Author's Note: the chapter has been updated on 10/08/2024 to fix some phrases and grammar mistakes.
He had a whole team with him. Of course he had a whole team with him! It couldn't be just one guy, no, sir! Now she was going to have to help him and meet a bunch of judgmental randos and-...
No-... Stress was getting the better of her. She had grown so much during her stay at the Boiling Isles; she had made friends and learned from her mistakes, she fought her worst nightmare and came out victorious! She had nothing to fear from a bunch of normal teenagers!
And yet, it pained her to think about the what ifs.
With her head hung low, Luz sat quietly on the front porch of the owl house in an attempt to void her mind of stray thoughts. The brief talk with the boy, Ren, had managed to throw so many implications into the mix that she just didn't know what to focus her worries on. Perhaps fearing the other humans' judgment also meant fearing the lesser evil? At least, in that train wreck of a situation?
Before Luz could continue that trail of thoughts, a confident and caring hand reached her shoulder. Quickly raising her head, she turned to face Amity, whose warm smile was tinted with a small hint of worry.
"¿Cómo estás, mi batata?" Asked Amity, lowering herself to sit next to her now dumbfounded girlfriend. What did she just call her?
"Did you just call me a sweet potato?" Replied Luz, unconsciously distracting herself from her worries to comment on Amity's newfound language prowess.
"Yes? Is that not a term of endearment? I've been trying to study one of Gus' human language books…" Sadly, she had left her book back at home. Hopefully her siblings weren't interested in learning how to cook salmorejo in her absence.
Luz couldn't stop herself from giggling out of embarrassment, blushing at her girlfriend's loving words. The answer came naturally to her, and quickly she found herself booping her girlfriend's nose.
"You're my sweet potato!" With that, blood rushed to Amity's face and an uncontainable smile plastered itself on her lips. Immobilized by the loving remark, she took a few seconds to break out of the human's enchantment to finally talk about the important things.
"So… How are you doing? You left right in the middle of his explanations…" Luz winced. She knew Amity would question her about it, and there was no real way to avoid it.
"I'm… I'm fine?" Replied Luz, whilst turning her gaze away.
"Are you sure?" Amity was not convinced.
"I dunno… did he already finish explaining?"
"Somewhat. Shortly after you left he said he felt dizzy and we just let him sleep." Began Amity, with a small sigh escaping her lips. "... Did you manage to build a door? Did you get to use the titan blood?" She asked calmly.
Luz's eyes unconsciously darted towards the pile of bricks left next to the makeshift generator. Yes, she had built a door, and yes, she had used the titan blood. But could she tell her girlfriend about what transpired on the other side? About her promise to her mama?
"... Uh- No! I haven't used it yet… I guess I was waiting for the right moment? I dunno?" Luz answered with a surprising lack of confidence. Amity sighed, unsure of what to make of her girlfriend's state of mind.
"Not that I can really think about that right now. There's like six other humans now and who even knows where half of them are? For all we know, they might as well have all been dropped into the boiling sea or thrown into the mouth of some wild beast… not to mention that cat's probably cooked." Luz kept thinking about the worst possible situations, and Amity didn't really have a way to object. It was true after all, the boiling isles could be a rather hostile place for those not aware of their intricacies.
"Well, you've been here ages and you're still here by my side. If they're anything like you, they could take a shooting star to the face and survive!" One witch's mockery was another witch's encouragement. When else would parroting Bosha help?
Luz felt herself smile. Why was imagining it actually happening so funny to her? Raising her head she rubbed her eyes in an attempt to get rid of her own insecure appearance. It worked well enough.
"You're right, Amity. I guess I'm letting my worries get the better of me… but still, how will we find 6 humans and a cat? We don't even have a convenient lead to kickstart the whole adventure!" Lamented Luz, too distracted to notice Amity's increasingly wide smirk.
With a finger raised and her best impression of a nerd emoji, Amity replied: "Uhm, actually I-"
Luz, now wide-eyed and alert, shushed Amity into silence. At first, the goth didn't realize what was happening, but quickly the distant screams made the situation at hand clear.
"HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO CHASE ME?! Gah-! SHIT SHIT SHIT-" Screams from the surrounding forest caught the two's attention, and ignoring the generous amount of swears they quickly raised themselves to get back to their feet. The two exchanged understanding glances, and with a snap of her fingers Amity conjured her Palisman to her side and began rushing towards the forest.
"Get help! I'll try to catch what's happening before it's too late!" Announced Amity, quickly mounting her staff and speeding to the sky in an incredible demonstration of flight prowess. Luz, now left behind, stared at her girlfriend as she sped away, almost hypnotized by her natural talent.
What was she thinking? She had no time to waste. Hastily, she reached for the door and ran inside to gather her items and, most importantly, her allies.
A surge shook Ren awake.
Quickly raising himself with a pounding headache, his body struggled to find footing on the messy floor of the house's attic. Had he fallen asleep? He really couldn't remember much after his discussion with the witches, if not for a debilitating dizziness… Did he even get their names?
Never had the velvet room calls been so tortuous. He felt as if his soul had been forcibly ripped away from him, and thinking about it, it might be what actually happened. His brief encounter with Lavenza had been enough to confirm many of his underlying suspicions, and none of them were to his liking.
With fogged eyes, he blinked to gain a sense of his surroundings. His bed, now highlighted by the sunset's dusk, carried the appearance of a bird's nest, and the various surrounding decorations indicated that he had been generously offered a stay in someone else's personal bedroom. Likely the older lady's, if the amounts of empty glass bottles next to the nightstand were of any indication.
What immediately caught Ren's attention, however, was the huge, eye-shaped stained window through which the light dispersed gently into the room.
That eye…
His considerations were cut short by another pulsing headache, forcing him to hold his head in pain. A familiar feeling surged through the depths of his body, reminding him of Lavenza's gift as it seemed to sink deeper and deeper inside of him.
Sitting down, he took a brief moment to reorganize his thoughts.
So it was true. He was stranded in a world unlike his, separated from even humanity's collective unconscious and the sea of souls. Thus, there was no cognitive world to pull power from. Thus, there was no metaverse. Thus, there were no Personas.
No. That couldn't be right. Even if distant and buried deep, he could feel the power of Arséne coursing through him. Yet, it was hardly the same fiery power he had carried with himself in the metaverse the year before: it was a quiet, nigh imperceptible presence. Without the Metaverse as a medium for his Persona to manifest, he couldn't call him forth on command. At least, not in the state he was in.
Facing death. Persona users of years past called on their personas through… facing death?
Not to be dramatic, but if that headache didn't stop he might as well BE facing death.
Ren felt himself jump at the sudden rumbling of footsteps coming from the lower floor.
The slamming of a door alerted him that someone was in a rush, and feeling the urgency rub off on him he quickly got up to leave the bedroom.
It didn't take long for him to find the stairs. The house was deceptively big, but it had clearly been taken good care of. Numerous curious items, some of which he recognized, laid scattered on the various shelves next to paintings and posters-
Is that a 'Wanted' poster?
Stopping for a brief moment to examine the poster, it didn't take long for Ren to realize why exactly the poster was there. The Owl Lady, wanted criminal whose bounty amounted to a whopping one million dollars. Were they dollars? He couldn't really tell, although the symbol did seem similar enough.
If that old witch is the Owl Lady, then at least he won't have to worry about her ratting him out to the authorities, worst comes to worst. It's better to not count on it though.
Taking quick steps down the stairs, he finally reached the living room, where he had previously been held to discuss with the owl lady.
He barely caught the human rushing out of the door with the corner of his eye. Accompanied by the little skull dog, her cloak trailed behind her as her staff expanded in an instant. Before the door closed, he caught a brief glimpse of the little witch starting to soar through the skies, something which could truly be only explained by magic.
"Oh- Kid? You're awake already? You barely fell asleep fifteen minutes ago. If I knew, I wouldn't have had Hooty carry you all the way to bed." The Owl Lady's raspy voice broke his train of thought.
"Consider it a power nap. Is something wrong? Where did the other three go?" He asked calmly, hoping for answers.
"Some dumb kid is screaming his soul out of his body in the middle of the forest and they're checking it out." Answered the owl lady, as she briefly turned to observe the human girl through the window. Nearing the stained glass Ren watched as the human girl rode her flying stick towards the heart of the forest before disappearing from sight.
"You let them go alone in the middle of a forest?" Asked Ren, more surprised than angry or doubtful.
"Did you want to stay home alone with that guy?" Asked the Owl Lady, pointing to the owl tube. Hooty, was it? It took the Phantom Thief no less than 4 seconds of staring at the beast to realize that the maniacal owl would have been a nightmare scarier than any palace or shadow. Are his eyes deceiving him or is that a moving cricket leg in his beak?
"No thanks. I-"
Ren's answer was stopped by a distant scream coming deep from the nearby forest. He recognized that scream.
Rapidly, he turned towards the door and stepped forward without hesitation, only to be stopped by a pale hand grasping on his shoulder. Still shaken, he turned to meet the Owl Lady's judgmental and worried gaze.
"Hold on kid- You're gonna get yourself killed with that kind of recklessness. The boiling isles aren't a cakewalk, and you already look like death warmed over!" Reasoned the Owl Lady, whose words fell on deaf ears.
"That's one of my friends, I can't stay put!" He answered, opening the door with a swift push and freeing himself. A rush of energy surged through him, pushing him forward as he ran further and further into the forest.
"Dang Kid-!" Screamed the Owl Lady, who seemed to have a hard time catching up to him. Thankfully, she seemed to lack the convenient flying stick or broom to reach him.
Something inside of him began to rise.
Amity rushed through the thick branches of the forest, masterfully weaving through the surrounding flora to make her way towards the screams. She had gotten a head start, but it wouldn't take long for Luz to catch up to her.
The screams lacked pain, but were still filled with incredible agitation. Various vulgarities flowed freely between the assailed's screams, making Amity wince with every single word.
As her eyes scouted the forest, they focused themselves on a small clearing, hidden behind tall bushes. One last scream was enough to pinpoint her target.
Without hesitation, she pierced the bushes and jumped off her palisman, coming to a sliding halt on the wet dirt with shocking grace. It didn't take long for her to realize what was happening.
A human with blonde hair and a white tank top laid prone on the ground in front of none other than the masked golden guard, whose staff glowed a terrifying red and seemed to be charging up a spell directed at the Human.
That human... she had already seen him before! Had he been running away from the Emperor's coven this whole time?
"You again?!" Questioned the Golden guard, briefly turning his attention towards the newcomer. His staff didn't dare move, whilst the human winced in confusion and shock.
"I'm not here for a rematch, give up the human and I won't take the chance to embarrass you!" The events that had transpired at the Eclipse Lake still raged on in her memory, and there was no way she would surrender once again. Even though only a short while had passed from her fight, the idea of the Golden Guard using Luz as a blackmail tormented her every other thought. She was not going to fall for his tricks again, however.
"To think that the entirety of the emperor's coven would be bested by a fleeing human. I'm almost shocked I was called to the scene, but I'm not one to disobey orders from higher up. Stay out of this, Blight, this matter does not concern you." The Golden Guard's remarks failed to intimidate Amity, and wielding her palisman she menacingly stepped forward.
"What do you know about what concerns me? I said, give up the human or I won't make the same mistakes twice!" Amity felt her magic rile up, the very forces that channeled in her began transferring themselves to her abomination vial, ready to unleash itself onto the enemy.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Would you rather have me blast the poor guy? Or, perhaps, you'd prefer to surrender yourself to the rapidly approaching coven scout squad?" Amity exchanged a brief worried glance with the blonde human. He seemed exhausted. His deep breaths were an indication that whatever gas was left in him had been already consumed, and his almost sleepish appearance meant that he had no adrenaline to sustain him.
"I don't know what's your business with him, nor do I care. Take your staff off of him, or else-"
"Catch!" Before Amity could even realize it, the Golden Guard's staff was launched away from his grasp by the human's powerful kick. She had unknowingly helped the Human by setting up a distraction, and without hesitation she commanded her abomination to spring forth from its vial, catching the artificial staff in its mass and leaving Hunter defenseless.
"What-?! You little-!" The Golden Guard's words were a tad too late. Having made his move, the human had hastily gotten to his feet, just in time to avoid Amity's powerful sludge fist, whose impact sent the Golden Guard back in stagger.
"Should have made your choice, Golden Guard!" Amity, grasping her palisman, followed up the punch with a swing of her staff. In a blink however the Golden Guard disappeared and her attack failed to land.
Turning around, a torrent of magical bolts flowed through the air, some of which landed on her clothes to sear their fabbric. Using her abomination, she shielded her body from the scorching shower.
It didn't take long for Amity to realize that the Golden Guard's palisman had come to his rescue, appearing out of nowhere to shield him from further hits. Was he hiding it to use the artificial staff instead? Why would he?
"I told you, Blight. I can't fail." The Golden Guard's voice, despite his brief disadvantage, showed confidence and a serene sense of power. With no hesitation, he readied his palisman to rain hellfire on the young witch, but without the ability to react he found himself restrained by the blonde human, whose arms were wrapped around his in an attempt to contain his movements.
"You and your crappy attitude gotta chill!" Exclaimed the human, whilst holding onto the Golden Guard in an impressive show of resilience. A few moments earlier they looked like they were on the verge of collapsing, and yet they were still fighting tooth and nail to help her?! Perhaps Bosha was onto something...
"Stop it you punk!" Screamed the Golden Guard back, as his skin glowed orange and his body became ethereal. In a quick flash, the Human found himself grasping at nothing and before he could react the guard had already invoked a rock fist underneath him, sending him flying onto nearby bushes with a debilitating hit.
Amity held Ghost tight as the Golden Guard stepped forward, now having rid himself of any further complications.
"I too have improved since our last encounter, Blight... I'll show you-!"
"Weh!" Screamed King, sending a shockwave through the forest clearing and throwing the Golden Guard off balance.
"You too?!" He asked, irritated. He struggled to keep his footing as his palisman readied itself to nullify the little demon's magical screams.
"Me three!" Luz's voice exclaimed from beyond the bushes. With a single step forward, the human appeared from the surrounding forest with Owlbert and King in tow. Her cloak trailed behind her, and her eyes showed anger and distrust.
"Hunter, What are you doing?! What did you do to that guy?!" Asked Luz, pointing at the stunned human resting on the bushes.
Hunter, now outnumbered and outmatched, stepped back whilst holding a defensive stance.
"Again, none of your business! Look, I'm giving you one last chance before-" The Golden Guard's warning was stopped by the sound of marching quickly surrounding the trio. Before they could even react, numerous coven scouts emerged from the vegetation. Spell circles sat on their fingertips, pointed at the group and ready to fire away.
Luz, now forced to back off, raised her hands while King slowly accompanied her to the center of the clearing. Amity, realizing that they had wasted too much time, raised her hands to surrender, wise enough to know that not even the three of them could take out the entirety of a prepared coven scout team.
"This doesn't look good…" Commented King, as he raised his stubby arms.
"I guess you should have made your choice, Blight." Mocked the golden guard, as he neared the stunned human and ordered the scouts to move with a simple gesture. Now shielding him from any possible attack, the coven scouts stood in a semicircle in front of the trio.
"What even is your deal with him?! What did he do?!" Asked Luz, trying to find an early answer in her girlfriend's expression. Amity shrugged.
"He resisted arrest." Replied Hunter, quite dryly.
"And he was being arrested for…?" Trailed Amity.
"For crimes against the Emperor." Continued Hunter.
"Which are?" Asked King, with noticeable exasperation.
"None of your business." Finished Hunter, before reaching over to the stunned human and grabbing him by the brim of his tank top. Collective groans signaled the trio's annoyance, and having failed in rescuing the Human they could only watch as the coven guards neared with the intent of arresting them.
"Take your hands off of my friend." Exclaimed a new voice, catching everyone's attention. Quickly turning back, Hunter found himself looking up at the towering and menacing figure of another human, who had somehow sneaked up to him near enough to be staring down at him. His eyes, glowing in the evening darkness that permeated the forest, pierced Hunter's soul with a deadly glare.
Hunter staggered for a second. He didn't know what it was about the human, but his sheer presence sent shivers down his spine. How had he found his way to him without anyone noticing? And what kind of courage did he have to just walk into a situation like that?
Grasping at his palisman, Hunter was quick to point the staff at the other human, already charging up a searing shot directed at his heart. A droplet of sweat fell from his forehead, staining the inside of the golden mask.
"Get off of me, Human." Said the Golden Guard, trying to contest the Human's orders.
Ren felt the staff poke his chest, its magical warmth announcing a painful spell.
He did not care.
Ryuji's pained expression told him all he needed to know. That masked boy had hurt his friend.
"Do it." Dared Ren, stepping even closer to the boy who once again staggered.
"Don't you humans value your own lives?! I said get off of me!" He replied.
The other masked troops silently circled him. Their magic was ready to fire at him, show him pain. Show him death.
"What are you doing?! It's not worth it!" Screamed the Emo witch, clearly worried for his well being. The other human and the little skulldog quickly chimed in.
"Look, we can fix this! It's not worth getting hurt over!" Said the human. "Yeah! You don't have to do this!" Continued the skulldog.
But Ren didn't listen. Instead, he took another step, now feeling the boy's staff starting to pierce his skin.
"This is your final warning. Take one more step and I'll fry you!" Exclaimed the boy, almost pleading him to stop. But Ren already knew that he wasn't going to.
He had been feeling it ever since he left the owl lady's house. Something deep inside of him was rising, boiling hotter and hotter with each passing second. Yet, it was forced to lay buried within him beneath the inescapable veil of reality.
It begged to come out.
Ren stepped forward, and immediately a searing pain shot through his heart, sending him backwards and blinding his vision. Audible gasps reached his ears, but not his mind, as the intense pain coursed through his body, causing his senses to scream in agony.
Feeling his body struggle, Ren focused on his pain. It coursed through him, it purged him of the idea that he could still hold onto life… and yet he persisted. The flames within him flourished like an insatiable forest fire, and with nothing but death and terror awaiting its user, Arséne was forced to act.
A blue light invaded the darkness of the surrounding forest, and with panicked screams the soldiers watched in horror as the human raised itself in a vortex of blue pyres.
Through the crackling flames, only one thing could be heard:
"Persona."