Persona 5: Face Your Self
Chapter 2: Fear Itself
…At the path to Aigami High … …
…Akira is waiting at the corner since it's raining and he can't afford to get wet … … many students are running with umbrellas while some are using rain coats. And no one, or rather, no one is coming into eye contact with Akira, is minding Akira. Because they are scared of him … … "… … " Pondering on what happened yesterday, fog … … fog prevents you from seeing, more than that, it prevents you from proceeding forward. But, the fog is the only way to get to where you want to be, because … … you cannot reach something without being given aid like if you're not tall, you must have someone tall to carry you to reach it … … "… … … … " Someone just stood beside Akira, a girl, she's wearing a hoodie that she soon took off, revealing a rather pretty-face. Ann Takamaki as her notebook ownership label says as Akira could see it from her bag.
"…Hm?" The girl in question noticed Akira's stare towards her. "Hm." She smiled at him and they both waited for the rain to stop. Suddenly, a car parked by to the corner of the street. "Hello! Do you need a ride to school?" It's Kamoshida … …
"Oh, thank you." The girl, Ann, goes to his car.
"Oh, do you need a ride, too?" Kamoshida asked Akira.
"Huh? Ah!" Akira gave a façade smile of politely declining, but Akira's façade soon lifted, and he's back to his introverted and emotionless self.
…Suddenly, someone came running to the rain and glared at the direction where Kamoshida's car took off. "Damn that perv teacher!"
"…Perv teacher?" Akira asked, and suddenly, his phone activated the app that he got yesterday, something Akira realized that Igor is the one who installed it on his app.
"What, you're gonna rat me out to Kamoshida?" The vulgar boy in question said to Akira.
"…No. I don't even know him?" He said.
"Huh? Everyone in Aigami knows him. Are you shitting me? There's no need for you to hide it, I'm not gonna mug you anyway."
"…Right."
"… …" Ryuji is taken aback by Akira's emotionless response. "What, are you serious? You go to Aigami, right?"
"…Yeah."
"Then why don't you – " Ryuji noticed the badge on his uniform, Akira's uniform, it says he's second year. "Oh, second year, huh? We're on the same grade."
"…Yeah."
"Wait, are you THAT transfer student?"
"…Yeah."
"Hm, then, no wonder you don't know him. My advice? Stay away from him like … … forever. He's a nasty perv teacher who only sees the girls on the volley ball team to be his bitches. Gagh, just mentioning it gives me the willies and makes me wanna puke. You'd think he's king of the castle in his own mind, wouldn't you say so?"
"Which castle?"
"Oh, hey, I was just using a metaphor … … what was it, again? Agh, never mind."
"…" Akira could sympathize with him due to how both of them seem to be labelled.
"Hey, looks like the rain's lifting up now. We should get going. I know a path where you can get to Aigami while taking cover from the rain."
"…Sure." Akira accepted the offer.
BIIIINNGG-!
"Ugh!" Suddenly, a very dizzy sensation falls on both Ryuji Sakamoto and Akira. "What … …the … … Whoah, I didn't know it was foggy … …" Akira sees the fog he mentioned, he didn't noticed as well.
"…When did it."
"I dunno. Maybe because it's humid? Well, anyway, let's go. We're gonna be late if we wait for the rain to stop." Ryuji said, beckoning Akira to come which he did.
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…tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap … … … …
…The two boys begun walking and they turned to the corner direction since it's still raining, but Akira begins to notice that it's quiet … … …too quiet, in fact … … and the fog seems to be thicker and denser here … … tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap … … … …
…tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap … …
…The two boys kept walking straight on this path, but so far … … the rain is still not stopping, and the fog is becoming thicker by the seconds … … and … … for some reason, it's being very quiet here for a while … … something Akira didn't fail to notice … … which is starting to scare him a bit … … soon, they go out of another cornering direction since Aigami is just up ahead … … "Huh?" Ryuji responded upon seeing something peculiar … …Akira gazed at where he's looking and he sees … …
…Aigami High … … surrounded with thick fog … … the only thing that is disturbing is that … … it's in ruins, and it's like … … a castle to the sides … …?
"Wha… …what the … …" Ryuji responded. "Is this … … did we make a wrong turn, somewhere?" He asked and they both looked around and sees the sign, "Aigami", so they become more confused. "Wait, no, this IS Aigami. Well, I guess … … we should ask around." They both entered the abandoned looking school and all the while, unbeknownst to them, someone is keeping an eye on them from the shadows, from the fog … … … …
…Aigami High(?), first floor … …
…Ryuji and Akira at the first floor hallway, that is in ruins, and the sides of the hallway looks empty like it's an abandoned building and also at the end of the hallways, there are two doors that stand out, they look like castle doors, which is the only things that are not old or ruined by their stature.
"Huh? How come … … hey, what IS this place… …?"
"…Did we make a wrong turn?" Akira asked.
"No, no, this is it! Or at least… … I think so." Ryuji said sounding unsure of himself as well. "No, I know I didn't make a mistake! It says Aigami, too, at the sign, you saw right?"
"Yeah."
"Right!? You saw it, too!" They both looked around, bewildered. "What IS going on here?" Ryuji asked again.
…The both of them are startled by loud footstep that sounded metallic and then, they saw someone wearing an armor heading towards them. Both of them are both startled and bewildered, while Ryuji is stupefied. "Man, you startled me. Dude, what are you wearing all that get-up for?" Ryuji asked.
"… … " The armored individual seem to have a hostile aura about him.
"Dude, all that armor makes you like a real deal of a knight. Are you cosplaying or something, dude?" Ryuji asked.
"… … " The armored being didn't responded.
"… …!" More armored beings came out of various directions in the halls of left and right - and then, all of the armored individuals surrounded them … …
"Dude, this is real … … what is this? Hey, what do you guys want!? Did we do something wrong!?"
"… … " Again, they didn't responded to Ryuji's questioning.
"…I think we should go." Akira said.
"Y-Yeah! Hey, at least answer our questions! But hey, if you're not gonna throw us a towel about this cosplay bullshit, we - - "
"GROOOOOOAAAAARRRR!" Suddenly, the armored became black like mold of clay and they all merged together, the same happened to the other armors, and they all turned into pumpkin headed beings, carrying a lantern and wearing a cloak and a magician hat which made Ryuji tumble to the ground. "Wh-What the!?"
"GROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRR!"
"Ah!" Akira, too, is startled.
"Lord Kamoshida said that no one is to be invited here, so … … or rather, this is where His Highness would reign supreme!" The pumpkin headed being, Pyro Jack, said to Ryuji who is frightened.
"Gwah! What the heck….!?" He exclaimed and he stood back up quickly. "H-Hey! Let's run!"
"Run?" Akira asked,
"Yeah, let's go! These guys are monsteeeerrrs!" They both run for the exit, but there are already Pyro Jacks there and they surrounded the two. "Hey, get back! I-I'm gonna pound you to the ground if you try to kill us!"
"Who are you to demand something from us!?" Suddenly, someone wearing a king's cloak, and is only wearing a pink underwear, and he's wearing a king's crown, appeared. And it's … … Kamoshida, with Ryuji recognizing him, except his eyes are golden. "I am the king here, but this is also my state of prison, all right!?"
"Huh!? Kamoshida!? Wh-What are you … … Have you totally become too nutshell to this King thing!?"
"Huh, and I was wondering who it was. To think, it's just you, Sakamoto. Are you thinking of rebelling against me, again?" The Kamoshida before them asked. The Pyro Jacks seem to think they are honored by his presence and they all go to the side and bowed to Kamoshida who raised his hand.
"Sakamoto, you're late for class! That's why, you're gonna be sent to DETENTION!"
"Huh!? Wha—It's barely pass the first session! So we're fine - - "
"Guards, take them to the detention area!" Shadow Kamoshida said.
"H-Huh!? W-Wait, h-heeeeyy! Agh!" The Pryo Jacks hit Ryuji with their lantern, knocking him and causing serious pain.
Akira, too, is done with the same deed and they're both dragged by the feet as they are taken to the left direction … … … ….
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…Later, at a certain dungeon … … … …
…Akira is being shook by Ryuji, to wake him up as he's lying on a bed of some sort, but it's dirty … … fitting for a bed dungeon … … "Hey, wake up! Are you all right?"
"…Yeah."
"Good." Akira stood up from the bed, and Ryuji seem to acknowledge their surrounding, as if he'd just woken up, too. "Where are we? I never saw this part of Aigami before."
They both looked around, and seems to be scared now. "Dammit, this isn't funny. First they dragged us all here for no reason - - oh, sorry, I mean, for no reason at all. And then Kamoshida was all - - I dunno. It's like he's gone totally nuts or something!" Ryuji ran to the ceiling bars and begun to shake it violently! "Hey! I know you can hear us! At least tell us what's going on here, dammit!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" A loud scream is heard, suggesting that there are other prisoners here.
"W-What the … … whoah, hey, hey, hey … … " Ryuji said sweating buckets now … …
"Hey." Akira called out.
"Yeah, what?"
"Have you looked around here?"
"Huh? No, it's a dead end to both corners and there's a prickin cell in front of us!"
"… …Hm, then, we're gonna have to wait for someone to fetch us."
"Huh? Wait, but - - Oh." Two Pryo Jacks appeared from the door and they glowed their eyes, which indicates that they're angry. The Jacks opened up the cell.
"Well, you both are misfits if you dare to defy King Kamoshida!"
"That's why you're going to detention!"
"H-Huh?" Ryuji is the first to respond.
"You two are sent to detention! And also, there's another ruler here, but for some reason, King Kamoshida is put in charge!"
"Huh? Someone … … else? You mean … … someone else is bossing Kamoshida around?"
…The Pyro Jacks emanated their eyes again and nodded. "That's why, you're sent there for unlawful entry." The Pyro Jacks surrounded the two and held both of their arms and dragged them out of the cell with Ryuji yelling at them to let them go.
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…Having gone out of the dungeon, the dungeon before them is revealed before their eyes. "Hey! We heard someone yelling here! Who was that!?"
"You mean ya don't know!?" The Pyro Jack dragging Ryuji asked.
"Huh? H-How would I know!?"
"Shh!" The other Pyro Jack hushed him to be quiet. "You'll soon see for yourself."
"Huh?" These two Jacks seem to be friendly for some reason. And a door—iron bar door—just opened up and they are dragged upstairs.
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…At the third floor … …
…Both boys are dragged into a room with set of desks and chairs, like a classroom arrangement, and both of them sat down since they're tired. "Dude, is this … … a classroom?" It's all stone and rock here, the only things that are wooden are the desks and chairs. "Dude, is this … … the detention area they mentioned about?" They both looked around mildly. "Ha, haha … … Ah, dammit! This doesn't make sense! Let's just - - " Suddenly, Shadow Kamoshida entered from the direction ahead. "K-Kamoshida!"
"Greetings, class! I'm Kamoshida Suguru! I'm your gymnastic teacher from here onward!"
"Hey!" Ryuji slammed on his desk. "What the heck is this!? What are you trying to scheme here!?"
"Huh! Now how I can teach you anything Sakamoto when you don't sit still and listen!?"
"Huh? What are you - - Huh? Wha—G-Gaaaarrgghhh!" Devices that are resembling wooden arms appeared from the chairs and the restrained both Akira and Ryuji from moving.
"There! Now, you'll listen! Geeheeheeheehee!"
"Hey, Kamoshida! Bastard, get us out of here! How did you - - "
"Shh! Be silent, someone here is actually watching, so mind what you say!"
"Huh!? S-Someone else!?"
"That's right! So mind your manners, or rather, become DESPONDENT!" The black board flips backward and it reveals a hypnotizing board that made both Akira and Ryuji become very bewildered. "So now, become our slaves here for all eternity!" Kamoshida suddenly disappeared.
"H-Hey! Kamoshida! Come on, this isn't - - Gargh, m-my head … …ow, ugh… ugrrgh… owrgh… ugh… My… head… … " Ryuji becomes very dizzy at the hypnotizing screen.
"Agh… Argh…" Akira struggles to break free, but couldn't - - so … … "How do I … … " Arsene came to his mind, what if … … … … "… …A-Arsene … … come forth!" Blue flames blew out of the ground and they started to form into a figure and … … the figure revealed itself to be Arsene - - much to Ryuji's aweness at the scene in front of him. "Wha… …What the … … "
"… …Hrgh, hrrgh, dammit, I .. … "
"…I am Arsene. The Other you that dwells within to reach out the truth that leads to freedom. You wish for my help, again? Very well!" The Arsene individual flew in front of Akira and destroyed the chair that is restraining Akira and it did the same to Ryuji's chair by swinging forth its let that let out a sharp and slashing attack that pretty much sliced the chairs in half.
"Whoa! What the!? T-That's … .. D-Dude." Suddenly, Akira's clothes begin to be engulfed by blue flames and Akira's clothes changed to that of a uniform that has black and white colors with black being the dominant color and he's wearing a cape and a beret hat that makes him like a detective prince. "This is… … Per-so-na … … … … This is my power … … So there is only truth here … … "
"W-W-Whoa … … " Ryuji, completely perplexed, stared in awe at the sight in front of him, Akira and Arsene facing each other. "If you wish to get out of here, then, try not to leave any questions unanswered." Arsene said. "If you leave any unanswered questions behind, you'll be lying to yourself."
"…I know. Let's go." Akira said huffing.
"Very well." Arsene disappeared.
"D-Dude… W-What's with those clothes!?" Akira's glasses disappeared when his clothes changed, and he's wearing a detective prince like attire. Black and white color uniform, black being dominant, representing one to know the unknown, and he's wearing a cape to protect himself, and a beret hat that makes him think calmly … … (Note: I'm gonna be using the Raidou DLC costumes here, again, it wasn't really a personal intent, but more like a step or instruction to follow on a "flow-line" that I'm following to write this story.)
…Akira, too, is bewildered to the change of his attire.
"H-Hey, how did you…" Ryuji said in bewilderment.
"…Hm, we better get out of here." Akira said, accepting what he's saying for now.
"G-Get out… T-y-Yeah, but, how?"
"…Excellent question." Akira said. And he ran to the front of this detention room.
"H-Hey, wait up!" Ryuji followed up as Akira looked around and decided to go to the door where King Kamoshida went through to get here.
"W-What the!?" Ryuji exclaimed. The area before them is a spiral stairways that leads up, and on the middle is a chasm that is… … very deep, both Akira and Ryuji looked by the deck but couldn't see what is below. "D-Dude, t-this is really a castle… … but, how is it…"
"…Which way, up or down?" Akira asked.
"Huh? T-That's … … good question." Ryuji said, looking around.
"… …There should be footsteps. If Kamoshida went through here."
"Huh? Oh-OH yeah! Here, that's … … Hey, I found it! Those are footsteps! That means it leads up!" Ryuji said and sure enough, there are footsteps at the stairs up ahead. "Let's go!" The boys started running up and they don't know what's up ahead or how long it will take. They can't look up since it's too bewildering.
…tap,tap,tap,tap … …
…tap, tap, tap, tap … …
…tap, tap, tap, tap … …
…tap, tap, tap, tap … …
"Huff, huff, hey, is it just me, or is this stair … … pretty endless?"
"…Are we really going up?" Akira asked and he and Ryuji stopped for a while.
"Yeah, good point. What if we're right back to where we are?" Ryuji asked. "This place isn't normal when you look at it and – Huh?" Suddenly, the stairs begun to escalate down. "W-Whoah!" Like an escalator. "Wh-What's going on!?" Both of them are running now for their lives. Looking down while running, they see that the stairs below have become or rather - - something came out of the ground and it's … … a spiral wheel with spikes! If they get dragged down by the escalating downstairs, they're dead! "Whoa! D-Dammit! W-We're so screwed, maaaaaaannn! Gah! Argh! Arrgh!" Ryuji said trying to run as fast as he could but the stairs are getting too fast, too. They're escalating down, down and down. "D-DAAAAAMMMIITT!"
"Tch!" Akira jumped to the side to avoid being dragged down while hanging on to the deck's corners.
"H-Hey! That's… not a bad idea, but …. Oh, I can't do it!"
"Arsene can!" Akira said, as he just summoned Arsene and the latter just picked up Ryuji.
"W-Whoa! H-Hey! W-What's going on! Wh-Who is this!?" Ryuji is picked up while Arsene floats or hovered before the escalating stairs. Akira started moving through the edge of the deck to go upstairs while Arsene picks up Ryuji and started hovering towards upstairs as well … …
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…At the top of the tower … …
"Huff, huff, whew, that was … Whoah!" Ryuji is put down by the persona of Akira as it disappeared and Akira just lifted himself from the edge and landed on the ground. "T-That was … insane! Dude, t-that thing that came out of blue flames! How come you're acting like it's you!?" Ryuji asked with a finger pointed.
"…It was me. My persona." Akira said as he opened the door and before them is … … a holy place. Or a church. They both entered, and a statue of Kamoshida is up ahead, in front of the seats provided for. "Wha … … is this … …a chapel?" Ryuji asked.
They both went in front, and Ryuji is disgusted at the sight of the Kamoshida statue. "Gr, just seeing his ugly mug of a face is giving me enough steam to blow the heck out of that statue … … dammit, what is this!? I mean, this castle … … if it's huge, shouldn't have been spotted by the people outside!?"
"… …Akira Kurusu. My name." Akira introduced.
"Huh? O-Oh, yeah, I'm Sakamoto Ryuji. We didn't introduced each other, huh? Yeah, you can call me Ryuji. Oh, and … …Akira, right?" They both looked around. "Dude, what is this? And what's with that outfit anyway! Or rather, what the heck is going on here!?"
…This entire place is a chapel-look alike, and then, the door to the side is heard being opened - - "Huh? Who's … … "
"Groooaaaaaarrr!"
"What the-!?"
A monster appeared from there and it started to shape into a monster that is riding a horse. A knight, it seems. "Groooooaaaarrr!"
"W-Whoa! What the!" Ryuji fell to the ground due to shock.
"Hmph! Arsene!" Akira summoned Arsene, much to Ryuji's bewilderment, and Arsene charged forward and clashed with the knight, Berith, as they used both of their weapons, Arsene's his claws and other invisible force, the knight using the spear he's holding. Their weapons clashing which creating a loud metallic sound that is making Ryuji cover his ears.
Arsene continues battling the knight and Arsene soon used a non-physical attack, Eigon, and summoned a red-light flame, that is not really flame, and it burned up the knight and defeated it, reducing into black fog and disappeared. "D-Dude … … w-what did you just do!?" Ryuji asked Akira.
"Heh! Not bad!" A voice said.
"Huh!?" "Huh?" Both Ryuji and Akira were taken by surprise there and a small creature jumps to every side upstairs and landed to the front direction of Akira and Ryuji.
"I didn't think I'd find another persona-user here!" The voice said.
"Huh?" Ryuji and Akira looked around. "Did you… … say something?" Ryuji asked Akira who shook his head. "T-Then … … " They looked around more.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" The voice said.
They both looked around some more, and then, they looked down and sees … … a black-looking creature with green eyes. Which startled them, then – "Aaaagggggggghhhhh!" Ryuji exclaimed outloud. "A-A cat!?"
"I'm not a cat! I'm the great Morgana!"
End of Chapter 2