Ch 12: Kitsune

Using Persona, Amy enter's a phantasmal copy of Aerennis. She encounters an ethereal being known as a kitsune, who claims that she must destroy Grey's memories to protect the entire world.

            Using her Persona ability, as Amy felt her consciousness being pulled towards Grey’s, she thought, “Don’t worry, I’m on my way!” In a flash of colors, Amy found herself in familiar surroundings. A rural and calm village, its buildings simple but still sturdy and practical, with stone lined streets and flowers everywhere. Staring in surprise, Amy whispered, “Aerennis…” Suddenly she heard a female voice that seemed to come from behind her. The voice said, “You’ve come.” Turning, Amy saw a fox with nine tails sitting in the street a short was away, her fur white and orange. The fox’s mouth did not move as she said, “You cannot help him now, his heart is already splitting apart.” 

The color draining from her face, Amy exclaimed, “What?!” Nodding sagely, the fox continued, “There is a great darkness in him. It was hidden away in his heart, but now that the memories sealed away by the phoenix stone are trying to come back to him, the darkness has been stirred from its slumber by his painful memories. The dark one, the being you know as the Nameless One, also resides here within him, and has taken control of his darkness in an attempt to use it in order to destroy him from within. Things might have been different had he been able to face it, but the shock was so great he rejected it by instinct, and his current state of mind is no longer capable. Soon his heart will shatter, and the balance of the Links will be destroyed. I am here to ensure that does not happen by erasing his memories permanently, removing the stimulus that fuels his darkness. Please do not interfere.” Staring at the fox in terror, Amy said, “No! You can’t do that! Can’t we do something else to save him?!” 

Closing her eyes as though in thought, the fox replied, “There is simply no time. His heart is almost at its limit, and if the Links are destroyed, the entire world will follow.” Confused, Amy said, “Links? The entire world? I don’t understand what’s going on…” Rising to her feet and starting to walk away, the fox replied, “It is not for you to know. Even without his memories, as long as he exists, there is still a chance our existence can be saved. This is a necessary sacrifice.” Clenching her fists in anger, Amy shouted, “A necessary sacrifice?! Who do you think you are to make such a choice?! You have no right!” Turning back to look at her, the fox narrowed its eyes and said, “I am a kitsune. An ethereal creature that watches over the Links. Grey is a special being. Many powers, both known and unknown, convened in order to bring him into this world and help him save it. We can neither afford to lose him nor the Links that have all connected themselves to his heart. Do you desire this world’s destruction?” 

Staring down at the ground for a moment, Amy said, “Even though Grey lost his memories before, he’d only lost them, it’s not like they were destroyed like you intend to do. They were a part of his heart, right?” Nodding, the kitsune said, “Yes.” Looking up at the kitsune with a sad smile, Amy said, “That’s why you can’t destroy his memories! If you destroy them, his heart won’t be the same! It’ll just be empty…” With a pleading look in her eyes, Amy desperately added, “He won’t be Grey! Grey’s power is his heart, and without his power we can’t save our world!”

            Staring at Amy for a moment, at last the kitsune said, “I see… We must move quickly. If we cannot afford to lose his memories, we must go to his heart and find a way to stop the darkness.” With mixed a look of hope and surprise, Amy said, “Kitsune?!” Approaching Amy, the kitsune said, “Do not get excited, Sage of Memories. This is likely a suicide mission, but we must try nonetheless!” Suddenly the Kitsune leaped at Amy, but as the kitsune’s head struck Amy’s stomach, the kitsune seemed to be absorbed into Amy’s body. Startled, Amy said, “W-what? Kitsune?” The kitsune’s voice said in her mind, “Do not worry, I am with you. Also, kitsune is what I am, not who I am. My name is Sakura.” Turning to look back up the street in the direction of the square, Amy said, “Oh, alright. So Sakura, where do we go?” Sakura replied, “I’m afraid I could not say. Remember, this world is only a manifestation of his mind, created by your Persona ability. His consciousness is likely wandering here somewhere, scared and confused by the turmoil within his heart. Our discussions waste time. I will use my power to maintain your Persona indefinitely, but you must find him before his heart shatters.” Nodding, Amy said, “Right!”

            Rushing through the streets of the phantom village, the streets were as empty as Amy had expected. Having thought of an idea about where Grey may be, she plotted a course straight for the Greyson manor. Suddenly sensing something, Amy stopped and looked around. She could see nothing unusual though, and quickly Sakura exclaimed, “What are you doing?! We have no time to stand around!” Continuing on her way, Amy said, “Yeah, sorry…” Watching her run off from the roof of a nearby building, a woman with short blue hair wearing a blue fox mask said, “That’s right Sis, let her lead me straight to him…” Arriving at last, Amy rushed onto the large lot and into a beautiful garden surrounding the Greyson manor, a three story, brick red building. Pausing as she saw it, Amy said, “But, wasn’t it…?” In her mind, Sakura said, “This is not reality. This is the manifestation of his mind. This town meant much to him, and even though he cannot remember where this place is or what meaning it holds for him, the image of Aerennis as it was before the events of three years ago is burned into his mind. That is why the Persona manifested in this form.” 

Suddenly feeling as though she was being watched, Amy turned to look up at a second story window to see a child staring back at her with a look of surprise, a boy with brown hair, and she quickly exclaimed, “Grey!” Suddenly Grey’s appearance changed for a split second, his hair becoming white, and rubbing her eyes a moment, Amy thought, “Wait, was that really Grey?” But as she looked again, it seemed the boy had stepped away from the window. Bringing Amy to her senses, Sakura said, “No time to celebrate. The surprised look on his face makes me wonder if you are burned into his mind as well. Perhaps you can get him to calm down.” Suddenly a voice said, “Sorry Sis, this is the end of the line for you.” As Amy turned around to face the bearer of the voice, a ball of blue spirit fire struck her and exploded, sending her crashing through the front door of the manor.

            Sprawled out in the entry hall of the manor amongst the pieces of the broken door, Amy groaned in pain. Sakura quickly asked, “Are you alright Sage of Memories?” Struggling up, Amy said, “Yeah… I raised a weak barrier at the last second there, but who attacked me?” Stepping through the front door, a blue haired woman wearing a blue fox mask said, “That’d be me! Mai!” In addition to the mask, Mai wore a short, sleeveless dark blue tunic, long, laced up black arm warps that were laced with blue string, laced up black socks also tied with blue string, and sandals. Before Amy could say a word, Sakura separated herself from Amy, leaping out of her body onto the hardwood floor. Then Sakura’s body morphed into a humanoid form, a woman with short brown hair who wore a white fox mask and was dressed in a white sleeveless top, a long brown woven skirt, laced arm wraps and sandals with white socks. Around her neck she also wore a necklace of white beads. 

As Sakura seemed to meet Mai’s gaze, she said, “What is a Yugure Kitsune like you doing here?! What are you plotting?!” With a chuckle, Mai said, “It’s nice to see you too Sis!” Suddenly blue flames lit themselves around Mai, as though invisible candlesticks floated in the air around her, and Mai said, “Tepes was concerned about whether you Inari Kitsune would be able to do your job. She suggested I keep an eye on you, and you know how we love messing with you Inari! Judging by how you’re helping the Sage of Memories, it looks like you didn’t have the stomach for this after all.” White flames of spirit energy beginning to surround her hands, Sakura said, “I know not what an Observer like Tepes thinks she is doing meddling in our affairs, but it is a matter of dire urgency that we put an end to Grey’s darkness, and you will not interfere!” Channeling EDE into one of her hands, Mai defiantly said, “Then let’s go, Sakura!”

            Raising her hand, Mai fired a ball of spirit fire at Sakura, however Sakura knocked it aside with her flaming hands and lunged at Mai, swiping with her hands as though to slash with claws. Dodging her swipes, Mai began to counter with strikes and kicks, finally catching Sakura in the gut with a powerful thrust kick and knocking her flat on her back close to where Amy stood watching in confusion. Sitting up to see the floating blue flames gathering around Mai’s hand, Sakura reached for something in her clothes. Forming a ring in the air as Mai held her hand facing Sakura and Amy, the blue flames burned more intensely as Mai raised her other hand before her and performed a hand sign as she said, “Akuryouno Takigi!” As the blue flame ring shot out at them Sakura withdrew a paper talisman, but stepping forward, Amy raised a psychic barrier. 

Amy and Sakura disappeared from sight as the blue flames struck and erupted into a flaming pyre against the barrier. Then three paper talismans shot out of the aftermath, striking Mai and detonating in white, fiery explosions upon contact, sending her sailing back out the front door. The aftermath clearing to show both Amy and Sakura unharmed, Amy sighed in relief and said, “Nice one Sakura!” Turning to Amy, Sakura said, “You as well. However, you cannot stand around here! We have no time! I will handle her, hurry up and find him!” With that Sakura burst out the front door with lightning speed, leaping into the air and coming down on Mai as she laid there reeling from the explosive talismans. Flipping backwards up off the ground, Mai got out of the way and back onto her feet just as Sakura dug into the ground with her flaming hands. 

Quickly raising a hand and performing a hand sign, Mai said, “Kakuu No Keimusho!” Sakura withdrew more paper talismans and hurled them at Mai, but as the talismans passed through her harmlessly, Mai simply began to laugh. As the world around Sakura went dark and began to twist and sway, Sakura thought, “Illusions created through the power of an evil spirit…” After she’d stopped laughing, Mai called out, “Sorry Sis, I’m short on time too. I’m off to erase some memories! Laters!” Kneeling on the ground and reaching up to hold the necklace of beads around her neck, Sakura began to recite a spiritual prayer, saying, “Shinsei No Seishin Ha Watashino Inori Wo Kiku To Kono Saa Banto Wo Watashino Maeni Akuyouwo Oiharu Chikarawo Fuyo Suri. Ekusoshisutoshiiru!” Her body became surrounded by white fire, and shooting across the ground in different directions, streams of white flame sought out the evil spirits that had hidden themselves around Sakura and destroyed them. The illusions faded as Sakura stood and rushed back to the manor, muttering, “It’s not unusual for Yugure to play pranks or cause mischief, but this is over the line! Even if she does not understand the problem with erasing his memories, as a Yugure her specialty lies in dealing with souls of the dead! If she makes any mistakes…”

            Running through the second floor halls of the Greyson manor, Amy called out, “Grey! Please, answer me! I’m here to help you!” Turning down another hall, as Amy proceeded down it she thought to herself, “Where is he? At this rate…” Checking room after room, after a while Amy realized something strange. Though she had been proceeding down the hallway as she checked the rooms, she seemed to be making no progress, the distance to the end of the hall remaining the same. Breaking into a run, after a minute had passed she still had made it no closer to the hall’s end. Catching her breath, Amy said, “What happened to the hall? It’s like I’m on a treadmill!” Suddenly Mai’s voice said, “Sorry girlie, you’re no match for a Yugure!” 

Looking around, Amy could not see Mai anywhere, and she fearfully demanded, “What did you do to Sakura?!” Mai called out, “Same thing I did to you. Give it up and enjoy this endless hallway for a while, I’ll be done with your boyfriend soon enough.” Forming Insigne Memoriae, Amy summoned Reaper’s memory shard and placed it in the glove’s socket as she said, “I WILL save him! Reaper, Dispel Illusion!” Reaper’s shard glowed as he replied, “As you command!” A pulse of energy radiated from Insigne Memoriae and the illusion of the endless hallway disappeared, revealing Mai standing down the hall from Amy. Raising a hand to perform a hand sign, Mai muttered, “Stupid kid! This is what I get for playing nice? Time to teach you a lesson!” Suddenly, Sakura in fox form rushed up behind Mai, leaping into the air and body slamming her. Mai landed flat on her face, and a small blue ball fell out of her clothes and bounced down the hall to stop at Amy’s feet. As Mai let out a groan, paper talismans shout out and stuck themselves onto the ground and walls around her. Standing before her was Sakura in humanoid form, who quickly clutched her necklace of prayer beads as she said, “Kono Wagamama Na Saa Banto Wo Yokusei Suru!” The talismans crackled with power, and Sakura said to Mai, “You’ll cause no more mischief today, Yugure!” 

Struggling up and attempting to lash out, some invisible force knocked Mai back, and as she landed on her behind, Mai muttered, “A seal?! Damn you Sis!” Picking up the blue ball, Amy said, “What’s this?” Becoming even more agitated as she saw her holding the blue ball, Mai quickly exclaimed, “Hey, that’s mine!” Seeming to stare at the ball in Amy’s hand, Sakura said, “That is a kitsune ball. As you are not one who uses spirit based abilities, it will be of little use to you. Still, I suppose it might prove useful to someone you know, and it would be better than returning it to this undeserving ingrate…” Staring at the ball with interest, Amy thought, “Spirit huh? Maybe Bella could use it.” Sakura quickly interrupted her thoughts, saying, “Forget about it for now. Where’s Grey?” Heaving a sigh, Amy started to say, “I can’t find him, he…” Suddenly sensing a familiar presence behind her, Amy looked back and saw young Grey standing at the end of the hall behind her.

            With a frightened look, Grey ran off as soon as Amy laid eyes on him, and she quickly chased after him as she called out, “Grey, wait!” Running through the halls trying to escape, Grey shouted, “Leave me alone!” Refusing to give up, Amy said, “No! I want to help you! It’s me Grey, it’s Amy! You have to remember! You have to!” Then Grey suddenly tripped and fell face down on the floor. Walking up to him, Amy reached out to help him up as she said, “Are you ok?” Knocking her hands away, breathing heavily, Grey said, “I can’t take this anymore! I don’t understand what’s going on, I can’t think! I… I don’t know where or who I am anymore! Something dark feels like it’s about to break out of me…” Kneeling next to him, Amy said, “You’re Grey, and you’ve lost your memory, but everything is going to be alright. We’re going to face the darkness together.” Looking torn as he stared at her, Grey said, “Who are you?” Smiling, feeling nostalgic to see him as a child again, Amy said, “The Sage of Memories, a very good friend of yours.” Moving so that he sat facing her, Grey said, “Can’t I just not remember anything? I wanted to remember, but it was so painful...” Shaking her head, Amy said, “What about the good times? The friends you’ve made? Don’t you want them back? You have a lot of sad memories, a lot of scary memories, a lot of doubts and fears, but together with those friends you were able to overcome them all.” Offering her hand, Amy said, “You can do it again, and I’ll be right here to help you.”