I've returned, for more details, go to my Author's Notes. Otherwise, please enjoy my story...
-Unknown Time, River banks-
Is this a dream?
The surrealism of my circumstances continues to confound me…
My eyes are opened now and I was gazing at the starry night. Fatigued and drenched with water, my body refuses to get up after struggling against my adversaries. The gravel and grass was uncomfortable as I rest on the riverbanks. I don't have the strength to get on my feet. I then attempted to use a skill to heal myself, yet it was all in vain. I just don't have the energy to spare, and so, I stayed in place.
How frustrating…
To my left, a person who I have been with through countless battles, slept next to me but she isn't that person. Contrary, there was no one who I know in this world. Still, I search even if there was a slim chance of seeing them once again. I probably knew the truth but in reality, I couldn't truly move on without them.
How pathetic…
Turns out I'm not strong as I thought on my own…
The girl is injured but there isn't anything I could do at the moment. My body doesn't have much strength, my ability is out, and my phone was destroyed. So, she continues to breath softly while soak in river water while I cannot do anymore for her. Azure eyes fluttered open and stare in my direction. She notices that I am awake and inquired something of me. However, there isn't an adequate answer I could truly provide.
"Why…? Why did you save me?" she looked at me with sad eyes.
The expression she was making, however stoic it may appear, anyone can tell that she was perplexed and downcast. Her eyes told me that she's been enduring for so long. Witness many things, and yet, there was a void obscuring everything. Beyond those clouded eyes, makes me want to ask, what did she see and how long have she been alone? What has happened on this side? Unfortunately, I'm not in any position to help anyone nor my queries will be responded.
I as well, couldn't even give a satisfactory retort at this instant.
"Why indeed…" I murmured. My voice was harsh and tired. That was all my strength that I could mustered and there isn't anything else I could say.
Truth is, she may be different from the person that I know of, but in my gut feeling, her soul is the same. Ridiculous isn't it? I would save my would-be killer all on a hunch.
She didn't say anything either, but instead continuing to watch the stars of the night's sky, while resting on the jagged gravel beside me. My hand then felt intertwined with her cold hands. They were shaking; she was afraid.
My eyes were about to close until I heard someone called out to us.
"Hey, are you guys okay!?"
"Kaz, call Tatemiya-san…!"
"Right…!"
The two voices were nostalgic, but do they belong to the ones whom I had bonded with? If so, therefore, this is a reverie…
Incessantly dreaming about those far away days, I chose to close my eyes and continued to slumber…
"Hang in there! We'll get you some help!"
My grasp tightens with hers and they felt warm…
July 20th:
Aegis was born to combat Shadows, but she wasn't simply a machine. She had emotions despite being an android, and after her defeat from Ryōji she started to search for her life's answer. She then vowed to protect everyone and was the last person to witness my end. She is, and always will be, someone I hold dearly.
The moment I said her name though, she had pulled the trigger. As soon as she did that, I cast Sukukaja, and evade two inches to the side. The bullets zoom past my head and another shot was already unloaded. I dive away from the bullet and ended up behind a dumpster.
I checked my pockets and found a pair of Brass knuckles in a form of black gloves. There was note on it.
You owe me 8,400¥, sincerely, William.
As Kohryu came forth in my mind, I skidded out of cover. Ammunitions discharged towards me as I ran up to her, but rendered them ineffective with my passive skills.
In retrospect, I could've saved a lot of time by changing Personas earlier. Yet, the abruptness of her prompt gunshot, as well as her entrance, didn't give me much time to contemplate. The volley wouldn't have outright kill me but the pain would certainly remain for a while.
Aegis's hand slanted upwards which was an odd gesture due to the trajectory pointing at the sky. I then froze in my advance as I comprehend her plan. Several metal pipes fell, obscuring my path.
The night veiled her face and figure but she step back, clearly surprised that the projectiles became nullified. Or perhaps she's surprised that I jump out to face her? Nonetheless, I proceed cautiously towards her while asking her a question.
"Why are you shooting at me…?"
She speedily launched a warning round in response; I step back due to the terseness of the gunfire.
This world's Aegis doesn't seem to want to negotiate. The situation felt the same from that time when everyone were bound to crucifixes due to Ikutsuki. Only this time, even if I cry out to her, she wasn't the one who I held a connection with…
With hands raised in the air, I attempt to attest her that I do not yearn to battle.
"I'm sure we can be reasonable. Tell me, why are you attacking me?"
As I step into the light, she stood back prepare to retaliate whatever which may come her way. Her azure eyes widen when the light in the alleyway revealed my face beneath the indigo hood.
"You are…!"
The manner of her voice appear to be dazed, as if I had met her.
Strange, did I ever meet this world's Aegis? She seems to recognize me, but unfortunately I cannot recollect any moments that had transpired of this reunion. Did I pass by her on the streets and didn't take notice of her?
I slump my arms downwards but kept my hands out of my pockets to avoid making her feel more distrustful and anxious.
"Do you know me from somewhere?" I asked.
"No, never mind," she quickly answered with a neutral expression. She elevated her firearm.
"Return the data that you've stolen and I'll let you go…"
The data…? This wasn't good. If this is the case then she is involved with the dark side of the [Academy]. In fact, her confrontation confirms many things, and if I have interpreted the documentation correctly, casualties on to children from [Child Error] were numerous. Not only the experiments are still on-going, considering the date on the paper, but they seems to require more "materials."
It is a repeat of The Fall…? Is Kouetsu Kirijō orchestrating the same events that created Tartarus? Why then, hasn't the Dark Hour occurred at midnight for nine years…?
So many questions but only inadequate conjectures loiter about. For now, the truth eluded me…
I shattered them out of my thoughts; I have to face the problem in front of me right now.
There was also something else that I had dreaded and didn't want to ask, yet, I'm not getting anywhere by simply standing still. I have to inquire the reality presented in front of me!
"…Let's say, that I have the data that you're searching for," I cautiously phrased, "And if I hand it over to you, that is if I have the data you are truly looking for, may I enquire a query?"
She simply stared at me impartially for a moment.
"It depends; I may or may not answer…"
Considering she had to deliberate in the first place, it seems like she was ordered to retrieve the data. Still, I get an inkling that tonight is going to get more frenetic as soon as I solicit the issue that's been plaguing me…
"…Are you… a part of STREGA?"
Although she held an illegible mien, her eyes shifted and I heard footsteps within the shadows. She only provided silence as her response, but that in itself was sufficient for confirmation.
"Looks like we're not alone," I sighed, "No, correction, it looks like I'm on my own tonight…"
"Quit wasting time on this trash and get it over with already!" yelled an irritated voice.
"Patience, Jin," stated a familiar voice, "Let us enjoy the moment while we still can."
Takaya Sakaki, and Jin Shirato appeared alongside Aegis. The world around me appeared as a perverse parody of what I know from the other world. Everything felt reversed and distorted. Inconsistencies are bursting out and yet, contradictions have always been there. Tartarus not existing, espers, Port Island was never built, the dark side, no shadows, etc. There are many things that weren't the same, and irregularities continue to unveil.
"Sakaki, I disagree, we must accomplish the mission on hand swiftly," another familiar voice appeared but this one came as a shock to me.
Two more dropped from the rooftops and landed behind me. However, the individuals were people whom I formed bonds with as Makoto Yuuki. It is disheartening to say the least.
Chihiro Fushimi and Hidetoshi Odagiri emerged into the light.
It felt out of place for them to be there or maybe, I'm the one that's out of place…
"I see," I muttered silently, "I have to wonder though, how did you arrive on this path in life?"
No one heard me, and no one answered. I just don't know what to make of this world anymore…
"I suppose the night is getting late, Odagiri," Takaya stated and turn to face me, "Unfortunately we are busy people."
The leader of STREGA aimed his gun, but something was strange. Aegis isn't warning him about my ability nullifying her bullets. Didn't they observe the exchange that had occurred?
Wait, does that mean—!?
Sukukaja!
A lime coloured mist shrouded me and I step to the side. The pellet however gazed my left shoulder and crimson liquid started to soak into my attire. I applied pressure to prevent blood from flowing out but it stung quite a bit. The only thing could by-pass my defenses currently is Almighty. That, or the bullet is made of unknown proprieties…
"Oh, you have good reflexes," he amusedly applauded, "These bullets were designed to bypass most espers' defenses thanks to the studies done on the 2nd strongest in the [Academy]."
Subtly, I employed a Diarama to close the wound, but the pain still ache. I shouldn't put too much strain on it but the circumstance seems dire as of now. I'm surrounded by not only enemies, but people who I created bonds with…
No, these are different individuals, albeit they are the same in a way.
A sad realization kept beating it's way into my head, reminding me that the people before me aren't the ones whom I formed a bond with. A lonely feeling was creeping upon me while I attempt to ignore it…
I shook my head. This isn't the time for that; I need to formulate a plan to abscond.
The shirtless man shrugged and tips the revolver towards my direction.
"Oh well, I think we've drawn this out long enough…"
Magaru!
In haste, I conjured the wind to knock everyone out of the way and altered into Titan. Zoning in on Takaya, I charged with a new skill, Skull Crusher, but Jin intercepted the strike by using his suitcase as a shield. The force of the strike smashed the case open and several explosives flung out of the box. I then took the opportunity to use Maragi and ignite the explosives while formulating an escape route.
Swiftly, I used a Garula spell to soar into the air to escape. I then manipulate Zionga in order to attach myself onto the gutters by using magnetism. I spun my body over and landed on the roof.
The alleyway ruptured into an inferno, and debris of grime flew. The air was filled with burnt garbage and as I got on my feet I took a whiff of myself as I got on my feet. I concluded that I needed a shower after all of this…
Abruptly, a whirling axe flash towards me but thanks to Titan's passive skill, I was able to dodge it with ease.
Chidori Yoshino caught the flailing blade with affluence. It's strange that there are some things that don't change while at the same time, there are so many deviating events. Clad in an alabaster Lolita dress, her expression towards me was nothing, but apathy with a hint of uneasiness.
"…Your existence… seems out of place," she stated in a perplexed and irritated tone, "I know you are an esper since I didn't sense any magic, but why then, do I sense something akin to angels or demons?"
I wasn't expecting her to suddenly attack, much less analyzed me. Can Chidori of this world sense Personas as well?
"I suppose in the end it does not matter…" Chidori raised her axe and thrown it a second time.
I switched into Alilat. Although I can't use her abilities, I can still use passive skills to reflect any physical attacks. However…
Thank you… Jun… pei… I love you…
The memories of her sacrifice for Junpei kept reiterating in my mind, and the time he was suffering. Realization then hit me, Chidori of this world doesn't have a Persona to protect her. Worst case scenarios played out in my head. At the last minute I withdrew Alilat but my [Invalid Entry] reduced a significant damage. Nevertheless, my chest was sliced up as a result of my hesitation.
"It seems that you are human," she paced towards me, "Still I wonder why you held back, considering that you have the ability to nullify bullets. But what baffles me more is why do I sense instability?"
Her steps halted and I gaze up; her axe was hanging over me. She just stared at me listlessly as if this was procedural, and played out.
"I suppose this is the end…"
Kill Rush!
A swift strike to her lower abdomens made her stagger back. I then push her back into a wall and use Bufula to freeze her to it.
Although the gash was shallow, it didn't change the fact that it hurts like hell. Diarama was enough to sewn the wound closed but the ache still lingered. As I shuffled away a voice sojourn me.
"Why?"
I tiled my head towards the scarlet-haired girl. Her expression was bordering between monotony and perplexity.
"Why did you faltered?" she enquired me, "It's not like it would make a difference if you've killed us or not."
When she talked about dying, it as if she talked as if she was disposable. Worse, she became apathetic and didn't seem to value her life. Even now, she's frozen to the concrete wall but she shows no signs of discomfort or anger that I attacked her.
"Why are you giving up?" I asked back, "Does your life mean so little to you?"
She paused for a bit and only stared at me. I didn't have time to waste. I could be attack at any given moment. As I was about to leave, she finally voices her thoughts.
"It appears you know very little of about the Euchre Experiments…"
Truthfully, I could only decipher a part of it given the short amount of time I had. I wish I still had my laptop when I was Makoto…
From what I know, the trial is run by Mitsuru's grandfather and Ikutsuki. It requires a large test sample size, which are the missing children of Child Error. It also goes into an ability called Auto-Rebirth and cybernetic enhancements. However, majority of the test subjects died before going into the later stages. The problem though is the main goal. There wasn't a clear abstract, but I know there was a hidden code within the contents. Unfortunately, I'm not able to completely decrypt it.
"I'll assume that your silence is a yes," she plainly stated, "You are quite strange for caring for your enemy. You should just do away with me."
To her surprise I smiled sadly and turn away from her. I started to walk off and reminisced away.
"I had a comrade who fell in love, but she was on the enemy side. Despite this, he still cared for her even when she captured and threatened him. She was seized for interrogation, but he defended her and spent time with her whenever he got the chance. They fell in love with each other but then he was shot. In the end, she gave her life up for him and died. He continues to live for her sake."
I paused, remembering how Takaya Sakaki shot Junpei and how Chidori Hoshino sacrificed herself for him. Even when she was dying, she smiled and didn't regret it. Junpei was despondent, until he saw the contents of her sketchbook, and regain his resolve. I don't want them to suffer the same end…
"…Even if you don't care if you die, I know there is at least someone who'll mourn for you. Bonds are pretty persistent that way."
Chidori didn't say anything. I then turn around and used small bust of Garu to jump rooftops to rooftops.
Chihiro caught up to me and had me cornered at a dead end in an alleyway.
"I finally caught you," Chihiro coldly demanded, "Give up the data you have stolen."
It was strange to see Chihiro so stoic and deadly. The image of a timid girl, working hard in the student council room was nowhere to be found. It was bizarre to say the least.
"Why are you working for the Kirijō?" I probed, "After all you've seen, you should know all the wrong they have wrought."
I feel like the situation is now reversed. When I was alive, I was technically on the Kirijō Group's side, and now I'm against them. Whatever deity there is, I just hope I don't have to fight Mitsuru.
Chihiro's hand tightens and her eyes had a hint of hesitation, as if she feared something. She didn't voice her answer to my question. Instead, she resolved herself to kill the enemy before her.
She took out silver orbs from her pocket.
"No talk…"
She threw an orb into the air while I rush her down. I switched to Kin-Ki for his natural resistance to any physical damage. I don't like the fact that I'm fighting Chihiro, but it doesn't look like I have much say in the matter. I flexed into an assailing position.
A silver orb tap my right arm and a metal ting resonated in the air. A small explosion of flames erupted and blast my arm. The burst was similar to an Agilao. Are the orbs some sort of explosives?
In realization that there were more raining down on me, I used Garula to gather the orbs up and threw them into a trashcan. I then tackled Chihiro so that she wouldn't get caught up in the explosion.
Nothing happened…
Strange, there should've been a detonation.
An unknown burst sent me airborne but I recovered in midair and landed in a kneeling position.
Ah, I see now, her ability is control of reverberations. Could it be that the metal spheres are a form of acoustic weapons that detonated by sound? Wait, Takaya Sakaki mentioned about studies about the second strongest. From what I heard, the second could create material not found on earth. Then again, it's possible that Kirijō created acoustic bombs with their science department.
My focus return to glasses-wearing girl.
"I apologize in advance," I mumbled gently, "My friend…"
I launched a full-scale Mabufula at her, and in response she used sound to blast the ice into shards. The shards of ice were sent back at me but thanks to Black Frost, I remained unscathed. I then form ice of spikes from the ground but that was a seemingly pointless gesture when she used vibrations to plow through.
"[Multi-Skill]?" she muttered.
I casted Maragi but she used her ability to block the attack once again. The ice melted. I started to feel some strain from using my skills too much.
"Please give up," she stated in a sad tone, "Any attack will be blocked with my sound waves…"
My hand sparked with a Zio in place.
"I'm sorry," I sighed, "I'll make this swift and painless as possible…"
Lightning discharged from my hands, destroying the lights in the alley. Everything was now secluded in darkness.
"Have you forgotten my ability," she stated plainly, "I can use sound and vibrations to find your location.
A blast of waves struck me and slammed me into the wall while I countered with using Garu to cushion. She walked up to me cautiously. Her footsteps collided with the puddle on the ground. With the weakest electric skill in my arsenal I hope this wouldn't hurt her too badly. I put my hand into the stream of pools created by the Mabufula and unleashed Zio.
Chihiro screamed as the voltage made contract and fell in a fleeting moment.
My body and mind felt fatigue. Watching a close friend and junior being shocked by electricity was disconcerting, even when I tried to utilize a small amount of energy in that Zio spell. The sirens blurred, no doubt that Anti-Skill heard the commotion. There was a small pain in my ribs but I choose to ignore it. I lifted Chihiro up and sought a nearby bench. Once I set her down, I left the scene once again.
Running across the bridge, I found myself confounded with the situation. Am I going to continue to hurt those who've I'd made a bond with? Despite knowing that they are individuals of their own right, they themselves are fundamentally the same. Still, I can't help myself possessing a conflicted outlook on this. I know what the Kirijō is doing is wrong, similar before Mitsuru's father became the head. Therefore, I have to do this, even if I'm doing this alone.
Both my train of thought and sprinting halted to a stop when my path was barred by a girl whom once resembled a certain android albeit in human form now.
A howling bullet carved through the atmosphere and hounded towards me. Using Garu to gather the air and combining it with Sonic Punch, I created a burst of wind to alter the course of the gunshot.
"…Why do you continue to resist?"
The mechanical voice spoke out to me. There was a forlorn tone in her voice, veiled by her impassive speech. Our sights never left from one another.
"Why show mercy to me?" I asked back, "My answer will be the same…"
She continued to look at me, trying to understand the motive behind my actions. Her barrel drooped downwards.
"You remain to fight even when you are injured and outnumbered. You are trying to save lives even though they may benefit mankind. Furthermore, they are strangers to you and you to them. So why? Were you hired to do so? Otherwise, why are you risking your life?"
Something in her voice sounded familiar. I shook my head in answering her question that no one hired me to do any of this and I did it within my own volition.
Aegis stood before me, and spoke in a clearer tone, as if she was pleading.
"No one will thank you and no one will know that you tried to save them. You could've lived a peaceful life if you didn't stole the data. Why? Are these children worth saving even though no one wants them? Why did you save m—!?"
She immediately stopped herself from talking, realizing her emotions were showing. Although I was curious what she was about to say, I didn't want to pry deeper. In respect to her feelings however, I answered her other questions.
"I'm not doing this out of the notion of justice or anything all that special. In fact, it's a bit selfish even. I want to do this because I don't want to be apathetic anymore and let others die due to my inactions," I bluntly responded, "And I want to make a better world for my friends to live in."
Taking another's life and depraving them of it is immoral no matter how I look at it. If the children from [Child Error] willingly chose to be experimented on and know of the risks involved as well as compensated, then I have no place to say. Yet, to go as far as sending them to their death? Without giving them a choice to exempt themselves out of the experiment is where I draw the line. That is the normal response, to prevent them from dying. But deep in my heart, there was a simple desire.
Many people who should be dead are alive now, and I want to save them. I wasn't able to save Chidori Yoshino, Shinjirō Aragaki-Senpai, or Mitsuru's father. I know they will die if I don't do something and I don't want my friends in this world or the other to suffer. Even if they do not know of it and it is presumptuous to decide someone else's fate, nonetheless I want to make them happy.
That is my true wish.
Remembering something important, I took a step forward and unrelentingly striding towards Aegis.
"What are you doing?"
Marching onwards, there was someone who was waiting, but she pulled out her gun. Without yielding or flinching, I continue advancing. Even when she set ablaze to the scenery with shells, using the Kohryu, I blocked them, parading on the path before me.
"Stop where you are!"
Bullets collided with my legs and arms but it was nullified. She sustained her onslaught of barrages but they gradually started missing their mark as I got closer. Her eyes widen in I was in finally was in front of her.
Something was off with our confrontation from the very beginning. Her firearm was trained on me but for some reason, she never aimed at my vitals or shoot to kill. Thinking back, she never really bothered to tell Takaya my abilities to nullified bullets. She didn't even used the same special ammunitions he used to destroy an esper's defenses. Instead she was trying for a more diplomatic approach from the start.
As I stopped, my arms extended to the girl in front of me. I know nothing of this Aegis but there is one thing I can recognize and that is loneliness. I then finally embraced her.
"I… can't claim that I know what you've been through or tell you how to live your life. However, I know this for certain, you've been enduring something alone for a very long time."
The girl gave me a look that I was a suicidal moron. She was stunned that I would hug my would-be assailants. However, there was reluctance in what to do. Her arms wrapped around me and squeezed back. Slowly, she started to cry. She felt warm and her tears burned as they fell. Something tells me that this Aegis haven't felt such warmth for a very long time.
"It's okay to cry…"
For some reason, an images of a blonde little girl crying and was surrounded by fire. She had endured something for a really long time, and somehow found herself lost in a maddening world.
Once her tears stopped, I extended my hand.
"Would you like to challenge the impossible and be my companion on my journey?"
She was lost for words and hesitated at first. However, she slowly moved her hand to intertwine with mine.
That is, until a cartridge screeched, and the world rained red.
"Tsk, tsk, Aegis, you should know better, that traitors will be purged. Still, that was a spectacle you've pulled. If only she killed her sentiments, she could've been the strongest one out of all of us. Then again, I guess she was the most sympathetic one in STREGA. That itself is a weakness."
I ignored the voice of STREGA's leader and focused on the body on the ground before me, bleeding out. Memories of failing to do anything ignited within my mind. Images of many recollections played in my head until they started to blurred. A burning sensation aroused within me. It was an emotion that I haven't felt in many years; I was outraged to the highest degree.
"Well, enough of this charade, time to end this…"
Takaya fired a bullet and it was easily deflected. He was using his special ammo, so he was perplexed as to why his shots no longer worked. Confused, he continued to discharge volley after volley, until a blue aura engulfed my surroundings and a circle appeared beneath my feet.
"…Magic?!"
A familiar tarot card fluttered downwards next to me, changing the Fool into the Death Arcana. I then spurned around and demolished the card with my fist. Eyes that illuminated azure, a thunderous roar that shook the earth and the aura spiraled into a violent maelstrom of shards. It started to form the manifestation of my rage.
"Persona!"
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Hello everyone, it has been more than a year I believed since I last updated. I was dealing with some personal issues and there was a lot going on in real life for me that I had to deal with. In addition, it takes too much brainpower for me to feel motivated to write (-_-"). Then as I was finally motivated, my computer had a virus! Basically, I was dealing with a lot and end up not working on this for a long time. Which is why I'm reluctant to writing at all. Honestly, my strong suit isn't writing fanfics in the first place but creating original stories. Regardless, I'm back and this series may end up updating at random. Still, I thank you for patiently waiting for me to return.
The cast of the To Aru series didn't have a big role in this chapter but they will, eventually.
Question Time!
1: What would (or did) you name the Female Protagonist from P3P?
2: What kind of magic would you like to see?
3: Your Waifu (Don't answer this one please)?