AN: I apologise for taking so long to write this one. Thank you for waiting, and I hope you're enjoying this new arc. Also, I've recently started another work called Persona: Gnosis, which is going to be something a lot different than this. So if you're interested, take a look at that! Thanks again to my readers, reviewers, etc, and I promise I won't take as long to put out Chapter 107. Read, review, favourite, etc.
The new Shadows appearing in this chapter will also be present in Gnosis from the beginning. For example, the Cordi (Lovers) Shadow has different forms, to represent different wedding anniversaries.
Chapter 106: Ghost City
|Farawell – North End|
It had been a tremendous relief to hear Sophie's voice. Where she was, she did not know, but she was no doubt on her way here. While it did not mean they had an answer to the problems they faced, they at least could begin planning together as a team. The next challenge, of course, was simply reaching the chosen meeting place.
As they progressed to the Convention Centre, more and more Shadows seemed to show up, each hungry for blood. It was as if six works of hard work had been undone in an instant – nowhere seemed to be safe.
"Crud!" Amara yelled. Right as the Centre came into view, a quartet of Shadows ambushed them. All of them purplish floating Lavender Mirrors, with ribbons tied on the base of their handles that resembled ghostly hands. "Isis, go! Agidyne!"
Fire ravaged one of the mirrors, and while it was able to counter with Bufudyne, Amara's sword pierced the glass, resulting in the reflector's rapture.
"Good work." Nathan said. "Now then, Garudyne!" Unfortunately, the wind just bounced off the Mirror, barely budging it. It hit Nathan hard across the face with its 'hand', then cast Mudoon – which he barely leapt out of the way from.
"Crap. These things ain't afraid of the dark, then. Guess I'm gonna need to do this the old fashioned way." Dan said, cool and collected. "Mictlan! Bloody Divide!"
The Persona, brandishing his scythe with the intent to eviscerate, glided towards one of the Lavender Mirrors. He swung the scythe in one brutal crimson swing, enough to send bloody ripples throughout the atmosphere. This force broke apart the mirror, leaving two left.
However, the battle was not yet done. One Mirror, taking note of its fallen ally, cast Tetrakarn. Thus, brute force was no longer an option. Before anyone could try out their magic instead, another Mirror followed up with Makarakarn. The other cast Megidola, striking with refined sorcerous power.
"Pussy!" Dan taunted, giving them the middle finger.
"This isn't good. The only way to break that barrier means hurting ourselves..." Amara said.
"And we don't have a healer with us, either. Shit..." Roger said.
"This is going to hurt a lot, but..." Matthew said. "Tornado Beast!"
Ehecatl's savage claws were set upon the four Shadows, but their force was immediately sent towards their master. Thus, Matthew fell to his knees, as he felt the sharp, brutal blades of his Persona sink into his body. The Tetrakarn broke, however, leaving the Shadows vulnerable again.
"God dammit! Matthew, you alright?!" Dan yelled.
"Not really...just hurry up and kill those freaks! Give them the seven years of bad luck!" Matthew ordered.
"You got it, kid." Roger said. "Deep Sea Dirge!"
Having not cast a single water spell prior to this, Apsu's attack was rather weak. Once the area had been 'dampened', of sorts, this savage thrust would have ripped these mirrors to pieces. However, the Mirror that was struck fell near Kyle, who quickly took advantage.
"Volcanic Divide!" He demanded. Vulcanus's fiery blade grew in heat and flame, and sliced through the damaged mirror, melting the glass and metal into intangible wisps of dishonour.
"Nice!" Amara said. "Now then, let's get the last one! Nathan, join me!"
"As you wish, milady." Nathan said, bowing. "Cu Chulainn!"
"Isis!"
"Battlefield Roar!"
The two Personae clinked their weapons together. Then, at breakneck speeds, they both began striking the last Mirror, zooming across the battlefield. Their speeds increased, as did the force of their sword and spear.
The Mirror's glass broke into countless fragments, that fell like dust onto the ground. It's body fell limply to the floor, fading into nothingness.
"Awesome, you two." Dan said.
"Yeah. Come on, they're probably there by now!" Matthew said.
Quickly, the six fighters went onward, until they were right in front of the rendezvous point.
|Farawell – Convention Centre|
Weirdly, no Shadows were around in the immediate vicinity. It seemed even more like time had stood still, even the air. Amara, anxious, took a seat on one of the benches to the right of the steps. Nathan, a little tired, took a seat next to her, while the other four looked around for anyone else.
"Sophie's going to get here safely, isn't she?" Amara asked.
"Of course she will." Nathan said, confidently. "A psychic like her has power unlike any other. She could destroy all the Shadows with a click of the fingers. Believe me, when she's this determined, nothing could get in her way."
"She's so amazing..." Amara said. "But in our world, she wants to get rid of her psychic powers and be normal again. I bet that's what this Sophie wants too, more than anything."
"Maybe so. She's done very well to resist using her powers for more corrupt purposes. Lesser men and women would use them to only benefit themselves, and manipulate others. Our Sophie only is concerned with using them to help us." Nathan said. "She may loathe her abilities, but if she can give them a purpose, she'll use them."
"I know." Amara said. "I...just want everything back to normal, for all of us. Can't I just worry about what happens if no one buys my paintings? Or what to get my father for his birthday? Or what'll happen when Marcel arrives in New Motus?"
"What's this? He's coming to visit here?" Nathan asked.
"He was...but with the way things are now, I'm not sure if that can even happen now." Amara said. "I should be saying we can fix this and get back to our era, but I've no idea what to do! We could be stuck like this forever..."
"...It's a terrifying thought." Nathan said, eyes to the floor. "If that is the case, my baby girl will never be born..." His eyes seemed to be watering at this thought, and he let out a long, melancholic sigh. "But I simply can't let that happen."
"Nathan?" Amara asked, looking up at him.
"Until now, I never thought so seriously about having a child. It just didn't seem to matter much then – I had to worry about the family business first. Now, though...all I want is for me and my wife to hold our child in our arms." Nathan said. "But I can't do that if I'm stuck in this time! I just...I want to be there when my daughter is born..."
He's never been more serious...now I feel ashamed. He's got something really important ahead of him. Why can't I be the optimistic one this time? Is it because...I'm not looking forward to the future?
"I see..." Amara said, managing a smile. "I guess...I need to be more positive here."
"Most people would freak out at a time like this. Don't try and force yourself." Nathan said. "Everything feels so different now. After all the fighting I did last year, all I want to do is settle down. Raise a family...run the business...and every now and then, spend some quality time with my old friends."
"Sounds wonderful..." Amara said.
Nathan, however, was no fool. He could sense the lilting ruefulness of Amara's words. He held her hand, and looked deep into her eyes.
"I'm sorry. All you're hearing right now is me, getting excited about my future." Nathan said. "But listen to me. Yours is going to be fantastic as well. It doesn't matter how much artwork you sell, how wonderful Marcel turns out to be, or even if you stay in New Motus. Life is there to be lived, and you're one of the liveliest people I've ever known."
"Nathan..." Amara said. "Thanks. It's not so easy to feel great about life right now, but I think I can handle this. I fought Janus for a reason, and I have to stand by it. This weird world isn't going to make me forget it, not anytime soon!"
"That's the Amara I remember." Nathan said, smiling now. They stood up, rejoining the four men.
"You kids okay?" Dan asked.
"We were just having a long talk about the future." Nathan said. "Of course, that's not going to be worth it unless we get out of the past. Kyle, do you have any idea as to what exactly has happened?"
"Not much in the way of concrete details, I'm afraid. Once Sophie and the others are here, we'll need to decide what our course of action is." Kyle said. "I know we're all scared, but we'll all be together soon enough. We saved the whole planet once before, and I think we might just get a second shot at it."
"Yeah..." Amara said, biting her lip. "Twice in a lifetime. What are the odds?"
|Farawell – Walker Avenue|
Karl and Serena's teams, after meeting up with each other, had been plunged into a segue of battles, forced to endure the wrath of seemingly thousands of angry beasts.
Now, they were faced with a pair of Diamond Cordi – a white Shadow with a rather abstract appearance, of two broken heart pieces rotating in opposite directions. Only a Lovers mask connected these halves. Aiding the Cordi were two Ninja-themed Shadows, one masculine and one feminine – the Jonin Shinobi and Kunoichi. Taking charge of this team was a rather fearsome looking dinosaur, the Ravenous Rex – which while in the shape of a T-Rex, albeit cartoonish, had several cybernetic enhancements. These included eyes that could fire laser beams, rocket launchers mounted on its shoulders, beam claws and an electric tail.
"Are these Shadows really born on human thought?" Karl asked. "Cause if so, then that's really saying something about our minds."
"Cyborg dinosaurs..." Serena said. "There's got to be a market for that. Right? If they make a Jurassic Park 4, they better have those in it! Then there could be a huge fight on the island, and -"
"Serena, sorry to interrupt your daydreaming, but we're in a huge fight right now!" Shirley said.
"Sorry. Okay, you freaky Shadows...time to die!" Serena cried.
Two of the Lovers, however, had begun casting Marin Karin – both on Karl. Sadly, the second one took effect, leaving him standing still, jaw dropped, with a dopey stare.
"Karl, you're...not in love with that thing, are you?!" Lucy asked, disturbed.
"What thing...?" Karl said. "That's my boyfriend over there...see the way he's winking at me?"
"Oh my god." Lucy moaned. "Karl, focus!"
"Charm spells are a little harder to wear off than that." Priscilla said, shuddering. "When Nathan was hit with them, he was convinced the Shadows were me in my swimsuit."
"Don't say that! You'll give Karl ideas!" Karen said. "We need him with us, not fantasising!"
"He does look good in those shorts, doesn't he? Oh yeah... And that beard of his, it's so rugged, so masculine...and you should hear his singing voice...it's like that guy from Les Miserables..."
"ENOUGH! You're making me miserable!" Shirley groaned. Exasperated, she grabbed Karl, and slapped his face. Even when his eyes returned to normal, she didn't stop, hitting him from left to right.
"Okay okay okay, STOP! I'm fine! I'm fine! Stop, you'll break my cheekbones!" He begged. She let go, a little sheepishly, and hurriedly stepped back.
"Well, it's a crude cure, but it's effective." Priscilla said.
"Is he talking about Enjolras?" Karen wondered.
"I'm not going to stand for this! Moonstone Wave!" Serena screamed. The high pressure of Selene's water struck the Cordis, and caused them to completely crumble, releasing a fragrant pink mist into the air.
"I guess wild hearts can be broken!" Serena said, hands on her hips.
"...What is this, an Arnie movie?" Lucy said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, come on! I thought it sounded cool!" Serena said, pouting.
"I guess while we're in this situation, we've got to keep positive. Hard as that is." Karl said. "So if a couple of corny one-liners get us out of this, go for it."
Suddenly, the two ninja began to strike. The Kunoichi threw a grenade, one that released a Magnadyne spell. The Shinobi, on the other hand, managed to throw a Garudyne grenade. Both hit Lucy, sending her spinning into a lamppost.
"Oww!" Lucy shouted. The two of them disappeared in puffs of smoke, then appeared next to her, trying to hit Lucy with their sharp tanto. However, she ducked under them, and shot them both. They tried to hit her again, but she leapt up, managing to kick them at the same time. "I'll roast you alive! ISHTAR! Maragidyne!"
Flames hit the two ninja – as well as the Ravenous Rex. All of them were considerably pained by the heat, but not enough to cremate either of them. Violently, the Rex tried to bit Serena, who reacted swiftly by wrapping her whip around its neck. Grinning mischievously, she tightened it. While she was nowhere near as psychopathic as Gogo Yubari, she was more than happy to torture these monsters. However, she left herself open for some nasty Jurassic Rockets, enveloping her in some nasty fiery explosions.
"Crap!" Karl yelled. Glaring intensely at the prehistoric, yet futuristic Shadow, he clenched his fists. He ran straight ahead, leaping, rolling and ducking from any of the Shadow's laser eye beams. When he got close, he jumped high, escaping from the heavy electric tail. Then, he punched the cyborg reptile in the forehead, hitting it hard in the Emperor Mask.
"I'm okay..." Serena said, coughing. Grabbing her whip, she lashed hard at the Rex, and span it around herself to hit the two ninja. "I won't lose, not even to something as awesome as this!"
"It's not awesome if it's trying to eat you..." Shirley pointed out. "Ceridwen! Taliesen's Tale!" Ceridwen took a book out, and stared at it. It had a navy leathery spine, covered in strange writing systems that Serena recognised – even Cryllic letters. Ceridwen opened the book, and the letters from the pages soared upwards as luminous characters. These then flew into the Rex, creating a spectacular light implosion.
"Shirley, you're awesome! I might just let the slapping incident slide!" Karl said. Shirley, blushing, kicked the dinosaur in its legs, then the jaw. "Alrighty! Aeneas, finish him off! Mass Destruction!"
Karl watched in delight as his Persona, a master of the blade, sliced through the Shadow. No matter how many cyborg parts were grafted into it, it was still destined to be a fossil. The Ravenous Rex fell over, its new weapons breaking apart entirely – along with its cold-blooded body.
"Amazing, Karl!" Priscilla shouted. "Ah!" The Kunoichi hit her with her tanto, and at the same time, had just thrown a kunai at Karen. Another kunai, however, hit Priscilla in her back – thrown by a Shinobi. His tanto clashed with Karen's katana, sending sparks everywhere.
"Looks like you need a top up." Serena said. "Mediarahan!" An extra dash of healing energy was just what Karen needed. She slashed, harder and harder, until she broke the short blade of the tanto.
"Daena! Hypothermia!" She cried. A freezing lurid chill soon consumed the male ninja, leaving him to vanish into the night. "Now, Priscilla! Freeze that other one, and hurry!"
"I will!" Priscilla said, lurching away from the ninja's sharp dagger. "Scathach! Come forth!"
Scathach, now known as the Crystal Queen, used the eponymous technique with grace. The Shadow tried to warp away, but even its speed was no match for the biting cold. Shortly, its very form was frozen solid, and her body was soon plunged into sub-zero temperature. Unable to warm up, the Kunoichi disintegrated, its mission failed.
"Sweet!" Serena cheered. "...I didn't want to get used to fighting Shadows again. This is wrong..."
"You're telling me." Karl said. "We've got to try and find a way to banish them all again. This can't be our fate, to always be averting disasters like these."
"Yeah. This isn't a game. I sure thought it was a year ago, but I've fought too many real battles to really enjoy it anymore. But, if I try to make them fun, it hurts a little less..." Serena said, sadly. "All I want is to go home and call Kyle, then I can tell him how much I love him..."
"Serena, I'm in the same boat." Karl said. "Unlike Kyle, Liam's not even here...there has to be a way to bring him and everybody else back. I'll try everything I can to do just that."
"Why did it have to happen tonight? That Masquerade should have just perished, and that would be the end of it! Then me and Nathan could finally begin rebuilding our lives!" Priscilla said.
"This city needs the Albion family, more now than ever. But what about you, Priscilla?" Karen asked. "Standing by your man is all well and good. But even a married woman has to have her own dreams. Don't you have any?"
"Of course I do, Karen! Yes, I know for most of the last ten years, I've been searching for Nathan. But, once things have settled down more, I might just be able to learn how to teach the flute." Priscilla said. "My mother didn't survive to see the Shadows go away...but I want to keep her songs and tutoring alive."
"...Good." Karen said. "Then you need to hold onto that dream. Like you would hold your weapon. If we forget our dreams, our reasons for continuing to live, this situation will be the death of us."
"I get what Karen is saying. We women shouldn't simply devote ourselves to the men we love. We've got to do what's important to us, and now. For ourselves, the city, our friends, everything." Shirley said.
"Being a cop in Clairdol sure wasn't for me, anyway. In fact, screw that whole village. I want to live here, where the action is. Where my real friends are." Lucy said. "...Tara and Matthew aside, of course."
"So what are you two planning on doing?" Serena asked. "Shirley, the other you used to be a piano tutor, but now she's actually recording an album! She could be world famous...or city famous, anyway! Lucy, you're working on one of the top newspapers in the city now. I'm actually reading your articles...and they're incredible. Full of hard-hitting questions. I wish I could be more like you."
"Finally! I'm somebody's idol!" Lucy said, clenching her fist. "Serena, don't worry about me. I'm going to work with Karen. Just like the other world, huh?"
"I doubt our music industry is going to thrive any time soon. But being a music teacher wouldn't be such a bad idea. Really, though, now I feel I could try anything! The sky's the limit!" Shirley said.
"You two seem confident." Karl said. "The only thing I've ever focused on is soccer...what if something happens and I can't do that anymore? I don't have any other skills to fall back on..."
"Just do what every other over-the-hill player does. Become a manager and do a lot of boring commentary on TV. Simple." Lucy said, shrugging.
"Soccer commentary is not boring! Sure beats watching Glee..." Karl said. "And managing a football team is a lot different than actually playing the beautiful game, actually."
"I wouldn't worry, Karl. You were determined to be the player you are today. If you saw a new opportunity, you wouldn't let it pass by." Serena said. "And don't forget, if more people know about you and Liam...I wouldn't think they'd be upset. In fact, it might inspire a lot of young people."
"...Maybe. But it's just hard to come out and say it, that two of the team's best players are an item." Karl said.
"There are worse things to confess to, Karl." Shirley said. "Like murder, arson, eating the last Oreo from the packet and claiming Richard did it..."
"But they're tasty..." Lucy whined. "But seriously. Man up. If you want to make changes in the sporting scene, there's no point in waiting!"
"You're all making a lot of sense...I ought to be braver than this, you're right." Karl said. "But before we can think about all of this, we've got to return back to our time!"
"Absolutely." Karen said. "And there are a lot of people waiting for us. We need to let them know we're still here. Come on!"
Onward, the six of them went, tearing through any Shadows that got in their path. Past, present or future, these warriors were dauntless.
|Farawell – Tollcross Road|
Ethan and his four companions had been faced with many Shadows in their pursuit of Farawell. Even having reached the district's outskirts, which mainly consisted of middle-class neighbourhoods, they were still beset by vile foes. And the five Shadows in front of them now were no different. One was a Gaunt Gallows, and two others were Yew Yazatas – giant trees that could walk via their roots, their branches covered in blue flowers. The other two were Riddling Enigmas, odd navy Shadows that were based upon the encryption machine that Alan Turing had famously decrypted in World War II.
"Sophie, do you have any information as to their weaknesses?" Ethan asked.
"The Yazata – the trees – are very vulnerable to flame, but cannot be flooded. The Gallows can be hurt by anything except light or darkness. And the Enigma will simply absorb electricity, but their code will fall apart if beset by rain or earth!" Sophie said.
"Ah, I comprehend. Sophie's precognition will doubtless aid us!" Ava said. "Then allow me! Mithra!" She demanded, calling upon her new-found angelic power. "One who shares the same voice as me, strike! Oceanic Vanguard!"
A gigantic wave of clear water, which contained pink sparkles and purple bubbles, smashed into one of the Enigma. It was so potent, the Shadow fell down, its keys and motors snapping in half. The tiny legs it was using merely rolled away, until all of its body faded away.
"Aw yeah! Check this girl out!" Matthew said.
"Only had a Persona for one day and she's already kicking some ass!" Blaine said.
"That contraption does not resemble a donkey in any way, sir." Ava said. "Is he blind?"
"Um...no. He has a tendency to spout lowbrow phrases, that's all." Ethan said.
"Duke Ethan sure is a buzz kill." Blaine said, rolling his eyes. "But anyway...I'm gonna take out that Gallows! Lightning Circuit!"
The electrified wheel began to shock the execution device, but it was not enough to tear it apart. Rather, the Gallows began casting, releasing Mudoon. Overcome, Blaine collapsed right behind Tara, who was slashing at both Yazata. Ethan quickly joined her, attempting to cut through the thick branches and dense foliage.
"You poor man!" Ava said, running to Blaine's side. However, an Enigma was approaching, and by punching in its 'code', it hit Ava with an Agidyne. "Argh!"
"This isn't boding well..." Sophie grumbled. "Time for me to shine, then. Starry Heavens!"
Six purple spheres of astral material shot down from the sky, exploding fast and furiously. Ava gasped, watching as the wounded Gallows was executed, and the remaining Enigma was painfully shuddering, with sparks flying from its body. Ethan swiftly struck it down to the ground, letting its many components scatter and vanish.
"Ava, are you hurt?" Ethan asked.
"It is nothing fatal..." Ava said. "Am I desensitized to this violence already? I was almost immolated, but...I live to tell the tale."
"Right now, I have to let someone else tell one." Tara said. "Blaine...hang on a sec, okay? Samarecarm!" Chehooit, ever the compassionate Earth Mother, brought Blaine back from the brink of death.
"Holy shit..." Blaine said. "Thought I almost dodged that. Is that garrote dead?"
"If you mean that macabre looking instrument of execution, then yes." Ava said. "Yet we have two trees to fell."
"Nothing like a good bit of deforestation, eh?" Blaine said, flexing his biceps. "Time to break you all into little twigs! How do you like that?"
"Allow me." Ethan said. "Come, Sraosha! Almacia!" he commanded. Sraosha brandished his grand blade, which then absorbed immensely potent energy from the atmosphere. Confident in his blade's potential, the Persona drove it through one Yazata, and the energy flashed through its wooden body. With a couple of bullets and sword swings, it was cut down, and melted into the concrete ground.
Angry, the sole survivor cast Mind Charge – and out of desperation, quickly cast Magarudyne afterwards. The sheer wind speed blew everyone backwards, while not even budging the still environment around them. Not a single glass fell off the restaurant table, nor did the tablecloth flutter.
"This plant simply has no place in any garden!" Ava said. "Mithra!" Her Persona appeared, aiming her staff at the Shadowy tree. "Radiant Sun!"
Radiant sunshine beamed down from a red and orange sphere, which shone brightly even in the demonic and artificial sky. The light itself seemed to be burning the Yew Yazata, and before long, every inch of its body was set aflame. Finally, it was nothing more than a pile of ash, scattered into the wind to never be seen again. However, something odd was lying on the road – a sceptre, with purple gems decorating it.
"Where did that come from?" Tara asked. "None of those Shadows were carrying that!"
"I have no idea..." Ava said. "Yet, it is a beautifully decorated work of art. I will take it!"
Ethan frowned – was some other power manipulating this? Bringing Ashi into this modern era, giving her a weapon, and letting her use a Persona, all of this didn't add up. Yet Ethan had no answers, and kept quiet.
"Ava...just how are you so capable so quickly?" Sophie asked. "You've had a Persona before today, haven't you?"
"Are you accusing me of being dishonest?" Ava asked, offended. "No, I have never used this power – or even knew of it – until today!"
"I...believe you." Ethan said. "Yet, for most of us, we weren't capable of much to begin with. It took each of us lots of time to reach our current strength, but you, Ava, seem to have leapt ahead."
"My apologies, but I do not know how to answer." Ava replied. "In all honesty, this power feels so natural. Until we can solve the mystery, please trust me."
"I do! Honestly!" Ethan said. "We should press on. Or more Shadows will come after us."
LATER
"We're getting closer and closer to the Centre!" Sophie said. "I can sense everybody so much more clearly now. We shouldn't keep them waiting any longer."
"I hate how quiet everything is." Tara said. "Even Clairdol was full of noise. People trying to hawk their produce at the market, kids running around on the beach, or teenagers chatting about 'swag' on their mobiles."
"Mobiles? Swag?" Ava asked, perplexed.
"I'm not sure how I can explain this without confusing you, but..." Ethan began. "A mobile phone is an item that lets you talk to people even if they're far away. They run on a power source called electricity."
"I see. If we had those in my homeland, it would have helped us a great deal..." Ava said, sadly. "And what is 'swag'?"
"You don't wanna know." Blaine said, shaking his head. Just then, he felt his pockets, but immediately, he looked concerned. "...Fuck! Where is it?"
"...Where is what?" Tara asked.
"Dammit! It must have fallen out back when we were fighting the Masquerade!" Blaine shouted, looking all over the ground. "Christ...where the hell did it go? I can't have lost it! Not now, of all the damn times..."
"Calm yourself, Blaine." Sophie said. "It might be closer than you expect."
"What? But I don't see it anywhere!" Blaine said, checking his pockets again. "Shit...!"
"Hold on a minute." Ethan said. He just noticed Ashi, or rather Ava, was staring at something in her hands. A black velvet box, with a golden oval symbol on the front. "Where did you find that, Ava?"
"It was while we were fighting those Shadows that looked like dancing couples." Ava said. Blaine saw the box, and immediately walked over, relieved. "After the battle ended, I saw it on the ground while everyone else was walking away -"
"That's it!" Blaine said, immediately snatching it out of her hands. He opened the box, to reveal a silver, slender ring with a red jewel embedded in it. On the band was an inscription – of his name and Lucy's.
"You could have asked me to return it to you, not just grab it from me like a common animal!" Ava admonished, hands on her hips.
"I – I'm sorry, miss." Blaine said. "Thing is..."
"Oh!" Tara said, excitedly. "I see...! For an engagement ring, it's beautiful."
"Indeed it is. Clearly, Blaine is through with doing things on the cheap. After all, that ring cost approximately $340." Sophie said.
"...Rings cost that much?" Ethan asked, surprised. "That's ridiculous. You shouldn't waste your money on one trinket."
"Hey, don't get sassy! It took me an hour to pick one...the right one for my gal." Blaine said, embarrassed. "It's only recently that I've had the cash to splurge on my girl, you know? I want Lucy to know I'm serious, and...dammit, a cheap gold band isn't going to do that!"
"I had no idea you were so devoted to Lucy." Tara said.
"You kidding? She's...the best girlfriend I've ever had! I've never been so sure about anything. And after being at Nathan's wedding, I...I want the same thing he's got. I want to be her husband, dammit!" Blaine said, gazing fondly at the box.
"I...I think I understand." Ava said. "Marriage is sacred.. A bond between two sworn lovers, a promise to share life's promises together. You should take better care of that ring, Mr Spencer. It would be a shame if your Lucy were never to wear it."
"Don't worry, lil' lady, this thing ain't going anywhere." Blaine said, putting it back in the pocket carefully. "I just gotta find the right time to get down on one knee and pop the question..."
"I wouldn't worry about her refusing." Sophie said. "After all, she speaks of you in very high regard. At least, I think 'hottie', 'sexy', and 'handsome' qualify."
Blaine smirked, flexing his biceps. "Well, when you keep in shape this much, it yields results! I was worried living together would make everything go south. But it's amazing...even normal things like making meals, cleaning up, or coming home from work feel new and exciting. I don't think a day's gone by without her kissing me."
"That's fantastic." Tara said. "...My other self must feel the same about Adrian. No, I know she does."
"Other self?" Ava asked. "You all are speaking in terms I don't understand yet..."
"Ava, I know you feel like an outsider right now." Ethan said. "But we'll find a way to explain, soon."
"That would be appreciated. Thank you." Ava said, smiling. "Yet...Blaine, I think congratulations are in order."
"Aww, shucks...thanks, Ava." Blaine said. "But we gotta do something about this situation first. Otherwise, I'm never gonna find out what she'll say. Let's go!"
The women walked onwards, with Ava inquiring about Sophie's psychic abilities. Ethan followed, only to be stopped by Blaine.
"...Yes?" Ethan asked.
"Are you alright, bud?" Blaine asked.
"Not exactly..." Ethan said. "Ava...she might be Ashi Kronos. You do remember her, yes? She was my ancestor's elder sister! And now Ashi is here, fighting with her Persona...but she doesn't have a clue about what a horrible fate she met..."
Blaine, astounded, kept quiet. Ethan sighed, looking up at the sky.
"I'm sorry, Blaine. But hearing about your upcoming nuptials isn't going to take my mind off this. Even if this wasn't a disastrous situation, I wouldn't be able to attend your wedding. Nor do I think I would be welcome at your counterpart's. For while I was Nihane, I made your – or his – life miserable."
"...Yeah, you were a little shit." Blaine said, honestly. "But Ethan Walter's a cool guy now. He actually gives a damn about other people, and he's all about keeping the world the way it is. I bet the other me would have him there. Cause I sure as hell would."
"Is that so?" Ethan said. "Even if I am what you say I am...I still aren't quite your friend."
"Oh, for fuck's sake – yes, you are!" Blaine said, irritated. "Okay, maybe we can't hang out like I can with my other buddies. Although I bet I'd drink you under every table in town. But – and I'm sorry about the upcoming cliché – all that matters is how cool a guy or girl is underneath. And you've been working so hard to help this city out. So you're a friend, and that's final."
"If you insist...but I'm a rather low-tier one, then." Ethan said. "Your real friends need to hear the good news, not me. My...closest friends are already gone, but yours aren't. They'll give you all the congratulations you need. Me...I'm happy for you, but there's no sense trying to get me to celebrate. The one person I would ever propose to is no more..."
With that, Ethan walked on ahead, leaving Blaine standing there in silence. Sadly, Ethan gazed up at the dark sky, which took him back to the cataclysm that he had averted six months ago.
Nina, it was these hands that killed you...do I have any right to grieve for your loss? Or the others? It seems I will wander this earth alone. For if we solve this crisis, and our Personae disappear forever, there will be no more need to associate with them.
|Convention Centre|
Amara, upon seeing the other two groups arrived, was overjoyed. She couldn't resist the urge to hug Blaine, Serena and Karl out of sheer relief, and to see their allies with them alive and well brought some joy to her heart. Moreover, having last seen him beaten by the Masquerade, she was pleased to see Ethan had pulled through.
"Sophie sure works better than my cell phone provider." Blaine said, jovially.
"It's great to see you safe and sound!" Serena said.
"Yes, we're all together again. Thank goodness!" Amara said.
"Not quite all of us, though." Nathan said, worried. "...Where are the Holy Cross? Where are our other selves?"
"Yeah, and where the hell is my sister?" Karl asked, panicking. "I thought she'd be with one of you guys! Sophie, did you forget to contact some of us?"
"I was 'broadcasting' to everyone that I knew!" Sophie said, adamantly. "And I can feel all nine of our missing members in this city. The fact that they haven't turned up suggests they're not able to leave their current locations."
"This is worrisome. We're running into more and more uncertainties." Kyle said. "For one thing, who is that woman?"
"'This woman' has a name, young man!" Ava said, sternly tapping her foot. "I am Ava Walters. Or at least, that is the name I have been given..."
"She found me in Kanaloa's Pride Square." Ethan said. "But she can't remember who she is, or where her homeland is. Even so..."
"Ah. All of you can summon a Persona, yes?" Ava asked. "Then let me show you mine. Mithra!"
The pink, angelic Persona appeared. Amara gasped – she didn't expect a new Persona user to appear at all. Where did this Ava come from, and where had she been prior to this day? She thought she knew her from somewhere, but nothing came to mind.
"Nice!" Matthew said, eyes beaming. "That is one pretty Perrsona you've got there, Ava!" She dismissed it, and bowed – as if she was on stage in some kind of paranormal opera.
"Dignified too." Dan said, impressed. "Oh yeah. I'm Daniel Kingsley, and this is my kid brother, Matthew."
"Your brother?" Ava questioned. "I assumed he was your son..."
Blaine could barely hold his amusement, and clutched his ribs erupting with laughter. Dan, mortified glared at him, seething. Matthew scratched his head, awkwardly.
"They're only twelve years apart in age!" Roger said, giggling.
"Surely you jest. Look at that beard!" Ava said, gawking up close at Dan's facial hair. Shirley frowned, crossing her arms. "I thought only the elders in my homeland had beards like these..."
"I ain't some elder, missy..." Dan said, taking a few steps back closer to Shirley. Relieved, she held onto his arm, not willing to have anyone but her invade his personal space. "What kind of country are you from, anyway?"
"I...I'm still not sure. All I know is that we loved our spiritual traditions. And our religion was born out of a wish to respect and cherish the mythologies and lore of mankind as a whole. Disparate elements blending together to create a new faith, one of faith to the world itself..." Ava said. "But many deemed us heretics. I remember many voices saying that to me..."
Lucy's eyes lit up, as did some of the others. "Hey, doesn't that sound a little bit like Am -"
"Lucy, you wouldn't happen to have seen your Blaine, have you?" Ethan asked, tugging on the collar of his shirt.
"Huh? No, not yet." She said. "Why you asking me that?"
"I'm just curious as to whether we've missed something." Ethan said. "For I'd rather not proceed until all of us are in one spot."
"Excuse me, Ethan, but aren't you going to explain to me more about you and this group?" Ava asked. "I want to know more about Persona, this power I have..."
"There's a lot to explain, Ava." Ethan said. "So...I'll tell you the short version, for the time being. For ten years, this city was under attack by the same Shadows you fought today. And...they were brought here by the schemes of this evil being called Janus."
"Janus is – or was – a great being of tremendous power. It had two different voices and bodies, a male and female, but it was fully one being. And it wanted to destroy humanity with its full power." Amara explained.
"You see, human thought is what gave rise to Shadows and similar beings. Maybe our deepest, darkest thoughts are such that they could birth monsters..." Nathan said. "But the power of a Persona is the ability to know yourself, and have a true grasp of your identity."
"Not everyone can have the mental strength to look at themselves in all honesty and say 'Yes, that's who I am'." Sophie said. "Yet all of us managed to. And so, for ten years, we battled Shadows, and through our hard work..."
"We were able to reach Janus, and challenge it to a final battle." Serena said. "We almost died during that fight. Janus almost destroyed the entire world when we seemed to be failing. But..."
"We all pulled through." Blaine said "We used our Persona's full strengths to completely thrash Janus, and we sent it to its death. The city was fine...for six months."
"And thanks to our – my mistake..." Ethan said, ashamed. "We fought a Shadow that should have been the last one. Yet it held much more power than we believed. Now, because of that Shadow's wish to destroy us all, it has used its power to trap us in our past..."
"For an abridged version of your story, I assume that will have to do." Ava said. "Perhaps I'll pick up on the details as we go. Ethan asked Lucy about Blaine as if there was more than one of him. What does that mean? Do you have two members with the same name?"
"It's more complicated than that..." Kyle said. "But, basically there are two separate timelines, branching off from June 7th 2002. All of us are from eleven years after that date. In my universe – which I'm calling 'Universe Alpha' the Shadows appeared, wreaked havoc, and forced us to create a rebel group to fight the organisation that Janus had duped into doing its bidding. That organisation was called Aeternus, lead by the Ater Vox."
"I see..." Ava said, nodding. "And I assume in the other universe this didn't happen, and the city was more or less safe?"
"You're correct." Kyle said. "That timeline shall be Universe Beta, as...this is getting complicated...two people travelled back in time and stopped the event that brought forth the Shadows. But Universe Alpha still existed, and twelve years later, four people of Universe Beta were forcibly sent through a device called a Neo Dimensional Door, by the same two time-travelling individuals."
"Universe Alpha and Beta? How original." Roger said.
"Excuse me, Roger. The next time we're in a possible apocalypse, I'll let you handle terminology." Kyle said, rolling his eyes. "I'm sorry, Ava, none of this is going to make sense to you -"
"Let me be the judge of that." Ava said, smiling. "It's still confusing, to have found myself in this situation, but I can grasp the concept of two different timelines interacting. So there's two of Blaine?"
"Yeah, and two of me, Nathan, and Amara. And I'm Serena, by the way." She pointed to her fellow members in order. "Karl there's from our world too."
"Nice to meet you, madam." Karl said, bowing respectfully.
"What interesting names..." Ava said. The rest of the group introduced themselves, and Ava made it a point to personally shake all of their hands. Happily, she went closer to the Convention Centre's stairs, looking high up at the building.
"Everyone, listen to me." Ethan said. "Ava...is Ashi Kronos. If she regains her memory, she wouldn't be able to take it. Do you understand?"
"Isn't that for her to decide, Ethan?" Amara said, hands on her hips. "I know it's traumatic what happened to her, but it was over two hundred years ago -"
"She doesn't know that! To her, it will feel like yesterday!" Ethan exclaimed. "Don't you see? She was killed right after her newborn son! The same day her husband was slain, and her little brother was forced to escape. I'm her family, but I can't possibly let her find out the truth...not yet!"
"Okay, fine." Karl said. "But how the heck are you gonna keep up this charade? Pretending not to know anything about her?"
"And why is someone who's been dead for two hundred and sixty years here now?" Karen asked.
"I don't know...I'll do my best to hide the truth, but that means you have to keep quiet too! Don't bring up anything that would remind her of who she is. That means her name, her brother's name, Nihane Kronos, Amurdad, any of that!" Ethan said. "Why she's here, I don't know either! But...back when I fought my other self in December...she was there. I saw her use her power to protect me..."
"This is one messed up story." Matthew said, scratching his head. "I mean, now we've got a dead girl helping us. I thought we had wrapped everything up, but..."
"I think I have an idea. Even though she died so horribly, she still loved this world...and especially her family. And you are the only descendant her brother has left." Tara said, looking deeply at Ethan. "Maybe...just maybe, she knew you were in trouble again. And her spirit came here, in a new body...but her memories aren't there."
"Everyone, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have important news." Sophie suddenly said. "There are people inside the Centre...many of them!"
"What? Our friends?" Amara asked, hopeful. "Is Aimee okay?"
"Yes, Aimee is there! As are the Holy Cross, and your other selves!" Sophie said. "We must go in! Now!"
Ava was stunned to watch everyone swarm inside the Centre, but Ethan remained behind.
"Ethan? What on earth is happening?" Ava asked.
"Some of our allies are in there. We've got to meet them." Ethan explained. "Hurry!"
They joined the group, and made their way to the fateful stage...
|Convention Centre - Stage|
"Guys...?" Amara said, confused. She didn't see any of her old allies, but six familiar faces standing on the wooden stage. There, shrouded in dark red mist, were the Ater Vox...even Nihane. "How...?"
"What the fuck? How can – how can Archie be there?!" Blaine demanded.
"This can't be! I sensed Aimee and the others!" Sophie said. "But...these aren't..."
Suddenly, 'Nihane' began to move, and clicked his fingers. His form suddenly changed – turning into a taller man, with slicked back hair and a long ponytail, and a short beard.
"Huh?" Ethan said. "That's not..."
"Father?!" Ava screamed. "That's...that's my father! I remember...those eyes!"
So that's the original Nihane Kronos? What is going on here?
"...You finally came."
The other five began to move as well, staring blankly ahead. They seemed more like dolls than anything else, but they had a fierce red aurora. And from within that aurora, other bodies began to emerge.
"...Dad?! Mom?!" Blaine yelled. Two figures near Archibald had appeared, and they seemed to be red-eyed, ghostly apparitions of his beloved parents, Timothy and Pauline. The former was dressed in a red plaid shirt, having been worn during his days as a carpenter, while the latter was dressed in a trendy pink top and black skirt that would have been 'hip' during the 80's.
"That's...Pierre's sister! And his cousin..." Karl said, pointing at the woman and man next to the spectral Frenchman. One was a tall, red-haired beauty in a long fuchsia coat, the other was a twitchy looking adolescent in a long white shirt and black trousers. Elaine and Jacques, Amara thought.
"That's my mum! And my dad...why?!" Serena demanded, gazing in shock. Sure enough, her parents Hilda and Fred were right next to their eldest daughter, but they seemed younger than the time Amara had seen them in January.
"Philomena Saccoccio..." Nathan said, stunned. "And – no! It can't be! That's my father!" True to his word, Josephine was now accompanied by her younger sister, who looked rather similar but with a kinder, more naïve face, a rounder nose, and long straight hair. Then there was Nathan's father Reginald Percival Albion, a man of fiery red hair who apart from the thick, strapping eyebrows looked much like his son.
"I know those two..." Shirley said, pointing to the two people standing next to Carlos. "That's his daughter, right Lucy? Julia?" With her vivid green hair, there was no doubt. This eighteen year old girl, with her hair in a high ponytail, was clad in a loose white shirt and black skirt, and pink sandals. She could be none other than Julia Alcantara. The other man was in his middle age, dressed in a denim shirt and jeans, with grey hair and scruffy stubble. Even in his fifties, he still had a fit psysique. It was Sergio Escamilla, who had been the man to inspire Carlos to live in New Motus.
"Y-Yeah...but what the hell are they doing here?" Lucy asked, stunned.
"You think you can just move on from the past, as if it never even happened. Yet the spectres of those you have let down will not stand for it. Nor will I. Everyone forgot my name, and in time, will forget the names of the once-mighty Ater Vox." The classic Nihane said, his baritone voice booming throughout the hall. It reminded Amara of the Nihane she had known – but much more convincing.
"What is happening here?" Ethan asked. "How did you come into being? Why are you here?!"
"So foolish. Fine, I will explain to you exactly why I exist." Nihane said. "I had to pose as a meagre craftsman on English soil, selling the scant relics I had. Do you know what became of those relics? They were melted down to make planes during a massive conflict called World War II...and even before them, no one knew where they came from, or why they were so valuable! My Amurdad was torn apart by disgusting fools!"
"Amur...dad?" Ava asked.
"I could do nothing but watch, as my spirit stayed on the Earth. I had to watch as my son, and his son, and so forth continued their existences..." He then looked at Amara, then Karl. "And my final descendant? He didn't even have a family name. The orphanage forced on upon him. But what you didn't know is...there was more than one line of descent!"
"What's that meant to mean? That you've got family all over the United Kingdom?" Shirley asked.
"Not exactly. My exact orders upon to little Jahan were never to let his family grow too large. So he only had one child, despite his wife's wishes. And so on, and so forth...but then came your great-grandfather, Ethan." Nihane said, suddenly cackling. "He grew tired of life in Portsmouth. He left his unborn child behind, and never looked back. He wanted to go see the world. So he got on his boat, and set sail for this island. His child...he and his wife named Deo!"
"D-Deo?!" Amara shouted. "Then, you mean to say..."
"Zao and Ethan are related?!" Karl said, astounded. "But...they barely look alike!"
"Of course they don't, you brainless oath! They only share a great-grandparent. Exactly an eighth of their combined 'deoxyribonucleic acid', as modern science calls it. But Deo and Zao grew up far too content, far too happily, to ever be tempted to get revenge on this accursed island..." Nihane said, darkly. "But Ethan...Janus chose well."
"But that doesn't answer the question!" Serena said, annoyed. "Not to mention the ton of others I wanna ask! Like, why are my family here?"
"Did the Nullity Masquerade give you that body...?" Nathan asked.
"Haha...sharp." Nihane said. "You still don't understand the predicament you are in. The Masquerade may have ultimately perished, but its masses of energy were scattered all over, bringing both your worlds into the last possible instance they were still one. As a result, normal humans simply cannot exist...and once you are all dead, they will fade entirely from the void. However, my resolve and respect for Janus allowed me to craft a body not unlike my organic one, at its peak!"
"So you helped yourself to the Masquerade's corpse. Greedy fucker." Blaine said.
"I'll thank you to call me by my proper title, you dreck." Nihane said. "The man that chose my name was nothing but a pale imitator. Barely even a man. This time, I will do things differently. As things stand, your lives are the only barrier that prevent the world from disappearing entirely. Janus is no more, but its dream burns bright..."
"No! We're not doing this again!" Amara said. "You can't fight us with your stupid army and expect to win!"
"Oh?" Nihane said. "Not even with...some reinforcements?"
He wildly gestured to the NDD on stage, and out of it came three figures. Amara went numb, her eyes twitching, and her mouth drooped. Her heart pounding, she stared in horror.
"...Mother!" She screamed.
Indeed, it was Ayodele Furaha. She resembled a more human form of Amara's first Persona Hathor, in a fine silk gold dress. Next to her was her husband, Rudo...and also, Tomas.
"Do you not understand yet why they are all here? They are born from your regrets. These are the people you couldn't save...and those that despise you for your actions!" Nihane said, angrily. "And that's not all..." He clicked his fingers, and down came nine red glass-like orbs. In one of them was Aimee, and the Other forms of Amara, Nathan, Serena, and Blaine. Alastair, Bianca, Kazuya and Richard were there too, and all nine were furiously banging on the 'glass' to escape.
"Aimee!" Karl screamed. "Let her go!"
"Hahaha..." Nihane said. "You wish to save them? Then prove yourself worthy. Show me that half a year has not dulled your skill. Vanquish the phantoms I have conjured! Let's see. Six groups of phantoms...they can guard one prisoner each!"
"You flunked math or something?" Blaine said. "You've got nine people!"
"Oh, the ones you call the Holy Cross? They are so pathetic, they only qualify as one unit. I will allow Pierre to take them off my hands."
"Yes, Nihane." Pierre said, without even moving his head or blinking.
"Marvellous. Except..." Nihane said, gazing down towards his progeny. "Ethan Walters. What am I going to do with you? My blood is in your veins, no matter how thin it may be now. Perhaps, if you and these rabble can bring salvation to your friends, the way to my own castle shall be unsealed. Then, should you be so fortunate, you may challenge me alone!"
"Your castle?" Ethan asked. "But...Kanaloa is -"
"Where's your imagination, son? Here, mind can control matter any way one wants! All you need is power. It can be placed anywhere I decide!" Nihane said, grinning sadistically. "If you can survive the six trials yet again, then I look forward to being able to seeing what my lineage can do against me!"
"No, father!" Ava shouted. "Stop this madness! Do you not remember me?"
"...Father?" Nihane said, stunned. "It cannot be...you came back to this world too?"
"Please, tell me everything! Who am I? Is Amurdad my homeland? What happened to everyone there?" Ava pleaded. "You are my father, aren't you? He was a wise, strong leader! Everyone looked up to him, respected him! That I remember! I was so proud of you, every day! How have you been warped so horribly...?!"
Nihane was rendered speechless. He could only stare open-mouthed at his daughter, who stood next to his surviving descendant. Ethan glared indignantly, while tears streamed down Ava's cheeks.
Suddenly, the nine orbs began to shake, faltering. Bashing her hands on it, Aimee's suddenly broke, and she fell down – only to land into Karl's arms.
"What happened...?!" Aimee said. "It wouldn't even budge before...Karl, are you alright?"
"It looks like we're stuck in another crisis." Karl said, grimly.
"Father, why won't you listen to me?" Ava begged. "I don't even know my own name..but you must! You were always there when I needed you...even with countless people coming to you begging for your counsel! This scheme you are talking about sounds like a madman's dream! Not the father I know!"
"I...am no father anymore." Nihane said, regretfully. "I choose to support Janus' goal, even if that means supporting it alone. I had to watch my children suffer, and their children...! Time will not burn that suffering away...only the fire of extinction can do so!"
"Wait!" Ethan cried. Nihane turned his back, and vanished – taking his ghostly army away. The captives disappeared with them, leaving the hall empty.
"Shit! Serena!" Kyle screamed.
"Blaine! Dammit!" Dan said, yearning for the sky. "...We've got to get them back. All of them."
"Yeah. All of our friends need help! Out of here, now!" Karl said.
The group left in silence, to witness what would become of these dark revelations.
|Outside Convention Centre|
"Where the hell do we go now?" Roger said. "What the heck – AH!"
The minute they left the Centre, it completely vanished, leaving an empty field much like the Divine Spark craters. Blossoming out of this abyss, however, was a giant white palace – exactly like the one of Amurdad. However, six emblems connected the two doors together, locking them together with bizarre energies. The ground shook, and from high in the sky, six dark looking structures descended.
"What...?" Ava murmured.
These fortresses were falling towards the Divine Spark locations, Amara noticed. When they landed, there was the sound of dark beasts roaring throughout the entire city, and many tiny tremors. Just then, the red orbs from earlier phased out from the roof, and floated one by one to each of the castles. However, two of these dungeons received two of them, no doubt to make up for the loss of Aimee as a prisoner.
"Oh joy, we have to split up again." Kyle said, deadpan. "Why can't the enemies stay in one spot for once?"
"I don't believe this! More fucked up dungeons?" Blaine said. "I'm sick of making my way through abandoned buildings or weird cyber facilities!"
"Not exactly what most people would do on a Friday night." Matthew said.
"No!" Aimee whined, despondently witnessing the dour cityscape. "What do I have to do to put aside fighting...?!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but your name is Aimee, correct?" Ava asked. "It's at least some consolation that one of the nine captives saved themselves. My name is Ava."
"Nice to meet you." Aimee said, shaking Ava's hand. "I don't understand this at all...I woke up in my old house, and everything was back to the old days. Then, the minute I try and leave, Carlos...was there. He didn't say anything, but...his old trainer and his daughter were with him. There was a lot of flashing, I got trapped in that glass orb, and...I could hear their voices."
"...What did they say?" Priscilla asked.
"Julia was shrieking at me...saying that I should have tried harder to save her dad. Oh...I guess we should have told you. We contacted everyone we thought should know about the Ater Vox. So that was Julia, Sergio, Philomena, and Elaine."
"What...did you tell them?" Nathan asked.
"I tried to tell Julia and Sergio that...their dad was a great man. But when I described her father in the past tense, Julia went crazy...she even hit me!" Aimee said, tearful. "And she told me that I shouldn't have let her dad die, before he could have seen her again! Sergio just took her away, but he was staring at me as if I was dirt..."
"Oh, Aimee..." Karl said, taking her into his arms. "I'm sorry.."
"Elaine...didn't react much better." Aimee said. "We couldn't tell either of them the truth, of course, but...we had to let her know her brother was dead. She just stood there weeping, then she started screaming about how the world had taken Pierre and Jacques from her..."
"Philomena...she wanted to have good news to tell her children about their 'lovely' aunt Josephine." Priscilla explained. "But, the truth wasn't what she wanted. At all. And when we had to explain there wasn't even a body, she slapped me across the cheek..."
"This is so sad." Serena said. "No one wants to be told the most important person in their life isn't there anymore. The worst day in my life was in the hospital, after waking up from that coma...they told me Nina was..."
"Listen to me, carefully. What happened to the Ater Vox isn't your fault." Ethan said, eyes to the ground. "It's mine. And it looks like my actions continue to haunt us."
"What actions?" Ava asked. "I'm more confused than ever..."
"Everyone." Aimee said. "We let ourselves believe everything was over. But there's still one more challenge to overcome...if we fail, we lose everything we love..."
"Blaine..." Lucy said. "Bianca...we've got to get them back."
"Right. Dammit, Blaine and Kazoo are always needing rescued." Dan said.
"I don't want to leave Alastair and Nathan there..." Priscilla said.
"I think we understand, then. I don't want anything to happen to Richard, either." Karl said. "We don't know how long the worlds will stay one. We don't even know if defeating this Nihane will stop everything. But we've got no choice but to try."
"We have to do this...we've got to show Nihane that the future is worth fighting for. Even if his family are all but gone now..." Matthew said.
"You heard his words. He will not listen to reason. Neither would Janus..." Ethan said, sadly. "There is no way other than to fight those ghosts, so I can fight Nihane -"
"No you won't!" Ava said. "You can't...you wouldn't kill my father, would you?"
"I..." Ethan said. "He's already -"
"My father is a kind, but firm man. He would never normally say such things! Whatever force has twisted him so, or whatever trauma has destroyed his faith in humanity...I know he can be restored! When the time comes, Ethan, you have to let me accompany you!"
"No, I can't take you with me!" Ethan said, flustered. "It's too dangerous! Not only that, you've only had your Persona for a short time -"
"It does not matter how long I've been fighting. Already, I can feel Mithra's strength in my heart! No one knows my limitations more than me." Ava said. "That's all I can think about right now! The idea of letting you fight him alone.. If my father were to fell you with his sword, I would never forgive myself! I'm begging you, Ethan!"
"...Fine." Ethan said. "The world up ahead isn't going to be any safer. I hope you're all prepared. But promise me this. Do not let those ghosts deceive you. They aren't who they appear to be. Destroy them. Once you've done that...we'll pull the worlds apart again. No matter how hard that will be."
"What a nightmare this is." Priscilla said. "No matter how hard we try, we're constantly forced into crises like these! But I'll crush any Shadow that tries to stop me from saving my Nathan!"
"I'm right with you!" Lucy said. "Ethan. You better not get killed, whoever you try to save. And you damn better look after Ava. Cause I bet she's gonna be working overtime trying to keep you safe."
"Absolutely. Only I can protect Ethan now." Ava said, holding his hand tightly. "I sincerely hope we can all reunite safely. Now, we must depart..."
"Amara. Please let me accompany you." Sophie said. "You're going to fight foes that wear the masks of your parents...it's my duty to see you through it."
"...Thank you so much." Amara said. "I...I think we need someone else, though. Two versus three doesn't seem a good idea. Especially since it's my family we're dealing with."
"Alright, I can pick up a cue. You need your boss to finish the job, huh?" Karen asked. She held Amara's hand gently. "Count me in. You and Sophie are some of the best employees I ever had in the other world. Even if that magazine failed, I'm still going to look out for you."
"Karen..." Amara said, elated. "Thank you too!"
"Nathan, I..." Priscilla said. "We've only just begun to build our family together. I won't let Janus, Nihane, the Masquerade, or even the whole world stop us. So please, let me aid you."
"I appreciate it. Thank you, Priscilla." Nathan said.
"Karen, I...normally I'd go with you, but..." Roger said. "I want to give Nathan and Priscilla a hand. You'll be okay without me, right?"
"Roger, the only thing I can't do without your help is opening jars in the kitchen." Karen said, grinning. "And I know you'll be just fine. Just remember, Nathan is going to need your full support."
"Well, I wasn't planning to give him half my support..." Roger said, smirking.
"I think you know who I'm going with." Dan said, arm around Blaine's shoulder. "We gotta get my bro back home! After all, he's got a big question he needs to ask Lucy some day -"
"What – big question?!" Lucy said, stunned. "...You were supposed to keep that a secret, weren't you?"
"He's never been great as a secret keeper, Lu." Matthew said. "I told him not to tell Blaine it was me who broke his favourite coffee mug, but Dan just had to get through a pack of San Miguel that night. Then Blaine grounded me..."
"Dammit, then..." Lucy said. "I'm going with you! I have to hear this question...because if it's the question I want to hear, then I already have my answer for him!"
"Serena, you're going after your family, right?" Shirley asked.
"Huh? Well, yeah..." Serena said. "It doesn't matter which undead, evil crazy force is behind this. My family's been through enough pain! I have to end it once and for all!"
"Nina..." Ethan said. "Yes. You must. You were the one she loved the most. She must have told me that hundreds of times..."
Serena, gulping, turned to Kyle. He nodded, and firmly held her hand.
"I'll get your other self out of this jam. She's save me tons of times, and it looks like it's time for me to rescue her now." Kyle said.
"Now that's a man." Dan said, in awe. Blaine nodded in agreement, causing Kyle's face to beam with pride.
"I'd like to join you two, then." Shirley said. "You might need my light and darkness to take on foes you can't just drown or incinerate. Or if all else fails, I'll kick the crap out of them!"
"Now that's a woman." Dan said, again in awe. Blaine, too, nodded in agreement.
"It guess my sister doesn't need rescued anymore." Karl said, smiling. "Course, she never did. It's always been me she gets out of trouble."
"What are little sisters for?" Aimee said. "I...I'm going after Carlos. If it's anything like before, he's probably at Legarte. Karl, I think you should go after Pierre..."
"Fine." Karl said. "It's time to finally put an end to Pierre's suffering. Even if he did cause plenty of his own, he still deserves a chance to rest in peace."
"You sound like a very forgiving person..." Ashi said, in admiration. "Aimee. I offer my services."
"You do?" Aimee asked. "Thanks! Ethan's coming with us, right?"
"Absolutely." Ethan said. "Carlos was one of my dearest friends. I owe it to him to exorcise this ghost of his."
"Well, by process of elimination..." Matthew said, hand on Karl's shoulder. "I'm going with you, buddy!"
"I feel so loved." Karl said, sarcastically. "By the way, are you and Tara -"
"Yes, we are! Um...we are both coming with you. Hehe." Tara said, awkwardly. "Right, we all know where we're going. We've done this all before, and we can do it again!"
"When you've finished, please return back here." Ethan said. "Until we meet again. All of you, best of luck!"
Soon, the six groups left the area, where an ancient palace stood among modern offices and homes. Here, the past, present and future were in flux. Would they be able to separate, and flow as normal? Or had time crashed, never to rebuild?