Cursed flames formed a pillar over the horizon. The uncontainable power of Ren's persona surged through the boiling isles like a tidal wave, covering every inch with a deeply unsettling magic that could be felt by each and every being.
Ren's figure was engulfed by the cursed pillar, briefly hiding his uncontainable smile from the soldiers who could barely keep their footing against the strong currents clashing against their bodies. Surpassing the twilight, blue pyres propagated through the clearing before dissipating to reveal the wicked grin of the newly reborn phantom thief.
Dark-plumed wings expanded with a thunderous ruffle, revealing Arsene's ethereal form to everyone else as they watched in horror. Many had already scattered in fear, some had held their ground, and some were struck by a torrent of incomprehensible emotions, incapable of understanding the magic that had taken form in front of their eyes. However, in each of their minds, the maniacal expression of Ren Amamiya had already been burned to forever haunt their memories.
Ren's eyes, bloodshot and piercing, shrank whilst his body, having rebelled against death, surged with incomprehensible pain. Trembling yet strong, Ren raised himself. His clothes, flickering uncontrollably, began to transform and bestow upon him the clothes of his rebellious self. Yet despite the incredible release of power, they just wouldn't stick . Flickering in and out of reality, the black coat fought against the casual attire in a manner even Joker had never seen before.
"OPEN FIRE!" Ordered the Golden Guard, commanding the remainder of his forces to face off against the phantom thief and its demonic familiar. Shots of searing magic bounced off of the persona's wings, now wrapped around its user, before a pyre of cursed magic materialized in front of the attackers, diving towards them and forcing them to scatter.
With chaos having now ensued, Joker's mind began to rush through every possibility. But... something had clearly gone wrong. Despite the power of his will, it had somehow become incapable of even just moving his body. The tips of his fingers twitched as command after command, intent after intent was sent through Joker's body only to be snuffed out by a consciousness that had somehow taken control.
Overloaded with ideas and thoughts unlike his own and feeling his body act by itself, his consciousness began to struggle against the uncontrollable force that had taken over his thoughts.
"The animosity of the masses… to think I'd ever have this power, all to myself!" Spoke Arsene, whilst Joker's mouth mimicked the Persona's words. As the Persona forced itself forward, Joker unconsciously followed, his instincts and conscience having been overwritten.
"I am the pillager of twilight — "Arsène"!" Exclaimed Joker once again. "Hast thou never known true power? Hast thou ever faced against a billion's rage and will of rebellion?! I shall be your reason to never doubt your own weakness!" Bubbling rage and animosity filled every word of the pillager's speech, sending shivers in the hearts of the guards, the spectators, and even Ren himself…
"Arsène! Arsène! What are you doing?! Retreat into my consciousness!" Pleaded Ren from inside his thoughtscape, yet he had already fallen too deep. Nothing was making sense anymore, and any semblance of control he had was discarded by Arsène's mere presence. A Persona had taken over him, no longer restricted by a mask or the scattered consciousness of the masses. Joker, the man of many masks, had now been donned like any of them.
And so he began to falter. His enemies were falling one by one; the sounds and sensations coming from the outside world had begun to blur together. There was no other thing for him to do but to retreat into his unconsciousness.