Tartarus : the tower of demise, the underworld, the nest of shadows.
The first foray of the SEES motley crew in the supernatural construct that replaces Gekkoukan is bittersweet for Akihiko since he's been barred from participating in any meaningful way because of his injuries.
Because of their new members, the mysterious space is finally accessible for exploration once again and that makes him nostalgic. It promises tests of strength and answers to long-sought answers about the Dark Hour and its horrors, yet he can't even step inside the ever-changing labyrinth because of a mere flesh wound.
This is unfair!
He's not a man suited to wait in the sidelines, so he keeps fidgeting and walking in circles as if the marble floor below the stairs needs a good cleaning from his soles, grumbling in frustration. And for the umpteen time that night, Mitsuru shoots him a glacial stare that doesn't bode well for this health.
"Why don't you take a seat, or better yet, study in the meantime? Your pacing is getting on my nerves and making me lose my concentration."
Her tone is crisp and very frosty and he sighs, head hanging low. Maybe he should have brought his French essay along to keep his hands and mind busy.
"Sorry Mitsuru, I just wish I was up there with them. How are they hanging?"
She pushes a hand to her forehead to brush stray curls out of the way and blinks a few times to adjust to and from her inner sight with Penthesilea.
"Quite well actually, the twins are a force of nature, just as you predicted. It will take Iori and Takeba a while to catch up to their level of instinct though."
I knew it.
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he smirks in satisfaction at her confirmation of his assessment. He has an eye for strategy and team composition, and it's flattering that he hasn't lost his leadership qualities despite their reduced numbers in the last years.
Expectant, he looks at her with a calculating gaze, hoping for some more details. Once he resumes his leadership, that information will be crucial to lead the juniors into the fray effectively. Mitsuru ponders his expression, eyes looking toward the emptiness behind the lobby stairs.
"To be fair, the call to make her the leader was definitely the best. Iori is bouncing around like an excited child, and Takeba is still hesitating with both her evoker and her weapon, but the Arisato girl brings them together with crisp orders and a commanding presence. She has backbone, I will give her that, and I doubt her brother would listen to anyone else. It's not like he requires much direction anyways."
Akihiko frowns, wishing he could just see like she does through the maze above them.
"Is he off doing his own thing? I would have thought…"
"Actually, no. Minato pretty much acts like an extension of his sister's offensive capabilities. It's almost like they're a single being with four hands, 2 heads and 2 personas. They move in tandem like dancers, you should see them at it. I am quite glad they both decided to join us; the other juniors will be whipped into shape in no time."
He nods, appreciative of the update but still no less frustrated by his lack of presence at their side.
So, she can lead effectively.
Her twin might actually not listen to anyone else because their synchrony seems so instinctive and he's very much acting like her shadow all the time. As for the other two, their adherence to her leadership might have to do with their similar age, or respect at her power, but she does attract your gaze with her boundless energy as soon as she comes in any room.
The mantle could not have been given Iori or Takeba in any case, their bickering would detract from the dangers of the expedition and cause a ruckus. Akihiko mentally files his observations just as their select exploration team comes back from the fray through the teleporter.
He can hear the sighs of fatigue from a mile away and spot lurching shoulders among the teenagers stepping forward.
The heaviness of the Dark Hour takes some getting used to.
Akihiko gives them all a lookover to assess the damages and is surprised to see the twins standing straight. A little worse for wear, some dust on their clothes and a few hairs out of place, but nothing jarring. Minako and Minato are bright-eyed and sharp still, despite combat and discovering the unknown of Tartarus.
Stable and level-headed, these two.
"That was fun, we should totally come back tomorrow!"
Minako is wiggling her brows at her fellow second years excitingly, and Junpei looks deflated in response.
"Are you kidding me? I am dead on my feet!"
Takeba also looks miffed at the suggestion, as if she is staying awake from sheer will. Minato shrugs nonchalantly, puts his hands in the pockets of his jacket and glances at his sister.
"Game when you are Mina."
She nods, then sighs, realizing that her enthusiasm is not as contagious as she expected. Mitsuru takes some time to grill them a bit on their impressions of Tartarus and explains how the fatigue is normal and will take accustoming to lessen its effects. Then, she smiles with undisguised pride.
"I'm surprised through, you all did much better than I expected! At this rate, they'll catch up to you in no time Akihiko!"
"Eh, we'll see about that!"
He huffs with slight smugness, proud but content to potentially fight with peers up to his level. They all start to pack up and grab the survey equipment for a return to the dorm.
Outside Tartarus, Akihiko chuckles to himself as he watches the juniors' procession making its way down the streets. Minako is skip hopping along her brother's straight-as-an-arrow purposeful walk, tailed by the two sleepy teenagers groaning in exhausted frustration just behind. He swears he can hear Iori grumble a comment to Takeba about the red-haired twin's unholy energy at this hour and would she please just stop flaunting it everywhere just to rub it in.
The next visits should prove to be entertaining, at the very least.