(Afternoon August 29)
*Your POV*
"PERSONA"
You shout to the top of your lungs. Summoning both Bahamut and Kage at once, having both blades in your hands you rush to each shadow and strike them down. With your friends frozen still, you assume they can still be harmed in their current state. A massive Shadow lunges at Ren which you clash both blades together and unleash a beam of blue energy that swirls into a black ball, burning the shadow to dust. Turning around, you face a multitude of shadows that seem like endless spawning.
You: Just got to hold out until something!
Holding onto any hope, you push forward to attack. Strangely, your Phantom Thief attire hasn't materialized upon you. Still standing in your beach outfit, you hold both blades and strike at each shadow that approaches. As each rift that opens to spawn more shadows, you unleash a powerful beam of flames that seemingly closes the gate and harming whatever is doing so.
Breathing becomes difficult as fatigue begins to sap your strength. Forcing yourself to channel even deeper of your Persona's you unleash a violent whirlwind of black and blue flames that consumes hordes of shadows. Their hushed voices echo in your head as they speak. Unable to recognize what it is they are saying, you can't help but feel dizzy by the barrage of anguish their voices fill your head with. A chant or is it an attack that causes vertigo.
Unsure, you constantly hit yourself with your hilt to knock some sense into you. A small and bloody bump trails down your head, leaking into your ear. The throbbing pain in your head is a distraction from your real efforts. Effortlessly, you continue to defend everyone for what feels like hours. After even feeling exhausted you expand more and more of the power of your Persona's that you cough blood. The spawning of each shadow grows less, but the density of them continues to pile on.
You: Absolutely no end is there...? Fine...! You get to taste my most powerful attack; get ready!
Crushing Rebellion in your hand, you feel your limit break even further. The spirit of your Persona, Bahamut, extends his power to you. Allowing you to recreate his strength in human form. Blue-burning energy quickly turns purple and grows unstable. Leading you to feel your muscles being torn apart, but you can't think about the pain.
You: Bahamut skill! MEGA FLARE!!
Crushing the purple balls of energy in your hands, you clash them together and unleash a multiple of beams of purple energy that home in onto each shadow, instantly vaporizing them. The beams of energy rips through the portals and destroys them as well. Expanding that power left you feeling defenseless. Bahamut exhausted, leaving only Kage left with a fraction of power remaining. Cloaking yourself in the shadows, you enhance your speed and grip Shokan in your hands. With the numbers cut drastically down, you still face a mass horde of shadows.
More time passes as you cleave through each shadow. Their bodies fade away like they were nothing. Using the black flames, you unleash waves of energy that rips through the shadows and strikes the last remaining portals. After removing the final one, you drop to your knees. Your face is red with fatigue, and your body is bruised and battered by wounds. Sweat drips off your face like rain, breathing heavily and loudly.
It was several hours of severe stress and tension which had finally ended. However, this only led to more confusion as the sky was still the dull orange, purple. Who or what that did this was still around and active. That is when you felt it. After recovering enough, the presence of the Black Knight stained the area. Gripping a dull Shokan, you rise to your feet. Turning to your friends, you nod to them.
You: I'll free us from this state. Just you wait.
Turning back, you follow the steps of the Black Knight which trail through the sand. His meddling was easily the only explanation as to why this all occurred in the first place. A grim look appears across your face as each step is a stumble forward. You are in no shape to fight, let l alone take on the Black Knight. But what else was there to do? Without knowing the exact cause of the phenomena, there was no telling if you could wait it out or not. Confrontation was the only answer.
You: Black Knight, I'll be the one to take you down, and I'll make sure of it.
With each step, you breathe deeply, and each subtle movement is paced by your breathing. A soft wheezing and the taste of blood fill your throat and mouth. Muscles are entirely shot and burning in extreme pain. Pure adrenaline and determination fuel your body to continue to press forward.
You: The cause of the shutdowns and mindless death... Today, I'll finish what I should have done a long time ago... Something that I should have done much sooner... Playing detective... Playing with a girl... Friends who don't know what they are doing half the time... I could have spent that time hunting you down...and KILLING YOU! WHERE ARE YOU! SHOW YOURSELF YOU BASTARD! YOU HEAR ME!
Black Knight: Such words... What would they think if they heard you...
You: They were only in the way... In the way of my true goal!
Black Knight: Heh, listen to yourself rambling. You barely are standing, let alone able to move. Or have you gone mad?
You: I can't wait to pierce your heart...
Black Knight: Yes, let your hate flow. It's what we trained you to harbor.
You: Shut up!
Black Knight: Where was this? Oh, I missed seeing my dear friend worked up and with those eyes! Yes! SHOW ME! SHOW ME MORE OF YOUR DESPAIR! I LOVE IT!
You: I'll give you despair...!
Black Knight: Ahh... If only you were like this all the time, I wouldn't have to do this. But orders are orders. I may have made it more enjoyable for myself taunting you, but I should tie up this loose end...
You: Damn you!
The trail begins to cut short; the last location of the Black Knight was close. Your mind has been shattered. Your personality is fractured and twisted; thinking has become a guess. What is even happening? What is happening? What am I doing? Oh, that's right, I am telling this story. I created this. I created You.
You: My head.
That's what you would like to hear, right? What do you think you want to think? Just imagine what you could do if I weren't the one behind the text.
You: Shut UP!
It was a spiral.
You: Stop talking.
The space was cold and twisted.
You: None of this is real!
Oh, it is my dear boy. Everything that happens, happens for a reason, does it not? I allow this to happen. I allow you to move forward, forge relationships, forge ahead, and fight against all odds. Without me, what are you? Just a character in a fictional tale. And You! Why are you listening to me? Why do you keep reading? Is it for a happy ending? Is it for a story that is different than what you think might happen? What could happen? The possibility of the Author to change something you wouldn't expect. Well, I am sorry, but I, am in CONTROL. This is MY tale. I WEAVE whatever that happens.
You: I'm losing my fucking mind.
Oh yes, the space around you is frozen, and finally hearing my voice, or shall I say finally acknowledging my voice, made you understand now? Everything that I say, you do. Everything that happens is all according to what I have said? It's strange thinking that everything might be a lie?
You: If you know everything? Where is he? Where is the Black Knight?
You sure you want to know? I could just tell you to turn around, and you'll do just that. Maybe I can just have it to where you don't meet. Anything is possible, because I made this. I created this world. This world is mine to mold and subject to my will.
You: JUST SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE!
Fine. If you won't even enjoy what I have done for you. So be it. Don't say I didn't warn you...
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You: Is it over?
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...
You: H-Hello?
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...
...
You: What... I... Don't think I want to know... Just....need to clear my head!
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...
Shouting, it doesn't take long before your thoughts merge once again. Feeling like it was all a dream, it didn't take more convincing to just forget what had just transpired.
You: Where is he... I must find him.
Dashing forward, you spot a figure in the distance, unmoving. Upon closer inspection, it is Akechi. Standing still and facing away from you.
You: Oh, there's Akechi. He didn't walk that far. Why is he still on the beach. Never mind, I better make sure he stays safe until I can find...-...!
Looking at the trail of shadows leading to the Black Knight goes past and under Akechi's feet. The shocked expression grows on your face as well as heavy confusion.
You: That makes no sense... What in the-
Akechi: It would have been more fun, but I am sorry it came to this.
You: Akechi?! You can move? How? I thought everyone-
Akechi: Haha...Hahahaha... I love how cute you can be when you are beyond repair. I almost feel bad that I have to abuse the system....wait... Why do I know that...?
You: Akechi? What are you talking about-
Akechi: Hmm....such a strange feeling... This is certainly...something I didn't think possible. Oh...and just like that... I... Haha... This is so stupid. Where was I?
You: Stop talking nonsense we-
Bang
A cold, painful feeling wash through you. Gasping for air, you look down at a round hole that leaves your chest open and bleeding. Blood slowly pouring from your mouth, and you begin to feel the urge of blood swelling in your throat. It bubbles past your lips before you turn your sights back to Akechi. Holding a handgun, Akechi smiles. You grunt as your head hurts for a moment, similar to when you get the random flashes of visions, but you see the outline of Akechi glows a dark purple. His smile stays as you watch as he flickers back and forth between the Black Knight and himself.
Akechi/Black Knight: I really wanted to kill you. Something really wanted me to do this so badly. Well, it's not like I won't regret it, but I will miss our talks. You certainly were the best rival I could have asked for.
You: Akechi...W-Wait-
Bang Bang
Two more bullets pierce through your body, blood spraying across the sand. Blood pours down your chest and stomach. Staining your skin with the dark crimson color. With your bloodied hands, you reach out sightly toward Akechi as you drop Shokan to the ground, barely standing. Your vision flickers from dark to normal.
You: Y...You...I-
Akechi: Just die already.
Bang
It rips through your skull. Slicing through your brain before exiting from behind, splattering your brains deep into the sand behind you. The trails of blood leak across your face as the strength of your legs finally give, and you fall flat on your back. Eyes begin to dilate, indicating the loss of vision, brain function, and, more accurately, death. The dark tunnels of your vision dims, your breathing already has stopped, your body completely numbed. The last images you see before you finally fade away, a small yet beautiful blue butterfly floats toward you just before it grows dark......
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...
"What a terrible fate has befallen you?"
"I'm sorry, but fate can be cruel. But this time, I had no part this time."
"Having regrets? Ambitions? Goals you needed to do?"
"What a pity."
"Just a failure. No harm in trying again."
"Hmm? You're still here? Strange, thought it was your time."
"Maybe this isn't failure."
"I don't like uncertainty but that has gotten rather boring as of late."
"Show me what fun you can give me..."
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End of Part 1
-2025-
What do you mean this isn't real?
Makoto, what am I?
Yaldabaoth is his name...
Ren...!!!
MAKOTO!!!!!
Friends to...the end...right?
Satanael!!
BAHAMUT, ARISE!!!!
There is more than one possibility, it's just up to you...Y/N...
PERSONA REQUIEM!!!!