Saturday - June 18th
Lynn's phone buzzed. Another wrong guess.
Each thief groaned in frustration. The sound filled Lynn's attic room with growing irritation.
They might have gotten their target's name, but the other keywords were still a mystery. They just didn't have the information necessary to make any real guesses. As such, the thieves had taken to spewing out random locations in hopes of striking it lucky.
It wasn't going well.
"This is bullshit! We don't have time for another effin' investigation." Ryuji grunted.
"Ryuji, calm down. Getting worked up won't help us at all." Morgana mumbled. He rubbed a paw against his chin and looked down at the phone with intensity. "Maybe… we're thinking about this the wrong way." Up to now, Palaces had been centred on a singular building. The architecture and space changed drastically, but it was still a single building.
Mementos - on the other hand - seemed all but infinite or at the very least it spanned the whole of Tokyo. It got Lynn thinking.
"Hey, is there a limit to how big a Palace can be?" Asked Lynn.
That question sparked a humming from the not-cat. "I don't think so. If the distortion is strong enough, I guess the potential is limitless."
The thought of a planet sized Palace filled Lynn with dread. The less said about Mementos' true size the better. She shook off the goosebumps and tried to refocus on the issue at hand. If the distortion was strong enough, then the Palace could encompass more than just a single location or building.
A pit dropped in her stomach.
"All of Shibuya."
"Candidate Found." The phone pinged with a confirming tone. It sent a ripple of gasps through the group.
"The whole district!? That's insane!" Ann whined. "We can't get through something like that in just a few days!" She had a point. If the Palace really was the size of Shibuya, it would take more than a week to investigate properly. Which would exceed Makoto's deadline. Lynn cursed under her breath. She tried to keep V's advice in mind, but with the looming time limit upon them, it was getting harder to sympathise with the council president.
"Well, we still need the distortion, right?" Shiho placated Ann's flustering. "Let's not jump to conclusions until we know everything."
"Shiho's correct. Now, what do we know of Kaneshiro?" Yusuke was the calm pillar the team needed to continue. Lynn gave him a quick smile and he nodded. "He is a man of great influence and commands fear in both his enemies and his own men. If the reaction of that thug in the ally is anything to go by. You described him as going pale at the mere mention of the Inoshishi."
"He did. He said we're already dead if we know that name."
Ryuji shivered and fear leaked into his expression. "This is gettin' serious…" he mumbled. However, a second later, as if erupting, he beamed with glee. "We're gonna go down in history if we pull this off! I mean, a Yakuza boss!? Targets don't get much bigger than that!"
He was getting way ahead of himself. No one else shared his sudden enthusiasm. Especially Morgana. The cat huffed and turned back to the phone.
"So he's callous and influential but also secretive. The question is; what is Shibuya to him?" The not-cat pondered. Almost to himself.
"An office?"
No match.
"A lair?"
No match. Though Lynn scoffed at Ryuji's idea. "V had that one."
"Sweatshop?"
Again, no match.
"Wait," Ann perked up, "scams, money laundering, extortion, blackmail… it's all to do with money. At least that's what it sounds like. So… maybe a Mint?" The phone buzzed with no match.
"... Or a bank."
"Candidate Found."
"Alright Shiho!" Ryuji clapped a hand on the girl's back. She bashfully waved it off. Lynn half expected the two to start bickering again, but under the current circumstances, they were just glad to make progress. So, Junya Kaneshiro saw all of Shibuya as a bank. Lynn's nose wrinkled at the thought. V's stories of corporate greed painted a pretty morbid picture of what it could turn people into.
Money makes the world go round.
She really didn't want to think of the depths someone like Kaneshiro would go to.
"We're running out of time," Lynn spoke as calmly as she could, "so we should investigate straight away. Everyone be prepared for anything!"
After each thief agreed and nodded with determination, Lynn hit the Nav.
Her vision blurred as reality crumbled around them and reassembled itself in a matter of seconds. The safety of her attic had been left behind. The group found themselves standing in the hollow streets of Shibuya. At first glance, it looked like Mementos. However, the air was heavy and thick with a sickly green smog. Simply standing still filled Lynn with a strange, foreign sense of hopelessness. As well as a burning need to head deeper into the city. An instinct to give her whole being to the ruler.
"Ugh! Gross, gross, gross!" She yelled and slapped herself. The feeling vanished as her cheek stung. "Everyone ok?"
"Yeah. You felt that too, right?" Ann questioned. Notably, none of them were donned in their thief attire. Lynn nodded. "Creepy…"
"It's Kaneshiro's distortion." Mona muttered, worry creasing his feline features. "It's so strong that it's able to affect us. I felt the pull in that direction," he pointed a paw, judging from the direction, it didn't seem like it was that far away from the main street. "We might find something if we follow it. Just keep focusing and don't let the distortion creep in again."
And so, they walked through empty streets and alleyways. All the while, the green smog was ever present. Its acrid scent burned the nose and clung to the lungs.
After five minutes of walking, they emerged into a wide open space as if entering a forest clearing.
They gasped in horror.
In the centre of the clearing was a series of strange machines. Tubes and cables snaked around large chambers. Lining up outside the two rightmost chambers were hundreds - possibly thousands - of people. All plump and waddling under their own weight.
The two leftmost chambers were open and the same amount of people were ambling out, stumbling and shuffling. No longer rounded. They were husks, emaciated and wasting away.
The groaning was horrible. Haunting the thieves as they grew closer.
"This is Kaneshiro's Palace?" Ann clamped a hand over her mouth. However, Mona didn't seem to agree. The not-cat muttered to himself and lowered his head. After about ten seconds, he huffed.
"No… I don't think this is it. The Treasure is further away. Actually…" he lifted his head, higher and higher. His eyes widened and his jaw almost hit the floor. "... It's up there!"
They followed his gaze and just like he had, everyone's jaws dropped.
Floating high above the city was a gargantuan building sat upon an artificial plateau. It thrummed with oppressive might as huge exhausts pumped out the green smog. "Are friggin' kidding me!? How the hell are we supposed to get up there!?" Ryuji stomped a foot and pointed at the flying bank. "Mona, please tell me you can… I dunno… turn into a helicopter or somethin'!"
"Don't be an idiot, Skull." Mona glared at him with unimpressed eyes. "Besides, even if I could do that, do any of you even know how to pilot a helicopter?"
No one came forward. As expected.
"... I bet Merc could." Ryuji muttered.
"We can't just rely on them to do everything for us, Skull. Besides, they're busy with their own things." Lynn grunted, staring at their destination. She had no clue how the hell they were going to make it up there. Arsene could provide an initial burst of height with a galant leap, but actual flight was out of the question. Especially for a group this size.
They all sighed.
That is, until Yusuke caught the attention of one of the passing husk people. "Excuse me, good sir, but… you look a little pale. Might I ask what happened?"
The husk glared at Yusuke. Its sunken eyes reminded Lynn of the hollows of a skull. It tilted its head to the side, almost knocking itself off balance with the sudden shift in weight. Like it couldn't even handle the simple momentum of the action. "Give all… to… him." Its voice was barely a whisper. Dry as a desert and haunting like a ghost. It really was just a husk of who it once was. Lynn half expected it to crumble into dust at the slightest touch. "Give… all… to him…" it repeated.
As if it was a ripple in a lake, the husk's words echoed from the rest of the husks. All saying the same thing.
"It's… like a mantra." Shiho sniffed, tears budding in her eyes.
It was clear what was happening in the chambers. People filled with money and riches - the plump and round cognitions - were sent into the chambers, sucked of everything they had to then be cast out as the husks. Some would go on to regain their wealth, only for the cycle to resume. The other less lucky ones would fade into obscurity, left and forgotten by society.
Briefly, Lynn's mind turned to the homeless man she met in the station. He spoke with such vitriol that Lynn had to assume he was a victim of Kaneshiro too.
"I don't think we'll be able to do anything as things stand…" said Morgana. "We should head back to reality and come up with a plan."
"We're running out of time!" Lynn's anger flared. Seeing the horrors before her set her on edge. That, and the lack of sleep recently was starting to really take its toll. "But… you're right. Let's get going. This smog is making me sick."
Their journey back into reality was a quiet one. Awkward and tense.
Finally, they were back in Lynn's attic, sitting around the square folding table.
"We finally got into the Palace only to hit a wall almost immediately. Ugh… this sucks." Ann moped and aggressively chomped a stick of poky. "Maybe I can get Carmen to fire jets? You know! Like a rocket ship?"
"For real?" Ryuji's eyes widened in awe.
"It'd take too much thrust to get us all up that high. You'd burn yourself out way too quickly." Lynn quickly did some maths in her head. She wasn't exactly a rocket scientist, but she at least knew that Ann's idea just wasn't feasible. "It wouldn't be an issue if we could just get the bank to land."
Morgana's tail straightened out and his ears sharpened. "You might be onto something, Rin! It's a bank, right? Well… don't bank's usually have customers?"
Yusuke hummed to himself. "I see. If we were to somehow become customers - or rather… victims - then you're suggesting we'd be able to gain entry?"
"It's a possibility."
"I really don't like the sound of this," Lynn huffed. Both Shiho and Ann fervently agreed. The very thought of intentionally getting caught in the Inoshishi's clutches sent goosebumps across their skin. Not only was it dangerous, but there was also the chance it wouldn't even work.
However, what choice did they have?
V could just kill him.
The thought stung Lynn like a hornet. It just popped in her head without warning. It almost made it past her lips. She quashed the thought and stuffed it deep inside her core. No, they were not killers. They couldn't just murder someone because the job was difficult.
But the idea just kept cropping back up. It was like a persistent fly, buzzing around in her mind.
Finally, she clamped down on it. If Makoto was doing this to see the Phantom Thieves' justice, killing Kaneshiro would have the complete opposite effect.
She dragged herself out of her own head and noticed the silence among her friends.
"Let's meet in Shibuya tomorrow." Lynn's voice was stern and grave. Her friends straightened their backs as the tension seeped through the room. "I'll act as the customer." Immediately, everyone jumped to object, only to be halted by Lynn raising a hand. "If we all rush in and things go badly, we'd be in real trouble. So, I think it'd be best if only one of us acted as bait. I want the rest of you to track me and only jump in if things turn violent."
"If… you're sure." Morgana was hesitant. However, one by one, the thieves retracted their objections.
"I'll be wearing my radio transceiver, so you can track me. If that doesn't work, just use the 'Find-my-Phone' app. It'll be fine, I promise."
If only it were that simple.
[Why do you hesitate, Trickster?]
Arsene's voice resonated, rolling over Lynn's whole body. She opened her eyes to a sea of neverending black. Her head thumped and with a dull pulse, red light came into being. A small lick of flame dancing in front of her.
"What? Hesitate?"
[Power wielded without conviction is wasted. We made a vow, did we not? I am thou, thou art I.] The tiny flame swelled and grew, encompassing Lynn's whole vision. Feathers drifted around her, black as midnight. The flame turned a deep azure and the form of Arsene appeared before her. She stood, encircled by his raven wings, staring into the hellish energy that served as his face. [To enact any sacrilegious act to invoke our own justice. And yet, you hesitate. What the grinning man says is true. Clinging to my strength will result in stagnation.]
"Not you too…" Lynn felt the guilt bubble in her chest. "Where am I?" She wanted to look out over the void, but she just couldn't take her eyes off of Arsene's.
[This is your Soul. Your very core in which we Personas dwell. It is the sea from which we draw power.]
At the word 'sea' Lynn finally noticed that she was standing in ankle deep water. It gently lapped against bare skin. She managed to break away from Arsene's eyes and looked out over the void. Closer inspection showed that the ground - if such a thing existed here - was covered in an infinite expanse of water.
It was almost beautiful.
She locked eyes with her Persona once again. "I can't just sacrifice you. It feels… wrong."
[The act of execution is a part of your growth. This form may be fused into something else, but I - Arsene, Pillager of Twilight - will be forever part of you.] At his words, the sound of distant chains ground against each other.
"I can't, Arsene! You, Igor, the twins… you're all talking like it's easy. Like it's just something you can do without a second thought." She tightened her fists and felt herself beginning to tremble. "Every time they perform a fusion, I feel it. It's like I'm the one under that damn guillotine. Parts of me have to die to make the whole stronger. But… why!? It doesn't make sense. Each fusion leaves me just a little bit more empty." Her gaze fell to her feet, barely registering the fact she was naked. "Why are you willing to die just to make me stronger?"
Arsene was silent. His hellish eyes narrowed and his wings twitched. It might have been seconds, minutes or hours before he eventually responded. [For beings such as myself, it isn't a true death. We pass on our strength and create something more powerful. Is that not the natural course of the world? Evolution revolves around passing genes, wisdom and knowledge onto the next generation so that they can become stronger.]
"I don't believe that." She huffed. "You shouldn't exist just for the sole purpose of making someone else stronger. No one should think like that. It's not fair!"
[Trickster…]
"I won't let myself stagnate… but I'm not going to throw you away either. There has to be some way we can push past this supposed limit?"
The spectral thief let out a long sigh. His ghostly face was as unreadable as ever. The wings surrounding her unfurled and spread wide. [Very well, Trickster. Sit with me.] Arsene said as he gracefully lowered himself into the shallow waters.
She hesitated. After a second, she too began to lower herself.
She crossed her legs and allowed the clear water to lap against her skin. The sensation alone sent ripples through her whole body. There, they sat, neither one moving an inch.
[Focus on your breathing. Consider your core. Visualise it as a ball of fire.] His voice was a calm, soothing baritone. Lynn didn't really understand it, but followed along with it.
She breathed in deep and pictured the fire. Like what Arsene had first appeared as in this sea of black. Deep red, thrumming with energy. As if willed into being, the flame sparked to life between them. It was small and flickered like it was about to blow out. Yet Lynn could feel an intense heat contained within. Arsene nodded and lowered his clawed hand. He plucked the flame from the air and held it gently in the palm of his hand.
[Much like this fire, you need sustenance to fuel your strength. Without sustenance, it'll simply fizzle from existence. As if it never existed in the first place.] The flame coiled around Arsene's hand, swelling and shrinking with each movement. It almost looked like a snake. [As you may know, fusion can provide this sustenance. But… perhaps there is another way.]
"I know I'm being selfish, but… I just get this weird feeling that if I sacrificed you, I would completely lose myself. Like… it would be a fatal mistake that I could never take back."
[I wouldn't consider it selfish. It is within your nature to care for others.] His wings ruffled slightly. [However, despite that, you must temper your conviction. Hone it like a blade's edge. Because without conviction… power-]
"... Is wasted. Yeah." Lynn sighed. "I don't know what that means, though!" Her frustration was starting to crack through to the surface. Her knee bounced, disturbing the water. It sent jagged ripples across the surface. "You said there was another way. What is it?"
Arsene hesitated. He watched as Lynn fidgeted and stewed in her own anger.
He felt it within himself too. For he was just as much Lynn as Lynn was Arsene. Her anger was his anger. [You must…] he began, letting the fire in his hand go, [draw from the Sea of Souls directly.] The weight of his words pressed down on her. [In doing so, it will eat at your humanity. We will obtain unimaginable power… but…]
"... We would lose ourselves in the process." She hung her head.
It was difficult to imagine.
Completely consuming her own humanity.
Her breath turned shaky. Her only options were to fuse and fuse, over and over again. Or willingly let go of her own humanity. How was that even fair? She dared to look up into Arsene's gaze. He was unmoving, simply allowing his ward to think. Was there really no other option? Perhaps she could ask V about getting cybernetic implants.
No. That wasn't a good idea.
She still didn't understand exactly why she was the one to have this power to begin with. She wasn't anyone special. Was it just a huge coincidence she ended up meeting Igor?
Why was it so damn important to get stronger? Why was Igor so insistent on Lynn sacrificing over and over?
At the end of the day, there wasn't much point in arguing about it. She was already in too deep and she couldn't just abandon her comrades because she was scared.
"Fine. You win. We'll do it Igor's way. Just… give me time."
The ghostly flames forming the tips of his eyes flickered a fraction at her words. He bowed in respect and allowed blue embers to dance over his form. [As you wish, Trickster. I will be awaiting your call, no matter the intent.] His body faded away into the endless black. Wisps of blue glided across a non-existent breeze, leaving her alone.
With a great heave of breath, she let herself fall onto her back.
Water splashed and embraced her. Even though it was deep enough to reach her mouth, Lynn could still breath unhindered. There, she lay, feeling the soft and relaxing sensation wash over her.
"Wait… how did I get here…?"
With that thought, she sat up with a sharp movement. Only to find she wasn't in the endless black any more. Rather, she sat bolt upright in her own bed. The morning sun leaked in through the windows and the sound of early morning activity filtered in, providing a welcoming hum. Was that place like the Velvet Room? Had she just dreamt the whole thing? Her head pounded.
"Ow…"
Her ear twitched. That wasn't her voice. She blinked, picking up her glasses. When the world came into focus, she let out a gasp. Morgana was sprawled out across the workbench, legs twitching and looking completely dazed.
"What happened!?" She asked, scrambling off her bed.
However, Morgana shook off the dizziness and hissed, springing to his feet. "You happened, Rin!" He growled. He let his irritation bubble for a moment before relaxing and sitting on the workbench countertop. "There I was, happily dreaming about fatty tuna when I was suddenly catapulted across the room! Not how I wanted to wake up!"
"S-sorry… Mona…" Lynn sheepishly chuckled. "I had a weird dream."
Then, Lynn's alarm chimed. It was time to get ready for whatever the day may have brought. The sense of danger clung to her like a mollusk.
Sunday - June 19th
Everyone held a tense silence.
They had all met in the usual spot. Shibuya Station's walkway. Their plans for today weren't fun shopping trips or delicious meals. Instead, Lynn was about to risk her own life for the sake of the case. No one dared speak up out of fear of breaking down. Lynn fiddled with her transceiver and made sure it broadcasted correctly.
There was no issue on that front.
She just needed to hide it well enough incase she was searched. So, she slipped it into her shoe. The device was small enough and it fit without much discomfort.
"Are you sure about this, Rin?" Shiho's eyes were locked on Lynn's. Filled with fear and concern.
Lynn smiled as best she could, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "If anything happens, you're all going to be right there!" Her words did little to placate her friends. However, all of their moods soured when a familiar figure approached them.
Makoto Niijima.
"I assume you're progressing well?" She spoke as if she were talking about a school project.
"Niijima, please tell me you're not here to butt in again?" Lynn grunted. Her eyes narrowed but V's words of advice crossed her mind once again. She softened her gaze and lightened her tone. "I know you mean well, but we're the professionals here, Kaneshiro is dangerous. We can handle him."
Ann scoffed. Her tone definitely didn't lighten up. "Yes, Niijima. Just leave it to us. You'll just get in the way when we meet him later. As far as things like this go… you're useless."
As if Ann had actually slapped her, Makoto staggered back.
For a single second, she looked on the verge of tears. However, she hardened her expression, squared her shoulders and let out an irritated huff. "Fine. I'll be going now." She turned on her heels and stormed off down the walkway.
"Drama queen…" Ryuji muttered under his breath.
"I've… got a bad feeling." Lynn added.
It was only after two minutes when Lynn's phone rang with a trill. It was Makoto. She shot a strange look at her friends before answering. "Don't talk. Just keep the line open."
"Niijima… you're not doing what I-"
"Excuse me, gentlemen. You're hiring for a part time job, correct? … Yes, I'm a student. … I want to meet your boss first. Kaneshiro."
"MAKOTO, ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE!?" Lynn screamed down the phone, earning alarmed stares from passersby. However, Makoto didn't respond. Sounds of a scuffle came back through the phone, followed by the engine of a car. Very clearly, Makoto yelped and cried. A sickening crunch. A sob. Then, the sound of a gun being loaded.
The line went dead.
"Are you freakin' kidding me!? Is she an idiot!?" Ryuji yelped.
"We have to do something!" Added Shiho.
"I can't believe this! Fuck!" Lynn cursed, tapping away at her phone. The wonders of modern technology would come to the rescue. "I can track her phone. She's… I got her. We need to move. Now."
In a blind panic, the thieves charged for their destination.
All out sprinting down streets and alleyways until they reached the building where Makoto's phone was last located. Unassuming as it was, it looked like a regular bar. One that could be found almost anywhere.
Barging into the main area, it was almost deserted except for a few thugs sat around a table, playing cards. The ruckus startled them and they launched out of their seats. Immediately, pistols were pointing at the thieves, ready to fire. It halted them in their tracks and fear bubbled up, threatening to come out as vomit. "Who the fuck are you!?" One of the thugs bellowed.
"Take me to Junya." Lynn stepped forward. She refused to give in to the terror. A small blessing about their mad sprint here meant she could hide shaky breath under the panting.
As if sprouting from the woodwork, more thugs appeared and grabbed a hold of each thief. The man tasked with restraining Lynn was not gentle. He twisted her arm and forced it into a painful angle pressed against her back. She yelled in pain, earning her a blow to her side. "She wants to see the boss, so let 'em see him! He was lookin' for new product, anyway!" The thug that spoke earlier sneered and cackled.
Rough shoves sent Lynn and the others shuffling through the bar.
As they walked, Lynn frantically scanned the place. Exits, windows, cameras, everything. They were in the belly of the beast now.
Without their Personas to rely on.
This was exactly the kind of thing V had tried to warn them about.
They were driven up a flight of stairs and forced through a doorway. When they were all inside, they were thrown to the ground. The room was thick with cigarette smoke, its acrid scent mixing with strong liquor and sweat. Only lit by sunlight filtering through blind drawn windows on the far end of the room, as well as small dim lamps sitting on bedside tables.
Lynn gulped as she saw two women laying on the bed. The lamps cast a purple hue over their exposed skin. She didn't recognize either of them, but she was sickened by the implications none the less.
Were they just sleeping, or unconscious?
That thought was immediately abandoned when the group heard a sob. Makoto was laying on the floor, looking as if she had taken a beating. Her jacket was torn at the shoulder and a small trickle of blood dribbled from her mouth, accompanied by a nasty gash on her forehead. She sobbed again, silenced by a heavy footfall. A huge man stepped from the darkness. His imposing figure was silhouetted by the thin rays of light from the window. Wide shoulders, thick arms, towering physique, all wrapped in a custom tailored suit fit for a corporate executive. Despite his face being hidden in shadow, the faint ember from his cigar highlighted a dangerous grin.
"Well, well. More fall into my lap?" His voice rumbled as if it could crumble mountains. He inched forward, looming over Makoto. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Come to rescue your friend? Admirable… if not stupidly naive."
Slowly, Lynn got to her feet. Her legs trembled and she could barely stand to even glance in the man's direction.
"You're Junya Kaneshiro." She spat. Not a question, but a statement.
The silent response was almost deafening.
Tension gained critical mass.
"Someone talked." Kaneshiro hissed. The thugs that had restrained them suddenly quivered in fear. Slowly backing away. "Not one… but now six outsiders know my name. That's… unacceptable." He puffed his cigar. The small moment of brighter embers revealed pure rage in his eyes. "Furukawa."
"Y-yes, boss?" One of the closer thugs shuffled forward, sweating and trembling like a child.
"Who talked?" Kaneshiro walked slowly. Like an apex predator, closing in on doomed prey. The thug shrank in on himself when Kaneshiro's shoe grinded against Makoto's hand. The girl cried in pain, staring at Lynn with one of the most terrified expressions she had ever seen. The big boss stopped mere inches from the thug.
"I… don't know, boss! None of us would dare!"
A gut wrenching crunch permeated the lounge. A single punch from Kaneshiro all but shattered the thug's jaw.
But the beating didn't stop. Kaneshiro kept punching and punching. The crunching and thudding quickly became wet. Before long, what was once a human face had been reduced to a bloody mess of flesh and bone fragments. The rest of the body was unmoving save for a final few nerve twitches.
Kaneshiro rose to his full height and glared over his shoulder down at Lynn. The dark blood splashed over his face glinted with the orange glow from his cigar.
A monster. Pure and simple.
"I despise liars. But, no matter. I'll find the loudmouth later." He tugged at his jacket and picked up a towel from a nearby sofa. Its white fabric instantly stained vibrant red as he wiped the blood from his hands. "Someone clean up this mess." Once he was done with the towel, he threw it down over the head of the man he just beat to death. Unceremoniously, two of the thugs dragged the corpse by his legs, both with the same look of abject horror. "Now, where were we?" Kaneshiro stepped over Makoto and sat down on a sofa lining the wall. "Ah, yes. What to do with the six of you."
Thank the stars, Morgana was still hidden away in Lynn's bag. He knew better than to reveal himself now.
The monster took a long drag from his cigar. He blew another thick cloud of smoke into the room. Was he letting the kids stew in what they had just witnessed him do?
"My friend made an honest mistake. Let us go and you'll never see us again." Lynn mustered enough strength to plead, but Kaneshiro merely grunted. Unimpressed by the offer. "We're just minors…" Again, he was wholly unmoved.
Lynn dug in deep. She clawed into her soul.
Kaneshiro obviously didn't care about morals. He wanted money. He wanted riches. Arsene's presence reached out and took a firm hold on her heart.
The silver of her eyes shimmered.
She grinned.
"The way I see it, we owe you." Lynn began, earning a shocked glare from both her friends and Makoto. Even the other thugs gasped at the sudden change in tone. "You've lost a man. That means you've lost his profits. So, let's cut the bullshit and figure out a deal. One that benefits both parties. I can tell you're a man of integrity."
The room fell into silence once again.
She couldn't see his expression, but she knew Kaneshiro was glaring at her. Studying.
The tension could be cut with a knife.
"Ten million." Kaneshiro finally broke the silence. Makoto flinched, still too scared to get up.
"Are you cr-" Ryuji was cut off by Lynn's hand. She risked a single glance at him. He picked up the message and locked his mouth shut.
"Ten Million." Lynn repeated, nodding at Kaneshiro. "In exchange, you let us all go and leave us alone."
"Fine. You have until July 9th. If I don't have my money by then, I will come for each of you. I will take you and none of you will be seen again." Kaneshiro leaned forward. A beam of light striking across his expression told Lynn he wasn't just making empty threats. She gulped and nodded again. "Get these kids out of my sight before I change my mind."
And with that, they were dragged out of the bar and thrown into the back alley streets. Ryuji tripped up and fell face first into a pile of trash. Yusuke and Ann slammed against a wall. Shiho and Lynn managed to stop themselves before they hit anything. Makoto, however, sprawled out over the floor, breathing heavily.
As they tried recovering, Lynn heard the thugs laugh as they headed back into the bar. As if they hadn't just witnessed the atrocities of the past hour.
"That… was… effin' intense…" Ryuji muttered, dragging himself out of the trash pile. He was trying to play the whole thing off, acting like it wasn't bothering him, but Lynn could see he was just as haunted as the rest of the thieves.
Makoto finally found enough strength to stand up, however, she was barely able to balance herself.
She stumbled and was saved from completely falling over by Lynn who caught her. "I'll ask again; Makoto, are you fucking insane?"
The president didn't have a comeback. The weight of her actions had well and truly defeated her.
"I… just… wanted to help…" She muttered. Her eyes were unfocused and staring off. Lynn sighed at the recognition. She was disassociating. All the anger Lynn had built up over the past hour had vanished. Replaced by concern. "I don't want… to be useless." With that, Lynn draped Makoto's arm over her shoulders and helped her walk away from the horrible building. Everyone shambled as they followed. Haunted by what they had all witnessed.
After ten minutes of walking, Makoto regained herself enough to separate from Lynn.
"Ten million ain't no joke…" Ryuji muttered. Kicking a soda can against a dumpster.
"It is a rather ludicrous amount for teenagers." Yusuke nodded. "Was that really a wise decision, Rin? I can't help but feel apprehensive."
"This… isn't your problem." Makoto's voice was still weak, but she wasn't as distant as she was. "You guys don't need to worry. I'll… figure something out. It's my fault, so the responsibility is mine."
Lynn's bag shuffled and out popped Morgana's tiny head. He huffed and glared at each of his comrades. "Are you guys forgetting something? What was this whole thing for?" His words sparked a wave of realisation, starting with Lynn and ending with Ryuji. After all the adrenaline and fear, they had completely forgotten why they wanted to do this in the first place. "We're considered customers, now! Especially Niijima!"
"Hey, you're right!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"So that would mean the bank will come to us?" Shiho asked.
"It would appear so. Perhaps Niijima's stunt wasn't for naught." Yusuke added.
Makoto was completely lost. "Um… why are you talking to your cat? And what was that about a bank?" The thieves glanced at one another. Then at Morgana and Lynn. Both of them shrugged and nodded in unison.
Out came Ryuji's phone and reality was reduced to ripples of black and red.
The Palace hadn't changed in its general appearance. The city streets were still covered in green smog and the desire to give all to Kaneshiro tried to take root. The team was ready for it, this time. So shaking it off was trivial.
Makoto looked distraught. "What on earth…"
"We'll explain later!" Morgana chirped. The president blinked at him. Stunned by his words. "Don't… even… say it."
"Your cat can talk!?"
Morgana groaned with an overextended irritation. Ryuji stifled a snigger. Much to the added chagrin of the not-cat.
"Like Mona said; we'll explain everything later. Just follow us. We need to test something." Lynn's confident tone looked to bring Makoto out of her bubbling panic. The leader of the thieves smiled with as much warmth as she could muster. It instantly earned Makoto's trust. She nodded and stepped in line. From there, they headed back toward the chambers they encountered. With any luck, their new status as customers would grant them entry.
"What… is this…?"
Makoto staggered upon seeing the chambers. From her expression, she had picked up on the implications immediately. She wretched and barely stopped herself from throwing up.
"This is how Kaneshiro sees Shibuya and its people." Yusuke spoke with grave intensity. "Sickening."
"So, we're in a physical representation of Kaneshiro's subconscious? How… is that possible?" Surprisingly, Makoto caught on incredibly quickly. Even if she was insane, she was at least sharp. "I take it this is how you change hearts? You alter a target's perception of themselves?"
"That's not quite right," Mona cleared his throat, "we remove the distorted desires which forces the target to come to terms with their own sins."
"I… see."
"Look! The bank's comin' down!" Ryuji thrust a finger into the air. The huge bank-UFO-thing slowly drifted to the ground. The green smog billowed through the giant exhausts, creating a powerful force that billowed against the thieves. They braced themselves and dug in their heels. After the dust and smog cleared, the bank was neatly settled on the ground as if it was always there.
The chambers remained operational and the tubes that sprouted from them were now connected to ports running around the side of the man-made island.
With it now being at eye level, Lynn could fully take in the building's appearance.
A groan escaped her lips when she spotted the large neon purple sign affixed to the main structure. An image of a piggy bank with the words 'Inoshishi Private Banking' underneath. "You know… given how secretive that monster is… he sure isn't one for subtlety." Lynn remarked. Granted, this was a dimension separate from reality. Kaneshiro could be as loud as he wished here. A grinding rumbled through the ground as the large gate blocking entry to the bank's grounds slid open.
"So our theory worked…" Shiho gave a sigh of relief. "Shall we head in?"
"Yeah, but be careful everyone. Especially you, Makoto. Shadows are dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt." Lynn pierced the president with a stern gaze. However, the warning didn't have any effect. Makoto squared her shoulders and her eyes sharpened.
"I know Aikido. I can handle myself."
"Not against Shadows. Trust me." Lynn huffed and turned to make for the bank.
The interior of the main lobby was like any other high end bank. Marble floors, huge pillars, planters filled with blooming ferns and flowers, a water feature near the centre. As well as the several service stations in a long line. Firmly secured behind thick glass. All of which were empty.
A single figure stood in the centre of the lobby, just in front of the large rock fountain. An impossibly tall stick of a man. Dressed in a fine red suit shirt and grey waistcoat with pristine slacks.
However, what was most striking about him was his jet black, ink-like skin. A Greater Shadow.
He was clasping his hands together and - despite having no face at all - Lynn could feel his sneer crawl over her skin.
[Ah, welcome! You must be our newest customers.] Even his voice was snake-like. He bowed low with one hand on his chest and the other raised in a showman's stance. [Our benevolent ruler is expecting you. Please. Right this way!] He gestured toward an elevator door and began to walk over to it. He stopped just in front of it and waited patiently. Though the question of how he would fit in an elevator - when he was at least two feet taller than the door - remained in Lynn's mind, rent free.
"Benevolent my ass…"
"Skull, shut up."
"S-sorry Hunter."
The elevator ride was awkward to say the least. The upbeat, catchy music playing over a speaker really didn't help offset the unsettling sight of the Shadow bending his neck a full 90 degrees just to fit inside. After far longer than necessary, the elevator door slid open with a happy ping. The Shadow crawled out like something straight out of a horror movie. A fact that apparently terrified Makoto far more than the Metaverse itself.
They were led to a large conference room with huge floor to ceiling windows that overlooked Shibuya.
Kaneshiro stood with his back to them. With adequate lighting, the man was now revealed in full. Or at least his Shadow was. He was just as imposing as his real self, but was dressed completely differently.
The void black three piece suit was replaced with white slacks, suit jacket and a flamboyant, tropical themed shirt.
At the sound of the conference door opening, he turned to face his new victims. Lynn expected a sneer or a stone faced scowl. Neither was the case. Kaneshiro was smiling as warmly as the sun on a summer's day. The whiplash alone staggered the thieves with confusion, alarm and fear. [Welcome!] He chirped brightly.
"What… the…" Ryuji mumbled, completely stunned.
[You may be dismissed.] Kaneshiro looked to the Shadow who bowed his head in reverence. Silently, he left the room and closed the door, leaving Shadow Kaneshiro and the thieves alone. The warm, disarming smile remained as he walked the length of the conference table. Gently, he ran a finger across the polished wood. [Answer me a question, one at a time if you please; what is most important in life? Let's start with you. The one with black hair and glasses.]
He looked directly into Lynn's eyes. Keeping his friendly posture, he waited patiently. "What game are you playing, Kaneshiro?"
[No game. I'm curious, that's all.]
"It's the experiences and relationships." Lynn answered. She responded to his warm gaze with burning zeal. She wasn't fooled by his defenceless act. Not after she watched him beat one of his own men to death with his bare hands.
He only nodded at her answer. He then turned to the rest of the thieves with an expectant look.
Everyone agreed with Lynn's answer.
Wistfully, the monster sighed. He turned his back on them and paced toward the windows. There, he looked out over the city. [You're all wrong. Though you're young and naive, so it's understandable.]
"Alright, so what is the most important thing in life?" Ann spat. The disgust in her voice was obvious. However, Kaneshiro chuckled, either completely ignoring the vitriol or finding amusement in it. He snapped his fingers and a cigar poofed into being, already lit.
Taking a long drag, he let acrid green smoke plume across the glass. [Money, of course. Shallow as it might seem, I am correct.]
His confidence was unshaking.
Lynn should have expected as much. She sighed and donned a new metaphorical mask. As slimy as she felt, she stepped forward. "You're right. Without money, you can't do shit. People look down on you, hate you, shun you. All because you happen to be lacking in money. I've seen it before." She hated the words coming from her own mouth. Kaneshiro nodded, still not looking back at them.
[Those without wealth are less than scum.] There was no hate or malice. His tone was just as sunny as it was moments ago.
"You're wrong." Makoto muttered. She clenched her fists and began to shake.
[I was wondering when you would speak up. Makoto Niijima.] The threat was as plain as glass. Hearing her full name stopped her in her tracks. [Your sister is a Prosecutor. Such a waste of youth. Oh well, she is still worth a sum.]
"W-What?" Makoto stuttered, shocked and horrified.
[Did you really think I'd just let you idiots off with a pittance of ten million? You barge into my territory to demand foolish things. You make me kill one of my men. You humiliate me.] At this point, he finally turned around. A gasp rippled across the thieves. His expression had warped into pure, malicious glee. Twisted and filled with the intent to kill. [Why settle for ten million when I can quadruple that by selling you all off? There is no shortage of rich perverts willing to pay top yen for… fresh meat.]
"The hell!? You asshole!" Ryuji swiped at the air with a growl.
Ann protectively placed herself in front of Shiho.
Yusuke remained stoic, glaring at the monster with piercing glacial eyes.
"You're… a monster…" Makoto quivered in her own skin, taking a step back. However, something seemed to click in her mind. The air buzzed with a faint energy. A familiar feeling to Lynn.
The seed had been planted. Makoto just needed a final push.
[You should be delighted! You might be less than scum, but your body is still worth every yen. Maybe I'll keep your sister for a while. Break her in a little.]
And that was all Makoto needed.
Makoto took a deep breath. "Shut up…" she uttered, "I've been listening to you go on and on." Energy bubbled up around her. Swirling and building in power. "Shut your fucking mouth, you money obsessed asshole!" There was a pop and a booming shockwave.
[Have you finally decided to walk the path of strife?] The feminine voice resonated from deep within Makoto's soul. Permeating the air as if it were everywhere at once.
The president continued to breathe heavily. "Yes… come to me."
[Very well. Let us proceed with the contract.] Makoto's body convulsed. Eyes glowed with burning gold. She clamped her hands on her head and grunted, bearing the pain. [I am thou. Thou art I. You have finally found your own justice. Please… do not lose sight of it again.] From her head, her hands slammed onto the conference table. It creaked under her grip and as the power grew to a crescendo, the table cracked and crumbled with explosive force. [This memorable day marks the graduation of your false self.] A mask of iron formed over Makoto's eyes. Acting on instinct alone, she tugged and pulled. Blood sprayed and she screamed as it finally came loose.
A pillar of blue light exploded from Makoto. Kaneshiro staggered back with shock. [What the hell!?]
From the billowing light, the sound of a powerful engine rumbled through the room. It mixed with the melody of jingling chains. Lynn grinned as the thieves donned their attires, reacting to Makoto's awakening.
The pillar of light faded and adrenaline kicked in as Lynn admired the spectacle. Makoto sat astride a pearlescent motorbike. It thrummed with dangerous energy and glowed with sheer nuclear power. Makoto revved the engine which roared and growled like a feral animal. Where the fuel tank on a regular bike would be was a face of a woman, facing forward with eyes closed and a face of serenity. The bike's exhausts burst with violent blue flames with each rev.
"Holy shit… that's… one hell of a bike!" Ryuji was in awe.
"I can feel it… myself. Me!"
Makoto herself had ditched the casual clothes for a form fitting leather body suit fitting of a biker from the bowels of hell. Spiked pauldrons donned her shoulders, with a short ragged scarf coiling around her neck. It billowed in the pressure her Persona created.
She glared at Kaneshiro, who had lost most of his bravado.
"I will never lose heart again. Ever. I'll go full speed and enact my own justice. Right, Johanna!?" At her words, the woman's face mounted to the front of the bike sprang to life. The eyes burst open, shining brilliant sapphire light forward. The serene mouth curled into a grin, mimicking its rider. "Gun it!"
A burst of speed sent Johanna forward, riding directly toward Kaneshiro.
He was like a deer in headlights, stunned as he watched Makoto ride straight for him. With a great collision, Johanna hit Kaneshiro and together, they burst through the window. Glass showered and Kaneshiro screamed.
Lynn and the others ran to the window and stared in awe as Makoto looked to freeze in midair. Her blood thirsty cackle struck a chord with Lynn.
"Hey… is it just me… or does Niijima remind you of a certain badass future cyborg?" Ryuji was still in complete awe.
"Very much so." Yusuke nodded. Beneath his kitsune mask, he took in every detail of Makoto's flight. The engine roared with vicious glee and gravity caught up. Makoto and Johanna began to fall toward the ground like a comet. Kaneshiro was pinned, doomed to face the full impact of the ground.
"We need to get down there, now!" Lynn leapt out of the window with a graceful swan dive. Followed closely by Morgana. The others, however, were hesitant to jump from the top floor of a huge skyscraper.
Like a bullet, Johanna struck the ground and created a massive explosion of dust and flaring nuclear energy. As Lynn fell, she could hear Kaneshiro howl in agony. A dust cloud rushed up and blocked all visual, forcing Lynn to brace an arm over her face. The ground was fast approaching and with a midair flourish, raven black wings burst from Lynn's back. With a strong beat, her descent slowed enough to land safely with a tuck and roll.
Seconds later, Morgana landed softly on a pillow of swirling wind. His feline eyes squinted into the dust and debris. "I've never seen anything like it! That Persona… it's amazing!" He was in genuine awe.
"Look out below!" From above, Ryuji's voice called.
Being swallowed in the dust cloud, Lynn couldn't see anything until a huge shadow fell over them. Falling into view was the underside of a ship's hull. Spectral waves crashed through the air, mimicking a waterfall.
Both Morgana and Lynn dove into rolls to avoid being squished.
It was Captain Kidd using his ship to carry the other thieves down the side of the building. All the while cackling like the mad skeleton he was.
The force of the ship landing was enough to blow the rest of the dust away. It revealed the scene in front of them as if lifting a curtain on a theatre performance. A crater cracked the courtyard, creating splintered stone slabs. In the centre of the destruction, Makoto held out a leg to support herself and Johanna. She revved the engine and allowed her scarf to billow. On the ground, Kaneshiro was cowering, but alive.
[How dare you do that to me!? Doorman! Get out here and kill these intruders!]
Doorman?
[As you wish, gracious master.] The hissing snake-like voice crawled across Lynn's skin. It came from behind them. From the bank to be exact. The tall, thin Shadow from earlier creeped out from the front doors. His gangly limbs pulling himself through and into the open. [My apologies, visitors, but I'm going to kill you now.]
His body convulsed and jolted in unnatural ways. Sickening crunches and grinding elicited a shiver. Eventually, the inky black of the Shadow's skin morphed. Doorman transformed into a huge snake that wove itself in and around a grinning, hollow skull. The skull itself was as big as Kaneshiro was. Almost twice the size of Lynn.
Not wasting a beat, Lynn threw a smoke grenade, allowing the thieves to back off and converge on Makoto.
Kaneshiro had already taken advantage of their distraction to run away.
"Mona, cover Hunter and Panther! Skull, Fox, on me! Makoto, can you fight?" Lynn glared at her over her shoulder. The biker nodded with determination. "Good, you're our spear head. I know everything's happening at once, but we could use your strength."
"On it. Johanna, charge!" Makoto ordered. The face of Johanna reacted to her call with a flash of malice. The engine howled and she sped forward, kicking up dust in her wake.
Following her lead, Joker, Skull and Fox charged to back her up.
Ryuji created a pool of strengthening energy around Makoto just before she made contact with Doorman. However, the Shadow effortlessly glided into the air. Ghostly flames danced around the skull. The snake within hissed with laughter. In retaliation, it spat large orbs of cursed flame, sending them rushing toward Makoto.
"Fox!"
"Yes Joker!"
Light slashed the air and the sound of cold steel soon followed. Yusuke sheathed his blade and the orbs of cursed flame fizzled out, cut clean in two.
"Hunter!"
Without hesitation, Shiho launched her spear into the air toward Doorman. It missed, eliciting a cocky snigger from the shadow. What he failed to notice was the colossal muscular woman appearing behind him. Boudica gripped Shiho's spear and together with her own, drove them both into the skull. Struggling against the force, the snake lashed and writhed. [Foolish! It's just pointless to struggle! Die!]
Dark smoke leaked out from the skull's eyes.
It swirled around Boudica as they crashed to the ground. It was a familiar smoke. Evil given form. The very essence of impending death.
It tried locking around Boudica, forming a blade of black smoke. However, the Persona's mane of radiance and flame dispelled it without issue. [You insult me with your pathetic darkness. Master! Take your shot!] Boudica glared at Shiho. The hunter levelled her Contender and fired.
The snake screeched. It wriggled free from Boudica's clutches and dragged the skull back into the air.
The damage Shiho and Boudica managed to deal had left the skull cracked. It still, however, didn't lose its grin. The snake vanished from sight. "Keep a lookout!" Lynn ordered, The growing tension escalated when more Shadows poured out from the bank. They were lesser ones, but it was a lot. "Skull, lock them down!"
"You got it! Captain Kidd!" Lightning flashed and crashed, annihilating two or three lesser shadows at a time.
For that split second their attention was directed elsewhere, a sudden cry pierced the air. Shiho screamed and fell to her knees. The snake had wrapped itself around her and had sunk its fangs deep into her neck. Unhealthy veins throbbed around the puncture wounds and blood oozed like oil.
The skull's damage fixed itself, new bone forming from a strange miasma. Doorman laughed and darted for cover. Ann and Morgana rushed for Shiho and quickly assessed the wound.
Shiho was shaking like a leaf. Boudca couldn't hold her form any longer and vanished back into Shiho's soul.
"Doorman sucked out some of your life force to heal himself!" Morgana diagnosed and placed a paw against the bite marks. "I don't sense any poison, thankfully." He channelled healing energy which closed the holes up once again.
"Are you ok, Hunter?" Ann asked, helping her up.
"Fine." She grunted and scowled at the snake which had just collected its skull once again. "I'm going to tear that damn snake apart and make a purse out of it."
[KYAHAHAHAHAHA! Tasty!] The snake's attitude shifted into something crazed. [I wonder what the others taste like!] Piercing reptilian eyes landed on Makoto. In response, the biker slid off Johanna and cracked her knuckles.
Yellow blazed in her eyes and with a martial stance, gauntlets formed around her fists. Sharp, dangerous spikes jutted out of welded metal that ran along her knuckles. Despite the rough appearance, anyone could sense power building within them. Johanna dispersed in a torrent of blue as Makoto lunged forward.
She threw out a lightning quick right jab then followed with a rising uppercut. Both blows hit the snake solidly.
She wasn't done yet, however. She jumped and spun her body around, launching a powerful spinning kick. "Fist of Justice!" Makoto bellowed. She went for another strike, but Doorman had recovered enough to slither and coil around Makoto's arm. He tightened his body and Makoto yelped and fell to one knee. The skull opened its mouth and her arm was pulled into the maw.
Seconds before the skull's teeth sank into the arm, Lynn appeared and slashed with a blade of pure obsidian. Eclipse cut the snake's hide with ease and a gout of ichor sprayed upward. Doorman's grip loosened enough for Makoto to wrench her arm free.
"You alright?" Lynn asked.
Makoto nodded.
That was cutting it close. Too close.
"Panther, Fox, back up Skull! Hunter, Mona, on me!" The formation changed as fluidly as water. Ann and Yusuke joined Ryuji in keeping the Lesser Shadows at bay. Mona sliced the wind and forced Doorman back. It gave Lynn and Makoto enough breathing room to back off. Shiho loaded a new round into her firearm and prepared her spear.
"This thing really likes biting…" Mona huffed.
"Joker, what's our next move?" Shiho asked.
"The snake is its main body…" Makoto muttered, her eyes squinted and her jaw tensed, "but I can sense a large stockpile of power in the skull. I think it's using it as a reserve."
Sure enough, as the snake slithered in and out of the skull's eye sockets and mouth, Lynn noticed that the wound she inflicted with Eclipse had healed over, leaving a jagged scar. "So we destroy the skull first." Lynn nodded toward Makoto. They both grinned in agreement. "Mona, Makoto, I need you to keep its attention. Hunter, on me!"
Shiho and Lynn jumped away as Makoto and Morgana lunged into the fight once again.
"You have a plan, right Joker?"
"I do. It's safe to say Doorman controls curses and darkness like Arsene does." The leader's eyes narrowed. Morgana and Makoto had quickly become quite the team in just a few seconds. They were almost overwhelming Doorman on their own. "I noticed that Boudica was able to easily damage the skull but your bullet pretty much bounced off. Once we destroy that skull, I want you to blast Doorman with all the light you can muster."
"Right! I'll stay back and focus on my strength. I could use cover, though."
"Mona, switch!"
Wordlessly, Morgana gracefully flipped through the air and slapped a paw against Lynn's palm. The leader rushed forward with blinding speed. With a swift slash with Eclipse, Doorman's body retreated into the skull.
Makoto merely nodded at her return.
"We're going to crush the skull. I'll keep the snake busy. You turn that thing into bonemeal." Lynn instructed before strafing to the side. Virtue boomed with thunderous might, firing powerful shot after shot. Hissing, Doorman flung himself toward her, maw wide open and ready to bite. "Shiki-Ouji!" Answering the call, Lynn's arm was coated in a solid barrier of impenetrable spirit paper. It formed a shield and Doorman slammed against it with no effect.
The shield dispersed into countless pieces of spirit paper. They swirled around Lynn in a cylindrical manner before converging just behind her. The full figure of Shiki-Ouji towered over Lynn with a protective gaze.
Doorman was unperturbed.
[Full of surprises, aren't you? Well, the meal will be all the sweeter.] Doorman's voice hissed and with a quick motion, bursts of cursed flame rushed forward.
All Shiki-Ouji had to do was lower his arms in front of Lynn. The cursed power harmlessly bounced off, not leaving a single scratch on either the Persona or Lynn. The leader sniggered. "You talk a big game, but you're pretty stupid, aren't you?"
[How dare you!]
The snake reared back for another bite.
"FIST OF JUSTICE!" Makoto's voice bellowed over the battlefield. It was quickly followed by a resounding crack. The sound of splintering bone caught Doorman's attention and he whipped his head toward Makoto. Her right arm was shoulder deep inside the skull's cranium. Cracks spread out from the hole she had punched out. "Johanna!" She twisted her arm and scorching energy flared from within the skull. Explosive nuclear fire blasted the bone to pieces, casting debris over the courtyard.
[What!? No!] Doorman lunged through the air, his body slithering like a scaled ribbon. [You will pay for that, intruder!] He opened his jaw again, aiming to sink his teeth into Makoto.
"Boudica!"
A pillar of radiance shot down from the heavens, striking the snake mid lunge. It screamed and wildly thrashed under the searing light. Shiho and Boudica didn't let up. The light continued in a powerful stream of destructive might. For a solid ten seconds, there was only a hissing scream until it abruptly stopped. The light faded and what was left sent chills through Lynn's spine.
Nothing but the charred remains of Doorman.
Completely unmoving. Smoking like burnt wood. The corpse lingered for a second before it dissolved into black mist.
"Kaneshiro ran off somewhere. Doubt we'll be able to find him for a while." Lynn sighed. "Everyone ok? No injuries?" She looked over to the others handling the lesser shadows. They had finished up and were now dusting themselves off. No one reported anything major other than a few superficial cuts and scrapes. They had won this fight, but lost their grasp on Kaneshiro in the process.
Just as things calmed down, Makoto stumbled. "I'm… exhausted." Her knees buckled and she fell into Lynn's arms.
"Easy there." She whispered.
"Awakening to your Persona will do that. We should head back to reality for now." Morgana looked up at Makoto with a hint of worry. "She'll need a good meal and some rest."
Lynn looked over to her teammates. "Diner?"
"Diner."
Author's Notes
I always disliked Kaneshiro in canon. Yes, you're supposed to hate him, but he was never all that interesting. A good villain needs to be threatening. So I made some changes and morphed Kaneshiro into what he is here. He knows his obsession with money is shallow, but he also firmly believes he is completely correct.
Thanks for keeping with me this far.
Don't be shy to leave a comment! I want to know my readers' thoughts!