The tower, afternoon, 2 days left
After walking through a dark void that seemed to stretch for an eternity, we finally stepped out of the void. "Is this it? This is the inside of the tower," Hisoka questioned. "I guess so... This floor looks pretty old," Ryota stated. And yeah, this place looked like it had seen some fighting in its time... I looked behind is to find that the door was still there... I tried to push it open
"It's not what I was expecting from this place," Hana said to herself. "Still, we need to be careful," I stated. "...I'll take point. Let's go!" "...Who said you were," Hisoka questioned as he had this irritated look on his face. "Then who is?" "I don't care because as far as I'm concerned I just used this expedition as an excuse to get in this place." "What's the excuse - ya needed someone to hold your hand when you're walking around in the tower," Ryota remarked. "Whatever you say, you mindless caveman... I can survive just fine on my own in here." "Then why you'd never come in here, huh," Ryota probed. "Why should I have? Would I have been paid to clear it before? And gotta ask yourself: why would anyone pay for someone else to clear this place? But it's okay if you didn't; I don't expect someone as slow as you to know why." "Why you...!" Before Ryota could say what he wanted to say, Hisoka ran off. "Wait up, you damn brat!" Ryota ran after him. "Wait, you idiots," Hana shouted. "Great, Kazuki let's go catch up to them." "Yeah, Ko - climb in my hood." After Ko did, we ran after Ryota and Hisoka...
"What in the hell?" "What is it?" When I reached the end of the tunnel I saw a bridge leading towards another corridor, but that wasn't what caught our eyes. There were a whole bunch of other stairs and platform below and above us. "Okay, where did they go?" "I don't know? They could've gone up, or maybe down..." "Where ever they go they still smell," Ko blurted out. "Smell? I can barely smell anything." "Because you're lucky to not have a too keen nose like me." "Keen nose..." Hana was rubbing her chin, and I'm pretty sure I know what's going through her head.
"Ko, can you sniff them out?" "No!" "Please?" "No, they smell like they just got out of a gutter!" "Fine...Guess I better eat this by myself then." She pulled out an energy bar from her pocket. Wait, that looks familiar. "Is that mine?" She just shrugged her shoulders at me and opened up the rapper. (When the hell she take it out of my bag?) "How does it smell, Ko?" "Good!" "Want it?" "Mhm!" "Then get that keen nose to work." "Okay, okay. But I need to eat it, the smell is throwing their scents off." Hana gave the energy bar to Ko and he ate the whole thing in mere seconds... When he was finished his nose began to twitch. "Down there." "You sure?" "Maybe?" "Not really much to work with, Ko." "Sorry, but the smell of that snack is still there." "Screw it, we don't have time for this." I activated Shadow-mog and I jumped down from the platform. "Kazuki, wait-" I began to jump off one platform to another... I heard something coming from the bottom... When I got close enough, I saw Ryota fighting something. It seemed like a girl wearing a green dress on and some Pixies. (I know because I saw Makoto use it...) I landed right in front of them, but I wasn't really expecting the floor to give out. "Whoa!" I grabbed ahold of the piece of the bridge before it was too late. "Damn, I guess I should try to control the amount of power I use when land on something... "Dude, you all right there?" "Yeah, I'm fine... Ryota, where is Hisoka?" "He went all the way up there when I was following down here." "He lured you down here?" "Yep! When I get my hands that little..." "No, you aren't gonna do jack! We'll discuss this as soon as we get him and meet up with the others." "Fine..."
The demons were looking at us as if we weren't done yet. "You two aren't going anywhere," the Pixie smirked. "It talked?" "Of course it did, they are Demons after all." "Demons?" I guess it makes sense because they don't look like shadows... "So, guess we're doing this, huh," I sighed. "Well, we could talk to them, but that isn't my forte." Talking? I mean, if it's an option, then why not try it. Hey, wanna talk? "To you...? Well, why not." "Great, I'm Kei Kazuki." "Kei Kazuki, what brings you to this great tower? Fame, fortune, or maybe the ultimate reward. ...Well?" "Oh, I don't care about any of that." "Huh?" "I don't want any money, (inherently) or fame..." "Then why come here? What's worth coming here for?" "I'm on a mission to save someone." "...You came here to save someone? Hm..." The Pixie seemed to have been pondering on what I meant. "Hm, a human that isn't here for money (inherently...) I'm interested in you. Tell ya what, what do you want from me; money, items, or maybe my spell card?" "A spell card? What's that?" "It's hard to explain, but it's something very important to me, so if I give it to you, you have to take care of it." "Um, sure, I'll take care of it." "Ya better! Here..." A card materialized, floating on the palm of the Pixie's hands. I took the card from hands. "High Pixie." "Come on guys, let's go..." The pixie and the rest of the demons left us alone...
"Wow, you did a cool job with negotiations there, Kazuki." "Um, thanks. ...You have a clue what this is?" "Nope, not at all." The power that was coming from this card wasn't great, but it felt enticing nonetheless... "Hey, hey," Ryota called to grab my attention. "What, sorry...guess I was spacing out." "Got that right. Also, how did you find me?" "Because of Ko... He also said you kind of stink." "What! ...Why that little, when I get my hands on him, I'll...!" "Hey, wait a minute!"
Before he ran off by himself I grabbed his shoulder to stop him, but when I did that he swiftly turned around to hit me. *Thump* I wasn't able to block it because I wasn't expecting to be hit by my own teammate. "Ow, what was that for!?" "Shit! Sorry, I seriously didn't mean it!" Ryota bowed his head up and down. "It's fine, I guess." He hit really hard for a normal guy. "...It was a reactionary instinct." Why is that...? But I didn't bother to ask since it was probably nothing.
"Hey, we should get going now, it would be bad if more demons came," I suggested. "Yeah, let's get going. So, are gonna carry me, or...?" "Why would I carry you?" "Well, aren't we gonna be jumping back up?" "Of course not!" We were gonna walk up a flight of stairs instead. Jumping from platform to platform wasn't really the best choice because if I have enough power to break the platforms, I knew that carrying Ryota wouldn't sound like a fun idea. (Carrying girls is easier...)
The tower, ?, afternoon
"I'm gonna ask you again: why are you in here?" "I just wanted to poke around for a bit." "Not the best response!" I had my hands on Arisato's neck. "Did I do something wrong, Masaru...?" "You're in my room!" "It seems like that..." She pointed to the wall with all of my notes on it. "What are those for?" "None of your business." "...Just curious on why you tried to hide it; if it's nothing?" "I said it's none of your business!" She had this look on her face as if she didn't really care for what I was saying...
"I'm gonna guess that you're hunting for someone. Someone not so easy to find, but looks like you're nearing your end, huh? Or maybe, you already did?" "Shut up." "How long were you working on this?" "Shut up." "I'm guessing for a long time... Also, there was this book that I found under your bed." My eyebrows jumped up when she mentioned my journal. I thought it would be safe under there! "...You also been collecting info on Kazuki, but not personal. More or less battle data, if we're going into specifics." That's basically what the book is about; Kazuki's strengths and weaknesses. I had been observing him for a while now, learning about his powers and his Persona abilities. I learned most of his habits when he does fight. However, it was a challenge because Shizuka was with him most of the time.
"Want me to tell you something that could help you if you fight him," Arisato grinned. "No." "Strange, I thought I heard you say no?" "I did, I don't want it because I'll beat him without your help..." I let go of her. "Get out and never let me see your face ever again!" "I'll try..." This chick was way different from what I have seen of her the first time. The words that left her mouth, her voice in that matter was missing something from it...
"Hey, that red in your eye... it's the darkest set of red I've ever seen." "I see...thanks for the compliment." She left the room with her hands touch her eye and her swiping her forehead. I held the book in my hands as if it was something of value. I looked at my board that had papers and pictures that were pinned up, thankfully, I didn't use too much string to connect most of the clues on there...
"I don't need your help, I can defeat him with my own power...! If I can defeat that loser, then that proves I can defeat 'him' as well." I began to read over my notes on him while taking a sip of water... It was cold before, but it's too warm, now...
The tower, first floor, afternoon
I was throwing rocks at the wall while Ko and I were waiting for Kazuki to come back with those morons. "Whatcha doing Ko?" "Making room." He was shifting around some of the items without taking them out. "Ohhh." "What is it?" I crouched right next to him. He was holding a picture in his hand. Kazuki was in it and two other girls, and one of the girls; the one with teal colored hair was kissing him on the cheek. "Where is this taken," I asked myself. "There's a bunch of lights and people," Ko added. "Yeah..." *Bang* We heard something coming from above us. "What was that!?" "I don't know!" The bridge began to rumble. "Down you go!" The floor began to give way. I quickly grabbed the bag but not before Ko jumped into the bag. I ran towards the stairs that were heading upwards... "Don't think I can't kill any of you in the stairways." The walls began to close in on us and without room to think, I used my earth magic to make two pillars from one wall to another. For the most part, it was working, however, it won't hold forever. I slide under both of them and I ran towards the end of the staircase. "*Pant* *Pant* *Pant* What the hell is going on?" "You all are harder to kill than the usuals... In fact, where are the usuals? They stopped coming lately, did they give up on making it through here? That's no good, no good at all! I need food and I want it now!"
Was he talking about me or the others? "Don't let him get away!" I heard a clang noise coming from up above. Something was falling down here... It was a black object I think? When the black object landed on this platform I was able to get a better look at it; it was Hisoka. "Where are the others," he asked. "Kazuki went to get Ryota and for you. Matter of fact: why the hell did you run off?" "I don't need to explain myself to you." "Don't give me that attitude!"
I saw demons coming from the stairs behind us; Oni' and some titania'. "Come on, we have no time for this!" Hisoka raised his sword and began to slice through the demons... I took out my knife and followed behind him. I was gonna use a knife because using earth magic here was a bad idea.
It took us a while to back to the top and when we did, Hana and Ko were gone. "Guess they went up. Maybe they got attacked as well," Ryota said. "Yeah, maybe they did, but what was that voice...?" "I don't know, but whatever it was, it was trying to kill us while we were coming up here?" "Yeah, that much is certain." "Hm...!? Kazuki, look up there!" I turned my head up to find someone floating in the air. No, standing on it, it was the hooded guy that attacked me at Yakushima. "Why, hello there, Kazuki-chan." "Ryota: go on without me." "You sure you'll be fine?" I think I'll manage" Ryota left for the stairs as I stared down the hooded guy...
"So, I heard you got beefed up, is that true?" "Yeah." "Ohh! Show me your moves then." "Gladly," I yelled. I activated Mog and I jumped for him. I tried to kick him but he dodged, however, I knew that he would; so that's why I went for a kick instead of a punch because now I'll land with my legs. And when I did I jumped for him again. "Dodge," he said when he moved out of the way again. This time, I grabbed his hoodie and I brought my knee to the back of his head. *Thump* He then tries to hit me with his hand folded. It had some of his gravity magic added to it. I dropped to below him to avoid the attack. I then grabbed his leg and I launched myself back up to his level. I tried to land many hits but he was able to dodge them. When I was about to land a blow, he used his magic to shift it back towards my cheek. *Thump* My own attack sent me flying towards a wall. *Thud* "My goodness, I can't image what would happen to me if you had made contact..." I got my arms and legs out of the wall, I then again launched myself towards him... He threw some of those Black viper orbs. I just punched them out of the way. "Kazuki, you really aren't doing it for me right now, buddy!" He used his magic to fling me to the other side of this place, making me go through a few bridges and stairways. "Down you go." As he said that, I was abruptly dragged downwards through even more platforms... *Thud* "Ahh..." The bridge I was on was the last platform before hitting nothing but an empty pit... "Come on Kazuki-chan, is this really it?" "If it ain't enough, then I'll show you something good..." I geared up an Ocean's stream and after I thought it was enough, I launched it at the hood...
boom* I heard it connect. Did it do the job...? When the smoke cleared, he was still standing there, looking down on me. "So, how much was that?" "Hm." "How much power were you packing in that? A lot, a little? Come on Kei, tell me." "I was trying to destroy you with that attack, does that count," "No, no, no, that isn't enough!" At this point, I couldn't hear this guy speaking anymore... "Hey, can't hear you anymore? Cat got your tongue?" "Why is there something wrong here? Why is that?" I wasn't gonna wait for him to get ready, I was going to make this next one count! I was ready to fire another one, but before I was able to even launch it, I was slammed down to the floor. It was like a boulder was crushing my chest and back at the same time... I couldn't move a single muscle.
The hood descended slowly and landing next to me. "Are you serious about this? This fight I mean." "Of course." "No, I don't think you are, I think you aren't." "So what? Why do you care if I am...?" I can tell he didn't like my response because the gravity intensified. "I want to know something: which one of you kidnap Fuuka?" "The Arisato girl." I gritted my teeth. I had a damn gut feeling that she did... The hood put a hand on his chin. "Wait a moment, maybe the fun isn't over; this can still be salvaged..." He lifted his gravity spell and I was able to move my body again...
"Looks like I went about this the wrong way. And if so... I gotta go!" "Wait! We aren't finished here." "We are now... And oh, you better hurry back to your team, or they might run into the big bad in this dungeon." "Big bad?" "Oh yeah, they are the scary part of this place, so I think you might want to beat them there before they reach him." "How will I know when I see them?" "The smell of death..."
He was heading for the staircase. "Oh, another thing, you should know: Shadow-mog is great and all, but there are some side effects." Side effects? "Like my limit?" "Sure, that, but something as well." "What is it?" "I'll tell you something even better. You wonder what was on your girl's mind as she accepted to come here of her own free will?" "Of her own free will? What's with the bullshit!?" "You're right, maybe not all too 'free', but nonetheless came here of her own will... Don't worry, I don't know why either, kind of confuses me why someone would want to be killed? It just eludes me, ya know?"
" "What do you mean by that...?" He let out a long sigh as if the question was bothersome to answer. "Put on a good performance for me when you fight the guardian of this floor, then maybe we can why."
He was telling me to put on a show for him... "Screw you, I'm not here to entertain you!" "I know, I know; the damsel in distress. gotta save her... That's a boring old plotline." He walked up the stairs, however, his voice was echoing through the tunnel. "I went easy on you, but the guardian might not...?"
A minute of trying to get back up was a major pain because the last gravity attack was an ungodly force. I got up only collapsed to the floor... *Thud* "Ahhh!" I was pretty sure I had some broken bones, so if I got into a fight it wouldn't end well. But I can't just let this stop me from saving her, broken bones or not. "Skeith." I had my Persona lift me up on my feet only for it to dematerialize. "Gaahh!" I fell to the floor again and this time, I'm pretty sure I heard cracks from the platform I'm on...
"Gotta...get...up!" I tried to lift myself up, but I was too weak to... "Dormia..." I felt a sudden fatigue fall over me... I turned my body around away from the floor. I saw someone standing over me... "Who *yawn* are you...?" If the mystery man said something I didn't hear it because I was too tired to be able to pay any attention... My eyelids were closed shut, and I was seconds away from going to sleep...
Ko, Hisoka and I had made it through the hoards of demons that awaited us as we ascended to the top. Ryota and Kazuki hadn't shown up yet. Guess the both of them couldn't make it... I knew this was a stupid idea coming in here; an idea for men who have a death wish...
"Keep up! We are almost through," Hisoka notified me as the horde of demons began to grow thin. As Hisoka cleaved through the last of them and were able to run up the rest of the way now. "Is that a door over there," I pointed towards the far right from where we're at... There was another set of stairs that was leading towards our right. "What a pain!" "But if we stay here we'll get eaten alive," Ko stated. "You act like that includes me," Hisoka replied. "Yes, it does!" "Whatever you say, child." Great, just what we need for our situation. I closed the bag to silence Ko and to break up the fight.
"Come on, we can't waste time here. Let's just keep moving." "Then move it, woman." The attitude with this kid... We ran down a set of stairs and many other pathways for our destination, and needless to say, that voice and the dungeon itself tried to kill us on our way there...
"Hisoka, I have a question for you." "What is it?" "Why were you falling from the top earlier?" "...I got into a fight with this demon. It was fairly strong, but that might be inappropriate to say?" "Why?" Hisoka paused for a moment and at that moment I felt the air go dry. "The air! It's here!" Something was causing the air to be as dry as it is. "That odor... It reeks of death," Ko quivered and knew he was due to him shacking the bag.
"Don't waste time here, run!" Hisoka made a break for it. I began to follow behind him until the floor below me opened up. "Khhhya!" I fell through the floor before I could react in time. I was sure that this was the end for me until... "Gotcha you!" Someone grabbed a hold of my arm. "Huh?" "Sorry, I'm late, I had a hard time finding where you guys went." It was Ryota! "Damn, I thought I had that one. And where in the hell is that other brat!?" The voice echoed through the dungeon... "What are you doing? Pull yourself up! You're...kind of heavy!" I'm what!? "I'm not heavy, jerk!" At least I try not to be; maybe Susu wasn't just teasing me... With our combined efforts I was able to get myself back onto the platform. "That was too close for comfort," I sighed in relief. "No kidding... It was a great thing that I came when I did." "*Muffled voice*" "What was that," Ryota asked as he looked at Kazuki's bag. I opened it up. "I said: why didn't you let us know you were close by?" "Hu-what?" "You were close by us, so the fact you didn't catch up with us is kind of weird." "H-how do you know!?" "Your smell was closer than I like it to be." "So what? It just means I ain't that fast, all right?" "I think you came in and save us at the last second on purpose... You really are a jerk." "Shut you, ya idiot! Like I said, I was just a bit slow!" "Liar." Ugh, can you two stop it already!"
Ryota and Ko were still arguing even after I tried to break it up. "Can you hurry up! The demon is getting closer," Hisoka shouted. "Why don't you run away then, if you're scared?" "At least I'll still be alive." "Oh yeah, well I'd rather die a warrior than a coward!" "I guess you'd also don't mind dying a fool." The two of them kept arguing back and forth. And while they did so, I just ran past Hisoka without disturbing the both of them... I wonder what will kill me in this tower: the enemies, or my own allies?
Ruined Mikage-Cho, southside, afternoon
I was in a store in the south territory of this world (Bandit territory.) A shop that harbors rare, and hard to come by items...
"What can I get ya?" "I require a few things from this place." "Name it." I looked down at the pen and paper on the counter. I began to write down the items I wanted. They mostly consisted of rare items and weapons for myself and my apparent "team." Before I had left Port island, I had to risk going back to the dorm to get some things. However, since Takeba, Iori and Yuk were already there and Takeba was threating to call the police on me if I didn't bring them with me. And if the cops knew I wasn't outside the city yet, they would've blocked off the exits to the city, so I had no choice but to bring them...
"That mask...where did you get it from?" I knew someone was going to ask, but it was only the matter of when they were. "Scavaged it." "Is that right? It's just that it's a very rare commodity. So maybe I can it off your hands, or maybe to be more accurate: off your hip." As he tried to take my mask away, I took out my sword and I put it to his neck. "Stop screwing around and get me what I want, or else I will start putting my sword through your hands," I said in a cold, yet violent tone. "O-okay, okay!" After I was done writing I handed paper over to the clerk. "Here you are," I said in a more calmer voice "I, um, have most of these items except for the last one - Amrita stone." I had a feeling that he didn't, but I had to check...
"Well, ring it up, and don't mess with me, or else this fine establishment might have a fire, and it won't be a sale." "Yes, ma'ma!"
I exited the store with the items in a big bag. "What took so long?" I was greeted by Takeba's tone. She's been like this ever since she's been told of my old affiliation, and to be honest: I could care less what her attitude is towards me. (But I understand why she is throwing scorn at me.) "Whaddya buy," Iori asked as he stared at the bag. "Weapons, items, and other things..." Yuki was listening to his music as he looked at the tower. He was held captive in there for a long time; having to endure the gauntlet of challenges that it holds. I think I can sort of relate... "Yuki, if you aren't feeling up to it I can find somewhere for you to stay until we rescue Yamagishi." "No, it's fine. I guess I was just staring into space." I think he's trying to hide his fear of that place, but if he wants to come along, I won't impose...
"So, Shizuka-san, why are you helping Kazuki?" The question itself was one I had an answer to... Or at least I thought I did. "I don't know?" "You sure?" "Yes..."
I had this question in my head for a while now... I found myself gazing at the tower myself now. Now that I can get a good look at the tower, I was feeling a strong resentment towards this place; to that tower... But a memorable fear. Something that I remembered quite recently...
9/2 Sa, Iwatodai dormitory, early in the morning
It was a day after we escape the froze-over school. But even before we got out, I had this terrible feeling pop up after the Hypnos tower was cleared... On that night I couldn't sleep, so I found myself in the lounge, watching tv. I felt as if the light emanating from the screen was the comfort I felt all throughout the night, and it wasn't like I was afraid of the dark, but I didn't want to be left in it this time (Guess I am now...)
"M.G." "Hm?" Kazuki was standing at the kitchen table. "What are you watching?" "I honestly have no clue." I wasn't really paying attention to what was on the tv, all I needed was some light. "Oh... Mind if I join you? I kind of can't get any shut-eye." "Seems we're facing the same situation, and sure." I moved over to make room for him...
"Today was crazy," Kazuki stated "It was... Are you okay?" "Yeah, but I think my back is kind of sore." "Ah..." The lobby had an awkward silence permeating throughout the room. Truth be told: I wasn't really good at making small talk; talking isn't really my strong suit. (That's why I avoided my own classmates most of the time.) "...Shizuka, you should tell me more about yourself. You never told me about yourself despite us knowing each other for a couple months now." "I guess you bring up a point. However I-" "When's your birthday?" "Huh?" "What is your favorite food?" "Wait, hold on!" "Favorite movie?" "I don't really have one." "Favorite book then." "I would think the journey to the west." "Hm, is it interesting?" "Well, I guess, but..."
Kazuki kept asking me questions during that night. I thought he was being a bit annoying, but it wasn't too bothersome for me to say anything about it... "Okay, where did you live before the any of this, before the Dark Hour I mean." I looked at my feet, wondering if I should just dodge the question. "I don't want to share anything." "Oh, well okay then..." I think I was a bit too cold with my response.
"...What should I do," Kazuki suddenly asked me. "About what?" "About Minako." "What about her? She chose her fate that night." "I thought that at first, but even though we got Mako-chan back we're still at odds with each other." "Well, there is nothing you can do about it, now." "Maybe..." He didn't feel sadness towards her, but pity... As I recalled Arisato, I recalled all the other things the two of us only know about.
"Yamagishi still doesn't know about Shadow-mog?" "No, and I think that it's for the better." I had no idea why he didn't want to tell her, but if it was his decision I wouldn't nag on him for it. However...
"...Hiding it won't do you much good. Yamagishi is intelligent, eventually, she'll start to notice something is off, she'll want answers. So, you better be ready for that..." "Don't worry, the Dark Hour is almost over, this game is almost over. So, I won't need to tell her about that." It was a dangerous road he was walking, but it was the road he chose; the road of hardship that I sent him on...
Light stretched throughout the lounge from the windows. It was morning... "What time is it?" "Six in the morning?" "So we've been down here for an hour?" "Seems like it..." Kazuki sat up and went over to the tv and shut it off. "You better get some rest now, Shizuka." "Yeah." I stretched my arms when I stood up...
"Hey, Shizu." "Shizu?" "Yeah, I just came up with it. I thought you were tired of me calling you M.G." "I wasn't really, but a fresh new name wouldn't hurt. ...But you were gonna tell me something?" "Nah, forget it. I just wanted to say your new found name!" "Okay then..." "Hm?" "What is it, Kazuki?" What's with the 'okay then'?" "Nothing." "Lies! You said it as if I was about to tell you something shady!" "I never said such a thing." "Maybe so, but that tone doesn't lie." "How are you sure?" "Because I also know what you'll say next, too." I heard he said something like that before, but I thought he was speaking nonsense. "Humor me." "You're going to say: I have no idea what you are talking about, you fool!" That nonsense... "I was thinking if I should tell you that Aigis was watching us." ...Was complete nonsense. "Huh!?" When we stared back at her.
"I have been spotted. A tactical retreat is in order." She had run off. "*Sigh* What an I gonna do about her too. I mean, she had shot me! (More or less my Persona, but still.)" "She's dangerous, we should watch our backs for her." "Yeah... Now, let's get back to the matter at hand." "That would be?" "What that 'okay then' meant." "God, you're still on that?" "I won't give up!" "Fine then, let's settle it!" "Let's!"
The conversation, or rather argument went on for a while, and oddly enough; I quite enjoyed it. That one conversation was able to help me forget about my worries. It even made me feel more comfortable... I think that was when I truly began to feel something, something that wasn't just a mentor and student relationship; maybe a sort of bond...?
The depths of Kazuki's soul,?
When I had opened my eyes, buildings were the immediate thing that caught my eye and gave me a hint on where I was at.
"Master, are you awake, now?" I got up from the floor. "Yeah, I'm up. I had this wicked dream where I was a crab and I..." Hey, I saw this get-up before. He snapped me out of Morpheus' dream. "You're that guy that I met in a dream." "Yes, I'm glad you remember who I am." "Well, how could I forget a guy as mysterious looking as you." "Am I?" "Well, of course. I can barely see your face, man..."
He looked up towards the sky. "...The water?" "The water?" I looked around and I saw nothing different than how I remember it..."Anyway, you've been badly hurt by that fellow from earlier." "Yeah, wouldn't call him a fellow." "However, you're wounded seemed to have been healed a bit." "How can you tell?" "I... Hm, I guess you can say that I just can." "Totally not vague at all, dude."
I felt this numbness in my legs all of a sudden. My legs gave out instantly. "*Gasp* Master!" "I feel...weak." "It might be due to someone trying to wake you, forcefully waking you!" The stranger kneeled down to my level. "Master, I will only say this once: do not keep using Shadow-mogrification." Again with Shadow-mog. "Why?" "Because of the side effect, it entails." "What are they," I struggled to ask. "It will take ahold of you and it will never let you go." "What does that even mean?' "Just don't use it anymore!"
After that warning, the mystery man put his index and middle finger to my head and I began to float up to surface. "Master, I forgot one more thing, I am Phi... It was an honor to speak to you." Phi bowed his head.
"I hope to continue to serve you in the future..."
The tower, Floor: unknown, ?, 2 days left
I stood in front of the mural that the Nyar kept in his chambers. It was truly a piece of art that no human can match...
"Do you like this piece?" "It's marvelous, I just wish I could've witnessed it when it was made." "...Don't worry, you'll get to see something like it in the future. Just have patience." "Ugh, patience sounds great, but it's a real pain when you try to have some..." He chuckled in response to that. "I know what you mean, I had to wait for many years as well." "Oh yeah, how long was that?" "Thirteen years now." "That long? That's a joke amount of years." "Well, I can't say I was bored, plus, I was making preparations for ten years, now. So, can't say I was too bored." "Ten years gathering your people, making plans, and scooping out your competition..." "Yep, and now it's time to destroy the competition." "Oh my, do tell...? Kazuki, the Velvet residence, or maybe his team?" "You can take a guess, and besides, isn't being left out of the surprise." "Oh, that does sound a bit fun!" 'But let's just say I'll be destroying the greatest threat in our fight." "Ah, but I gotta ask: why Yamagishi and not Kazuki?" "For some good old fashion fun. But if it wasn't for Shizuka going rouge, we wouldn't have this option... And besides, she was really just the bait for the big fish." "I see, smart move, smart move..."
Nyarlathotep put his hand mural... He was in a deep trace while looking at it. "Listen, boss, I want to make an arrangement with who'll be the guardians for each floor?" "Why for?" "I need to do an experiment." "...Go for it then. Just make sure the guardians aren't easy to kill." "I won't, sir," I said with a childish type of tone. "Can I use that Arisato girl?" "No, she's mine to use as I please." "Ah, nobody gets to play with your favorite toys." "Although, I will let you use one of my new favorite toys." "...And that would be?" "Masaru."
Didn't he lose to Kazuki? Maybe Nyar fixed him...?
"So, do we have anything else to talk about, M?" "No, I say this convo is about covered." "Good." I walked out of Nyar's chamber feeling good since I got what I wanted and more... I took out a journal that had the kids that used to be apart of this group. It's a pretty hefty book, so I better take my time with it... "My, my, so many children but none to be seen. I wonder where they all went? Woo, I feel all giddy about this now just thinking about the many types of fun that we can have!"
First off, I know I was gone for nearly a whole month, I had a problem concerning my eyes that wouldn't allow me to be able to look at my computer screen, thus making the case that I couldn't type down the chapter. (Although, I did begin it before my eye problem.) So I had to take some time off to have them not be so dry. So really, nothing new in this world so maybe-
Hm...? What's that? Oh, I see. All right, so I just got word that PQ2 is finally existing! Can you believe it bois and grills. Okay, on a serious note: I do have some fears for that game since I realized the faults in Q1, like character Flanderization, SP and HP skill cost. I would go on but now is not the time. (Also the amount of characters in that game terrifies me...) So overall, not dead yet, just very much KO'ed, and if anything else doesn't happen, I'd say we're back. (again) So, if you are enjoying this story follow the story so you know when I update a new chapter, and leaving a review always helps. And until the next chap; see ya... (Also, I had multipil crashes that woydl basucally reset my work while I was typing the chapter, and that was a major pain in the ass, but hey, should've saved before hand.)
A diabolical team of the ages
Kazuki: Hold still Koro, this'll only take a second.
Koro: *Whimper*
Kazuki: Hold on... Just stay right there. Perfect, now... WAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes, Koromaru, this is the beginning of a truly wondrous and awesomely diabolical team. Truly one worthy of all the great things of this world. However, we aren't interested in wealth or fame... No, we are fighting a battle against an unknown threat of immeasurable power, but fear not - we alone have the power to disrupt their plans. What is their plan? You fool! I have told you many times before, but fine, I shall tell you what I mean. ...The organization plans on manipulating the masses, using them to advance their organization into the public eye and grow even larger with more members and loyal followers. So, before they can succeed, we need to destroy this organization with our powers, then, we shall complete our ultimate goal: throwing this country into chaos! Our ultimate goal as SEES!
Koromaru: *Bark*
Kazuki: WAHAHAHAHAHA
Aigis: I heard everything.
Kazuki: ...AHAH- Huh?
*Door to the dorm opens*
Yukari: We're back... What the?
Fuuka: Um, Kazuki-kun, what are you doing with Koro-chan?
Aigis: He said that he was going to throw the world into chaos
Kazuki: You goddamn liar!
Koromaru: *Bark*
Aigis: Koromaru says that threat suddenly made him get on his shoulder and then he suddenly started laughing...
Yukari: ...
Fuuka: ...
Kazuki: (Damn you, Aigis! I shall get you back for this somehow. But for now, I need to get out of here...) Koro - tactic alpha, now!
Koromaru jumped off Kazuki's shoulder and barks at Aigis
Aigis: He says look over there.
Yukari: Huh?
Fuuka: At Shizuka? Wait, I did even notice she was right there!
Shizuka: I was sitting right here this entire time, how did none of you notice? (Not that I care.)
Fuuka: Sorry, Shizuka-chan... Sometimes it's almost like you turn invisible.
Shizuka: Maybe so... Hey Aigis, Kazuki just snuck passed you.
Aigis: Hm? He has fled, but I won't let him get away!
Yukari: Aigis, hold on a second
Fuuka: Wait up for me, too!
Koromaru walked over to Shizuka after the others had left.
Koromaru: *Woof*
Shizuka: All according to plan. Good boy...
Koromaru: *Woof*