Namine held back the urge to groan as she hurried down the street. Just when she thought she could get to school without preamble, it started to rain.
What a way to start her new year...
She stopped under an awning to catch her breath before taking her phone out. Since she had already marked the school's location yesterday, she knew it wasn't very far...
The sound of hurried footsteps made her look to the left, seeing a girl getting under the awning, looking for cover from the rain. She removed the hood of her coat, revealing herself to have bushy ash blond hair bound in pig tails as well as sea green eyes. Namine thought the girl was beautiful. The latter gave a small smile and she nodded back politely, noticing the symbol of Shujin on the girl's outfit. ''So you're a student at Shujin.''
''Hm? Yeah-oh!'' The blonde blinked, noticing Namine's own uniform. ''Judging by this, you're a second year but I've never seen you around. Are you a transfer?''
''Yeah, I'm officially starting there today.'' Namine returned. ''So, really I'm trying not to judge but I've been wondering since yesterday-I know it's school and all but is it as dreary as it looks?''
The other girl blinked in surprise before she laughed ''Oh god, you too? That's exactly how I felt after the first day. I hate to break it to you but it really is that bad. Sometimes I wonder how we survive.''
''Oh boy...'' Namine rolled her eyes theatrically, playing along with the blonde's tone. ''...thanks for the warning. I guess that's another thing I'm going to have to learn and soon, my survival may just depend on it.''
The blonde looked amused ''You'll be all right.''
The girls continued to chat for a couple of minutes and it seemed they would get along very well. Namine realized she hadn't gotten the other girl's name yet or introduced herself yet. She had been about to rectify that only to be distracted when the blonde girl stiffened. Namine blinked and followed her line of sight, noting that she was looking at a newly arrived white car that was just ahead.
The driver was a man with messy black hair and dark eyes, smiling when he saw the girls. He seemed friendly enough but Namine had the distinct impression that something was off. It was the blonde girl's expression and body language that tipped her off-she had grimaced the second she had seen him but quickly wiped the look away into a neutral one. Also, unlike earlier she was tense-almost as if she expecting something bad to happen.
Just what was going on here?
''Hey, you want a ride? You'll be late for school.''
''Ah, sure...'' The blonde girl replied, surprising Namine.
''What about you?'' The man asked her.
Something about this wasn't right, she didn't feel too comfortable taking the offer after what she had just seen. The blonde had been really nice to her and it looked like she was an upbeat and kind person. But all that seemed to change when this man showed up...
Either way, Namine figured it would do her good to familiarize herself with the route to school so she could get used to it. ''No, thanks I'll be fine.''
The blonde's expression turned sad as the car drove off. So she had been right about the girl not wanting to go with him? Then why did she do it?
''Dammit, screw that pervy teacher!'' A new voice cried, making her start and look left.
The speaker was a boy her age with spiky, dyed blond hair and brown eyes running over. Judging by the uniform, he was also a Shujin student.
His eyes were glaring at the car as it left the street. The boy's eyes narrowed some more as he noticed a confused Namine watching him.
''What, you gonna rat me out to Kamoshida?''
She blinked ''Ah, this is my first day so that name doesn't really mean anything to do me.''
''Wait, you're a transfer?'' The boy received a nod. ''Oh...looks like you're second year in Shujin too. Well, good thing you didn't get in with him. That guy's a complete bastard.''
''Wait, he's teacher in Shujin?'' Namine clarified.
''Yup, really though calling him a teacher is a big stretch...'' The boy said, disgust coloring his tone and expression before he snapped. ''...that pervert makes me so mad. He acts like a king of a castle!''
He exhaled a moment later ''The rain's not so bad. Come on, I'll show you a shortcut.''
Unbeknownst to them both, something on Namine's phone flashed. The strange red and black app she had tried to get rid of before had returned, taking up the whole screen.
''Thanks...ah...'' Namine held the side of her head, cringing a sharp wave of dizziness swept through her. Given recent events, this was becoming something of a recurrence over the past week.
But then she saw the boy holding his head with a pained expression and realized that it wasn't what she assumed.
''...What was that?'' He muttered, shaking his head.
A few minutes later, he stopped walking and Namine followed suit. ''Here we-what?''
Namine looked just as confused ''...Are you sure this is where the school should be?''
''Yeah...'' The boy trailed off, seeming lost. For in Shujin's place was a tall, medieval castle.
''...what the heck?'' He uttered after a few moments. ''We didn't take any wrong turns, we should be at the school.''
''Look.'' Namine indicated the name plate on the wall to their left. Oddly enough, it read 'Shujin Academy.'
''What?'' The boy looked taken aback. What did this mean?
This development left the two teens at a loss. Neither of them was sure where to go from here...
The boy spoke up after a while ''How about we try checking it out? Maybe someone in there can help.''
Namine had no idea what else to do so she conceded ''It's worth a shot...''
The castle appeared impressive both on the inside and outside. A spacious square and garden lead to the entrance of the building. It was a fancy place decorated lavishly. There were many rooms, but not a person in sight. The place was also rather quiet, giving the impression that it was abandoned.
It was as Namine happened to glance out the window that she noticed another oddity. The sky was now colored red and purple. Now that she took a closer look at their surroundings, the air was different, almost as if there was a purple tint to it.
They had come to find some answers, but it looked like all they wound up with was more questions.
''Man, nothin' makes sense anymore...'' The boy sighed.
''Yeah, it's like the whole place just popped out of nowhere but you'd think something like this would stand out.'' Namine remarked.
''Exactly!'' He agreed fervently. ''So hey, about before...'' The girl gave him a curious look but he paused. ''...oh right, I forgot to ask-name's Sakamoto Ryuji. And you're...?''
Namine introduced herself in return and he half-smiled ''Heh, good to meet you. So about before-when you were with Takamaki...''
She blinked ''Oh, I never got around to finding out what her name was before Kamoshida came. Is she a friend of yours?''
''Ahh, kind of? I mean we used to know each other a whole lot better in middle school but we kinda drifted apart I guess.'' Ryuji shrugged. ''It's hard to explain. Anyway I was wondering, how come you didn't go on the car with them. Knowing that bastard, he probably offered to take you, right?''
Namine gave him an odd look, certain she was missing something here ''Ah, yeah he did...It's just-I had this bad feeling. Takamaki-san was actually pretty nice to me and it looked like we were really hitting off but then she almost completely clammed up when he appeared. It looked like she really, really didn't want to get in the car with him.'' Ryuji looked surprised at this and she continued. ''I guess that just gave me a bad feeling so I wouldn't go for it, Sakamoto-san.''
''Gotcha. I probably would've done the same.'' He nodded. ''It's weird though, Takamaki's way too much of a spitfire to just go along like that. At least she used to be...I didn't wanna believe it but did she really change that much after all...?''
The boy paused at the sound of footsteps, turning around to see a new arrival trudging through the hall in a suit of armor.
''...nice, we finally found someone!'' Ryuji exclaimed. ''That's one hell of a cosplay you got, sure took me by surprise. ''Say, we were trying to get to school but we somehow wound up in this place. Can you tell us how to find the school?''
The armor clad figure didn't respond, leaving them both confused. Namine was about to speak when something hard hit her on the back of the neck, causing her to collapse. Then she was hauled up by a second armored figure that suddenly appeared behind them...
''Hyakuya!'' Ryuji glared at the figure. ''What'd you do that for?!'' He cried out as the first figure hit him on the head, also making him fall.
The boy grit his teeth and tried to move as spots invaded his vision. ''Dammit...!''
There was nothing much he could do though as his strength soon faded and he knew no more.
The teens awoke to find themselves in a prison cell. Ryuji scowled as he sat up ''The hell? What do they want?''
''Oh, so they're the intruders?'' A new voice demanded, making the two start and turn to the cell's gate to find...
Namine blinked ''Is that...''
''...Kamoshida?'' The boy finished, looking just as confused.
In all fairness, they had every right to feel that way. It appeared like the man from earlier but he seemed so different. He was clad in a pink and red knee length fur lined cape that obscured most of his body along with a golden crown. The man's eyes were also gold, but they seemed filled with evil as he stared at them. He was accompanied by three knights that looked like the one they had encountered before.
''So it's just Sakamoto? Would you look at that, he's so useless that he brought a friend.''
The boy growled, he would have likely attacked the man had it not been for the bars in the way. ''What do you want, you bastard?!''
The cell's door opened and the now clearly hostile new arrivals entered. A moment later, Kamoshida kicked Sakamoto to the ground.
''You're still too stupid to learn your place.'' He said coldly, not even looking at the teens as Namine helped the boy up. ''I am the king of Shujin, Kamoshida Suguru. A pathetic fool like you has no right to speak to me that way.'' His eyes narrowed as he continued. ''You lowly trash have not only desecrated my castle, but insulted me as well. For that, you will die here!''
''W-what? Look, this is crazy! We didn't ask to come here-we don't even know what this place is. You can't do this!'' Namine exclaimed.
''I beg to differ.'' Kamoshida snapped his fingers and one of the armored figures made to grab her, but she hurriedly got out of the way. Ryuji tried to tackle it only to be thrown to the floor a moment later, scowling he quickly pulled himself up.
The next thing he knew, he was shoved to the left, noticing a spear land where he used to be a second ago. Ryuji looked back to see that one of their captors had managed to capture Namine then. It took him a few moments to realize that she'd tried to save him as Kamoshida spoke
''Well, isn't that nice? What's someone like you doing with Sakamoto of all people anyway?'' He inquired, the knight's restraint appeared too strong because Namine's expression made it clear that she was in way too much pain to answer even if she wanted to. ''Hmm...loosen up a little, it's a waste to let a pretty thing like this one die before I have my fun with her.'' The knight inclined his head and lowered the spear a little, but was careful to keep a hold on the girl.
Sakamoto tried to attack the knight but was thrown back by the other one as a result. Kamoshida sneered at him. ''Don't bother, you're going to die now.''
This was punctuated by one of the knights slamming him to a wall, the third one stepped up and took out his weapon...
''Stop it!'' Namine cried. ''Let him go!''
She tried to think of anything to do, the girl knew she wasn't about to watch this go on. It was then that she saw a blue butterfly flying out of the cell. Then, a voice echoed...
'What an unjust game. Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you.'
That voice appeared gentle, but distant, as if the speaker was far away. Namine felt something in the air change before a new voice resounded, this one close and somehow familiar, though she'd never heard it before.
'It truly is unfair, is it not?' Namine cringed as pain flared in her head. 'Your previous actions should have deemed you a hero, but you are now a pariah even to those you were once close to. With all the pain you've endured, do you still wish to protect, to stand up for what you believe is right? Was your decision that night a mistake?'
As sudden as this all was, the girl found that she had an answer ready.
Sure, she was still angry. But more than that, her determination still blazed. She refused to believe it. Standing up for what was right and just wasn't a mistake!
Namine managed to push past the pain to respond 'No...no, it wasn't! It's only because...because the system's corrupt, those in power get to do what they want. What I did two years ago wasn't wrong, and neither was my decision to interfere that night...I refuse to believe they were mistakes. I didn't turn away then and I won't turn away now!'
The voice laughed 'What a resolve! Well then, vow to me! I am thou, thou art I. Thou who found the strength to keep going even against the greatest of odds, thou willing to fight for your beliefs and justice no matter what, show the strength of thy will! Release my power and with it, your true self!'
A billowing gale surrounded Namine as she thrashed against her captor with a scream. She felt nothing but pain as the wind intensified, throwing their enemies back. Seconds later, she felt something hard on her face. An indescribable urge to remove it came over her, and she proceeded to do just that. Blood appeared because of the motion but said liquid faded into azure flames that surrounded the girl, similar to the vision Namine had seen earlier.
The flames grew in intensity and a towering figure appeared behind Namine. It a tall, red and black demonic entity, with sharp heels, a huge top hat and two black wings.
Namine had changed as well, she looked much like the strange vision of a doppelganger she had seen the previous day. She was now clad in the same sleeveless black and white dress with red accents that went a little below her knees with black shorts and matching boots. She also had long black and red seperate gloves that reached past her elbows along with a sheath at her side that seemed to be for a dagger.
''W-what's going on?!'' Kamoshida recoiled in shock but mostly fear.
Namine opened her eyes, revealing that they were glowing gold like his but a brighter and gentler shade. Said golden eyes burned with anger ''Enough of this. Arsene, take them down!''
'With pleasure.' The entity returned before blasting one of the knights with red light that disintegrated it. The second one tried to attack only to be destroyed by Arsene's slash.
Namine took out the dagger, eyes narrowing as the third knight tried to attack her. Feeling as if she knew how to use her new weapon somehow, she slashed the enemy twice only for it be felled by another burst of red light from Arsene.
A shocked Kamoshida retreated to the cell's door ''This can't be happening!'' He recoiled when the two looked at him and quickly ran away.
Namine glared at his retreating figure in disgust, but then Arsene faded away. ''Eh? What...''
She felt something reassuring, a warm pulse that washed over her. It seemed so close that it made her feel like the being was still there somewhere, as if it was with her in spirit.
She had no idea what to make of that feeling but either way, she was relieved they had gotten through this.
''What's going on?!'' Ryuji demanded. ''How'd you do that?''
''I'm as lost as you are...''
''Oi, your clothes...''
Namine blinked and looked herself over ''When'd this happen?'' She shook herself. ''Never mind, we need to get out of here before more of them come.''
The boy readily agreed ''No arguments here, let's go!''
They made their way through the floor, walking past dungeons that were all empty. Luckily, they had also yet to run against anymore enemies.
''Sheesh, just what was that about? Since when does Kamoshida pull this crap off?'' Ryuji grunted.
''About that...I'm not sure it was him.'' Namine admitted.
''What do you mean? It has to be!''
''Did you see his eyes before? Nothing about this place is normal, is it? We shouldn't assume anything since there's so much we don't know.''
''Well, you've got a point there. Still...''
''Hey, you two!'' A new voice called. The teens stopped and began to look around. ''Over here!''
The speaker threw them for a loop. It was a cat. It looked like something out of a cartoon, it was black and white with bright blue eyes and a yellow scarf around its neck.
''Come on, get me outta here! You're not soilders of this castle, right?''
''A cat?!'' Ryuji exclaimed, a wide-eyed Namome staring next to him.
She answered after a few moments. ''Actually, we just fought some.''
''Don't talk to it, that thing could be trying to trick us!'' Ryuji told her.
The cat seemed offended at the suggestion ''Would you get real?! Why would I? And for the record I am not a cat!"
''Don't listen to that thing! Come on, we've gotta go!'' Ryuji urged.
Namine looked around, seeing the keys on a nail in the wall. She proceeded to unlock the cell, letting the cat walk out.
''Why'd you do that?!''
''I don't see the harm. He doesn't seem like the things we've seen before.'' The girl returned. ''He might know something to help us too.''
''Thank you, my lady.'' The cat smiled.
Startled, she offered a smile in return ''You don't have to be formal, it's Namine.'' She proceeded to introduce Ryuji, who was observing the cat warily but was at least a little mollified now.
''I'm Morgana!'' The cat returned. ''And you're right, I know the way out of here. I'll show you where to go.''
Morgana led them to a drawbridge, learning along the way how they ended up in the castle accidentally. Then they began asking questions, he told them more about this place. It was a seperate realm called the Metaverse. That the beings they ran into were called Shadows.
''You mean that wasn't Kamoshida?'' Namine clarified.
''Not quite.'' Morgana replied. ''He's another Shadow-the strongest one here so he rules this Palace.''
''Man, this is nuts...I don't get how we wound up here when we were supposed to be in school...'' Ryuji admitted.
''That's just it.'' Morgana looked back at him. ''This place is the school.''
''What?!''
''You saw the name plate, right?'' The cat received two nods. ''I heard the palace ruler and some of the guards talking. This Kamoshida seems like a big deal out in the real world. The Metaverse is mainly influenced by cognition. From the info I picked up, this Kamoshida has a lot of power in Shujin Academy. Since he's been practically unopposed for a long time, he believes that he's the king. His desires are distorted but they're strong enough to create the palace.''
''Are things really that bad?'' Namine wondered.
Ryuji cursed ''You have no idea. That fits almost too well! The bastard's been screwing around with us for so long...it's all 'cuz of him that...''
''So he is like just like that in the real world, huh?'' Morgana's eyes narrowed a little. ''Isn't anyone doing something about it?''
''No one would.'' The boy ground out. ''He's got so many fooled-no one would stand up against him. The only time I know someone tried and...'' He grit his teeth. ''...dammit, he pisses me off so much!''
Ryuji seemed angry but both his companions noted the pain flashing in his eyes at those words. They knew he didn't want to say more so Morgana changed the subject ''By the way, I've been meaning to ask-how did you end up here by accident if one of you is a persona user?''
''A what?'' Ryuji cocked his head.
Namine blinked when the cat looked at her ''Ah, I'm not sure what you're talking about but something really strange happened before...'' She proceeded to explain, with some help from Ryuji, about the scuffle in the cell.
Morgana nodded in understanding ''Yup, the reason you both escaped was that Namine here awakened to her Persona.''
''Meaning...?'' The girl started.
''You know how people have masks? Things about themselves they would hide and possibly never admit? Well, you were able to confront every aspect of yourself-even facing up and accept the parts you don't like about yourself, even your own weaknesses. That's why you got your Persona, your true self.''
Namine lay a hand over heart, so that was why something about Arsene felt so familiar...the entity was a part of her very being.
''Damn, I didn't get all of that but it sounds impressive.'' Ryuji uttered.
''It is. Not everyone out there has the strength to pull it off. That being said...'' Morgana gave him a half-lidded stare. ''...you're not too bright, are you?''
''What was that?!''
''Well, I think anyone would be overwhelmed after all we learned.'' Namine offered. To Ryuji, she added ''Basically, we all have parts of ourselves that we may avoid. Some we may not even realize were there but getting a Persona seems to involve facing all of this head and accepting it. Acknowledging our weakness and turning it into strength-at least that's how it felt to me.''
''Ohh, okay...yeah that really sounds hard.'' Ryuji said after a moment.
''Well said, that's exactly right.'' Morgana chipped in.
Ryuji blinked ''So how'd you know Hyakuya was a Persona user anyway?''
''I just picked up on her power. Besides...'' The cat paused. ''...oh hey, here we are.''
He led their way to a drawbridge, pausing to pull the jaw of a nearby statue. As a result, the drawbridge was lowered in moments. ''There we go.''
As they drew closer, their path was obstructed by two armored Shadows like the ones from the cell. Morgana took up a sword ''Time to show what I can do. Come, Zorro!''
In a flash of azure flames, a top heavy warrior clad in fancy clothes and a hat, brandishing a blade appeared behind him.
''Whoa, so that's his Persona...'' Ryuji stared as the warrior clashed blades with one of the enemies.
Namine summoned Arsene, who blasted the other Shadow with red blasts of power. Morgana smirked ''That's good, especially since you're starting out but here's how you do it, Namine.'' He turned to the enemy before him. ''Zorro, Garu!''
The persona summoned a gust of wind that left the enemy reeling. Morgana ran up to it and slashed ''Take that!''
Similarly, Namine struck the other enemy with her dagger and soon the enemies were done for.
''Nice...'' But then her new outfit faded, revealing her uniform. ''...what...?''
''I don't think you have enough control over this yet.'' Morgana noted. ''But that's okay, it'll come. I'm impressed, your Persona's powerful!''
Soon they were able to leave the castle, but not before Ryuji spotted a red blazer on the ground. ''Hey, that's...''
''Don't worry about it. This has to do with the Palace and its ruler's cognition, just like prisoners.'' Morgana stated. ''Come on, we need to keep going.''
''...yeah...'' He glanced at the item again before following him and Namine.
The three stopped outside and faced each other. ''Thank you, Morgana.'' Namine smiled.
''Not a problem!'' The cat smiled back.
''What're you going to do? You can come with us if you want-I wouldn't want to leave you alone here.'' Namine admitted.
''I appreciate the concern but there's something I need here so I'll be staying. I'll have to lay low for now but I'll work my way out.''
''Be careful.''
Ryuji nodded to this ''Yeah, watch your back. You really did help us out-I know you're tough and all but still...''
Morgana nodded ''I'll be fine-you both be careful too.''
They headed in seperate ways, with Morgana going closer to the castle but Namine and Ryuji kept going until the air shifted again and it started losing its purple tint...
''Finally!'' Ryuji grinned. He stretched and let out a relieved sigh ''So, we should...''
''Hey, what're you doing here?'' An officer made his way over.
The blond looked at him ''Oh! We were at this weird place and...''
''What're you...'' It was then that they noticed Namine swaying where she stood. She held on the wall for a few moments to steady herself and spoke.
''Sorry...I got lost. I only came to the city recently but I didn't have a chance to learn much about the area. We were going to school but I've been feeling sick. This is my first day in school, Sakamoto-san's trying to help me.''
''Ah, that's how it is?'' The officer nodded. Well, he could let them off lighter if that was the case. ''You need any help?'' The girl shook her head and he looked at Ryuji. ''Hey, be careful with her.''
''I know.'' Ryuji took the exit they were offered and began leading Namine away.
''Sorry for dragging you in this.'' Namine spoke once they were out of earshot.
''Eh, I don't mind. This is the least thing I can do after all what happened.'' Ryuji waved a hand ''Why'd you stop me from mentioning the Palace though?''
''I didn't think he'd believe us, considering how crazy things got back there. We can't exactly prove anything.''
''Oh, when you put it like that...'' He couldn't blame her. The place vanished with no sign of its existence.
Yeah, it would be a tough story to sell.
''You gonna be okay there?''
''Yeah...I think I'm just tired. I could use some rest.'
''You'll get it soon. We're almost there.'' He assured, glancing at their destination.
Well, this seems like the best place to stop.
So here we are, the first day and Namine's awakening, so to speak. Which I think you expected, I will admit though that I hesitated on using Arsene as her persona for a while. I like him though. The main reason has to do with my plot. But I thought it over and he would fit well with my story after all. You'll see what I mean later.
Anywho not much changes, but I figure one thing Ann and Ryuji have in common would that they would be more open and outgoing when not in school. I mean, their reputations really helping matters. At least, that's how I feel about it. I am noticing stuff I should've made clear before. Like, Namine didn't go with Kamoshida because Ann's reaction gave her a bad vibe.
Notes:
-The day Arsene and Namine are alluding to is an event that happened two years prior to the story. It also relates to Arsene's vow and his awakening. Said event will be explained later in this arc but it will become more relevant later on. It's actually the main reason I considered using a persona other than Arsene.
-This will be explained later but just to clarify, Namine's recovering from a few injuries she'd taken as a result of the case. One of the officers lost his temper when he believed her to be lying as she explained about that night and he hit her. Once others found out he was stopped, but not before he caused some damage. So suffice to say, between the mess in the palace and awakening Arsene, she's completely exhausted.
-I thought I might as well give a heads up, which could be a bit of a spoiler. I don't get why they had the protagonist take so long to recognize Shido but that actually gave me an idea. This won't happen here. It won't be right from the first time she sees him though. Namine's recognition will be what sparks the Phantom Thieves' attention on the man and have them consider changing his heart.