Chapter 113: The Sides of a Coin
The massive construct floating above the team was overflowing with fearsome energy. When it had manifested as gigantic doors, one could sense their power, even if they were largely immobile. This was on another level, however. Janus may not actually be the god of Roman mythology, yet the strength it now possessed most likely eclipsed his.
"Your Personae are formidable, I have accepted this. That is exactly why we have evolved to this gigantic form. Only by becoming the ultimate being can we accomplish our goal, and build the Eternal road. Nihane Kronos – the most recent one – could only dream of reaching this level." "
There was a huge flash of light, and the ground trembled. Judging by the size of Janus, it might not even fit inside the Saragel Stadium. It certainly was far too high for Amara to reach with her sword, although even if her blade could reach it, it most likely wouldn't have scratched it.
"Do you truly speak for all your comrades, Amara Furaha, by challenging us? You can't hope to destroy us now. Rather, your choice is dying right away, painlessly, and allowing everything to calmly disappear. Or perhaps you'd prefer to be slain, and watch your wretched city be erased before your eyes?"
Zao scowled at Janus, despite his exhaustion.
"Those are pretty dumb options, buddy. Tell you what, we're gonna the crap outta you and everyone here can go where they're supposed to be. Or in Ethan's case, where he wants to be."
"Where I want to be?" Ethan asked, bewildered. "Zao, I really don't think I can decide what happens to me. I have to accept –"
"That's no way to live!" Ashi said, angry. "Don't you understand? Janus is asking us to accept our deaths as if that was our true destiny. We're rejecting that fate. Yours is the same. Ethan, you have to do whatever you can to make it to either world you want to live in."
"She's right," Amara said, putting her hand on Ethan's shoulder. "If you fight with this uncertainty in your heart, you'll never truly win. You have to make up your mind what you want, and fight Janus with that conviction."
"...I don't know what world I want to live in. That's part of the problem. Truth is, I want them both to prosper, but I can't possibly oversee your world and mine at the same time. Right now, however, I truly wish to put an end to Janus. To end the madness that consumed my other self! The madness born from the slaughter of my ancestors!"
He looked up at Janus, sword in hand.
"Janus, I'll destroy you any way I can!"
"Is that so? Fine, postpone the inevitable! Your Fool's Journey begun with me, and will end with me, no matter how valiantly you struggle!"
Suddenly, the roof of the Museum turned bright blue, and giant cracks emerged. With a massive shake, the building below crumbled into dust, and the roof was separated into several giant chunks – each of which were out of reach from the other. The Fool card started to glow faintly, yet it didn't produce any further effect.
Amara gasped. She remained with Nathan, Serena, Blaine and Karl, while everyone else was isolated in other groups. It seemed Janus had reached a new determination, much like its hated enemies.
"...It's just us?" Serena asked, anxious.
"No. We're all fighting, no matter how hard Janus tries to distance us!" Nathan said.
"They'll all be fine," Karl said, ready to attack. "After all, this is our final to end all finals!"
"Right!" Blaine said. "Serena, you just do what we've always done. Smash through anyone who gets in our way!"
Serena nodded. "And heal any wounds we suffer! I won't let you guys down, not ever!"
Amara looked up. Based on how high up Janus was, there was no way her blade would reach it. She wasn't even sure if Blaine's bullets could reach it, let alone pierce its mighty defences. Her Persona would have to do all the work this time.
"Let's attack!" Amara yelled. Just as she yelled this, an immense beam of light was emitted from Janus' main body, engulfing both Blaine and Karl. "Damn! You guys are you -"
"Stop worrying and fight!" Karl said, despite his pained expression. "You're not going to hold back with your Persona now, are you? This is the last time you'll ever need to use that power!"
"R-Right… Isis!"
Four red jewels appeared above the party's heads, and gave them a Gem's Shroud. Thus, each one protected felt a fire in their heart that could outlast any sent their way. However, Janus had other ideas – the Sun card in the outer ring started to shine. It emitted a Sun's Flare of its own, swirling around the entire body with a scarlet glow, harnessing an energy greater than even Power Charge.
"That's worrying." Nathan mused.
"Then give it something to worry about!" Blaine cheered.
"I intend to. Persona!"
Cu Chulainn's grand spear was charged up with lurid orange and pink energies, the spearhead extending rapidly. Next, it was thrust forward, in four different portions of Janus's central body, in barely any time at all.
If Janus was feeling any pain at all, it was not evident. Instead, the Strength card shined, and immediately before it appeared a giant sword, perhaps a zweihander. It swiftly slashed the five, and disappeared, leaving a trail of golden energy.
Amara screamed, the pain was unlike any other blade she had encountered in her battles. It felt almost as if she had been cut into two, and she had to check this hadn't actually happened. Still, the agony was unbearable. She needed to recover, or she would be out of commission.
"S-Serena! Hurry!"
The student nodded, despite being in great pain herself. Even so, she called upon Selene, and her Mediarahan rained down on everybody, alleviating them of their pain – for now, at least.
"No!" She yelled, glaring at Janus. "You're not going to win that quickly!"
Janus did not respond, seemingly having tired of talking. Rather, the Moon card glowed lit up this time, and above them was a majestic looking moon. It began a torrential rainstorm, until eventually a wave of deep blue water crashed onto the team, ending the tempest. However, particles of the moon flew into Janus, and appeared to reinforce its strong body.
"Shit!" Blaine groaned, in much agony. He was firing bullet after bullet at Janus, but these didn't have much effect. However, Quetzalcoatl was striking Janus with its hammer, and several other Personas were joining him. Ehecatl's claws were carving deep scratches into the coin, yet these scratches quickly vanished. Apsu's trident was piercing some holes into Janus too, but these seemed to heal themselves.
"Blaine!" Amara yelled. "Forget the gun!"
He nodded, and rolled out of the way of a laser beam – one that seemed stronger than before, judging by the intensity of its light.
"Get him, Quetzalcoatl!"
A huge wheel of electricity was formed, and was sent hurtling towards Janus. While it certainly caused a great deal of flashing, it again was too hard to see if any lasting damage had been done. Janus instead, however, decided to play its Magician card – resulting in a huge scarlet fireball crashing into their platform, the flames billowing into the air.
"Amara, your firewall thing...do you think it'll hold up?" Serena asked, worried.
"It's never failed me before -"
Alas, the barrier could not contain this severe inferno, and it broke – scorching everybody. Even Amara felt the burn, and she had never been particularly affected by the heat. So this was Janus' power, to break the unbreakable.
"We're going to have to attack! Janus will just keep breaking our defences!" Karl reasoned. "Aeneas, go!"
With its tremendous sword, Aeneas soared into the sky, and performed a Hat Trick of sword slashes, each one echoing throughout the entire realm they were in.
"Alright!" Serena said, quickly restoring her team to health. "Now, let's -"
Janus moved to the Fortune card, and an emerald tornado suddenly appeared, expanding and slicing through everyone with turbulent winds. As the tempest subsided, Amara thought she noticed Janus moving faster – although in this dimension, it was hard to tell reality from illusion.
"We'll...dammit...keep going!" Amara yelled. "If we stop now, everything and everyone stops with us! We can't let Janus have its way!"
Selfish humans indeed. Knowing your very existence is anathema to us, you insist on continuing to propagate your loathsome species? Very well. I shall make your last battle one of sheer terror!
Meanwhile
Janus was not simply tormenting one group of Motus survivors. On the opposite end of the dimension they were in, the Holy Cross were determined to shine bright. Yet the tremendous nihilist of duality had prepared a Chariot, to escort them to a thunderous demise.
Alistair screamed, as the blue and yellow electricity danced over their arena, shocking their bodies to their very core. The Makarakarn that had been prepared was obliterated, being unable to repel such energy.
"...Don't give up, everyone!" Kazuya pleaded, lending a hand to his beloved. "A year ago, we were pawns of the Ater Vox. Themselves pawns of Janus. No longer will we be ordered around. We control our destiny from now on! Like so!"
Uriel Ignis prepared a Blue Flame, an ethereal fireball of azure. Despite its heat, it had mysteriously been able to freeze fiends in the past. While Janus remained moving, the flames seemed to have scorched it somewhat.
"To be in charge of one's destiny...a blessing greater than any other." Alastair mused.
"And our destiny is gonna last for generations beyond Janus..." said Richard. He had abandoned his spear, no longer able to reach any foe with it. Uriel's own spear was currently striking the metal frame that Janus had manifested, but it didn't appear to have even dented Janus' form.
Undeterred, it switched to the Hierophant card, and a mass of power swelled within its body. Not unlike Mind Charge, its magic was now even more devastating.
"That doesn't bode well..." Bianca said, anxious.
Indeed, but I have no intention of pleading for mercy. Not when Janus' only idea of mercy is the complete destruction of life.
Alastair focused his mind, and thus Michael Deus emerged, in deep concentration.
"Empyrean Emissary!"
The mighty angel flew high above, and drew a circle with his divine sword. A giant hole opened, revealing spiral after spiral of angels in harmony. Deep within this heaven, a massive sphere of aether came down, and imploded, powered by the angels deep in prayer.
No point holding back. This is the last fight, no matter what happens.
"Look out!" Bianca cried, as Janus moved to Lovers. A lurid pink swirl of energy entangled Kazuya, and immediately the same energy trapped Bianca. There was a huge pulse of light, with power equal to that of their feelings for each other. Kazuya was unconscious, and Bianca was in pain, barely holding on.
"Damn!" Alastair said. "Richard, we have to -"
"I know, I know! Raphael, hurry!"
At breakneck speed, the Archangel emerged, and quickly revived the fallen warrior to full power. However, Richard's own energy was waning, having focused entirely on healing his friends. Each Samarecarm brought him closer to exhaustion, yet he had to save all of his allies from certain peril.
"Kazuya…!" Bianca cried, in relief. "I was afraid you were going to..."
"Don't say it." Smirking, he retrieved his daggers. "We're not going to talk about things that aren't possible here."
"Got it. We'll only talk about defeating Janus." Richard said, playfully. "And how you'll buy us dinner after we get back to normal."
"Well, that is possible. Not plausible, but -"
"Hold up!" Richard cried, panicked. "Ally...what are those things?"
The Holy Cross leader looked – and saw four golden 'weapons' floating in front of Janus' main body. He then recognised where he had seem them before. The coin, the wand, the sword, and the cup. The Minor Arcana of the Tarot Cards, often ignored in favour of the Major ones.
"Janus is developing even more ways to annihilate us." Alastair said bitterly. "It's amazing how creative an omnicidal maniac can be."
As it to demonstrate this, the unholy quarter sped off to other areas of the battlefield, tormenting their unlucky hosts. Janus himself, however, switched to Justice.
The ray of light that shone from the 'sky' was blinding, and its glimmer pierced through the Holy Cross. Alastair stood strong, however. For his convictions were brighter than ever before.
"We once were the conceited Holy Cross of the Ornatu Legion, the hope of our city. Now we can finally be free of that duty. Let's go, Alastair!" Kazuya cheered to his friend.
"I'll be with you until the very end!" Bianca added.
"I'm not sitting this one out!" Richard, invigorated, called down Raphael. The angel, alongside Uriel, Gabriel and Michael, moved into a cross formation. This immediately created a giant white cross of light, and a faint choir sound could be heard. Perhaps, Alastair thought, that the angels themselves were blessing them.
"Metatron!"
The Cross changed form, becoming an ethereal, albeit angelic form, one made of pure light. It boasted thirty-six wings, which immediately flapped – sending many beams of holy light at Janus, culminating in a gigantic divine explosion. The angel dispersed, and thus, the Holy Cross remained to fight on...
Meanwhile
"Damn, look at what Alastair's team just did!" Dan said, impressed. "Mictlan!"
Mictlan viciously gathered blood red energy in his scythe, and his eyes seemed to glow the same ominous hue. Then he viciously attacked, and as the scythe dug into the coin's 'flesh', energy seemed to flow out, and into Dan's body.
Janus's form did not betray any pain. While the coin's body had human faces, neither of which emoted. Yet its desire to erase all of the world was still earnest, as it moved to the Hanged Man card.
A black and red miasma cloaked itself around Dan, and as it left him, he collapsed to his knees, feeling a vast amount of his energy leaving him. All the energy he had drained from Janus had been lost immediately.
"Shit..." Kyle said. One of the 'Swords' that Janus had summoned narrowly missed him, and his missiles flew at Janus, only to be shot down. The situation was becoming dire, he realised. He looked to Sophie, while Aimee rushed to support Dan.
"Sophie, you have to sense Janus!" The boy pleaded. "We need all the information about him you can get!"
"Truthfully, Janus has no weak points. You must have realised that after our battles so far. It would not allow any element to harm it beyond any other. And right now, Janus still has much power. I cannot say our victory is certain..."
"Then, our only choice to fight as hard as we can? Separated from everybody else?" Priscilla asked. "This can't be!"
"Don't give in now!" Aimee cried. "Please, Priscilla, remember. We got through some rather hopeless times over the last eleven years. But we prevailed. We can do this one more time, and then we can put aside our Personas."
"Then if it will bring us closer to the peace we deserve...Scathach! For Nova Albion – no, New Motus City!"
Scathach lowered her weapon, and pulled its trigger. From the barrel, a small cannon made entirely out of ice appeared. A freezing cold laser burst out of the cannon, briefly covering Janus in frost. The cannon was about to fire another beam, but Janus struck it down with its 'Sword', and then moved to the Empress card.
A blizzard engulfed the area Priscilla and the others stood. While she felt nothing of the sheer cold, the others were clearly suffering. Not only that, their augments had been banished, leaving them back to their normal strength.
"Shit." Dan said, struggling to stand. "Kyle, you...okay?"
"...Somehow, yeah." Kyle said.
"We gotta finish this..." Dan said. "For all of us, and everybody who couldn't get to see the city's revival. Kaman, Keisha, my folks..."
"My mother, too..."
"So many people died because of the Shadows." Priscilla said, tearfully. "We can never bring them back. Even if they still live in the other world..."
"That's why we must save both worlds. So both versions of ourselves can lead the best lives we can." Aimee said, heartilly. "Our rebellion won before, against impossible odds, and they can do so again!"
"Exactly! Vulcanus, forge a new victory!"
The blacksmith Persona triumphantly appeared, and carved a Raging Rampart from the land itself. With one big push, this wall was sent towards Janus, and managed to grow ever larger, and then it crashed into the giant two-headed cataclysm, creating a cloud of debris.
"Nice!" Dan cheered.
"Indeed. Not sure I'd call that 'forging', though. More masonry. But as long as it harms Janus, it matters not."
"Yeah, well – ah!"
Kyle gasped, as a blue and green circle appeared beneath his wheelchair. Janus had moved onto Hermit, and with this power, Kyle was levitated above the team, and thrust open a tiny fragment that had been lying empty until now.
"Shit! Kyle!" Dan yelled. "You can fly back here, can't you?"
Try as he might, the teen couldn't get his wheelchair to move. Panicking, he tried to move his body, perhaps in the hope that in this dimension outside reality, through sheer force of will, he could walk. Yet despite the wonderful things his Persona could accomplish, his legs would not budge.
"This is outrageous..." Sophie bemoaned.
"Damn! Isn't there anything here we can use?" Dan screamed, shaking Sophie by the shoulders.
"Let go of me!" She snapped, and he did so, his eyes fixed on his young ally. "All we can do is continue the fight. Kyle may be isolated from us, but he hasn't fallen yet. And neither have I. Nor will I! Sophia!"
Sophie's starry eyes lit up the field, heralding her Celestial Iris. This time, a galaxy-like structure was formed, and the mass of stars and planets flew straight into Janus, ravaging its body with the power of the cosmos itself. Beyond all elements, it truly was an almighty feat of magic.
"...I won't stop here, you infantile penny. Both of my mothers are waiting for me to come home! They will not be unwritten, nor will I!"
Janus, rising to this challenge, used its Wand to create a quick flash of energy, striking Sophie. Then, it advanced to the Priestess Card, and imbued itself with soothing white healing energy. It was hard to tell how much pain Janus was currently in. Perhaps it was only able to heal a pittance, or it may have fully restored itself.
"I...I can't stand this anymore." Aimee lamented, glancing at the other teams. She could see a pained Karl, who Serena was tending to, and also witnessed Tara desperately reviving Matthew. "Everyone, I will heal you as many times as it takes! Concordia!"
A pale shimmering dust, the same colour and brightness of stars, flew around her and her allies, and soothed their wounds. Priscilla, Dan and Sophie felt a surge of strength as their bodies were restored, but to their dismay, this energy could not touch Kyle.
"...Janus, you fucking dickhead!"
"We can't just leave him there…!" Aimee cried.
"I hope we can end this shortly..." Sophie, looking up at Janus, clenched her fists. "For Kyle's sake, and our own."
Despite the sheer power behind every single assault, the apocalyptic coin played its Star card, and cloaked itself in an ethereal trinity of energy, greatly enhancing all its capabilities even more than it had already done. Janus still had much more power to demonstrate, it seemed.
"...Everyone's getting beaten up really bad." Dan said. "Still, as long as we're breathing, we keep fighting. That's how life is."
"Exactly. Kyle, please hang in there..." Aimee pleaded.
Meanwhile
Roger, glaring at Janus, stood firm. His team had been under heavy attack, only sustained by Tara's medical efforts. From what he could see, the other groups were struggling to match their foe's formidable energy. He had to fight back as well.
"Apsu, hurry! Scintillation!"
From the sky, a disc of bright light emerged. Apsu grabbed it, and transformed it into a deadly lance, hurling it straight into Janus' centre. When it pierced the body, it caused a tremendous flash of light.
"Damn, my eyes..." Matthew said, dazzled.
"Relax, kid. Janus can't survive this for much longer, I bet." Roger said, smug.
"Don't be so sure! It's still going!"
True to Tara's warning, Janus manoeuvred to the Emperor card, the instant a Sword slashed Matthew. Due to the boost of the Cup, its strength over magic had risen even further, prompting the earthquake that engulfed the team to be even more catastrophic than any they had witnessed either from a Shadow or a Persona. Even Gaea's Quagmire hadn't been able to dampen the onslaught.
"Bastard..." Roger groaned.
"Are you still alright?" Karen asked, barely able to move.
"Y-Yeah. How about you?"
Karen nodded. However, it was clear to anyone else that she was in deep agony. She had to replenish her energy, and fast.
"Daena! Arctic Absorption!"
Daena, cackling evilly, held out her mirror. Janus appeared in its reflection, and flashed bright blue for a second. Next, an icy vision of Janus flew into the mirror, and this healed Karen's wounds somewhat.
"Wow..." Tara said, impressed.
"You haven't seen her do that before?" Matthew asked.
"I just didn't know if it'd work on Janus..."
The Tower card was chosen next, overflowing the field with a debilitating multicoloured mist. Matthew could feel his muscles aching, and also a nasty fatigue.
"Nowhere to retreat now..." Tara said, looking deep in Matthew's eyes. She quickly healed the team with Mediarahan, depleting her own energy even further.
"Even if there was, I wouldn't run from this." The young policemen said, managing a smile. "This is where I'm meant to be. We want to protect the people, don't we? How can we do that if we're not around?"
"Clairdol and New Motus City must survive this!" Tara cheered. "Matthew, we'll do this together!"
"Yeah! Ehecatl, go!"
"Chehooit, now is the time!"
The goddess summoned giant rough rocks from the ground, that span around Janus like planets around the Sun. Ehecatl leapt up, and the spikes and claws on its body sharpened considerably, extending to at least twice their original size. They gleamed red, as the rocks increased in mass.
"Terraforming!"
The two Personas worked together, via magic and primal savagery, to turn those rocks into beautiful, detailed planets, each resembling planets of the Solar System. One by one, they collided into Janus, exploding brilliantly in what most would consider an apocalyptic fashion.
"Not bad, you two..." Karen said, smiling.
"I always thought you made a nice couple." Roger admitted.
"Thanks, old guy." Matthew said, blushing. Tara smiled, but when she saw what Janus was doing, her joy vanished. "Huh? What -"
The gigantic being had moved to the Temperance card. With a burst of red and blue light, Matthew felt his body diminish slightly. The same was true of Roger and Tara, judging by their faces, but Karen seemed unaffected.
I don't get what that spell just did. Why did it hurt everyone except Karen? Does it make us share her pain, or something?
Next, however, was Judgement. In the sky, a phantom of a trumpet appeared, and as it played a long, dissonant note, a gigantic pillar of light struck Matthew and the others where they stood. As he collapsed, unable to bear the strain, he looked over to Ethan and Ashi.
Meanwhile
The Kronos siblings watched in horror, as the ray of light lingered for what felt like an eternity. From their position, they could only see the underside of the other platform, thus they couldn't make out either of the four there.
Please let them be alive. Please. I can't let anyone here die, not now!
"...Are those guys gonna be alright?" Lucy asked, having discarded her gun.
"We have to focus on our own survival now..." Ashi said adamantly.
"Agreed. We must use all our strength towards victory." Ethan said.
"This is tougher than I thought it'd be. How do we win this fast?" Shirley asked. "The longer this fight takes, the harder it'll be for us to keep up..."
Smirking, the budding journalist conjured Ishtar, a master of passionate flames.
"I'll melt this bastard into a pile of goo. That quick enough for you?"
Ishtar unleashed a beast made purely from fire, shaped like a lion. The Amor Leonis bashed Janus with a violent impact, dissipating with a mighty roar that echoed throughout the void above the city. Scorching flames engulfed Janus, albeit briefly.
"...Damn. What is this coin's melting point?" Lucy asked.
"I'm not so sure this thing can melt in the first place." Shirley said, wincing.
"Then...we'll just have to tear it to pieces, or some other way to make sure it's destroyed!" Lucy cried.
Picking up on her distress, Janus moved to the Devil card. Demonic cursed spheres surrounded everybody, and as they 'unravelled', everyone felt the singing darkness engulf them. Only Shirley seemed unharmed.
"If only I could kick Janus out of this world..." She said. All her Tae Kwon Do training was wasted here, being unable to throw a punch or a kick.
"Relax, Shirley. Your Persona's dark sorcery should be able to curse Janus to an eternal punishment."
"...Sounds good to me, Ashi. Alright, Ceridwen! Show Janus the greatest Nightmare!"
Ceridwen flew to Janus' main body and grabbed it with both hands. The entire area around it turned into a hellish landscape of swirling dark colours, where odd symbols flew all over in random directions. Evil laughter could be heard, the pitch and reverb changing also at random. Finally, all symbols and light gathered into Janus with a black and red flash of phantasmal energy.
"If I were Dan, I'd be very careful around her..." Lucy said, smirking.
"To Janus, living itself is a nightmare. Could Ceridwen cause any more harm to its mind than existence has already done?" Ashi mused.
"As long as we defeat it, all is good – shit!"
Janus moved to the Death code. Appropriately enough, a jet black skull appeared over Shirley's head, laughing sadistically. The darkness overflowing, she could not bear this oppressive force, and fainted.
"No! Shirley…!"
Lucy ran to her friend's aid, ignoring the Coin that had flown onto the arena. It exploded with a glittery blast, yet failed to reach anyone. These Minor Arcana 'weapons' were simply a distraction, however – all to wear everyone down, so they would perish faster.
"...Ashi, can you sense Janus' current status?"
"I'm not like Sophie, so not exactly. Yet I believe Janus is getting increasingly desperate now. It never expected to have created so many powerful enemies when it started its vile plan. It will stop at nothing to ensure all of us perish."
"Then we have to match that desperation with our own devotion!" Ethan cried. "Sraosha!"
The divine Persona was swathed in azure light, and his sword was suspended in the air in front of them, also sharing this massive power that was growing. Before long, the light was strong enough to be seen from all over this dark dimension. All one could see was the divine luminescence of Sraosha.
If I call out their names, they will answer.
"Josephine! Archibald! Pierre! Carlos! Nina!"
Five circles of energy appeared in front of Ethan, each one a different colour. From the yellow one came Thor. The red one released Loki. The blue one let out Hel. The green one contained Venti. And the orange one unleashed Cybele.
Yes! Just like before! Even after everything that's happened, they'll still come to my aid. Thank you, everyone. One last push, and we'll be able to return this world to normal. I promise!
While Sraosha's energy manifested, the five Personas commenced their medley of devastation. First, the triumphant thunder of Krevad Mjolnir struck Janus. Next was the freezing cold of Hailstone Tempest. The rending earthquake of Terra Lapsis followed, and immediately afterwards was a Tornado Strike. Finally, one Flamme Mauvais burned all over the gilded frame that Janus had constructed for itself.
"Amazing..." Ashi uttered. "The souls behind these Personas still burn. Just like...mine."
Ethan nodded. Death was not the absolute end, only a new beginning. And with this, he would bring death to Janus, and a true beginning for New Motus.
"Voice of Conscience!"
What seemed like a million flashes of blue light triggered, their power practically roaring. A truly almighty power had been unleashed once again. It had slain the other Ethan, the one who clung to a nihilistic, inhumane persona.
Yet somehow, despite the mammoth powers Ethan had achieved, Janus remained intact. Not only that, it was moving towards the Aeon card. This one had a different colour to it than the others, and there was no doubt it was the path to another devastating blow.
"No!"
Ashi stood in front of Nihane, in a defiant stance. Mithra had appeared before her, mimicking the same stance. Just as she did this, the Aeon emanated in the form of a grandiose sphere of light, surrounded by spirals of blue and purple energy. It expanded, and began its slow descent towards Ashi and her reincarnated brother.
"I will not allow you to obliterate these dear friends!"
"Ashi..."
"Bestow upon me the healing hands that will deliver all injured, lost souls to salvation! Make me the Soul Evangelist!"
Mithra nodded, and with one mighty flap of her wings, she flew high in the sky, a trail of pink light behind her. Now floating high above her foes, she took her weapon, and drew a circle with it. This circle soon began to cover the entire ceiling, revealing a dark starry sky. Each of these stars glimmered brilliantly, and began to fall down, giving a soothing, calming light to this den of violence. Mithra, in a strange trance-like dance, made the stars crash down onto her master's body, as well as her allies.
Somehow, the blast of the Aeon failed to touch Ethan, Ashi, or anyone else. Instead, the energy was absorbed into the healing rays of Mithra, causing the unthinkable. Every fragment of the battlefield was guided back into the centre, and reformed into one. Not only that, everyone was rejuvenated. Even Matthew and Tara's team, who were at the mercy of Judgment.
Amara
She couldn't believe her eyes. Everyone was finally back together, even Kyle, who had been sealed away from everybody else. All of the pain she had been forced to endure had vanished, and as the whole team regrouped, she felt a huge relief. No one had fallen. Everyone was breathing, yet to be dismissed from existence.
"Holy shit!" Blaine exclaimed. "You healed this hunk of rock at the same time as us!"
"I didn't realise you had so much power, Ashi. I'm...forever grateful." Karen said, happily.
"I...did what I had to do." Ashi said, humbled. "Yet, still Janus hasn't fallen. What more do we have to do to bring this to a close? Or..."
Despite this miracle, the team were struggling to keep up with Janus.. Every single Shadow that had come their way had fallen. The Ater Vox had been vanquished, every time they returned. And they had bested Janus once before. Yet their power wasn't enough. Despite their best efforts, Janus remained resolute. Suddenly, Janus became still, as the Fool card in its outer ring had become a dazzling gold. The other cards joined in, and immediately, they gave way to a final card – The World.
"What a waste of energy. It's a pity you couldn't believe us when we told you that victory was impossible. Your good fortune ends here, insipid humans. Now cease your assault. The time has finally come!"
Amara gasped. Janus had soared higher in the sky, and beneath it, a sphere of blue appeared. It was truly colossal, and was rapidly approaching. It was then that Amara finally realized what this was. The planet, as a void of nothing but ocean. Every single living being erased. Nothing would be allowed to exist on this new world, not even Janus itself.
"The World's End is finally upon us. Do not be afraid, for you will see a true utopia where everything is gone. My beloved brethren sacrificed themselves so that I would fulfil their wish. Eternal peace has finally been achieved..."
The minute this sphere embraced her, she would be gone. And with her and her allies, New Motus City would disappear forever. Not just that city, however. The entire planet. Billions gone in an instant.
It's the end. At least it was peaceful. If only I could have gone on a little big longer. I wanted to see Nathan's daughter. Serena writing that book about us. Blaine going into business with Kaman. Karl to win every single game the city played against the world. And I wanted to see Marcel again. None of that will happen now. Still, at least I'm with everyone -
"No! I told you already, Janus! I won't let that happen!"
Ethan shouted furiously, standing tall. As he did so, his body became shrouded by a blue aurora, and the advancing planet ceased – struggling, but it had stopped.
"Ethan…?"
He did not turn to look at Amara, rather he stayed focused on what was directly in front of him.
Ethan's blue aurora had expanded, and Amara felt a great surge of power inside. A blue whirlwind of energy swirled around her, as well as her dearest friends and allies.
"What is this? Your defiance alone shouldn't be enough to halt the extreme power we've obtained! Stop this immediately!"
"That's exactly what I want you to do." Ethan said, coldly. "This world you've shown us isn't what anyone else truly wants. Is it? A world where no life is born? Forget it! Sraosha, I know exactly where I want to be now! Let us put a true end to Janus!"
"Ethan!" Ashi cried. "You're absolutely right. There's nothing we can't do!"
"You're all with me too, aren't you? Not just you, either. Pierre. Carlos. Josephine. Nina. Archibald. Keisha. Kaman. And everyone else in New Motus City who wants the future to start again. We can build a new road together. Follow my lead!"
The sheer energy of a single Persona was formidable, yet combined, it was perhaps infinite. Amara's Persona had been with her through every single battle, and right now, her wish was to make this the very last time she'd ever need Isis. The Persona itself understood this very well, and was channelling absolutely every iota of power to the mass in the middle, where Ethan stood.
Finally, Sraosha emerged. who immediately became engulfed with the blue light. As this happened, Amara felt a massive link in her head between her and everyone else around her. Their thoughts had become one, and their Personas were doing the same. There was a burst of light, and instead of Sraosha, a figure perhaps ten times larger flew in its place. Its wings flapped with a strength greater than any bird that had ever flown in the planet's history, and were a myriad of colours. Each feather had a golden glow, leaving sparks of light lingering in the air. The robes had become gleaming white, with golden designs of what seemed to be the entire Major Arcana, each named and numbered. The hair was long, reaching the new being's feet. In its hand was a blade that was gargantuan, made of pure light. Every single Persona was incorporated into this design – even the wishes of Keisha and Kaman had made it into the few form of Sraosha. Yet it had a new name, one on the tips of every single persona currently commanding it.
"I am thou. Thou art I. The path of the human soul will never be abolished. From this day forward, it shall last an eternity, and I shall safeguard that path from all demons. Thousands of voices are within me, those seeking tomorrow. Listen well. I art Ohrmazd!"
Janus, no longer frozen, started trying to gather the requisite energyto continue the World's End it had sought for centuries. Yet with a single stroke of Ahura Mazda's sword, that planet was cleaved in half, and both halves fell deep into the abyss, their energy dissolving forever. Next, the new Persona sliced through every single of the golden Tarot cards in the outer ring. As the Sun was destroyed, Amara felt her body get stronger. Everyone else seemed to be the same, and thus Ohrmazd became even more vivid.
"No! This Persona - how is such a thing possible?! What do you intend to do with that force?!"
Ethan did not answer this question, for what Ohrmazd did next was more than enough for a reply. It began a furious series of sword slashes, and while this was happening, many crystals of blue light surrounded Janus – one for everyone aiding Ethan with the new Persona's creation. These crystals transformed into a sphere, not unlike the one Janus tried to destroy everyone with. The sphere of power began to compress, pressing down on Janus' body – slowly causing the outer ring to break apart. The coin span furiously, but could not escape.
"Eternal Road of Hope!"
Beams of pure energy erupted from everyone present – and they converged into Ahura Mazda's sword. It was thrust forward into the sphere of blue, causing Janus to shake, convulse, and glow completely white. There was an almighty scream, and then a tremendous flash of blue and gold energy, completely enveloping the area. As this happened, the many parts of Janus' body broke apart and disintegrated, leaving only the core, which disappeared into the light...