Tartarus - FL: ? - Dark Hour- Kazuki

My eyelids open gradually, trying to adjust to light. A light-headed feeling washes over my head, but it's starting to go away. Pushing myself up, there's something light pressing against my body. Seeing what it is, Fuuka is nestling her head against my chest. Her upper body is pushed up against me… She feels warm... Crap now's not the time for this, definitely not now.

"Fuuka, Fuuka…! Please wake up!"

Her breathing is low, hardly louder than a whisper. I need to check her pulse to know her condition. Hold up, if I do that, then I'd have to put my head on her… Right, I'll check her vain.

"Kazuki...kun..."

"Fuuka I'm right here! Can you hear me!?"

"Kazuki...kun?"

"Yeah, it's me!"

"You're here...I'm so...glad."

"You're gonna be fine. It'll be all…"

First things first, I have to get us out of here. But where are we? The purple, the strange faces on the walls, and the abysmal atmosphere of this place are all new to me. Is this still Tartarus?

Worst of all, I don't know what floor we're on. One thing's for certain, the others will be here soon to save us. So until then, we need to hold out. However, if we stay in the same position for far too long, shadows might find us, especially that one. I slip the bags of medicine and food onto my arms, then, I put Fuu-chan onto my back.

"Okay, Fuuka, I'm gonna get you somewhere safe, okay?"

"O...kay."

I don't know who put you in that storage closet, but when I do, they'll pay!

Moving around without navigation is a challenge, I have to keep my eyes and ears open. This floor is teeming with fierce-looking ones. Fighting is out of the question unless I'm forced to battle. For now, I have to find a staircase. We can rest there.

Hour: 1 - Fuuka

A quiet, pain-induced groan comes from my mouth. My head feels light and a purple hue is assailing my vision. My sight is slightly misty, there's a figure in front of me. I feel I'm already familiar with the person, but my memories are a blur.

"E-excuse me?" I nervously call to them.

They turn to face me. Ka– Kazuki-kun!?

"Fuuka, are you okay!?"

"Kazuki-kun?"

"Yeah, it's me! I'm here!"

I try standing up. My head feels light, offsetting my sense of balance. Kazuki-kun catches me.

"Take it easy, you must be feeling weak right now!"

He's right, it's like the energy in my body is being sapped right out. Its been hours since I was locked in the storage closet. I so much of my energy trying to force open the door, and screaming for help…

"Who locked you in that storage closet?" he asks, cold and straight to the point.

I...I can't tell him that Moriyama-san did. If I did, then who knows how he'll react...

"I don't know."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, so don't worry about it."

I use what strength I have to make a convincing smile. However, Kazuki-kun's grief-filled face says he isn't convinced.

"...If you say so, then fine. I'm just glad you're okay."

Now that I'm looking around… What is this place? These halls, the thin airflow, and this nauseous sense of foreboding put me on edge. And those creepy faces on the walls gnaw at my sanity.

"What is this place?" Kazuki-kun doesn't return with a response. He simply turns away from me. "Kazuki-kun, do you know where we are?"

The silence persists, keeping his face away from me.

After another moment of this deafening silence, he reluctantly sighs. "Tartarus."

"Tartarus? What is that?"

"You don't need to know."

"How come?"

"It's better that way."

Better that way? But why? I'm already here, so why won't he just tell me, so I can… That black thing…that's a katana!

"Why do you have a weapon!?"

"So I can fight."

"Fight what?"

"The monsters in this place."

"Monsters!?"

"Yeah."

Monsters surely don't exist, of course they don't! But the way he said it, the gravity in his voice, there's no way he's joking, let alone seeing things. Also, this place is beyond ordinary, so maybe he's…

An unexpected noise emanates from my stomach… Wh–why now, and in front of Kazuki-kun! Embarrassing, too embarrassing!

Kazuki-kun laughs at the sudden noise. "Hungry?"

"Why are you laughing!?"

"Because it's kinda funny."

"N-no it isn't!"

"Okay, okay, sorry."

Even though he admitted, he's still laughing. Geez, he could at least show a little bit of compassion.

"I can still hear you laughing!"

"I'm...sorry, Fuu-chan...it's just...too funny!"

"You're just being mean!"

Kazuki-kun settles down after a couple of seconds pass. He gives me some food he has on him. Eating with him helps me forget about our current situation.

"Thank you, Fuuka."

"For what?"

"For cheering me up, I kind of needed a good laugh."

"I'm glad to have been able to help you. But can I ask something?"

"What is it?"

"Why…" A sensation hits my brain, alerting me to the presence of other beings. Their shapes are grotesque and inhuman, and the presence they give off is deadly.

"Kazuki-kun, something is coming!"

He swipes his sword from off the ground. Throwing off the scabbard, he grips the sword with both hands as he turns around. Two tall figures approach us, the both of them are wearing white cloaks that cover their bodies.

"Fuu-chan, get away from here."

"Are you going to fight those things!?"

"Got no choice."

"But-"

Another sensation hits me. The heat around them rises exponentially, forming a condensed ball of fire. It's going to shoot it at Kazuki-kun!

"Kazuki-kun, it's going to shoot fire!"

It shoots the ball of heat at him. The ball hurls toward him like a baseball being shot out of a pitching machine. Kazuki-kun lunges his body out of the way, using good footwork to keep himself from staggering.

"Fuuka, hide!"

There's nothing else I can do. If I were to stay out in the open, then I might get in the way of this battle. So, against my conscience, I run until I get far enough away from the battle.

Kazuki-kun evades various forms of fire attacks being launched at him. The skill on display is simply amazing. He's quick on his feet to dodge and change course when need be. The two enemies launch fire at him at once. Even with their combined effort, he still got out of the way. Closing the gap, he decapitates one of their heads. Not wasting a moment, he slices the other one in halves. Both of them melt into nothingness. I'm able to tell that they are dead...

"He's amazing."

He fought a bit rough, but it was a practical way of fighting that let him evade attacks and go for a killing blow the moment he closed the gap.

Suddenly, a nauseating feeling hits me. All my attention goes to the other end of the hall. There's an imposing figure on the other end. It charges at me the moment I notice it. I have to run, if I don't, it'll kill me. Running away, I realize that it'll catch up to me in a heartbeat. My physical build is different from it. It has the form of a human who happens to be a bodybuilder. There's no way I can outrun it, I'll die!

"Fuuka!"

Kazuki-kun runs toward me. As the monster is about to hit me, he reaches me. He jumps in front of me, using his sword as a shield. A sound-defining impact is made. Despite the obvious difference in builds, Kazuki-kun remains standing. He then spins around it, stopping at its side. His sword flashes upward through the monster's arm. The arm disappears when the sword cuts through it like butter. Yet, it doesn't show any signs of pain. Its other fist hits him, sending him flying to the other end of the wall.

"Kazuki-kun!"

An attack like that surely damaged a few of his bones, possibly breaking a few of his ribs. I need to get us out of here, but will I be able to get to him before this thing kills me? The logical answer is no, it will catch me before I can reach him. Even so, I can't give up, I have to save him, no matter what it takes.

"Hey, you!" He jumps to his feet. Regardless of injury, he rushes toward the enemy. Naturally, it turns its attention to him. "Time for you all to have it... Persona!"

Two extra arms above his right and left shoulders appear. How is he doing that!? A fist zones in for his torso. The right fist intercepts the attack, shattering it into black ooze. He then cleaves its legs, leaving only a torso and a head. Without mercy, he chops its head off, killing the enemy in a systematic, practical, yet brutal fashion.

He turns his attention to me. "Are you okay?"

"I...I am!"

Words fail me, trying to describe how I feel about all this is impossible. The way he fought, and the power he displayed were beyond amazing.

"Are you okay," I mutter, despite my stupor.

"Yeah, I'm-" His sentence is cut off as he gasps in pain. He clenches the side of his torso. I knew it, he was hurt by the earlier attack!

"Kazuki-kun!"

"Shit, my chest burns!" Dropping his sword, he kneels to the ground. I do the same to meet him eye to eye.

"We need to treat you, right away!"

"It's fine, I can…"

"No, your wounds need to be treated, now!"

Yelling isn't what I want to do, but if I don't he won't listen, so I'll do what I have to just to treat him.

"Fine, grab the medical supplies and my scabbard. We need to move somewhere safe."

"Okay, just wait here!"

Quick to grab his stuff, I carry everything while I help him move. This is bizarre we're in, and I still don't have my mind wrapped around it. However, I'll bite down on my skepticism to help Kazuki-kun.

Hour: 2 - Fuuka

I was still in the process of bandaging Kazuki-kun. Luckily, there isn't any swelling around the area, and Kazuki-kun told me he didn't hear anything in his body pop, so that means he doesn't have a bone fracture, at least I hope.

There was something I wanted to ask him before we got interrupted.

"Why are you distancing yourself from me?" I ask him as I finish wrapping the bandage around his chest.

Silence is his answer as he turns his head away from me. All this does is bring up the image of his tearful smile in my mind.

"Kazuki-kun, are you hurting?"

"No, I don't feel the pain anymore."

"Not that pain... Kazuki-kun, you know what I'm talking about...don't you?" He ignores me, facing away from me. "Please tell me. I want to know why you were crying!"

"I was?"

"...I want to help you, like you helped me. So if there's something I can do, please let me help you."

He finally turns to me, but he seems more puzzled than happy.

"Why do you care so much?"

"Because you're… You're… You are someone dear to me!"

My heart is beating faster, like it'll burst out of my chest. Did I just say that? It's true, he does mean a lot to me, but I can't believe I actually said that. But I don't regret it. I genuinely liked him as a friend, but then, as time went on, my feelings for him have changed. But that alone isn't enough. Not only do I want to help him because he helped me, but I need to. If I don't, then I'd just be someone taking advantage of his kindness. So even if he keeps rejecting me, I'll be persistent!

"Fuuka… You mean that?"

He shows a shy yet guilt-filled expression.

"Absolutely. You mean a lot to me."

I place my hand on his. They're somewhat cold and rough, yet have a vague warmth to them. I edge closer to him until there's little distance between the both of us. Our eyes never break contact.

This is a feeling I never got from anyone, especially my parents, and to be honest, this is what I always wanted from someone. I'm not as selfless as Kazuki-kun thinks. I'm a person who wants someone to connect with, someone who needs it so badly. Moriyama-san was someone I thought I could press myself on, even when she rejected me, I still tried. But when Kazuki-kun came along, I clung to him because he was the only one to give me what I wanted; happiness from a genuine connection.

Am I a terrible person for just seeing him as a means to an end at first? I think so. However, my feelings for him changed, because now, I really do care for him… No, even more than that, I…

"...Kazuki-kun...I"

Something snaps in my brain, The air grows thick, choking me with how oppressive it is. The natural order of things has gone out the window. Every fiber of my being screams out in other horror. A ghastly hiss echo through the area. An old, rusty chain rattles louder as it gets closer to us.

Kazuki-kun's eyes dart for the other side of the corridor. "No, no, no, no, not now!"

"What's going on!?"

"Listen to me! You need to pack all the medical supplies up, now!"

There is no time to question his orders, I simply scramble to collect everything.

"Kazuki-kun, everything is packed!"

"Good, now go find a staircase on this floor!"

"What about you!?"

"I'm gonna hold it off for as long as I can!"

"But it's too strong!"

"I know that. It's the strongest shadow in this place"

Two long barrels poke out from around the corner. The monster finally reveals itself. Wearing a dirty black jacket with blood on it and a bag over its head that has an opening for one eye. Chains cross around its body as it floats in the air.

"...The Reaper," Kazuki-kun murmurs, sweating bullets at the sight of it.

My body is burning from the sheer intensity of this enemy. Every nerve in me is being stabbed just by looking at that thing, and my mind is going to fry itself if I remain in its presence any longer.

"Kazuki-kun...we need to run! Do you hear me, we have to run, or it will kill us!"

Death, this thing is death, and we're nothing but cattle for the slaughter!

"I'm sorry, but I gotta buy you time to run away. So go!"

"But you'll-"

The monster shoots a round into the air, signaling its charge.

Defensively raising his sword, Kazuki-kun stands his ground. "Let's do this!"

…/Kazuki

Its guns and my sword clash. This single clash is enough for the bones in my arms to rattle. If it were any stronger, I bet my arms would've snapped in two. Realizing this, I retreat a couple of meters.

Quick on the uptake, it shoots off a flash of lightning at me. In the blink of an eye, electricity wraps around my body, stinging my body all over. The worst part isn't my skin being burned, but that it'll seize up my muscles. I'm barely keeping myself conscious with all these heavy attacks.

Taking on another one of those attacks will kill me! As it uses its magic through its gun, I dodge them. If even one of these attacks hits me, I'll be screwed! Footwork, coordination, insight, I have to use these to stay ahead of the enemy. However, this is just wishful thinking, even when taking all of this in regard, this creature has one thing over me, power!

Darting around the spacious battleground, it fires flaming rounds at me, engulfing the small battleground in flames while electrifying the field as well. Each spell affects the air, suffocating me and limiting my breathing. The muscles in my body are screaming out for this to end as my arms grow tired of holding this sword.

As if to answer my tired body's plea, it hits me with a duel spell. The heat combined with the electrical discharge will surely melt my body if it hits. Wanting to avoid this, I force my body to jump out of the way. Of course, dodging it alone is not enough, so I summon my Persona and guard with my sword. The instant it hit the ground, the two elements explode. The area is covered in dust from the blast, debris is flying everywhere. That thing got me, but I can still fight.

However, through the blinding dust, lighting pierces through it. Exhausted and defenseless, the electrical charge burns my body as I scream my lungs out, begging for this pain to end already. Luckily, it does, but unfortunately, my body gives out as the grip on my sword is gone. It clatters to the ground as I drop to my stomach.

It stands in front of me, its heavy moans fill my ears. The feeling in my body is fading, save for the pain. No good, it's no good. I'm gonna die here at this rate… But Fuu-chan got away, so even if I die, she'll be safe… That's good enough for me.

All of a sudden, the synapses in my head go haywire, and my vision distorts, trying to deny the reality in front of me. Y…you have to be joking with me? What the hell is she doing here!?

"What are you doing!? ...Fuuka! I told you to run!"

She stands between me and the Reaper. "I'm sorry, but I can't leave you."

Idiot, why the hell are you trying to sacrifice yourself for me, just run!

"Of course you can!"

I push against the ground to get up, but my arms are dulled, lacking the strength to help me up.

"Kazuki-kun, you're the kindest person I have ever met, and the only one to have ever cared about me."

What?

"You always helped me, even when I was just a stranger, nobody worth your time..."

Stop.

"But that didn't stop you. You accepted me with open arms."

I said stop...

"...It...it made me happy. Happier than I ever felt before. Even though I imposed so much on you and caused you so much trouble, you were still kind to me.

Just stop!

The Reaper reels its gun to the air.

"So, before I die here..."

"You're not, don't act like you will!"

"I..."

The Reaper pulls the trigger. A bundle of energy forms in the sky, only to slowly descend to the ground. Time slows to a crawl as I pathetically try to stand, sound ceases, and my vision narrows on the girl using her life as a shield for me. Yet, despite the sound escaping me, the sound of her breath, her voice, it's still there...

"...Love you."

My heart crumbles, my body crumbles, everything is crumbling…

All I wanted were friends. A simple thing, right? It should be easy for someone like me to accomplish that, but that's far from the truth. Before Iwatodai, making friends, and finding a solid bond outside of Naoya was torturous. Everyone has someone they can call a friend, but me, I had no one I call that, let alone, someone I could care about. Humans are terrible, ugly, vile, nasty, disgusting, horrendous beings. Yet, I wanted to befriend one, just one. Someone that would see me, for me, instead of a freak. But it never happened.

But Fuu-chan is different. She was willing to put up with me. She's the first friend I ever had, so I did everything to keep her as one. But over time, I got scared of losing that one connection, so I pushed her away.

It has nothing to do with being a good person. I'm a selfish person. I want her to see me in a good light, never in a bad way, or else she'll abandon me… But now she's going to die because I pushed her away.

I'm so pathetic, it hurts. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. I don't want to lose her, not because of this thing, not because of the Dark Hour, and not because of myself! I want to be with her, no matter what, no matter who gets in my way!

"I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose someone I care about!"

Power swells within my body, reinvigorating me. With this newfound power, I get up to stand in front of her.

"Kazuki-kun!"

"I don't care who it is, anyone who gets in the way of my happiness, I'll destroy them!"

More power builds up as a blue swirl of energy rotates below my feet.

I never wanted to fight for other people, only to protect Fuuka. It's terrible, it's selfish, but it's the truth. This truth turns into power, this power is taking form, and this form is an image of power, and that power is Persona!

"Janus!"

The name of my Persona burst from my lungs, echoing throughout Tartarus.

It appears in front of us, guarding the two of us. It takes on a humanoid form. Its body being a half on half black and white. Not only that, it has two faces on the front and back of its head.

The Reaper points its gun at us, but Janus punches the slender barrel in another direction. In the blink of an eye, it goes for a gut punch. The sheer power is outrageous compared to what it was like before. Though it's not enough to go toe to toe with this thing, it's able to push it back.

"Kazuki-kun, is this your power?"

"...It is… Janus, please, lend me your power!"

The Reaper trains its gun on us, but my Persona kicks up the gun, causing the bullet to fly through the upper part of Tartarus.

Janus punches the shadow in the face, twisting its fist against it. Even with a great amount of strength, it's not enough to do real damage, but enough to send it crashing into the wall behind it, stunning it in. This is our chance to run away.

"Fuuka." I grab her hand. "...We're going now!"

"Okay."

I pull her along with me, trying to find the staircase. While running, the Reaper lets out a shrill shriek that echoes throughout this labyrinth.

Hour: 3 - Kazuki

After running for our lives, we climbed up to another level. Just in case, we stopped at another staircase. Here, even if the Reaper shows up, we'll be fine since it can't cross over here.

Fuuka and I are heaving, taking in as much air as possible. My heart and lungs are beating like a drum

I pat Fuu-chan on the back to help her breathe. "Are you okay?" She nods. "Good, I'm so glad."

I feel exhausted. The fight with The Reaper was more than I could handle, but fully awakening to my Persona did me in. Man, I'm being put through the wringer… But that's not important now; it's what Fuu-chan said… A lot was going on, but I know what I heard. And if that's true, then I don't want to pretend I heard nothing.

"Fuuka...before we almost got killed, you said you loved me... Did you mean it?"

She turns away from me.

"Oh, I guess I was just hearing things, huh?"

The heat of the moment probably made me mishear things, so...

"No, you weren't…I do mean it."

I close the gap between us, my knees give out as I edge closer.

"Kazuki-kun!"

"I'm fine, I just need to rest for a bit. You seem exhausted yourself…? Do you…wanna sit next t-t-to me?"

"I...um...I...!"

"Y-you don't have to if you don't want to."

"Actually, I...would like that."

Fuuka sits down next to me. I can see her shivering a little. It is pretty cold in Tartarus, or at least for this particular floor. I take off my jacket and hoodie, so I can use them as blankets.

"It's warm."

"Well, thanks to my great and mighty hoodie, it'll keep you warm."

"What about the Gekkoukan jacket?"

"It has a lot of uses and it looks pretty sharp if I say so myself."

"It really does look good on you."

"Thank you."

My eyes are starting to get heavy. I used way too much energy fighting, I need to regain my strength by resting.

"Fuuka, I'm gonna sleep for a bit. But when I wake up, I'm gonna tell you everything, why I was being distant, and what my life was like back at Mikage-cho."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Then I'll be waiting right here, next to you."

"Okay..."

I close my eyes to regain my strength. Something clasps my hand. Fuu-chan has her hand on top of mine… She said she loved me, but I never really responded to her confession properly. That's the first thing I'll do when I wake up…well, after her I tell her everything else.