Leviathan: A Persona 5 Goro Akechi x Amamiya Ren Original

4: Scavenger

(Akechi's P.O.V)

A cat?

Unable to understand my surroundings, nor the fact that a black cat with piercing eyes was speaking to me from inside the sewer, I could only stand there silently. My attempts at rationalizing my situation were coming up completely useless.

But at the same time, my suspicions only grew. First, I was being stalked. Then, all of a sudden I'm suffering from fainting spells.

...now, I'm seeing things.

My mood soured as I bucked up, preparing my body for what felt like danger. Whatever this entity was, it knew my codename that Lavenza had spoken.

'Hero'.

"Show yourself."

With only an utterance of patience, I seethed my words from my teeth. I only ever exhibited my ruthless side during interrogations. It wasn't a mask I adorned often; something I only brought out when absolutely necessary.

But currently, something really wasn't right. If I didn't go forward to protect myself, I didn't know when, or where, I would suddenly wake up next.

I couldn't afford to make mistakes right now.

"I'm only here to help. You can soften your guard." The feline challenged me with a calm, collected tone. His paws drew him forward from the shadows, to which I observed bright blue eyes, a black mask fastened to his head, and a yellow scarf around his neck.

His entire body was cartoonesque. The very sight of him only solidified my burning questions.

Was this Ren's doing? Had he drugged the food he'd given me? Was I suffering some kind of tailspin from being fed a hallucinogen? 

If so, why?

"I'm sure you have many questions, Akechi. But we don't have much time to talk. You'll have to follow me inside this sewer in order to get the answers you seek."

The cat stepped even closer to me, and I backed away in response. I could only bare my teeth in warning.

"I don't need the help of a cat.." I pressed.

The young animal's mood flipped as it suddenly hissed at me.

"I am NOT a cat. I am MORGANA."

With a single wave of his paw, that same muscular entity that Lavenza had called 'Robin Hood' appeared at my side. Almost as if the feline had summoned him to appear.

"Trust me when I tell you that I'm here to assist you. I am an attendant, just like Lavenza." Morgana eyed me firmly.

"If you don't accept my help, and an intervention isn't started, your destiny is sure to turn grave. I am the only hope you have right now."

Morgana bared his own fangs at me in warning.

"...and you best remember that."

My eyes widened in surprise, but I harnessed control on how much of my suspicion I gave away in my expeessjon. The admissions this cat was spouting, along with the mention of the familiar name of the young girl who'd given me some sort of ability...

Without thinking, I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and rose him to eye level with a snarl.

"What the hell is going on? Stop stalling and just tell me. " To the sudden yowl of the cat, I didn't readily put him down when he began to flail.

"Arghhh! PUT ME DOWN!"

A single blink was all it took for the cat to slash at me. I dropped him instantly when his nails cut into my cheekbone.