Fortuna: King of the fake World owns neither Persona nor High School DxD.
King: No comment? Huh. Here I was waiting for it.
Yu walked into the park some time before the sun set enough to be romantic. He felt, just at the edge of his perception, the energy he associated with fallen angels. He stopped at the same spot where he fought Kalawarner, a few meters away from the fountain in the center of the place. Nothing was left to indicate that their fight, if it could be called that, ever happened.
This park really was isolated. Not a soul to be found. He figured it was safe to summon a Persona. The question was just whom...
"Please, allow me." A voice, calm and gentle, called out to him. He saw no reason to decline.
In a flurry of blue flames, the graceful, green-clad figure of Titania appeared. The fairy queen smiled at him. "It's nice to be out in this world, every once in a while." Floating upwards, she moved her hand gently, and the wind started to move in a slow breeze. The leaves on the trees swayed, as did the grass.
She started to dance through the air. Yu watched on, as she moved with inhuman grace, floating just below the treeline. The wind picked up at her movement, and gently started to resonate with her. The sight was breathtaking, as everything moved in a complicated dance, all following Titania's lead. Her every move spoke of perfection, the kind humans never quite managed to achieve. The kind humans always dreamed about.
And his thoughts were turning philosophical.
The wise queen kept her dance up for five minutes, before she descended to his level again. "The wind responds to my calling. 'Tis most soothing, to see my existence recognized by this foreign world."
"Is that why you danced? To see whether your powers work as they should?" Yuu met her calm green eyes with his gray ones.
"Partly." Her shrug made the golden cascade of her hair move. "I also enjoy the dance. You should try it some time." With a wink, she sent out a wave of energy, that settled around them both.
"What did you do?"
He was answered with laughter. "Find it out. You still have the time to."
… That was one of the powers his Personas gained access to, because of his World. That much was clear. After all, he knew all the abilities they had before by heart. With his change, his Personas also changed in ways that weren't immediately obvious. To find out what Titania did, he reviewed what he knew about fairies.
They were known as tricksters, pranksters and illusionists. Fickle creatures, that enjoyed the misdirection and chaos they caused.
So, what she most likely did...
"An illusion?"
"Correct." She gave him an approving smile. "The art of the fey is most effective when used in this manner. With this, they will not be able to notice us, unless they manage to bump into us. Please take care not to be touched." Titania walked over to a bench, some ways off from where Yuu still stood. "Come here. 'Tis time for a lesson."
He walked over and sat down beside her.
"You cast magic based on the power of your soul. For that magic to interact with the world, you need to will it. Your resolve will bring what lies in your World, into this one."
"... Yeah. That's exactly what I'm doing when I summon you. I've tried around a bit, and can use lightning relatively easily. Though, it's weaker than a Zio spell." Yu said in his usual tone. To underline his words, he held up his hand and let a few flashed of lightning run over it.
She nodded. "Indeed.. However, you can also adjust and change the spells you cast, instead of using the raw power. As an alternative to a classic Garu" With a wave of her hand, Titania caused a familiar gust of wind before them. "you can use another form." Again, she waved. This time, winds as sharp as razors flew through the air in a flurry. "For you, it is all a matter of concentration."
The Fool watched the green wind dissipate, then turned his palm up. The same energy gathered there, as small winds moved in a vaguely spherical shape. He frowned, and put more power into it. Promptly, the magic spiraled out of control, and wind blew in his face. "... hm."
"Too bad. You will have to practice it, until your control improves sufficiently." Her smile was so sweet, she clearly expected this. Then her playfulness diminished, and her expression became cautious. "Someone is coming."
The fairy turned, looking towards the same entrance Yu himself had used. He followed suit, and saw Issei with Yuuma. Both were smiling, walking towards the fountain in the middle of the square. And neither noticed him so far. Nor did the three presences he felt close by. A grim smile found its way onto his face. That seemed to be a new precaution.
He stood up, and walked closer to them, Titania trailing behind him. When he was close enough to interfere, but far enough that he they couldn't bump into him, he stopped. To be on the safe side, he called his katana.
It was a very useful ability to have. As the team leader, he had always lugged around a lot of stuff. That wasn't even getting into his large, two-handed swords. Carrying all that was impossible, especially since he didn't want to arouse suspicion. Margaret had shown him how to use something she called 'imaginary space'. In layman's terms, it let him store items away, and always access them. When she explained to him, she did it with the same smile she donned whenever one of Marie's poems ended up on the floor of the Velvet Room. That meant there was more to it, but he didn't know what.
He listened to the discussion. Yuuma was leaning against the fountain, looking at Issei. "It was a fun day."
Absently, Yu noted that he had been right. The sunset was casting a beautiful picture.
"Hey, Ise-kun."
"Yes? What is it, Yuuma-chan?" He was doing an admirable job at reigning in his perversions.
"I have a little request, since this is our first date. Would you mind?" There. It wasn't much, just a little something that changed. A minute difference, but her smile was just a bit less sincere.
"Not at all. I-I'd be happy to." Issei sounded so happy. It made Yuuma's next words all the more jarring.
"Will you die for me?"
… Silence greeted her request. The pervert's face showed how confused he was.
"I'm sorry, but I think I misheard. What did you say?"
"Will you die for me?" She was still smiling, even as black wings sprouted from her back. "You know, Ise-kun, this really was fun. As if I played around with a little child." The change went further, as her clothes disappeared.
Ignoring how wrong that sounded, Yu watched as different clothing appeared on her body. However, it was not giving her any modesty back. Practically, she was wearing several straps of black leather, that barely managed to give her a semblance of cover. In fact, it made her look more enticing. Other than the straps over her breasts and crotch, she gained shoulder guards, long black gloves and thigh-high boots. In addition, she seemed to grow, in a way, looking more mature and taller.
Poor Issei. Yuuma's change in behavior paralyzed him. He could just gape at her, as she started talking differently. Gone was all warmth from her voice and eyes. She looked down on Issei, coldly, even as a spear of light appeared in her hand.
Yu was already close to them, still invisible, as the spear was hurled. He deflected the weapon and the illusion around him fell. With barely a glance from him, Titania gestured. The fallen was hurled into the fountain by the wind. Stone gave in, and fell onto the flabbergasted Yuuma. If her scream was any indicator, then it had hurt.
"Are you alright, Hyoudou?" The Fool spared a look at his Kouhai.
"S-Senpai? What's going on? What is that sword, and Yuuma-chan and that woman?" Shock. Issei was clearly under shock. Which was to be expected.
"Short version: Amano wants to kill you. I will stop her. And her friends." He looked at were he could feel their presence, then said loudly. "I know you're there."
The fallen angels came out of hiding. Kalawarner looked at him with clenched teeth. The other two were a man in a violet trench coat, black hair under a black fedora and cold blue eyes, as well as a small girl in a black gothic lolita dress, with her blonde hair in pigtails and cruel, light blue eyes. Her expression was more guarded than the man's smile.
"It's been a while, Narukami." Kalawarner ground out. "I don't know why you're here, but it's time to repay you for what you did." She was visibly unsure, though.
The broken fountain moved. Yuuma stood up, albeit wobbly. "You!" she hissed in pain.
"Heh. Guess they got you there, Raynare." The man laughed. "That woman seems pretty strong. And the boy deflected your light spear like it was nothing."
"Dohnaseek's right." The little girl snickered at Yuuma – Raynare. "It was a good idea to go together after all." her eyes focused on Yu, and she curtsied. "Pleased to meet you. My name is Mittelt, this is Dohnaseek, and you already know Kalawarner and Raynare. Don't hold it against us, but we're gonna kill you."
She was very talkative. The other female members of their group didn't share her enthusiasm, while the lone male gave a noncommittal shrug.
"Go away." He met her eyes with a cold stare. "All of you. You won't kill either of us." With a flick of his wrist, he made his sword swing in a circle. "I'll stop you."
"You... You filthy little human!" Raynare had, evidently, recovered. "You dare attack me!" She looked at Titania, uncomprehending of just what she was. Even if there was another illusion covering her less human traits, she still didn't even feel remotely human.
The fairy queen rewarded the accusation with laughter. "Is that what I am? Ahahaha." It was almost lazy, the way she waved her hand and made another gust of wind slam into the fallen. This time, she flew into one of her allies. Dohnaseek caught her.
"Kill them!" The young woman screeched.
"We can't let them put a hand on the boy, can we?" Titania created a barrier of air around Issei. Without sufficient power, those four wouldn't be able to hurt him. For his part, the pervert stared at the scene slack-jawed.
The four fallen attacked. Two of them went after Yu, while the other two tried their luck on his Persona. They were pushing it.
Dohnaseek laughed as he stabbed at the Wild Card, only for his spear to be diverted with a slash. Pivoting, Yu ducked under Raynare's attacked and retaliated with a stab at her abdomen. She hissed as she avoided the attack. Her companion closed in again, twirling his weapon around. Yu cut through the spear, this time. Judging from his enemy's shocked look, that wasn't supposed to happen.
The fallen avoided the next upward slash just barely, making use of his ability to fly. Immediately, he created another weapon of light, a sword, and slashed down at Yuu, who blocked and moved back, avoiding an attack from Raynare. She evidently used her wings to gain more speed, as she zoomed past him, barely touching the ground.
Without missing a beat, the lone male among Yu's enemies attacked again, reaching down with his weapon, he stabbed and slashed at the Fool, who blocked and diverted every single one of them. As it was, it was a stalemate. Neither could really hit the other.
Then Raynare came back and broke it. Yuu sidestepped another attack from her, then got in a hit on one of her wings. The girl screeched, and Dohnaseek dipped low to divert Yu's attention away from her.
Which turned out to be a mistake as Yu punched the man with one hand. Titania wasn't a physically powerful Persona. She was more magically inclined. Still, she empowered him enough for the punch to make Dohnaseek fly through the air, right into a tree. That was a thing about Personas. When pulling them to the forefront of his mind, 'equipping' them, he gained their power. Almost always, this meant supernatural levels of strength and endurance.
Although it was odd. He had held back quite a lot, yet he'd thrown the fallen more than a few meters.
Raynare kept her distance. She wizened up after his display of power, and now threw her spear, already creating a new one. He cut it apart, as he did with the others that followed.
Meanwhile, Titania had a laughably easy time. She was suspending the diminutive Mittelt in a constant mini-tornado, while deflecting all of Kalawarner's light spears with insulting ease. "This is beginning to bore me. Were is your sneer, fallen one? The one you wore when you dared to attack Yu? Why do you look so scared and desperate?"
"Shut up, you madwoman!" The fallen angel in question shouted out, desperation creeping into her voice. "Why do you attack us? What do you gain from helping that Narukami?"
Again, she was answered with deceptively warm laughter. "You hardly deserve an answer." With a single gesture, Titania blew away the spear Kalawarner was forming. "Suffice to say, however, I have all to gain." Then the mini-tornado with Mittelt inside slammed into the more mature fallen.
More laughter echoed all around them, as Titania's winds tossed them this way and that.
Dohnaseek joined Raynare in the spear-tossing. With twice as many spears thrown at him, one would expect Yu to have a harder time than before. Wrong. He utilized his heightened speed to destroy or deflect every single attack.
The man was laughing. "Good! I relish a good fight. I've never met a human like this before. I think we made a mistake. We should have recruited him."
"My words." Lucifer nodded in his mind.
"If it's any consolation," Yu said, readying his counterattack. "I would have refused." Before either of his enemies could answer, he let loose a Magaru. Since he hadn't gotten quite the hang of changing the spell, or using just the energy for it, he used the normal version. Which was, essentially, green gusts of wind starting just below the two fallen angels. The attack had more effect than he thought, as the two were catapulted back. Both were acquainted – reacquainted in Dohnaseek's case – with a tree each and fell to the ground. The other two fallen joined them, tossed about by his Persona's winds.
"That last bit was fun." Titania smiled.
"Owww." Mittelt sat up wobbly. "I knew you were trouble." She pointed at Yu. "You just felt like it. Why don't you just die?" Her head was moving in circles. It seemed she wasn't nearly as amused as the fairy queen.
Was she pouting?
"Felt like it?" He quirked an eyebrow at her. She didn't answer.
"Grrr." Her friend Raynare stood up. "How dare you attack us?! We'll crush you. Kill you. End you."
"If you can." He didn't change his expression, which infuriated her visibly. "But answer me one question."
The other two also stood up. "What?" It seemed Raynare was their leader, if the way they took their cues from her was any indication.
"I heard Azazel wants Sacred Gear users for your group. What makes this so different?"
Raynare's reaction was... interesting. "How... How..." Her voice was raspy. "How dare you...? How dare you say Azazel-sama's name?!" Even with the rough tone, darkened by anger, there was unmistakable reverence in her voice, as she said the name. Another light spear was there, in her hand. The other three followed suit, and together, they threw them.
Only for the spears to halt in midair. "Now, now." Again, a round of laughter came from Titania. "Can't you see when you have been outclassed, corrupt ones? Answer the question now, dear. Or suffer the consequences." Wind wrapped around the spears of light, changing their direction until they were angled at the fallen. It was interesting to note, that each spear was different. Yellow for Kalawarner, blue for Dohnaseek, red for Raynare and Mittelt, with the former's spears much sleeker. Even the designs were different.
Kalawarner gulped. "We should retreat."
"What?!" Raynare's head snapped around. "We have to make them pay! For humiliating us! For fighting us! For daring to stand up to us!" Her face twisted from beautiful, yet cruel, into an ugly grimace, going straight into the inhuman territory.
"We're outclassed. I've had my fill of being taken down by that guy." The older fallen got out, and put one arm around her. They disappeared in a flash, with only a few black feathers remaining behind. Their spears dissolved seconds later.
The other two looked at the space where they had been a second before. "Uhm." Mittelt got out. "That didn't go as planned." She sounded downward sheepish.
"No." Dohnaseek agreed. "It did not." They turned their gazes on Yu. "I'd like to fight you again, Narukami." His grin was surprisingly genuine. "I get so few chances to enjoy a good fight." Then he was gone as well. His spear disappeared, just as the other two.
Mittelt squirmed a bit as Yu turned his eyes on her. "I'm off!" And then there were none.
… Yu turned to Issei, sword resting on his shoulder. The pervert was still staring at the scene. "What... What happened? What's going on? Yuuma-chan tried to... to..." He slumped down.
"I'm surprised they didn't attack the boy." Titania said airily, as she lifted the protective spell from around Issei.
Who turned to gape at her. He really was in shock, considering he didn't even look at her chest. "Who are you?"
"Hmm." She looked deep into his eyes. "Should I tell him, Yuu?"
He ignored the question. "Hyoudou. Calm down." It was a testament to his abilities, that the pervert even took a deep breath, tiny as the effect was. "I'll explain what I can. But not here. Please, trust me."
Issei looked at him, eyes wide. "I-I... I don't know..." Naturally. He just saw things that should be impossible. Knowing what to do in this situation would be odd.
"I promise, I'll help you." Calming, soothing, Yu talked to Issei. "I don't know what they'd do to you, but one of them already tried to kill me."
Slowly, very slowly, he was reigning in his rampant fear. "I... But... Yuuma...chan... What happened?"
Or not. This would take some time.
In their hideout, a desolate old church, Kalawarner let go of Raynare. Who wasn't particularly appreciative of what happened. "We should have killed them! Why did you stop me?!"
"We wouldn't have won!" She snapped back. "Those two beat us down without breaking a sweat! That woman could destroy our spears! Narukami tossed Dohnaseek around like a ragdoll!"
The words had at least some effect on Raynare. She took a number of deep breaths, and calmed down somewhat. Instead of that hateful, ugly glare, she just glowered. "Alright." Another breath. "Alright."
Dohnaseek appeared, smiling. "That was fun."
"When did you become a masochist?" Kalawarner asked with a raised eyebrow. "Did you really enjoy that beatdown?"
He shrugged. "I enjoy fighting. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And with a human, I don't mind it nearly as much as with an angel or a devil. Was that sword his Sacred Gear? What do you think?"
Mittelt had also appeared, and heard what he said. "Wasn't it some sort of construct? Tall, floating, with a spear?" It was with interest, that the older fallen noted how much she was shaking. All four of them walked towards the room they had decided to use to talk and plan. This time, they would discuss their complete and utter failure.
Raynare continued to glower at everything around her, as Kalawarner answered. "He had that katana back then, too. It might be some sort of twofold Gear. The summon could be connected to the sword, or something. Ordinary blades couldn't withstand light spears, much less cut them." Once in the room, she walked over to the cabinet, where they kept some medicine. Her head was hurting like hell.
Mittelt shivered. "The way he looked at me, after you all were gone. That scared me. I felt like he would have barely any trouble squashing me, like he was something bigger than me. As if the only reason I'm here, is because he lets me. Is he really human?"
Perhaps she was feeling sick from her tornado experience. The way she wobbled around certainly wasn't like her. It might get better after she sat down on the table.
"You tell us." In a show of foresight, Dohnaseek retrieved a bottle of water and four glasses. "It's you who always finds them." He filled the glasses halfway, and Kalawarner gave everyone a pill against the pain. Those also stimulated their bodies' healing processes. The bruises and cuts they received would heal fast. One could say what they wanted about the Grigori Institute, their inventions were useful.
"Remember when I told you he could have some bloodline?" Mittelt took a sip of water to get the pill down easier, as she looked at the others who were all also sitting around the table. "Screw that. I have no idea what he can do. That wasn't anything humans should be able to pull off. It wasn't a hereditary power. It wasn't magic. It felt completely alien. If the black figure Kalawarner described is his Sacred Gear, that still doesn't explain what he did in this fight. Or what she did." Again, she shuddered and gulped down more water. "He's scary. She's scary. Both are scary."
Kalawarner stopped herself from gnashing her teeth. Something about that woman put her off. "Whatever it is, both seem to have it. It felt so similar."
"What about Issei?" Raynare had calmed down enough to participate in the talk. "We still have to take him down." She was the last to swallow her pill.
"Don't you think we should gain as much power as we could?" The most mature of the female fallen asked. "With him in town?"
"... The ritual, you mean? We don't even know what his Sacred Gear is. I can't really imagine that pervert having some great power hidden away. He's pretty pathetic."
"Doesn't say anything about his Gear." Dohnaseek argued back. "As long as it hasn't awakened, he can be as pathetic as anyone. If it turns out to be something troublesome or powerful, all he needs to do is learn using it." He sighed and rubbed his temples. "It's your call, I guess. But you should think about it."
It went on like that for a good while. They threw around ideas, accusations and a few insults, until Kalawarner sighed and held up her hand in a placating manner.
"I think we can't make rational decisions right now. We're way too high-strung. Let's continue talking tomorrow." She stopped their impromptu strategy session before they started running in circles.
"Right." Mittelt agreed. "I'm still dizzy from the tornado."
Somehow, Kalawarner wasn't surprised, even though it should have stopped by now. Raynare nodded, her face having returned to normal through their discussion. "Yes. Rest. Tomorrow. Right." She gnashed her teeth. "I'll be in my room. Leave me alone." With those kind, and heartwarming words, their leader walked out of the room.
"... Why is she our boss again?" Mittelt was not amused.
"Her light energy is especially potent." The answer was accompanied with a grimace by Dohnaseek. "Not the best reason, I think. She's too impulsive for a leader."
A mirthless smile played over Kalawarner's lips. "Not like you're one to talk."
He shrugged, unrepentant. "I'm not trying to be a leader. Point me at something, I'll fight it. Easy as that."
In a way, his simplicity was worthy of praise. The woman shook her head and made to walk out of the room. "I'm going to sleep. Medicine isn't a good substitute for some rest." Already, she regretted moving her head. The dull pain came back at the motion. The other two mumbled something in response, she didn't care.
Outside of their improvised strategy room, she sighed again. Narukami's interference came out of left field. After he saw her without doing anything, she had assumed he would keep out of their way. Judging by the pain she felt, she couldn't have been any more wrong. Going in all together had just been a precaution, but now it might be the only reason Raynare was still alive. They were lucky, that none of their wounds were too serious.
Who had that woman been anyway? It was the first time they saw her. She was the kind of beauty that turned heads, and they would have noticed her. If not one of the four, then one of their stray exorcists. She had been strong, just like Narukami.
Kalawarner's thoughts were put to an abrupt halt when she almost bumped into someone. Said someone had white hair, red eyes, the clothes of an exorcist and a smile so psychopathic, that every normal person would give him a wide berth.
Freed Sellzen. Their group's psycho.
"Hi there~ How are you feeling, Kalawarneeeer~ Did our boss kill the shitty moron~" He was almost singing the words.
"Shut up." She walked past him. Sadly, the annoyance followed her.
"Say whaaaat~ You failed! Failed! Gahahahahaha~" The fallen wondered whether her crimes had been heinous enough to warrant that guy's presence as some sort of punishment. If so, then it hadn't been worth it.
"I said shut up." With forced calm, she turned to him. Freed was licking his lips.
"Why did it fail? Did he kick your asses? Like the other one? Bahahahahaha~"
What she did next, he had coming. Kalawarner was very angry and frustrated right now. Enough that she chose to kick him.
Where it hurts.
He never saw it coming. One moment he was smiling, the next he was sinking onto his knees, clutching at his groin. "Gaaaaaaaaah!... You bitch!"
"I told you to shut up." She glared at the psychopath, keeping her voice carefully even. "This is your last warning, Freed. If you don't leave me alone, I'll kill you." For good measure, she kicked him once more, against the chest. He fell onto his back. "Don't think you're anything special, you pathetic little psychopath."
Talented he might be, but the former exorcist was a loose cannon. Kalawarner would have never taken him along for this. Sooner or later, he'd stop listening to them, and turn around to stab them in the back. Another mistake Raynare made. Really, why was she the leader of their group?
The fallen angel almost shook her head, before she remembered the throbbing pain. She walked away from the cowering Freed, reaching her room in the back of the church before too long. They had remodeled the place, when they made it their base. Naturally, that included desecration of all holy symbols.
In her room, Kalawarner closed the door, locked it up and pretty much fell onto the bed. She barely took the time to take off her coat and skirt, lying down in just her underwear.
Finally, before falling asleep, the former angel let the day pass again in her head. The saying was true, she concluded.
Some days, it just didn't pay to wake up.
It had taken quite some coaching to get Issei to come along, but in the end, it worked. He was sitting on the couch in the living room of Yu's home, tea before him, still shaken.
Titania kept a neutral expression, as she sipped her own tea, while Yuu himself allowed his worry to show in his face.
The Persona was still out, and for good reason. Having her suddenly disappear would only rile Issei up further.
"Do you feel better, Hyoudou?"
"... I... I guess..." It hit him harder than expected, or perhaps he was still realizing what happened. Either way, the pervert was in bad condition.
"Enough to listen to me without freaking out?"
With a deep breath, Issei collected himself. "Tell me."
"... Amano Yuuma – Raynare, as she is apparently called – is a fallen angel."
There. The words stood in the room, as Issei's eyes returned to their widened state. "What?..." He asked, his voice hoarse.
"Hard to believe, huh?"
Yu's Kouhai sunk his head, gripping it with his hands. "You're joking, right?... Come on, what's the punchline?"
"'Tis hardly the time for jokes." Titania, her face more compassionate than before, intervened. "The fallen has tricked you, young man." He flinched. "I wished it was different. I really do, but she tried to take your life."
At those words, he gripped his head even harder. "I don't get it!"
"... Of course you don't." Issei's head shot up and he looked at Yu, a mix of uncertainty and fury on his face. "For you, this was your first date. It was supposed to be a great day, and the way to intensify your relationship with your girlfriend. Instead, she tries to kill you. It would be odd if you'd just get it."
"... Yeah... What's next? Why did she try to kill me?"
"... I can only guess. They probably believe you have something called a Sacred Gear, a sort of tool given by God."
"God? Sacred Gear? What the hell?" The pervert slumped down again. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about."
Yu nodded. "I'll best start at the beginning. Although, I don't know how accurate it will be..."
He did just that. Told Issei about the three factions, and about his own encounter with Kalawarner. Just before he got to Rias and her involvement, the recipient of his words asked a question.
"How do you know all that? And what's your power?"
"Rias Gremory. She's a devil. That thing with the peerages I mentioned? Her club is made of members of her peerage. I can't answer your second question right now. It's so different from what I just explained, you'd have even more trouble understanding it than now."
"Is that an insult?" Issei mumbled, taking a sip from his tea. It must have cooled down, judging by his grimace.
"No. But you're in shock. That was a lot to take in, especially since you didn't know that something like this might exist. At least I knew magic exists." No answer. He looked as though he'd go catatonic.
The fairy queen sighed. "Allow me." She glided over to the couch, and gently put a hand on Issei's forehead. A white glow emanated from her hand, a soothing light that touched Issei's head. He relaxed visibly. "'Tis a temporary solution." She said with a look at Yu. "It will allow him to regain a semblance of calm."
The glow receded, and Titania slipped back into her seat. Issei looked at her, much more collected than before. "How did you do that? I feel much better." As if to proof that, his eyes settled on her chest. It wasn't nearly as overt as usual, and he wouldn't start crooning over her, but it was actually good to see him act more like himself. He had been too focused on Yu.
"Good. Maybe now you can think clearly." She took his gaze in stride.
"Yeah." He looked back to Yu. "So, what do I do?"
"..." That was a good question. With those fallen angels around, it wasn't save. "For now, you should stick around me. I don't know if they'll come back, but if they do..."
"Guess so... Uhm, Senpai? Do you know what that Sacred thingie is? Or how I can find out?" Yu frowned. "I mean, if they're getting back... and..."
"... I don't know." Issei bit his lip at those words. "But I'll find out."
Surprise was evident on his face. Yu smiled thinly. "I won't just let you die. So, best to help you unlock your own power."
For a moment, the pervert was speechless. "... Thank you, Senpai." He hesitated for a moment. "Both for this, and for saving my... life... from my girlfriend..."
As he said those words, it occurred to Yu just how wrong they sounded. "Don't worry about it, Hyoudou."
"Call me Ise."
"Huh?"
"You know, since you saved my life, and want to help me..." He looked away.
"... Alright. Then Ise, any other questions?"
"Well," The pervert turned to Titania. "Who are you?"
As usual, she laughed. "If you need a name, you may refer to me as lady Tanya, Ise-san."
"Okay." He actually smiled at her. It was a good sign, if nothing else.
Yu looked at the clock. It was getting late. "You should probably get home."
"Eh?" Just as Yu did, Issei looked at the clock. Although, it may better be described as staring. "I'm gonna be in trouble! I should have been back half an hour ago. What do I tell my parents?!"
"... In a way, Raynare broke up with you. Tell them that. Then you were distraught, and needed some time to gather your thoughts."
"... Did you have that planned?" Finally. He was using a tone other than fearful or confused. The dryness was refreshing, in a way.
"No. I made that up on the fly." At those words, Issei only stared at him.
"... What?"
"Yes." And Yu gave him a nod.
Apparently, it was enough to silence the pervert for a few seconds. "You know, I'll just go home."
"Probably better." All three stood up, and they walked over to the door. Yu glanced at Titania, and she understood through their connection. Especially when materialized, Personas could still tell his intent, a phenomenon that was magnified when fighting.
She used her illusion on Issei, who seemed to notice that something happened. "Eh? What was that?"
"An illusion. It will keep you safe until you arrive at home." The queen gave Issei one more smile. "A mere precaution."
"Okay. Thanks again." He walked out of the house, Yu still following him onto the street.
"You better don't tell anybody about this." He stretched out his hand towards Issei, who took it with less hesitation than expected.
"Yeah. They'd think I'm crazy. So uh, bye Senpai." Yu watched as his Kouhai walked away, until he turned a corner.
… He had the feeling he should have done something else, but couldn't think of just what that would be. Well, he could only hope he' done everything right, as Titania returned into his mind.
It wasn't an entirely pleasant sensation, to leave a Persona outside for too long. It strained him mentally, and he felt a headache approaching.
"'Twas nice to interact with the world. You may want to prepare an excuse to separate from a materialized Persona, if you continue to use our power around people that shouldn't know about us."
Not quite. He hadn't wanted to recall Titania around a mentally unstable Issei. Once he calmed down, Yu would probably give him an explanation.
"If you say so. That renders my alias rather useless, however. A shame."
… Yes, a terrible shame. He went back into the house, locking the door behind him. Then went to bed. Tomorrow would be a school day, and he had the sneaking suspicion that something else would happen.
"You shouldn't have let that Raynare get away." Alice pouted in his mind. "She used my line."
… What else?
King: Hello, my dear readers. It's time for 'Fake World'.
Clotho: And it is the Moirae Sisters that shall assist in this segment.
Lachesis: It was surprising, that such a short appearance warrants for reviewers to ask us into this.
Atropos: Indeed. The author would like to apologize to SilverIceRing for getting your name wrong.
King: You make that sound much humbler than...
Clotho: He would also like to thank anyone who contributed to the Persona/HDxD issue.
King: I can talk for my...
Lachesis: Thanks to you, he has decided to rely on the stats of Personas, with some of them raised according to his preferences ingame.
King: Yes, right. Also, it seems...
Atropos: That Yu's personality continues to garner praise for being as imagined.
King: ... You know, for this chapter...
Clotho: He wonders whether you like the fight scene or not.
Lachesis: If it can be called a fight.
King: ... Also...
Atropos: He wonders about the last scene, with Yu talking to Issei. Did it come across right? For someone as antisocial as him, writing those scenes is hardest.
King: ... About...
Clotho: This chapter involved only plot.
Lachesis: It gave an explanation for the power of the World.
Atropos: Do you wish to make that a term, author?
King: ... (sobs and sniffles can be heard)
Clotho: Are you crying, King of the fake World?
King: ... Better men than I have cried. There's nothing to it. I should have restricted you to doing what you did in chapter three.
Lachesis: Please, read and review.
Atropos: Tell the other what you think.
Clotho: Share your honest opinion.
King: And maybe try out a HDxD character for the next 'Fake World'. Please.
Lachesis: It seems we Personas hurt him.
Atropos: Mission accomplished. Grant his request, if you are so kind.