Hello again! Alright I lied, I wasn't back sooner, lots of stuff happened and I know it isn't an excuse. However here is the conclusion to the coming into power.
Feeling the embrace of sleep hit me I felt that this might not be the best time to black out, however the approaching floor had different plans for me. Hitting the floor hard, I then felt darkness embrace me. Falling into my mind I felt a presence with me, looking around I saw Pandora with me, 'what is he doing in here with me?'
"Thou are I and I art thou, your desire for a new world has given birth to me. While you know that there is so much bad in the world your overwhelming hope has birthed a power. I am that power; know that I am always watching within you. We have much to discuss, however we must get ready for the beasts that lurk within Tartarus." A strong light filled my vision as I felt the worldly pressures on me again. Wait, no scratch that there was actual pressure on my body. Opening my eyes I saw that I had fallen onto some rubble. Picking myself up I looked around to see that there was some observers around me, gripping my evoker in my left hand and my dagger in my right I blew out my brains as Pandora and I waded through ichor.
XxX
'What am I supposed to do?' A certain red head mused through herself, 'I made the choice to leave Minato ,again. If he makes it through there how will I face him?' These thoughts plagued her mind as she made her way through the day. Not being able to concentrate all the while, 'is there any way that I can even make it up to him?' While at fencing practice a lower classmate was able to completely waste Mitsuru, "Hey, why don't you go home, you seem very out of it. We will be able to do a day without you."
"Very well. I will take you up on the offer; do make sure not to slack." And with that she went back to the dorm where she was restlessly waiting for the clock to get close to midnight so they could venture back into the jaws of death to rescue on of their own.
XxX
Akihiko felt ashamed of himself; even with himself injured he should have insisted to go with Minato, despite his injuries. He swore to make it up to him somehow, if he were to make it out of there. Walking out of his room he found Mitsuru with her head in her hands seemingly thinking very hard about something, most likely about Minato and his situation. "Why did the stairs disappear? There would be no reason for that to happen."
"I don't know Mitsuru I thought that you might have known."
"No, I never meant for this to happen. He was only supposed to be there just long enough to taste it, just enough so that he saw the power that coursed through him and then for him to get out. I didn't mean for this to happen." The red head muttered to herself.
"Hey, knock it off Mitsuru. No one could have guessed that the stairs would disappear. We both knew the risks that we took when we made this choice. If anything the guilt belongs to the both of us. There was so much we could do different but for now let's focus on getting him out, after that we can ask for his forgiveness after we get him out. Now we should both get ready for the rescue operation."
Nodding she left the lobby and headed up to her room. Akihiko started to go after her when he felt a sharp pain in his ribs. 'Shit, the breaks are acting up again. I need to get myself bandaged again.' Limping up into his room he got the wraps and started the long processes of wrapping up his injured body.
XxX
"Huff, huff, these guys just don't end do they Pandora?"
"They do young one, but there are too many for just the two of us."
"Well then, what do we do? There hasn't been any sign of the stairs for quite a long time. I think we're still on the 8th floor. Lost track after I blacked out on the 5th floor I think it was. Just how far does this floor go to? " I had been running for the last five minutes straight looking for the damn stairs that just didn't want to show up. "Can you show me the map again? I need to see if we are going the right way." Nodding Pandora opened the box and a holographic map showed up. "Hmm… so here we are and we've been this way. So we need to go that way. Come on, let's go Pandora." Turning the way we felt would be the right way we started running when we almost ran into the a cluster of shadows, reacting quickly I threw my knife dead center into the cluster, ripping asunder the one in the center. Running directly after the knife I axe kicked the closest shadow shattering the mask under my foot, just as I was turning I felt huge pressure on my ribs as a dancing hand wrapped around me.
"Pandora! Give me a hand, won't you?!" I yelled to him as he sliced another Maya in half, looking over he gathered energy and let lose a blade of wind that speed towards the hand and sliced it clean in half. "Thanks Pandora, we have to get out of here soon, I'm feeling really hurt right now." Looking down at my body there were multiple abrasions and cuts all along my chest and arms. Glancing at Pandora I saw that there were cuts in his clothes yet no wounds on his body. "Why aren't you hurt? I see that you've been hit but there doesn't seem to be any wounds on you."
"Ah yes, any wounds that I receive are transferred onto you. Any skills and powers that I use are paid by with your power."
Ah, that would explain why it seemed like I got winded each time Pandora seemed to exert energy. Looking around for my knife I saw it hidden within the quickly growing crowd of shadows. "Ugh… hey Pandora you happen to have a way to distract them while I run into there and grab my knife?"
"Hmm, I do happen to have a skill but if we do it I may have to return to the sea of your conscience afterwards," nodding quickly "very well, take my sword leap into the fray while I gather the necessary energy from your soul." Reaching over and grabbing the long blade I felt energy within the blade, it was growing, expanding, like when you eat a bad taco. Rushing into the group I started hacking up shadows, swinging the blade in a practiced manner I felt no resistance as the blade sank into the belly of the beasts. I felt a sudden increase in my energy and using a Maya as a stepping stone I jumped as high as I could, turning the blade to face towards the ground I stabbed the Hand as hard as I could; upon hitting the ground the blade broke into many pieces that flew out in a ring from the center, expanding across the floor hitting many of the shadows as it went along. Using the distraction I leapt towards my knife and ran as hard as I could towards where I figured that stairs might be. Corridor after corridor I passed hoping that I might find the stairs, a mob of shadows following behind me flinging fire and ice over my head. Seeing a turn in my current path I took it and my heart sank. There was no more path to follow. The path I had taken has taken me to a dead end, and with my options as they are, it just might be that. Turning on my heel I took out my knife and sank it deep into the closest mask that filled my vision shattering it into ichor, dagger in hand I faced and looked at the rather large mob that had formed in wide hallway. Sending a quick prayer to the god of bacon I charged head first into certain death.
XxX
"Tick, tick, tick" the clocks hand slowly inched its way to midnight as a pair of student stood waiting at the gates to a school that they attend during the day. Glancing over the silver head one last time there was a look of worry on her face. "You remember the plan right? I take the front lines with Penthesilea and you stay in the back and provide support for me. Stick to long range attacks and healing alright?"
"Yea Mitsuru, I got it the first twenty times you told me," it struck midnight, "Now we have a kohai to rescue, yea? Let's hurry and get him shall we?" Opening the gate they both got into a slight jog as they burst through the front doors and started to run up the stairs. Blazing through the portal the two began their journey up towards the young man that they had to abandon the night before. Rapier in hand the flaming red head lead the charge, through the surprisingly light amount of shadow that littered the floor. Running another through shadow through she yells "any sign of the staircase? We need to get as much distance covered as quick as possible."
"I think I see it, over here." And so they rushed up another staircase with a blazing passion until they came to a floor where there was an eerie calm.
"He has to be on this floor, there are not any shadows attacking us. Dammit, that means that he's being attacked by them, we need to hurry Akihiko." Seeing stains on the floor and walls they followed it until they reached a wall of shadow seemingly rushing a dead end.
"MAZIO!" Bolts of lightning rained over the mob hitting all the shadows stopping them for a second.
XxX
Huh was that lightning that just landed? No it can't be, dammit the amount of blood loss has me seeing things. Slice here, dodge now, the wall doesn't end. Blood poured out and I suddenly felt rage, a red haze filled my eyes, hate towards the red head that put me through this hell. What had I done to her to deserve being treated like this? The rational side of me saw logic in her actions, but was shut down harshly by the growing rage that was filling my whole being. Swing the dagger in powerful concise swings I waded deep within the mob where everything around me slowly perished, some by my hand others just disappearing when I looked towards them. Blood flowed freely as I finally succumbed to my injuries; falling to a knee I looked at the mask that filled my vision only to have the point of metal pierce it. Following the iron up I saw the wielder of the long thing weapon, a fiery red head with a concerned look on it.
"About freaking time you showed up." Feeling the pressure finally come off my shoulders I promptly allowed the darkness to swallow me back into its embrace.
XxX
Well at this point in time there was many a thing that was running through my mind such as, "I wonder if maple bacon tastes as good as it sounds," and more pressing matters such as "bacon cupcakes, they must be made." Also unimportant things "my wounds might fester under these conditions, it might become a problem later. Oh well nothing a good batch of bacon won't fix." Feeling the weightlessness of my mindscape, I felt a presence with me and I looked around in my mindscape to see Pandora there looking at me. He had his hands within the shirt, 'Ah finally noticed me. I was wondering when you would,' he smiled as he said this, 'we have much to discuss while your mortal body is being treated.'
'Huh?'
'The fiery one and the quick one they are treating your body currently. But I digress, there are warnings I have to give you, young one, that relate to the group you were coerced to join. Being the harbinger of pain has given me a small sight for the future. There is going to be a betrayal. The path forward is hazy. Know that your future at the moment is looking very grey. I see two lights shining lights in the future, guiding you. One, a being proud and brash, testing your fortitude and strength at every turn. The other loving and kind, molding and shaping you into a strong man…. And a third light, the twin to the fool, supporting your folly. I see this and more in your life however it is for you to choose where your path goes, I am simply telling you were your path might take you.'
'Thank you.'
'Talk to me, I am a facet of yourself, we are one and the same.'
'If you are me then you know the demons in my past, the things that stop me from allowing others in there are many reasons. Do you really think that I can trust them? I made the same mistake before and almost lost my heart in the processes.'
'They mean well, and if you allow them will never hurt you, though you might to them. Regardless the way that things are going you will see you fair share of pain in the future. Remember I am always with you. One final thing, you have made a mistake in my gender I am not male but female. Now wake."
A flash of light burst through the space and then I felt the weight of my body again. Feeling my body again the first thing that I felt was the wounds all along my body. "Ugh… god dammit anyone got the number of the bus that ran me over?"
"Minato!" the two yelled out, the red head sobbing into my chest.
"Ugh what happened while I was out?"
"We started to heal your wounds, the cuts and abrasions are quickly healing. Out personas are casting Dia on you to heal you up."
"What took you so long? I was about to bust out the chips and salsa and entertain the guests haha. Oww… my body hurts." They look worried at me, their gaze filled with kindness at me.
Looking over the two I gazed at them, they looked dirty and tired. It was then and there that I made my choice.
"Oi, I'm not dead so don't go killing me off now. Gimmie a hand Silver I want a bed and somewhere to bathe and get all this grime off me."
Scowling at me I shot him a toothy grin and he offered me a hand; grasping it I felt time stop again.
"I am thou and thou art I
Thou shalt have our blessing
When you make personas of the star Arcana."
Time started again, and I pulled myself up and tried to steady myself feeling my legs give out I grabbed onto him again. "Hey don't push yourself, just take it slow we still have more than half of the dark hour left. Here drink this." Pulling out a drink he passed it towards me.
"Thanks," opening the drink I took a large draught, I yelled out as the drink was incredibly bitter," The hell was that supposed to be? That was disgusting."
"Heh, heh it is my special blend of herbs and vegetables to give long lasting energy. I drink one every morning." He smiled beaming with confidence.
"Right… all I need to do is get to the dorm now." Looking over to Mitsuru she had a very concerned look on her face, shit that doesn't look good.
"Uh Mitsuru it looks like you want to say something."
"Yes well, it looks like your safe for the time being, however the hardest part of the night is about to begin." Shooting her a confused look she explained, "look at yourself, your hardly fit to fight, only I am truly able to fight, and I don't think the shadows will just let us waltz out of here. "
"Oh."
"Right, we hadn't really made much of an escape plan have we? We were mostly focused on finding you in one piece. Guess this is going to be quite the ride going down eh Minato?"
Groaning I shot a quick glance at him and pulled myself off his shoulder, "You grumble and complain all you like, I can still fight, even in this condition." Pulling the long black dagger out of my pouch I pulled myself out of Akihiko's shoulder and took a couple of shaky steps forward. I turned to look back "I look worse than I feel, they're only a flesh wound." Rolling my head forward I moved with purpose, a hot bath, a hot meal with bacon and sleep. Oh yea and possibly getting my wounds healed, yea that might be good. The two shared a quick look at on another nodded and took up positions in from of me, forming a reverse arrow formation. They slowly trudged forward and found the stairs, just the opposite direction from where they took off from.
"GRAHHHHHH! Of all the stupid things! I almost DIED cause I took a left instead of a right?!" I yelled as we climbed up the stairs. We walked slowly while my bluff held; it was all I had just to keep moving with them. A shadow appeared in the distant and lightning and ice rammed into it and shredded all the shadows within. Feeling around for my evoker I gripped it and slowly brought it up to my head and pulled the trigger.
"Minato, you should not summon me with such little strength left."
"You do not suffer the effects of the wounds that plague me, go now and help them."
"Very well but do not regret this later."
Watching Pandora I suddenly remembered something, "HOLY SHIT! YOU'RE FEMALE! I yelled after the manifestation of myself. This can't be, I remained true on the path of the holy bacon. I prayed after every sacrifice, I did all the rituals required, how could I have a non-bacon eater within me!?
Feeling something wrong with her host she turned around, "I eat what you eat. Pork flesh is the greatest gift ever given by a god to the human race." And with that she flew off into the sunset with the wind gently lapping her hair, waves sparkling, wait am I seeing visions again? Dammit that the third time today. Shaking my head I focus on what was happening and saw that Mitsuru and Akihiko were going toe to toe with some large hands that we easily contending with both of them at the same time. Directing Pandora to help I suddenly rolled forward as a sharp claw passed where my head used to be. Whipping around I looked at my attacker and found it to be the same hand as the others were fighting, a large hand with gaudy decorations on it. Gripping my dagger with a reverse grip I formed a boxer stance and jabbed with my open hand hoping to somehow knock it off balance and take it out. It mirrored my stance and we slowly circled each other. My jabs were hitting a solid guard, throwing a one two combo I shift the right straight so my dagger would end up hitting it. Feeling it hit against the flesh it was like hitting a brick wall the dagger didn't as much as scratch the hand. Mirroring my actions I suddenly had to lean and avoid a wicked combo that nearly took my head off. The slight effort that it took to move lean back made me lose my balance and I felt the world go sideways as I saw a wicked claw directed right for my heart. Twisting my body I felt the claw hit my back as it ripped new wounds into me, crying out I saw a majestic sight, a large blue body, a crown upon its head and a rapier in its hands, it had its back to me however I knew that there was only one person would have such a majestic being within her own mind. Using the rapier within her hand she severed the appendage that had held on to me.
"Minato, she has requested that I stay by your side so that you will not get more injured. Stay by my side and you will not get hurt, on my pride I promise this."
"You, your're Mitsuru's persona, aren't you?"
"Yes young one. She had sent me as your personal vanguard for the duration of this fight."
"Right, well then can't keep you all to myself now can I? Let's go help them out a bit why don't we."
Attacking the hand again I moved on the left side while she flowed to the right, getting into my form again I started throwing jabs, when a salvo of ice blindsided it giving me a great advantage and plunged the dagger deep into the hand tearing, twisting it I then pushed it in a downward direction that happened to coincide with the motion of me falling, complete coincidence, really. A large amount of ichor showered down on me. Feeling the weight of something on top of me I feared for the worst and felt my throat constrict a bit, looking back I saw the mask and nearly had a heart attack. When the mask didn't do anything I looked beyond it and saw it was missing a body. Picking myself up I looked down at the mask wondering why this was the only thing that was left from the whole enemy. Picking it up I pocketed it and started stumbling towards the others, Mitusuru was using a long rapier to stab her enemy full of holes while Akihiko was doing a deadly dance with the other of the two hands. Pandora was drifting around with a large man in mesh amour keeping the smaller shadows that were coming in to the battle. Turning to the queen that I had beside, "Go help them I will be fine, I just need to catch my breath that's all."
She shot me a look that said, "ain't happening." Shrugging I kept limping towards the two, when I finally got into range I flipped my dagger over and took careful aim, I slowly brought my hand back and throw the dagger with as much force as I could toward the shadow that Akihiko was fighting. Letting out a loud shriek I knew that I had hit the hand. Nodding to myself I slowly drifted towards the hand that Mitsuru's enemy turning to the queen again, "Can I possibly borrow your rapier? I know that you can use magic, and I need a weapon." Behind the mask I could see the shock conveyed deep within their. Slowly giving a nod she handed me her weapon handle first, gripping the rapier I felt a deep calm set within my soul, all the wounds suddenly didn't bother me anymore. The spiritual sword hummed within my hands, "Well then Penthesilea lets go help Mitsuru." With a cry I leapt into battle giving a mighty thrust with the weapon that I was entrusted, piercing the thick skin the hand gave a loud cry before a sword appeared in its mouth. The hand burst into ichor only leaving the mask behind. Looking towards Akihiko I saw him delivering blow after punishing blow into the body of the hand.
"And one more for good measure!" Leaning down he suddenly brought his whole body up with his fist leading the way the force he used easily decapitated the shadow bringing the mask flying right towards us, it was neatly dropped right by our feet. "Well now that was fun. Ugh- cough, cough-."He was clutching his sides and I instantly felt guilty for that. "I think that's enough fun for one day lets go I see that transporter now. We need to get some medical attention now."
That all for now folks. Alright I know I was gone for a long time and I apologize once again for that. I have some to the next chapter written up now to try and avoid another three to four month wait. If anyone has any question about what happened in the story shot me line and I'll try and respond. Otherwise read, review and enjoy.
