Persona 3 Crimson Wings: Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Hierophant Part II

6/08/09-Monday

"Minako... You're just going to get hurt... Why Minako...? Why...?" The young man muttered to himself as if in a trance. His companions stared at him worriedly as he spoke by himself.

"... Could we carry out tonight's operation?" Mitsuru glanced at Akihiko who now held the key. He twirled it between his fingers, turning his attention to the female. He shook his head and gazed upon the two younger students.

"What happened? Did he get into a fight with Minako?" The male senior raised a brow. Junpei shot Yukari a glance, who, in turn, stared at him with an uneasy expression. She nudged the boy's side and pointed to Akihiko after whispering something.

"U-uh... O-of course not!" He said in a weak voice. "Minato just... Uh..." Junpei scratched the back of his head and averted his gaze. The two seniors waited for an answer, especially Mitsuru who seemed rather suspicious of their actions.

Ever since the 'three' returned home after their little adventure, Minato had been acting rather strangely. He was all drained out and always seemed as though he was in deep thought. In fact, he hadn't slept in class... It then escalated to him as he was now. His condition momentarily returns to normal whenever he focuses his mind on something else, for example, when they confronted Mr. Ekoda about Fuuka. Since he seemed like that, they decided to ignore it, after all, he was a quite a strange guy to begin with, but now...

"H-he thinks Minako-chan has a boyfriend!" Yukari suddenly blurted out, finishing Junpei's sentence, pushing him in the process. The boy almost tumbled down, but managed to keep his balance.

"W-what...!" The silver-haired teen shouted in surprise. His face was a bit red. All eyes, except Minato who was still in a trance were now on him. After noticing the stares, he immediately tried to keep his cool and let out a groan. "I mean... What?"

"... We... Um... Told him he's over-thinking it, but he's not listening." Yukari added awkwardly.

"Y-yeah! What she said!" Junpei added. The seniors stared at the two with disbelief.

"Well, we can't have him go at that state..." Mitsuru sighed. "I was reluctant to send him out tonight either way..." She added, muttering to herself before turning to the fazed boy. "Arisato!" She called out. It took a few seconds before he finally responded.

"... Oh. Is it time?" Minato answered with a lifeless tone. He was staring at the wall when he answered though. The boy stared at it a bit more before finally turning to the group. "... Let's go. We have to save Fuuta..." He added.

His teammates glanced at each other with worry and shook their heads. Minato waited for their response, but no one spoke a word.

Akihiko approached him first and was the first to let out a word. "You'll have to stay here."

Minato didn't respond, he just stared at his senior with a blank expression.

"But senpai! Minato-" Yukari protested, but was immediately cut by Minato who suddenly signaled her with his hand. The leader shook his head and frowned.

"... It's fine..." He spoke in his usual lifeless tone.

"...He's still suspended anyway. Besides... Senpai's right, we'll only be in hot water with him like that." Junpei added casually, patting the girl's shoulder. She stared at him with disbelief... Junpei actually had a point.

"That settles it then. Akihiko will be the leader for this operation." Mitsuru spoke, turning to the silver-haired teen. He scratched his head as if he was unwilling to do it. In the end, he nodded after being subjected to the female's glare.

"Fine... This'll be temporary anyway..." He sighed, turning to his members, namely, Junpei and Yukari. "You're still the official leader, so you'd better get back in action soon..." He added without turning to Minato.

"..."

He didn't respond...

Akihiko, Yukari, and their temporary leader, Akihiko have gone inside the gym. Minato and Mitsuru were left outside as they waited for midnight to fall. While the female senior navigated the exploration group, her male companion sat down in a corner, listening to Mitsuru's words while thinking of all the events so far. He was quite stable compared to how he was earlier, but still, his mind was clouded. His eyes drooped down. Fact was, he hadn't slept since that night, or rather, he's afraid to sleep...

"They've found Yamagishi." The navigator told him. He smiled. For a moment there, he almost fainted due to lack of sleep... When Mistsuru suddenly let out a shocked expression. "W-what is this reading...?"

Minato suddenly straightened up in surprise and instinctively lifted his sword. He faced the senior, but his attention immediately shifted outside where he heard strange moaning sounds.

"Arisato! Wait...! That's a large one!" Mitsuru called out as the boy ran toward the direction of the sound. He stopped for a moment and turned to her, revealing his eye-bag ridden face. "Wait for the others to arrive, they're almost at the exit."

"... I won't do anything reckless..." He said seriously, Mitsuru glared at him in disbelief. "I promise..." He added before continuing on his way out.

As soon as the boy stepped outside, a large Shadow greeted him. It was the Hierophant. Actually, the sight of this Shadow did not astonish him or anything... But what surrounded it, or rather, them. There were a lot of people coming closer from different directions, they all looked as if they were afflicted with the Apathy Syndrome, in fact, Minato fits in perfectly. From the looks of it though, they're not yet victims, but they will be if he doesn't act fast.

Minato lifted his sword and started out with a battle stance. He took a deep breath and charged into the creature, swinging his sword. As soon as it reaped the creature's 'flesh', it shrieked in pain. The moment it turned to him, it let out a laugh, as if pleased to see him. With that, the boy stepped back a little, feeling quite uneasy. It immediately called out a series of Zionga afterward. The teenager managed to dodge and outrun all of the attacks. As he was about to go for another hit, the Shadow called up a spell, cursing him with Sukunda, following up with a another Zionga. He tried to dodge again, but his feet felt heavy thanks to the previous attack...

"Argh...!" He growled as he fell down on the ground. The people were now getting closer... Time was running out.

"Minato! Are you okay?" A voice echoed from behind. He turned back and saw Junpei running toward him. Yukari and Akihiko followed at the back.

"Yeah... It's just a scratch..." He answered weakly while standing up. Again, he lifted his sword and proceeded with an offensive stance. The young man faced Junpei as he reached his side. "How's Fuuta...?" Minato asked flatly.

"Dude, first off, it's Fuuka, second... What the hell is that thing?" Junpei exclaimed, pointing at the Hierophant. Minato shrugged.

"A Shadow. I think..."

Mitsuru followed them outside, behind her was a pale girl with teal hair. She was trembling at the sight of the creature. Akihiko and the others have briefed her on some information beforehand. Still, she looked rather frightened and confused.

"I'll join support from here and try to scan its weakness." Mitsuru called out. She was about to call her Persona when Minato pulled her arm. He shook his head while she stared at the boy with confusion.

"Senpai, you prevent the people from getting to the Shadow... They might get caught up in this fight." Minato pointed out. The female was reluctant, but he was right. She nodded and ran toward the people, casting bufu spells on their feet, immobilizing them one by one.

"Akihiko-senpai, you help me in the offense." He added turning to the male. Akihiko smiled and crunched his knuckles, ready for action.

"What about us...?" Yukari turned to Minato. He spaced out for a moment before answering. "Yukari, you help Mitsuru-senpai and heal those anyone who gets injured." Minato paused before turning to Junpei. "... You'll be joining me and senpai."

"Sweet! I can't wait to kick some Shadow ass! And this one has it big!" He answered enthusiastically. Yukari headed toward the people and did as she was told, healing those who fainted and trying to get them out of the way. Minato's group was about to charge again when the leader heard a faint voice. He turned around and saw Fuuka.

"... Is there anything I can do...?" She asked weakly. Minato looked up, unsure of what to say. He faced her again and saw the girl's disappointed expression. He sighed and pointed at the Evoker she was holding. It was the one Akihiko gave her back at Tartarus.

"... Use that..." He answered in a flat tone. She stared at it worriedly and looked back at the boy. He placed his hand on her shoulder and spoke. "And ... Watch us..."

The three charged together at the Shadow, Minato in the middle, Akihiko to his left, Junpei to his right. As they drew closer, the Hierophant turned to them and called out a Mazio. The two split off from their leader going on their respective directions (left and right), dodging the attack while Minato jumped up, raising his sword and slashed the creature. It shrieked in pain. His attack was followed up by Junpei who called out Hermes and Akihiko with his Persona. For a moment, the Shadow was down.

"Let's go all out!" Minato called, his companions nodded and jumped at the monster. A short distance before reaching it, the Hierophant got back on its feet and quickly shot a wave of Mazionga. The three were caught off-guard and fell flat on the ground, except Akihiko who was resistant to the said attack. He continued charging, trying to shrug off the pain and gave it a powerful uppercut, knocking it back.

Minato and Junpei got up and shook off the the strange feeling of electric current flowing through their skins, in an attempt to support their senpai. The monster roared and surprised them with a Swift Strike, taking all of them aback.

"A-are you alright...?" The soft-spoken girl rushed to their side with the Evoker resting on her hands. Minato glared at her, making the girl flinch. He shook his head and groaned.

"... I told you to watch. Shoot when necessary..." He said in a low voice as he supported himself up with his blade. "... but... remember, once you do, your innocence will be taken away for good..." He added. The girl's face flushed red, either she was embarrassed, or felt nervous because of his words, either way, she stood aside, giving the boy space, at the same time, avoiding the Shadow's range.

After a few more attacking attempts, the enemy was still up, Mitsuru and Yukari were also starting to reach their limits with all the energy they've been expending from preventing any casualties. The senior kept calling out Bufu spells in all directions, and at the same time, she must limit the amount released. As for Yukari, she was running around, calling out Garu and Dia spells, blowing away the civilians who came near, whilst healing those who get injured. Minato's group was also on the edge, and what's worse was the fact that they were inflicted with various spells which caused them to slow down. Their leader also had trouble concentrating on offense since he had to assume the role of their primary healer thanks to Yukari's absence.

Fuuka watched in the sidelines. Everyone was fighting... She was just watching... Useless... She couldn't do anything... The girl stared at the gun and shifted her gaze toward the group of teenagers who were fighting. She didn't know the whole gist of things... but one thing she could tell was that they were protecting the people.

'I-... I can be of use...!' She thought, slowly pointing the gun at her temple. For a moment, she heard the words Minato left her. She didn't hesitate, instead, Fuuka gave a faint smile of determination and pulled the trigger...

"Senpai! Look...!" Yukari paused for a moment and pointed at the pale girl. Mitsuru froze because of the junior's sudden call. Even Minato's group paused to look as the girl shot herself.

The usual sound of glass shattering filled the night, the next thing they knew was that she was encased within what seemed to be her Persona. Junpei almost dropped his jaws at the sight.

"I can see... I can see its weakness...!" the young girl's voice rung in their heads. Most of them were still stunned at the sight, except for Minato, and Mitsuru who called out to Yukari, telling her to continue. Their brave leader smirked, tightening his grip on the sword.

"...Junpei! Senpai! Listen to what Fuuta says!" he commanded. His voice sent them back to their senses. The male senior smiled and nodded at him with full determination.

"H-huh...?" Junpei blinked. He turned to the senior, then to their leader. Finally, he lifted a smile on his face and raised his weapon. "Alright! We're back in action!" he exclaimed in excitement, "oh, and Minato, it's Fuuka, not Fuuta..." he added. Minato shrugged.

"It reflects lightning and blocks light and darkness...!" the girl informed, they nodded in unison and continued to charge at the creature. Akihiko and Minato attacked with their weapons while Junpei followed up with Hermes. "Enemy's weak...! It's about to use an attack, be careful!" Fuuka followed up. Junpei was about to charge before hearing her words. He immediately backed away and dodged the attack, countering with Hermes afterward.

"... Attack the small ones at the bottom and the one behind it simultaneously! T-that will finish it off!"she continued. The three followed her instruction. Again, Minato was in the middle, with the other two males running sides. Junpei overtook him in front as they dashed toward the enemy. "It's about to attack...!" Fuuka's voice rung in their heads.

The Hierophant called out a Zionga aimed at the capped teen. Minato braced himself, jumped up on Junpei's shoulder and used it as boost. His friend fell flat on his face, but at the same time, caused the attack to miss. Minato was up in midair, raised his sword once more and slashed the 'woman' behind the obese Shadow. At the same time, Akihiko attacked one of the 'crosses' while Junpei, who was still down, called out Hermes yet again. They all attacked at that single moment.

Just like what Fuuka said, the Shadow disappeared after a long, shrill screech...

At the same time, all the people who were called out by the Shadow began collapsing on the ground. Mitsuru and Yukari sighed in relief. Lucia also disappeared after confirming that no Shadow was left. Everyone was about to relax... The battle was over...

"Hey, what's that?" Yukari pointed out as she assisted one of the fallen civilians.

It was a human silhouette amidst the dark smoke where the Hierophant once stood...