Hikari's POV
-Hoy, Sis! Wake up!
-*Yawn* Is it dinner already?
-No, but nevermind that. Look around You.
-hmm? *Gasp* Wh-what... Why did You destroy School rooftop?
-What? It wasn't me, dummy!
-Then, what happened.
-I'd like to know too.
We didn't know what happened, but this place looked exactly like Yasogami High's rooftop. But it looked like it could collapse any second. While I was thinking about possible explanation, we heard a voice.
"Don't worry. You are not in Inaba."
-Who's there?-I asked.
"My name is irrelevant to You. Enough said that I'm a clock of death called Time."
-(Wait... Could it be...)Are You by any chance Gen Shitoki(Shitoki-clock of death)
"...I see... You are not an ordinary people. Maybe You will be able to survive here..."
-Wait! Where is this place!?
"... Why don't You find out for Yourself?"
The voice vanished.
-This is bad. We have to find a way out...
-Can... hear...
-Huh? Bro, did You hear that?
-Yeah.
-ans... me...
-The signal seems to be weak. I'll try to use the Universe to enhance it somehow.
Persona: Susano'o!
-Hear me, everlasting Universe...
Scan Booster!
My Persona released an energy wave. It should enhance Persona's scanning ability.
-I repeat, can You hear me?
-Loud and clear.
-Good, I finally got to You. It's Mitsuru. I'm using my Artemisia's ability to communicate with You directly in Your minds.
-Wow.
-There's also some people who wants to talk to You. I'm putting them through.
-Hikari?
-Rise-san?
-Phew, Don't ever do that again. You have to tell us where are You. We're currently near the entrance.
-Entrance?
-The place You are in, it's the TV world we've been talking about.
-The one where You awakened Your Personas?
-One and the same. Anyway, we can't scan, so You have to tell us Your localization...
-Wait, I boosted scanning abilities for a short moment. Try to scan now.
-Huh? O-okay, I'll try.
...
...
...
Rise's POV
-Senpai! We've got a problem.
-What's the matter?
-They somehow ended up in Magatsu Inaba's school rooftop.
-Magatsu Inaba? Then it's a big problem. Misturu-san, Could You put me on the line?
-Yeah. Wait a sec...
Hikari's POV
-Can You hear me? This is Yu speaking. You're currently in the worst place possible. The enemies here are exceptionally strong, so proceed with caution to the entrance.
-Where is the entrance?
-It's located where the train station is in Inaba.
-Gotcha.
-One more thing. If You run into a Shadow with two guns and bandages on its head, RUN. It's not something that can be defeated alone. We will try to get to the entrance, but I have to call for backup, so it may take a while.
-Senpai, could You put Mitsuru-san on the line. There's something extremely important that she has to know.
-Got it.
...
-Mitsuru here.
-We found Jikan(Again, Jikan means time)
-WHAT!?
-It looks like he's the one who dragged us here. I'm not sure about his motive though.
-I see. In that case, I will also call some backup.
-...
-Hikari?
-...
-Omega.
-Yes?
-Did You teach him the way how the sword works?
-I wanted to, after school, but as You can see...
-Well then, why don't You teach him now? It looks like he is preoccupied with something. You have to be fully mobile though.
-Roger.
-I'm cutting the connection. See You later.
Mitsuru's voice vanished.
-Bro?
-I'm fine. It's just... I feel like I know something, but I don't know what. Anyway, what did You mean when You were talking about how the sword works?
-"Kusanagi" is something more than just a high-frequency sword. Thanks to special receptors in the handle, it reacts to the user's emotions.
-Emotions?-I asked as we were walking down the stairs, towards the exit.
-Yeah. Hate, Love, Sadness, Fear. it will react differently to each one of them. For example, When all You feel is anger, the blade will project energy waves that can be used as an Area-Of-Effect projectiles. When You're afraid, the blade will project an energy shield to protect You from harm etc.
-Wow.
-In addition, there are three levels for each emotion, so the final effect depends on how much of these emotions You feel at time. Also, if You feel multiple emotions at once, the blade may combine their effect, making something completely different.
-Cool.
-Please, take this.
She pulled something out of her pocket. It was a small monocle.
-Put it on.
I did as she asked. The monocle had a small earpiece that allowed communication via phone.
-What the...
-This is small computer that informs You about Your condition, as well as enemies weakness if You already know them.
On the right I saw: HP 270 SP 50
Hikari lv.3
Susano'o lv. 2
You can also manage equipment, why don't You try?
Equipment
Hikari:
Yasogami High Uniform(male): Standard Yasogami High Male uniform. DEF:10
Sport sneakers: Favourite among speedrunners. EVA: 20 evade phys(med)
"Kusanagi": High-frequency blade. Made by Kirijo Lab. ATK: 20 Emotion Scan(Change weapon's properties in response to heightened emotion)
Omega:
Yasogami High Uniform(Female): Standard Female uniform DEF: 15
Black shoes: Borrowed from Rise: EVA 10
-Wait a sec. How can it also display Your equipment?-I asked, still amazed
-I scanned it beforehand. Now return to the main view. I added something.-Everything looked like earlier, but under SP there was another bar, BC.
-BC?
-Blade Charge. It shows when Your emotions will reach a point where "Kusanagi" will be able to project something from You emotions.
-That is pretty amazing. Huh?-I heard some noise coming from the ground floor. I waved my hand to stop Nagi.
-Huh? What's wrong…
-Shh!- But it was too late. I heard a noise just around the corner. It heard us.
-RUN!
I pushed Nagi to the side and pulled out the sword.
-I'll stop it! Persona!
Tempest Slash!
The Shadow dodged the attack, but I was able to scan it:
Onnen Musha
Lv. 70
Weak: Fire
Dodge Slash/Pierce/Strike.
-This is bad! Sis, Run!
-Ahhh!
Onnen Musha launched Tempest Slash to retaliate, but the attack hit Nagi who was trying to cover me.
-SIS! Damn You… Haaaah!
I attacked it with "Kusanagi", and surprisingly, it didn't dodge it. The monocle showed me that I felt anger and fear on equal level, and it created new property for the blade: The almighty attack.
-So, that's how it works, huh? In that case… Susano'o!
Heat Riser!
-Try this one!
My slash went directly through Onnen Musha's chest area. Hopefully it was enough. The shadow dissolved into a mud. my sis stood up, the blood was flowing from the wounds on her arm and head.
-Is it over?
-Seems like it.
-We...We won't...We won't make it, will we?
-...
-We're... going...to die…
-...
-Say something will You!-She started crying-Why, why we ended up here? We were sleeping on the School's rooftop just few moments ago! WHY!?
She sat down and cried. "Why". that was a good question. If I could be stronger, her wounds would never have existed.
-Why am I so weak? Why I couldn't even protect one girl? Why did we end up here? You know the answer don't You, Mitsuru? You knew that Jikan wasn't in our world. Stop trying to hide. I know that You never cut the connection. Say something Dammit!
-...When did You notice?
-from the very beginning. Why I cannot feel the connection with the Universe?
-...
-I'm weak, because something is blocking my power. What is it?
-...I don't know.
-Then what the hell DO YOU KNOW!
-I...I'm sorry.
-What good is that You're sorry!? Nagi is hurt, I'm at my limit, there's nothing we can do!
-Hikari? Can You do something for me?
-Huh?
-Could You...make it back alive?
-What?
-Just promise me… That You and Omega...no, that you and Nagi will make it back. Please. I'll answer all of Your questions, but please make...it...back.-I could hear her voice cracking. I knew what it means.
-I promise.
-Thank You.
As soon as I said "I promise", I felt an enormous amount of energy, and I heard some voices.
-We have to promise that after that, we will meet again.
-Yeah.
…
…
…
-We all kept our promise. Even You...Why then, why did You leave us? Did You live up to today just because You wanted to keep that promise? Please, don't go. Don't leave us!
…
…
…
But we left, We did all we could do, so we could be with them on the school's rooftop on Graduation day, but we couldn't do anything else. We kept our promise, and it was time to become one with the Great Seal.
-But, You… It's not a time for You to die. We will lend You strength, and advice. The current you… it's not Your true self. Accept Your darkness, albeit bigger than ours. It will lead you towards light. For You are Light Of Darkness (Another Note: Ankoku no Hikari roughly translates into Light of Darkness, or Darkness of Light) Go, find yourself. Your journey begins here.
Social Link Universe Rank Up (2)
Universe: Instant Healing added.
Fool Rank Up (2)
Fool: Orpheus(Female) added
I stood up.
-Universe...Please...give me strength!
Instant Healing!
The wounds on Nagi's arm and head, began healing themselves.
-We won't die. We have a promise to keep.
-Y...Yeah!-She stopped crying.
-Okay. The train station is pretty far away. We have to be in constant movement.
-Right.
-We can do it. Let's go!
Full of hope, we left the school grounds. We lost it right after leaving the gate. In the center of the road was standing a giant Shadow. It was wearing a torn surcoat, was holding two revolvers, and was wearing bandages on its head. The monocle showed me its stats:
Danger!
Reaper
Lv.90
Weak:no data
Strong: Almighty, physical, Fire, Wind, Ice, Elec.
Nullify: Light, Dark, ailments.
-Holy...
-It can't be...
-This is gotta be a joke...
The Reaper was slowly decreasing our distance. The Blade Charge meter informed me that mixed fear with surprise gave birth to yet another property: Wave Booster. Every form of attack that uses any kind of waves will be quadrupled in effect. But my Susano'o only knows physical attacks. But maybe...
Orpheus!
Sound Wave!
Orpheus played its tune. The sound got multiplied and hit the Reaper. It staggered a little.
-This is our only chance! RUN! Don't look back!
Me and Nagi rocketed to the shopping district. It looked like we lost It.
-Phew. Barely made it.
-Yeah.
We looked at each other, and for some reason we both laughed.
-Haha... We did it!
-Yup!-I answered.-Let's go.
We proceeded carefully towards the train station. When we were just around the corner...
-Guh!
-Bro, what's wrong?
-Run...
-Huh?
-Something's coming. It's too strong... RUN!
I don't know why, but my body wasn't listening to me. All I felt was pain, and fear. Suddenly, a figure approached us. It was wearing a hooded blouse with an armour on it, black jeans, and was holding a human head. I remembered it from the photo...
-What the... Shitoki...'s head!?
Mysterious figure took the hood off. It was me.
-Huh?
-It's been a long time.
-Who are You?
-You don't remember me? And here I thought that You may remember something. At least try to remember my first name, hmmm?
-No way... Kazama?
-At least You remember that much. Yes, I was Kazama Hikari, Nii-san. But because of a pact I made, I had to change my name. I am Nyarlanhotep.
-No, it can't be... I didn't have any siblings... Argh! My head! Aaaaaaaargh!
...
-*Huff*Huff*
-You see, Nii-san? This is the difference between Humans and Demons.
-What... did You do?
-I just cleaned up trash.
-THESE ARE OUR BROTHERS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!
-But they were trash nonetheless.
-I'll kill You!
-*dodges the attack* Too slow. You cannot hurt me.
-Graaaah!
-Yes! Awaken! My brother!
-*Cough*
-huh? King? You're alive?
-*Cough* Ankoku, Run... I'll stop him.
-But...
-You have to protect the successor of the title of the Shadow King. Go! Save my son and Yourself Brother!
...
-Hmm?
-Help...me...
-Oh my,are You alright?
-...Save this kid... I don't care about myself... Just...save...him.
-I never would have thought that this would happen. I will find a shelter for this boy. As for You, Your body is weakening. Let me turn You into a Persona. You can help that way.
-Do what You want...I don't...care...
-Very well. I, Philemon order You, become a Persona, that shines above the darkness.
...
-I am thou, Thou art I... Argh! I forgot the line!
-Ummm. Are You my Persona?
-Oh,sorry kid for this disappointment. I was turned into a Persona, but retained my personality anyway.
-Oh, that's alright. What's Your name?
-Huh? Hikari.
-Well, Hikari, can we talk?
-Umm...sure?
...
-Hahaha! That's a good one.
-Yeah, but wait there's more*Whisper*whisper*
-Hahahahahaha!Ow my stomach.
-Heh, never thought that I would be able to live as myself even after I became a Persona.
-Yeah, but at least I have someone to talk to. It's so lonely in a hospital.
-Yeah... How's the examination?
-...
-Oh, sorry.
-They say that there's no hope. They gave me a week.
-...
-I don't want to die... Why did I receive a wild card even though I can't do anything!?
-Now now, don't cry. I'll be here till the end, You are not alone.*hugs him*
-uuuuuuuugh*Silent cry*
...
-...Hikari?
-Yeah?
-I can feel it. I won't live another day.
-Don't say that.
-But it's true. I have a favor to ask of You.
-What is it?
-Would You...live my life?
-What!?
-I want You to use Your power to enter my body, Right after I die. Do what I couldn't because of this illness.
-No way, kid I can't do that!
-Please, I want this power of mine to be useful to someone, but I'm going to die tonight. Please...
-argh, fine.
-Thank You.
...
-You know, the last two months we spend together were the best time in my life. Thank You...
...
-Huh, where am I, what happened? Is it a hospital? Huh? A doctor? Why is he wearing a mask with a butterfly?
-Boy, what is Your name?
-It's... I can't remember!
-From now on, You are Ankoku Hikari.
...
All of my memories have returned.
-I...remember...now.
-Well, then shall we get to the heart of matter?
-No need. I already know what You're plotting. I won't let You open the Amala Network!
-And how do You want to stop me? You are in human body.
-No, the real Ankoku Hikari and this kid didn't die.
-huh?
-Hikari combined his soul with his, creating me. That's why I can use this! "Born from a Demon and a Human. Hated by Demons, feared by Humans. Never belonging to any of the sides. It is I, Demi-fiend!"
-Wha...
I could feel a great amount of power building inside me. Black and green tatoo-like lines appeared on my whole body. The monocle was showing:
Hikari(Demi-fiend)lv.?
HP ?
SP ?
Magatsu Susano'o lv.?
(So this is darkness of mine, huh? If I remember correctly, Hikari appeared to this kid as Susano'o. So, if I'm a reversed version of him, then my Persona is also reversed. This will be fun.)
-Let's dance, Kazama!
-Kuh...
-Magatsu Susano'o!
Infinite Heat!(Doubles attack, defense, and hit/evasion every five seconds. Slowly drains HP.)
I launched a straight punch at him, but he deflected it with his force field. The monocle gave me scan.
Kazama lv?
Strong: Almighty
Nullify:Slash/Pierce/Strike.
Repel:Light, Dark, Fire, Ice, Elec, Wind.
-So, You won't go down easily, huh? In that case
Persona!
Raging God: Eye of the storm(Severe Almighty damage, one target. Ignores natural resistance.)
-Take this!-My attack hit him. Kazama staggered. I shortened the distance between the two of us.
-It's Over! Persona!
Black Wind!(severe wind damage. Lowers resistance by three tiers(Repel to resist, resist to weakness))
-Gah!
Kazama fell to the ground. The battle ended. I sat next to him.
-Why were You pursuing Chronostasis!?
-To open the Gates of Amala, certain... conditions must be fulfiled.
-Conditions?
-One of them is to create a distortion in the current balance. I failed with the Fall, and Izanami created a oportunity for me, but I was too late to realize that. So I decided to pursue a method created by humans, and I was lucky to find this man.
-And why did You kill him?
-This is another condition. In order to make the Gates materialize amidst this distorted balance, an enormous amount of raw energy must be provided. The best way to do this is to acquire magatsuhi. However, humans lost it after Kagutsuchi was forced to restart the world. But, small amount of magatsuhi can be acquired after killing a Persona user.
-...
-Why are You glaring at me? Is there something on my face?
-Kazama... Why? Why did You change? I was supposed to carry the Demon's Mark we inherited from our father. Yet You... You slaughtered them. You even wanted to kill our nephew. What happened?
-I am in no obligation to tell You anymore than this.
-*cough*
-hmm? oh my, You are coughing a lot of blood. Is this weak, human body rejecting Your demonic part?
-*Cough*cough*hack*cough*vomits blood*
He was right. I could feel it, I was slowly burning from the inside. This body is too weak to maintain my Demi-fiend form any longer. With the rest of my conciousness, I revert to a human form, and passed out. When I woke up, Kazama was gone, and Nagi was lying on the ground before me. She had severely burned left arm, and part of face.
-Sis...
I rushed to her. She opened her eyes.
-Bro?
-I'm here, hang on.
-Don't worry about these. This is my price for using my Persona.
-Your Persona?
-Amaterasu's flame burns everything. With no exception. But I should heal soon.-She showed me her burned arm. The hand was already healing.
-Amazing...
-I told You. Omega will protect its owner.
I could feel the true weight of these words.
Thou art I and I am Thou. Thou hast established a new bond. These bonds will sever Thine connection to the Void known as Loneliness. Thou shalt be blessed when fusing Personas of the Sun Arcana.
Social Link: Step-sister "The Sun"