Trial
Where... am I?
Neku opened his eyes to the black, lightless void around him. He could still see his own body, unharmed, but nothing beyond the darkness. He could hear nothing except for his own thoughts.
"So, you're finally awake," a familiar voice called out to Neku.
As he turned his head to look for the owner of the voice, a bright light blinded him, completely illuminating the black void. When he opened his eyes, he saw himself standing on a large platform, decorated by what looks like stained glass. He was surprised by what his eyes beheld; an image of a boy, closely resembling himself, standing before a magnificent, open gate, surrounded by smaller images of Neku's friends.
"What... what is this?" Neku said to himself.
"Now, now, Neku, you don't need to be so surprised," the voice called out yet again. This time, Neku was able to intercept the voice without hindrance. It was Joshua, standing a few feet before him.
"Josh? Why are you here? ...More importantly, why am I here?! What is this place?"
"Shush, Neku. Don't get your pants up in a twist," Josh replied.
"I saw you fight with that spiky-haired kid. Your skills were... well, let's just say that they're pretty dull," Josh continued.
"Shut up," Neku groaned.
"Not that it matters much. You were able to hold on your own quite well, despite your last Game being a long time ago."
"Heh, thanks for the compliment," Neku muttered, in his usual sarcastic tone.
"Hmm? What was that, Neku?"
"Uhh... no no, nothing," Neku stuttered. "A-anyway, what happened? Why am I here? What about that kid?"
"Don't worry. He's with Mr. H now. He'll be fine," assured Josh. "And as for the reason I called you here... you'll see in a few moments."
Just as Neku was going to inquire more, Joshua disappeared with a flash of bright blue, and a black apparition appeared in his place. It looked almost humanoid, save for having only yellow eyes. It summoned a black blade out of nowhere, and quickly lunged to strike Neku. His reflexes not dulled, he jumped to the side, just a few inches away from the blade's dark edge. The creature did not stop, for it launched quickly from where it stood last. Again, Neku successfully evaded, but he knew he couldn't keep this up forever.
He would have to fight.
His arm now glowing with a warm light, he quickly punches the creature, leaving a magnificent trail of fire behind. He then proceeds to shoot fireballs at its face, knowing that a simple punch would not obliterate it. It quickly disperses into a dark miasma.
But if matters were to end there, it would be too easy, no? This was what went in Neku's head. He stays on guard, his feet ready to move and his arm glowing brightly still. His caution paid off, for more of the black ghosts jumped from the black void. Neku quickly surveyed his surrounding. He sees 4 of them, each armed with the same weapon as what the last ghost had. He needed to dispose of them quickly. Drawing out the fight would tire him out, and he expects more things waiting for him here. Ever the creative one, he conjures towers of flame around him, forming a wall that hit – and erased – all four ghosts in succession.
This time, it was over. A magnificent door appeared before Neku in a glint of light. In curiosity, Neku approached the door slowly, touching its handle when he came right in front of it.
Do not be afraid.
"Huh?" The voice surprised Neku. There was no one around. He knew that Joshua would be the only one able to connect with him here – for this place seems to be one of his creations, Neku thought – but it was not his voice.
Open the door, the door to your future... Shibuya's future...
"Shibuya's... future?" asked Neku.
There is no time to be afraid.
You, who have saved Shibuya once, must do it once more.
Open the door to your future, Shibuya's future.
Still confused, Neku ponders to himself. Shibuya's future... is my future? What would happen if I open this door?
He dismisses his thoughts, for the door seemed to be the only way out. Slowly, he opened the door, stepping into a white realm.
We depend on you, Neku Sakuraba.
*
The door had led Neku to a similar place, but this time the stained glass is a tad bit darker. The image has also changed a bit, now featuring a white dragon circling half of the circular stained glass. A red dragon circles the other half, opening its mouth as if to attack the white dragon. The floor is stained with black, white, and gray thorn-like patterns crisscrossing over the original image. This is twisted, Neku thought. He continues to wander around the area, looking at every detail the floor has to offer him.
His search had to be interrupted by a loud thumping noise. It came from the black void. Neku ran to the edge, looking down, but he saw nothing. Without warning, a giant hand came from behind Neku and snatched him away.
Squirming in the giant fist, he could make out the figure of the owner of the fist. It was a giant, its shape similar to that of the creatures he had encountered earlier. White thorns protrude from its shoulders, with gray tribal-like designs sprawling all over its body.
But Neku had no time to care for details. The giant threw him high into the air. Neku felt the forces of gravity as he fell down, the giant's punching fist ready to reach him. In a quick rush of adrenaline, Neku flipped in the air, his feet touching the giant's fist and bouncing off straight towards the giant's head. Knowing what to do next, he punched the giant's face, his psych activated. The flames enter the giant's body. It is invisible to him, but Neku knew that the attack was successful. He pulled his arm out, carefully landing softly, for he knew that staying there for too long would mean that the giant could punch him.
The giant, seemingly feeling no damage at all, proceeds to stomp the ground where Neku stood. He quickly dashed around its foot as soon as it lands and attacking it as he went. This caused the giant to lose balance and fall on its knees. Neku did not let up on the attack, slashing the kneeling foot with a tongue of flame he summoned. But this was all a ruse by the giant. As Neku was wildly slashing the giant's feet, it quickly swept its hand, knocking Neku away. He hurled and landed with a loud thump.
Neku struggled to get up as the giant slowly approach. The floor shakes with every step it takes. Having gained the strength to stand up properly, he evaded the giant's swipe, but he cringed in pain as he dashed. His ribs and feet hurt, possibly from the swipe he took moments before. Still trying to bear with the pain, he jumped to avoid another swipe, and quickly – either by calculation or sheer luck – he set his feet down on the giant's hand and used it as a springboard to jump at the giant's head again. This time, he conjured a blade of fire, and aimed for the giant's forehead. But the giant is also prepared. It swung its hand right in front of its face, knocking Neku away just like a fly being swatted. Fortunately he had stuck his blade on the giant's hips, and slowly descended, cutting through the giant's thighs and legs until he touches he ground. The giant lets out a deafening scream, enough to send Neku flying a few feet, dangerously close to the edge.
Neku gnashed his teeth. His pains started to hinder his advance as the giant let out a relentless succession of attacks. There's only one thing to do: end the fight as quickly as he could. In a mad dash, he went for the giant's leg, slashing and shooting it as he passed. The giant again fell on its knees, allowing Neku to continue. He is more wary now, for he knew that another strike would kill him for sure. Quickly, he attacked the other leg with pillars of flame. The giant lost his balance and fell on its belly.
This is it, Neku thought, the final strike!
Neku jumped to the giant's hand, stabbed it with his flaming blade and ran to its shoulder with the blade still stuck in the giant's body, leaving a trail of fire. The giant screamed, but Neku did not let up. He went for its head now, with his blade now growing larger and larger. Just as the giant raised its head, Neku stabbed it from behind, puncturing its head right through. He quickly pulled the blade out, and the giant soon dissipated into a dark shadow. Curiously enough, the shadow moved – in a slow, creeping manner – to engulf Neku.
As he struggles in futility to escape the darkness, the ominous voice echoed:
Do not be afraid.
Many ordeals may come to you...
But you have proven to be capable to pull through.
We believe in you.