!
Immense magic strength detonated, forcing the Shadow to fall backwards. Sophie, grinning madly, began to activate her telekinesis. Glass shards from a table in the far back were lifted up, and hurled at the Shadow – splattering its blood all over the nearby tables. With that, the Nyogo shrivelled up, fading just as one season blurred into another.
"That was terrifying..." Tara said, slightly in shock. "Sophie, why'd you get so angry?"
"Forgive me. I...I'd rather never see another of these beings again." Sophie said. "At any rate, I should be happier we found another survivor."
"Yeah. I'm really glad to see you two. But what the hell are ya doing in a dive like this? Not exactly a women's place! Not even at Happy Hour!" Blaine said.
Sophie walked closer, eyeing the decrepit pub with disdain. "This place certainly needs an air freshener, at the very least. It is every bit as bad as I imagined. Perhaps much worse."
"Yeah, I don't even drink here anymore. If I asked Lucy if she wanted to come here with me, she'd flay me alive." Blaine said, sitting down on a creaky wooden chair. "...You girls okay?"
"Not really..." Tara said. "Sophie was in her parent's house, and she found me wandering down the street not long after that. We came in here to get a break from fighting Shadows..."
"Some break." Blaine said, staring awkwardly at the shards of glass on the floor. If only Dan was here, he'd be telling me what to do. And Lucy, scary as you are, I sure don't want to lose you. Where are you two?
"We're all worried about our friends, Blaine." Sophie said, soothingly. "We can find them. It will take a bit of time, but we can be together again. Then comes the challenge of getting our city back on track."
"...You got a plan?" Blaine asked.
Sophie pointed to her forehead, and chuckled. "Never bet against a psychic, Blaine. I'll have all the answers we need soon enough. Yet I do have good news."
"You've found Matthew?" Tara asked, anxiously. "I'd have thought he'd be in Kanaloa. That's why I came looking here!"
I knew it! She likes him, it's so obvious! But does he like her? She's a good gal, Tara. Matthew and her would make a great match. ...What am I thinking? I ought to be worrying about where that little guy is!
"I do sense him, but further afield." Sophie said. "Within Kanaloa, however. Ethan Walters lurks. As does a woman I have never known."
"A woman you don't know?" Tara asked. "I don't get this anymore! Why is this woman with him?"
"Where's Ethan, Sophie?" Blaine asked. "We oughta show him we're alright!"
"At the present moment in time, Pride Square" Sophie said. "Let's go!"
|Saragel – Stadium|
Karl walked onto the grassy green pitch, a field of champions burnt onto his memory. Normally, when he was here – either spectating or playing – his ears would be inundated with the cheering crowds, the team's theme song, and the referee's whistle. Here, however, there was total silence, with only the trash from food consumed at half time indicating humans had ever been here. The floodlights were on, gleaming down harshly on Karl's face.
Where the heck is anyone? I've been wandering around town for ages!
Destroying the Nullity Masquerade had caused him to appear in his old house, and from that point on, everything had turned bizarre. The world seemed to dial back to 2002, long before he would ever get to play professional football. He saw his signed posters on his bedroom walls and ceiling, and knew that something was wrong – for these were now in his new home.
Walking outside, he had immediately been attacked by Shadows, each of them braying for his blood. With his quick fists, he pummelled most of them, but he could not seem to quell their anger. They had forced him to escape to here, a place he had seen in two very different forms – the prosperous stadium of his world, and the ruined wreck in the Other world.
"What world is this, then?" Karl asked himself. Sighing, he kicked a Diet Pepsi can, only for it to bump onto a dark set of armor. It was an Intrepid Knight Shadow, brandishing its lance.
Damn, you guys followed me all the way here? You're gonna pay!
Karl, try as he might, couldn't seem to harm this Shadow with any of his punches. Even Aeneas' blade, honed as it was, was unable to break through the fierce armour. It had become a battle of attrition now, where whoever ran out of steam would die – painfully.
"Fucking hell! Nothing's working, is it? Come on...Shining Blade!"
No matter how bright his sword became, Aeneas still could not pierce the Shadow's armour. Unimpressed, the Shadow seemed to be yawning, and wielding its magic, hit his foe with a shaking Magnadyne.
"...Shit." Karl muttered, falling to his knees. Heart pounding, he gazed upon the Intrepid Knight with hate and regret. "Is this how it ends? How the hell did it come to this?!"
Out of nowhere, an Agidyne appeared – burning the Knight. Then, what appeared to be a Paranoia Impulse. Recognising this attack, he looked up at the opposite side of the pitch – to see two familiar ladies.
"Should have known you'd end up here!" Shirley said, sprinting across.
"You alright?" Lucy asked, in pursuit. With her gun in her hands, she shot the Shadow, although the bullets bounced off. "Looks like we got here just in time."
"Am I glad to see you. My attacks are just bouncing off this thing! It's going to have to be up to you...but I'll help you out! Orichalcum!" Aeneas, upholding its knightly virtues, gave the two lady warriors extra strength.
"Awesome. Let's have ourselves a campfire, then." Lucy said, smirking madly. "Not that we have any smores to eat, but we can improvise. Ishtar! Agidyne!"
Another burst of flame struck the Knight, causing it to wobble. Desperate to attain victory, it stabbed at Shirley, only for her to jump over the lance, and jump high – kicking the Shadow's helmet.
"Whoa!" Karl said.
"Karl, it's getting a little boring when you get all surprised at me." Shirley said.
"I...I'm sorry, I just thought you were really cool!" Karl said, red in the face.
"Well, you're the athlete by profession. You should be able to do this kind of stuff in your sleep!" Shirley said, sardonically. Karl had to suppress the urge to laugh at this, while Lucy gave him a knowing smirk. "...Oh yeah. Liam. I suppose that adds new meaning to 'bedroom gymnastics'."
"Shirley!" Lucy said, barely able to contain her laughter. "You've got a filthy mind!"
"Well, she's not wrong..." Karl said, playfully.
"Okay, enough of this talk! Ceridwen!" Shirley ordered. "Nightmare!"
Ceridwen glided to the Strength Mask on the Intrepid Knight, and clutched it with both hands. The immediate surroundings were transmogrified into a hellish landscape of dark colours, where odd icons and characters flew all over in random directions. Evil distorted laughter could be heard, the pitch and reverb changing also at random. Finally, all symbols and light gathered into the Mask with a black and red flash of phantasmal energy. The Knight, ironically, fell just as night had.
"We...did it." Shirley said, falling back onto the grass.
"Thanks a million, girls." Karl said, looking back at them.
"Don't mention it. It took us ages to get here, you know." Lucy said, putting away her gun.
"How did you know to find me here?" Karl asked.
"Hello? You're a footballer. Or soccer player. I dunno, whatever works here." Lucy said, shrugging. "Me and Shirley saw you running through the streets, trying to get away from the Shadows. So we thought we'd try and go here, in case you went here."
"We've had a hard time getting through, though. What exactly is happening, Karl?" Shirley asked, gazing up at the sky. "The Shadows are back? And...there's no sea! I can't see the ocean at all...just most of that weird dark sky! It's like we've been taken to some faraway dimension!"
"I didn't even get a look at the sea..." Karl said, with a lump in his throat. Gulping, he shuddered. "We've got to find the others. Aimee's still out there...right?"
"I've no idea! I can't find Blaine anywhere!" Lucy yelled. "Course...he's probably in Kanaloa, isn't he? Might be running all over the place shouting my name..."
"...I'm worried about Dan too." Shirley said. "You know what we could do? Wait for Seraphina to get in touch. She's been working on her telepathy, you know. I bet she could 'transmit' to all of us."
"Really?!" Karl said. "Then...why hasn't she done that already?"
"Perhaps she's waiting until she knows exactly where everyone is?" Lucy said. "But I don't want to be stuck in this stadium anymore. No offence, Karl, but soccer bores me to tears."
"No sweat, babe..." Karl said, smirking. "Couldn't really get Amara to like it either, in the end. If only more of our girls were sporty..."
"Excuse me, Karl, but I could kick your butt to Alpha Centauri." Shirley said, sternly. "And I'll do that right now if we don't get going, and find our buddies!"
"R-Right!" Karl said. "Off we go, then!"
|Takanawa – Kitamura Dojo|
Amara's team had ventured into Takanawa, hoping they might run into Kazuya at his family's sushi restaurant. Unfortunately, neither he nor his friends were there. The emptiness around them was even worse than exploring the Other World – at least there, she knew there were people, albeit living in hiding. Now there was no life, with only this stopped land to prove life had ever happened.
"This is crazy..." Matthew said. "Where are we going to look now? There's not gonna be anybody in that dojo, is there?"
"I doubt it." Amara said, dejected. "Maybe we should turn back to Farawell, and consider our options -"
"AMARA!"
She leapt out of her skin, as did Dan. Matthew, managing to keep his composure, waved in delight to the three people rushing ahead, as fast they could to reach them. And these were Nathan, Roger and Kyle.
"...Dan!" Kyle said, hugging him. Dan tightened his arms around the young man, full of relief, and then had to give way for Matthew to do the same thing.
"Kyle, we were looking for ya..." Matthew said. "Especially him."
"Good to see ya..." Dan said, wiping his eyes.
"Nathan, it's so good to see you!" Amara said, tearful. "All this time, I was wondering if we were the only three left..."
"That thought came to my mind, as well..." Nathan said. "To think I'd walk all the way from Nova Albion to here, and find someone else at last!"
"Guess there's no one here for me to hug, really..." Roger said, albeit jokingly.
"Sure there is, partner." Matthew said, and while exaggerating his movements, hugged Roger.
"Hah...good to see you're still the same old Matthew." Roger said. "Six of us are alive, anyway...and I know we can find the rest of the bunch. Worth a shot, right?"
"Of course it is! We have to find all our friends! And they're out there, somewhere!" Amara said. "Off we go again, everyone. No time to rest!"
|Saragel – Promenade|
"No one's here, either..." Priscilla said, concerned. "And...there's no ocean. Why...?"
"If only I knew." Karen said. "How did things go so wrong so quickly?"
"We should have realised what the Masquerade really was..." Serena said. "But how could we have stopped it? Even if we had known what its powers were like, we would have tried to fight it head on anyway."
Karen, frustrated, looked longingly at the sand. There was no escaping this city. In fact, there seemed to be nothing in the world but the city. What had become of the outside world? Had their actions lead to the demise of billions of people?
"You're worried about your mother, aren't you?" Priscilla asked.
"Of course I am!" Karen snapped. "How is she supposed to deal with any of this? Shadows roaming the streets...she was lucky to escape, not that she could ever realise..."
"This is giving me a headache..." Serena said, utterly confused. "All the people but us have gone, and we're in the past."
"We have to at least believe in our friends. They have just as much power as us, right? We'll find them." Priscilla said, glancing around. On the beach, Serena saw something other than endless sand, sun loungers or volleyballs suspended in mid-air. Karl, Lucy and Shirley. Immediately, she hopped over the small wall, and ran to them.
"Hey!" Lucy said, excitedly. "I knew we'd run into someone eventually!"
"Thank God..." Karl said, quickly hugging Serena. "So the Shadows couldn't get to you. Not a bad-ass like you, huh?"
"Damn right." Serena said, flipping her hair back. Priscilla and Karen caught up, not even worried about getting sand all over their shoes. "We've been looking all over for people. I was beginning to think it was just going to be us three!"
"Exactly what we were thinking..." Shirley said.
"If you guys are alright, that probably means the others are fine." Lucy said, relieved. "Did you end up in Saragel too?"
"No, Legarte...but we couldn't see anyone else there." Serena said, anxious. "Should we really keep wandering around? If everyone else is constantly on the move, it could take ages for us to be together again!"
"I know." Karl said. "We've got to think of a plan. A place that we could all head to...I think we're going to have to wait for Sophie to get in touch. One telepathic message, and we'll know exactly what to do."
"So we have to depend on her again..." Shirley said. "I hope she can handle it...if everyone was counting on me to do something like that, I don't think I could take it."
"She's a strong lady." Priscilla said. "...And so are you, Shirley. You mustn't forget what you've coped with. And still, you were with us fighting Janus."
"Thanks, Priscilla...but I just want to be able to take some of the pressure of her." Shirley said. "We've got to be independent. We should do another patrol of Saragel, until we hear back."
"Fine with me..." Lucy said. "Then can we try Kanaloa? Blaine's probably there. But I don't want to leave anyone behind before we go."
"You ladies are something, alright." Karl said, impressed. "...Alright. One last Saragel patrol. Serena, we're going to need you to be our healer for a while. You ready?"
Serena nodded. It wasn't as if she had a choice. There was no way in hell she could let her friends fall in battle, especially not now. With her resolved, the team continued their quest, returning from the sand to the promenade.
|Kanaloa – Gregory Street|
"...Interesting. Naming streets after people." Ava said, reading one of the rusted street signs. "We do this to honour their lives, so that we remember their accomplishments for years to come. At least, that is why many of the streets in my homeland were named."
"Oh?" Ethan replied. "I'm not sure who this Gregory is. Kanaloa was originally going to be this super luxurious holiday resort, touted as being a haven upon the city. But something went horribly wrong with the budget, and they made massive cutbacks. And thus, Kanaloa wound up as this...it's a tragedy, isn't it? Only the desperately poor would be prepared to endure living here."
"I see...they would only come here out of desperation?" Ava asked. "Then why would you come here, Ethan?"
"Well..." Ethan began. Describing all the events that had unfolded would be very confusing, especially to a woman who was already suffering amnesia. Confounding this issue was the fact that this woman was supposed to be dead. "...I woke up here. How I got here, I don't know."
"Tell me again, Ethan. Kanaloa is part of this city, but what other sections are there? I'd like to see more." Ava asked.
"Right next to us on the coast of the island is Saragel. Beyond that, Legarte, the harbour area. There's also Takanawa, the educational kingpin of this city, then Nova Albion, the height of culture and sophistication. And finally, there's Farawell, a place full of art and history." Ethan explained.
Ava's face lit up in surprise. Stunned, she looked at Ethan, with a face full of fright.
"...That can't be." Ava said. "I know those places! All of them were near my homeland, like how you described them! So then...where is my homeland?!"
"What are you saying?" Ethan asked. "Your country's near places with those names, too? But that doesn't make sense. There's only one other village on this island, and that's Clairdol. Are you from there, maybe?"
"No, I'm not!" Ava said, angrily. "It isn't just a matter of the names, Ethan! Something awful has happened, I can feel it. My homeland has been replaced by this alcohol-soaked hellhole!"
"That can't be right..." Ethan said. "Because...uh...there's never been anything here before Kanaloa."
Ava, sadly, let out a painful sigh. "Are you telling me the truth? If you are, that means that my homeland might never have even existed..."
"Don't say that." Ethan said. "It might just be that your memories are a little muddled right now."
"Thanks for your help, Ethan. But they feel so clear to me. Five places near my own, and there was a beach at the one called Saragel. And I saw plenty of boats in a big harbour. That had to have been Legarte! Plus, there was a huge theatre in Nova Albion, a beautiful place where they performed beautiful music unlike anything I had heard before..." Ava said.
"You remember all of that?" Ethan said. She nodded, eyes watering. "I really don't know anything about your homeland, but...I know everything else you're talking about. But -"
Suddenly, Ava screamed, pointing behind Ethan. To his dismay, there were three strong Shadows blocking the street. Two were merely Minotaur IV, lead by a Neo Minotaur. Irritated, he prepared his sword, prompting Ava to gasp in fright.
"Ava, please, stay back!" Ethan said.
"Those beasts! What are they?!" Ava asked.
"I'll explain after I've killed them!" Ethan said. "Sraosha!"
The mighty angel of Observance emerged, sword gleaming even in this dark world. Ava, in awe, stared up at it. She was still afraid, of course, but she seemed calmer upon seeing it. Ethan, however, had to focus on quickly eliminating these pests.
"Claiohm Solais!" He roared. Using his mighty sword, the Persona tore through the rightmost Minotaur IV, splattering its dissolving blood all over the ground. Ava screamed at the sight, hands on her pale, tear-stained face.
I'm sorry...I should have figured that Shadows would be around now. I'll protect you...I promise.
The two remaining Minotaur, however, were not even slightly bothered by the death of their comrade. Rather, the leftmost one cast Matarukaja, upping their already high offence, while the centre one cast Power Charge upon itself.
"...They're getting stronger?!" Ava exclaimed, stepping back.
"You can tell?" Ethan asked.
"They're doing something to make themselves more powerful, aren't they? Whatever you're doing to defeat them, please keep it up!" Ava begged.
"...I will." Ethan said. "Sraosha! Kifuka!"
Ava cowered in fear, while a massive thunder storm struck down one of the Minotaur. It was not defeated just yet, however, but its body was smouldering from the shock. Ethan stared down the Shadow right in front of him, and feeling brave, he ran closer. Raising his sword high, his anger burned bright.
How dare you Shadows come back! I'll find a way to get rid of you all for good...whatever scheme is unfolding, I will end it!
"Die!"
Unfortunately, the Neo Minotaur was too quick. With a fierce God's Hand, Ethan was knocked away, painfully crashing onto the ground. Right then and there, the Minotaur IV regained its footing, and let rip with a Garudyne.
"Ethan?!" Ava screamed. Without thinking, she ran up closer.
"N-No..." Ethan groaned. "Urgh...you can't...these Shadows will kill you!"
"Only if I let them..." Ava said, suddenly confident. She held her hands over her heart, and all of a sudden, a brilliant blue aurora appeared around her. The two Shadows were distracted, and attempted to strike – but the burst of energy that ensued sent them back, bouncing off the buildings nearby.
"PERSONA!"
No way...
The resulting being from the explosion was a lilac skinned lady, with deep pink eyes and lavender lips. Her long pink hair trailed in front of her shoulder, while the wind blew the tail of her similarily coloured dress. Also, the angelic woman had a snowflake-esque halo, feathery earrings, glowing pink bracelets, silver anklets, and carried a strange silver staff with fuchsia ribbons and rose gems twinkling. Two pairs of pink wings, one large and one small, flapped.
I am thou. Thou art I. From the sea of thy soul, I cometh. I am Mithra, and my oath shall be to protect the truth of all living beings.
"She's...amazing!" Ava said, unable to take her eyes off her Persona. "I can feel it! Inside me...this lady is my 'Persona', just like Sraosha is to you! This power can stop the Shadows, can't it?"
"It's the only way to fight them." Ethan said. "Even if you had my sword, without a Persona it would be completely useless, like a flyswatter."
"I understand..." Ava said. "Then...I must see for myself what Mithra can do. Please, help me!"
Mithra, channelling her magic, managed to send out an electric charge at the Minotaur IV - a Ziodyne. Both Ava and Ethan gasped in surprise – even on her very first battle, she had managed to cast a high-tier spell such as that. The shocking strike caused the Minotaur IV to fade away, leaving nothing but traces of smoke.
How?! Ashi shouldn't have this much power! She skipped straight ahead to Ziodyne...I only managed that thanks to Janus! Why is everything today confusing me?
"I did it!" Ava said, ecstatic. "Mithra, you have my gratitude. Then again, if you are me, you know my feelings."
The final Neo Minotaur, now completely abandoned, began hitting the two of them with its brutal Akasha Arts. Ava screamed, while Ethan simply winced at the pain.
"Ethan, I...this hurts! So much...it might have broken something!"
"I'm used to this...I can handle a few cracked ribs." Ethan said. Quickly, he cut through the Cyclop's left arm, and managed to impale it in the heart. "Now! Sraosha, Prism Apex!"
Sraosha's tremendous sword was no ordinary armament. Thrust forward, it began to gather an immense light. Ava watched, dazzled, as the light was transformed into a pulverising laser – and as the brightness faded, so did the Shadow.
"That was...incredible. I've never seen anything like this!" Ava said. "My power, and yours...are we the only ones who have it?"
"No, actually." Ethan said. "Remember my friends? They each have one. And they're all different in terms of what they can do."
"Yours seems terrifically powerful..." Ava said. "And...there is something else I can do. With Mithra. Something that feels so natural to me. Second-nature, even."
"And what's that?" Ethan asked.
"Be patient, Ethan. In both senses of the word. Mithra! Ataraxia!"
A sphere of pink and white energy appeared around the weary Ethan's body, gathering soothing blue particles. These collided into the sphere, and there was a long succession of flashes. With each of them, Ethan felt his injuries fade away, as if he had just woke up from a long, good sleep.
He would have given Ava his thanks, but he had just realised something. This 'Ataraxia'...he had definitely seen it before.
Because the Masquerade had healed itself with the exact same energy.
What does this mean? How did he copy something that didn't even exist yet? Or...could Ashi have used a Persona when she was alive? No, that doesn't make sense. She doesn't seem to have remembered anything after all of this. Ashi...why won't fate leave you alone? Why must you have to fight the same battles I do?
"...Thank you, Ava." Ethan said, someone flatly.
"Do you know, with my Persona...it feels terrific. Like I've known her my whole life. With my Persona, I can heal you whenever you're hurt! Oh, and myself. A nurse needs to take care of herself too."
"Right!" Ethan said, warmly. "Did...awakening to your Persona help you remember anything?"
"Not a lot. Yet, there is something in particular. My job was to heal the people of my homeland. Everyone always came to me, and when I made my own medicines, they always worked better than anybody else's. Perhaps, back then, Mithra was helping me in her sleep. Is that just me being silly?" Ava asked.
"No, you might be right. Mithra's been part of you since you were born. And if you keep using her, more and more memories might come to you. We can find out just what happened to your homeland!" Ethan said, faking enthusiasm.
"You certainly are getting fired up! Yes...I must find out my homeland's name first, though. It will come to me, so don't worry about me. It's high time we found your friends!" Ava said. "So please, if any of them are hurt, let me tend to them."
"At your wish, Ava." Ethan said. "Now, let's see. I don't have a map of Kanaloa, not even on my smartphone, so navigating around here might be tricky."
"Smart...phone?" Ava asked. "Is it some kind of sentient assistant that has geographical information?"
"That's...actually kind of right." Ethan said, gazing at his LG phone. "Never mind, we'll find our way here -"
Just then, three familiar faces turned around the corner. One of them was practically overjoyed. Running him, he wrapped his arm around Ethan's shoulder, much to Ava's surprise.
"Ethan, buddy!" Blaine said, full of relief. "You alright, man? Sophie said you were in Kanaloa, but didn't think you'd be right by my doorstep! And she said there'd be a woman with ya!"
"I...I'm alright. Thank you for your concern." Ethan said, flustered.
"Ah, quit sounding like one of them e-mail auto-confirm things." Blaine said, slapping Ethan on the back. "We thought you had died after what that Masquerade bastard did! Where did you end up?"
"Pride Square." Ethan said. "Aren't the others with you?"
"We've not seen anyone else in Kanaloa but you." Tara said, sternly. "I don't get it. How come all the Shadows have come back? We killed them all, didn't we?"
"Clearly, someone – or something – was able to reverse that." Sophie said. "If only I knew...but the only clear fact is that time is stuck to June 7th 2002, 4:21 pm."
"What? That's...that must have been when..." Ethan said, stunned. "During the experiment, the minute before the Shadows appeared!"
"Yes." Sophie said. "The precise second Archibald and Nina's ghosts were able to take control of their past selves. Which means it is the last moment in time the two worlds were still one. Whatever the Masquerade planned, it seems to be effective. There is no one left in the city without a Persona...not even animals are here now."
"Yo, Ethan, who's your lady friend?" Blaine asked, staring at Ava. "You kept that one quiet! Ethan, the shyest boy I ever did meet, hooking up with this beaut! Didn't know you were the Casanova type, but damn!"
"...You're very lucky Lucy isn't here, Blaine." Sophie said, shaking her head.
"Hooking up? Casanova...?!" Ava said, incredulous. Before he could laugh it off, and claim he was teasing, she slapped him hard across the face.
"Whoa! I – I was just messin', you two!" Blaine said, rubbing his face.
"Oh for god's sake..." Tara muttered.
"Pig." Sophie said, without even bothering to be quiet.
"I'm sorry! Don't worry, it shouldn't be a fatal injury." Ava said, suddenly afraid. "I've only just met Ethan. It's a little presumptuous to assume we're a couple, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess. I'm real sorry, miss." Blaine said. He held out his hand. "Let's start fresh. I'm Blaine Spencer. How about you?"
"Ava Walters." She said, happily, shaking his hand. Upon hearing this surname, his eyes widened, and Ethan cringed.
"...She's related to you? That puts Blaine's comments into the creepy category." Tara said.
"Not at all!" Ava said. "In truth, I'm amnesiac. I woke up here, with barely any memories of who I am or where I'm from...but I saw Ethan lying on the ground by this 'Pride Square'. He was so kind to me, he even gave me a new name."
"Oh...the same surname, too?" Blaine asked, curious.
"It's from the orphanage." Ethan said. "Ava here's been looking forward to meeting you all."
"Absolutely. A friend of Ethan is a friend of mine. And if there are a lot more of you, I can't wait to meet the whole gang!" Ava said. Feeling more relaxed, Tara and Sophie held out their hands to her.
"I'm Tara Miller." She shook hands with Ava, smiling.
"I used to be Seraphina, but now it's Sophie White. It seems I'm not the only one who's used an alias." Ava, smiling too, shook hands with the young psychic.
"It's nice to meet you all. Yes, even Blaine." Ava said. Then, she looked rather serious. "Now then, about what you discussed earlier. 'Nina', 'Archibald', and the rest of it - can you explain to me just what's going on?"
"That would take a couple of hours at least." Tara said, shuddering. "Before that, I think we need to find out where everyone else is. Sophie, that's your job."
"Mine? Without any working telecommunications, it seems I'm our only hope. No pressure, then." Sophie said. Shutting her eyes, she summoned all her power, and held out her arms. As did the newly summoned Sophia.
"Another Persona? It's quite pretty. Shiny..." Ava said, admiring the Persona's hair.
"She knows what a Persona is? Who is she, Ethan?" Blaine asked, confused.
"I...I've got a lot of explaining to do myself." Ethan said.
Sophie, having conducted the psychic search throughout the city, had seemingly found everybody. Next, she touched her forehead with her fingertips, and began the transmission, her hair fluttering in her Persona's blue aura wind.
Everyone! It's me, Sophie! I'm with Blaine, Tara, and Ethan. Come to the Convention Centre in the middle of the city. We'll meet there and discuss the situation!
"So she's psychic? People in my homeland claimed to have those kinds of abilities, but they never could prove it! Will that message work?" Ava asked.
"Only one way to find out." Tara said, walking on ahead.
"Come on, you guys!" Blaine said, following. "We've got a long walk ahead!"
"Some exercise will do you all good." Ava said. "Ethan, I'm looking forward to this! A chance to see what all your friends think about you!"
"Y-Yeah...I think you'll enjoy it." Ethan said, nervously.
Ashi...looking at you, I feel safe, somehow. But I need to protect you from the truth, just for now. When I find the right words to tell you everything, I will.