0-0-0 PROJECT SHADOW: PERSONA 0-0-0
OP Song: "Filth in the Beauty" by the GazettE
Project #2: "Awakened 1"
Michiru fell on his knees, surprised at the sight of Mikito's shadow started to transmogrify into a figure of a humanoid with a triangular faceplate followed with sears of flames which resembled hair behind its head. It wore a red suit over a plain black cloth which covers its body.
"Wh-what is THAT?!" Michiru yelled at Mikito's direction, hinting some of his frustration of information lack.
"Leave this to me! Asher!" Mikito screamed which was likely to be the red humanoid figure's name, Asher. In an instant, Asher dashed towards the Cerberus and ignited a wheel of flame to the beast. The Shadow growled in agony as the fire burning its body, damaging its outer tissue. Taking this chance, Mikito ordered Asher to rip one of the Cerberus' three heads. Digging its hands to the head of the hound Shadow, Asher ripped the center head into two bits.
It took awhile for Michiru to realize that Asher doesn't have any legs. Curious, he asked the brown haired man, "Hey eye patch, that thing, it floats in the air!"
Mikito sighed and scratched his hair with slight annoyance. He's too lazy to explain but he think that he should or else Michiru won't stop nagging about it. "Well, how do I explain this? It HAS legs but they don't appear 'cuz its legs are connected to my Shadow." Mikito pointed at his own shadow beneath his sporty sneakers. His shadow really DOES connect to Ashers legs.
"So what is that thing?" MIchiru threw another question.
"That's what I've been meaning to show you. It is a Shadow-based weapon, the PERSONA."
"That thing is like those Shadows?!" Michiru came back on his feet and walked closer. Mikito raised his shoulders.
"Graaaawr!" the Cerberus roared in pain and reacted by swinging its paws randomly at all direction. Unfortunately, one of the swings was able to make a clean hit at the caught off guard Asher. The bash itself is powerful that Asher flew meters away to the far back of the warehouse. Mikito groaned in pain and held his left shoulder. "Ugh! It got me, eh?"
"What's going on?" Michiru looked at Mikito's now bleeding left shoulder.
"When a PERSONA is inflicted damage, it indirectly affects the user, too… Look at Asher… His left arm joints are destroyed… That damn dog." Mikito looked at the Cerberus in an irritating manner.
Hearing the word 'destroyed', Michiru thought that Mikito's left arm will not be able to be used anymore and before he could say anything, Mikito said, "Talk again, I'll fuck your skull up. I know what you are about to ask. My left arm is just taking a light damage, see?" Mikito flipped a middle finger. Michiru frowned as if saying, "He's not being serious enough." Michiru looked at Asher and saw the wound made by the Cerbeus. It was very deep and is bleeding badly.
"The one who is taking a severe damage is none other that Asher. Oh, shit!" Mikito pushed Michiru out of the way and it saved their lives from the Cerberus which just lunged and trying to bite their heads off. "You piece of dog shit! So one head is not enough, huh?" Mikito grumbled, "Then I'll just take the last two, yah?!" he exclaimed while he pulled out two mousers from their holsters under Mikito's jacket.
Then, Mikito's phone, which was in Michiru's hand, rings. The blonde might as well pick the call since it is Nadeshiko "Archer" Isa calling. Michiru clicks the accept button and put it in loudspeaker so that Mikito can hear it too.
"I get it now! When the Fenrir devoured its kind, it evolves into a Mk.4, that is the Cerberus. Not only that, the core of the Fenrir separated into 3 which were inside each of its heads." Isa said through the phone.
"You're late on that one!" Mikito grunted as he rushed to the Cerberus with Asher following from behind. Mikito make a quick side step and spams the triggers quickly, aiming the bullets at the Cerberus' eyes. Asher approaches from above, attempting to strike one of the heads while the Cerberus is still distracted by Mikito. But the other head notices Asher and reacted by bashing Asher's body to the ground with its huge paw. Mikito flinches by the pain but jumps back immediately knowing that the other paw is attacking him.
Mikito coughed up some blood but surprisingly, he still can stand on his feet. "Shit! Fuck! I think I broke some ribs!" Mikito cursed. "This is going to be a hard fight."
Michiru's POV
Mikito's hurt. I know he can't win this thing but if he loses here, we'll both die. I have to do something! Think of something!
Suddenly, a memory of Midori appeared. Yes, I remember it that day. It was Christmas and the first night we went out together. It was peaceful. Yes, it's peaceful at least until she died by the hands of the man she loves. I killed Midori. What the fuck am I thinking?!
I snap out of my deep thoughts and quickly run to a submachine gun lying on the floor. I pick it up and position myself to shoot the Cerberus. Seriously, what am I thinking right now? My priority should be staying alive and see the sun tomorrow!
I am about to pull the trigger but I saw a figure of a girl running this way. The girl slides through under Cerberus' body and shoots the pump-action shotgun in her hand several times before jumping back to Mikito's side.
"Oi, you're late, Miya!" Mikito complains at the ravenette.
"Miya is sorry." She nods. So that's 'Miya Kamijou' Mikito was talking about back there, huh. But why does she talk in a third person style? The girl takes off her Kevlar vest and throws it to the side.
"You sure about that?" Mikito raises his eyebrows while reloading his Mausers simultaneously.
"That thing won't protect Miya from dog bites." Miya says in a deadpan manner and Mikito chuckles dryly. What is going on with them?
"Give an order, squad leader." Miya pumps her shotgun and refills the cartridge of her Ithaca.37 shotgun.
"We take that puppy's big fingers from Asher. Dingo squad, move out!" Mikito exclaims as he dashes to the Cerberus' direction alongside Miya who runs behind him, covering Mikito from Cerberus' attacks.
I am dumbfounded by the scene I'm witnessing. They both fight in a sync rate. As expected from combat-professionals. Mikito swiftly evades the Cerberus' attacks and is able to land a cut from his claw blades to the right eye of the Cerberus. On the other hand, Miya runs to the left side where Asher was pinned to the ground by Cerberus while Mikito distracted its attention. Miya pulls the trigger several times, meaning to shoot the Cerberus' leg but it is intercepted by Cerberus' other head which lunges to Miya's direction, catching her off guard.
"Ack!" Miya exclaims as her body hits the wall near me due to the impact. I notice that the Cerberus shifts its gaze to my direction and quickly, I ready the MP5 submachine gun in my hands, aiming it at one of the two Cerberus' heads.
"Look at here, you bitch!" Mikito shoots at the Cerberus with his Mauser, distracting its attention. The Cerberus growls and stomps at Asher under its paw with a loud bang. Then I see Mikito coughing out some blood and fall on his knees. Why can't he just order that Asher to burn this dog to ash? I feel Miya's hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry… We'll handle this. Your name is Michiru-san, correct? Miya will beat that thing." Miya pulls out the cross of the rosary she wore and held onto it tightly. Is she summoning a PERSONA?
"Come, Cecil!" the black haired lass exclaims and I see her shadow moving around and start to gain shape as it resurfaces. This PERSONA, if I hear it right, her name is Cecil. It looks like a skeleton wearing a Christian nun outfit and is crossing its fingers. Strange enough, only her upper body appeared. But I know there's no time to ask so I'd better walk back.
"Be my eyes and power." Miya mutters as she positions herself in a kneeling shooting position. Her PERSONA moves its hands and held Miya's arms. Suddenly, I notice blue eyeballs start to form in Cecil's skeletal empty eye sockets which freaks me out a little.
"Killer Hornets!" Miya exclaims and pulls the trigger. Although Shotgun shots are supposed to be spread shots but this time is not. Miya's shot seems like the micro pieces of the bullet are focused at one point, which is the Cerberus' leg.
After taking several shots from Miya, Miya is able to sever the joint of the Cerberus' paw, resulting Asher to be freed. Quickly, Mikito waved his arms at the air as if calling Asher to his side which surprisingly, Asher does. The red coated PERSONA focuses its flames into his fist and launched the punch to the nearest Cerberus head, resulting it to explode into pieces.
"GRAAAAWR!" only one more left! If Mikito destroys it, we can survive! As Mikito orders Asher for another attack, I notice the dog Shadow is about to swing its paw at Asher from the back. I reacted instinctively and in split seconds, I rolled to the front and shoot the Cerberus by the eyes, making it flinch backwards. Mikito glanced at me showing his gratitude for a second then he gestured Asher to push the Cerberus outside of the tight warehouse.
The Cerberus in now outside and strangely, it starts to act more vicious and fierce. I tilted my head and is about to ask Miya when she screams at Mikito, "What is Mikito doing?! Mikito's taking it to the moon light!" I see… So that explains everything. Shadows gain power from the moon light. I kinda understand it now.
"I know! It's easier to kill it that way! I only got 45 seconds left!" Mikito exclaims as he runs outside with Asher following from behind. "45 seconds for what exactly?" I mumbled subconsciously. Well, loud enough for Miya to hear. "Miya and Mikoto and others have limits. Miya cannot use Cecil more than 15 minutes." She explains.
Ahh… I see… So they have time limits, huh. Wait, Mikoto has only 45 seconds? I am about to look at Miya, demanding her to fight but when I glance her way, she's already gone. Apparently, she's already outside, backing Mikoto up with her skillful gunslinger style. She now wields two Berretta 92s, leaving her shotgun hanged by a belt over her shoulder. Just what are these people?
"Fuuuuuuuck!" Mikito curses while running towards the Cerberus, hitting the trigger quickly. I suppose he's trying to shorten the distance and strike with the time he has. Mikito swiftly dodges the attacks Cerberus throwing at him. Its movements are getting unpredictable since it's in ecstasy heck, I can't do anything but to believe in them.
"Mikito!" Miya exclaims as she shot the eyes of the Cerberus, blinding it. Mikito seems to hear the signal and makes a high jump.
"5" he mutters. Mikito starts counting down as his body dives down the ground and spins his body towards Cerberus. The 3 blades of Mikito's clawblades are able to rip through the flesh of Cerberus' head, revealing a bulging red orb. I presume that it is the core. "2… Go Asher!"
The crimson PERSONA dives at high speed, attempting to attack but Cerberus' claws manage to make damage at Asher's faceplate. Mikito, too feels the pain. I see 3 bloody lines appeared across Mikoto's face which Asher's just suffered.
Asher growls as flames start to cover its arms and throws a fireball at Cerberus. "Take this! Infernofobia!" as the fireball hits Cerberus; the fire burned its entire body, turning it to ash.
As Mikito landed on his feet, he reaches his limit. Asher dissolves into thin air and Mikito's shadow turned into normal. I can hear Mikito's heavy breathings and suddenly, he loses his balance and about to fall but fortunately, Miya caught him.
"This is Dingo 1 Orbeye here. All target eliminated." Mikito speaks to his phone.
"This is Dingo 3 Archer, I've confirmed your situation. Mission objective achieved, Hunt successful. Good job."
NORMAL POV
Michiru just witnessed an intensive battle between humans and Shadows. Strangely, he believed every word, everything he saw. But actually, he had doubts and was still curious on why did they tell him about Shadows which were supposed to be top secret? Could it be that he's the target and they want to help him? Well, that's not it. Mikito fell on the ground, panting heavily.
"Man, what a day…" he muttered. He'd seen too much today. Or rather, experienced too much. His heart was filled with anger, hatred, disappointment, and… sorrowness. At the mean time, he doesn't know what will he do or what's the purpose of living. Midori's gone, he lost his job, everything! Michiru actually really wanted to scream out loud, releasing his frustration but just couldn't bring himself to do it. Then he felt someone closing in.
"Yo, you're okay?" Mikoto said as he took a long drag on his cigarette. Michiru stood up and nodded as a response. Looking to the right, Michiru can see Miya calling someone through somekind of device attached to her ear. Like a handsfree.
"Why didn't you use that move earlier? You're giving me some serious shit to deal with. I'm worried as fuck, man." Michiru cursed at Mikito but the eyepatch guy wasn't affected. Heck, he also cursed a lot.
"Well, you see… Shadows are like nocturnal animals. They only go for the kill when moon appears. This explains that moon is the power source for Shadows. PERSONAs are the same. Get it?" Mikito explained the detail half-heartedly to Michiru which bothered him.
"Actually, I don't want to hear it from YOU but I got no choice…" Michiru sighed and scratched his head.
"Yeah, says HE who didn't do anything during the battle." Mikito implied sarcastically. That really does it. Michiru got mad and exclaimed,
"Who's the one that saved your ass back there?"
"My own ass!"
"Oh yeah? We have 2 eye witnesses here." Michiru crossed his hands
"One is Miya and who is the other one?"
"Jesus" Mikito got ticked off by Michiru's so called 'lame joke'
"Sorry, I'm an Atheist." Mikito replied. Well, that silenced Michiru.
The blonde man walked away from the two Shadow Hunters, limping towards the exit. Michiru just didn't care anymore. He let everything go; anger, his stubbornness. Now, his heart is taking a hard blow, ripping it apart literally. "Hey guys, thanks for everything. You saved my life. Now I think I'm going home now." Michiru said, waving to them while keeping his face looking downward. He doesn't want them to see his current expression because he himself knows that it's always horrible when he's stressed out. Suddenly, Michiru remembered there is something he has to do. He quickly changed his direction to the port near the warehouse.
"Hey wait! Ack! Shit, it hurts, Miya!" Mikito yelled at the raven haired lass who was tending first aid on his wounds. Miya jumped at Mikito's sudden yelling and backed off, pulling out her pistols from their holsters, aiming them at Mikito.
"Holy shit! W-wait!" Mikito raised his arms in the air, alerting Miya. She doesn't seem to do it on purpose. "Miya is sorry. It's reflex."
Mikito lit up another cigar and put it in his mouth then said, "That Michiru guy. You think he's good enough?" Miya looked at the back of the Ahoge haired man who was standing at the seaside. The warehouse is located near the sea and is also in the same are with the port.
"Miya thinks so… But Michiru-san seems troubled." Miya implied while giving some finishing touches on Mikito's scarred face. Luckily the wounds weren't bad enough for Mikito. They're just scratches across his face, horizontally. Mikito exhaled some smoke while sighing simultaneously. "We'll just leave him alone for now. Where is our ride home?"
"They're already on the way. Miya already told them about Mikito's proposal."
"Really? Well, that saves my work."
Back to Michiru, he's looking at the round moon before him. He tried to contain his tears but they just kept flowing out. Even Michiru himself couldn't describe his sorrow of losing the one he loved. In his right hand, he held a silver ring with a playful ornament adorned on it. Yes, it's the ring he was going to use to propose Midori. "Midori, now that you're gone, I don't think I need this anymore." He said as he stretched his arms above the sea water.
He thought of throwing it away then he's going to commit a suicide. He thought that it's the ending he wanted. He didn't think that it is out of ordinary because people say that when two lovebirds are together, they are happy; but when one of them dies, the other one will also die just to meet the lost loved ones. As Michiru loosened his grip on the ring, attempting to throw it away, he felt a sudden warmth on his shoulder. Surprised, he turned his body around just to see…
"Midori!"
At first he thought that he's dreaming but he wasn't. Midori, the woman he loved stood right in front of him, smiling her usual smile. For awhile Michiru felt like the heavy feelings in his heart disappeared but when he came to,
She's already gone…
Michiru sighed and put the ring inside his trench coat's pocket. "*sigh* you don't have to come specially to see me. It's as if you don't want me to throw this thing away, you know." For the first time since her death, Michiru smiled. Though it was a forced smile, he felt that Midori didn't want to see him weep anymore and the thought of that really made him happy. Midori came to see him for the last time.
"Okay, as you wish, I'll live on." Michiru muttered and walked back to the entrance. Just as he was about to leave, Mikito stopped him by dragging his arm back to the warehouse. "What the hell are you plotting?! Let me go!" Michiru protested.
"Going somewhere?" Mikito implied as he let go of Michiru's arm and crossed his arms afterwards. Michiru dusted his coat off and shifted his gaze between Mikito and Miya.
"Yeah, I'm going back to my place. Didn't I tell you that?" Michiru replied with a hint of annoyance. No one can keep me from going home, he thought.
"Sorry, but we can't allow that. And your place is being cleaned as we speak." Mikito said in a monotone manner.
"Cleaned?! What are you guys doing with my room?! Don't tell me there are more of you guys!" Michiru exclaimed; surprised at what Mikito said just now.
"Don't think that Shadow Hunting Department doesn't have anyone to support it. EWEPS exists to help us with our work. Eye Witness and Evidence Protection Service."
"Protecting my ass! You guys barged into my room without permission and that's crime!"
"Michiru-san, please listen..!" Miya exclaimed, aiming to calm Michiru down and that worked. Michiru sighed and put his hands inside his coat's pocket in defeat.
"They are professionals. They won't take anything from you I promise. Although they are officials, they still have several rules they have to obey, see? EWEPS only erases evidences regarding Shadows and protects eye witnesses. You must be wondering how do they protect eye witness, yes? Well, they…" Mikito cleared his throat before finishing his sentence but was cut by Miya saying, "They will erase Michiru-san's memories and replace them." The answer made Michiru gasped in surprise. Mikito sighed and smacked Miya in the head through the process.
"You don't have to be so direct, Majou!" MIkito grumbled.
"Y-yes, Miya is sorry, squad leader!" Miya rubbed her aching head with her hands and bowed frequently. "She isn't as emotionless as she looks." Michiru mumbled unconsciously but fortunately, they didn't hear it.
"They'll erase my memory? Wait, I don't get it. Why would they? And… Why are you telling me this in the first place? I don't want to get my memories erased. I-I don't want to forget anything! My last moment with her is going to be replaced by false memories!" Michiru asked the eyepatch wearing guy.
Mikito scratched his hair and shifted his eye from Michiru, said, "Actually, I don't want you to get your memories erased. So, on that purpose, I'm asking you. Will you join us?"
…
"What? So that's your purpose all along!" Michiru exclaimed and grabbed Mikito's jacket. Miya instantly grabbed Michiru's hands and take them away from Mikito.
"Please, listen to us until the end, Michiru-san." Miya pleaded as she slowly took her hands off Michiru's.
"Actually, to be honest, we humans are struggling in fighting these creatures so we need every fire power we could get. Alright, why don't you just think like this: 'the Shadows killed your woman and you hate them for it. So turn that hatred into power and unleash it against them.' I know you hate them right?" Mikito looked straight into Michiru's widened eyes. Michiru traced his eyes to the ground thinking to himself, looking deep into himself. His true feelings right now.
"I think you have a point there. So, what's there is for me if I say yes?" Michiru said, still not looking at either both of the Shadow Hunters.
"Humankind's salvation."
"Huh?" Michiru gasped at Mikito's statement. "Are you even serious about this?! What are you even talking about? All you do is fulfill your duty, so who are you to talk about something like that?! You don't understand ANYTHING!" Michiru stepped forward and looked Mikito in the eye. Though Michiru's acting hostile, Miya didn't act. She understood the situation of Michiru's mind. 'He's confused between dream and reality. He hated being the one that didn't do anything; that's just how Michiru-san is, he is stubborn' Miya thought to herself.
Mikito got ticked off as when Michiru snapped at him, resulting him to give a strong jab at Michiru's face, making him fell on his back. "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING! THROWING SOME TANTRUM AT US WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING! YOUR GIRLFRIEND WAS KILLED BY THE SHADOWS!" Mikito panted after his burst of frustration. Michiru stood back up, wiping some blood from his lips.
"You're wrong if you said I don't understand anything. I… no, me and Miya, we have seen things much worse than you did. Our squad, 66th force 6th Japanese branch division, the Dingo team, lost 3 of our best Hunters. They're my friends and one of them is Miya's brother. They died. We're not here because we like it. We are also like you, we have grudges against those beast. Although this tragedy is supposed to make the countries rise in arms, they still try to cover it, they only think of themselves. Doesn't this piss you off? Well, I do." Mikito lowered his voice and pointed a finger to Michiru.
"Will you fight with us? Michiru Nagase?" Mikito gave hand to Michiru, waiting for his response. Michiru sighed and keep looking at Miya and Mikito, back and forth. Finally, reaching his decision, he said in a low tone,
"I'm probably just a loser. I can't even handle a job for more than 3 weeks. But since I've just got fired so…" Michiru smiled and took Mikito's hand, continued, "…why not?"
Mikito and Miya's expression suddenly lightened up with Michiru's decision. It's like they've just seen gold at a middle of nowhere. Then, the sound of engine was heard, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with an emblem 'EWEPS' imprinted on it to be precise. Michiru looked at the black twin-engine chopper in awe as it lands. Seconds later, the door slid open, a party of 3 men in white HAZMAT suit and gas masks came out carrying a vacuum-like device and briefcases. One of them came up to Mikito and took off his mask, revealing his short brown hair.
"Good evening, I believe that you are Orbeye, yes?" the brown haired man shook hands with Mikito while the other guys ran into the warehouse, destroying the evidence such as annihilate the carcasses of the Fenrirs and Floyds the SDF and Hunters have slayed. Mikito gave out a fake laugh as a response.
"Yes, who do you might be?" Mikito asked back the EWEPS officer. The man dusted his suit and introduced himself,
"I am Hack, the captain of EWEPS's 4th Japanese division. It's an honor to meet the veteran of the failed Operation 'Big O'." The tidy looking man said and then glanced at the Dingo team for a second. Michiru personally disliked this person. He's speaking as if he is superior or something.
"… thank you for your 'praise' . You are using a code name I see..." the straight haired man said as he pulled out another cigarette from his green jacket's pocket and lit it up.
"Of course. It has been a tradition for us and for mercenary like you, right Orbeye? And it's also a tradition for EWEPS to clean the unnecessary evidence like him, don't you think?" Hack pointed at Michiru and ended up alerting him. "What's the meaning of this?" Michiru stepped back and whispered to Miya.
"Don't worry, as long as Michiru-san is with Miya and Mikito, everything will be okay." Miya whispered back. Her response seemed to be able to calm Michiru down. Hack walked up to Michiru and sniffed at him. The blonde seemed annoyed by this and pushed Hack away instinctively. Hack put a finger to his chin and looked at Mikito,
"So, this is the guy you want to recruit, eh, Orbeye?" Mikito nodded and then looked back at Michiru.
"Don't lay a hand on him. I'll handle him." Mikito leered hostilely at Hack which made him backed off, raising his hands.
"I won't. But are you sure? He doesn't look THAT dependable." Hack scoffed.
"We'll see about that. Let's move!" Mikito ordered the team to get onto the chopper. Miya followed him from behind while dragging Michiru's arm.
As they got onto the chopper, Michiru questioned Mikito and Miya. "So, where are we headed?"
"Tokyo. Shadow Hunting Department Japanese branch center to be exact. You'll like it there." Mikito chuckled dryly. Michiru raised his eyebrows and looked outside from the window as the chopper flew, leaving Mikura city.
Out of the blue, Miya struck up a conversation, "Mikito, Miya doesn't like that Hack person." She said while sucking on her lollipop. Mikito suddenly stopped what's he's doing, that is reloading his Mauser and rolled his eyes, said, "I don't like him either. But we can't just beat him buck-ass naked 'cuz we kind of owe him one you know. We can't ride home without this chopper."
"Miya understands but just don't like him."
"Actually I am thinking about the same thing, Miya. There is this asshole general manager at the place I used to work for and he's being such a jackass. That Hack guy kind of reminded me of him." Michiru implied but soon smiled after then. He still remembered what happened back there. Midori came to him. It made him happy but…
…hurt as well.
But no, he won't weep anymore. Michiru bit his lip, trying to suck it up. If he had to lie to himself, so be it. He didn't want to think of Midori's death anymore; he got his mind focused on one thing right now.
I WILL KILL THOSE SHADOWS
Haha, everytime he thinks like that, it makes him feel really stupid. Just hours ago, he thought of himself as a loser but now? He thought of saving the world, killing some abomination beasts. But that's just it. it is his reality now. He had to accept it.
"They could've caught Michiru-san and erase his memories. But why they didn't? It could make them go through some trouble so why are they willing to let Michiru-san go?" Miya inquired the smoking Mikito.
Mikito exhaled some smokes and scoffed, "They don't have enough badges to control us." Then, an unexpected side of Miya was exposed. She giggled like a normal girl will do which surprised Michiru.
Tokyo, S.H.D Japanese branch central
"Welcome to the Japanese SHD HQ." the intercom announced as the chopper landed on the roof of the tall building. Michiru looked around at amazement on how luxurious the building was. Miya however, hopped off the chopper and jumped around like a 5th grader while screaming, "I'm home!" Michiru scratched the back of his head at the sight.
"Damn, Miya! Just stop loitering around the roof and get over here!" Mikito yelled, acting like a boss. Miya then pouted and made Michiru laughed.
The group walked down the stairs and proceeded into the elevator which took them to 5th floor. The building was 15 stories tall with the label 'SSC' assembled at the roof and were lit up brightly. At first, Michiru wondered what does SSC stand for and finally he gets it from Mikito. SSC stands for 'Science Search Centre'. Well, they of course need some disguise if they don't want to be exposed especially in this 'flashy' building.
"We're here." Mikito informed. Their feet brought themselves into some kind of a lab and they pushed Michiru inside of an office, alone. There, he met a middle-aged man with dark brown eyes, long wavy brown hair, and a goatee. He wore a tan jacket over his brown turtleneck. He wore glasses and was sitting on a comfy spin chair.
"Ah, I've received information that you will come, Michiru Nagase. Please have a seat." Michiru immediately sat on a blue chair right infront of the office desk on an immediate notice and was offered a cup of coffee which he accepted.
"My name is Shuji Ikutsuki, head of Technology Development section. I believe that you have understood the basic information on Shadows so there's no need for further explanation. Have you prepared your insurance, Michiru Nagase?" Ikutsuki said with his glazed eyes looking at Michiru.
"Insurance? For what?"
"As you can see, for you to officialy join the Hunting team, you will need a PERSONA and you know what are PERSONAs made of?"
"Shadows?"
"Exactly! So that's why I asked whether you prepared your life insurance. Your life could be in danger at the process."
"Process of what? Obtaining PERSONA?"
Ikutsuki stood up and gestured Michiru to follow him somewhere. The Ahoge male was fidgeting. He didn't know what's waiting for him there so he'd better prepare for the worst outcome.
The middle-aged man opened a door to a small room which seemed isolated from others. "Welcome to the Chamber of Awakening, lad." Ikutsuki made a rather unpleasant welcome greeting for Michiru. He stepped into the room and observed it thoroughly. There was a hi-tech computer-like device which was located not far from a metal desk where all medical tools are laid. At the center, there is a chair with lots of belts on every section. It reminded Michiru of a torture chamber.
"So, this is the place?" Michiru guessed. Ikutsuki gave a simple 'yes' and asked Michiru to sit on the chair. Ikutsuki held out an injection which contained black colored liquid. Ikutsuki then approached him then, said,
"Do you know what this is?"
"It looks like those fluids coming out of Shadows."
"Yep, that's right. We call these liquids, Shadow Gene."
Then, suddenly, Mikito and several other armed soldiers came barging onto the room, pointing their weapons at Michiru. "Whoa-whoa! What's going on here?" Michiru exclaimed.
"I can't give you a specific clue but I'm going to inject this into your artery and let the Shadow Gene infect you." Ikutsuki smiled a mad scientist style and resulted Michiru to feel more uncomfortable.
"Infect me? You are making me a Shadow?!"
"That's how it looks like but actually, it doesn't. You know that the Shadow Gene prioritizes on attacking human's nerve systems and brains? That's where you come in. You'll get your mind disturbed and enter your subconscious. Now to obtain a PERSONA, you HAVE to find the Shadow parasite that's invading your mind and kill it. Be careful, don't let it control you or kill you or else…"
"I'll turn into a Shadow. That's a two edged blade. In other word an all-or-nothing gamble, huh. But how can I kill the Shadow?"
Mikito then sneered at Michiru, "Sorry, noob, you have to find your own way."
"Hey, I'm dead serious here!" Michiru's about to stood up when 3 soldiers put him back to the chair and tied him with the belts. Michiru tried to struggle but no avail.
"We're here to prevent unwanted accident you hear me, Michiru? Or worst scenario is we have to kill you. So stay alive, GODSPEED." Mikito saluted.
"Hey, motherfu-" before Michiru finished his sentence, Ikutsuki impaled Michiru's skin with the injection and the Shadow Gene flowed through Michiru's blood.
"Shall we begin, gentlemen?"
To Be Continued…
Next Issue: "Awakened 2"
Thank you for all your supports people. Your review really helped me. First of all, I'm sorry for the late update. And secondly, I must apologize if you find some incorrectness regarding grammar and spelling or typos. Really, I'm sorry for that. After seeing this chapter, what do you say? Any urge to hit the review button? See ya!
Masaru down and out
Ciao!