Persona 4 FYL

Amatsu Mikaboshi.

The name stirred up vague memories in Souji's mind.

"Th-the what?" asked Chie meekly, completely taken aback by Yukiko's scream. "I've never heard…"

"You wouldn't have," mumbled Yukiko gently, shivering to herself as she fought to regain her composure. "The Amatsu Mikaboshi is… an obscure figure in Japanese mythology. Most scholars have said that so little exists about it that it may be a hoax…"

"This ain't no damn hoax!" retorted Kanji, who was also shivering. "What myths was this thing in, anyway?!"

"Just a brief amendment to the creation story…" Yukiko slid her hand into Kanji's, and both of them seemed to relax slightly. "At the end of creation, in order to maintain balance between order and chaos, another deity sprang forth from the void."

…this entity was not "created," but existed prior to the interlopers' arrival…

Yukiko yelped and clung to Kanji as the nothingness spoke once more into their minds.

…before the invaders emerged into this realm, perfection reigned supreme... …this entity then assumed an 'identity' to combat the encroaching 'creation' and return this realm to its pristine innocence……the "Ama-no-Kagaseo" was established by your species to channel this entity's power… …however, the link established from such connections fed this entity's power… …those of your species who sought power were instead consumed from within, providing power to the "aspects" of the "Ama-no-Kagaseo," and by extension, to this entity…

"Wh-whoa, wait a minute! That's what origin is?!" yelled Rise, her temper rising. "You're just gonna… destroy everything?! Take everything away?!"

…your species carries within itself a lust for power… …a yearning for that which lies beyond reach… …yet a realm without pain… …suffering… …complications… …is that not what your species ultimately desires?...

"We're not all like Okuguro!" replied Yosuke heatedly. "We don't want the easy way out!"

…not anymore… …yet your collective minds seemed content with the idea before the Anomaly's interference… …the preference for isolation, self-gratification, and security through the illusion of control... …your species is imperfect, unworthy of continuing its brief, flawed existence…

Everyone fell silent, looking down at the crumbling slab of roof beneath them.

"Now wait just a minute!"

Everyone except Teddie.

"Now, I may be an innocent young bear," said the blond boy, stepping forward to Souji side, "but I know enough to understand that there is no perfection! Everyone has faults that they need to overcome, and not many bears, or even humans, can even do that in their lifetimes! But that's why we have friends! They accept us for who we really are, faults and all! It's that kind of care and acceptance that makes a bear want to be a better bear! And then that determination passes on to others so that they can try to better themselves, too! There may not be perfection, but we're close enough to it when we have friends we can count on! So I'm glad Sensei's here to help us! It's not a weakness! It just… well, is!"

Souji grinned and patted his old friend on the back. "Well spoken, Teddie."

The youth grinned brightly, his blue eyes shining with inner pride. "Thanks, Sensei."

…illogical…

The silverette turned to face the nothingness in front of them, glaring as he comprehended his foe's cold assertion.

…mere conjecture… …philosophical rhetoric without basis in truth…

"It… it's not…" gasped Naoto, still kneeling next to Souji and clutching her forehead as she struggled under her connection. "H-he's… Teddie's right…"

…cease resistance… the role of "Crux" cannot be evacuated… …such feeble attempts, such useless clinging to senseless hope…

"But Souji has the power of Hope!" snarled Yosuke in disbelief. "It can overcome anything! Even you!"

...illogical…

The group gasped at the readiness of the Amatsu's reply, but the emotionless tone it used only served to make Yosuke, and the others, all the angrier.

…"hope" is the abject denial of reality in the face of greater Truth… …is that not what each of you practiced these last two "years"?...

"How dare you think you know us!" shouted Yukiko, offended. "You have no right to presume—"

…this entity has seen your anger and fear, and has beheld your self-destructive tendencies… …do not presume to deny their existence…
"That was brought on by you!" cried Rise, stomping her foot. "You forced us to—"

…illogical… …how can this entity force ideas upon beings when they already exist within the heart and mind?...
"Cut the crap, you bastard!" roared Kanji. "We know all about how you work!"

…illogical… …how can a being of such limited capacity comprehend perfection?... …The answer is that it cannot… …To attempt such only leads to false presumption and envy of the unattainable…

"Oh, for the love of…!" Chie threw her arms up in the air, all patience lost as she growled audibly. "There's no end to this! It's always right, no matter what we say! We're always going to be 'illogical'!" She spat out the last word in a sour tone.

As Souji looked between the pained, kneeling form of Naoto and the cold, harsh blackness of the Amatsu, he suddenly realized the extent of the danger the group now faced. Before them all was a being, a god, without concept of morals or values outside of unfeeling, Darwinian logic. There was no middle ground, no compromise, and no pity within that void. The manifestation of destruction itself, of primal rage, of indiscriminate ruin, of the collective fears of past and present, this "god" would do anything and everything to achieve its predetermined goal. It could only perceive answers in absolute values, such as correct and incorrect, perfect and imperfect, total success or utter failure.

This is what Izanami feared… It has the same notions she once possessed, but no concept of change makes any sense to it.

…obviously, the "Crux's" corruption runs deeper than first calculated… …the offenders must be purged…
"P-purged?!" exclaimed Chie, eyes widening. "I don't like the sound of that!"

Rise threw up Himiko and immediately yelped in alarm. "Shadows! Too many to count! They're headed right for us!"

…resign yourselves to your fate… …Origin shall be achieved… …resistance is illogical…

"Like hell it's illogical!" snapped Kanji, hefting his place over his shoulder. "You ain't takin' away all the shit I've been tryin' to save!!"

"That goes double for me!" agreed Chie as she began bouncing on the balls of her feet.

…it is useless to resist fate…

"Tell that to Izanami," murmured Souji, clasping his blade more tightly in his hands.

A wave of power emanated from the mass of void before the group, forcing everyone except Naoto to pull up their guard.

…neither you nor Izanami are a match for this entity's power… …the raw, unfocused Truth belonging to a primordial god…

"Quit feeding us your bullshit!" roared Yosuke, his temper flaring. "Souji, you'd better kick its ass!"

"Uh…" Kanji seemed to give Yosuke a double-take. "Yosuke, it doesn't even have an ass."

"Dude, don't get technical!"

"Would you guys give it a rest and come up with a plan, please?!" squeaked Rise, looking horrified as she continued to peer through Himiko's visor. "They're almost right on top of us! We don't have time for this!"

"…Run! Just… run! Save yourselves!"

Everyone turned to gaze at the struggling Naoto, tears trailing down her cheeks as she clutched desperately at her head, her hat pulled down over her eyes.

"Please… run… You can't..! You're all no match for—AAH!!"

Souji closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh. Words from five years ago, words he barely remembered, echoed in his mind, words that he never thought would ever apply to him. Yet even as he considered the idea now planted in his mind, even as he considered the consequences, the outcome would be preferable to allowing Naoto to suffer, or his friends to die.

Naoto, on the other hand, would never have approved.

He didn't have time for an alternative. He had to decide. Now.

"Listen up."

The group turned at the sound of Souji's voice, giving him their undivided attention.

"Move to the edges of the roof in pairs. Yosuke and Chie, take the left side. Yukiko and Kanji, take the right. Rise and Teddie, the rear. Don't let any Shadows through, no matter what. Take care of each other if you can."

"But wait, Sensei!" said Teddie, his voice full of worry. "What are you going to do?"

The silverette grinned down at the bear. "I'm going to save Naoto."

At least he wasn't lying.

"I hope you know what you're doing, partner," muttered Yosuke, looking doubtfully at his best friend.

"You have to trust me. No matter what happens, you have to believe in me."

"We'll always believe in you, Souji-kun," said Chie confidently, gently clasping the silverette's arm before grabbing Yosuke's. "C'mon! Let's get into position."

"There's no time left! We gotta move!" yelled Rise as she dragged Teddie to the
back of the roof.

"Good luck, Souji-kun," whispered Yukiko as she gave him a quick hug, moving quickly to her own edge of the roof with Kanji in tow.

"Here they come!" announced Yosuke as the tide of Shadows broke over the sides of the crumbling rooftop. At that same moment, Souji rushed the Amatsu at a run, moving swiftly past a wide-eyed Naoto as he raised his blade to strike his formless enemy.

"S-Souji?!" gasped the detective, her tear-filled eyes lifting up to watch the silverette in disbelief. "No! Souji, NO!!"

He ignored her pleas, bringing the Blade of Totsuka down upon the shapeless void. It seemed to part for the blade briefly before reforming, no visible harm perceivable to the naked eye.

…illogical… …not even the Anomaly can bring harm to this entity…

"You idiot! What do you think you're—"

"Just focus!" yelled Souji, cutting off Yosuke's angry shout as he slashed again, only to achieve the same result as before.

"Trust him, Yosuke!" pleaded Chie as she summoned Suzuka Gongen, the laser blade cutting through the thick line of Shadows in front of the pair. "We have to believe he can do it! We have to!"

Other Personas emerged into being at the same time as Chie's, and massive spikes of energy surged around the group. Fire and lightning pummeled the creatures on the right side, wind and physical force on the left, and slashing blades followed heavy blizzard at the rear. In front, Souji continued his assault on the Amatsu, summoning Izanami-no-Okami to deliver all four elemental attacks in rapid succession—

To no effect.

"Souji, no… please…" Naoto whispered helplessly, hugging herself as she could do nothing but watch the battle unfold in front of her.

…illogical… …you would choose meaningless resistance over the peace of Origin… …all for the "Crux"… …an insignificant—

"Insignificant to you, perhaps," said Souji coldly. "But she's my world. And I'll do everything in my power to protect her." Even if it means…

As he spoke, the blade slashed downward into the Amatsu, and a loud rip emanated throughout the battlefield. The horde of Shadows briefly halted their advance, but the respite was all the defenders needed to gain the advantage. Taking the initiative, the group slammed their opponents with strong, wide-ranged attacks. The Amatsu shimmered as the glowing slash-wound it had received began to crackle with red light and energy, slowly closing itself before Souji's eyes.

…an Anomaly indeed… …to cause harm to this entity defies all convention… …perhaps your tenacity was underestimated…

The silverette began following up his attack almost immediately, but a wave of energy deflected his blade, forcing it up and over his head. Souji's eyes widened in sudden horror as he realized his predicament, an orb of blood-red energy forming mere inches away from his exposed chest.

…this entity shall not make the same mistake twice…

A condensed beam shot out of the crimson orb, the point-blank attack catapulting Souji into the air and slamming him hard into a large slab of floating concrete. The masonry shattered from the force of the impact, stopping the silverette in mid-scream as he plummeted headlong back down to the roof, striking it with a sickening crunch.

Naoto couldn't look away.

Souji landed hard on his stomach. Blood oozed from multiple cuts all over his body, and trails of crimson liquid oozed down his face as he fought desperately to get back to his feet. Most of his shirt had been burned away by the powerful beam, his muscled chest and abdomen bright pink from the harmful impact. His body seemed to exude wisps of dark smoke, and before Naoto could even consider Souji's condition, before she could even sigh in relief, she saw him retch violently as a stream of blood emerged from his mouth.

No… this isn't happening…

"You son of a bitch!!"

Naoto gasped as Kanji howled in rage, rushing up to the Amatsu with his plate held high. A surge of energy knocked the bleach-blond backward, the weapon tossed from his grip as he landed hard on his back many meters away from Souji and Naoto.

The sleuth looked up to see that the Shadows had all but disappeared, and that the others had moved around Kanji to face the Amatsu once again.

…no interference… …the Anomaly must be unmade in order for Origin to proceed…

"Like hell!" hollered Yosuke, rushing forward only to slam hard into an invisible barrier and falling backward in utter shock.

"No! Not now!" cried Rise, who appeared on the verge of tears. "Not like this!!"

"Fight, Sensei!" shouted Teddie. "Don't give up now! You have so much to live for!"

Souji slowly got back to his feet, panting from the exertion. He quickly summoned Izanagi, sending a Megidolaon spell hurtling toward the Amatsu. He never expected the energy to disperse from another strong beam, nor for the same attack to strike Izanagi directly. The Persona faded from sight, and the silverette howled in agony from the energy's contact with the extension of himself, forcing him back down to one knee as he clutched his chest, his bleeding right hand over his heart.

"No… Souji-kun, don't give up…" whispered Yukiko as she touched the invisible barrier, her hands closing into fists as she began to pound on the wall. "Don't give up! Naoto-kun needs you!"

"You heard the lady, Senpai!" yelled Kanji, who was already back on his feet. "C'mon, someone get this damn… thing out of the way!"

Souji coughed heavily, more blood spilling from his mouth and down his front. He felt his strength ebbing from his body, and he shuddered as he fought even more desperately to get to his feet.

…this entity shall offer the Anomaly one final chance for peaceful passage to his rest... …either the Anomaly accepts this offer and allows the Crux to perform her duty… …or he will experience torment as this entity severs his connections…

This was no choice, and Souji knew it. To surrender would condemn the world to death, and condemn Naoto to an uncertain fate that was most assuredly an undying hell. To fight would simply prolong his suffering, and also cause unspeakable anguish to Naoto and his friends.

Yet he had already made his choice. There was no other path to take. Someone else had given his life to protect those most dear to him. That had been their answer…

Yet was it truly Souji's answer to share?

The silverette gazed up at the Amatsu, holding firmly onto his defiance.

"You can go ahead and try…" smirked Souji, his voice hoarse.

"…S-Souji…" Naoto croaked, shaking her head as she tried to stand. "No… I… Urgh, get out of my head!!"

…the Anomaly chooses the path of resistance… …this entity shall oblige…

A powerful surge of energy knocked Souji onto his back, forcing him to howl in agony. Naoto's eyes widened in terror as she could only watch the blood-red power flow across the silverette like water, making him writhe on the ground uncontrollably.

What are you doing?! Stop standing there and DO something!!

"Souji-kun, no!! Get up! Fight!"

"D-damn it! Why can't we do anything?!"

"Keep fighting! Resist! Anything! Just don't give up, Senpai!"

"Naoto-kun! Help him! Please!"

The sleuth winced as she heard someone plea to her to act, someone from inside her head as well as outside. But… I can't…! What can I possibly…?

Don't be a fool! snarled the voice inside her head. He's dying! The others are trapped! You're the only one who can do this!

I can… hardly move…! Naoto winced as she struggled to her feet again, driven by Souji's screams. I won't make it…!

Do you love him?

The question made Naoto stop. The surge of energy ceased, and Souji gasped in relief, breathing heavily on his back and taking advantage of the respite.

…enough… …the Crux must be purified before the taint spreads further… …the Anomaly shall be unmade now, without delay…

Naoto gazed up at the Amatsu in horror, feeling the energy gather around it in preparation for another violent surge, more powerful than the last.

Do you LOVE him?!

Energy crackled from the mass of void that was the Amatsu Mikaboshi, surging toward the fallen Souji Seta. But Naoto, battling the internal influence of the Amatsu, pushed herself to her feet and moved directly in front of the oncoming blast of energy, her arms wide open as she shielded Souji with her own body.

"N... Naoto?!"

The silverette could only watch in horror as the energy hit Naoto head on, could only wince as her scream penetrated the stillness. Her clothes began to come apart at the seams, her jacket falling away, her pant legs shredding at the bottom. Loud snapping noises emerged from under her button-up shirt, which filled out almost immediately as the bandages loosened beneath. Yet most notably, her hat fell from the top of her head, and much to Souji's surprise, a long crop of sapphire-blue hair cascaded out from inside and flowed gracefully down to the middle of her back. The powerful surge ceased as quickly as it had begun, and the detective collapsed to her knees, gasping heavily as she struggled to recover.

"Naoto… why did you…" Souji began, but his question was interrupted by an even more confused voice.

…illogical… …such action should not have occurred… …they go against the impulse of self-preservation…

The disbelief in the cold voice of the Amatsu shook Souji out of his mental paralysis. His gaze moved from Naoto to the nothingness, realization slowly dawning on him. His suspicions were only strengthened as the sleuth began to laugh.

"Uhm…" began Chie, clearly shaken. "..Wh-what just happened?"

"You're asking me?" replied Yosuke, his voice trembling. "And how did she get long hair, anyway?!"

"It's… always been long," whispered Naoto as she lifted her head and turned to face the stunned group. "I just wanted to surprise Souji… He always liked it when I tried to be more feminine…" Her eyes found Souji on the ground, and the silverette was shocked to see that the detective was smiling. Genuine laugher, genuine happiness permeated her demeanor, and the weight which had pressed down upon her seemed to have disappeared, as though the events of the last two years never happened.

Souji understood. Naoto was no longer the Crux.

…illogical… …the Crux should be immutable, everlasting… …once more, the Anomaly's influence defies all conventional logic… …he must be annihilated…

"No. I won't allow it," said Naoto in a clear, ringing voice, standing swiftly and facing the Amatsu in total defiance. "You have no power over me, or any of us. Not anymore. We've broken free of your control, and we will no longer serve as puppets in your pathetic little game."

Hands grasped Souji and pulled him upright. He felt warm energy surge into his body as his wounds were completely healed.

"What were you thinking?!" asked Rise, shaking her head as she smoothed Souji's hair back. "If Naoto-kun doesn't kill you, then I will!"

"That's enough, Rise," said Naoto as she moved to the group, putting her hand on Souji's shoulder. "No harm was done, and in fact… he may have even saved us all."

"No…" said Souji with a soft smile. "You were the hero this time."

Naoto blushed, and coughed uncomfortably, her hand running through her hair. "Well… we're still not finished yet."

…on the contrary… …your futile struggle ends now…

A powerful surge forced everyone, including Naoto this time, to pull their guard up. The detective replied in kind, summoning the silver-cloaked Izanami. Electricity surged from her gloved fingertips, dancing along the nothingness before them, which seemed to shudder in response.

…such power cannot harm this entity… …it has already been stated…

"Then perhaps it needs some help?" suggested Souji as Izanagi appeared by his wife's side, summoned swiftly by the silverette. As the silver-coated Persona held its spear out toward the Amatsu, Izanami stopped her attack, gazing briefly at her husband before slowly, reverently, reaching around the weapon and clasping his hand. Both Personas nodded in unison, and as they turned to face their enemy once more, they raised the spear together. A much stronger wave of power flowed from the blade, striking the void with a surprising force that caused the edge of the roof to shatter violently.

…illogical!... …such power should not exist!...

"There's nothing illogical about it," countered Naoto confidently, elated at the sudden success. "You have simply underestimated the true power Hope can provide."

…perhaps… …however, this entity will not allow its purpose to go unfulfilled… …Origin must be achieved by any means necessary…

"Wait, what?!" Yosuke looked confused, taking a step back out of shock. "If there's no Crux, then it should be over, shouldn't it?"

"Unless… it doesn't need the anchor anymore," observed Souji.

Naoto nodded solemnly. "Perhaps not. In that case, we must destroy it quickly before—"

…illogical presumption!!...

The group staggered backward slightly at the sudden palpable anger emanating from the Amatsu. Waves of power flowed from the primordial darkness, causing the broken roof below to snap and crack as its stability became increasingly compromised.

…this entity cannot be destroyed… …the return to Origin is inevitable, ordained by fate… …resign yourselves, for oblivion is at hand…

Another powerful surge of energy forced the group's guards up yet again, but this time the crumbling roof couldn't withstand the pressure. Large fissures began to open all across the surface as the Amatsu began a slow descent below the platform into the penetrating darkness below.

"Oh, man! That's it?" asked Chie, worry etched upon her brow as the enemy seemed to merge with the shadows below. "We've lost? There's nothing we can do?!"

"Don't give up now, Chie-chan!" cried Teddie as he glanced around. "There's always a way!"

"But only Souji-kun and Naoto-kun could hurt that thing!" said Rise with a whimper. "I… Wait… That's it! You two need to go after it!"

"I beg your pardon?!" exclaimed Naoto. "But… shouldn't we do this as a group? All for one, and one for all?"

"Naoto, we'd only get in the way," said Kanji with harsh honesty. "Besides, we can support you from here. But this is something only you and Senpai can do."

Souji shook his head. "No. Naoto's just been saved. I don't want her to—"

"Are you even listening to yourself, Souji-kun?" asked Yukiko, grabbing the silverette's shoulders and shaking him gently. "You have to do this together! Alone, you won't be able to defeat it, but both of you have the power to damage it! You both have something that it fears, that it can't understand!"

"It's… afraid," murmured Naoto, scratching her head in thought.

"How… ironic."

"Yes, it's afraid!" reiterated Yukiko, placing a hand on Naoto's shoulder and pulling both her and Souji together. "It's afraid because you both love each other!"

"Now wait a—"

"Naoto-kun, please listen to me! We have no time left! If you both don't stop it, then no one will have a home to go back to! No more Inaba! No more Yakushiji-san! No more Souji-kun!"

The last example made the sleuth pause. "Point taken, Yukiko-san. We're… the only ones who can do this. "

"That's right. Now get going! We believe in both of you!" The black-haired beauty embraced Souji and Naoto together, attempting to conceal a sniffle. "And please… come back alive…"

"Yeah!" said Rise as she too gave her friends a hug. "We just got you both back, after all!"

"Hey, let them go!" said Chie, gently pulling Rise from the two, though appearing like she wanted to hug them too. "There'll be time for hugs after they take care of business…"

"Kick ass, you two," said Kanji, patting them both on the shoulder.

"We're counting on you guys," said Yosuke with a strained smile. "We'll see you back topside, got it?"

"They'll be just fine," said Teddie with total confidence. "They're both my Sensei!"

Naoto rubbed her torn sleeve over her eyes, hiding a sniffle from everyone except Souji, who put his arm around her waist. She turned and gave the silverette a broad, confident smile, but faltered as the roof collapsed beneath them, finally unable to hold itself together after the repeated punishment it had endured.

"Let's go, Naoto," said Souji as the pair moved toward the edge of their isolated island.

"Right," said the detective, her silver eyes shining with determination and hope. "For everyone… and for Grampa."

Naoto wrapped her arms around Souji's waist and gazed up at him, her eyes shining with an inner light in spite of the darkness surrounding them. "But most of all… for you."

Souji felt his cheeks redden slightly from Naoto's statement, and she leaned gently against his chest, nodding gently to inform him that she was ready to go.

The pair dived off the edge of the crumbling roof as the others clung desperately to the scattering fragments. Souji and Naoto clung to each other in a tight embrace as they fell ever downward into the impenetrable blackness.

Souji eventually couldn't even see his own body, much less Naoto's. He closed his eyes and uttered a silent prayer, hoping for the strength and courage to keep his promise to Izanami… and thanking whatever power had decided to spare him from his original plan.

As the darkness flowed all around the pair, as Souji closed his eyes and began attempting to formulate a plan for what seemed a certainly impossible task, a clear voice rang through his ears and sent a thrill of disbelieving hope into his heart.

"Welcome… to the Velvet Room."