Real & the Ideal: A Persona 5R Dark Sun Sequel (Goro Akechi x Amamiya Ren)

26: Throw Away Your Mask (Justice pt.3)

(Akechi's P.O.V)

"G--Guh....."

I coughed harshly through the miasma then rose my sleeve to my mouth and nose. I was knashing my teeth together, holding my breath as best I could.

My heart was slowing. I was losing air quickly.

"J-Joker..."

Skull's gaunt face turned towards Ren as he gaped at him with wide eyes.

"W-we're gonna lose...a-aren't we?"

Feeling my chest tremble, I opened my mouth and bit down on my sleeve. I gasped in breath, taking in the taste of my uniform at the same time. Maruki's attack continued to waft around us, engulfing everything in its path.

Just one breath. One single gasp of that mist, and we'd be rendered paralyzed in horror.

But then I noticed it. In the corner of my eye, Ren was frozen.

"Joker!"

Fox slashed through another wave of inebriating poison, then turned to his left to stare at Ren. I could see him wincing as sweat dripped down his face. His muffled voice behind his sleeve was shaking with concern.

"You can't hesitate! No matter how much he fights you!"

My heart instantly seized as Fox's words resonated with me. I whipped around fast, just as Ren's eyes met mine.

He was shaking now. His expression was terrified, and his breathing was laboured.

...Even his words were hesitating.

"....I.....I---" 

The clock was ticking. Time was fleeting by as Ren stood stalk still, too intoxicated by the mist to move. His turn was winding down.

"Ren! Ren it's not real!"

Panther called out from the sidelines, mere feet away from us.

"Snap out of it, Joker!" Mona called next, willing the Hero to shake off his affliction.

I watched Ren swallow heavily. He looked away from my eyes, then began searching the floor around him, too insecure to move.

"But I...it's just-"

All of a sudden Joker glanced the Plasma knife he was holding. With a fearful gasp, he dropped the item to the ground instantly. Terror stricken, he'd been rendered completely useless now.

In a mere moment, Maruki had reduced him to a child. A terrified, anxious introvert who could no longer fight.

Anger and fury burned in my chest at the dispicable scene. I felt so white hot with disgust, I couldn't stop myself as I rushed forward. I had Ren by the collar in milliseconds.

"Get a hold of yourself!!" I snapped violently. A stuttering gasp shook Ren and his eyes became saucers. All of a sudden he crumbled, throwing his hands to his head.

"D---don't! P--PLEASE!!"

Ren's turn ended. Skull's turn came and went, with Ryuji just as fearful and unable to move. Fox finished up our wasted offense by jumping at the blonde-haired persona user.

"Snap out of it!!" He smacked him across the cheek with a loud snap!

"AGH!!---eh?"

Ryuji shook his head for a moment as his brain settled on reality. He looked up to Fox, just as Yusuke glanced at me.

"Crow."