Chapter 7: Tartarus Operations
April 10/09 Morning: Port Island Station...
I sigh heavily as I walked up to a nearby vending machine, purchasing two drinks. One for myself, and the other I tossed to Akihiko who had just jogged up to me.
"Thanks." he said, before taking a full swing of the drink.
I nodded before drinking mine as well. Nothing like a cool drink after a good workout. By the time I emptied the can and disposed of it, Akihiko was looking at me with a blank face.
"Hey, you alright?" my silver haired classmate asked,
"I'm fine." I answered, "Why do you ask?"
He look away and scratched the back of his head before answering. "You seem to be a bit distracted, I mean even more than you usually are during class."
"Don't worry about it." I nodded, "Just thinking about a conversation I had yesterday."
That conversation was with Nyx last night. As soon as I got back, I told her with my encounter with Wrath.
"Hmm." She mumble as she mulled over the new facts. "So now it seems to be adding up..."
"Is it?" I asked. We were both sitting on opposite sides of the bed facing away from each other.
"While we were both investigating, I also had a similar encounter like you just a while ago."
I wasn't that surprised. I knew that a third party was involved, but I have to wonder how huge that group is if they are able to send multiple people out. Especially if they are on par with Wrath, or even the blue figure.
I hear her making a sound in confirmation." The one I had fought had a strange way of fighting. Instead of going in head on, or staying back to use range to their advantage. He used hit-and-run tactics, trying to hit me while my guard is down and hiding in the shadows when it failed.
"You let him hide again just like that?" I looked up at the ceiling.
"Obviously not!" She snapped, "He failed the first time and he kept trying the same tactics even after it failed nine times."
"Hmm?" I was in surprised. Anyone that fails to adapt a different tactic even after failing even three times must be suicidal to a degree.
"He must have been trying to retreat back to his home base since was he getting desperate to shake me off everytime I get close."
"Does that mean-"
"Unfortunately." She interrupted, "By some dumb luck I turn around a corner and met face to face with an invading army of shadows.
"Dumb luck?" I raised an eyebrow, "He didn't lead you into a trap?"
"I thought so to at first." I turn to see her nodding," But as I prepared myself for are charging mass, I could see the coward fighting off some of the shadows that broke off from the main force. That means they have no control over these shadows."
That could also mean that he is just simply incompetent with controlling them, but I wouldn't know how they work so I let her continue.
"By the time I blew most of them sway to create a clear path, he had already grabbed a Traesto Gem from one of the corpses and teleported away. The rest of the shadows ignored me and continued passing me to their real leader. I'm just more annoyed that I let him get away like that." Nyx crossed her arms in frustration.
"Maybe so, but we did learn many things tonight." The third party is taking a more active role now.
She nodded, "Be ready for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"We're going to Tartarus as soon as the Dark Hour appears."
I still don't know she suddenly decided to go to Tartarus tonight, Wouldn't it make more sense to look for more info about that group? Then again, she always seems to be hiding something. Not that I'm better at the moment. I should tell her about Nyarlathotep when I get the chance, though I'm afraid on how she would react upon finding out that she was used as a pawn in a game.
…
On second thought, I should probably wait until I know she won't react too bad. Hopefully.
"Oi." A voice shook me out of my mind and I found myself looking blankly at Akihiko.
"Sorry, can you repeat that?" I asked,
"I was just saying that you've been distracted more often, are you sure you're ok?"
"Like I said, I was just thinking about a conversation I had last night. Besides you don't look like you're completely away ether."
"Oh, err well..." he trailed off looking for a believable excuse.
My classmate looked like he was up all night, not surprising considering the fiasco with the Magician Arcana and the aftermath of taking Hamuko to the hospital.
"Some crazy event last night?" I asked attempting to move the conversation to a different direction.
He smiled in response, "More than you ever know."
I nodded back.
Oh I know alright.
April 10/09 Dark Hour: Tartarus Lobby...
By the time I entered Tartarus, Nyx was already here waiting for me. She was sitting on the stairs with her eyes closed, then got up when I reached her.
"You're late." she stared at me.
"Sorry, did a little experimenting." I averted my eyes from her gaze. I was only late for a few minutes though.
"...Fine." she sighed, Nyx then moved to the Monad door and opened it. "Make sure you close the door."
I nodded, even though she couldn't see it. I moved passed the doorway to enter the Monad the door was a bit easier, but I still had to use my whole body to make some actual effort.
By the time I finished, four shadows were already behind me ready to attack. I doubt that one morning of training would improve my time with the Arcana by a lot, so I better save it until I reached the end. I summoned my weapon and prepared myself.
"Still." I muttered to myself. I'll try to not waste too much energy.
The shadows charged, but I was faster. I sprinted towards them and ducked under the muscular one's attack and thrust forward with my sword. The blade impaled its abdomen, causing it to fall. Using its body as a jump pad, I leaped over the group and casted Magarudyne at the center. The wind had caused them to split up and fly into the walls as I landed. I quickly retrieved my weapon and finish off the stabbed shadow just as it was getting up.
As soon as it died, I ran to the nearest shadow in the wall and cut off its head. Sensing something quickly approaching my way, I rolled out of the way to dodge an icicle that impaled the shadow finishing it off. I turn to see that the third shadow has already recovered and was preparing to attack again. Quickly coming up with a plan, as soon as the icicle formed at the shadows hand, I fired Agidyne at it. The flames hit the ice, causing the it to evaporate into steam. taking advantage of the smoke, I bolted out of the area. I smiled to myself, compared to Wrath and his blue friend, these shadows are much easier to deal with. It's good to fight someone that doesn't rely on instinct and think for once, excluding Strega.
Turning around the corner, I ran into a bunch of other shadows. These shadows however, seem to be recovering from something. Looks like Nyx went through this way. By the time I got close to them, they have already notice me and are casting their spells. I slashed at the closest one and used its body to shield myself from the attacks. As soon as the assault ended, I moved away from my cover and dashed towards the group in an attempt to go pass them.
The shadows with haste, moved in to stop me. I shifted my body to avoid claws coming at me and cut off the next approaching one's hand. A towering one stand directly in my way with its arms stretched out, I could almost imagine it saying something about not allowing me to pass if it could speak.
I stopped in place to cast Maragidyne, burning all the shadows around me. Leaving only the big one singed but standing, but I wouldn't really stop if that shadow were to go down easily. It then charge right at me with its large fist close to my face. I barely had enough time to block it with my sword, but the force of the impact has sent me sliding back to the end of the hallway.
Good, I'm far enough so this might work in time. I switch my active persona from Messiah to Thanatos and prepared myself in a more ready stance and waited for the shadow to charge again. Unlike spells where I can simply just charge my SP and fire out of my hands, Physical skills are a lot harder to pull off alone. That is why I would need the help of my active persona to do it for me, hopefully now I could do it on my own but Thanatos would step in if it wouldn't work.
Ready when you are. He said.
I position myself to make my sword's blade be on my left pointing behind me while still holding it with my right hand.
The shadow starting charging at an incredibly fast speed. I instinctively stepped back at the speed, but immediately refocus myself. It was already passed half the distance between us within a few seconds.
"Brave Blade." I quietly muttered. Drawing some energy from my body enter the blade.
By the time I finished talking, it was already less than a few meters from me with its arm raised up again. I jumped right at it swinging my sword at its torso with haste. The shadow's fist was heading right at my face, I narrowly moved my head far enough from the attack to just only be graze by it. My sword manage to cut into the torso, leaving on orange trail behind its path. The attack however, whether due to the shadow's thick skin or the fact I couldn't do it properly, didn't manage to cut through the entire torso. The attack did have enough force to send my enemy barreling back, leaving a trail of what I assume is its blood.
Nice work. Orpheus complimented me.
Needs more improvement. Thanatos was more critical however. You didn't get your sword to cut right through.
Maybe so. Orpheus reluctantly agreed. But for his first time doing that attack without a persona assisting him, it was impressive.
I suppose the blood trail gives it some merit. I could see Thanatos shrugging his shoulders. He still need to finish it off though.
I took a step towards the dying shadow, only to stumble and catching myself on to the wall.
Are you alright? Messiah ask.
"I'm fine" I said aloud.
I forgot that physical attacks drain my health and not my SP. I should remember to account for that the next time I use an attack like that again.
After sometime sneaking through the Monad block with the occasional battle or two, I had manage to caught up with Nyx on the 9th floor.
"I'm surprised you improved this much within a few days." She commented. "Plus I doubt that one day of exercising would help a lot."
I shrugged and followed her up the stairs to the 10th floor. I would assume that facing Wrath and the assailant has helped a bit.
When we reach up to the final floor, I noticed that something seemed different from the last time I was here. Nyx noticed my confusion.
"Something wrong?" She asked.
"Where did that bridge come from?" I pointed to the object behind her. I'm sure that it wasn't here at all last time.
"Oh that?" She shrugged. "Some of the floating platforms came together after you fell unconscious. It made it easier to drag your body outside."
"I see." I nodded in response. "Wait, drag?"
"Yeah, drag." She walked over to the to the bridge and turn her head to face me. "What did you think I did?"
"...Nothing." I shook my head and followed after her. I know we aren't the greatest of friends, but to literally drag my body from the village ruins to outside.
At least it would explain why your face hurts a lot more than the rest of your body. Thanatos mused.
Probably.
I started to rub my cheek. I always thought that was strange but paid no attention to it.
"Hey." Nyx said all of a sudden.
"Hmm?" I turn my eyes to face her.
By that time, we were far enough that that the original platform had considerably shrunken and the other side is still a speck in the distance. How far are these ruins anyways?
"It's about your weapon." Her head was still looking forward.
"Lucifer's blade?" I ask. "What about it?"
She snapped at head at me suddenly, causing to jump a little. "Who's the moron that gave you that bright idea to set your weapon on fire like that?"
"W-what?" She is giving me that look again.
"Infusing your blade with the power of fire is an interesting tactic, even I didn't know what was happening until it was too late."
"Oh." I kind've figured this would happen eventually. "You're asking why would I come up with such an idea? Even someone with basic knowledge of fire can tell that it is a bad idea in the long run?"
"Yet, you did it anyways." The goddess rolls her eyes.
I raise my hand in mock surrender. "In my defense, I didn't try it with fire the first time. Plus I experimented with other forms of weapons to see what works and what doesn't."
"Hmm." She nodded, "But that doesn't how you would come up with the idea though."
I stretched my head a bit.. "I had a weapon called: Laevateinn. It wasn't strong as Lucifer's Blade, but it has a special effect."
"Judging what you said alone, I assume that this weapon can naturally attack with an natural element?" Nyx moves a bit closer to me, interested in my tale.
I nodded. "It's a sword literally on fire that has all the pros and none of the cons." I would guess that's how Surt would want his weapon to be like. This is figure that is foretold be a major player in the events of Ragnarok after all.
"So because of this weapon, you came up with this idea to infuse the power of elements give you an edge on battle." She folds her arms.
"Yeah." I agreed, "I don't have unlimited SP, and spells can only do so much damage before you realize physically hitting you enemies hurts them a lot more."
"So basically you want to make the best of two worlds?" She tilts her head. "To hit them with their weak element and to deal a lot more damage.
I nod in response. It's not much of a problem for me but I can't say the same for rest of SEES. I'm skilled enough adjust Agidyne or others like it to make it stronger or weaker if I have to, but they can't and they don't have nearly as much SP as I do.
"So where is the Laevateinn now?" Nyx's voice brings me out of my thoughts.
"I don't have it." I simply answered.
"You don't have it?" she sighs.
I shook my head. I gave it to Junpei last cycle, then I died before I had a chance to get it back.
...
The fact I treat my own death with indifference, I must be too used to death at this point.
"Because you manage to find out to bypass the durability issue right?" she asked.
"No, I still have issues with the durability." It would be perfect if I were to fix the other problems as well.
"You do?" She seems genuinely confused for some reason
"Let's just say I'm no longer in possession of my strongest weapon." I'm still surprised it lasted up until now. Never doubt the power of the Lightbringer I guess.
"Why?" Nyx asked.
"Why what?" What does she want to talk about now?
"Why did you tell me your infusion skill's weakness. Aren't you worried that I might use it against you?" Her eyes are now fixated on mine.
While she makes a valid point, however. "We are allies."
"Huh?"
"It's because that we're allies. I trust you to watch my back just as you trusted me to watch yours back then." There were a lot of shadows then, but she still trusted me enough to cover her while she dealt with that riddle. It's fair that I trust in her as well.
"I see." Nyx fell silent after that, looks like she's done talking for now.
Besides, just because I only told her one weakness of enchanting, doesn't mean I will tell her about the other weaknesses.
Eventually, we manage to cross the bridge at last. The distance between here and back there was ridiculous. I took a look around the village to see another discrepancy.
"Did the ancient village upgraded into a town when I was out as well?" I ask my ally.
She shook her head. "It was the same before we left. The place must've changed after we were gone." Nyx pointed to the glowing Archway. "See how the area around the archway portal seems to be more professionally structured than the village on the outer border?"
I nodded.
"Then that's where our goal is supposed to be." She walked to the portal.
I was about to follow suit when I notice something shining in the corner of my eye. I turn my head to see that the area I was looking at was completely burnt. Even the area that was closest to the Archway was covered in soot, with the structures looking like they could crumble at any moment. The shining objects were basically around the area that was the ground zero of my Flare. To be honest, I didn't go there because of my exhaustion, and I believed that nothing could survive there since the surviving shadows were already near death and were barely touching the flames when the explosion erupted.
I'm more surprised that the items are still there after a few days. Orpheus commented.
It's probably because there are no longer any shadows around and no living person can make it here, let alone SEES. Hee Ho. Jack therised.
Still. Messiah says. We don't know how Monad truly functions and we can already figure out that It does not follow for the tower normally flows. Other than the first nine floors obviously.
The first nine floors were probably filled with powerful shadows and the tenth floor was purposely made to deter potential explorers from the real secret and to make them think they wasted their time. Orpheus shared his hypothesis.
"Go on ahead." I said to Nyx. "I'll catch up."
"Don't take too long." She moves on without looking back.
While my personas were making their predictions, I made my way to the center of the blast. It's amazing how this area is still hot after all this time. Granted I would assume that most of the heat is gone after a few days, but it still feels like I'm in a sauna in a full blown winter outfit. The shining objects are quite a few things I few expect from chests, not shadows.
Money was also there, but there are also weapons and some healing items. I picked up some spare swords and healing items for safekeeping, storing them in my mind. I also left most of them laying there because I can't carry all of them without having negative consequences for my mind. Plus like Jack said, I can't see or sense any shadows around and no normal human can get here. So it's nice to have a stash ready on the field in case I need it.
Just as I was about to walk back, a blue glow was floating right in front of my face. Surprised by the sudden intrusion of personal space, I jumped back and summoned my sword. After taking a good look at the glow, I realized that it was just a card. At least that explain why I didn't sense anything. Sighing in relief, I unsummoned my sword and walked closer to the card.
It was a persona card, right I forgot they drop that as well. Remembering what Horace said, I can still obtain personas normally, but I wonder if my body at the moment can handle another arcana right now?
Perhaps. However if it is one of the arcana you already have, could you be able to handle it? Orpheus suggested.
Let's just see what it was before we make the decision to take it or not. Thanatos said impatiently.
I took a good look at the card when I got close. The picture depicted on the card was a young girl.
The young girl was caucasian with pale blonde hair, she is also wearing a simple blue dress with a white ribbon around her waist and a smaller one in her hair.
Alice? How? I remember that I would need to do a cross fusion to get her. I don't think I could get someone powerful as her normally.
That's true. Messiah mused. Like I said, we have no idea how Monad works. For all we know, they could give us certain fusion-exclusive personas as rewards for doing incredible feats or something.
Like casting the Flare? Orpheus asked.
Maybe. This is the first time we have seen something like this and we don't have enough information to go off on.
I nodded. That's right, we don't know if that is what allowed me get her. For all we know, it could've been a one in a billion chance and I was incredibly lucky that day.
Who cares? Thanatos scoffed. She's a death arcana like me, That means we can bring her along!
But how would we know this won't have any negative repercussions to him!? Orpheus argued.
You're the one that came up with the idea! Thanatos countered.
One of many. Orpheusclarified. I only brought this one up because it is the most positive one I have.
And yet, you brought it up anyways!
Because between You, myself, Messiah and Jack Frost. That is four out of twenty one, making it roughly a 19% chance of that card being an arcana that he already has. Plus I didn't expect Alice of all people to be here.
Alright enough!
I immediately grab the card and put it in my pocket.
See? Thanatos gloated, Even he knows that he should take it!
Minato. Orpheus says blankly. I know that shadows are dangerous and you need much power to deal with Nyarlathotep's third party. However, do you think that extra power right now is worth the risk? Especially you don't know if you can handle it?
Orpheus, I know you're worried about the dangers and I understand knowing where you're coming from. That is why I won't it.
Wait what? / What!? Orpheus and Thanatos are shocked at my declaration.
Yeah, that could work. Messiah agreed.
Glad you understand.
What are you guys talking about? Thanatos asked.
Like we said. Messiah answers for me. We have no idea if Minato can handle another Arcana at the moment, even if it's the same one he has right now. So until we have more proof that he can handle it, he won't be using it until then.
So then why did you take it then? The musician asked.
Simply because he won't have to come back here to take it, assuming it's still there be then.
...I understand. Orpheus finally accepts the explanation.
Besides, in the event the he needs Alice for anything, he could replace someone like Thanatos with her to be active. Messiah pointed out a good idea.
Oh, I see- Hey! The deity objected. Why me? He should replace the useless Orpheus instead. That way, with Alice and myself with him, he will have a stronger affinity to death and be more efficient in combat!
So I'm useless I'm I? Orpheus says in a low growl.
I don't like where this going. Hee ho. Jack nervously spoke.
Yes, useless! Thanatos snarled. You may be his first persona, but you don't come anywhere near Messiah or me in terms of skill or ability.
Oh that's rich. The poet snarked. Coming from the "Ultimate" death arcana, yet you bring nothing unique in terms of ability. Heck, Alice seems to be more versatile than you, plus her unique skill alone is enough of a reason she's better than you.
Oh that's it! You're not getting out of this unharmed! I'm going to-
Enough!
I quickly silence the two from my mind. Honestly, I know those guys fight every once in awhile but this is the first time is has gotten this violent.
I must apologize. Messiah says. When I teased Thanatos, I expected him to bring it to Orpheus as always. I didn't think that Orpheus would react like that.
It's not your fault. Thanatos would normally egg him on, but Orpheus would just pass it off or flat out ignore him. I have to wonder what made him react differently this time? I mean Thanatos has called him worst things before.
Perhaps he finally lost patience with Thanatos after all this time? Messiah suggested.
He was being strange ever since we saw his girly self. Jack brought up. Maybe that's the tipping point?"
Both are possible answers, although the gender bender might be a bit much. I mean I would be unnerved if I were to see a female version of myself, but I wouldn't react that badly to other people.
Maybe not. Messiah said. But he is a part of you. It might not be this that could do it, but there could be something else that you might snap at.
Considering I have repeating time for so long, it's possible I may have develop something like that.
Minato? Remember how the shadows here are different from the rest of the tower? Or even Monad initially?
Yeah, they were more aggressive, stronger, organized. The fact that they came at us with such force and numbers shows that these shadows are a lot smarter than their lesser beings. Are you saying that whatever is affecting the shadows could be affecting Orpheus as well?
Maybe. I could imagine him shrugging. We know that personas are the manifestation of your personality and shadows are the personification of negative human emotions somewhat. There has to be a connection between the two facts but I can't put my finger on it.
Neither can I. Both these entities are connected to humans emotionally in some way, but I can't get these facts to fit in a way that makes sense.
I paced around the blackened area, thinking of every possibilities to solve this mystery.
Huh, I think I may manage to be onto something here. it's still just a theory, I can't just accept it alone in case it backfires on me because I was off on a little thing. I need to talk to someone that knows enough about shadows and personas that they could come up with the same conclusion as I did.
I sighed. Looks like I may have to pay a visit to the Velvet room. I hope that Horace doesn't try to turn it into a story time, I keep getting caught at his pace and-
"Unless you're planning to be missing in the outside world, get your simian body over here already!" Nyx yelled from across the village.
Crap.
How long was I standing here? Nevermind, I ran towards the Archway portal. I have time to think about later, better not give Nyx a reason to end our partnership now. In the meantime, can both of you guys make sure they don't kill each other?
Yes, master. Hee ho. / Sure thing. Jack and Messiah agreed.
Great, one problem down, and now for the... one in front of me.
"Look." she says, giving me an annoyed look. "I don't know how you move in this tower, but we don't have a lot of time right now.
A look of confusion sprawled on my face. "We don't? I thought the Dark Hour lasted alot longer than this."
Yeah that bridge was extremely long, but we still have more than half of the time remaining before the Dark Hour ends.
"We still do." Nyx looks off into the distance. "A group had just entered the tower."
"What?" How? Was it SEES? Hamuko fell unconscious yesterday. She won't even wake up until the 19th so there is no way SEES could be here right now.
No it's possible, I was unconscious until the 19th but that doesn't mean nothing didn't happen until I woke up. Besides, I altered history enough so that Akihiko is uninjured. Perhaps... no, with Mitsuru on support, there's no way they would enter the tower with just Akihiko and Yukari.
"How do you know? Is it SEES?" I ask her.
"First." She held up a hand. "This tower isn't the actual Tartarus. You humans created this tower to reach me, so I am able have a sense of connection with this tower as a result. Second, this tower is not of my creation. I don't know everything about this tower, but all I know that a group of humans had entered. In fact, I don't even know if it's a group, or a very powerful individual."
Great, we have no idea of it's a potentially dangerous group, or an insanely powerful and hazardous being.
"Do they know we are here?"
"I'm not sure." Nyx adopted a thinking pose. "You did close the door right?"
I nodded.
"Then if we are lucky, they could complete their business with this tower without knowing of our existence."
"What should we do now?" So we wait until they leave? Or do we try to sneak past them?
"For now." She turns towards the archway portal. "We focus on what lays ahead, deal with the group later."
"Is that wise?" What if their objective is in Monad? We could be bumping into them as soon as we leave. "Do you know where they're heading?"
My partner shakes her head. "I don't know if they are heading towards Monad or their deal is within the main tower. All I know is that they are in Tartarus."
I place my hand on my chin and lowered my gaze a little. We have an unidentified group in Tartarus with an unknown objective, so I have no idea where they are heading. If it's SEES, then they would focus on the main tower.
However, it may be even Nyarlathotep's third party or even Nyarlathotep himself. Nyx said that it is unknown if it's a group or a single person. This whole thing is caused by what is essentially a bet between Philemon and himself, plus Philemon said that that he had interfered and manipulated events before to ensure that he would win. So it wouldn't be a surprise if he came here to make sure he was victorious, I may end up fighting him.
I couldn't help but shake. The thought had finally crossed my mind, I may have to fight him. Nyarlathotep, the Crawling Chaos, an Outer God. Nyx is frightening enough, but he is on a different level altogether. Ever since I heard of his involvement, I had to take the time and study about him. Granted, the information I have gathered about him were in books, so I have to take the information with a grain of salt. Be that as it may, the tales of him were chilling to the bone. While the Great Old Ones and the other Outer Gods are unfathomable and not truly malevolent at the very least, Nyarlathotep on the other hand is cruel, manipulative to a point that he would create followers to achieve his goals.
Can I even stand a chance against someone that can destroy the world if he so chooses? Will the full power of the Universe be enough to match him evenly? Just thinking about is enough for my stomach to go weak.
"Look." Nyx grabs my shoulder. "We have no idea who these people are, what their goals or why they are even here at all. But what I do know I do know is worst case scenario, we encounter them and they end up as our enemies. We may even have to fight them later tonight on so until then, we're going have to rely on each other by then."
We stared at each other for a while.
I finally nodded. She right, how idiotic of me. I'm not alone, I have an ally with me. I don't have to do this alone like I did a long time ago. A warm feeling flows into my heart, how long ago was it that I had this feeling? The feeling of happiness that comes from being with other people, last time I had such a feeling was from my time with SEES. Right, I was repeating this time loop for so long that I forgot what this feeling was. Even though I was with the group that gave me that feeling.
"Right." Nyx says, walking towards the portal. "I don't know if that mysterious person cause you to react like that. But for now we deal with the next trial, then we will handle with the visitor if that will make you feel better."
"Nyx." I called out to her. She stops just at the portal and turns her head at me. "listen, after tonight I have something to tell you. It has something about the third party."
She smirked. "Finally decided to tell me the whole story huh? Fine, I look forward to it."
"And thanks." I added.
What?" Her smirk dropped. Was it that surprising that I would thank her?
"I wasn't thinking like myself and let fear overtook me." I gave a tiny smile. "I want to say thanks for bringing me back."
Nyx nodded her head while she turned around. "Come on, it's not like you were having an breakdown are you?"
She walked into the portal the portal before I had a chance to answer.
Heh, more than you ever know.
I took a quick look behind me for a second before I followed in after her.
A bright light covered my vision for a while. it was after I could see anything other than white before my ears stop ringing. This might take a while everything returns to normal, so in the meantime.
How are things going so far?
Everything's fine. Messiah answered. We manage to stop them.
That's good.
I unsilenced them, now there is no chance to be driven mad by those guys.
I must apologize for my behavior last time. Orpheus was bowing in forgiveness. Even if what Messiah and Jack Frost told me about this part of Monad is true, I should have better control of my actions.
It's fine Orpheus, at least now that we know that Monad is much more dangerous to more than just humans here.
Not really. Thanatos muttered at last.
What's wrong now?
I was robbed of a potentially good fight! That poet was actually looked decently threatening for once!
...Hey I think that the light is fading.
Don't ignore me!
I took a look around the area I'm standing on now, at first it look like a the same village as before but in a different part. Once I looked closer, I realized that it was the same village as before but a bit more advanced than before.
For example, the primitive huts are replaced with more advanced stone houses and the dirt walkways are padded with stone as well. Could finishing these trails upps the technological advancement of this town? It's possible but why would that happen?
I shook my head, now's not the time to wonder about this. I have to find Nyx, where is she?
I wonder around the empty town half looking for the goddess, half admiring the town itself. The town is isolated from everything else and there was nothing but empty space like normal, floating platforms and a far drop on the other side of the portal I walked through. I can't even see an extremely long bridge.
Eventually, I found her in what appears to be the marketplace wandering around the place. The way she moves reminds me of the way the women shopping around for food in a simple village I visited once. She was even looking at the empty display like she inspecting the quality of the products. Did she perhaps did that back in the days of ancient Greece?
"Nyx?" I called out to her.
The deity in question sharply turns her eyes at me. The intensity of the gaze stops me from walking any further towards her. Before I could ask her what's wrong, she moves her finger to her lips.
I understood what she meant and moved silently as I can towards her.
"Do you hear them?" she whispers.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Listen." she urges.
I nodded and closed my eyes, making sure I pay more attention to the sound of the desolate town.
…
I hear something faint, something so quiet that I would assume that it was just background noise.
...
However this sound I'm hearing is unnatural, especially so since this is supposed to be an abandoned village.
"Voices." I whispered.
Nyx nodded in confirmation. "It's supposed to be just us here."
"Do you think the group is here?"
She shakes her head. "Not likely. Assuming that they have to travel like we do, should be still in the normal floors of Manad. Just reaching the top if they were in a rush."
"What about these voices then?" We still have to deal with the once here.
"All round us." She says Casually.
My eyes widen at the statement, are we surrounded? How do I not notice that?
"Calm down." Nyx scolded me. "Just look around and act normally."
How do you act normally in a tower like this? None the less, I slowly turned around to look at the other parts of the market.
Shadows? Well more human looking than the ones I normally fight, but still shadows in the end. The shadows look entirely looks normal humans ignoring the fact they have yellow-like eyes, mostly gray in color and there some sort black smoke emanating from them. but their appearance is not the strangest thing however. The part that I find weird is,
"They're ignoring us?" I turn to my companion.
"I'm not sure why, but like in the previous town they are acting differently from the once we have fought." She rested her chin on her hand.
"It's like a society of shadows." I commented, this might be the first time I have seen a shadow that didn't just wonder around attacking me, or just run away.
"I wouldn't put it like that. listen closely." Nyx said.
I not sure why, but I did just as told. After knowing where these voices come from, it made it a lot easier to hear what are they're saying.
"It's not fair."
"Why does she get to be popular?"
"I Hate him!"
"Why does my life turn out like this?"
"I want to be Special."
"People never treat me right!"
"Why can't that happen to me?"
"Why do I have to do this?"
"Why me and not someone else?"
These things are all separated from each other, but they also so have one thing common.
"Negative emotions." I answered.
Nyx acknowledged that response, "Right, shadows are the embodiment of negative human emotions. It's make sense they would act out on them."
It's makes sense sure, but that that doesn't explain why these ones are voicing them out or ignoring us.
"What are we supposed to do here?" Why the market of all places?
"I'm not sure." Nyx looks annoyed, "Everywhere else I looked was empty or inaccessible."
"Inaccessible?" There were no doors on any of the buildings I've passed.
She pointed off into the distance, I followed her finger to a floating building in the distance. The building looked like a temple with all it's pillars holding up the roof.
"You can't go there?" I have to assume that the problem is not flying there.
"There is some sort of barrier preventing me from getting near it." Nyx crossed her arms. "From what I can tell, we need something to disable that and this is the last placed I looked."
I nodded. "What are we looking for?"
She shrugged and walked to another part of the market. "Why don't you try asking the locals?"
Real funny Nyx.
It feels very strange to be moving around in a market full of shadows. Partly because I have no idea what to look for and the fact I'm not fighting the shadows right now. In fact, shadows don't seen to acknowledge my presence at all. Almost like they are not here at all but merely part of a vision of sorts, ignoring the fact I may have bumped into one of them accidentally. Still, they aren't attacking me so I don't I don't see the point of wasting energy right now.
I sigh and put on my headphones to play some music, this is going to fact awhile. It would be nice to have some sort of clue to help with this search. I have find nothing interesting other then rusted weapons, farming tools but surprisingly no food at all. I suppose that rotten food would cause problems but I doubt that shadows would some use for everything else. If there is anything worth taking, (if only just because it looked interesting) it was this small, round, golden hollow casting with a small green stone embroidered in the cover that that can sit firmly in my palm. it looks like it can be somehow but I haven't found a way to do it yet. Even pushing on the green stone seems to do nothing other than making a clicking sound.
Maybe it's missing something, I'm going to have harder for anything that looks like a part of this thing,
"Minato." Nyx called from behind me poking my shoulder.
I turn around while removing my headphones to see her. She was a lot closer than I thought, I couldn't help but step back.
"Found something?"
She nods. "Just telling you to be ready since anything could happen."
"Right."
We both move to the far side of the marketplace that is facing the temple off in the distance. On the edge of the platform we are standing on, there is a strange stone pedestal on the looming over the abyss.
"Is that what you found?" I asked.
"Looks like it's missing a few things though." she pointed out.
Indeed, taking a closer look at the pedestal, I saw that it's looks incomplete to do anything.
"Wait." I muttered, taking out the casing.
"Where did you found that?" She asked.
I ignored her and inserted the item on top of the pedestal. With a satisfying snap that tells me that it locks firmly in place, I push down on the green button.
*Click*
…
Well that was disappointing.
"Was something supposed to happen?" Nyx looks around for any sort of changes.
"Are we missing something?" I asked in discontent and gave a little kick to the pedestal in front of me. The panel that was kicked was dented by the impact.
Strange, I didn't kick it that hard. Upon closer inspection, the pedestal was actually hollow.
"You might want to check this out." I called to Nyx.
She scoots closer to me while I removed the dented panel. Inside there was all types of machinery with a dull blue colored stone in the center.
"Looks like this it the power source." Nyx pulls out the stone and intensely examines the stone.
"Do we need to find a replacement or something?" That's going to be a problem because I didn't find anything like that when I was searching.
"No need." She replays, gripping the stone hard. Nyx closes her eyes and after a while, the rock begins to pulsates for a bit before it settled on glowing brightly. "All Done."
"What did you do?"
"These stones can be stored with energy." She answered simply while putting the stone back while it came from. "All I did was charged it with my own energy."
"So it's basically a battery charged with SP?"
"Is that what you humans called it?"
"No, I've heard many names for it. It just that SP is the most familiar to me." I suppose calling it mana would more sense, but I digress.
"There." She backs up from the pedestal. "Try it now."
I nodded and descend my finger down on the stone.
*Click*
I step back as the pedestal pulsates in a green light. At the same time, the temple which now has a green bubble surrounding it begins to pulsates as well.
I guess that's the barrier that Nyx was talking about.
Eventually, the pulses for the pedestal and the temple stops with the bubble finally burst.
I turn to Nyx. "Is it over?"
She nods. "Looks like it. The temple is now accessible, now we need-."
Krrraaaaa!
We both spun to face the loud, screeching noise behind us.
"What?" I said aloud.
The shadows that were formally ignoring us are now charging straight at our direction, carrying the rusted weapons and farming equipment. Their yellowish eyes are now blood red, confirming that they are now hostile.
"Figures it was too easy." Nyx mutters.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
We both grabbed on to our swords and prepared for the inevitable onslaught.
She turns her head to me. "This might be the first time we fought together as allies."
I face her as well. "As partners huh?"
"Heh." She chuckle. "Truth be told, I may have looking forward to this. not fighting on opposite sides for once."
"Same here." I nod.
She raises her sword in the air to charge it with energy and slams it on to the ground, releasing a wave that consumes most of the shadows and causing some of them to fly. Many more comes to replace those that were lost.
"Try not to fall behind." playfully taunts me before charges right into the mob, causing some of them to fly off the platform.
"I don't plan to." I casted Maragidyne at the closest shadows and follow her soon after.
These shadows are more numerous than the once in the last trail, but they lack the intelligence and tactics. They seem to be smart as the ones in the normal tower, still that doesn't mean I can't lower my guard yet.
I cut a shadow's torsal clean off, another one attempts to strike my head. I narrowly avoided the attack and impaled it in the chest. Three more jumps right at me, I leaped behind me and casted Garudyne. The wind caused the shadows to fly into the others, giving me a clear path to Nyx who is dispatching them with ease.
I blocked an incoming sword and retaliated with my own strike. Using the knocked over shadows as an platform, I jumped over the ever growing crowd and landed near Nyx while stabbing one shadow I landed one.
"Impressive." She complemented.
I say she's more impressive. The way she moves, casually dodging all the attacks aimed at her while expertly finishing them off with one slash for each individual. I parried a blade from piercing me and decapitated the attacker. More weapons fly toward me in the attempt to end my life, but Nyx throws a shadow at them taking the blows for me. I returned the favor by casting Maziodyne, striking all the enemies around her to giving her some breathing space
We were killing off the endless hoard. For every shadow we destroyed, five more came to took it's place. We're going nowhere at this rate.
Nyx and I looked at each other then nodded as if we communicated telepathically. I casted Garudyne, sending the surrounding shadows to fly back into their brethren. They will get up to resume attacking, but that will give us enough time. We stood back to back against the swarm of gray monsters.
I charge my SP into my free hand to cast the strongest spell I can use at the moment while Nyx lifts her weapon.
"Ready?" I asked. My eyes moved towards her.
"Don't hold back." she answers, slamming the blade to release the Almighty attack.
"Megidolaon!" I shouted, releasing the energy from my hand.
Three purple balls of powerful energy slams into the ground, obliterating everything on my side of the field. While Nyx's wave disintegrates most of the shadows near her while the ones in the back fly off the platform and destroying an unfortunate market stall.
The area was empty for a moment, before even more shadows arrive by jumping down on to the roof, coming from the cracks in the floor and walking through the doorways. More shadows swarm throughout the area to replace their fallen brethren until we both realized that we are surrounded once again.
We both step back until our backs our touching.
"They just keeping on coming." I stated.
"At this rate, we will be missing in the outside world." She replied.
She's right. There is no way we could deal with all of them with just the two of us. It would take forever.
Wait, the two of us...
"Something on your mind?" Nyx turns to me. "You're shaking."
"You could say that." I guess I got a little excited.
Never mind that. Thanatos, looks like you get to have that good fight after all.
Yes! He cheered.
I pulled out my blue card and channeled the death god into it. Soon the card begins to vibrate in response.
Ready?
Ready. He replayed.
I threw the card into the largest crowd I could see. The card was consumed by a ball of light and was soon replaced with a large coffin. The shadows that were closest to the coffin eyed the object with curiosity.
"What's that for?" I see Nyx's confusion sprawled on her face.
I held up my outstretched hand and began to countdown. When there was one second left, I clench my hand into a fist and pulled it down a bit. Right as the happened, the coffin exploded destroying all the shadows that were surrounding it. Soon, the area was covered with smoke.
There was dead silence as all eyes, Nyx and I's were included, are on the smoke. A thin blade appeared on one end of the smoke and quickly moved the other end, creating a small window for all to view in the smoke. Soon after in a delayed reaction, the smoke violently flew out revealing a tall figure in the center.
The figure howled in a air causing most of the shadows to target him.
"Thanatos?!" His mother explained.
"Surprised?" I asked, knowing what the answer was. "This should solve our issue with time."
She smirked "The first pleasant surprise I had in a long time."
While Thanatos was decimating the main force with little effort, Nyx and I fought of the ones that didn't consider Thanatos to be the main threat.
I stab the near nearest one and used its body to block another sword from hitting me. More shadows charged at me, their eyes show signs of hunger, anger, all wanting me dead.
Just another night in Tartarus I suppose.
I dodged an incoming pitchfork and stuck back at the attacker. Another shadow tries to attack while I was finishing off the on in my sights. I move out of the way and cut of the attackers head. More shadows leaped at me, causing me to jump back for some space. I casted Garudyne, blasting a large group of them off the cliff.
*Splat.*
I turn to face the messy sound, only to see a large, muscular shadow laying face down. Only that its head was replaced a black splattered goop; Which I can assume that that caused by the foot belonging to Nyx, standing where the head supposed to be.
The goddess swiftly moved her head to avoid her head from being stuck by an spear and moved her blade through a shadows torso, splitting it in half cleanly. Another one attempts to attack her from behind, but she simply turns her sword in a reverse grip and stabs behind her. The impaled shadow was then kicked in to an approaching crowd. Nyx turns around and jumps really high into the air, far enough to be out of sight. Moments later, she slams into the center of the area with frightening speed. The massive impact scattered an abundant amount of shadows off the platform, effectively reducing the enemy count by more than half the total forces before reinforcements arrive. I had to grab on to the nearest, most stable looking thing just to keep my balance.
Jeez, she is that powerful yet she claims she not recovered most of her strength yet? Even with the full power of the Universe, I'll have a lot of trouble fighting a deity like Nyx head on. I can only imagine fighting something like Nyarlathotep would be the most difficult thing in my life.
Thanatos isn't doing too bad either. A single swing of his sword destroys a crowd of shadows with minimal effort. He then does a Ghastly Wail into the sky, any shadows that were frightful of him, are instantly vaporized into particles. The god of death grabs one of his coffins and smashes it into the nearest one that was not destroyed by his wail, reducing the very large shadow into very fine paste. He then grabs another shadow by neck and throw it to a broken wall, destroying it further.
"Gah ha ha ha ha ha!" Yeah, he is definitely enjoying this.
All while him and Nyx are decimating the entire forces, here I am just picking off the survivors. Don't get me wrong, I still killing off a lot more than I would normally. Compared to those guys however, I'm starting to understand how Junpei was feeling at the time. I could use an Arcana to put me closer to an even playing field as those guys, but I'm still not fully recovered from the current after effects. Besides Nyx said I was ready enough to go to Tartarus, she didn't say I could use an arcana. I'd rather not risk her wrath if I go beyond that and used one.
I could tell that Nyx, Thanatos and I are making progress on the invading forces. Squads are coming in at fewer numbers and they are relying more and brute force then using the intellect they seem to process before.
I made my way the duo as they devastated nearly everything around them.
"I starting to see we're making progress here." Nyx says, decapitating an unfortunate shadow.
"Just a bit more." I casted Agidyne, setting a large huge shadow fire. I then leaped and slashed at the burning shadow making it fall towards another group, causing them to burn them as well and spreading the flames to the others.
"I don't care how many they are, I'll destroy them all!" Thanatos roared, brutally cutting a shadow in half. He picks up the two halves and threw them at other shadows with enough force to go through them and kill more shadows behind them.
Eventually, we had killed off the final shadows and there were no more late arrivals. With execution catching up to me at last, I fell to my knees. I took deep breaths and looked around the area. Nyx is standing next to me, looking intently at the floating temple. Thanatos was off to the side, dangling a surviving shadow off the edge.
Moments later, Nyx soon sighed and began to walk towards her son. He notices her presence and turns to face her, unknowingly dropping the shadow to its doom.
"Mother." He responded first.
"Thanatos." Nyx replied.
They now started speaking softly enough that I can no longer hear what they are saying. Guess they don't want me to eavesdrop on their family reunion, fair enough. I turn to look at the temple, floating in all its glory. I wonder if a bridge will form just like the area before, or do we have get over there without it. What do you guys think?
I could make the bridge right now if you want. Hee Ho. Jack suggested.
Nothing is stopping you from just jumping over there. Orpheus offered his opinion. You have the means to do so at the moment.
How about you wait a few days before making a decision? Messiah said.
Actually I'm on board with that. Orpheus retracted his previous statement. We don't know what is in that temple right now.
That makes sense, I can rest and recover my strength until then. If a bridge a formed by then, great I get to go in full strength. If not, well I won't be too exhausted to act if something goes wrong.
By the way Minato. Messiah spoke. Is Thanatos still talking with Nyx?
I would assume so, but I turn to face them just in case before looking back at the temple. Why?
It's about Alice actually. He says in a serious tone.
I pulled out the card from my pocket and examine it.
Have you found a way to use that card without the possibility of frying my mind?
Possibly. Right now, how many presence to you feel In your mind right now?
Right now there is you, Orpheus and Jack. I can't feel Thanatos but I know he's here because of that card Horace gave me. Wait, are you saying that I could theoretically summon her right now?
Right. With one of us right out right now, you could bring in Alice to use her powers.
I see. That way, I could use all my current personas at my disposal I have to.
Obviously that must come at a cost. Orpheus brings up a valid point.
Of course we have to wonder what would happened if one of us that was outside was forced back here, even if you already have four at the moment. Messiah said.
Plus we don't know if you can handle five talking personas in your head right now, even if two of them are the same arcana right now.
Right, my body and mind are not completely in sync yet. I can't risk overloading my brain if my body has yet catch up to it. I placed Alice back into my pocket and stood up.
Just in time to, as both Nyx and Thanatos are walking up to me.
"Done?" I asked.
Thanatos nods and his body forms back into the card again. I grabbed the floating card and store it back into my mind.
"Do you want to keep going?" Nyx asked, seemingly unfazed by what just occurred in front of her. I figured that seeing her son turn into a card and disappear would at least raise an eyebrow.
"We're done for today." I answered.
"That's fine. We don't know what's in there so we need to be prepared for whatever happens in the future." She nods.
I nodded back and we both walked to the portal back to the old village. Note to self, bring some Traesto gems to reduce the time walking back and forth.
Today's exploration of this twisted tower had brought me a lot of questions that only the Velvet room can answer. Hope that Horace likes being interrogated because I won't be leaving until I'm satisfied with the answers. However I just want to sleep for now, I'll visit him as soon as I done with school tomorrow.
Nyx and I walked through the portal and after a white flash, ended back that the old village. Only to be greeted by four individuals, two whom I recognized.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" One of them spoke, walking past Wrath.
There goes my plan to sleep early...
AN: Yeah, I still alive, who know?
Anyways, apparently summer has made me a lot busier than I thought hence the major delay. Plus with games like Halo 5 and Fallout 4 coming out soon, I doubt I would had enough time to write another chapter. I'll try to write one more before the year ends. (Keyword: Try)