Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 140

Just like the last time the two had been down there they were running as fast as they could, before this Knight Of Thorns could catch up with them in any way. Do not look back, only forward, into the direction you were running. Make sure that your legs are carrying you until the finishing line No ifs or buts, just run to safety! Even though Swan knew that they would probably feel this in their legs the moment they were going to leave the Palace. Yet if it meant that they would survive that way… Then so be it.

With that said, they were still exhausted once escaping from that part of the building and having slammed the door shut, then running back upstairs. Their breath escaping over and over, not seeming to stop anytime soon.They couldn’t even talk, thus taking their time to respond as their breath just kept on escaping. They didn’t even grumble when hearing the usual laughter of Pipistrello inside their ears, its voice ringing through the entire hall at this point, or so it had felt at the very least. Usually they would have that annoyed groan, going “ What is so funny? ” in a moment’s notice, snap (for the figure in an amusing manner). But they just couldn’t at this point. It would be a waste of breath after all. And they could use all the breath right now, even with a rather dry throat.

“Exhausted from a small jog dearie?” Pipistrello could never keep its tongue in however. Of course it would say something like that, much to their own dismay. At most they could only roll their eyes once recovering, standing up straight again. 

“You might need some more exercise.” Crow commented, in Swan’s mind he was indirectly agreeing with this sentence, the sort of mocking statement right then and there. It was an indirect mockery at this point, wasn’t i–

“That’s what not just I’ve been saying but also their mother.” O just had to throw in, making them turn their gaze to the currently humanoid cat, glaring at the old man. This one however was rather unfazed, only staring back rather blankly. “Am I wrong?”

They wanted to respond but when they tried to, the words didn’t come out. But even then they would not even get a chance to begin with as Crow had to interfere in this conversation. Or rather he had cut it short from one moment to the next as he changed the topic with two whole sentences: “Let’s focus on that later. We have something more important to discuss, don’t we?”

“R… Right… Sato–San…” Swan agreed with a light nod, though their expression was somewhat pained shortly after. Just thinking back on it made it a little unbearable yet also somewhat shocking. maybe it was still from the previous Palace yet this was not something they had expected to see. The one who had been held captive in such terrible conditions… It wasn’t anyone who could be loathed nor another person, no. The one kept down there was the ruler of said Palace, the Shadow of Sato–San himself. They were debating in their mind if they had been imagining this, if this was really happening. Yet there was no doubt about it. That down there… It looked like Sato–San. This was Sato–San. With golden eyes of course yet there was no doubt that it had been the officer in question. It was him. And yet their stomach almost wanted to turn. It was hard to keep calm while learning the truth. After all…

“So, The Knight Of Thorns only deserves to have the head cut off!”

An obvious deceleration. The other Shadows they met… These two wanted him dead. And they were not shy to have made it known. Something didn’t feel right. Yet Swan ultimately decided to not say it. After all, it was obvious. And what good would it do in the end? None, exactly. So they shook their head at first, a gesture directed towards themself if anything. Just keep calm and don’t think too much into it. Keeping calm was the most important thing right now. 

“But if that was him down there then who are those two?” They continued, a good question in their mind at least. Because this wouldn’t add up. Who else would be the heroic figure? Who could it—

“Think about it for a moment.” Crow said, leaving little gap in between their sentences. He even eyed them directly, his gaze a little piercing which said it all. “Surely you’ve noticed how they have spoken earlier, haven’t you?”

“W… Well… I noticed a few things. What do you mean?”

“When you asked about the late ‘king’.” He continued. “Surely you must have noticed something.”

“Oh, that. Well, the knight talking seemed to be furious. After all, they seem to seek revenge.”

“Right. And why would they want that?”

“Usually I’d say to avenge their lord but… Even then, this was a little too personal. Not just that but they… Sounded as if they…” Yet that was where Swan stopped from one moment to the other, their voice literally freezing up. Their gaze was wide and they felt unable to blink for that moment. This was… A lot to take in and the implication was all too obvious. 

Yet it hit even harder when Crow just said it out loud, exactly what they had been thinking once realization had kicked in. “Judging from the way that hero responded, it must be this king’s ‘child’. Meaning…”

“M… Me!?” They interrupted however. Even if they had already concluded that part and couldn’t refute it. After all, the way this knight had talked about the situation was more than charged. Why would anyone even seek revenge for mere strangers? No, they had to be close. And thus one of them was representing them, without a doubt, how Sato–San would see them.

“Yes, exactly.” Crow nodded. “As for the other one–” But he would not get another word out here. 

Instead, before knowing it, O had spoken up all of a sudden, rather loudly. “Watch out!” He yelled, making the two turn. Yet as they did the next thing they saw was the cat turned human suddenly grab the blade of a massive sword in between both of his hands, shaking while holding it in place. “Bastards!”

“You two just have to sniff around instead of getting to business.” A scoff. A condescending scoff nonetheless. a tone someone would have when looking down onto someone. Yet the sword retreated moments later, being pulled back, freeing both of O’s hands. “And here we thought that you could get the job done.”

“Apologies for misjudging you.” Another voice would add, the other figure walking towards, the armor still sounding through the air. Said figure stepped closer until standing right next to the other armored figure. “I thought that we would both out for revenge. Yet if so you would have already beheaded the Knight Of Thorns, wouldn’t you?”

They were there… Both looking into the mirror. Even if they had already guessed so much it was still a shock. At least Swan was in somewhat of a shock… Because then it was revealed who laid beneath each set of armor. It was all confirmed.

The face of the fairytale knight – Anja. And the face of the knight in the gilded armor – Akechi.