The Mask Shatters

Chapter 24

"Let us throw in a new variable…"

"Woaaaaaaaah!"

*THUMP*

He crumpled to the dirty floor of the alleyway as if someone had knocked him down.

The feeling of heat and walking on air was immediately gone, replaced by a swift, sharp coolness as the wind whizzed by him, startling his nerves and shocking his system.

The uncomfortably and stark feeling of Kaneshiro's strangled Shibuya was replaced by the familiar norm that Arthur had become accustomed to.

He no longer felt choked by the air, but instead could finally find the breath of fresh air he now realized he so desperately yearned for.

That was, until he connected with the solid concrete floor below.

He groaned and grunted, lying there in the dust and dirt, face first with the groundwork. For a moment, he just sat there, still as could be in his secluded space amidst the urban jungle, but as time dragged on, he slowly found the strength to try and stumble to his feet. Dragging his arms up slowly, he managed to push himself up from the floor to where he slid up to his knees. He grunted, scratching the back of his skull before looking around for witnesses to his flight.

Thankfully, there were none. Just a lone, quiet alleyway with what sounded like a few rats digging in a trashcan nearby.

"God…" He murmured, covering his face as he tried to wipe away the sweat that ailed his forehead.

His flight from the palace was all but clean.

He ran. Ran as fast as his legs could carry him. The fear he had felt was prevalent in not only his mind, but his heart. The fear of capture, the fear of death. Guns were blazing, Wallace was shouting, and explosions were ringing as Arthur fled the scene on Wallace's command.

The last thing he remembered seeing was Wallace cutting down another guard with his hooked blade, gutting him and ripping open the guard's stomach before the latter vanished in a puff of crimson ashy smoke. That was grimly followed up by the horrified cries of several others as Wallace's Persona destroyed them with cursed magic.

That's all Arthur could, and did, call it.

Cursed magic.

After all, in Arthur's mind, all of this was cursed.

From there, he retraced his steps. Thankfully, he barely ran into any security officers as most were focused on Wallace's chaos.

But at one point, Arthur ran square into a security officer, knocking Arthur on his rump. He had looked up at the enemy, and in his panic, he took aim and fired at the officer, ripping him to shreds with his newly acquired submachine gun.

Arthur only gulped, knowing well this wasn't the first time he had taken a life in this world, but wasn't sure of the ramifications of such a transgression. Still, he knew he had to worry about himself first and foremost, and got to his feet to book it, leaving a gurgling security official behind in a steadily growing pool of sickly black blood.

Arthur had found his way outside, even closing the passageway behind him to prevent anyone from following. Coming to the edge of the road that led all the way downwards towards Shibuya, he cursed silently.

"I can't walk that… Not again…" He told himself as he opened his phone. "Come on, this thing got me here, it can get me back…" He deduced.

And right he was. There was an option to return to the real world.

And now here he was.

Near evening, in an alleyway in sleepy Shibuya.

"You have returned to the real world. Welcome back." The app chimed, buzzing in Arthur's hand as he looked at it. Groaning in absolute pain as he wondered just how far he had fallen.

"Evidently not far enough to break anything… But goddamn… Not doing that again…"

Looking at the time, it was five in the afternoon, but his thoughts swiftly drifted back to Wallace and his brave sacrifice.

"I barely knew the guy…" He told himself, dusting off his legs as he stood himself upright. "I thought he disliked me… But…" He looked around, ensuring he was alone. "Guess he thought something of me to do that…"

He crossed his arms, clicking his tongue and shaking his head, unsure of what to say or even do. After all, a man he barely knew - and even barely liked - gave it all so Arthur, as green as he was, could escape. "Why…?"

But glancing up at the sky, he knew it was time to return home. He wasn't any closer to any answers, but would soon have to answer to Himura if he was any later. Pocketing his phone, he shook his head silently. He knew nobody would believe him, otherwise he'd run straight to the police. Himura wouldn't buy this "other world" as an explanation either.

So for now, he just walked home.

Unsure of what to do now.

"Didn't you hear? He's seeing her…"

"If this came from Edamura, I'd take it with a grain of salt. He's been made a fool of before…"

"But he has proof this time! He's seen them in her car! Speeding down the main roads!"

"Yeah, and he's always talking to her in the courtyard during lunch!"

"Well, if it's true, good for him. She's cute and she's got money. A great combination!"

The date was the 23rd of June.

Arthur was silent for most of the day.

Mostly as he was lost in complete and absolute thought, but also a sense of mourning.

Class was as usual.

The students were ever chatty, and ever the gossips.

Something was stirring between them all.

Some shot Arthur wry looks, and others smiled at his passing. As if they knew something he didn't. Words were passed between young lips, and giddy giggles permeated the soundwaves whenever he was near. Even Makoto, his classmate, would look at him with both surprise in her eyes, and a silent acceptance in her soul.

Even the teacher seemed to be in the know, and was less belligerent with Arthur today, although that wasn't saying much considering how his usual self was. But for this mercy, Arthur was thankful to a degree.

But what Arthur couldn't understand was: What was going on?

After a while, he began to dismiss it as another baseless rumor centered around him due to his foreign status. He accepted he would be the subject of many since the first, and decided it was best to just ignore them.

As he did with so many challenges to his normal life.

After all, his mind lay elsewhere.

When lunch came around, it was beginning to rain, so he journeyed with his lunch to the courtyard of Shujin Academy. Consisting of roasted chicken with white rice and a side of assorted vegetables, he wanted to enjoy his meal alone in the silence and calm of the pitter-pattering downpour so he could think and figure out what to do next with this Wallace situation. When he got to his small alcove, however, he was surprised to see a rather familiar face sitting there.

In an attire consisting of a sleeveless pink sweater over a white shirt and polka dot leggings and her Shujin-approved skirt, with her fluffy, light auburn hair, tied into a formal bun for today it appears. She looked up from her meal, which she seemed to have been enjoying silently until now, to look at Arthur's sudden appearance.

At first, she was taken off guard, but when she realized it was him, she smiled warmly.

"I thought I might find you here." She said softly. "So I waited. You always seem to come out here when it rains."

"Right." Arthur said, standing awkwardly still, having not expected to see Haru Okumura in his favorite spot. But he relaxed when he saw her smile. For some reason, it was calming.

"I'm sorry if I startled you." She said, noting his unease. "Would you like for me to go?" She then asked, a tinge of disappointment apparent in her voice.

Arthur shook his head, returning her smile with one of his own. "No, Okumura-san. You can stay. While it is true I like the quiet of this little spot, especially during inclement weather…" He approached her table, sitting across from her and setting his tray down gently. "...Sometimes it's nice to share it with someone else."

Her smile grew wider at this, and for a moment she was silent, processing the full of what he said. Arthur took his chopsticks in hand, watching her quietly as she shifted in place. Apparently nervous, but ease seemed to inch its way into her mind with each second that passed.

"So, you waited for me?" Arthur asked her, breaking the ice as he arched a brow. "Did you need me for something?" He asked genuinely.

"Huh?" She hummed, unsure of what he meant. But it quickly dawned on her, and she was swift to respond. "Oh, no. It's not that." She said before quickly admitting: "I've just been worried about you. When I last saw you, it was after I found you asleep in that alleyway…" She said, setting her chopsticks down as she looked at Arthur with a look of genuine worry. It encompassed every word that passed her lips, and even set Arthur into a state of unease. "You looked beaten and confused that day…"

"Right…" He said, sitting back in his seat as he looked at her, unsure of what to say.

Haru straightened herself in her seat, quiet for a moment as she looked at Arthur, tilting her head expectantly. But Arthur didn't respond, and instead just looked at her. Confused and silent.

"I'm gonna put this straight, because I have connections." She said, placing both hands onto the table with a formal tone dominating her voice. "I know people. My father knows people. I have money. I can fix whatever situation is befalling you… I can even try to press the police into getting more active in regards to your Yakuza situation. After all, one of the head detectives is a family friend..."

"I bet it's useful to have those connections, huh?" Arthur smiled at her.

"Sometimes, yes." Haru nodded. "It's why I haven't had any trouble with any hooligans outside of school, as much as they would probably love to bother me, they're more afraid of what will happen if they do." She stated, matter-of-factly. As if she knew this to be truth rather than fictional thoughts of an optimistic mind.

"Wow." Arthur crossed his arms, eyes opening wide as he realized just how powerful Haru was. "I never realized… Hmph."

"Well, I don't offer this kind of aid to just anyone." Haru admitted, mimicking Arthur's stance exactly. "I like to be, as you westerners put it, humble with my wealth."

"So why share it with me?" Arthur then asked, as curious as he was confused. "I've only spoken with you a short number of times, and we barely know one another." He added.

"Because you're a kind person." She said, as if she knew this to be fact. Cocking her head and lowering her hands, she looked away from Arthur and her voice got shaky. As if she was about to admit to a wrong-doing. "I'll admit that I've… done some snooping on you." She said, blushing slightly with embarrassment as she spoke. "And for that, I do humbly apologize."

Arthur waved this apology off, and bade her to continue.

"But I spoke with Wakaizumi-chan, Miyara-san when he was still around, and a few others whom you've befriended since you started here." She said, "Even your teacher, the notorious Mr. Sakutaro, had nothing but positive things to say about you. They've all helped me reach the conclusion that you're a genuinely good person and I trust that."

Arthur crossed his arms, whistling. "Even Mr. Sakutaro, huh…?" He huffed, before adding. "That's a shocker, that one."

"Yes, well. To add onto this, you're the first person to know who I am and not attempt to take advantage of me or my wealth." Haru said, before huffing and leaning forward in her seat, her voice going low as if she was ashamed to say what she had to say. "Do you realize how many potential suitors have approached me with avarice in their eyes? It's exhausting!"

"I bet it is." Arthur agreed. "But, I'm fine, Okumura-san." He waved her off, smiling at her attempt to help him.

"You can call me Haru."

Arthur blinked, knowing that it was a great honor in Japan for someone to allow you to speak their first name. He nodded, smiling even further at the honor he was granted. "Very well. Haru." He said in a way that caused Haru to giggle. "Don't trouble yourself for me. I'm gonna fix my situation. And I'll do it without giving anyone any trouble." He told her, before adding lowly. "Just as I've always done."

The bell rang for class to resume, and Haru looked up at the speaker, rather disappointedly.

"Oh my, we've chatted away our lunch…" She noted, before sighing and standing up, taking her tray into her hands. "Each has their own way, I suppose." Haru said to Arthur, throwing her leftovers away in the nearby garbage bin. "But the offer will always be on the table for you." She said to him, clasping her hands before her waist with a smile on her lips. "Just…. Keep yourself out of trouble, please. You worry me, after all."

"Don't worry about me, Haru." Arthur spoke, sounding out her name as if it was alien to him. Haru giggled once more, knowing well how he felt.

Arthur stood up, taking his half-eaten tray into his grip. He hadn't even realized how much had eaten until now, and as he approached

"Trouble just has a way of finding me."

Haru didn't like that response, but seemingly accepted it as fact rather than anything else. Arthur tossed away his food, and as he did so, she spoke further

"Well." She said, unsure of what to say to that. And instead, she simply looked at him. Shaking her head free of any negative thoughts, she shot him a warm smile.

"Care to walk me to class?"

Shibuya was as active as always, even during the fetid rain.

And Arthur stood silent within the downpour, his hood pulled over his head as he looked on at his phone. The Meta-Nav opened up for his perusal.

On it, he saw a map of his nearby surroundings, and a button to show his search history.

Kaneshiro's Palace was there.

And the button to navigate to it was highlighted, ready for pressing at a moment's notice.

But Arthur hesitated.
As the pouring rain and slight gust of wind blew back his hood, he simply thought about his next course of action, and his thoughts had been active all day.

Despite the brief distraction of Haru and her offer for assistance in the real world, Arthur's mind kept drifting back to yesterday's events.

The infiltration of Kaneshiro's Palace, the blind stumbling through its halls as Wallace showed him the ropes of such a world - one Arthur could never have imagined to exist. Arthur thought of Wallace in particular, and his sudden and brave sacrifice.

But that itself is something Arthur couldn't figure out.

Why did he do it?

Wallace had made it perfectly clear that he didn't think highly of Arthur. His musings and words of insults that he threw around willy-nilly as if they were commonplace in reality, all directed at Arthur.

Idiot.

Yankee Doodle Samurai.

Daft.

And more.

All choice words Wallace had used.

Yet, when it came down to it, Wallace had done the unthinkable and threw himself at the enemy, shocking Arthur and buying him time to escape to the real world.

Arthur couldn't figure out why, and now he knew he stood at a crossroads.

If he wanted to stop Kaneshiro, he knew he had to go back.

He knew he needed Wallace.

Wallace seemed to know everything there is to know about these "Palaces", and Arthur knew next to nothing.

A sensei, if Arthur could even imagine Wallace in such a role, was required to progress, and Arthur knew that well.

But in the same vein, how could Arthur rescue Wallace all by himself? Arthur knew he was green, and had no hope to stand against the darkness he saw by his lonesome.

He hesitated, his thumb hovering above the Navigation button. Idle. Then, after a brief period of silence in the rainfall, it slowly drifted away as he lowered his phone, shaking his head at only himself.

"What can I do by myself…?" He wondered, eyes drifting to the soaked concrete below as he pouted, unsure of what to do. "I can't take on the bank by myself…"

"Are you going to let him suffer because of your cowardice?"

Shiro was speaking, catching Arthur off guard a moment. It had been a moment since he had heard his inner voice.

"What?" Arthur responded internally, realizing it was his other self speaking to him. His Persona, deep within his unchained heart. "What would you have me do?"

His Persona scoffed, as if the answer was as obvious as the rain above. "Take a stand against the darkness that strives to silence you and your own." Shiro responded, talking down to Arthur for his relenting nature. "All your life, you have turned the other cheek. But no more!" Shiro stated, raising his voice to be heard above the growing storm. A crack of lightning sounded off nearby, and shook Arthur a moment before Shiro started up again, stating what needed to be said. "Kaneshiro tried to take your life, and now threatens to ruin Himura! This cannot stand! You must have your vengeance…"

Arthur gulped, unsure of what to say. "Besides, you promised him your vengeance. It is impolite to not keep a promise."

"Then what would you have me do?!" Arthur posed his question again, this time with more fervor. "I can't take a stand against the Shadows in that world by myself! You know this!"

"But without Wallace…" Shiro spoke up, his voice echoing in Arthur's mind and soul. "Your hope for vengeance flatlines."

"I know…"

"Then what shall you do?" Shiro asked, genuinely curious. Shiro knew Arthur well, for he was him, and vice versa. Arthur was quick, perhaps too quick, to roll over and heel. To back down from a confrontation if it meant that he got the easy way out. He had never before had to take a stand against what troubled him, for he always backed away and acquiesced to it.

But both Arthur and Shiro knew what was about to happen, what Arthur was about to do.

Only one of them was frightened.

Shiro chuckled. The sense of rebellion began to grow in Arthur's stomach, and his fists clenched even tighter. "Whatever you decide, I am thou, and thou art I… I will always be by your side."

Arthur hated Kaneshiro.

Hated him with a passion.

After everything that was said, after everything that was admitted.

After the attempt on his life, Arthur hated Kanaeshiro.

That other world was a path forward, and Arthur knew this.

A path to defeat Kaneshiro.

To bring an end to his reign of terror on Shibuya.

To free Himura from whatever grip Kaneshiro planned to hold on him.

To exact vengeance for his crimes against Arthur.

But Arthur needed Wallace for that vengeance to be achieved.

Arthur gulped, before huffing in determination.

He was going back in, and not leaving until Wallace was safe.

And with his mind affirmed for his new path, he brought his phone back to view. He moved to tap the "Navigate" button with his thumb.

But suddenly something got him from behind, a swift jab that knocked both the light from his eyes and his breath from his lips, if just for a moment. For a second, all he saw was darkness, and a familiar voice taunting him.

"You bastard!"

The world became hazy.

And soon, the air went stale.

Just as Arthur remembered it.

"Navigating…"

Post-Chapter Author's Note

Edited by Frozen Foe and Kabuto S. Inferno.