Chapter 3: The Awakening Of The Soul.
April 8th, 2009. 11:50 PM. Dorm, 4th Floor, ??? Room.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: Fearful Experience*
*3rd Person P.O.V*
In a mysterious room, with lot's of books in shelves, a bank of consoles with a screen were being operated by Mitsuru. That must be the secruity camera consoles. Mitsuru and Yukari, who were wearing the same uniforms, execpt now, they were wearing a red armband, With the anagram S.E.E.S written on it, were staring at the screen, seeing the sleeping forms of the Yuki brothers. Ikutsuki entered the room to se what they were doing.
"Working hard? So, how're they doing?" He asked. Also staring at the two sleeping boys. The two girls stood up to and turned around to look at him.
"The two of them went to bed a little while ago. They are asleep now. But before Takeru went to sleep, he was practicing kendo, And meditated for 10 minutes." Mitsuru told the brothers' conditions. Ikutsuki sat down on one of the comfy seats.
"Interesting..." Ikutsuki said.
"But it's strange... I know he does physical training because of kendo, but why is Takeru-kun also doing mental training?" Yukari asked to no one in particular.
"We don't know. But we will soon enough." Ikutsuki told her.
"Mr. Chairman, do you think they're...?" Mitsuru started to ask, but trailed off.
"Well, let's wait and see for now. ...The Dark Hour is approaching." He told them. And the three of them stared at the screen.
*Music Ends.*
Meanwhile... In a dark alley...
Several adults and teenagers are seen either drinking booze, smoking some cigarrettes, Having some women on their sides, or even relaxing with their homies.
A radio broadcast is heard in the alley. A Gekkoukan High School student is seen messing with his phone, problably texting to his friends. He clicked his tongue because one of the women tossed an empty can of beer at his feet.
The broadcast was advertising the Kirijo Electronics, The company of Mitsuru's family. It also was annoucing the time to be 12:00 AM. The student was just about ready to leave. But little does he know, is that, when the clock strikes twelve, the Dark Hour begins...
Like the brothers saw at the night of the 6th, the sky and the moon turned to an ominous color of green, instead of the usual dark blue starry sky.
The clouds are also green, instead of the normal white. The student senses and sees that something is wrong. He starts to franticly look around, getting more scared each second.
As he turned around, he's met with a giant coffin floating in front of him. He's hyperventilating, sweat dripping on his forehead, very scared about the huge row of coffins in front of him.
But... Some kind of black liquid is dripping on his face. Because of that, the student drops his phone to the ground, and puts his hands to his face, trying to stop the black liquid from melting on his face. But, he's feeling intense pain, like he's melting. He takes a few steps back, and with an encruciating scream, he falls to the floor. It's uncertain to what was his fate.
April 8th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 4th Floor, ??? Room.
Music: Persona 3 OST: The Voice Someone Calls*
Mitsuru, Yukari and Ikutsuki strangely are okay and moving in this dark and eerie atmosphere, known as the Dark Hour. But they are intrigued to know that the brothers are still sleeping, despite the creepy circumstances.
"Hmm... They are still sleeping." The Chairman said. feeling impressed.
"The Dark Hour occurs every day at 12 midnight; you could say it's the 'hidden' hour." Ikutsuki started to explain.
"During this time, an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs."
"Then, they must be..." Yukari starts to deduce.
"As you can see, they've retained their human form. They're asleep, but they're definitely expriencing the Dark Hour. The question that remains is whether or not they have the potential." Ikutsuki finished his explanation. But he added an extra thing:
"Although, they must. If they didn't, they would've prey on them by now."
"Scary..." Yukari shudders, turning to look at Mitsuru with a concerned face. Then the three of them once again turned to look at the monitor
"In any case, we should continue to monitor them for a few more days." He told the girls.
"Yes, Sir." Mitsuru nodded, acknowledging the request.
"I feel kinda bad, though, spying on them like this..." Yukari said. Feeling bad about watching the boys. And they continued to watch them all night.
A dark corridor is stretching in the darkness, getting closer and closer to something.
A blue door has opened, and is sucking something or someone inside a white light. Inside the door, there was a blue room, with blue carpets, blue furniture, blue table, everything was blue.
Behind the blue things, there some metal chains and it looks like the types that you find in an elevator. Is it going up? Or is it going down? Nobody knows.
In that said table, sitting on the chair, there was a creepy old man with a long nose, with bulging eyes, and a creepy grin. He's wearing a grey worn-out suit and black tie. He's clasping his hands together, slouching at the chair.
To his right, there is a young paled skinned woman, who has gold eyes, a blue attendant's hat, and she's wearing a blue dress with black circles on the front. She's also wearing blue knee-high boots. She's holding a brown tome in her left hip. In the chains, there's a huge clock spinning wildly.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear young men." The man with a long nose said.
April 8th, 2009. Dark Hour. Velvet Room.
*Music: Persona OST: Aria Of The Soul*
*Takeru's P.O.V*
I opened my eyes, and all i can see is blue. Literally, everything in this place is blue. Looking to my left i saw my brother sitting down on a chair that looks like a harp, while my chair looked like an ancient bow and arrow.
"The Velvet Room...?" I asked, feeling very confused.
"My name is Igor. I am delighted to make your accquaintences." The man with a long nose introduced himself as Igor. Then he points at the paled skinned woman.
"This is Elizabeth. She's a resident here, like myself." Igor told us. Introducing the woman as Elizabeth.
"Pleased to meet you." She said with a small smile.
"Umm... Likewise. I'm Takeru Yuki. This is my older brother, Makoto Yuki."
"Nice to meet you." Makoto said. He's also feeling confused.
"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter..." Igor started to talk in an enigimatic way.
"It's been years since we've had a guest, let alone two of them." Igor said, his face not changing, but the tone of his voice sounds like he's impressed.
Then he materialized and opened a familiar notebook.
"Hey! It's that strange contract and document we signed back at the dorm!" I recognized the paper. My brother is shocked to see it too.
"Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place..." Igor told us, telling what the contract is for.
"So... Igor-san, let me get this straight: When we signed this contract, we basically obtained the abillity to enter this room?" I asked the long-nosed man. He gave an amused chuckle.
"Correct, my boy. Henceforth, you two shall be welcomed here in the Velvet Room." Igor answered my question.
"You two are destined to hone your unique abillities, and you both will require my help to do so."
'Unique abillities? What is Igor-san talking about?' I wondered.
"I only ask one thing in return..."
"Sure, what is it, Igor-sama?" I asked. I'm getting the feeling that he's a very important being, so i'm giving him the most respect i have.
"...That the both of you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices the two of you make." Igor told us his request. We both looked at each other and nodded, feeling determined. And with determined faces we both say at the same time:
"We understand."
"Hold on to this..." Two velvet keys descended from the heavens, and landed on our hands.
" 'Till we meet again..." Igor-sama told us. And we started to get sleepy on our chairs, and fell asleep. Going back to the real world, hopefully.
*Music Ends.*
April 9th, 2009. 6:30 AM. Dorm, 2nd Floor, Makoto's Room.
*3rd Person P.O.V*
It's morning. Makoto checks himself on the mirror. He's thinking:
'What was that strange dream last night? And why was T.K in it?'
*Knock Knock*
He heard someone knocking at the door. He waited to hear a voice behind it.
"Nii-san, it's me. You awake?" Takeru said behind the door. Makoto went to the door and opened it to let his younger brother inside.
"Man, we need to talk." He said with a serious face.
"Yeah... I agree."
"I had a pretty interesting dream last night... I was inside a blue room, there was a man with a long nose, and you were there! Strange..." He said.
"You too?"
"Wait... You had the same dream? Okay. This can't just be a coincidence..." Then, Takeru got an idea.
"Oh yeah! Let's check our pockets! The Velvet Keys must be inside them." The two of them checked their pockets, and sure enough, the velvet keys we recieved yesterday are there.
"Whoa... So everything that happened last night was for real..." Takeru realized. They both put the keys back in their pockets.
"Okay. Let's stop this chit-chat for now. We need to hurry to school." Takeru advised his brother, and he nodded. After that, the two of them went to school.
April 9th, 2009. 7:50 AM. Gekkoukan High School, Entrance.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: Want To Be Close*
Arriving at the gates, some students are walking or running inside the school. The brothers are closing in on the gate, when Junpei called them and they went over to him to talk.
"Hey, Junpei! How ya doin'?" Takeru greeted him.
"What's up!? Doin' good, T.K! Man, today's the perfect day!" Junpei excitedly told them.
"The sky is blue... We're young... What more can we ask for!?"
"True. True." Takeru agreed with his philosophy.
"You're full of energy." Makoto said, feeling annoyed. Takeru flicked him on the forehead. He glared at him after getting flicked.
"Of course! Dudes, listen to this..." Junpei started to tell.
"What is it, man?" Takeru asked.
"Oh, wait! I'm not supposed to say anything!" He told them.
"Dang it! Seriously!?" Takeru snapped his fingers, annoyed to not knowing what his friend was trying to tell them.
"Yeah, sorry guys. *chuckle*" he chuckled, feeling pleased with himself. The three of them walked inside the school, going to their respective class.
April 9th, 2009. 10:30 AM. Gekkoukan High School, 2nd Floor, Classroom 2-F.
*Makoto's P.O.V*
I was reviewing yesterday's notes, when a an adult man, which was our teacher for this class, entered the classroom. He has short grey hair, black eyes, wrinkles on his face and he's wearing a blue suit and a purple tie with violet stripes.
"Ahem... I'm Mr. Ekoda. I'll be teaching you Classic Literature." Our Classic Lit. Teacher, Mr. Ekoda, introduced himself.
"I'll be teaching you about good old Japan all year." Mr. Ekoda told the class.
"Some people say that Classic Lit isn't relevant to everyday life, but oh, how they're wrong!" He said getting excited.
"The students, the other teachers... Wrong, wrong, wrong! Nobody really understands classic lit..."
I'm starting to feel tired... But i pulled through, and stayed awake. I was continuing to pay attention to class.
"Hey... Are you all listening to me?" Mr. Ekoda, with an annoyed face, asked the class.
"Wake up children! Now open up your textbooks." The old teacher ordered.
"First on our syllabus is 'Ise Monogatari,' the origin of Japanese literature." Mr. Ekoda explained.
"It's a very interesting story. You youngsters might call it, 'da bomb'."
Everyone didn't pay any attention to him. I just slightly cringed because he's an old man using teen slangs wrong.
"*Sigh* I can tell you people are 'zoning out'..." He tried to use slangs again, but failling miserably. Well... At least i learned something important for listening to his lecture... It's good for my Academics.
*Music Ends.*
April 9th, 2009. 6:00 PM. Port Island Station.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: When The Moon's Reaching Out Stars*
*3rd Person P.O.V*
Once again, the three friends, Makoto, Takeru and Junpei, were heading home. To their left, there was a long haired female student with glasses trying to interact with a cat. Some girls were gossiping while they were ahead of them.
By the pillars, A guy is seen talking to his girlfriend or wife about something. Then an elementary school kid walked out of the alley, presumably going home. That place is really not for kids. The station is bustling with many students on their way home...
*Music Ends.*
But always remember: When the clock strikes twelve, the Dark Hour begins...
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 4th Floor, ??? Room.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: The Voice Someone Calls*
Makoto is asleep in his room, while Takeru was training until 11:50. He's currently sitting on his legs on the bed, hands joined together, meditating.
Inside the mysterious secruity camera room, Mitsuru and Yukari are once again seen montoring the brothers, to show whether or not they have the potential that Ikutsuki said. Speaking of Ikutsuki, he just entered the room, walking over to Mitsuru, to see the screen.
"...How are they?" He asked.
"...The same as last night. But... This time, Takeru kendo trained until late night. So he's currently meditating instead of sleeping."
"But ya know what's funny? Everytime Takeru-kun meditates, in the middle of it, his face changes between feeling pain, anger, cocky or happy. I wonder what's he doing inside his mind?" Yukari asked to no one in particular.
Ikutsuki then seated on one of the fluffy chairs to see the screen more carefuly.
"Hmm... Very interesting." Ikutsuki said.
"Even those who have the potential tend to be unstable at first..." He started to explain.
"...Memory loss... disorientation..." He's saying the side effects of staying active during the Dark Hour. The girls turned around to look at the Chairman.
"But these subjects are rather unique. They haven't exhibited any of the common symptoms. Especially Takeru. It almost looks like he's experienced with the whole thing..."
"Experienced?! That means he..." Yukari started to deduce, but Ikutsuki interrupts her.
"Now, now, Yukari... We don't know for certain yet." He reassured her. She calmed down. But gets a concerned face.
"But... We're treating them like guinea pigs..." Yukari said, worried about them.
"I understand your concern, but it's imperative that we recruit new members." Ikutsuki told her with a small smile.
" I heard Makoto's your classmate, and that his younger brother is your underclassman. Wouldn't you be more comfortable working with someone that's both from the same grade, and one grade below you?" Ikutsuki reassured her.
"Yeah, i guess. But still..." Yukari agreed, but stil felt worried.
Suddenly! A beep was coming from one of the consoles! That must be the commuicator they instaled. Mitsuru picks up.
"Command room." Mitsuru said, finally revealing what that room is. It's a Command Room, so makes sense to have secruity camera consoles in the middle.
"...Is that you, Akihiko?" Mitsuru asked.
"You're not gonna believe this...! This thing is huge!" Akihiko said from the other line, in a state of concern.
"Unfortunately, i don't have time to talk... It's chasing after me..." Akihiko told them, currently running away for his life.
"I wanting to let you guys know. I'm almost there." He told them, not realizing the mistake he made. Whatever it is that he's bringing to the dorm, he could risk everyone's lives! Everyone in the room started to get very nervous and shocked.
*Music Change: Persona 3 OST: Crisis.*
"Does that mean, he's bringing that thing here?!" Yukari said, starting to get really scared. Mitsuru got up from her chair, turning to the Chairman with a very serious look.
"Mr. Chairman! Let's suspend our observations for now. We'll prepare for battle!" Misturu told him.
"...R-right! Be careful!" He told them, also feeling nervous.
*Music Ends.*
A few moments earlier...
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Takeru's mindscape.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: The Voice Someone Calls*
*Takeru's P.O.V.*
I was training with my Shadow again, this time when he was much stronger at midnight. He was giving me trouble.
"Yep... I knew it. You DO get stronger at midnight..." I said, feeling tired.
"Fool! For you to experience my true strength, you'll have to fight me at this time!"
"...But i won't lose! Get ready--"
But in the middle of our spar, we sensed something... Something with a huge power level.
*Music Change: Persona 3 OST: Crisis*
"Wh-what is this... evil energy i'm sensing?!" I said, starting to get scared.
"Hmm... Looks like the Shadows are starting to make their move..." My other self said, feeling a little concerned.
"Shadows?! Are those things like you?" I asked.
"Yes... However, they are nothing but monsters. They see humans as nothing but prey. But i am different. And... Remember this?" He then showed me a mental version of the Iwatodai strip mall, but with the same green sky, green moon, pools of blood and coffins.
"Wait a minute... Is that atmosphere again! Does that i'm expriencing it back at my physical body?
"Correct. This atmosphere is the Dark Hour. It happens every midnight. You could consider it as a more creepy 25th hour of the day. But you're already know about it, right?" My Shadow self explained.
"Does that mean... It already started?"
"Yes. It's a full moon tonight. That means that there will be danger. The time is now... Go back to your real body. I'll be waiting for you to reawaken your powers..."
I then disappeared from my mind, thinking about what my other self said.
'Reawakening my powers...? Wait! He means... That thing that came out of me a decade ago?!' I wondered. feeling anxious of remembering an old memory.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 2nd floor, Takeru's Room.
I quickly opened my eyes and looked around. It was true. It was just like that night... My tome was shining blue for some reason, so i opened it, and saw that the Fool card was shining once again.
'Again... But i think it might be helpful to put it in my pocket.'
I put the card in my pocket, and grabbed my real katana and slowly walked away from my room, with my guard up.
And now back to the present...
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 1st Floor, Lounge.
*3rd person P.O.V*
Akihiko managed to shut the door behind him, locking it. But... Whatever it was that attacked him, it managed to hurt his arm. he's currently cluching it with the other, and fell to the ground in a sitting position, feeling a lot of pain. Mitsuru, Yukari and Chairman Ikutsuki rushed to check on him.
"Akihiko!" Mitsuru screamed. looking at her friend's condition. Yukari went close to him and touched his arm.
"Agh...!" He flinched, feeling a lot of pain.
"Senpai!" Yukari exclamed. Sweatdropping, Akihiko slowly looked at Yukari, with a pained face.
"I'm alright." He reassured everyone. He then got a cocky smirk.
"Get ready to be surprised... It'll be here any second." He said, itching for a fight. Mitsuru walked close to him, with an angry and annoyed face.
"This is no time to joke around!" She scolded. Ikutsuki nervously asked:
"It's one of them, Akihiko?"
"Yes, but not an ordinary one--" He tired to explain, when suddenly...!
*RUMBLE RUMBLE*
There was a small earthquake! It seems the thing that was chasing Akihiko was nearly close to the dorm!
"Ahh!" Yukari screamed. Everyone turned to concerned to very worried.
*Music Change: Persona 3 OST: Shadow.*
"What the...!? ...You've gotta be kidding me!" She exclaimed, terrified. Mitsuru then pulled out her gun-looking thing that looks just like Yukari's.
"Mr. Chairman, please head for the command room!" Mitsuru ordered Ikutsuki to go upstairs.
"Takeba, go upstairs and wake them up! Then, escape out the back." She ordered Yukari to get the brothers and escape. But they don't know that Takeru was slowly walking away in the 2nd floor hallway, making sure nothing jumped down at him.
"But, what about you two?" Yukari asked, worried about her teammates.
"We'll stop it here." She reassured her.
"You let it to us, Akihiko, so i'm afraid you'll have to fight." Mitsuru told him. He gets annoyed, glared at her and yelled:
"Like i had a choice!"
"What are you waiting for, Yukari? Go!" He ordered, Yukari got a determined face, nodded and said:
"I-i'm going!" She then ran off, going up the stairs.
April 9th, 2009. Dorm, 2nd floor, Hallway.
*Takeru's P.O.V*
I felt the ground shake, and i heard a very loud noise from downstairs.
'What the hell was that?! And... That energy seems to be close by... I'm sensing Yukari going up the stairs, so i will meet her and try to wake up my brother.' I thought. Then, i ran to the stairs and ran into Yukari.
"Oh! Yukari-chan! Just the person i needed to see! Do you know what the hell's going on?! What was that noise?!" I asked her, hand tight in my katana.
"I do, but i got no time to explain! We need to get out of here!" She told me.
"I agree! Let's get to Nii-san's room! We got to tell him that we need to run!"
She nodded. We then ran to my brother's room.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 2nd Floor, Makoto's Room.
*3rd person P.O.V.*
Makoto is awoken by a loud noise coming from downstairs. He also hears a commotion down the hall. He calmly walked to open the door, when suddenly...!
*BANG BANG BANG BANG*
Someone was literally pounding the door with all their strength. He gets surprised.
"Wake up!!/Nii-san, wake your ass up!!" He heard two voices shouting behind the door, one of them was Yukari, and the other one was his brother.
"Sorry, we're coming in!" Yukari then used the master key, to open the door, and the two of them quickly walked inside. He gets confused.
"I don't have time to explain. We have to get out of here, now!" She told him, urgency evident in her voice.
"Yukari-chan's right! Whatever it is that's outside and made that noise, i can feel that it's bad news!" Takeru quickly tried to explain.
"Okay." Makoto agreed, this is an emergency, after all... Then... They heard another noise coming from downstairs! And the ground was shaken again. Everyone jumped by the noise.
"Wah! Can this night get any worse?!" Takeru asked rhetorically.
"Hurry, you two! Downstairs! We'll leave through the back door!" She ordered.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Takeru told her.
"Wait! Take this, just in case." Yukari then handed Makoto a short sword.
"It should be helpful, when we need to get into a fight, that i hope doesn't happen..." Takeru hoped.
"Okay... Let's go!" She told them with a serious face. The brothers nodded.
"Lead the way, Yukari-chan!" Then the three of them ran down the stairs to escape.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 1st Floor, Lounge.
*Takeru's P.O.V.*
As we ran down the stairs, we turned left, and by the bar, there was the dorm's back door.
"There's the back door! We'll be alright!" Takeru celebreated.
"Alright, we should be safe now--" Yukari tried to tell us something, but we hear something ringing, like a commuicator. Yukari picked up.
"Takeba, do you read me!?" Mitsuru said from the other line. We turned around and saw Yukari carring a walkie talkie in her hands.
"Y-Yes! I hear you!"
"Be careful! There's more than one enemy!"
"There's more than what now?!" I asked. Mitsuru ignored me, and continued to talk.
"The one we're fighting isn't the one Akihiko saw!" Mitsuru told her.
"What!?" Yukari exclaimed.
"Then, who's--" I tried to ask, but suddenly...
*BANG*
We then hear something or someone banging the back door. I deadpanned and said:
"...It's right behind the door, isn't it?"
The banging started to get louder and intense! Yukari looked at us and said:
"*gasp* L-Let's pull back!"
"Right!" I nodded. We then ran to the stairs. But, the ground started to shake!
"W-Whoaaaaa! T-The ground is shaking! Does that mean that thing is closing in on us!?" I yelled trying to keep my balance.
"What are we going to do? They're downstairs!" Yukari asked us.
"How the hell should i know?!" I yelled.
"Do we have any choice but to get further up?"
"Normally i would say that it's an horrible idea, but... Since that thing is right outside the door, we don't have any choice!" I told her. Believing to be the safer option, We started to run up the stairs.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 2nd Floor, Hallway.
As soon as we arrived back at the second floor, the ground started to shake once again. It seems the thing started to move once again.
"W-Whoa, whoa!" Yukari struggled to keep her balance, but she succeeded.
"What are we going do!?"
"I'll tell you! If that thing doesn't know how to climb up walls, we should be safe if we go up to the rooftop!" I told them. We started to run up to the 3rd Floor, Then to the 4th Floor.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 4th Floor, Hallway.
But as soon as we tried to go up to the 5th Floor...
* SHATTER*
We heard a noise. It sounded like broken glass.
"What was that!?" Yukari asked.
"Three things; Or it's a plate that fell off, ,or a window has been broken, or that the thing is getting closer each second. I hope it's the plate..." I said to her, answering her question
Nope. It was the third option, because the ground started to shake AGAIN.
"Okay! This earthquake thing is getting old!" I complained loudly.
"It's getting closer!" She said.
"No shit!" I told her.
"You just had to jinx it, T.K..." Makoto grumbled.
"This is no time for you to complain, Nii-san! Can't you see that we are risking our lives over here?!"
"Stop arguing, you guys! K-Keep moving! Hurry!!" She ordered us. We then ran up the stairs to the 5th Floor.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 5th Floor, Hallway.
We reached the 5th Floor. There's only one door in the hallway.
"Is that the door to the roof?" I asked.
"O-Oh yeah! if we go through here--" She says, but actions speaks louder than words. She opened the door and we went inside.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, Rooftop.
We are on the rooftop. Yukari quickly closed the door and locked it behind her.
*Sigh* She sighed with relief.
*pant... pant...* "Are... Are we safe now...?" I asked, between breaths.
"Yeah... I think we're okay for now..." She told us.
"But... How do we get out? We don't have any parachutes. What if that thing knows how to climb walls?" I asked.
We then heard something getting closer, and closer.
"...!?" Yukari jumped.
"Damn it! Me and my big mouth!" I complained, tempting fate.
"Way to go, T.K. You've doomed us all." Makoto said to me in the most monotone voice ever.
"Shut the hell up, Makoto!" I yelled.
*Music Ends.*
We then slowly looked behind us, and we got shocked.
"What!?" Yukari said, sweat staring to drop on her face.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: Persona Invocation*
We then saw a black hand coming up, trying to climb up to the roof with a squelching noise. and another, and another, and another... The hands sucessfully climbs the wall to get to the floor, while the last one was holding a blue mask, with two holes for eyes, and a emotionless expression. It had the roman number I. The thing was looking around, but when it saw us...
*SHING*
It pulled out several swords on all of it's hands!
"Y-Yukari-chan...! What the living hell is that!?" I asked, scared out of my mind, pointing at the creature with many swords.
'I mean, i know what it is... But i need to keep both her and my brother in the dark...' I calmly thought to myself.
Just as it pulled it's swords, it started to close in on us. Yukari got in front of us, with a determined face.
"Those monsters... We call them 'Shadows'!" She explained.
"What!? Yukari-chan, You're not really going to fight that thing, right?" I asked her, but she ignored me, and grabbed her gun and pointed at her head! she's hyperventilating and sweating doing that.
"What the-- How does shooting yourself in the head helpful for destroying that thing?!" I asked her in disbelief. Makoto watched what was happening a got a little scared.
"Y-You'd be surprised!" She told me.
As soon as she was just about to pull the trigger, the creature launched some kind of blue fire at us. Several of them. Luckily, it missed us. The masked creature with many swords is getting closer and closer to us. Yukari is about to pull the trigger again, But...
"DODGE!" I yelled, getting out of the way, but the creature swung one of it's swords, accompanied by the blue fire, and launched at Yukari! Even though i told her to dodge, the attack connects. Yukari recieved damage and has fallen to the floor, dropping her gun thing by my brother's feet.
"YUKARI-CHAN!!" I screamed, seeing her getting hurt. Then something came at the back of my mind.
*FLAAAAAAAASHBAAAAAACK!!*
"W-W-Will i ever see you again, Ai-neechan...?" Five-year-old me said, looking at my older sister with tears on my face. She said, changing her expressionless, almost robotic face into a wonderful smile.
"You will Take-kun. If i disappear one day, I know you will be able to find me." She then hugged me. And i cried by her arms.
*End of Flashback*
Remembering my last encounter with my sister, I gripped my hands into fists, getting angrier by the second.
"THAT'S IT!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I got up to my feet with a very serious face.
"Listen here, you stupid masked blob! Do you really think that you're going to get away with hurting my friend?! No! Because i-- No, we are going to defeat you!!" I yelled and pointed at it, leaking some Killing Intent. It started to get closer to us. I turned to my brother.
"Makoto! Grab Yukari's gun!" I ordered him. I pulled out my Fool card, which was shining bright blue. Then, it started to change it's shape. The shine disappears, and in the card's place, a similar gun appeared in my hand. Suddenly, in both of our minds, the face of the creepy kid appeared.
*Music Ends.*
"Go on." He urged us.
"So... This is it, huh?" I heard a voice in my head. But it was a different voice from my shadow.
"What are you going to do? Death awaits Yukari if you don't do anything. Was your wish to see your sister again a mistake?" The Voice asked me.
"No! I Will save her!" I answered to it.
"Very well. Then, pull the trigger, and call upon my name! Like a hunter with a bow, that monster is the prey, and you're the Hunter! Show that thing that you will be getting stronger and stronger from today onwards, and you will be victorious!"
Meanwhile, in the command room...
*3rd Person P.O.V*
"There!" Akihiko said, looking at Mitsuru, the two of them and Ikutsuki were watching the whole thing. They were about to leave to go to the roof when Ikutsuki said:
"Wait." They stopped in their tracks, eyes glued to the screen.
*Takeru's P.O.V.*
Me and my brother slowly looked at each other, and nodded. We slowly putted the gun to the side of our heads, i was closing my eyes, not scared in the slightest. my brother was breathing heavily for a second. My brother said the word that will be that Shadow's demise, while i called the name of the voice.
"Per-so-na...!
"Now appear! HERCULES!!"
We pulled the trigger.
*Music Change: Persona 3 OST: Unavoidable Battle*
*BANG* *SHATTER*
Me and my brother shot ourselves in the head, and blue glass shards appeared at the side our heads. We have velvet auras around our bodies. My brother had a maniacal look on his face while i had both a serious and a furious expression. The guns were smoking after we shot the imaginary bullets. Yukari was looking at us with wonder, while at the ground.
"Thou art i..." A voice similar to my brother was heard by the wind.
"And i am thou..." The same voice i heard was close by. Then, two figures were starting to materialize behind us.
"From the sea of thy soul, i cometh..." The two voices said at the same time.
"I am Orpheus... Master of Strings..." The figure behind my brother is reveald to be a humanoid robot with a human head, Wearing a red scarf, he has white hair, black skin, his eyes were red and had no pupils. That figure is Orpheus, the Master of Strings, Husband of Eurydice, from Greek Mythology, and my brother's Persona.
"I am Hercules! The son of Zeus, And the Champion of Mount Olympus!" The figure behind me said. He had, brown hair, white almost brown skin, his eyes also had no pupils and he has a formidable chin. His attire was the olympic clothes in ancient greece, white vest, sandals and wearing a grass crown. On his back, was an ancient bow and arrow, and on his left hip, is an ancient sword, just like me. That figure was none other than Hercules, The son of Zeus from Greek Mythology, who was born a mortal, He conquered his 12 labors. That particular incarnation was when he participated in the olympics in Mount Olympus, and defeated Hades, the greek Lord of the Underworld. And he was my Persona.
Back at the command room...
*3rd Person P.O.V.*
Everyone was shocked to see the two figures of Mythology behind the brothers. Mitsuru said:
"As we suspected..."
Her and Akihiko was watching, interested to se what will happen next.
Back at the Rooftop...
*Takeru's P.O.V*
The two of us, with our Personas floating on our heads, were staring down at the Shadow with massive Killing Intent. My brother had an evil grin, while i had a cocky smirk. We were about to command them to attack, when suddenly...
"Ugh! Ggghh!" Makoto suddenly puts his hands in his head, feeling a massive headache! Orpheus wasn't doing so hot, either. It looked like something was starting to come out of him!
"Nii-san! Orpheus-- Gah!" I was expriencing the same pain, but Hercules stayed the same.
"You finally reawakened your powers... I'm proud." I heard my Shadow's voice.
"Wh-what's happening to me?!" I yelled at him, using telepathy.
"Remember our deal...? Once you reawakened your Persona, I was also reawakened! Now... It's time i make myself known!!"
"GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!" me and my brother did a very loud screech. I was losing control of my body. A blood red aura was around my body, And Hercules is affected by it. As that was happening, Some hands came out of Orpheus' body.
'Losing... Control... My hand... Moving... by it's own...'
My hand was gathering dark energy, then, it turned into a half skeleton mask. My body, who was moving on its own, put the mask on the left side of my face.
"R-RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGHHHH!!" With a roar, the dark energy enveloped my body, and the mask was stuck to my face. Now, i was no longer in control. He was.
*Shadow Takeru's P.O.V.*
*Pant *Pant*
I panted. feeling the effects. I opened my good eye, and looked around. Then i looked at the full moon.
*chuckle* "HAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!! AT LAST!! I'M FINALLY FREE!!" I did a hysterical laugh, and my face was like a Serial Killer, holding the side of my face with a deadly smile. I was so happy to be finally be released from my weaker self's mind. I looked to my left, And looks like his brother's Persona was broken to pieces. And in it's place, A demon with a skeleton-like head, with holes for eyes, some black coffins floating behind him, He's wearing a black shirt, black pants, and had a silver belt with a golden ornament in the center, stood in his place. like me, he had a sword. I looked at it at said:
"Hmm... Looks like his brother's suffering the same experience as him..." the creature roared, ready for action. i then got a crazy smirk.
"No matter! Let us Kill this pathetic excuse of a Shadow!! But, don't. Get. In my way...!!" I yelled at the creature, katana in hand, we rushed to attack the Shadow. While Makoto was screaming for his life.
In the command room...
*3rd Person P.O.V.*
"Wh-what the hell happened to him!?" Akihiko screamed, pointing at Shadow Takeru, feeling intimidated by the amount of KI (Killing Intent) he was leaking.
"I-I don't know!!" Mitsuru also screamed, feeling a chilll down her spine.
"What on Earth...?" Ikutsuki asked, feeling concerned for his safety.
At the rooftop...
The two beings, Shadow Takeru and the creature that came out of Orpheus, were going to town at the Shadow, beating him up with no mercy.
"What's the matter...? Is that all you've got? Pathetic!!" He did an air slash, causing a lot of damage at the Shadow.
"Hey! Skeleton creep! Finish Him!!" He ordered. The creature jumped at the shadow, holding it in place, and what it looked like one slash, the Shadow was cutted into a million pieces! His mask was cut in half. Yukari managed to get up, and watched everything that took place. One of the dismembered hands has fallen next to her, twitching.
*Music Ends.*
"Now... To absorb his power..." Shadow Takeru closed his eye, while his mask eye hole started to shine gold, like his eye. As the Shadow started to disappear, he absorbed his essence, while the creature, leaking black ooze from it's mouth, was holding one of the Shadow's hands.
*pant* *pant* He was heavily breathing, crushing the hand he was holding, turning to black ooze.
*ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!*
The creature roared at the moon, feeling satisfied with itself. Shadow Takeru put his katana back to it's sheath, feeling dissapointed.
"Tch... I finally got out from my real self's mind after a long time, and my first fight in a while is against a weakling?! Hmph. At least i got that thing's power..." Shadow Takeru scoffed, he then looked at the shocked Yukari and softened his expression, still giving a stern look with his good eye.
"...Yukari Takeba." He called her.
"Y-Yes?!"
"...Sorry for scaring you. You tried your best to protect my real self and his brother, but you let your fear get in the way, and didn't summon your powers. If something like this happen again, You might get yourself, and those you were trying to protect, killed." He lectured her.
"Be more brave! And be more determined, damn it!" He said, giving her a pep talk that she needed. She smiled at him, feeling grateful.
"...Thanks."
"...Don't mention it. I'm Shadow Takeru Yuki, by the way. But the real Takeru calls me Grim. If you want to address me, while both of us are in the same room, call me by my nickname." Shadow Takeru, A.K.A Grim, introduced himself to her.
"Listen, my time here is running out. But we will meet again someday. Maybe... Once you, Makoto and T.K. get stronger, I will challenge you guys to a friendly fight. That will be your test. Until then... See ya!" He said. And with an eye smile, the mask disappears from Takeru's face, and Takeru returns to normal. And Orpheus regained his original form.
Takeru franticly looked around, and he noticed that the Shadow was gone, and he was back to normal.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, 4th Floor Command Room.
*Music: Persona 3 OST: The Voice Someone Calls*
To say that everyone is shocked at what they saw is an understatement.
"...!!" Mitsuru put her hands onto her mouth.
"What on earth is that?!" Akihiko asked, feeling overwhelmed.
"..." Ikutsuki was speechless. his glasses were fogged up.
April 9th, 2009. Dark Hour. Dorm, Rooftop.
*Takeru's P.O.V*
"Great work, Grim! But did you really have to steal the show?" I congratulated and complained at Grim via telepathy, for defeating the Shadow.
"You're welcome, maggot. And yes i did! Once you reawakened Hercules, i had to take matters into my own hands!" He scoffed.
"Please, don't ever scare me like that again!"
"No promises..." He said. I look to my right and saw my brother and Orpheus.
"Orpheus... The Master of Strings in real life... Wicked!" I said with stars in my eyes. Orpheus nodded at me. And when i looked to my Persona...
"And Hercules, the son of Zeus, the one who had truimphed his 12 labors, is now a part of my soul!" I was starstruck looking at how cool my Persona was. After that, both figures from Mythology disappeared form sight. I was still holding the gun contraption i used to summon him.
"Is it over...?" Yukari asked us.
"Not until the fat lady sings." I told her. When then heard a screech.
"...!" Yukari reacted, and we stood on guard. Three more, smaller Shadows have appeared.
"That thing got reinforcements! Come on, Makoto-nii! Let's do this!!"
"Right!" The both of us got our swords, and we ran at the Shadows, starting the battle.
*BATTLE START!*
*Battle Theme: Persona 3 OST: Mass Destruction*
The small Shadows had the same mask as the big one, but they were two-handed blobs.
"There's three enemies!" I warned my brother. He nodded, and used his sword to slash at the Shadow.
"Don't underestimate me!" I twirled the gun contraption and used it to summon Hercules!
"Zio!" He said, launching a small thundershock using his bow at one of the Shadows, knocking it down.
"Hey, Makoto! These enemies have weaknesses! After hitting them where it hurts, i'll use this oportunity to strike again! Remember it well, okay?"
*1 more!*
"Let's do it again!" I summoned Hercules again.
"Zio!" Launching another lightning bolt from his arrow, i knocked another enemy down.
*1 more!*
"One more for good measure!"
"Cleave!" Hercules slashed the downed enemy with his sword, killing it. leaving behind black ooze.
"One down, Two to go!"
The Shadows lunged at us. One of them hit Makoto, who took minimal damage. While the other one tried to attack me, but...
"Too slow!" I exclaimed, dodging the attack. The Shadow stumbled and was knocked down.
"Come, Orpheus!" Makoto twirled his gun and fired it, summoning the Master of Strings to battle!
"Bash!" Using his harp, Orpheus... Well... Bashed the enemy, landing a critical hit!
"Good job bro! Only one Shadow left!" I celebreated. We then went closer to the other shadow.
"We have our chance! Ready to beat them up?" I asked my brother. He nodded.
"Time to send you to hell!!" I yelled. we ran at the shadow beating him up senselessly with an All-Out Attack!
The Shadow couldn't take it, and disappeared like his friends.
My brother swung his sword, then puts his free hand in his pocket.
I put the katana back onto the sheath, and i smiled. Then i said:
"That was a cake walk!" I said.
*BATTLE END*
*Victory Theme: Persona 3 OST: After The Battle.*
"Nice job, Makoto! You and Orpheus were amazing!
"Thanks, T.K. But you and Hercules did most of the work."
"True... But hey! At least we got stronger after the battle, and i think Orpheus has a new ability!"
*Music Ends.*
After the battle, Makoto fainted, and fell to the ground, face first. Because of the stamina drain of summoning Orpheus. I also was feeling very exhausted, and fell on my back to the ground.
gasp* Yukari, surprised, got close to us, to check on how were doing.
"Are you okay?!" She asked.
"Yep... *pant* pant* Just... Exhausted... Is all... *pant*
"Come on!" Yukari tried to wake Makoto up, but he was out cold.
"He... *pant* Fell... Unconscious... the battle... *pant* was too much... for him... to handle..." I told her, my consciousness starting to fade.
"Takeru!" She screamed, but her voice was getting far away.
"Sorry... *pant* I saved you... That's... What matters... *pant*" After that, i fell unconscious.
*3rd Person P.O.V*
The Yuki brothers have fallen unconscious! Yukari was trying to wake them up, but to no avail.
"Come on! Say something!"
Akihiko and Mitsuru went up to the roof and saw Yukari and the knocked out brothers. They got close to her.
"Are you alright?" Akihiko asked. But Yukari ignored them, focusing on waking up the brothers.
"Can you hear me? Please! Answer me!"
It's no use. What will happen to the Yuki brothers?!
To be Continued...
Level Up!
Makoto Yuki: Level 2. Max HP: 72. Max SP: 49.
Orpheus: Level 2
St: 3
Ma:3
En:2
Ag:2
Lu:3
Weaknesses: Electricity, Darkness.
Skills: Bash ( Deals light Strike damage to one foe.), Agi (Deals light Fire damage to one foe.)
Next skill: Tarunda at Level 6.
Takeru Yuki: Level 2. Max HP: 75. Max SP: 52.
Hercules: Level 2.
St: 4
Ma: 4
En: 5
Ag: 4
Lu: 3
Resistances: Electricity, Slash.
Weaknesses: Fire.
Skills: Cleave (Deals light Slash damage to one foe.), Zio (Deals light Electric damage to one foe, small chance of Shock.).
Next Skill: Single Shot at Level 4.