Chapter 2 - Empty Smile

Souji's body started shaking as the thought of death entered his mind. Breathing more heavily from the anxiousness, he closed his eyes for a moment and gripped his fists tightly. Suddenly, he took a deep breath as to try to calm down. The dense air in the room could not calm him as he expected, but to win, he must have a clear mind and a strong resolve.

In a few moments he opened his eyes. The fear inside him was still burning inside but he decides to ignore all that. Souji looks straight into Minato's eyes as he emits a fiery determination. Souji pulled out of his katana hidden in his uniform and pointed it straight into Minato's direction.

Minato stands there, staring at the ground, bearing no emotion. The distance between them was only a few feet away as Souji thought although the room itself looked like an illusion. The uncertainty could bring about his downfall. Attacking him directly would be reckless as such, Souji decided to wait for now.

"I wonder how many Personas he has in his repertoire." pondered Souji, "I shouldn't leave my guard down, I have to be careful. One false move could kill me."

"Nyx… " whispered Minato in a soft tone.

The huge persona vanished suddenly. Souji was surprised as to why he did that.

"What is he planning" thought Souji as he moved one step back.

"Come forth, Jack Frost"

Minato summoned Jack Frost. Jack Frost was merrily floating around him like a child.

"Jack Frost!? Is he underestimating me?" mumbled Souji, feeling a bit annoyed.

"Jack Frost… Niflheim…"

"Niflheim!? Jack Frost can't have that ski--"

Jack Frost casts a giant ice berg that hurtles toward Souji. Fortunately, Souji was able jump out of the way before Niflheim could hit him.

"Jack Frost… Sonic Punch…"

Jack Frost glides towards Souji. Because Jack Frost was so fast, Souji was unable to dodge it this time and Jack Frost lands a critical hit that knocks him to the ground. After the attack, Jack Frost vanished.

"*cough* *cough* I never knew Jack Frost was so strong… I guess it depends on the user on how strong a Persona could get."

Souji quickly gets up feeling a bit of pain in his gut. "I guess it's my turn but… I got to choose my Personas carefully though" Souji thought.

"It doesn't matter what Persona you choose…"

"What? What do you mean it doesn't matter!?"

"You cannot defeat me… You are too weak"

"Weak? Even if I am weak, it's still too early to give up! I might not be able to defeat you but at least I tried."

"Hmm… You're a stubborn one… You already know you cannot defeat me yet you still continue to fight."

"But still… I gotta try! I-I don't want to die here! That's my decision."

"You cannot avoid death. To live is to die, they are one in the same."

"You're right… I WILL die but… Even if I do win, I'm still going to die someday."

"You understand this fact yet you still keep on fighting."

Souji looks down on the floor then gazes back at Minato. Preparing to attack, he grips the katana tightly but Minato neither reacted nor moved for that matter.

"For the past year, I've been investigating a mysterious case." said Souji slowly.

"I know…"

"Every time I enter the T.V. world, I risk my life for people I'm not even attached to."

"That's just proves you're a naïve boy."

"Maybe your right, maybe I am naïve. But I don't regret it!"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because… If I haven't continued this investigation, I wouldn't have become friends with them all." Souji smiled, "Yosuke, Chie, Yukiko, Teddie, Kanji, Rise and Naoto, they're all precious to me." Souji points at Minato with a determination, "That's why I won't give up because Life is precious and shouldn't be thrown away. I'll continue to do my best 'till the very end!"