"Now! Let us not detain events anymore and get to what all you in the crowd came to see!" Every combatant in the diminished blackened room readied themselves as they listened to these words from the outside walls of the room. The atmosphere was riding high with the exhilaration of the upcoming battles before them." Now! Would all the fighters please come out of the warrior waiting room and stand in your area outside here where you can also keep an eye on the upcoming matches," Everyone in the room filed out in a surprisingly orderly manner. It seemed most fighters had been here before and fully respected the rules of the tournament. The new people followed suit to be respectful as well" Just to let all the newcomers know all the fighters here have been scanned by our seasoned elders at the front gate they had to pass by to get into here. Any who did not pass the requirements were turned away for their own safety. So please do not worry about the aspects of some of the fighters for as corny as it sounds looks can deceiving" As the man continued speaking all the combatants left the building and could now see the large white used marble ring in front of them. Around the ring about fourteen feet on all sides of the prominent ring where comfortable looking bleachers full of people from all walks of life," We will call for all parents with children to use your own judgment in allowing your children to stay and watch matches however please keep them close at all time just to make sure nothing happens to them,"

Akihiko looked out and glanced over the crowd and saw a few children waving at all the combatants. To him, it was like being in the ring but something pulled at his heart as gloomy sentiments filled the back of his mind. He looked at Yu and tapped him on the shoulder." I won't like the idea of children being here and a death match taking place but that can't be helped. But I can't shake the feeling that one of their parents is going to be out here fighting and by mistake or for honor end up dying right in front of them. Shit..makes me feel like a rotten person cause every now and again I forget about the bad side of fighting for glory and honor," He took a deep breath in and out before he continued talking," hell who am I kidding even fighting to protect others has a dark side to it if you are forced to take another life. In the heat of the moment you can never stop in think about the what ifs..sorry just thinking out loud," Yu was confused by this sudden statement even if he understood it. Something was not adding up in his mind that had been starting to get to him the last few days. Something else besides the Maya issue was going on under the surface. Yeah, there was a shadow issue they haven't got full details on yet, but more he talked with the older people the more it felt like they were fighting humans and not shadows.

"Now as of right now I would like to ask our standing champion to come give us a few words to start off things before the first match," As he addressed everyone in the area Chie, Yu, Akihiko, and Junpei watched as from behind the robe-cloaked woman, that had been sitting in the corner away from everyone else, passed them by in a dilatory fashion. Every monk in the crowd stood up bowing profoundly as the whole crowd of hundreds of people went hush. It seemed like she had dawned her hood once more since they had all left the waiting room as she walked with grace to the man standing in the center of the ring that had been speaking to the crowd. There was a magnificent atmosphere to her presence that made everyone watching just gaze at her as she walked with pure curiosity. Many people in the crowd not from the settlement stood up and bowed accompanying the monks. Interrogatively enough the shrine maidens, that had been peppered around the village everyone had been seeing, didn't bow but instead just brought both hands to together like they were about to start praying while closing their eyes" A soul of grace and beauty as well as one the holds knowledge well beyond her years. Comparable to a gentle dance of the winds that stream mother earth on the skin of all that walk it yet her tempestuous is that of dragon that sleeps on the mountain high waiting for those who wish to test they will against her own. The Songstress Of Phantasma, Miss Maya Yuri Sonata!"

As she reached the center the ring and stood by the announcer speaking he handed her the microphone as she made one breeze of a motion and took off her over robe to reveal a flowing silk modern Greek like fighting combat dress. Maya handed the red robe she had been wearing over this combat attire politely to the announcer who put it over his right shoulder without a seconds notice. The dress was scarlet with black and silver gray highlights. The dress was short to about right above her knees. Black stockings ran up her legs from her black fighting matching combat shoes. Rose red lipstick painted her lips as she bowed before she started to speak into the mic she had a firm grip on in her left black right fingerless gloved hand," I am very honored for all of your respect but please honored guests and fighters raise your heads for today is a day for us all," Everyone relaxed," Us as souls walk this frigid reality daily. We see things we would preferably like to turn away from but alternatively, we keep facing forward no matter how hard it gets to bare. Here today we as fighters put all that aside for a common desire...the need to examine ourselves and discover what we are capable of along with how we can improve ourselves. This is also shared with all of you watching us. Dozens of you wish to disremember the outside world for just a few moments and just see a raw passion being performed in front of you. Many of you are here just to cheer on loved ones and root for them to achieve their desires," Suddenly a smirked cross her face as the wind blew in the open area.," However all that PC bullshit aside. We know what we are here to do! You know what you wanna see! So I will crush your loved ones under my feet. I will take their desires and make them see how far they have to fall when they face a true dragon," She keeps her head turned to the crowd but her eyes turned somewhat to her fellow fighters," But please worms don't fall too quickly...I wanna see you squirm first" There was a twisted look on her face as brought her free up to her lips and gently yet seductively rubbed down them. Lush

The crowd thundered and every fighter apart from Chie, Akihiko, and Junpei were screaming with ecstatic battle-cries," Huh, she really knows how to set fire to a crowd," Junpei stood with his arms folded looking at Maya," However on the spur of the moment, yeah, I don't feel like stepping into the ring with her. As sexy as she looks with her hair down and that dress on I don't wanna die today," Junpei on a closer look was shaking as he stared at her. He was verbalizing like himself but one could not help but hear the present shake in his voice" Sorry...I know I sound like a total coward right now but something seems a little bit off but I can't put my finger on it. Also, I can't fully explain but I can just feel we are overly looking something as well"

In the crowd at nearly the front of everyone else Yukari, Mitsuru, Fuuka, Yukiko, Elizabeth, and Yosuke watched the display together while waiting on Naoto, Rise, and Ken to find them. They had got separated briefly," Well…. That got a little be sadistic at the end don't you think," Elizabeth said with a curious look on her face. What she had just seen was not quite what she had planned out in her mind was going to be said by Maya. Some might think she would be disappointed to have her mind's eye view shattered..but to the contrary she found this turn of events more exciting because she herself didn't predict it," All she is missing now is the whip and someone calling her master as they lay under hear right foot with a deliciously joyful look on their face-"

"-Oh I'd call her master any time," To the left of them they heard a shrine maiden speak softly as it seemed she had heard bits of what Elizabeth was saying in passing," Whip me, strip me, abuse me, use me, tease me, please me, delight me, excite me!"

"Oh, we seem to have a willing person to fill the role now," Elizabeth sighed in what seemed to be a disappointment," And here I was starting to wonder what being a masochistic type would be like. Humans sure are quick on the draw,"

Yosuke raised an eyebrow sensing the slight hint of curiosity in her voice from what she was talking about," I don't think...I don't believe...uh...I don't believe or think you can call dibs on something like that Elizabeth. I mean if you want her to dominate you-"

"Yosuke!" Yukiko shouted.

"What she brought it up why am I the one getting yelled at?" Yosuke pouted," I was just going to tell Elizabeth if she needed as chains, handcuffs, strawberries, cream, blueberries, caramel, chocolate, honey, peanuts-" All the girl around him stared at him as he went on," syrup, hand ties, edible candles, flavored candle wax, ice cream, strap-" Everyone's jaw dropped," bananas, duct tape, baby oil, bindings and so on you can come on down to my store anytime. We are open near twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. However, for her, she can just call me anytime and I will work a way to get the things she needs"

"You've thought about this way too much," Fuuka blushing,"Or maybe you are just used to giving people the sell by now one"

"Have you ever worked in retail on a slow day where no one walks in? Trust me there is far more free time some days thing you think there is in a small town mall" Yosuke shrugged

"Or you are just like Junpei and can most likely even guess what underwear Maya is wearing right now-" Yukari snorted.

"Lacy crimson red thong with black hearts lined in silver with a matching bra," Yosuke sighed.

They all stared at him again as Naoto, Ken, and Ruse finally made their way to them in the crowd but stopped and looked confused when everyone was just staring at Yosuke not saying anything," What happened?" Rise piped up.

"Yosuke being Yosuke" Yukiko sighed.

"Oh was he talking about Maya's lacy crimson red thong with black hearts lined in silver with a matching bra? Or his bondage fetish?" Naoto asked nonchalantly.

"How would you know about the underwear he talked about?" Yukari asked.

"Oh...that's just obvious," Naoto didn't look at Yukari but at the ring.

Maya passed the microphone back to the announcer. She took back her red robe but didn't put in back on over her attire but instead just hung it over her right arm before crossing her arms together," And with that I would like to call the fighters for the first match down to the into the ring," The crowd sighed as the announcer once again started addressing them," Don't worry folks out champion isn't leaving us for she has decided to help out with announcing till the finals. We had a...accident happen to my former announcer this morning but rest assured he is okay and is resting with the best treatment we can offer him. So if you could please pray for his fast recuperation that would be most welcomed," Everyone in the Maya's Recovery Party took notice of what had been said about the announcer suddenly having an accident. However, Junpei, Akihiko, and Chie connected this may have had something to do with the monks that kept coming in and talking to Maya doing the waiting period in the black room. Naoto in the crowd found this too much of a confidence that something like this happened on the day of a big event for this village was be held in front of a lot of people. More than that is was unusual to her that it appeared is was evidently a small accident however if that was the case they didn't need the added detail that the announcer was under medical care while still not saying what kind of mishap it was that would cause him to have or require medical treatment. However, she had already put together another reason way a small accident shouldn't have been a big deal here that she hadn't had time to share with the other yet….

"Also this doesn't mean that Young Maya will not be fighting in the normal matches. She..and this a direct quote.. does not feel there is anyone here that can truly wear her down even a little," Maya shrugged as the man beside her told the every else what she had said.

"Oh, the cute little girl thinks she can cut it with the big boys? I bet last year it wasn't anyone worth his their salt fighting and she simply stole this title!" A young mid-twenties man processing golden blond hair pass his shoulder in the middle of the fighters yelled and the crowd gasped and went silent. He was about six six in height and was built like a tank with muscles with his slender body," All this grandstanding when she is nothing more than a pretty little woman," He barked with laughter," You don't think anyone here can wear you down eh? Well, I am afraid to inform you cutie that I am sure I can wear that ass out for ya in more ways than one!" He gave a wolf whistle.

"Oh is that so? Sorry, I don't believe your man enough to try and take me on. You could handle me in the ring or outside it in the first place. All because you mother liked giving up her ass for you doesn't mean you are a tough guy. No, but it does mean you mother was most likely a whore to busy to teach you proper manners," She laughed madly," Oh what the matter daddy wasn't ever home so you had to the be the man of the house so you took to your role on a little too much? Oh such a naughty little child"

"Shut up bitch!"

"Oh, what do we have here all talk and no action, so typical of a coward. Such a shame and disappointment you are I guess mother dear was down on her knees for you for no real meaning anyway. And oh my, how much she must have loved you-" At Maya's taunting the man bolted away from the other fighters cocking back his fist that seem to generate fire around it," How dull" As the man got right up to Maya's face about to punch her the sky cracked and a bolt of lightning struck the man causing him to freeze in place from the shock.

'W-what the…." the man said as he slowly got his mind back to him but it was far too late.

Maya took her elbow and jab him square in the throat. The man tried to scream but it only sounded like hollow air because his throat had been closed because of the impact for a brief second,"Oh are you done? No...no I wanna hear you scream like a good boy," As the man tried and back away from her she grabbed his right as he turned to run.

"P-p-please n-n-no m-more I—I—I'm sorrryyy!"

Maya laughed extremely," Look at this! Begging after nothing? Oh, my!" she voice died back down to a low tranquil seductive tone," No, I didn't say I wanted you to beg.. but by all means please do cause you tears oh.. how they will excite me. You see I love it when people like you beg and weep to me. But no no no what am I doing, I am so sorry you much forgive me for I am forgetting my point, my dear…..I wanna see you scream!" She twisted his arm and right at the time, everyone could hear a sickening snap as his arm was bent completely backward towards her. He started falling to his knees but yelling in pain but Maya holding onto his arm before he could hit the ground pulled back up to her making his head fall on her chest and free arm over her free shoulder supporting him as he yelled and cried bloody murder.

Junpei becoming albescent as sheet shaking his head side to side slowly," Yeah...I saw that coming but still to see it first hand," It was right then when something clicked in his mind concerning that odd feeling he had been having but could put his finger on till now" Hey wait a minute...this whole time we have been here and hearing the rules in the ring and at the sign up gate haven't they been worded a little oddly? And that guy just now his fist was surrounded by fire as he charged Maya but no one was surprised by it," he said slowly turning to Akihiko," I thought we were supposed to awaken her powers but taking into account that everyone here seems to have powers of their own...can't that be said about her as well considering what we just saw? I mean hell the lighting was without a doubt caused by her"

"Also he said we were scanned….maybe that was to make sure we had enough power to be here safely?" Chie spoke behind them.

"I believe you two have a good point. The strength that it would have taken her to break down that idiot's arm was also unreal for someone of his mass by someone as small in as she is. But yet she barely moved a muscle but you could still feel the force needed for the deed to be done. If not by the sound then simply by the resulting scene we have in front of us," Akihiko looked both impressed and confused," There is no mistaking it. She is using her Persona ability and attributes mixed in with her instinctual talents"

Yu looked bewildered as he looked at the two," I thought that was a given a long time ago after we got here? Yukiko and Fuuka-Senpai said this place felt off added to that Fuuka-Senpai did say if her information she got before she left was correct we could use out powers here. They are also both of the Priestess Arcana...and we are surrounded by Monks along with Shrine Maidens in a Village dedicated to the Soul and Spiritual Aspects Of Life. How many fucking signs do you need? Cause, believe me, there are at least six more things that you may have overlooked or not listened to"

"I thought you said she didn't have her powers?" Mitsuru speaking to Elizabeth in the crowd," I know you didn't lie to us but right now we all know that somehow she has gotten at least her powers back to so degree. "

"You are correct when we last ran into her she did not have any powers that I could sense. Being fair that has almost been six months ago in June. I do not know what could have happened in that time frame from then and now being that I have not had anymore connect that with her to tell me otherwise," Elizabeth looked troubled as she spoke," However it is still very clear she doesn't remember a thing about us from how she passed Junpei and the others before she started speaking before, trust me, her body language did not speak otherwise to this statement," She looked away from the ring and saw the worried looks on the others faces,"Oh no, but there is good news. I can tell you right now this is the same person we are looking for and it is without a doubt Our Maya, but I don't know what to do about her memory right now,"

"Fair enough. For right now we just have to take the good news with the bad news and keep moving forward," Mitsuru nodded trying to shake the mind of fear that Maya may never remember any of them again, Now is not to time to give into darker thoughts,"

Maya looked down at the man with a sad expression on her face," Pitiful man was not taught when to hold his tongue had to be forced to learn a hard lesson. I am sorry if you think of me as cruel but honestly there are others who would not have let you off as easy," As whispered these words she adjusted how the man was on her before sweeping him up cradle style," I'll be back after I take this man to be treated" She told the announcer who was sighing.

The man she holding coughed" Y-y-your an f-f-freaking monster…."

"Tell me something I don't know," Maya said lowly as she carried him off stage to medics. A Young raven haired woman directed Maya to lay the man on the ground. After that was done the woman kneeling down at the side of him and hovered her hands off his body slowly. Over the next two minutes, the man stopped coughing and calmed down. He arm looked like it moved back into back over the small time period," Good Job sorry for the trouble,"

"He had it coming but please stop breaking people Maya," The medic seemed very friendly with Maya as she gave her a sarcastic tone. It caught Maya off guard when she said her name but she didn't recognize the woman as half her face was covered in a medical mask

Maya just smiled," I'm sorry but do I know you?"

To Be Continued.