A/N: Here's chapter 28 folks! And this time, I'm sure we are so near the ending.
***: Also, we put up a poll, we'll appreciate it if you check it out.
Empyrea: With those out of the way, let's begin!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 27: Erebus
As Aigis have finally gained the resolve to know, she, together with Ken and Koromaru, chased, and finally, caught up with Metis in the depths of Judecca, and was able to persuade her to let them know her past. A few moments after that, they received a distress call from Fuuka, she wasn't able to tell them all the details though, as she was cut off. They all hurried towards the Desert of Doors, but, as they were all on their way there, Yukari was transported to the time Minato died, Graduation Day. She was able to talk to him again, and Minato hugged her and asked her to make a choice, Yukari replied and returned Minato's embrace…
Minato: *tears start falling from his eyes* …
Yukari: …! Minato? Are you…crying?
Minato: *hugs her a little tighter* Can we stay like this? Just a little longer…
Yukari: But…
Minato: Please… I…I don't want you to see me like this…
Yukari: *brushes her hand on his back* Okay…
Minato: *pulls away from Yuakri, but is still holding her* Hey…Yukari…
Yukari: Yeah?
Minato: *averts his gaze* If you were given that choice… Can you…*looks at Yukari* Choose to go back?
Yukari: …!!! *hugs Minato tightly* I can't do that! I won't go back! Not without you! It's all-
Minato: It's not meaningless. I…I want all of you to live…
Yukari: *pulls away from Minato a bit, but is still holding him* Then, tell me…
Minato: …
Yukari: Were you contented back then? …When you saved us?
Minato: …Of course, I-
Yukari: Don't lie… Please… Not to me…
Minato: I…
Yukari: Do you…want to go back? …Together with us?
Minato: I can't…
Yukari: Then, you want to go back?
Minato: I…don't…
Yukari: *averts her gaze* That's a lie, isn't it?
Minato: …
Yukari: *looks at Minato* Listen.
Minato: …
Yukari: *hugs Minato tightly* No matter what…even if it's against all odds… I'll still choose you! I promise!
Minato: But-!
Yukari: *let's go of Minato* I should be going, right?
Minato: Wait! Yuka-
Yukari: It's okay! *smiles* This ain't goodbye, right?
Minato: But-
Yukari: *waves at him* I'll see you…soon. I promise.
Minato: *extends out his hand towards Yukari* Yukari!
Yukari vanishes in front of Minato, he knows her mind has now returned to Empyrean…
Minato: *sits down* Yukari… I…I don't want you to die… *rests his chin on his hand and sighs* Now I know, Chidori…now that I'm in your shoes… I don't know what to do anymore…
Meanwhile, Yukari regains consciousness in Empyrean…
Yukari: *opens her eyes* Huh? I'm back, huh. *looks around* Huh? Where's everybody else? …! Oh, no!
Yukari dashes towards the exit of Empyrean…
Yukari: "Oh, no! Fuuka!"
Finally, Yukari reaches the exit of Empyrean, and, as she steps out…
Yukari: …!!!
Mitsuru: *lying on the floor and looks at Yukari's direction* Ta…ke…ba?
Yukari: *runs to Mitsuru* Senpai?! Senpai, are you okay?!
Mitsuru: The…accumulated…Malice…of humans…we couldn't…defeat it…
Yukari: Save your strength. Where are the others?
Mitsuru: Trying…to…de…feat it…
Yukari: Okay. I'll handle the rest.
Mitsuru: Wait… You…can't…beat it…Takeba…
Yukari: Don't worry, senpai. I know I can win. *runs towards the others*
Akihiko: Yukari?! Where've you been?!
Yukari: Sorry, senpai. Where's the enemy?
Akihiko: Over there! *points in front of him*
Yukari: Oh my god! Its strength is…overwhelming!
Akihiko: Get out of here! We can't beat this thing!
Ken: *gets blown away from the Shadow's direction* Ahhh!!!
Akihiko: Ken! *runs to Ken* Dammit!
Koromaru: *growls* Arf! Arf! *howls and summons Kohryu*
Though, unfortunately, Koromaru's attack also doesn't work on the enemy, and Koromaru is also smashed away…
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Yukari: I…I don't see the enemy…! Why?!
Aigis: *looks at Yukari* Yukari-san? Yukari-san, please help Junpei-san! *shoots at the Shadow's direction*
Yukari: Junpei?!
Junpei: ARGH! *falls down to his knees when the enemy attacked him*
Yukari: Why?!
Minato: *holds Yukari's shoulder from behind* Didn't I tell you before…never to lose sight…?
Yukari: …! Minato? *about to look behind her*
Minato: Wait.
Yukari: …What?
Minato: Don't look this way… Please…
Yukari: Huh? Why? What's wrong?
Minato: Never mind that. Look in front of you.
Yukari: *faces forward* …
Suddenly, Yukari's vision changes and she sees the members of SEES fighting a giant Shadow with an overwhelming presence…
Yukari: What is that thing?
Minato: You see him now?
Yukari: Yeah, but… Just what is that thing? Is that a Shadow?
Minato: No… That's Erebus.
Yukari: Erebus?
Minato: Yes, He is the accumulated malice of all living beings.
Yukari: Accumulated malice? Wait. Is this the thing Metis was talking about before?
Minato: Precisely.
Yukari: Then, Erebus is…
Minato: He is the result of human beings, like us…pleading for The Fall.
Yukari: How are we going to beat that thing, then?
Minato: Are you giving up?
Yukari: No… I…
Minato: You told me you won't lose. Prove that to me… You can't lose here, or it'll all be for nothing.
Yukari: …All?
Minato: …
Yukari: I understand now… I can't lose. *looks at Erebus* I won't lose!
Minato: *smiles* Not to him, at least.
Yukari: Yeah!
The resolution in Yukari's heart morphs Messiah and gives rise to a new Persona…
Yukari: Come! ORPHEUS TELOS!
Messiah gives rise to Orpheus Telos…
Yukari: Now! Salvation!
Minato: *let's go of Yukari* Looks like I can go now…
The others are completely healed due to the healing powers of Orpheus Telos…
Mitsuru: *slowly stands up* I'm completely healed? *looks around* Takeba!
Yukari: I won't let you hurt Minato! Not anymore! Morning Star!
Mitsuru: Morning Star…that's-
Yukari: How dare you! You're just some Shadow formed because of humans! Because of you…!
Mitsuru: Takeba…
Yukari: Thunder Reign!
Akihiko: Does she mean…
Metis: As you heard from me… Erebus is the one of the main reasons that…Minato had to give up his life essence.
Everyone, minus Yukari, was surprised from what they heard. They all let the anger that builds within them to become their strength to fight Erebus…
Junpei: *grits his teeth* You son of a bitch! C'mon! Let's make him eat bull! *summons his Persona* Surt! Ragnarok!
Mitsuru: Then, I, too, shall fight. You may be just one reason…but, you have given me enough reasons to execute you! *summons her Persona* Helel! Morning Star!
Akihiko: I won't back down, either! Die! *summons his Persona* Satan! Black Viper!
Ken: You piece of crap! You'll pay for all that you did! *summons his Persona* Lucifer! Megidolaon!
Aigis: I decided to live! I will not back down! I won't lose! *summons her Persona* Asura! Megidolaon!
Metis: For myself! I'll make you suffer! Because you hurt both him and my sister! *summons her Persona* Psyche! Garudyne!
Koromaru: *howls and summons Kohryu and attacks Erebus with a Weary Thrust*
Yukari: We can't lose! Never! Especially not to you! Niflheim!
Erebus looks terribly weakened by their attacks…
Fuuka: *stands up* I can't give up! I don't want to! Please, help me! *summons her Persona* Norn! Panta Rhei!
Erebus now falls down…
Fuuka: Now's our chance! Let's strike back!
Mitsuru: *looks at Akihiko* Akihiko! Now's our chance!
Akihiko: *smirks* You got it!
Akihiko and Mitsuru combine their Persona's abilities, and…
Mitsuru: Akihiko, now!
Akihiko: Take this, you son of a bitch!
Mitsuru & Akihiko: Armageddon!!!
Their attack puts an end to Erebus…
Mitsuru: *pants* Is it…over?
Akihiko: *pants* I…think so…
Junpei: Oh, YEAH! Sweet! We won!
Metis: No… It's only over for now…
Aigis: *turns to Metis* For now?
Metis: As long as humans exist, then, Erebus will always exist…
Yukari: *looks at Metis* I suppose that's true… But, we shouldn't give up! We can still do something!
Metis: There's not much time left, though.
Others: …???
Metis: According to "him"… The dorm will be eaten by the Abyss of Time completely if you don't do something quick.
Junpei: Seriously?
Metis: But, there's still a way to solve this.
Others: *looks at Metis* …???
Metis: Through the door he declared be salvation…the Door of Empyrean.
Others: …!!!
Mitsuru: Do you mean that door?
Yukari: Everyone.
Others: *turns to Yukari* …???
Mitsuru: What's the matter, Takeba?
Yukari: *looks at them* No matter what happens…this time, let's all be true to ourselves.
Junpei: Yeah…
Yukari: This time, let's go together.
Others: *nods*
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
A/N: Those skills Yukari used…don't mind them too much.
***: Not really… Our Orpheus Telos gained both Salvation and Morning Star, plus it's cooler that way!
Empyrea: Well… Not much to say, so, see you guys next time.