"...My god… There's more stuff in his cell now…!"

"A-and you saw just how violent it was! All silent until suddenly appearing from that kid's back, slicing every part of the wall with its blade… Look! Look at the marks on the walls! Those walls were specially made to be durable, and yet the blade just sliced into it like it was jelly!"

"Something terrifying is haunting that young man… gods! I-if the higher ups ever hear about this, I'll get canned-!"

"You don't have to worry about that gentlemen. As one of those higher ups, I'll quietly cover this up for you. Oh, and I'll be taking Nero Nox out of your hands as well."

"G-general Ironwoods!"

Nero furrowed his brows at the name. Ironwood?

Everyone in Atlas knew who James Ironwood was.

The General in charge of Atlas Military, and someone who possessed two seats at the Atlas council.

Not to mention the fact that he was also the headmaster of Atlas Academy.

… He was someone Onyx was more than willing to spit at,

And he was also someone Nero was not very willing to give his time of the day.

General Ironwood's boots hit the floor hard like he wanted everyone to know who was here, only stopping once General Ironwood stood in front of Nero's cell.

The General looked at Nero, and in turn the young teen glared back at Mister Tin Can.

"... So you're Nero Nox? I'd say that you're the spitting image of your grandfather. Well, minus the eyes. Very Unique, I'd have to say."

"General Ironwood."

It was clear to Nero that General Ironwood wanted to beat around the bush a little, try and make some light conversations to at least get the captive in question to open up to his upcoming offer.

And Offer that Nero's semblance whispered into his ears, telling him everything General Ironwood was personally here for.

"You're 17, correct? My goodness, you still have room to grow and you're already as tall as me."

"Let's cut the useless chit chat and get on to the point."

"... Right, I won't beat around the bush anymore. Nero Nox, I need you to come with me."

Nero kept silent for a full good minute, before replying to General Ironwood's offer.

"With all due respect, General, I would have to tragically but humbly reply to your honourable and generous offer with a 'Piss off'."

General Ironwood only furrowed his brows in frustration. Considering his relationship with his grandfather, he knew this would be the response any of the Nox would reply to his offers.

"Before you think that I am on behalf of the Atlas Council and Academy, I would like to clarify that I am not. I came to see you at Professor Ozpin's request."

"That doesn't deny the fact that your involvement in the assistance can be used as an opportunity and a leverage to send me to Atlas Academy if it works."

General Ironwood couldn't immediately reply to Nero's claim.

After all, that was an astute observation and a reason why Ironwood was more than willing to accept Ozpin's call for help.

"Don't take me for a fool, General. I know an agenda when it comes up to greet me."

"... But I assure you that isn't my sole interest"

"But it is part of your intention."

"..."

"You do know just how much the civilians are protesting against the Atlas Academy and it's tendencies to inforce and pressure their students to join and serve the military rather than becoming actual Huntsmen, right? I've also heard other kingdoms have publicly condemned our kingdom's stances on it. It's hilarious to think that our government and education is run by people focused on making false advertisements like a sleazy con man."

General Ironwood only sighed as he tried to think up some sentences that could effectively plead for Nero to just follow him.

Noxes, he told himself. They always know what to say when they wanted to insult someone.

"... I know that it's not only the Nox Family that are publicly denouncing the Government and their method of progress, but please refrain from insults. Even if my intentions contain self interest, I ultimately am here to help you."

Nero sneered. "Help me? How? What can dear old General do for me in this situation?"

"We have-"

"I am grateful that the great General came all the way from the council seat to an unsavoury place in Mantle, just to see a brat. But you can't help me."

Nero lifted up his left hand to General Ironwood, showing him what Nero held in his fingers.

"Th-that's-!"

Ironwood's eyes widened in shock.

A small silver object resembling a wonky pen, surface shining the lights from the lamp off into the General's eyes. General Ironwood quickly looked down to his right hand, as if to check if what he was seeing in Nero's hand really was his.

Nero heard what his semblance whispered into his mind. Ironwood's agenda for visit, His current thoughts,

And his body structure.

Especially the fact that dear old General had an accident which cost him the right half of his upper body, replacing what he lost with machinery made by none other than Nox Industry.

"... My prosthetic hand's right little finger…! When-"

"Did I steal it? Not too sure myself. All I remember is that I was getting annoyed with how you were trying to mince your words and beat around the bush. Then all of a sudden I felt something in my left hand. I guess neither of us saw or noticed it for a while. This is what I'm dealing with, General Ironwood. Do you really think I'm worth the trouble? It might even shred your entire arm off if you push it any further."

Nero threw the metal finger back to Ironwood, who -even amidst the small panic going inside his head- caught it flawlessly.

"And if you even think about trying to turn it into a weapon for the Atlas Military… then just know that your stupid little so-called greater good for Atlas is going to cost the other half of your body at best… and your head at worst. Don't get close to me."

General Ironwood simply looked down at the little finger he held in his hand.

He, a trained huntsman who fought in more fights than any of the Atlas Soldiers, didn't even notice when the finger was pulled off of him.

And Nero even stood in front of him, yet he still pulled it off under the General's nose.

General Ironwood knew exactly what that Evil spirit was. He's seen it before.

But nothing this fast.

General Ironwood was certain now that he was underestimating the situation.

But Ironwood wasn't going to quit.

Now he was sure that he was the one to help Nero.

Not for self interest, but purely for the young man that was returning back to bed.

What Nero had was dangerous to not only others but to himself if not properly awakened and realised.

Nero had to learn how to control it if he wanted to be ready for whatever danger he would have to face later on in his life as a huntsman in training.

And Ironwood also knew that Experience rather than Explanation would be the best possible path for the both of them.

… No. Ironwood thought to himself as he turned around to look into the darkness enveloping the halls.

For the three of them.

"Rajat Silverman, My apologies but it's time for you to force Nero out of his cell."

Lighter footsteps echoed the halls as a young man entered into the light.

"... And this is why you dragged me here? For this?"

"... Please, Silverman. You're the only one who can do this."

Rajat Silverman only sneered and grunted in response.

It was clear that he didn't want to do anything like this.

Silver hair and Silver eyes, With a Rifle holstered on his back that also resembled a spear on the opposite end.

And a white coat that had the collar go all the way up to his nose, covering his chin and mouth.

Rajat simply glared at Nero, who in turn glared back.

"This is Rajat Silverman. And he'll be joining Atlas Academy in three months. He's the same age as you, and he too has what you call an evil spirit."

Nero would have loved to call bullshit on Ironwood's claim, but his semblance too whispered the same thing.

"It looks like he's not just going to come out of this cell willingly, so I'll have to force him out. That's the entire reason I'm here, isn't it? Oh, general." Rajat called out to General Ironwood with a hint of mockery and spite to which the General only replied patiently.

"... Just don't hurt him too much. Legally, he is still a Civilian."

"... And that envious, to know that he's guaranteed 'human rights'. I can already feel the difference between me and him."

General Ironwood only looked away in guilt, refusing to respond to Rajat's jab.

But Nero's semblance told him enough about the context of Silverman's words.

"Wait, you're-"

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY IT!" Rajat's shout, filled with rancour and fury, was instantaneous.

And Nero felt,

Nero saw,

And Nero flinched.

The utter chill that emanated off from Rajat spread out, freezing the air in a flash and moulding them into little shards of ice, carpeting the concrete floors, walls and ceilings.

It was still autumn in Atlas, yet the cells felt like it was winter.

Nero had a mouth but he couldn't scream.

Noone could if they had their jaws frozen with ice gagging their throat.

"Surprised? It's exactly as General Ironwood said. I too have an 'evil spirit'. An evil spirit that I can control, an evil spirit that whispered to me his name. And his name is-"

Something started to emerge from Rajat's back.

A long-serpentine body enveloped in blue scales, with bony spikes trailing down the spine and a red underbelly. The head topped off with a turquoise mane and two ivory branched horns.

"-Seiryu!"

The evil spirit that resembled a Mistralian Dragon coiled its body and whirled in the air, before whipping its leaf-like tail out, unleashing streams of water and ice at Nero.

Nero was knocked off his bed and flung to the wall, ice and water embedding on the wall and locked his limbs tight.

Cold. Freezing, even. Nero had focused all his aura in protecting his limbs from the attack but he could still feel like his blood was turning into ice under his skin.

The sheer power of Rajat's spirit was overpowering Nero's aura.

"A-a dragon!?" The guards could only look at the sudden assault with fear, before one guard caught a glimpse at the nearest thermometer.

"H-how is it this cold all of a sudden!? Th-this is insane! It's way too freezing in here, not even the heaters will turn on at this point!"

Ironwood ignored the two guards behind him, instead shouting at Nero.

"Listen carefully, Nero Nox! What you call an 'evil spirit', isn't even an evil spirit at all! It's an apparition, created from your own aura. It's none other than your sole, a power that represents a part of yourself!

It is but a part of the many selves that is within you, forming in the images of gods and demons!"

The power to summon the selves within your mind and heart, the selves that protect you in the image of gods and demons.

Keywords acted as triggers for Nero to remember what the man with the white mask had told him in his dreams.

And Nero finally understood what was happening.

"A mask that everyone has within their hearts, an armour that protects us when we face the trials given by life!

We call this…

A persona!"

Rajat's evil spirit… no, his persona flailed his legs in the air once more, pulling Nero off the concrete wall and instead slamming him into the metal bars of the cell.

Nero's aura managed to protect his jaw as the collision shattered the frozen ice in his mouth. If he didn't protect himself, he would've at least lost a tooth, and at most a jaw.

"Exactly as General Ironwood said, Nox. When you first awakened your persona, it should've told you which aspect of you it was born from, and which name of the image it had adopted. DO NOT DENY ITS NAME! It's out of control because you denied its existence and turned your eyes away from it! You should have heard your persona's name! Remember! If you do not remember…

You're going to freeze to death."

General Ironwood widened his eyes at Rajat's ultimatum. "Rajat Silverman! I told you not to hurt Nero more than necessary-"

"SHUT UP! You think that a personal fight is just some back alley fist fight or regional tournament matches!? It's two souls clashing together! There's no way to half ass this!"

Nero didn't focus on Rajat and Ironwood anymore.

Name… Yeah, Nero remembered. He remembered the weird voice whispering in his mind, different to his semblance.

It felt more… primal, hostile. At that time he was sure it was the evil spirit announcing itself as it possessed him.

But if it wasn't an evil spirit,

If it was simply a part of himself.

Then Nero had no reason to deny its existence,

To deny it of its name.

Nero's persona told him its name.

And Nero accepted it as a part of itself.

"PERSONA!"

Nero shouted at the top of his lungs,

His mind roared,

And his soul listened.

The floor beneath Nero rippled with light as part of Nero's aura started to project out to make a cylindrical wall of transparent blue.

The clusters of ice and water that restrained Nero, sticking him to the bars, were shattered as the wall of blue light expanded, letting Nero land back on the floor on his own two feet.

I AM THOU…

AND THOU ART I…

FROM THE SEA OF THY SOUL, I COMETH…

A voice echoed out from the light, as the gloved arms started to gather from the pieces of aura, looking like broken shards of glass, breaking off from the wall of light.

ALTHOUGH ALL MAY TRY TO EXCLUDE ME, I EXIST.

ALTHOUGH ALL MAY TRY TO TURN THEIR EYES AWAY FROM ME, I EXIST.

NO MATTER WHAT WAY THEY MAY SEE US, NO MATTER HOW THEY MAY TREAT US, I EXIST WITHOUT A DOUBT.

ALTHOUGH THEY WILL TRY TO REJECT EVERY ASPECT OF US, THEY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REJECT THE UNDERLYING TRUTH THAT WE EXIST.

I WAS BORN FROM YOU THE MOMENT YOU EXISTED, AND I WILL WALK ALONGSIDE YOU, FOREVER AND EVER.

I AM THE DEATH ALL FEARS, I AM -

More than just the black and red arms started to appear.

The head wearing golden spikes and mask,

The body that had gold chains linking coffins of ebony and ivory like a pair wings,

The legs that were covered by a coat, the ends tipped with gold.

Nero opened his mouth in unison to his persona, and shouted its name with it.

"THANATOS!"

Thanatos finished its announcement with a wrathful howl that resembled the agonies of a dying man.

"That's… his persona…?"

"... It's strong…"

Thanatos grabbed the blade sheathed on his hip with one hand, slicing the metal bars cleanly away in one slice. Without hesitation, it then throttled Seiryu's neck with his other.

"Rajat Silverman, was it?"

Rajat couldn't talk. He was too busy coughing as Thanatos's fingers slowly curved into Seiryu's windpipe.

Scales slowly cracked under Thanatos's digits, but Rajat's neck showed no signs of damage.

Aura can protect the body from damages, but it couldn't protect it from force or pain.

And if Nero found out anything today, it was that Personas were made from the user's aura.

The damage done to a persona may not relay to its user,

But the pain, torment-

"You're the one that started this fight. Remember that…"

Nothing was obstructing Rajat's neck, but the pain was enough for him to instinctively choke on thin air.

"... Because I'll tell you now, you're more likely to be beaten to death… before I freeze to death!"

"SEIRYU!" Rajat choked out. Ice and water had disappeared from Nero long ago. But instead the azure dragon opened its mouth wide, aiming it towards Thanatos.

Nero made sure Thanatos aimed its sword at the open mouth of Rajat's persona, making sure to stab the golden blade in if it ever considered trying to bite the god of death.

Instead a giant cluster of blue ice started to form inside Seiryu's mouth, spikes forming more and more as time went on.

"DIAMOND DUST!" The cluster died out like a dying star, but the very instant it collapsed on itself several streams of spiked ice exploded out at Thanatos and Nero, several more clusters forming at some of the ends that turned the direction the streams travelled at a sharp angle.

What looked like frozen rose vines started to fill the

Thanatos released Seiryu's throat from its grasp, retreating back along with Nero to avoid the assault of ice.

And then, Thanatos swung its sword.

It swung and swung. Thanatos was fast, faster than a bullet that threatened to dig into Nero's temple, faster than the streams and cutting them apart before it could ever reach Nero.

Ice crystals turned to sherbet as Thanatos started to envelop its sword with a mass of black with red outlines.

It swirled on the blade with malevolent energy, as if it was death taking form on the blade.

Thanatos changed its stance, aiming the blade at Rajat and simply waiting for Nero to order it to stab forward.

"You started this fight, Rajat. But I'm finishing it."

One Shot Kill.

Thanatos loaded its attack with a heavy curse and Nero moved forward to fire it at Rajat.

"..."

"...!"

"Rajat!"

But Rajat didn't care if Thanatos attacked or not, instead turning his back on Nero and walking over to Ironwood.

Nero immediately changed the direction of Thanatos's attack, making sure it hit the wall nearby instead of the back of Rajat's head.

A hole was punched through the wall, with black smoking rising that resembled a face of a demon.

Concrete around the hole started to decay and disintegrate, turning into gravel and sand as it fell to the floor.

"Oi! Why did you turn your back on me!?" Nero shouted. He and Ironwood were very much confused about Rajat's sudden disengagement. "Don't you know that getting distracted in a fight is just a good way to get killed like an idiot!?"

After all this silver bastard said about Persona fights…

Rajat ignored Nero's shout, and instead answered to General Ironwood.

"As you can see, I managed to get our precious little young master out of his cell. And that's my mission done, isn't it? I'll be going back now."

Nero finally looked to the ground, then behind him.

Once he finally realised what Rajat meant, he could only laugh in defeat.

General Ironwood had only asked Rajat to get him out of the cell, not defeat him in a fight.

And where was Nero?

Outside the cell, his back facing the metal bars cleanly sliced away.

Nero wasn't the only one laughing in frustration.

"Well… I guess you have no reason to stay inside your cell anymore, Nero Nox."

"... You got me on this one, General Ironwood."


N - NERO NOX

E - ?

R - RAJAT SILVERMAN

O - ?

Does anyone know a way for me to use images on this site?