Memory 12: Burying The Past

Velvet Room

The fighting within Connor's mind had finally come to an end. Every single Shadow that once lay dormant within his mind was slain...Including the very core of what kept those false memories of his together. Through all of the hardship and pain he had experienced, physically, emotionally, and mentally, he finally prevailed and reached the end. His mind was now completely his once again. Victory was finally his grasp. And now all that remained was to return to the real world and to stop Alena once and for all. To put an end to both her power and her tirade for good. But...There was only one place to return to before he did. The Velvet Room. Where his journey had begun. Where he was given the chance to be able to reclaim his mind.

And soon enough, that was where both he and Iris would soon appear. His soft Blue eyes slowly opened up to see the classroom the Velvet Room took the shape of to see both Igor and Anastasia there, waiting for him. While the master always had a large smile on his face, the attendant did as well. And was a proud one at that. And when he entered this room, Knight had a soft yet happy smile on his face despite his destroyed attire from the battle before. Most times he had a scowl, sad, or serious look on his face. But not this time. Instead, he approached them with his own grin.

When he was close enough, the man with the long nose then started clapping. While he still kept his large leer, everyone could tell just how happy he truly was to have seen how the journey within his mind had concluded. How fascinated he was with all that had happened. "...Wonderful! Simply, wonderful! A marvelous display we had just witnessed! To think that the very core that once held your false memories...Was someone that was once connected to your past! The very person that led you down the path you once walked."

"With...Akuhei...? O-Oh...Yeah..." The young man spoke, with him now rubbing his head. "I-I...Didn't expect it...But, to be honest? I...I think deep down inside, I had a feeling that somehow, somewhere...He was still lingering behind me. Every memory I had with Mom...Always brought him up. How each of the Shadows always brought her up...How they had always blamed me for her death. He was around every corner..." But, then he shook his head. "But...None of that matters anymore. E-Even if the memory of him will stick with me always...I-I...I'm free. F-Free from his grip on me. I can finally...Leave him and the past behind..." A slightly excited laugh left him. "I still...Have something I need to do...But...I-I'm free."

"Indeed you are...Many times you could have given in to the pain. And many times, you could have let the shackles of the past hold you back...But you have overcome every obstacle. Every single one you had come across on your path to reclaim your memories, you conquered." He then closes his eyes at the Thief to show how pleased he is. "...I felt so delighted to see you succeed! I once believed that because you lacked the power of The Wild Card, your journey would be one we would erase from our OWN memories. And yet, you've proven us wrong. To think that someone such as yourself exists...I feel honored to have witnessed your journey between dream and reality!"

"...And I'm...Proud of you." The White haired woman then spoke, walking closer to him with her warm smile still on her face. "You had faced the past and its hardships...And now, here you are. A new future is within your grasp."

He glanced over to the Velvet Room Attendant with a slight blush of embarrassment, with him rubbing the back of his Black and Blue colored head. "T-Thank you, but...I-I didn't do this alone. T-The two of you helped me. Helped me lead myself in the right direction. H-Helped me by letting me stay here...I...Wouldn't be here had it not been for the both of you." It seemed that even if it was him doing most of everything, he did remain humble. Not once neglecting what they had done for him. Then he looks over to the Rainbow haired girl, whose eyes became wide the moment he looked over. "...A-And without you too, Iris. All of you...You helped me...I can't...Thank you all enough..."

She looked away for a moment before sighing and stomping forward and toward him, now looking up at him with her own smile. Both her eyes and hair had turned Purple with happiness. "Well...It's just like you said, right? The most we can do is live and do something now instead of just moping around. And that was mine. I helped you and all with your memories...And now you're going to help my mom. So, I'd like to say we're pretty even now."

Hearing her speak made a small laugh escape Knight. He was truly, extremely happy. Satisfied, even. "S-Still...I appreciate you. I-I want to thank you all for everything you've done for me...Because now..." He slowly takes out the key he had just obtained. His old house key. "...I can-"

But just then, the key began to shine and emit a bright light, blinding everyone close by. Curiosity had filled their minds as to what was happening. "H-Hey! Connor! What's happening?!"

Instead of being blinded, all he does is just stare at it...His orbs were wide the whole time. He knew exactly what it was. "I-It's...My last memory..." And soon, he and everyone else would see it before their very eyes. What else was left within his mind to reclaim? But soon, they would finally see the memory.

A memory from thirteen years ago.

Thirteen Years Ago

At this moment, a young six-year-old Connor was now walking into the playground in Inokashira Park with a sunflower in hand. The very same flower he was given by his mother earlier. He planned to make a friend like his mother wanted him to. And so, he looked around with all of the kids running around, wanting to try and approach each and every one that passed by them. "E-Excuse me? Could...You...?" However, they simply ignored him and kept running. And so, he tried with the next one that passed by...And the next one...And the next one. But they all ignored him in the very same way. And each time, it only made him sad...And gave him less reason to even try again.

Just as he was ready to give up, his sweet, Ice Blue eyes then caught sight of someone. A girl his age near one of the closeby trees, watching everyone. She was wearing a Sky Blue dress and had, what was to him, such a beautiful set of Auburn hair. He was so entranced by her that he almost immediately started walking up to her. And by the time he was close enough, she then looked over at him. "...Oh. Hello..." She simply said, weary of him.

Suddenly, and yet without a second thought, his hands slowly move to offer her the flower. "...I-I like your hair. I-It's pretty...Like this flower..." He simply said with a blush, looking away. For him, it seemed that he had met someone who might be just as beautiful as his mother. Maybe even moreso.

She was taken aback by the kind gesture, but slowly accepted it by now holding it. Her soft eyes took in the sight of the flower. It was very, very beautiful to her. "O-Oh, thank you...It's pretty..." She stared at the flower, observing it for a while before looking up at the young boy. "...Do you like flowers...?"

That caught his attention and made him nod. He was actually having a conversation. "M-Mhm...My Mom brings home flowers all the time. I love them...M-My Mom says she'd love to have a flower garden..."

"O-Oh? I-I love gardening..." A smile slowly formed on her face, and she let out a tiny giggle. "She should make flowers like this to give to people...It could make them happy..." His cute, life-filled eyes could only stare at her as he listened. From just seeing her hair and hearing her soft and sweet voice, as well as how she entranced him...It looked as if, to him, he found an angel. Someone that had fallen from heaven. "...What's your name?"

"M-M-My name...?" He asked softly, hesitation coming in now...But he had to push through. He had already begun making a friend like his mother wanted him to. And he couldn't stop now. He gulps and then readies to speak. "I-I'm..."

"...There you are, Haru." A man's voice then spoke, with the two children now looking over to see an adult approaching them. One with Graying White hair, round glasses, and wore a Black suit with a Red button-up underneath. It seemed this man...Was her Grandfather of sorts."...It's time we go. Your father will wonder where we are."

After seeing him and hearing her name, all the young boy could do was stare in awe. Haru. That was her name. And a name he would keep locked into his mind for years to come. But, she nods and looks over to the boy she had just met. "...W-Well...It was nice meeting you. I-I'd love to see you again!" The small Haru then spoke before bowing and joining her Grandfather's side before walking away hand in hand. Although she did take one last look at the young boy before turning her attention to her relative.

But during this whole time, his mind was racing. She wanted to see him again. To him, everything was perfect about her at that moment. And that only made him smile. A truly, happy smile. Just as she wanted to see him again, he wanted to as well. When he looked around to see his mother walking toward him, he quickly ran over to her with happiness in his eyes. "M-Mom! Mom! I met an angel! I SAW an angel!"

And little would the young child know that years later...They would indeed meet again.

Present Day
Velvet Room

Soon, the light faded away the moment the memory ended. Connor's final memory. Igor and Anastasia were intrigued by what they had just seen, with a smile still on her face the whole time. All the while, Connor could only stare in awe. In shock. And from reliving that day from years ago, his eyes now lingered around...Processing what he had witnessed. "...Well, well. Who would have guessed...?" She now spoke, a little laugh now leaving her. "It seems...She was much more important to you than you realized."

However, the owner of the memory only stood there before looking up at the dark abyss that was the ceiling. That child he met on that day, and the very one he proclaimed to be an angel when he was younger, was Haru. The very woman he loved and now had by his side all along. His eyes were now, at this very moment, having tears leak out of them. And that alone took Iris by surprise and left her worried...Her hair changed from Purple to Orange. "...Connor...?" She could only wonder what he felt at this moment.

Soon, a little chuckle left him...Followed by a sniffle. "...O-Of course...It's so obvious now. Why Haru...Was able to help me break out of it as she did. Why I felt the way I did...W-Wanting to be around her so much...By her side..." Then, he starts rubbing his eyes with his right arm to wipe away the tears. "...Ever since I met her, I-I wanted to see her again...Somehow. And some way. T-That...That's what made me deal with Dad's abuse toward Mom...And toward me for as long as I did. Why...I tried to remain strong. Just wanting to see her...It gave me the strength I needed. In a way...She saved my life. S-She..." Once the tears were gone, he let out a deep exhale. He now had a face full of confidence. A face filled with happiness. "...She saved my life. And now...It's time for me to save her. To save her from both Sugimura...And Alena."

Hearing him speak only made the attendant smile right at him with a nod...And slowly approaching him to give him a comforting hug. Especially with all that happened throughout his time within his mind. It took him aback at first, but he slowly melted into the embrace to do the same. "...You truly do remember everything now, yes? Every single memory?" She asked, with her Gold colored eyes looking over to him during the hug.

A nod then leaves him before slowly breaking it off. "...I-I do. I remember everything about myself...The real me. I-It's...It's time for me to return. Return to my home...Return to her. She needs me..." And after hearing that, she gives him a firm nod in return. Then, he looks over to the smaller woman, who only smirked and nodded back...Her hair now turning Blue.

But just then, the sound of a school bell began to echo through the room, catching everyone's attention. "...And so, it seems our time together has reached its end. We have arrived at your journey's conclusion." Everybody soon looked at the man, with his grin still on his face. "...Now, it seems we must depart. Our contract...Has been fulfilled. And our duties end here as well. This will be the last time we meet. While you may have lacked the potential of infinite possibilities, you truly...Were a remarkable guest." Then he waved. "Goodbye, and farewell."

And with that, in a flash of light, the old man disappeared before them. The duo then eyed the attendant, who bowed one last time before she flashed away with him. And with them gone, the torn-up Velvet Blue room began to slowly fade away, eventually leaving them in nothing but darkness. They both looked around, wondering what else there was left to do. Or, better yet, where to go now.

They continued to look around until they caught sight of a small flower pedal that began to fall from the sky, eventually falling near their feet. Which, in turn, caused a large blast of light to then fill the area. And what they saw when the light faded away took them by surprise. Instead of the Velvet Room, it was now a field filled with nothing but roses and sunflowers. The Roses had a wide variety of colors. And a beautiful Blue sky with many puffy and fluffy White clouds in it. The sight alone left Iris in awe, now able to see what a field of flowers looked like. To be able to see it for real and in person. "So...This is what a field looks like..." She could only look around, a big smile on her face. Now, she finally understood what he had meant about it being a sight one could never forget. "...You were right...They do look beautiful in person..."

"...Yeah...They do..." It was all he could say, a bright smile on his face as he stared at the field. He knew without a doubt that this place...This was his heart. His true heart. That, his mind, and his memories...Were all at peace. All except for one final thing he had to do in the real world. And so, he slowly looks over at her. "...S-So...Where are you going to go now...?"

With that, she shrugged. Even she didn't know. "...I dunno. Now that everything in your brain and heart here is fixed, I might be going right back to the Velvet Room with Annie. Or I might pop up somewhere in the real world...I'm not sure." She said all of this without so much as looking at him, but soon enough...She faced him, her eyes and hair turning Yellow. She was now rubbing the back of her head, unsure of what to say. "...So, guess that means...We're going our separate ways, huh...? We might not ever see each other again, or...I won't see you for-"

"...W-We'll meet again soon. I-I know we will..." He then said to interrupt her, making her eyes widen and look up at him. His smile was still on his face. Not once did it fade away. "It...Doesn't matter how long it'll take, or where you are...W-We'll see each other again. J-Just know that...I'll take care of everything. To be there to settle things with your Mom. S-So...Wherever you are or wherever you go, just...Live your life to the fullest, o-okay...?" Then, he shook his head lightly. "Life...Is too short to dwell on the past...Focus...On moving forward. Live the life you have now...W-We...Only have the one. We...Can't waste it."

She didn't know what to say as she just stared at him...Now, suddenly having tears in her eyes. Happy ones. She truly was going to be away from him, but...She knew he was right. Her hair and eyes turned back to Purple once again. And then, without a word or warning, she quickly embraces him in a quick hug. This one, just like the last hug, took him back. But, he slowly gave her an embrace back. The two of them stood there as she slowly began to fade away in particles of light. To fade away from being in his mind. Soon enough, she would look up to him with a warm leer. "Connor...? You know how your mom said she'd want you to become like a Knight? How YOU wanted to be like one? Well...I think you would have made her proud, and...You earned that name." Then, one final nod from her was made. "...See you later, Knight..."

All he could do was smile down at her until she finally faded away. The only one left here...Was him. Only him in his mind. "...I'll see you again someday, Iris..." He then finally spoke to himself as he watched the orbs of light floating into the beautiful sky. He was alone now in this field. The sight of the flowers was going to be the final thing he would see before facing Alena...And so he took it in one final time. A deep inhale and exhale now escaped him. It was time to return to where he belonged now. To face the trial ahead of him. "...It's time to go." And so, he took out the old house key from his pocket and rose it into the sky, having a beam of light then shoot out of it and into the air. That, in turn, made the whole area now consumed by the pure brightness. And consume him in the process.

There was one last thing left to take care of.

Miura Beach/Evening

"Connor...Kun...?" The voice of Haru then asked softly.

From that very voice, Connor's eyes then opened up. His eyes were now Gold. Before him was the sight of Miura Beach with her in her Phantom Thief attire, Alena in front of him with her Persona out, and Sugimura lying on the sand from just being shocked by the recent events. His face was filled with shock. But currently, in Knight's eyes...It was filled with anger. Rage. And determination. And all of it was aimed at the nurse. But he stood there in his outfit, born from his awakening with Lancelot, surrounded by the Blue flames.

THE NURSE

He then blinked slowly to have his orbs return to the Ice Blue color. He has returned from within his mind. "...I-I remember...Everything. Remember everything about who I am...I know...Everything you did, Alena. I understand everything." He then finally spoke, staring at the Blonde. It was clear just how unhappy he truly was. "...You ruined...So many people's lives. Stole away so many people's loved ones. Destroyed so many people's minds...Just to try and remake me into your own vision. How many lives did you change? H-How many?!" That question only brought silence between all of them. "...I won't let you get away with this! Let you hurt Haru! It's time for you to stop this now, Alena!" Slowly, he aims his sword at her to show how serious he truly was. "...And if you won't, then I'll stop you in my own way!"

Hearing this, she only let out a sigh. "...You still don't understand, do you? I know what I did, and what I've done...But, if it means I can have my son back, then I'll do it! I'll do whatever it takes to-"

"...Do you really think Kioku would even want this?!" Hearing that name not only silenced her, but also shocked her. All his lover could do was listen to him, hearing everything he had to say. "...Do you even know what he would have wanted?! The only thing he wanted was for you to move on from this! To not dwell on his death! Not-"

That very name...Shook the blonde. Questions now filled her mind. "H-How do you...How do you know that name? How-" But, she stopped herself and shook her head. "N-No...You're messing with me! You're tricking me! You can't speak for the dead! Nobody can! NONE OF YOU CAN!" Just then, she claps her hands together, with the puppet now using the Purple fingers from the eight long arms to stab into the floor, having Lesser Shadows quickly brought out. All of them gasping as if begging for help. They were surely the Shadows she planned to use to restrengthen the core. Unfortunately for her, he took care of it from within. Just then, those large fingers from Mnemor rose from the ground and shot out Red threads to latch onto each of their necks. "G-Get him! Get him so I can merge you all with him!"

Being controlled, they all started to rush toward him, ready to strike in whatever way they could. All Noir could do was just watch, confused by what was happening before readying her axe. "...Haru. Stand back..." He then spoke, making her look to see him slowly start walking toward the controlled Shadows. With them close enough, he quickly swings his left arm. That action alone quickly warps his Persona behind him from Lancelot to Excalibur, with it then suddenly swinging its large Black and White blade, cutting through the Shadows almost without effort.

Seeing him switching Personas made his "fiance's" Brown eyes widen. It rang with familiarity. Something she knew she'd seen before. "Y-You...Your Persona changed, Connor-Kun! Y-You..."

However, he doesn't say anything. Just seeing this struck fear into Alena, and only made Sugimura from the distance even more confused. Just then, Connor let his hand down, suddenly having Lancelot reappear next to Excalibur. Two of his Personas then stood side by side until slowly, they began to merge together to have a Blue and Gold light then engulf the two. Eventually, it died down to reveal something else standing behind him. It was yet another knight with Gold armor, but it held Black under armor with a mask that looked like his users of the same color, a large but torn Red cloak around its neck, both of its arms having White claws with chains around them, and two White swords with a Black middle and Golden guard.

And from this new transformation, Knight's own sword then glowed to create a replica of the blade. With it made, he quickly swings it as he stares at the nurse. "...It's time we finish this, Alena...Once and for all." Once more, he points and aims his newly created blade at her. "...Let's go...King Arthur!"

Seeing this newly created Persona only took Alena by surprise, making her step back slightly. Fear was now instilled into her eyes, but...She had to keep on her path. The path to "revive" her lost son. And so she shook her head. "N-No...I can't...I can't stop! If it means I must hold you down to revive Kioku, then I will! I'll revive him, no matter the cost!" She then snaps her right hand. "Go, Mnemor!" And with that command, the large puppet then quickly shifts from behind her to in front of her and quickly dashes toward the male, readying to strike. Its wooden arms then disconnect, hanging onto the torso with Crimson threads, and then swinging their arms upward before descending.

Bury the light deep within!
Cast aside there's no coming home!
We're burning chaos in the wind!
Drifting in the ocean all alone!

When those arms swung down, it didn't take long for Knight to then swing his arm to try and counter this. "...Tetrakarn!" And with that, King Arthur then lifts its arms to make an "x" with its blades, creating a large barrier to block the attack and causing sparks of tension between the both of them. The two users stood there, watching their two Personas clash for the first time. And it wouldn't be the only time. Soon, the two of them glanced at each other. They were both the only remains of their own families. "...Everything comes to an end, Alena." He now spoke, his Blue eyes still filled with determination. "...Your hold on that other world. The pain you caused...And even your involvement with me...It ends here! It ALL ends here!" Then, he snaps his own finger, having the shield to then start glowing and suddenly blow up. This not only made particles of light fill the air, but sent the puppet backward from the blast.

Through vacant halls, I won't surrender!
The truth revealed in eyes of ember!
We fight through fire and ice forever!
Two souls once lost and now they remember!

With the large Persona sent back, it gave both Connor and King Arthur the chance to have the orbs left behind slowly latch onto them. Most importantly, onto both of their blades to have the energy covering and strengthening them. With this, they slowly ready their swords before quickly, yet suddenly, swinging their blades in sync. And in doing so, from all three of the swords, they release a large wave of power formed by the Tetrakarn toward Mnemor. It didn't take long for it to notice and quickly swing its claws to then create its own barrier to try and defend it, with both of their skills now trying to outdo the other.

"Stop him! Stop it, now!" The nurse could only shout out, with her eyes completely wide. The defense from the attack only continued until eventually, the energy wave and barrier quickly broke apart and cancelled out, leaving behind orbs of energy from both the shield and the attack in the air. With this, the puppet then absorbs it as well to now gain a Pure White aura...All before it turns into a Bloody Red color. Mnemor then lets out a rage-filled scream before quickly pointing its arms into the sky, having Red beams of light shoot into the sky from its fingertips...As if it's its way to let out the burst of energy. The lights glowed brightly in the dark sky before it began descending. It was ready to land and destroy parts of the beach.

All his Blue eyes could do was just stare, realizing what could happen. He quickly eyed Sugimura, who could only stare at the sky with his jaw gaping. Whether he hated him or not, he was going to be a victim of the onslaught. He couldn't let that happen. Enough people had already died by her hand. And so, he glanced over to Haru while his Persona returned to being his guise. "Haru!" She quickly nods and uses her enhanced speed due to the Metaverse to charge for the playboy to defend and protect him. Soon enough, those very lights inched closer and closer to them and the ground. And by the time the lights began to land one by one, he quickly jumped away from each one to dodge them as fast and as much as possible.

I am the storm that is approaching!
Provoking! Black clouds in isolation!
I am reclaimer of my name!
Born in flames, I have been blessed! My family crest is a demon of death!

During this, all the female Phantom Thief could do was keep sprinting so she could evade them. Meanwhile, all Sugimura could do was just lie there, his mouth was completely wide from all he was saying. Especially if some of them were now landing close to him. Being here wasn't worth it to him anymore. "F-Forget this! I-I'm out of here!" He quickly got up to run, but accidentally fell right down onto the sand immediately after, leaving him defenseless and on the ground once again. He quickly looked back to see that some of the beams of light were now aiming and going right for him. He was now struck with pure fear. "S-Somebody help me!"

"...Milady!" It was then that Noir quickly got in front of him just in time as she ripped off her mask, summoning Milady to have her swing the hand that held the fan to create a large Tetrakarn in front of them to take the endless attacks. With that, all the man in the White suit could do was just stare with wide eyes before she looked back at him. Relief was all over her face to see he was still alive. "...Are you alright, Sugimura-San?" However, all he could do was just stare before responding to that question by suddenly passing out. And that left her sighing. "...I would assume so."

Forsakened I am awakened! A phoenix's ash in dark divine!
Descending misery! Destiny chasing time!
Disappear into the night! Lost shadows left behind!
Obsession's pulling me! Fading, I've come to take what's mine!

As Haru was defending against the relentless assault, all Knight could do was jump from side to side to evade any that were close to him. With each evasion of the attack, he only starts to grow faster and faster in terms of speed, eyeing each beam that was in close proximity. However, one nearly hits him and forces him to quickly swing his arm to create another barrier to block the attack. But in doing so, all of them then began to redirect and aim toward Knight. There were more coming than he had been prepared for. And so, he rips off his mask again to resummon his evolved Persona behind him. "King Arthur!" And with it now out once again, it puts up its blades on its back and forces its palms forward to create a large Tetrakarn in front of them. Each one hit the transparent barrier before him without rest, and all they could do was stand there and keep the Tetrakarn up.

Soon enough, the attacks into the sky would stop, but the relentless assault was far from ending. Mnemor then reattached its arms to its torso to suddenly clap all four sets of its hands and aim its fingertips toward the nineteen-year-old male and the Golden knight, now shooting the beams of light at them rapidly as a machine gun would. And did so without wishing to let up. Every single beam continued to hit the barrier the two had created while only being able to stand there currently. Standing in the exact same spot for who knew how long. It was all he could do at this very moment as the barrage in front of him continued.

Seeing him struggle like this in the distance, Haru knew she had to do something. Especially when her barrier absorbed most of the attacks. And so, she swings her arm once more to have the Tetrakarn she made then disappear and force the Red energy that was absorbed by the shield to quickly shoot into her Persona, having Milady gain a Crimson aura now. "Go, Milady!" And from within her dress, it opens up to reveal the guns that it held. And soon, fires off much more powerful missiles and bullets from the guns within, hitting the puppet in the back of the head to make it stop almost immediately. And that caught Connor's attention. "Connor-Kun!"

He then nods quickly. "Right!" With the power he obtained from his own defense, he quickly stores it within himself in the same way as her and straightens his arms in front of him. He too now had a Crimson aura. "...King Arthur, DIAMOND DUST!" Soon, his Persona would then do the same as him, with the both of them now shooting out a burst of cold wind and ice from their palms. The attack was hitting both it and the nurse, but one of its large hands slowly moved to prevent her from being hit anymore after a while. As if to protect her. The power of the enhanced Bufu skill slowly began to slow down Mnemor, eventually encasing it in pure ice from the power alone. And with that, their counterattack stopped. The Persona was now completely frozen.

Lurking in the shadows under veil of night, constellations of blood pirouette dancing through the graves of those who stand at my feet.
Dreams of the black throne I keep on repeat. A derelict of dark summoned from the ashes.
The puppet master congregates all the masses. Pulling strings, twisting minds as blades hit.
You want this power? Then come try and take it.

From seeing her Persona like this, all Alena could do was just stare with her eyes wide. To see the very thing that gave her power now helpless like this...Unable to do anything...Unable to fight at this moment, it tore her apart. Her eyes winced. Her grasp on Connor's mind...And the distance between being able to make her goal a reality and reaching it was growing farther and farther away. "N-No...No...!" She then spoke to herself, shaking her head. "Y-You...Why can't you understand...That I'm only trying to help you?! Help us?!" She then looked over to the new Persona user, who only walked toward her with a serious look on his face and his newly changed Persona behind him still. "...Help us forget the pain! Forget the suffering! Forget seeing your mother in pain! Forget my own pain! Letting us be a family! W-Why can't you let me, Connor?!"

Beyond the tree, fire burns.
Secret love. Bloodline yearns.
Dark minds embrace Crimson Joy.
Does your dim heart heal or destroy?

"...Because...I-I can't live a lie. Live a lie...Where I'm not truly myself. A life...Where I can pretend none of it happened. A life where I forget who I was...I-I can't run away from it anymore..." He only responded back, still slowly inching closer to her as he readied his sword. "...You only want to run away from it, not embrace it. B-But, if there's one thing I'll thank you for...It's that I'm able to be with Haru, thanks to you. Right now, at this very moment. Had it not been for her...I wouldn't be here now." A little laugh then leaves him. "...No...She was always there. She gave me my strength...Helped me find my place...To be my reason to finally put it all behind me!" Slowly, his smile fades away. "...I've taken my first step forward to move on from the past. And it's time for you too as well...To move on..."

All she could do was just stand there, listening to him as she then starts to look down...Her eyes were now starting to form tears. Everything he had said...She misinterpreted it completely. "...The first step...To move on...? To forget the past?! To forget about Kioku?! Are you...Telling him to leave him behind?!" Then, she looks up in anger, with her Persona now slowly breaking through the ice. Her very feelings gave it the strength it needed to start doing so. "N-No! I can't forget...I won't forget! I-I...I'LL NEVER LEAVE MY BABY BOY BEHIND! NOT AS A MEMORY, AND NOT HERE! HE'LL BE BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN!" And with that final sentence, Mnemor then broke through the frozen prison, now screaming loudly. "I'll bring him back...Through YOU, CONNOR! WE'LL BE HAPPY!"

Just then, the puppet's mouth opened up to have a ball of energy form inside. The energy held the colors of Purple, Blue, Black, and White. And soon, it shot off a large beam from within its mouth, with Knight only still walking and facing the attack head-on. With a snap of his finger, King Arthur then disappears behind him. Not only did this action have his Golden mask return to his face, but he then obtained a transparent set of armor and a cape of the same color then surround him to protect him. And not once did he falter or get knocked back from the hit, and he continued to walk through the attack. Walking through it without being fazed for a moment.

Bury the light deep within!
Cast aside there's no coming home!
We're burning chaos in the wind!
Drifting in the ocean all alone!

Connor continued to walk through the Psy attack, with his blade ready to strike and finish everything once and for all. Slowly, he prepares his arm by lifting it up and quickly swings it, creating a Makarakarn in front of him to immediately stop and absorb the attack. "...Enough." He spoke plainly. And with that, he snapped his fingers once more, creating his own Psy beam from within the barrier. The attack quickly hit and surrounded Mnemor's head for just a split moment. But it was enough to have it now slouching over and on its hands tiredly. And with that strike inflicted, the transparent armor of Connor's then slowly disappears.

From the counterattack alone, Alena...Was left in shock. All she could do from witnessing what she had seen was just to her knees, unable to believe what had just happened. Her Persona...Was worn down, and likely unable to fight anymore. "M-Mnemor..." It was all she said. But then, she notices a blade aimed at her, making her look up to see the male Phantom Thief there. It was clear now...She had lost. Lost this fight. And lost any footing she had in "reviving" her son.

"...Stop, Alena..." He spoke to her softly, slowly taking off his mask with his left hand to now stare at her with a look of sympathy. A look filled with pain. Soon, Haru would slowly join his side. "...You've lost...I-I made up my mind. And there's nothing you can do about it to change it...No matter how much you try..." Soon, a sigh escapes him. "...Just...Stop. Please...?"

He was right. There was nothing she could do. Connor was the perfect person to have her become something like her son, and now...It was gone. Her chances to have a son like Kioku were gone. Gone with the wind. Her only response was to now look down. Tears were now falling from her face and onto the sand. "I-I just...I wanted to have my son back...That's all I wanted. I wanted to see some form of him again...To hold him again...To tell him I love him again...To...Be a mother again. To correct my mistake of never being there for him when he needed me...That's all...That's all I wanted..."

"...I know how you feel, Alena-San." Okumura then spoke, making the nurse look up at her with her watered-up eyes. "I'd give anything to have my father back. To have him by my side again. But...I have to focus on what's important now. To pick up where my father had left off...To continue making people happy as my grandfather once did...And..." She then looked over to the new Phantom Thief, now holding his White gloved hand with her Purple one, in which he holds back and glances over to her. "...To be with Connor-Kun. To be his support."

"...M-More than that. To let their lives mean something..." He continued with her sentence, now looking down at the Blonde. "...I-I'll never forget my Mom, but...If I focus on how she died rather than how she lived and what she meant to me, then...I-I can never take that next step forward. None of us can..." However, all Alena could do now was just look down. Keeping her eyes away from them, but...Deep in thought. "...W-We're not saying you should forget them, but...To move forward. To remember them for who they were, and never...That they're gone..." He slowly puts his sword up to offer her his hand. "...S-Stand up. And disconnect those threads that let you go to that world...You're much better here than in there...Or in the past..."

She could only sit there on her knees, staring at his hand. To hear of his words...Some form of it did ring true. Somewhere, she was finally starting to wake up...The weight of her actions finally started to set in. And so she shook her head. "...D-Do I even deserve to even move forward...After all I've done...?" Now, she began gripping where her heart was...Reflecting on all she's done for the past fourteen years. All of the Shadow Selves she mentally tore apart and ripped from to even make her goal a reality. All of the people...She killed. All of the lives she likely destroyed and ruined...All because of her obsession. "...Do I...Even deserve to...?"

He didn't know how to answer. Perhaps, there was no answer for him to give her...Except to still offer her his hand. "...I-I can't answer that for you. That's...Something only you can...But...W-We can't live and dwell in the past forever...The only thing we have...Is to live. Live for everyone we've lost...I-It's...All we can do now..."

She only listened to him, with her eyes still all on the young man before him before lingering on his lover by his side. The only thing left in life...Is to live. Something about that finally clicked within her. "I-I..." Her hand was slowly starting to linger toward his...As if, ready to join his side. But then, a sudden burst of pain then came out of nowhere within her head, making her grip it and stop her reach. That alone caught the two thieves by surprise. "W-What's...What's happening...?" It was all she could ask as the head pain suddenly grew in intensity, with small yells escaping her. "What's...Happening!?"

"...Bring...Back...I must...Bring back..." A dark, warped, male voice then spoke, making their eyes widen and look at the source. Mnemor, still on its hands and slouching. It was speaking...All while a Red aura was now surrounding it. "Bring back...No matter what...End...Suffering..." It slowly started to lift its head, and its puppet eyes slowly lingered on the group. "Must...Forget...Pain. Must...Kill pain. No matter...How many...Killed. I...I...Will end pain." The aura then began to grow, with it now using its eight hands to slowly move and lift itself out of the dark pit it had always been bound to. The ground was now shaking from it doing this, cracks were now forming around the area...And more of its wooden body began to be shown and revealed.

From it now rising from the darkness its body was one in, chains then suddenly appeared on the back of the Persona's owner, with her now starting to breathe heavily and beginning to scream in agony. The chains that bound her other self to Mnemor were exposed. "A-Alena!" Connor then screamed, rushing to her alongside Haru to check on her. The very things attached to her slowly began to break off one by one. Soon...Every single one finally disconnected from her body, making her fall face first onto the ground. Her Persona...Had now removed itself from her. Removed by its own sheer will and power. "Alena!" He quickly picks her up slightly and turns her over, holding her close. "S-Say something! Alena!"

Her eyes could only stay barely open, fatigue had set in from what had happened. "I-It's...Disconnected...From..." However, she wasn't able to finish. But they were able to piece together what she tried to say.

"...I will...End pain. The pain of memories!" Mnemor then spoke as it continued to raise its body from the ground, eventually revealing its wooden feet. Now, it was standing as a thirty-foot tall giant puppet, staring down at them. "Memories...Only bring pain! Pain of remembrance! The pain of the bad past...The pain of times...No longer in present!" It began to grow in literacy, as if...Slowly gaining consciousness. Slowly, it lifts its arms out to then shoot out the Red threads from its Purple fingers, stabbing them into the ground to create Black portals.

And from this, Shadows began to latch onto and quickly crawl onto those very strings. But not crawling as if wanting to, but as if...By force. As if...Being controlled and told to. And soon, those very Shadows that were attached to the puppet strings would slowly latch onto the large, titan-like puppet. "C-Connor...What's happened...?" His "fiancee" asked, confused by what was going on. "What is it...Doing...?"

His Blue eyes could only observe what was going on. But when he saw them moving and latching on, all he could hear was...Confused pain filled groaning coming from some of them. And it was a sound he recognized very well. He knew exactly what was happening now. "...T-Those...Those Shadows...Those aren't just the Lesser ones it's grabbing. N-Not the ones we avoided like back then..." He spoke, having her look. "I-It's...It's also their Shadow Selves! I-It's ripping them from them...Just like what was done with me by Alena!" Her Brown orbs could only be wide. "I-It's killing them...Killing people!"

With each and every one of the Shadows that latched onto the giant, it began to create what appeared to be Black muscle made by the latched-on Shadow Selves...And Pale White skin on top of it, made by the masks from the Lessers. Tens began to latch onto its body. And those tens would turn into hundreds. And the hundreds would transition to thousands. And as many more got on, each of its extra arms began to fall off until only two remained. Those very limbs then melted and transformed into larger voids so more Shadows could latch onto the remaining threads to hasten the process of its transformation. With each passing second, not only did its height begin to grow, but the puppet's face that resembled Connor's began to crack and shatter. The pieces of wood began to fall onto the ground, slowly revealing to be a Blank mask with female heterochromia eyes that were Green and Gold in color. And on their forehead was a Red gemstone.

During this transformation, in the distance, Sugimura then began to wake up with a light groan. "Mmh...W-What...?" He was now asking himself, wondering what was going on...And why he was here. He couldn't remember initially, but soon...He slowly gets up to then look up and witness the growing giant using Shadows to power itself up. His eyes were completely wide from the sight...Wondering if he was dreaming. And from just the sight, his eyes roll back and he quickly falls right back down onto the ground to faint with a sigh. Knocked out once again

Soon, the Red threads that came from the Persona's now smooth Purple fingers were lifted, stopping the number of Shadows that were forced to come out of the portals. But then those very strings began to expand and surround its now thin, three-hundred-foot, Pale White body to eventually create a long Crimson dress from those very strings. The hood that was once around its neck now expanded into a large, Black cloak. Those very same threads then expanded even further to its head to create a long matching set of hair. Long enough to hit and seep into the ground...As if wishing to still remain connected to contact and stay connected to the Shadows. To Mementos from within. All they could do was stare, particularly with Alena. The way her Persona looked was vastly different. "W-What...Is this...?" Connor now asked himself, with his Blue eyes wide.

"...I will unshackle man and woman from the chains of memories. Memories chained to the past...The past chained to pain. The pain of humans. I will finally rid them of their suffering." The supposed Mnemor now spoke, gaining a female voice. As it spoke, they all watched and listened...Especially Alena, who was slowly starting to get back up on her own two feet. "I will rid of man's memories...Their ability to remember their past, so they may live happily. I...Will bring back their happiness, no matter how many lives were killed to gain this form. As Mnemosyne, I will save this world..." Slowly, she raised her arms. "I...Will ascend to godhood to take control of the other world...And remove their memories. To give them eternal bliss! Eternal happiness! To gift us salvation!"

MNEMOSYNE

All they could do was just stare in surprise and fear, especially the nurse. Her eyes were wide from what she was witnessing. "T-This...This came...From me...? Because...I was connected to that world for so long...?" She could only stare before looking down, the weight of her actions had only hit her even harder. This...Was the consequence of her actions. The consequences of her obsession. The consequences...Of trying to bring her son back. This being...Was all made by her. "I-I..."

"...You're right." Knight then spoke out loud, making the two women look over at him. His eyes were completely on Mnemosyne. "...If there's one thing you're right about, it's that the past CAN be painful. Both the bad and the good...We can never forget the past, and we never will...But the most we can do is by continuing to live! To be greater than what we suffered! To get through the harsh times in the past and live in the present as best as we can! To live and keep fighting for the futures we want! To continue fighting for everyone and everything we lost along the way! To remember them for who they were! To keep those memories alive!" He then aims his sword at the giant. "That's...That's what the memories we have are meant to be used for! What it means to remember! To be a person! An individual! To...Be human!" From his speech, the titan gripped its fists, causing strong winds to erupt. "You have...NO right to decide that for us! To decide who or what we can or can't remember!"

All Noir could do was stare, letting his words seep into her mind. To take in all that he said. And so, she nods, now pointing her axe at it with her left hand. "...That's right! There are memories we must keep! To grow! To remember fondly!" Hearing her speak made her lover now look over at her, listening to her. "Thinking of them...Can sometimes hurt...But I would never trade those for the world! To remember my father! And my grandfather! To remember what they were to me! What they mean to me now! I want to keep their memory alive as best as I can!"

Hearing everything only made him smile before looking back at the large Shadow with a scowl. "...More than just her father or grandfather! My Mom! Takeishi! And...Kioku! I'm going to remember how they lived! Pain and all! We'll be stronger than the pain! And be stronger knowing what they left behind for us!" Then, he looks over to his Phantom Thief lover once again. "...Noir!" She looked back immediately, especially when he used her codename. "...I'm ready to close this door, and open the next! I'm ready to start what we have in store for the future! I'm ready...To keep my promise! But...I need your help!" He offers her his hand, needing her support. "...Let's close this door...Together!"

Follow me.
I'm standing on the border of everything.
Listen close. Can you hear the spirits sing?
Lost messages of long ago?

To hear of him being ready to move on...To need her help with seizing their future and the promise they made together made her smile happily and grab his hand. "...Together!"

With them both now hand in hand, they slowly now looked forward at the giant Shadow. Once it was taken care of, they could finally return to their normal lives. Return to THEIR normal. This was their fight to show their dedication. To show they were ready to start a new chapter in their lives. "...Then...Let's GO!" They both said in unison before running off at a quick speed toward the giant, their weapons out and ready to attack anything that came their way.

As they ran off, all the Blonde haired woman could do was watch. Her orbs were as wide as they could be. To see Connor running forward regardless of what was in front of him...And to hear what he said, despite the painful memories he experienced...She knew he truly meant what he said. And so she only stood there, with a hand on her chest. "...Connor..."

Leave the life you knew before!
See a new world worth fighting for!
Find the truth of who I'm meant to become!
Another path I must now walk on!

The large, statue-like Titan could only watch as they ran, with a light tilt of the wrist, it summoned a large puddle of Lesser Shadows before them. All of them were now Charcoal colored humanoids with the same mask design as the large Shadow, as well as having the Red threads attached to their necks. But it didn't stop them. They would continue to dash together, with the two of them slashing through it as quickly and efficiently as possible by swinging their weapons, not wanting to slow down for even a moment. Especially when the giant was so close. With them getting closer, it now swings an upward "claw" attack to get at them. Its large fingers dug through the sand, to which they quickly jumped away and began running in a whole other direction. Still hand in hand.

During their running, Knight couldn't help but notice Sugimura still lying there on the sand, completely knocked out from fainting just moments ago. He couldn't stay there, especially with what was going on. "...H-Haru! Get him out of here! I'll cover you!" She nods and quickly disconnects from his hand to run as fast as she could to him. But seeing this caught Mneomsyne's attention and made it aim its hand and start shooting out its long threads to try and grab a hold of her. And alone catching Connor's eyes. "Watch out!" By the time she got to him to pick him up, thanks to her enhanced strength, she took notice and gasped. And that made him quickly jump in front to slice through the threads.

I'm here!
Reaching far across these new frontiers! With my life, I fight this fear!
In my hands, I hold the ones I love! Walk forward through the cold dawn!
Always to new horizons!

However, with the threads cut, it didn't stop them from grasping around his body and now pulling it toward the titan. A scream escaped him as he was being dragged in the air. However, Haru didn't have time to think. She had to get Sugimura out of harm's way for now, just as he wanted her to. But as he was being dragged by the threads, he let out a loud scream and quickly ripped his mask off. "King...ARTHUR!" And just then, the Gold knight appeared just close enough to then dash fast and through the threads once more. But far enough to where it couldn't grasp him again.

Now free, he sees he's much closer to the giant "Shadow God" than before...And sees the giant gemstone on its head while he began falling. Surely it's the source of its power. Using his newly equipped grappling hook, he aims it right at it to latch onto the head and quickly bolts toward it once attached. All while changing his position mid-air to where he would land on the "core" feet first. And did this quickly enough to where it couldn't react while his Persona returned back to being his mask. And soon enough, he lands on it with a large amount of momentum and power behind it, leaving a large crack on the gem on the forehead. And that was enough to earn a yell from the Titan.

Come with me!
We'll travel through thе trials and tragedy!
Blessed and blеak. Can you hear the spirits shout?
The secrets in their melodies?

And when he made his landing on it, he quickly jumped off of it, with the giant now holding its head with its large hand. And thanks to his new powers and state in the Metaverse, he manages to land safely on the sand. But unknown to him, a Shadow was ready to attack him with its large axe from behind. But it was quickly taken care of by Haru returning by his side and cutting through it, catching his attention. "Haru! I found the weak point!" He points right at its head as the Shadow Titan slowly moves its hand again to reveal the cracked gem now. "I just need to get up there somehow!"

Seeing it, she got an idea and looked over at him. "I can throw you! I just need you to throw me as well!" As they began planning, another puddle of darkness then formed. But this time, underneath them. And from it, more of the Lesser Shadows began to form, with a variety of weapons in hand and surrounding and circling them. For crowd control, Noir then swings her weapon to the left before doing so to the right. But the moment she swings it the other way, she lets go to have the weapon now spinning and whirling around them to cut through them all easily. That move rang familiarity to him as well

He then looks back, giving her a nod, and then quickly puts his weapon up to grab the spinning axe the moment it was close to him. "...With King Arthur! I got it!" Now, he offers her his hand. "Let's go!" She bobs her head and accepts his hand before the two of them start sprinting toward the giant once more given that it was still dazed. The two of them were ready to settle the matter...And go home once and for all.

Dream. Explore the mysteries!
Breathe. A new life is revealed to me!
Once again we'll start our story anew!
Don't be afraid! I will be with you!

Now recovering from the kick to its core, it now glances at the couple running toward her before letting out a loud battle cry. It knew what they were planning immediately. "I...Will save this world! Save this world from the pain of memories! No matter the sacrifice!" Quickly, it raises one hand into the air, creating a large circle of light and darkness beneath and around them, making them stop to wonder what was going on. Whatever it was, it covered a lot of ground. "And to do so...You both must...Die!"

With that hand in the air, it clutches into a fist, making the light glow brighter and causing a gasp to escape from Haru. And that made Knight's eyes wide. "H-Haru!" He quickly swings the axe in his possession down to embed it in the sand, then snaps the fingers of his free hand right before an explosion of light consumes them within the circle. And with that attack made, it then lowers the arm that was used to then raise up the other to make a fist like before. And with that motion, came an explosion of darkness within the circle.

I'm here!
Reaching far across these new frontiers! With my life, I fight this fear!
In my hands, I hold the ones I love! Walk forward through the cold dawn!
Always to new horizons!

Soon, the dust settled from the attack. And within the middle was the couple still. But the two of them were now wearing sets of Golden transparent armor thanks to him holding her hand. Thanks to his new ability. The two of them still stood proudly, taking the hit without a scratch on them. "...Merely delaying the inevitable! Your armor will falter, just as your memories shall!" And with that, it rose an arm once again to have them face the explosion of light once again. Then lifts the other to make another full of darkness. But they continued to face each and every one with their defense still surrounding them. And over time, they swung their arms into the air at a faster speed, making the attacks then show up at an even quicker pace. And eventually, it finishes by lifting both to make a large, but powerful, mixed attack.

However, despite the relentless attack, they both stood. Although now weakly. The attacks were enough to have them slowly get on their knees, lose their armor, and leave them breathing heavily from the attacks. One more was enough to take care of them. One stronger than any of the other attacks. To prepare, it lets out a loud war cry while the threads that made its dress begin to shoot out and expand, crafting something that is now attaching to its back. Over time, the strings create large, Red angel wings to slowly start flying and floating upward. The large wings now on its back started to flap in the air. With them made, Mnemosyne then slams its palms together to form a ball of energy of both Curse and Bless power within it. It was ready to finish this battle. All the two of them could do was just stare for some time, with them looking at each other...Perhaps for the final time.

"...Stop this! Mnemor, stop!" A voice then called, seeing that Alena was now running toward them. And that alone caught the flying giant's attention. "T-This...This isn't what I wanted! NOT LIKE THIS! STOP!" She only continued to stare at her former user, but then...Pain coursed through its own head, canceling the attack and making it start to slouch slightly. As well as lower its hands. That alone took them by surprise. It seems that despite the disconnection, its former link still lingered within it. Enough to make it stop in its tracks. "W-What...?"

This was it. This was their only opportunity. And so, with all of his strength, the male quickly got up to grab the axe next to him, and ripped his mask off. "K-King Arthur!" And with that, the Knight was summoned one last time, holding its large palm out for one of them to grab. He then offers his hand to her, with her Purple gloved hand now holding his White one to lift her up. "H-Haru! Now or never!" She then nods, jumping to King Arthur's side to have its larger hand hold hers. It didn't take long for King Arthur's user to then jump to her other side...With them now grasping onto each other's wrists. They were ready to initiate their plan.

With them now prepared, it then readies its body to throw...And then, it chucks Noir away with Knight holding onto her tightly. The two of them flew toward the giant "God", with her grasp on Connor's wrist tightening. Eventually, they start to lose speed and height from the throw. This was their only chance now. "Connor-Kun!" He quickly nods, giving her the go-ahead. And without wasting time, she grabs his wrist with her other hand and quickly does a fast midair spin to then let go and throw him with all her strength before she began falling. Now, he was higher and going fast enough toward the core to reach it despite the large beast currently in the air.

Standing here, the way ahead's becoming clear!
All across these new frontiers!
In my hands, I hold the ones I love! Walk forward through the cold dawn!

As he flew closer and closer, he readied the weapon in his hand while letting out a scream. This would be the final blow...And he would do it while his prior memories flashed before his eyes. Those of Haru, Iris, Takeishi, despite the little time he did spend with him...And most importantly, his mother. The woman who made him who he is. The very people he held near and dear...That he refused to forget about. To rid of in his mind. And that only made him want to finish this even more. His scream was now growing in volume."...This. ENDS. HERE!"

Always to new horizons!

And without effort or thought, the moment he's close to the gemstone on its head, he lifts the axe over his head and does a downward slash to cut right into it, destroying the core and having it shatter immediately. And with its destruction, Mnemosyne only remained still in midair...Its colored eyes were now slowly fading in color while its hand fell limb as well. It was no longer moving. With the core now destroyed, both Alena and Okumura slowly walked up to observe it further...But they were caught off guard by the Phantom Thief's rebellious attire disappearing, putting her back into the Blue sundress and White shirt she was wearing before.

"M-My outfit..." She spoke, looking at her attire before slowly looking up once more, seeing her lover still hanging onto the axe that was embedded in the head still.

"H-He...He did it...He stopped it...Which means..." The nurse then followed up...Her eyes were only on the man still dangling and hanging onto the weapon. "...Nobody else...Should be able to enter or tamper with that world anymore...Then that means..." She didn't need to finish her sentence. They both knew. That goal of "reviving" her son...Was now impossible. Her power was now gone.

He only hung there, staring into space with a light smile...And a tired look in his eyes. Ever since this very evening, or even since a few days ago, he hardly had time to rest. Let alone sleep. Be it since his awakening in the real world or within his mind. But now...He finally had it. He was truly free. As the body of the former Persona began fading away, so did the weapon. As well as a flash of light suddenly consuming the young man for a split moment, putting him back into his Red oversized sweater and Tan pants again. "I-I...I did it...M-Mom...I-I..." He spoke tiredly, before he lost his grip on the weapon. And that in turn led him to start falling.

Seeing him fall alarmed Haru immediately, with her now starting to run. At this height, he could die. "C-Connor-Kun!"

And it didn't take long for the Blonde to start doing the same, running alongside her. "Connor! Connor, no!"

However, the male only continued to fall, looking at the sky tiredly to see that it was being consumed by light. As if...The Metaverse was being closed off once more. To never be accessed again. However, he was far too exhausted to truly grasp what was going on. No clue he was about to fall to his death without his powers. At this moment...He felt as if the world was in slow motion, somehow. But soon, a light twinkled in the sky and quickly began to descend toward him. "W-What's...That...?"

"...Glasses! Hang on!" A familiar voice echoed, with the light now speeding up...As if trying to reach him in time. "I can't...I won't let you die like this! Not after everything! GLASSES!"

And with that, it finally caught up and got close to him to have it flash before him. And the next thing he knew, someone had caught him before he could land, taking the women by surprise. The first thing he saw was looking to his left, seeing the one had who grabbed him and was holding him. Iris, who was in her human form now...But held Rainbow-colored wings on her back now. As if, at this moment, she was in a form that combined the two. But he was still far too tired to grasp that she was here. "Hey...Iris...Here to...Save...Me...?" But before he could finish, he closed his eyes and passed out right on the spot. Worn out from all that transpired tonight.

From just him doing this, a little laugh left her...Her hair slowly turned from its usual Rainbow color to Purple. Clearly, she was happy to see him again. "...Nice to see you too, you idiot..." But this interaction couldn't last long, as the entire world then becomes engulfed in light. They would finally be back in the real world, once again.

"Good job...Connor."

Songs and Lyrics Used; All owned by their respective artists:
I'm Here - Tomoya Ohtani/Sonic Frontiers
Bury the Light - Casey Edwards/Devil May Cry 5