---
Izuku and Mei made their way back to the lobby, the familiar sight of the teleporter filling them with a sense of relief. As they approached, Izuku handed Mei the Evoker. "Take this, as a good luck charm," he said, smiling.
Mei took it, nodding gratefully. "Thanks, Izuku. I appreciate it."
Just then, a scream echoed through the halls. "Reiko!" Izuku shouted, his heart racing. They sprinted towards the sound, only to find Reiko backing away from a figure in a trance—Yumeyona Mikuni.
"Shit!" Reiko yelled, her eyes wide with fear.
Emerging from the shadows behind Yumeyona were two imposing figures: The Arcana Emperor and Empress. The Emperor, a tall shadow with a floating mask and stiff movements, and the Empress, a peacock-like creature with a royal scepter.
"Reiko, get back!" Izuku commanded, stepping in front of her. Hitoshi and Monoma quickly joined him, their expressions grim.
Mei rushed over to Yumeyona. "Yumeyona, snap out of it!" she pleaded, but Yumeyona's eyes remained glazed over. Mei gritted her teeth and pulled out her Evoker, placing it to her head. Suddenly, a new persona appeared around her—a tall, elegant figure clad in a flowing blue robe adorned with intricate patterns. The figure's serene face and piercing red eyes radiated a calm yet powerful aura. This was Mei's awakened persona, Sophia.
Meanwhile, Yumeyona's trance-like state began to waver. "I'm... sorry, Mei," he mumbled, tears streaming down his face.
Izuku, Hitoshi, and Monoma faced the Emperor and Empress. "We need to split our attacks," Izuku instructed. "The Emperor is weak to magic, and the Empress is weak to physical attacks. Be ready for Paradigm Shifts."
"Got it," Hitoshi said, gripping his Chain Whip. "Let's take them down."
Monoma nodded, his rapier at the ready. "I'll focus on the Empress. You two handle the Emperor."
The battle began, the group working in unison. Izuku summoned Musashi, casting Aqua to exploit the Emperor's weakness. Hitoshi followed up with Eiga, dealing significant curse damage. The Emperor staggered, struggling to maintain its form.
Monoma engaged the Empress, his rapier flashing in precise strikes. "Bufu!" he called, ice shards slamming into the Empress. The Empress roared in pain, its defenses weakening.
"Mei, can you see any changes?" Izuku shouted, glancing back.
Mei, her persona Sophia analyzing the battlefield, nodded. "The Emperor's preparing for a Paradigm Shift! Be ready to switch tactics!"
Izuku gritted his teeth. "Hitoshi, switch to physical attacks! Monoma, get ready with magic!"
The Emperor and Empress began to glow, signaling the Paradigm Shift. "Now!" Izuku ordered.
Hitoshi swung his Chain Whip, delivering a powerful strike to the Emperor. Monoma cast Zionga, the electric attack coursing through the Empress. The combined assault caused both Shadows to falter.
"We've got them on the ropes!" Izuku encouraged. "Don't let up!"
With renewed determination, the team unleashed a barrage of attacks. Mei's analysis provided critical information, allowing them to exploit the Shadows' weaknesses efficiently. Finally, with one last coordinated strike, the Emperor and Empress disintegrated into dark mist, their forms dissolving into nothingness.
---
**Social Link Update:**
**THE FOOL - SEES: Rank 2**
**THE HANGED MAN - Kyoka Jiro: Rank 3**
**DEATH - Pharos: Rank 3**
**THE CHARIOT - Neito Monoma: Rank 2**
**THE MOON - Reiko Yanagi: Rank 2**
**THE HERMIT - Hitoshi Shinso: Rank 3**
**THE TOWER - Uni Nigiri: Rank 1**
**THE MAGICIAN - Mei Hatsume: Rank 2**
**Rank 4 Ability Unlocked for Kyoka Jiro (THE HANGED MAN): Follow Up
- **Description:** Chance to perform a follow-up attack if Izuku's attack does not down the enemy.
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Shadows of Hope
FanfictionIzuku Midoriya's world was shattered by relentless bullying and a tragic villain attack that took his mother and sister. Now, living in the shadows of his former self, Izuku has become a ghost in a world that no longer recognizes him. During the mys...
