A/N: Just because I'm think it'll confuse people when it comes up, the actual condition for summoning a persona is persona 3 is fear. Particularly, the fear of death, as it is symbolic of resistance against Nyx. Not using and or having an Evoker.
"Damn it…"
In reality it wasn't really that bad. Or bad at all, even. The shadows being so weak was a good thing.
But…
"I was hoping for a challenge."
Akihiko flicked his hand, throwing off the last of the shadow related gunk that had covered them, and watched his enemies dissipate with an odd blend between hiss and harmonics.
Mitsuru had been quite clear about where he was allowed to go, and while he wasn't quite the rule follower he might have appeared to be, Akihiko could concede that storming Tartarus alone was a bad idea.
He chanced a look at the mighty tower. The victory of SEES would come at the top of that tower.. But he couldn't wait forever, caution be damned.
Still. Tonight's not the night for it… I'm still too weak.
Akihiko pulled a watch out, checking the time. He was grateful that mechanical items worked just fine.
The Dark Hour still had roughly 50 minutes left, as Akihiko had gone out quite early, even before it had started, in anticipation of hunting shadows. There was still a fair bit of ground to cover before his patrol looped back to the dorms, but as always, his planned route just so 'happened' to pass by Gekkoukan high.
"Hopefully Mitsuru never notices."
He'd never miss a chance to check on Tartarus. Mitsuru could never know. Her concern was touching, but…
This was his battle too.
He turned the corner expecting the empty streets outside Tartarus to greet him once again.
"Fucking Caster."
Huh?
Instead of empty streets, there was a mass of spears littering the streets, each stuck tip down into the concrete, the dissolving muck of shadows staining their length.
Through the forest was a woman, crouched over something. Akihiko observed her quietly, hoping to discern more about a new potential hazard before making any move.
Despite her back being turned to him, the pale haired woman was certainly scowling. Akihiko could hear it in her voice, a steady stream of anger, tempered by no small amount of exasperation.
"What do you mean 'rude'!" She yelled, "This is the thirtieth one she's had me take a pic of!"
A picture? Had they developed a mechanical camera? Or maybe one had already existed. Akihiko was more traditionally buff than technology buff.
Still, he should be cautious. Whoever they are, they've apparently taken out thirty shadows on their own, and with quite the intimidating manner as well. Not to mention whoever this Caster is. And what's more, the figure had used 'she' in her last sentence, rather than 'you'. So she was taking to someone other than this 'Caster'.
"That's probably just my guide. She'll find me soon enough." She said, and as she rose from her crouched position, Akihiko felt his mind slip.
Was she..?
"Of course I don't know if holding them's safe!" She complained, "But you said you wanted a good, steady picture and these things keep moving around!"
She was holding a shadow. With her hand.
He needed to try that. Soon. For research.
"Oh?" He heard, and dusted away his fantasies in response to the first ounce of hostility - real hostility - he had heard in her voice."
"Now that you mention it… you're right." She tossed the Shadow aside and, before it could rally, a spear shot down from above, impaling it all the way through and nailing its corpse to the ground, "It's similar, but the magic I'm sensing isn't quite the same as guide girls."
Akihiko considered his next move. By his own measure, those words meant he'd been noticed. A part of him felt the hostility in her voice raise the hairs on his neck like a magician plucking strings and wanted to evacuate. But a more rational side said that any persona user would be a boon to their cause.
He raised both hand, and stepped out into he line of view.
"Friendly!" He shouted, and before he could get out the next word, there was a gust of thunderous wind and a spear two inches to his left.
"Oops." She drawled.
Mitsuru used this form of intimidation often, and in truth, it garnered very little response from Akihiko anymore, even if he kept that knowledge sealed tight. But Mitsuru was human fast. Regular persona fast. And while she could make ice enough to freeze you, cold hard steel had a way with words that Mitsuru would be hard pressed to match.
"I'll use whatever methods I want, farm girl!" She shouted into the air again, but suddenly flinched, "P-p-please don't."
"Uh. I'm Akihiko Sanada." He said, holding out a hand to greet her. He would politely ignore her stammer earlier, Akihiko was a polite guy and that's that.
She whipped a hand out, it was covered by a steel gauntlet which choked his hand, in a stark contrast to her otherwise casual clothes.
"Call me Jalter." She started, "What do you know about this… 'Tartarus?"
Odd. She seemed quite competent earlier. Akihiko noted. Reasonably, her behavior indicated she already knew about the dark hour, and about shadows. Not to mention her obvious combat experience. Her spears too, were numerous, and were capable of damaging shadows.
Of course, that was ignoring the most important part of all.
She doesn't have an evoker.
Did she think he knew more than her? Or maybe this is a test, trying to gauge the capabilities of local anti-shadow authorities.
Either way, Akihiko knew his answer.
"No." He replied, ignoring the way her face scrunched in anger, "First and foremost, I'm not much of an authority on this in the first place, but more importantly, I can't go talking about it willy nilly."
There was no telling what kind of intentions they had, regardless of how many shadows she killed, Akihiko needed to be careful.
"Why?" She gritted out.
"Information security."
"Ok. Ok!" She let go of his hand, and Akihiko rubbed his raw wrist, "That's fine! Whatever!"
"Jeanne, how do you get people to talk?"
He paled. Was this 'Jeanne' some kind of interrogation specialist?
There was a long pause.
…
…
"Please?" Jalter said.
"No." Akihiko replied.
Maybe this 'Jeanne' was simply a more friendly person, then. That was good. Akihiko was up for a fight, especially with an experienced combatant, but torture was just a chilling thought in general.
"Fine. Whatever. I need to let off some steam." She looked around, and Akihiko did the same. To be honest, he wanted a shadow or two for the same reason. "Damn it." She said, having likely found just as many as Akihiko did, being none.
"We could look around the inner city?" He suggested, "I'm feeling similarly. No better way to get to know each other than through combat."
"I'd wipe the floor with you" she dismissed, obviously too distracted to notice he had not suggested they fight each other, "No, I've got a better idea."
"Alright. Shoot."
"Caster, do you see anything? You want more pictures, I want to kick ass, the stars have aligned so let's go already!" Whatever answer she got must've satisfied her, a feral grin splitting her face, "A big one, you say?"
A big one? This 'Caster' must be capable of something similar to Mitsuru. But a big one? As in a large shadow? Akihiko had never seen one.
Jalter looked back, seeing Tartarus.
Presumably that meant it was somewhere in there.
"It's coming right for us. You ready?"
"Ready!" He said, falling into a combat stance easily, despite his surprise.
For some reason, Akihiko felt stronger than usual too, it was obvious that it had something to do with Jalter, but he hadn't seen her cast a buff. Maybe it had to do with whatever method left her not needing an evoker.
The thunder of something came from beyond the gate that blocked Tartarus off, like wet meat slapping a cutting board.
Then, it came into view.
Having jumped over the fence, a cacophony of hands and black sludge met the ground before him in a meaty thump.
It really did seem to be nothing more than a large shadow, but that felt… wrong somehow.
Click!
"There! I got you a picture. That's all you need right?" Jalter growled, excited. Quickly, she lept, summoning a spear into her hand and meeting one of the shadows many blades in a sweeping blow.
To his surprise, it was the shadow who was blown back.
It irked him to know that among known Persona users, he now ranked third in physical strength.
Seeing her push back the shadow with nothing but physical strength got his blood pumping, though. It looked like he had a long way to go.
"Polydeuces! Sonic punch"
From out the air, Polydeuces appeared, fist flashing forward towards the shadow.
"What the fuck!" Jalter screamed, surprised.
The shadow tanked the blow, and focused every sword onto Jalter, it loomed over her and, in her surprise, she was barely able to make a block. She flew back, shattered dozens of the spears she had implanted into the ground earlier and throwing aside bricks.
It was time to retreat, it seemed. Any persona user was too valuable to risk, and Akihiko had already let this go on long enough. Despite his misgivings about her intentions, he couldn't risk her.
Evoker. Trigger. "Polydeuces! Grab it"
He grabbed his own target, making a mad dash for the dorms.
"Wha- what are doing!"
"Retreating! No way I'm risking this battle." He started, hauling her over his shoulder, "I've got friends who can help us out."
"I- You!" She grasped, "Fine!"
That was… oddly shrill. Did she hurt her lungs? Something to check later.
Polydeuces could hold it off for maybe ten more seconds before it fell outside of Akihiko's current record range. That thing was bound to be fast too. No chance he could outrun it traditionally.
Akihiko ducked to the side.
So alleyways it is.
They were winding, and nearly as soon as Polydeuces dissipated, they were on him. The alley was too thin to resummon too, so that would have to wait.
"Left!" His passenger shouted, Akihiko didn't doubt for even a moment, choosing instead to jump to the side, into the alleyway on the left. He didn't look behind, choosing instead to keep running, but there was a loud crunch behind him, and heavy metal gonging sounding through the alley.
Akihiko soldiered on, determined to get back to the dorms.
Twisting and turning, backtracking and dodging.
He noticed the moment he entered Mitsuru's range, much further from the dorms than he'd expected. There was no reason her range would've expanded, so she must've left to come find him.
"Here!" He shouted, "Over here Mitsuru!"
There was a loud vroom, "Keep shouting Akihiko!" He heard distantly. He did, screaming his lungs horse, eventually his passenger took over, when he could no longer do anything but run and wheeze.
The vir of Mitsuru's motorcycle came closer by the second, at this level, he was certain she was just around the corner.
There, at the end of the alley, was the leader of SEES.
And. Someone else. Apparently.
They auburn haired girl's smile fell as she saw his passenger, "Jalter!"
"I'm fine. Jumpy here wouldn't let me go, that's all." She said dropping off his shoulder, "That phantasmal disappeared though."
Hm? She was fine? Akihiko didn't recall her saying anything about letting her down but… well, maybe he was distracted.
In any case, she seemed to be standing just fine. Maybe that blow wasn't as bad as he thought.
"I'm sensing it nearby." Mitsuru said, alert. Her passenger, the auburn haired girl was keeping her head on a swivel. Looking at any entrance to the alley they were hiding in over and over again.
It occurred to Akihiko that she probably had some experience with shadows too, if she knew Jalter. Jalter had also mentioned a 'guide girl' earlier. It was possible they were one and the same. Likely, even.
Silently, he approved of her alertness. Mitsuru may have called it paranoia, but if they're really out to get you…
"It's not far from here." Jalter said, surprising Mitsuru, "I think it's hiding on the rooftops."
"You have extrasensory abilities?"
"Sort of. But no." Jalter said, "LAPLACE is sensing them. I'm just telling you."
Another new name, Laplace. It struck a familiar chord with him, but he couldn't place it.
Mitsuru seemed to accept that, but judging by the crease of her eyes, she intended to speak further on this later.
"Well…" guide girl said, "It's probably waiting to ambush us." She said. "By the way," she looked at Akihiko, smile bursting from her face, "My name is Kotone, Kotone Shiomi."
A real name? Or atleast one that felt more real than 'Jalter' or 'Caster'.
"Nice to meet you," he said, noting the way her smile faltered, "I'm Akihiko Sanada."
Was he supposed to say it wasn't good to meet her or something? Junpei (for all Akihiko had talked to the odd boy) had once told him girls were mysterious. Perhaps this was relevant?
"But.." he started, placing his chin in one of his gloves, "Are you sure about that, Miss Shiomi?" He ignored the offended look Jalter gave him, if she wanted him to address her politely then she should speak politely, "Ambush tactics are not something we've observed in shadows."
Jalter walked ahead, to the entrance of the alley. She peeked around the side, careful not to leave and looked pointedly at something Akihiko couldn't see, "Phantasmals are always smarter than you think."
"That one huh?" Kotone asked, peeking out just below Jalter, "That's the building it's hiding on top of?"
"Course it is." Jalter pulled Kotone back into the alley, "I'm telling you, aren't I?"
Akihiko glaced at Mitsuru, seeing her give him a subtle nod. So Jalter's word coincided with Mitsuru's own extrasensory abilities. That was good, Jalter telling the truth was a positive sign.
"Well, in any case, we need to come up with a plan." She interjected, "Sitting around won't do anything."
"I concur. As for a leader, I elect Miss Mitsuru."
Jalter grimaced, "The only reason I don't take care of it right now is because Master would get mad."
Akihiko filed that away for later, as did everyone else, it seemed.
"Alright." Mitsuru said, face carefully calm, "Then would you be more accepting of another leader?"
Akihiko fists only gripped a little when Jalters eyes flew right past him to the tiny girl beneath her, "This one."
Even Mitsuru couldn't dodge her surprise, jaw falling open in a face she rarely showed, "If I may ask, why Kotone?"
"She pisses me off just about the regular amount."
"Oh." Kotone intoned slowly, "Uh. Thanks."
To be truthful, Akihiko was certain it was a compliment, if an awkward one.
"Ok then." Kotone started, "We know where they're at. And presumably, when we leave this alley, they'll jump us."
Jalter fell back, leaning arms crossed against the brick wall of the alley, "They're not alone anymore. Caster says that other Phantasmals are gathering with it."
"Damn it. I was hoping that wouldn't happen." Kotone muttered, "Alright. That's fine. Akihiko, can you keep it busy?"
He could.. but.. "From what I've seen, Jalter is significantly more capable of a frontal assault."
Mitsuru balked, mouth dropping - and boy was he seeing that face more today than ever - and rounded on Jalter, "Truly?"
She smiled, smug, "Obviously. All of you are wimps and-" she startled, nealy leaping, "Don't startle me like that, farm girl! It's not an insult if it's true!"
Well, Akihiko didn't know about that per say, but he was willing to admit she was an incredibly capable individual. By his measure, it would be impossible for the current SEES roster to defeat her. On even ground, atleast.
"A- alright then." Kotone said, "Jalter will lead the assault. Akihiko will run interference and me and Mitsuru will act as support."
Interference. He could do that. Keep the shadows off Mitsuru, Kotone and Jalter.
"Don't you need an evoker, Kotone?" Mitsuru asked, having likely also come to the conclusion that Kitone probably had a persona already. Akihiko had a similar question.
"One of those little gun things?" She asked, glancing down at Mitsuru's holster.
"Yes." Mitsuru replied, "Evokers are crucial to summoning personas."
"No worries." Kotone waved her hand, brushing off Mitsuru's concern, "I'm already plenty afraid. You guys ready."
"I'm ready." Akihiko said.
"As am I."
"I'm always ready."
"Great!" Kotone clapped, and, rather promptly, started pushing Jalter out of the alley. Halfway out, she started walking on her own, leaving the rest of the behind.
"Alright. We'll wait for Jalter to spring the trap, and then move in, got it?"
They nodded, keeping an eye on Jalter, who was sauntering fearlessly over to the waiting ambush.
A spear, this one with a waving flag, appeared in her hand. She swung it as she summoned it, and smoothly moved it to rest with the bottom on the ground in front of here. Ready to strike.
Mitsuru made a thoughtful noise, observing the battle standard.
There was a rumble on the rooftops. The movement of dozens of shadows which slipped off the edge, splashing down to the ground, and, with surprising agility, surrounded Jalter.
"Now!"
Akihiko burst into action, placing himself between the shadows and their two supporters. He focused, looking for any shadows trying to sneak up on his teammates.
Already he was stopping their mindless assault on his allies with smart use of Polydeuces, though he didn't dare get closer to Jalters whirlwind fight.
"Orpheus! Agi!" He heard Kotone shout.
Mitsuru took the other side of the battlefield, throwing out ice spell and freezing dozens of Shadows at a time.
They were incredible.
But, they weren't anywhere near the level of prowess Jalter was showing. He could tell they both realized too, as they were working hard to keep up with her, throwing spell after spell out against the masses of shadows.
Jalter was ridiculous. Her spear was a disastrous flash that left nothing but dead shadows in it's wake, each strike tore concrete and threw up enough wind Akihiko could feel a cool breeze every time she moved.
She shattered Mitsuru's ice to use as makeshift projectiles, and threw heavy winds to Kotone's fire, blasting shadows with burning fury. It was clear that, despite her abrasive nature, she was used to working in a team.
When the large shadow finally came down from the rooftop, it was clear. A loud, wet thump, about as pleasant as nails on a chalkboard. Jalter immediately shot towards it, and Akihiko felt some pride she was leaving the rest of the lesser shadows to them.
But something was wrong.
She was slowing down.
Akihiko watched her carefully, and his eyes widened when he saw it.
She was leaking some thick black sludge.
But how? Persona users have control over their shadows, they aren't vulnerable to the shadows in that way!
"Mitsuru!" He shouted, and he heard the rapid tapping of someone running to help.
But it wasn't Mitsuru.
Kotone lept into action, face creased with focus and determination.
"Orpheus!" She shouted, summoning her persona. It charged without her direction, tackling the large shadow.
By this point Mitsuru was just cleaning up the last of them, so when Jalter fell to one knee, there was nothing stopping Akihiko from his mad dash to catch her fall.
When he got there, she was trying to rise, almost succeeding, even. One more oddity to add to the list.
"What did you do..?" She wheezed, dark sludge leaking from he face like bloody tears.
Akihiko tried not to look at her as he brought her back onto his shoulder, instead choosing to check his watch. Two minutes left.
"That's what makes shadows dangerous," He said, bringing the Evoker up to his head, "Polydeuces! Sonic punch!" He yelled, watching his persona go back to assist Kotone's before returning to his two-time passenger. He had to get her out of here.
There was a scream behind him, loud and wild. It was mirrored moments after by one from Kotones mouth.
Without thinking he looked back.
"What the hell..?" Jalter said for both of them.
Ok, question. Does calling her Jalter feel weird to anyone else? It's just a funky name. Maybe it's just that I don't play FGO enough, but it feels weird. Maybe Avenger or Jeanne would work better?
Critique is appreciated, as long as it's in good faith.