Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 136

It was a sprint yet the two of them had managed to get outside of the room really fast. The pants were audible from Swan’s part especially, them unable to catch their breath at any moment. Crow had only a short moment yet he caught himself very quickly and looking at the two in comparison it was as if he had done a small sprint. Meanwhile they were looking as if they had just run a marathon. The difference was night and day and they swore that they heard Pipistrello’s cackling inside their ears. However, just as they were about to comment on it the guy had asked them: “You’re not already exhausted, are you?”

“N… No… Just a moment though…” They responded, still desperate to catch their breath. Otherwise they would be unable to talk, literally. Get some air back into their lungs no matter what. However, that would be cut somewhat short when hearing a voice suddenly yell from afar: “There! That’s them!”

They flinched as a result, looking up and removing the hands from their knees, once more panicking. Don’t tell them another fight lies ahead! They even glanced over at Crow who nodded at their reaction, the signal to stay wary and be ready to draw their own weapon if they had to. They nodded back in response before turning to where the voice came from, only to be met with the following sight… 

Two figures were approaching the two of them. The sound of metal could be heard, a sound armor makes. Though the two armors couldn’t be more different from one another. Or at least somewhat. 

One was wearing untarnished armor. There were no scratches whatsoever, no visible damage in any way. It was almost too perfect, as if this one had jumped out of a fairytale. The one next to them was only a little different. It was not perfect armor per se yet it was still in fairly good condition, though looked a little overdone as it was a rather gilded suit. Their faces were not visible however due to their helmets on each face. And it seemed to also not just muffle their voices, no. In addition to that it was hard to identify who these belonged to, given that they also sounded clearly contorted. It was impossible to make out who these two were to represent when they were talking, leaving one to only guess. The height was of no help either as the armors may have made the both look taller than they actually were. 

“What a foolish act. You two had run into almost certain doom.” The Shadow in the gilded armor pointed out pretty much right away, soft yet also with a mocking undertone. Swan only stared a little perplexed while Crow only let out a groan when hearing that.

In fact, he was the one retorting right back. “And what would you know about that?”

Swan wanted to say something, perhaps give Crow a reminder yet was cut off pretty much right away by the other armored figure. “Cut them some slack. It’s their first time here after all, right?” The figure then looked at the two in turns. “Usually people don’t come to visit this kingdom anymore so travelers tend to stick out.”

“Kingdom?” Swan asked, tilting their head for a moment. The armored figure nodded.

“Yes, kingdom. Don’t tell me no one has warned you before you set foot in here?”

“Eh!? W… Well… Not that I remember.”

“Travelers who are unaware of this kingdom’s history and rumors despite coming here for one thing. That’s a first.” The figure laughed. “We have to fill you in now, don’t we?”

The other two looked at each other for a moment, both completely lost what was going on in this Palace. But they were going to listen, feeling as if they had to hear it all out. Maybe it would give them leads of some kind. 

The other armored figure spoke up again. “You two had entered the place beneath the castle, hadn’t you?”

“You mean the place downstairs?” Crow asked back.

The gilded figure nodded. “Yes, that one. So you two already met that beast of a knight.”

“Beast of a knight?” Swan repeated. That… Down there was a knight? Judging from the massive red dots— Ah wait, they had been spoken to after all. Nevermind. But a beast of a knight? What was that even supposed to mean? A creature in knight armor or what?

But they would get their answer by the perfectly armored individual as this one spoke up right after, though the voice became filled with a little disgust as it continued speaking. “The Knight Of Thorns. A despicable knight through and through. Bringing the king to his downfall and even leading the rebellion… He has been kept in the dungeon since it turned out that the king’s death has been unjustified. Yet you have seen the wild nature, haven’t you? Such a beast cannot be kept alive!”

“But if the knight has been captured he shouldn’t be causing any more problems.” Crow threw in and Swan had to agree. This was some logic. Shouldn’t it be save if this ‘beast of a knight’ was kept inside? The both didn’t understand yet would get their answer soon enough.

“It would be only a matter of time until he escapes. So the beast has to be dealt with swiftly.” The other Shadow said. “And besides, there’s a detail you two might be interested in as well.”

The other two were only getting more confused by the second. Yet the fairytale looking knight picked it up from there and said: “You’re here for the kingdom’s treasure, aren’t you?”

“Wha— Well… We are bu—” Swan was about to respond yet cut off.

“So you two also have a reason to defeat this beast. The treasure is kept by that so called knight after all.”

“Huh!? It is!?” Both asked in unison.

The Shadow gave them a nod. “Yeah. So we both share the same interest, don’t we?” It continued. “So we want to suggest something. Help us dispose of the knight and you’re free to go with the treasure in hand. Does that sound good?”

“You… Would hand it over to us? Just like that?” Crow asked, the skepticism in his voice more than audible. That other knight over there didn’t like that though, letting out a quick huff.

“We have no use for it. If that’s what you want, you may take it.” That Shadow responded. “All we ask is for your assistance. It would be beneficial to work together after all.”

The offer was a little too good to be true yet an offer at least Swan wanted to jump on. After all, if they could get the treasure that way then maybe things could be less of a hassle! And they had some help this time around! But they wouldn’t get to respond. It seems Crow took over those negotiations.

“I admit, your offer sounds tempting. But we just met, haven’t we? Isn’t this a little quick?” He asked.

“Perhaps. But let’s not beat around the bush for too long.” The fairytale knight countered. “You came here for one thing and we can help you get it. All you two have to do is help us. An equivalent exchange.”

“And that’s all you want in return? Our assistance?”

“Yes. Honest.”

He was left to think for a moment, not saying a word. One could see how he was pondering with everything inside his head, even if it was only for a short moment. Then he responded however but also not really. “May we think this over?”

“Hesitant, aren’t we? But fair enough. You don’t have to decide right away. Just approach us when you have made a decision.”

“Thank you.” He then turned back to Swan suddenly. “Let’ go. We’re done here for now.”

“Huh!? Already!? Bu–” Yet when looking around… One could easily tell that they had seen everything. There was not much else they could do. So it only left them to nod in agreement in the end. “Right. Let’s go back for now.” And probably think this over.