Chapter 12: Don't Fear the Reaper

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3, work at Atlas, or own the myths and legends mentioned in my story

Warning: There will be strong language, graphically detailed violence, crude humor, dark angst-y moments, deep thought, and the occasional feminine joke. The list will potentially change to reflect changes in the story without advance notice. You have been warned.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but having your persona outside your body... not as cool as I thought it would be. I mean, I'm glad they're having fun and all, but that twenty-four hour time limit on them? Too damn long! I mean, seriously, I'm not the type to impose on someone's freedoms and what not, but when I could literally feel enlightenment in my grasp and having that ripped away by a chord or a stray laugh... kinda pissed me off. It might be the sleep deprivation talking, but I think it was planned! I was disturbed when I almost reached enlightenment, but when I was mediating to rest, everything was silent that I could hear my dormmies breath from their rooms. I'm just cranky... Deciding to take the train with the others, I bust out a few cans of soda and just begin to down them.

Sipping down my fifth can with the twelve pack in my other hand, I just glare at the gathering of personae in the lounge, "I plan on a run tonight, rest up."

Pouting the same way Minako does, {Well! Aren't you grump this morning.}

{What's wrong? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?}

Orpheus was rapidly crossing his hand across his throat until I glared at him, "Hard to wake up when I didn't sleep thanks to you lot. Back to your summoners, now!"

Growling, Apollo jumps out of his seat and looked like he was about to rush at me if it wasn't for Orpheus holding him back. Shaking his head quietly at his father, Apollo just huffs at me as he walks toward the stares, "Be warned, you might be my son's summoner, but that doesn't make you special in my eyes."

Holding up my hands in mock fear, I flipped him the bird, "Unless you suddenly sprout a body to attack me with, the best you can hope to do convince Minato and Minako to turn against me. Even then you have to save me, unless you want to watch your son die. Now piss off."

Flopping back on to my sofa, I just closed my for a bit.

Opening my eyes, I was lying face down on some wet gravel. Struggling to at least get up to a kneeling position, I could feel something stabbing into my hand. Hissing in pain, I could see my left hand was bleeding, a small something glinting in the space in the middle of my palm. Picking at the glint a bit, it keeps slipping past my finger causing more pain. Cradling my hand, a look around reveals that I'm inside a car that's laying on it's side. Looking up, I could see a broken window, but my hand was hurt and I wasn't good at climbing. but whatever was making the gravel wet was starting to smell really bad and it had soaked into the sleeve on my left arm. After a few jumps and being too scared to climb because of my hand, I just started to cry.

"Hey short stuff! Stop crying and give me your hand!"

Looking up, I could see Grant leaning in with a hand held out toward me. Jumping up, he easily holds on to my hand and starts to pull me up. Resting a bit on the top of the car, I could now see it was the van, but there was so many scratches on it. "Come on shorty, we're going to have to climb down."

"B-but my hand hurts."

"It's okay. I'm hurt too. Just take it slow and make sure whatever you're stepping on is sturdy."

Listening to Grant, I got down slowly. It wasn't a big van, but the metal was broken on a few places and I didn't want to get hurt. I was slow, but Grant was even slower than me. When he got down, he let out a shout and fell. Rushing over to him, I could see that he was holding on to his side, "Grant! Grant! Are you okay? Where are we? What happened?"

"Stop shouting... I'm... I'm right here. I'm going to be fine... ow... From the looks of things... We're near Tatsumi Port... Uh... Yeah... I can see the pier from here... As to what happened... A truck hit a car next to us... pushed us off the road... Musta been a bad hit... We're righ- arg!... phf... phf...Right under the Moonlight Bridge..."

A loud bang caused me to cover my head in fear, I could feel Grant pulled me toward the car. "What is that Grant!? I don't like the sound!"

"I dunno. That was sound's be going on for a bit now. S-sounds like it's near the top of the bridge..."

Taking my hands off my ears, I could hear something soft, like shouting or something. Getting up, I walked to the other side of the car and peaked around it. Just a bit away, I could see another car, lying upside-down. Even with the green sky and red moon, I could see something pounding on window inside and there was some kind of puddle under the car. Rushing back to Grant, I was frantic, "Grant! There's the other car! Someone is inside and they need our help! Where's mom and dad?"

Lying down on the ground, he just flinched a bit, "Mom and dad's... somewhere else... resting... dammit... I need you to go and get them out."

"How?! The door looked broken and the glass is hard."

Groaning, he turned over to his side and looked like he was reaching for something near his left side. I watched as he grit his teeth and shouted as he pulled something out. Placing it in my hand, I just looked at the jagged and bloody piece of metal. He sounded like he just ran a mile, "U-use...use... use the pointy bit... to smash... window. Blood is from... hand... edge is sharp... cut seat belt... Go! Save... whoever is... there..."

Nodding my head, I just ran to the other car. Kneeling, I take a look inside and see I could see two kids. Waving my hand, I begin to use the pointy bit of metal on the window. As I was hitting the glass, I heard something explode above me! Looking up, I saw something fly off the bridge and watched it smash near the end of the dock before slipping into the water. Whatever it was, it sounded metal. I wanted to to see what it was, but Grant told me to do something. There were more explosions and something landed very close, but I had to do what Grant told me to do. The more I hit, I started to wonder if I was doing something wrong. People on TV usually did it in one hit!

Throwing my hands in the air, I was finally able to make a big crack on the window. Standing up, I gave the window and hard kick. But instead of breaking, I heard a loud crack come from my foot and my toes began to hurt really bad. Falling down, I began to cry because of how much it hurted!

{It's okay.}

Sniffing because I felt something leaking from my nose, I looked around to find the pretty sounding voice.

{It's okay. You are trying to save those children. Be strong and don't give up! You are so close. Kick the window again, but do it while sitting down, like you're trying to stomp on a bug. You can do it!}

Scooting up like the pretty voice told me to, I started to stomp at the window. On my second stomp, my foot broke the glass! Taking off my jacket, I place it over the glass and crawled inside, the little boy was hugging the little girl. Holding out my hand, the boy shakes his head and points to the girl's foot. Her foot had a seat belt wrapped around it.

Smiling, "It's okay! I'll get her free! You go first. Go to the other car, my brother is there, he'll protect you!"

Switching places with the boy as he left, I used the metal and started to try and cut the belt.

About halfway, two loud things landed near the where I was. Lying down, I tried to see what it was but I only saw feet. Shaking the bad smelling water from my face, I started cutting faster. When her foot was free, I started pushing her out and I basically dragged her until we were halfway back to Grant when she turned around and nearly ran back to the car.

"I have to get mommy and daddy!" she shouted.

Holding her hand, I told her to head to Grant and that I'll go. It never occurred to me what I was going to do or how I was going to get them out, just that I was going to do it and it was going to happen.

Not really thinking about it, I had just reached the other car when something moved in the little mirror thing on the side of the car. Following the thing, I saw it in the reflection on the car door. She was really pretty. Her long hair was waving behind her head just like her robe and cape. Turning to look at me, she just smiled at me. Smiling back, I waved my hand at her. She didn't wave back. Instead, she just stared at me before shaking her head. She looked so sad. Looking at me again, she placed a hand on her lips and blew me a kiss before disappearing. She was weird, but pretty so I didn't think too much about it.

When I reached the car I heard some shouting and something-ee-low. Looking up, I watched something red and fast made these weird shapes and squiggles before it touched the car. The moment it did, the car exploded and I felt myself get picked up and thrown backwards.

I hit the ground hard and started to scream. My left arm was hurting so bad and it was so hot! Patting it with my right hand only made my right hand hurt. My left arm was on fire! I was screaming and rolling on the ground when I heard Grant's voice, "Hold still! I got ya!" Throwing something wet on my arm, I heard a loud hiss as steam came out of my arm. Opening my eyes, I could see Grant. He took off his shirt, threw it on my arm and was now hugging it. I'm not sure where he got the water, but it smelled really bad. The smoke that was coming out of it smelled really sweet and kind of like pennies.

As we both laid on the ground, Grant patted me on the head, "You're... gonna be... alright..." He looked so tired as he closed his eyes.

I was still hugging my arm. The outside didn't hurt much anymore, but it felt like the inside of my arm was on fire still! I cried for a little bit as I looked at the car that was on fire. When I finally stopped, I thought I saw the lady from before. It was so faint, but I'm sure I saw in the smoke rising from the fire. Shaking her head sadly again, I watched as she faded into the smoke.

Still unsure of what I just saw, I struggled to stand. The fire from the car was getting bad and my arm was hurting more and more, but I had to get Grant away, just in case the car exploded. Just as I got to my knees, I could hear the sounds of something walking towards us. Scrambling to Grant, I pull a little black tube from his pants pocket. When he showed it to me, he made me promise that I would never use it to hurt someone unless there was no other choice. Even as I turned the cap, pressed the button, and the long spike shot out... I was hoping I didn't have to use it.

As she walked passed the flames, I wasn't able to stop looking at her. If they other lady was beautiful, the one I'm looking at now was like an angel. She was wearing a weird looking clothes and socks that was absolutely pure white. Her shoulder guards and shorts looked like gold in the fire light. Looking at me and Grant, she reached toward me. I was so scared... I was too scared to even use the spike to defend myself. As her hand covered my eyes, I could hear her voice. She said to me, "I'm sorry. I am so sorry. But... I need you to-"

"Dark!"

Bring both my hands foward and downwards like butterfly stroke in swimming, I jolted forward... only to slam face first into something. Correction. Someone. As my vision became blurred with tears, I watched as Junpei recoiled from my facebutt only to trip over my feet and bounce off the glass coffee table. Damn. That's one sturdy ass coffee table.

Rolling around the ground a bit, Junpei began shouting at me with his hand over his face, "Ahhph! Ut uh *hiss of air*bell. Dude!" Taking his hand off his face, he begins to check to see if he was bleeding. I was just sitting there still.

Shaking my head to clear some cobwebs, "Sorry about that-"

"YOU DAMN RIGHT DUDE! AH! THAT FRIGGIN' HURT!" Satisfied that he wasn't bleeding, Junpei calmed down a bit, "Seriously! We were about to leave," Gesturing to everyone from the dorm was staring at me, "When Yukari noticed that you were still sitting there. Being your bro, I went to wake you up."

{Then Darky started wheezing}

Nodding with tears in her eyes, "Then... then Phatiamos-san went rigid and started screaming something."

"It was complete gibberish, but some of it sounded like English. Unfortunately you started screaming so loudly that it was impossible to make out. I was about to have Takeba-san call the hospital when Amy asked Iori-san started to shake you awake. Normally I wouldn't do this, but perhaps you should consider taking the-"

Holding up my hand, I slump back in to the sofa as I catch my breath, "I'm," Holding my throat, it was completely sore, but pinching the voicebox a bit eased the pain and allowed met to speak, "I'm fine. Just a nightmare."

"Dude! What kind of nightmare causes you to face-smash your best friend and scream until you almost lose your voice?"

"The kind that kills you in your sleep." The collective shock could have powered Tokyo at night, "Ahem. There was something I read about. It happened for a while in Thailand or Indonesia or somewhere in that area. Young, strong, health men literally died of fright in their sleep. There were a few cases of this in America. While there is no concrete evidence on what causes it or any pattern, someone suggested that it might have to do with trauma and stress."

"Perhaps I should not have stopped Takeba from calling for an ambulance..."

"Trust me. You did the right thing. Hospitals scare me. Bad experience. Look. I'd rather go to school than sit here worrying myself about something that may not occur again." Standing up, I do a small spin for them, "Look at me. I'm fine. I feel fine. Let's just head out."

"Actually, Phatiamos-san, you still have the tears all over your face." TRAITOROUS WENCH!
"And your lips are bleeding from being split while screaming." YOU'RE A JACKASS... STILL!
"And your voice is still shot." YOU STAY OUT OF THIS ALBINO!

Feeling a soft thud on my back as a pair of arms gently wrap around my neck, {Don't worry about a thing. If sleep causes this, then tonight *giggle* I'll just have to make sure he doesn't get any sleep.}

No sooner did those words leave lilim's lips did angel pull her off my back. As the two begin to bicker, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door. Turning around, "I'm heading to school. Amy, go easy on the invisibility. I plan on hitting Tartarus tonight."

Groaning in my seat, I was surprised that the principal called an assembly and was giving another speech. Respecting my elder has it's limits! Busting out my headphones, cranked some tunes.

{My goodness. He certainly loves the sound of his own voice.}

I know how you feel.

{Does he realize that most of what he's saying was covered when your Crimson Ice Empress did her speech?}

Honestly? I think he does and he's just trying to re-establish dominance.

{Just a tad too meek to do it properly by my opinion.}

Cheers. Least today can't get much worst for me.

{...}

Skipping out on eating with the others in the classroom, I took a trip up to the roof of the school. Lying down on the ground to bask in the sunlight, my lunch laying a bit away, completely forgotten, I watched in amusement as Amy fluttered around as angel and lilim bickered about me. My breathing was just starting to slow and my eyes growing heavy when a shadow blocked off some of my sun. "Mitsuru, good afternoon. How can I help you?"

Didn't need to see to know she was surprised, "How could you have possibly known it was me?"

"Plenty of ways. Easiest is sound: you're the only one in the school to wear heels like those and to walk in such a brisk pace. Second, you're standing downwind of this lovely breeze."

"Are you saying I smell?"

"Everyone has a smell. That that how you will. Now. I'm about to open my eyes. That's my fair warning, so if I see your panties or lack thereof, that's your own fault." Having not hear her move, I was hoping she was further away from me than I first thought and not because she didn't mind me staring at her. Giving her a moment longer, I open both my eyes for glory or death... in this case, not mutually exclusive. Fortunately, she had the good sense kneel down beside me. "Before you ask, yes. That is much better. Now, how can I help you?"

"Dark, I'm sorry, but I need to talk to you after school. I have a special request for you."

"Why not talk to me now?"

"I apologize for being in such a rush, but I don't feel comfortable asking anyone else. I'll tell you more about it after school, okay?"

"There is no dissuading you once you have your mind set on something is there?"

"The same could be said of you."

Just as she's getting up, I sit up, "Actually. If it isn't too much trouble. Would you mind having lunch with me?" Point at the square box near the benches, "I don't like eating alone and Amy plus the girls won't eat unless I'm already eating. Actually. Let me correct the first bit. I don't eat when I'm by myself. Period."

Raising an eyebrow, "Is this some plan to get me to-"

"You don't have to do anything but enjoy a nice meal. If you chose not to, please take it downstairs and have someone else enjoy it. Oh and after school, I'll be waiting in my homeroom for thirty minutes if you need to find me."

A nice quiet lunch was had by me, in a nice high place, surrounded by a lovely view and lovely ladies. Today is a good day.

Not being mean to Ms. Miyahara, but if you have no idea what the answer is on the board, you're better off pretending you do and then calling on the smartest kid in the class for the answer. Course, being asked the simplest question in math isn't too bad either.

"The answer is two."

"That is correct Phatiamos-kun! ..."

As she went off on a tangent on how great math is, despite that early morning assembly, my day is good day so far.

Apologizing to the guys as Mitsuru showed up right at the bell, I followed her to another classroom. Now, I'm not saying she's gonna haze me for being the leader of our excursion group to Tartarus. But if it turns out to be a hazing, I'm hamstringing ever motherfucker between me and the door and fuck getting bagged or blindfolded. The second that happens, I'm biting anything that comes close to my lips!

Just as she reaches for the door, she turns to me, "I apologize for holding out on you for so long." Oh shit! here it comes! "To make a long story short..." Smiling pleasantly as I slowly reach for the bowie hidden inside my duster! "I want you to join student council."

"Dafaq?"

"Well, it's not like you have to participate in every activity. Just come to the Student Council room when you have the time."

"That's it?"

"Yes. That's all. Why?" Oh shit! She's eyeing me! GET THEM HANDS AWAY FROM KNIFE! CODE MAGICIAN! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! WE NEED TO GO CODE MAGICIAN FULL-FORCE!

Raising both hands up to shoulder-level and giving a shrug, "That's the million dollar question. Why me? I'm not the most stable individual you know and if you haven't noticed, I'm an underachiever."

Nodding her head a bit (Bitch! You were not suppose to agree with that!), "While I admit that some of your behavior leave a bit to be desired, joining the Student Council might influence you positively. Also, your leadership quality is something I have come to trust and respect."

"You've known me all of two weeks or so! That and I only lead two trips into Tartarus."

Placing a hand on her face and letting out a tired sigh, "Being president is very time consuming. I'd like to have additional help available in the event of an emergency. You understand my situation... I'm asking you since you know what it's like to be a leader, of SEES and of your demons. But looking at it now... you do seem busy and it wouldn't be fair to burden you more..." Turning around with her head hanging a bit, I never saw the glint or the sly smile.

Letting out a sigh of my own, "I can't promise you that I'll be of any help, but I'll support you in any way I can in the Student Council."

"Thank you Dark, I knew I could count on you. Come on inside and meet the others." As she opened the door, I never saw her mini-fistpump.

The room itself wasn't intimidating, just a few desks pulled together to form a rectangle of sorts. There were more desks than members. As Mitsuru walked in first, I focused on the world before me and with a little click, I was able to activate Persona-vision!

{Orpheus: That is a terrible name.}

And I liked you better when you only played chords to indicated yes or no.

{Apsaras: Why call it Persona-vision to begin with? You've yet to find anyone with persona outside of your team.}

{Orobas: And it does more than show persona, it also displays statistics on items and equipment as well as see demons floating around without a physical form.}

Apsaras, stay out of this! The rest of you can go fuck yourselves for not telling me about that last bit when I went into the bathroom in the mall. I nearly void my bowels when I looked into the mirror!

{Orpheus: It was just a ghost in a stall! Man up!}

It was the murder victim of some girl who played Red Veil in the bathroom! How the fuck was I suppose to react to that?!

{Orobas: Angel and lilim is currently watching over you and the school is vacant in terms or spirits and demons until nine at night. I also recommend that you head into the classroom as Mitsuru is about to introduce you.}

"Everyone, this is Dark Phatiamos. He's the one I've been talking about the past few days. He'll be joining us in Student Council."

As I walk in a bow to everyone, a stuffy-looking kid walks up to me, "Dark-kun, huh... I'm Hidetoshi Odagiri. I supervise the Disciplinary Committee."

"Um... I'm Chihiro Fushimi, the Treasurer. I'm a sophomore, and um... I'm still learning the ropes, so... please be patient with me, Dark-san." Oh. My. God! She is adorable! I swear! If she trips while I'm around and looks up at me past her glasses...

{Orobas: And she obviously has some insecurities.}

{Orpheus: Just the kind of girls you attract and make better by kissing their boo-boos.} Well played on the double entendre there.

{Apsaras: What are 'boo-boos'?}

Nodding my head, I watch as Hidetoshi is sizing me up, a slight look of disapproval when I didn't give some sort of formal response, "... You must be talented if the President hand-picked you."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Chirhiro got it! Shy, with a slightly dirty-mind. Oh she is going to be fun.

No sooner did I think that did time stop. "Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Emperor Arcana."

I couldn't help but smirk. After all, I was born under the Emperor Arcana. Mitsuru thanked me and gave me permission to swing by the Student Council room.

As we were about to leave, I called out to Hidetoshi who stopped and waited for me to catch up, "Hey buddy! I'm still new around the school. Is there a persimmon tree on the grounds somewhere?"

Thinking a bit, "I believe so. I could show you were it is."

Taking me to the first floor, he lead me to a tree I pass by regularly. "Huh. So that's what a persimmon tree looks like." hopping on top of the banner and reaching out, I pluck a leaf off the tree and stick it on top of my head. Effortlessly backflipping off I was met with a scowl from Hidetoshi.

"Just what did you think you were doing?"

"Plucking a leaf from a tree."

"After stepping on top of a banister meant to keep student out!"

"Calm down. It was for a good cause."

"Good cause? Who are you to decide what is or isn't a good cause. How can you even decide that? And get that leaf out of your hair, you look ridiculous!"

Grabbing his wrist just as he reached out toward the leaf, "Do not touch. Look. You want to know why I did that. Follow me. Once I'm done, I'll answer your questions. I promise."

Hidetoshi rather grudgingly followed me, all the while grumbling something about tarnishing the name of our school with a leaf stuck to my head. As I walked by takoyaki stand, I saw a little girl sitting there looking kinda sad. At least until she saw me and the leaf. Smirking to myself, I walked a bit before stopping abruptly. Making a face, I started walking before doing a quick backflip, When Hidetoshi looked pissed, I quickly creeped over to the little girl. Looking around nervously, whispered loudly to her, "Little girl, you can see me."

Giggling, "Yup! You look funny with that leaf on your head!"

Looking back at Hidetoshi who was both looking confused and angry at the same time, "Oh no! If you can see me, then that means my boss is going to get angry!"

"Your boss?"

"I'm a tanuki. I was practicing my invisibility magic, but I must have switched it with my imitation magic. Quick you have to help me! I need you to smile and say, 'Thank you for visiting me Dark-chan!'"

"No."

"No?" Placing my hands on my head as I start shaking from side-to-side, "But... oooh... they're going to take away my leaves..."

Thinking a bit the little girl nods her head, "Okay. I'll help. But you have to promise to come play with me someday near the park." Holding out her pinky. Smiling I curled my pinky around hers. As I turned and walked toward Hidetoshi, who was about to lecture my ear off, the little girl yells out, "THANK YOU FOR VISITING ME DARK-CHAN!"

Hidetoshi's eyes were saucers as he stared at me. Shrugging I opened the door to Bookworms for him.

As we entered a voice near the back called out toward us, "Welcome to Bookworms. How many guests? Smoking or non-smoking?" Giving Hidetoshi a winking and patting gesture, I lead him toward the cash register. As the old man look toward us, his jaw drops. "You. Young man. May I see that leaf on your head?"

Feigning surprise, "Leaf? What leaf?" Raking my head through my hair, I glance at the leaf before placing it in his hand.

Staring at it like it was the most precious thing in the world, "Is this... is this a leaf from that persimmon tree? Oh! Bless me! It must have grown quite a bit to produce such splendid leaves... Wait, so you didn't come here to buy books? Did you come here just to show us this?"

Scoffing, "Show you what? A piece of leaf that landed on my head? No chance. I finished my books and-"

"Nah-uh, I don't believe you. I knew right from the start that you're a kind young man! You know... I've been meaning to go see that tree for a while now. But I'm not sure if these stumpy old legs will make it that far... That wasn't meant to be a pun. You know, 'stumpy,' 'tree stump' Catch my drift?"

The little old woman besides him just rolled her eyes, "Very clever, dear."

Smirking a bit, "I dunno. I thought it was funny. With jokes like that, he should branch out a bit. You know, em-bark on a new profession."

"See dear, he thinks my jokes are good. He doesn't think my bark is worst than my bite."

"Sorry. But I take it back. That last joke was absolutely a-pollen."

Nodding his head, the old man holds out his hand, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Bunkichi and besides me is the love of my life, my wife, Mitsuko. If you don't mind, would you tell us your name?"

That honestly caught me off guard. I wanted to tell them, but Hidetoshi was right there! I'll bite the bullet. Taking his hand as firmly as his grip was to mine, "My name is Solomon, but around here, they call me Dark."

"Solomon? Quite the mouthful. I think I'll call you Dark-chan from now on!"

As time froze for the second time today, I actually felt better about this social link. I'm not sure what it will ask of me, but with this old couple, I feel at ease here.

"Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Hierophant Arcana."

"We're open every day except Sunday. Be sure to come visit us when you get bored!"

As we stepped out of Bookworms, "That's why. I'm not going to pretend I didn't do it earlier just to piss you off. But when I first met them, they were talking about a persimmon tree. I felt that if I straight up and brought it to them, they would have some obligation to me, but with it sticking out of my hair, it could just as easily be a luck or coincidence. Cheering up that sad little girl was just a bonus."

For a while neither of us spoke again until we were on the train back. Just as I was a stop away, "I can't say I approve of your methods. But your thought process and result is something I cannot refute. I'm starting to see why the President chose you."

Giving Hidetoshi a wink I as reached my stop, "See ya tomorrow buddy. Good night and be safe."

"Dude! Remind me again why we had to start from the first floor again?"

"And why did you leave angel and lilim behind with Mitsuru?"

Switching to Orpheus and summoning to smash his lyre over the face of the last Maya, we took a seat to catch our breath before collecting our spoils. On that last fight I got lucky when Shuffle Time revealed a cat girl persona, this fight got me Apsaras's card. Looking back at the others, "Because I need more personae, you need more training, and finally, we need money. More specifically, if you guys want me to cook again, I need the money to buy ingredients."

Scoffing Minato just waves his hand a bit, "We can always order out."

"Hell ya, dude!"

Giving them a moment to highfive each other before breaking the news, "Keep in mind, it's either your turn to pony up or it was Junpei's. We also have more mouths to feed or did you for get about my summons and the fact that they need to eat as well?" Oh yeah! Totally killed their joy! Both Junpei and Minato slapped their respective knees and got to work collecting our prize money. "And regarding angel and lilim, they haven't attuned with me so they have no obligations to listen to my commands. The other thing is, since they haven't attuned with me, that's their real bodies. If they get hurt, we can heal them, but unlike Apsaras or Amy, if they die in their real bodies, they die for good."

Having loot the third floor and cleared it of shadows, we safely made it to the fourth floor and found... nothing. No seriously, there wasn't a shadow to be seen on this floor.

Feeling a bit uneasy, Yukari paged Mitsuru while Minako checked the corners while Amy went ahead and scouted the area, "Hey Mitsuru? What's going on, there only the briefcases up here but no shadow?"

I do not understand it myself Takeba-san, but I do not detect anything on this floor either...

Scanning the side rooms and snagging the briefcases I ran into Minato as I was exiting. For a moment, I felt light-headed, but since it quickly passed, I brushed it off. When Amy finally returned she landed on Minako's shoulder with a groan, "This place is huuuuuge! I was about to find the teleporter down, but no the stairs. Too many rooms to check them all in the time limit you gave me."

Walking a bit, I watched as a bit of kicked up dust swirled around me a bit before moving into another room. Following it with my eyes, I could have sworn that my own shadow just split into three and started waving at me. Then again, this was Tartarus and the Dark Hour isn't a good reference to normalcy. But when it happened again, I though I saw something in the dust, only then did I muse to myself, "Heh. There's a glitch in the Matrix."

And for the second time tonight, I ran into Minato, "Watch it! And what the hell are you mumbling to yourself?"

"I was making a movie reference. I said, 'There's a glitch in the Matrix'."

"What made you say that, Phatiamos-san?"

"Just a bit ago, we kicked up a bit of dust as we passed by a room and then it happened again just now. That and it was the second time I ran into Minato."

Furling his eyebrows, "Hey Dark. That was the first time you ran into me today."

Yukari in turn pointed behind me, "And we've been walking down a hallway. There were no rooms..."

Feeling cold I started to panic, "Amy! Go! Lead now! SHUT THE FUCK UP AND JUST DO AS I TELL YOU!"

EVERYONE! GET OUT OF THERE! I CAN SENSE DEATH APPROACHING!

{Orobas: SUMMONER! LEAVE THAT PLACE AT ONCE! YOU HAVE GARNERED THE ATTENTION OF THE LORD OF TARTARUS!}

Who is this?!

I never got to respond to Mitsuru, for in that moment a dread silence fell over us that was broken only by the soft rattling of distant chains. Stupified we just stood there as the rattling steadily grew louder. It wasn't until a loud screech caused me to flinch did I wake up, judging from the others they heard it too.

{Orpheus: I do not have time to explain how I'm in your heads, I will later! I'm Orpheus and I'm about to play a song. You have until the end to make it to the exit before you all will be killed. RUN!}

Cling clang go the chains,
Someone's out to find you.

That was all the motivation we needed as Amy took point and darted off, leaving a trail of pixie dust behind her.

Cling clang oh the chains,
The Warden's right behind you.

We were passing by loot=after-loot-after-loot, but since this wasn't a song or nursery rhyme any of us knew, none of us were greedy or stupid enough to take the chance.

Quick now, the seeking chains,
Approach with their shrill scrape.
Don't stop, flee the chains,
Your last chance to escape.

The fuck did Orpheus find a song slash nursery rhyme that would scare the shit out of Freddy Kruger?

Drag the chains, drag the chains,
With all the strength you may!
Drag the chains, drag the chains,
'ere they drag you away!

The fuck was that suppose to mean?!
{Orobas: Grab Junpei and duck!}

I didn't need to be told twice. While he was initially resistant when I first pulled him down, when the wall exploded above us, a length of chain punched right through it located roughly at his chest's height did he try to thank me. Scrambling to my feet and I drag him to his, I started pushing to the others too keep running"Junpei, shut up. Less talking more running!"

Cling clang go the chains,
There's no more time for fear!

Cling clang go the chains,
The last sound that you'll hear...

From what Amy told us, we were just four feet away when the room beside us exploded. Standing there as the dust settled was a big-ass figure. When I say big-ass, I mean HUGE! The fucker was clad in bloody, bullet hole ridden black leather trench coat with a pair of chains crossing its chest, the being's head was wrapped in bloody bandages save his jaundice-yellow left eye. As the creature raised a long barreled revolver at us, I realized one thing...

"The nursery rhyme stopped..."

The moment it pulled the trigger, I jumped up and dropkick the others toward the teleporter. I didn't get hit, I know that for sure. But the fucking graze was enough send me flying through the room behind me and into the room behind it. Fuck being stunned, I was better off being buried in rubble, at least then I'd have some cover. Struggling to even get a finger moving I could hear the others trying to make their way toward me.

"Dark!"

"Get out of here!"

"We're not leaving you dude!"

"If I see any of you and we're not in the lobby, I'll kill myself!"

"Like hell you are!"

Deploying a spike, I jam it right into my left side. In hindsight, considering my plan was to live by successfully dodging the freak with the guns, giving myself a handicap by stabbing an organ that bleeds a lot... not a good idea... All the same, "Mitsuru..."

Stop! Dark isn't bluffing. He just stabbed himself and is bleeding heavily.

I didn't have to wait long.

{Orobas: They are reluctant, but everyone, including Amy has made it safely to the lobby. The Reaper is still in the room you saw him in and is probably considering if shooting through the walls is a good idea.}

So he's deciding how to get to me without giving me a chance to escape.

So much for my good day. I heard too shots as I started to stand up. The two shots completely ripped the wall in front of me apart, the only saving grace was the fact that it was too far to the right to even push me. That was enough initiative for me! Sprinting I was using every bit of my free-running experience to dive over low walls, sliding up ramps so I could use the momentum to spring on to my feet, and all that. Too bad right as I made it back to the hallway, Reaper bitch slapped me with the barrel of his revolver.

It's never in my nature to consider using an ally as a shield, but I was really considering summoning Apsaras if only to use her to block some shots. I'm also sure that will do my karma no good... Scrambling as fast as I could to the largest bit of rubble to use as cover, I was desperately trying to come up with a plan. After a barrage of bullets, I still had nothing.

{Apsaras: Summon me! I can take a few hits before being falling! I'll buy you time!}

Not my style... THAT'S IT! I've been going through that music book on musical terms that could apply. Granted I was halfway though with the book, but now was a good a time as any. "Forte! Georgian chant!"

{Orpheus and Apsaras: You're doing this now?!}

Now's a good a time as any! "Opera! Aria! Ode! Concert! Concerto!"

Three minutes of shouting out music terms and the cover was now down to just a thin piece of rock and my back and judging from the rattling of chains Reaper was just going to aim around my cover and shoot me and like my cover, I was running out of terms...

Closing my eyes, I was desperate to think of something.

Opening my eyes, I found myself back in eighth grade in reading class. My teacher was playing a song from Les Miserables when he stopped the track.

"This part here, where Valjean is vocalizing 'Castle on a Cloud' with Cosette, believe it or not, he's not actually out of tune with her. It's actually something that's done in music where a soloist does an improvised part, but in this case, the part is done as a duet so the difference can be noted. The term for this is called-"

"CADENZA!"

Opening my eyes as the air is filled with music, I watched as a ghostly Orpheus begins to play his lyre and Apsaras begins to vocalize and dance. Feeling energized by the song, I quickly tuck-n-roll out of the way of the gunshot. As I back up, Reaper smashes the remainder of the rubble and back up as well. He was planning on blocking my path to the teleporter. My choice was clear. Either move back and into the long hallway where he's got a perfect killzone or charge at him and force my way to the exit... Smirking, I charge right at him. Firing a single shot, I lean forward in time to duck the shot. Holy crap! I dodged a bullet... Either I've gone Action Man and developed bullet-time or Cadenza made him go really slow... EITHER FUCKING WAYS I DODGED A BULLET! Riding the force of the shot, I begin to to lean back just in time to dodge a revolver bitchslap.

Bending my knees I ended up power sliding under him. Since he didn't have any legs, there wasn't much he could do about it. Planting the tips of my fingers onto the ground, I spun in a small circle right over the teleporter in a fabulous flourish that would have made Vamp jealous. As time was slowly returning back to it's normal speed, the Reaper point his guns at me and fired just as I hit the console.

Author's note: Like I promised, one chapter before I go. Kinda hastily done in my opinion. Let me know how you guys feel about it. If it comes down to it, I'll upgrade it when I get back.

First in encounter with the Reaper... let's see how that ends up. Small cliffhanger. But it's gonna take a while. Today is the day I head to China for a month. See you all when I get back.