AN: As you'll see later in this chapter, I decided to incorporate the Minor Arcana into the story, in a similar way to Persona 3. I've mostly figured out what name changes I want to do now for the other characters, and how I want things to pan out in this new version. Please read and review!
Chapter 3: The Shadows of a New World
|Unknown Building – Gateway Room|
Amara didn't know how long she had been unconscious. When she woke up, she saw a ceiling of pure white, made up of square panels, each one alight. It was like being at the dentist, except without the uncomfortable chair to sit on. There was no noise whatsoever, apart from her own breathing. Slowly, she sat up, still in pain.
"Oww..."
She looked around her, and saw the strange walls of this rather bare room. Each one had strange silver thick wires beneath a glass shielding, and they all seemed to go in random directions. And these wires had an odd purplish glow. It looked almost like they were carrying blood, but the 'liquid' in them was definitely not normal. Slowly, she got up to her feet, and looked behind her.
There was another door frame, like the one that she had just walked through. It was not emitting any light. It was slowly dawning on Amara that this was how she came into this room – perhaps it could take her back.
Remembering the number from the strange text, she punched in that code again, then the enter key. Yet, nothing happened. Frowning, she put it in again.
"Come on, do something!"
Alas, the light did not appear – instead, a message appeared above the number keys.
ERROR: SHADOW OUTBREAK IN F5. POWER SUPPLY DISRUPTED.
"Shadow outbreak? What the hell does that mean?"
There was nothing she could do by just standing here, she realised. So, without any other option, she turned to the actual white door to this room. She walked towards it, and it slid open…
|Unknown Building – Corridor|
This hallway was just as eerie and sterile as the room she had left, and felt very cold. Many doors were on the left and right hand side, but above each one was only a single letter and number for identification. The ones on the left were even numbered, and on the right, odd. They all had the same letter - 'B'. Neither of these doors seemed to open, however, even when Amara tried the Aeternus card from before.
What are these rooms for? Wait, better question, what the hell is this place? Is no one here except me?
She eventually got to the end of the long hall, and to her relief, the doors there did open – to reveal a large stairwell, leading both up and down. Just as she was about to take the stairs to the lower floor, she heard some horrendous 'screaming' downstairs. The sound was not normal – it neither sounded like a human, or like any animal she had heard before. It was almost 'alien', heavily distorted. Leaping with fright, she decided to take the steps leading upstairs.
Something monstrous was here with her, and she had to get away from it, no matter what.
|Unknown Building – Rooftop Garden|
On the floor above her, there were glass doors leading to what looked like a garden. She took them, and ran out, greeted by the sight of several tall trees, many flowers, purple metal benches, and a fountain. She got to a bench on the far side, and sat down, catching her breath.
"Phew..."
She could finally see the exterior of the complex she was in – and it was a tall building, at least ten stories tall. Aside from the rooftop she was currently on, there didn't seem to be any windows, only sleek, smooth white panels adorned with purple and red lights. The sky above her was also purple, but much darker.
"Where...is this place? Is this New Motus City? But it doesn't look like anywhere in town I've seen before."
She looked behind her, to see what was across from the building. There was a large metal fence surrounding the structure, enough to obscure most of the other buildings beyond. The ones she could make out seemed very sleek and stylish, with many glass walls. On the ground beneath her was an elaborate pathway, with glowing blue and white lights on the edges.
No sign of anyone outside. If only there was someone else here. But right now, I need to find a way to get back home. So if I can get that door working, then -
Before she could finish this thought, there was an extreme flash of pain in her head. She leaned back on her bench, clutching her head. As she closed her eyes, she saw a strange golden image of someone – or something. The pain stopped, just as suddenly as it came.
"What the hell was that?!" She got back to her feet. Staying here was not going to help her, she decided. No matter what was inside this unsettling structure, she had to find out how to get back home. She started to walk through the garden, but just as she passed the fountain, the eerie scream she had head before echoed throughout the area. The monster, whatever it was, was nearby. And she had nothing to defend herself with. Nor was there anywhere here she could hide.
Then, it appeared. The 'thing' she had been hiding from. It looked more like a pile of black ooze, crawling along the ground. There was what looked like a mask on it too, with a strange vacant face. Protruding from this mass of dark matter were hands. Amara was speechless – this being was dangerous. She just knew it couldn't be reasoned with.
This thing, whatever it is, it's going to kill me. I can't run from this thing. I have to do something. But what can I do? Did the person who sent those messages want me to fight this thing? Come on, think!
Her heart was racing. She thought of everything that had happened up until that point – including those strange cards, the ones that had vanished when she had touched them. It was then that there was a blue flash of light, and one of the cards appeared. This was one of the Minor Arcana ones, the Sword. Yet the card didn't stay as a card for long. It warped into an actual sword, that floated in the air. It had a long, narrow blade with a purple tassel at the end of the hilt.
Amara grabbed the sword, and examined the blade. It seemed it had a genuine edge to it, and it felt heavy enough in her hand to be a real weapon, not a replica or toy. While she had no training, she had no choice but to use it. The dark creature was approaching, slowly, still making its horrible sound. She had to attack first – and fast.
"Die!"
She jumped at the monster, thrusting the sword into its body. Yet, despite the sharp blade going right through it, it didn't actually seem to have caused it any pain. There was no blood, or any sign of an injury. Quickly, Amara withdrew her blade. It was as if the creature before her was air, that this sword had just passed through. Instead of stabbing, she opted to slash at the creature. Multiple times, with greater force each swing. Yet it didn't matter how much strength she put into her attack. The creature did not have any injures.
No! This can't be happening! What do I do?
It began to raise its hands, shrouded in a red aurora. A powerful energy was building up within it, Amara could tell. And with her blade unable to harm it, she had no chance of stopping it. It was just then, however, that something in her changed. Her fear was dissipating, and she felt at one with herself. An image came to her mind, of the first tarot card she had found earlier. The Sun. Right then and there, it manifested in front of her, shrouded in a blue aurora, one that was far brighter than the beast in front of her.
"This...is part of me." She said, holding out her hand. "You've been part of me a long time, haven't you? But now you can finally break free. You are my..."
The word came to her mind. Any thoughts such as "how" or "why" did not come to her head. This was the power she had been told about from the beginning. And it was called…
"Persona!"
The Sun card exploded, and the blue aurora became a whirlwind, knocking back the demon before her. Its red energy was blocked, and it groaned in fear at the glowing figure before it. It was a goddess, of golden skin and flowing black hair, in a long ponytail. Various pieces of golden jewellery decorated her body, namely bracelets, anklets, and a breastplace, covered with lapis lazuli. There was also a black skirt, one that covered her upper legs.
She did not just bear accessories, however. In her right hand was a large staff, one that seemed to be Egyptian in style, complete with an ankh symbol on top. In her left was a glowing orb, with energy that seemed to be sunlight imbued through it.
I am thou. Thou art I. I cometh from thy sea of thy heart. I art Hathor, whose graceful sunlight shall conquer all who bring calamity and hatred into this world.
"Hathor...the goddess?!" Amara was absolutely exhilarated at what had just appeared before her. Then, she remembered. This was part of her, a reflection of her inner self. It may bear the name of a sun goddess of her homeland, but it was not the deity herself coming to aid her. Yet it must have some power to fight creatures like the one before her, who was now very agitated. This "Persona" was anathema to it, and it began oozing along the ground, enraptured in a red aura.
No! You burn in hell! Hathor will make sure of that. Wait, I know what to do!
"Agi!"
A burst of red flames exploded from beneath the monster, halting its progress. Its beastly arms collapsed to the ground, reeling with pain. Amara did not waste this opportunity, and rushed at the monster. As she swung her blade, it actually felt like it was cutting through something. There was a spurt of 'blood', and the evil being before her screeched in pain. Emboldened, she swung again and again, each strike causing further injury.
"Had enough yet?!" Amara taunted the creature. Despite the pain that it had suffered, it was not ready to give up. It swung its unseemly hands at her, striking her with a heavy Bash. This creature was stronger than it looked, she thought, but it would be dead with one more strike. Clenching her fist, she called her Persona's name, and Hathor reappeared. "Take 'em out!"
Nodding, Hathor twirled her staff, and it quickly changed shape into a long sickle sword, or khopesh. Its blade shined red for a moment, as she concentrated. Then, she leaped forward, bringing down the blade with her full might. The Heat Slash was enough to cut through the monster clean in half, leaving behind a rapidly melting body. Amara smiled, but fell to her knees, exhausted.
"...So, this Persona. This is what Philemon was talking about, wasn't it?"
Her version suddenly went dark, just as she thought of the butterfly figure from her dream.
|Unknown World|
Here she was again, standing on the circular platform that led nowhere. Before her was the fluttering blue butterfly – yet, it immediately transformed into something else.
"Huh?"
It was now a human, wearing a plain white suit. Their face was covered in a blue butterfly mask, much like their previous form. This was Philemon's true form, Amara could tell.
"Well done, Amara Furaha. You have finally awakened the power that has been dwelling within you for so long. And in due time, so will three others who have already heard my voice. The power you four will share is called Persona. A reflection of your inner self. And with it, you can fight against the Shadows."
"Shadows...is that what the thing I just fought was?"
Philemon nodded. "These beings are born from humanity's collective consciousness, theC side of themselves they deny. As such, mundane weapons cannot harm them. Only the power of Persona can vanquish them, for a Persona and Shadow are one and the same."
"What? Are you saying that Shadow and Hathor are the same?"
"Not quite. That Shadow was not one of a specific person, rather, it was composed of many people's negative thoughts. When a person accepts their individual Shadow, that becomes a Persona. I understand this is a lot to grasp at once. Yet, to return to your own world tonight, you must venture further. Find the others who share your talents. Then, you can open the door once again..."
"Wait, who are these other people? And what about the sword I summoned?"
"You will know them once you see them. And the Minor Arcana you acquired each contain something to aid you in your journey. Swords allow you to summon a weapon in battle, and dismiss it when not in combat. Coins will give you a type of currency that you can use in your new surroundings, called 'Macca'. Cups consist of various items throughout this world that can help you in battle, to replenish your energy. Wands will allow you to strengthen your Persona through battle. Shadows may provide more Minor Arcana cards once destroyed. Thus, you must defeat them to strengthen yourself."
Amara slowly nodded. "What is this world, though? Not the one we're talking in right now, but..."
"You will soon see exactly what that world is. Right now, you must awaken."
And with that, everything went blurry, and Amara felt her surroundings fade away…
|Unknown Building|
Amara was back in the garden, alone again. Now, she had what she needed to defend herself in this place. Shadows like the one she had just defeated could be anywhere, so she had to be vigilant. Steeling herself, she walked back inside, and went to the stairs leading to the lower floor.
"...I'm not afraid any more. Let's go."
Gradually, she walked down, and was greeted by a grand foyer. Sleek and streamlined white tables and chairs were meticulously arranged around the lobby, and there was a large circular reception desk in the centre. No one was there, however. Strange purple crystal pillars were at the north end of the room, that seemed to have a dark liquid pulsating through them. The floors and walls were pure white, almost blindingly bright.
"Hello?!" Amara called out. No one answered. Sighing, she went towards what seemed to be the entrance doors. Above them was a massive monitor. It had an almost alien quality to it, unlike the 50 inch TVs she had seen on display in town. No images were on display, perhaps due to the power issue that had stopped the door device from working.
Wait a second. That logo, with the red sword. I know that one!
"Albion Incorporated?" She cried out loud. "Just like that guy's briefcase! But what the hell are they doing here?"
"That's what I'd like to know."
Amara gasped, and turned around. Standing there, with his arms crossed, was a red-haired man in a blue suit. The exact same man she had encountered at the bus stop earlier that evening. Whose briefcase bore the same logo as the monitor.
"Uh...what are you doing here?" She asked, awkwardly. "You work for Albion, right?"
"Correct. I should probably introduce myself. I am Nathaniel Albion, son of Percival Albion, the company's current CEO. Call me Nathan."
So that's who he is. I thought he was someone important. I wonder how long he's been here for?
"I'm Amara Furaha. An artist. I didn't think I'd run into you again here, of all places. Did...you get strange text messages too?"
Nathan's eyes lit up as she said this. "...Yes. And it lead me to the warehouse in Farawell. Everything has been quite a blur since then. Even so, I'm relieved to find someone else. Perhaps we can get the door working again so that we can go home."
Nathan held out his hand, and Amara shook it. Even in this odd world, this man seemed to be in business mode. Perhaps it was his way of coping, treating this as a mundane office building instead of a den of paranormal monsters.
"I'm just glad I'm not the only one here. There could be Shadows everywhere. But I've got a Persona now, so we'll be okay – ah!"
Just as she said these, two Shadows suddenly appeared, looking identical to the ones from earlier.
"Stand back, Nathan! I'll take them out with Hathor -"
"Not on your own, you won't." Smirking, the man conjured a weapon of his own – a red long staff. And then, as he was surrounded by a blue aurora, a heroic figure emerged. They had emerald green skin, with darker green hair. Clad in a blue outfit, complete with cape and gloves, it wielded a large spear in one hand.
"I am thou. Thou art I. I cometh from thy sea of thy heart. I am Setanta, whose holy spear shall pierce all those of evil hearts."