Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 141

Escaping the situation was just barely possible. It had been a bit of a fierce fight at first, all three thinking that they could take the duo heads on. Three versus two, how hard could it be? Turns out, very hard. No matter what they did or how they damaged each of them it just wouldn’t do anything. It wouldn’t work. At most each attack would just get any of the two to stagger, then laugh it off. At least the Shadow look–alike of Akechi would just laugh at them in a condescending manner. “ Is that all you’ve got? ” 

A simple question yet so mocking that it somewhat hurt. It nearly infuriated them, close to attacking with blind rage, having this head on their lance, yet they knew to hold back. Nothing really worked after all. They had exchanged blows with their look alike after all, their lance clashing with the Shadow’s sword over and over. Yet that had yielded no results either. In fact it only resulted in the sound of metal echoing through the halls over and over again. Swinging, dodging, parring – All of it with little to no break in between.

It had been Ole’s suggestion in the end, fleeing before anything else could happen. And that was what the trio had done, distracting the duo quickly by faking to lunge at both… Only to jump over them and run for the exit, then leave the Palace as soon as possible…

It resulted in them standing right outside the police station, behind the building. Ole had been formed back into his cat self, sitting right next to Lukanja as they were leaning against the wall, trying to stand up straight. And even when Akechi asked if they were alright they only nodded, not wanting him to concern himself with them too much after all. A short narrowed escape yet an escape nonetheless, even if barely. Honestly, with all the exhausting movements and jumping around they were surprised that they still felt their bones. Maybe doing all sorts of stunts in Nijima–San’s Palace had given them a little more stamina than they had anticipated, making them able to endure more things than thought. But in any case they soon started talking, the shaking feeling still not having left them.

“I… I can’t believe it… Sato–San…” Lukanja began, their voice trembling, all fearful. “Having two Shadows who aim for his head…” The tension was probably felt by their cat, given that he was nuzzling against their leg a little, an attempt to calm them down perhaps. They could feel his soft fur against it after all. And yet it only did so much… 

“And now we have them after us too. Talk about annoying…” Akechi added, the sigh filled with frustration. “We have to find a way around them moving forward.”

They nodded. “Yeah.” And yet… “Although… Given that the Shadows are out for the ruler’s blood… Could it be—” They didn’t want to finish that sentence. They really didn’t. It was just terrifying to think about. They had already seen what might happen or what was going to happen when Okumura’s death had been broadcast on television. A sudden collapse, inevitable death. All because his Shadow within his Palace had been disposed of. Which is what made this even more terrifying. If the Shadows within Sato–San’s own Palace were running havoc and want him dead then that could mean—  

“Yes. He’s trying to trigger a mental shutdown.” Akechi continued the sentence. Something they didn’t want to hear. It was terrifying to hear after all. The image was way too gruesome. So much so that they really didn’t want to picture it moving forward but… “The priority is to prevent that from happening.”

Hearing that from his mouth made Lukanja let out a short gasp, at least for a moment. Their head tilted itself up, facing the so–called ace detective who was eyeing them, crossing his arms with an awfully serious expression, almost as if glaring at them. This was… Somewhat unbelievable. At least in their ears, given that they knew by now what he was capable of. In fact it had them startled, caught off guard enough where the next sentence just kind of slipped out.

“Never thought I’d hear you say that.” They said. 

It earned them an eye roll at worst before he would respond, countering: “The objective isn't to kill Officer Sato… Nor would he become a target to begin with.”

They tilted their head for a moment at that yet then shook it off quickly. Right, do not ask too many questions. But if things weren’t so terrifying right now they probably would have chuckled while saying: “Just pointing out the irony.”

Akechi groaned at that, shaking his head yet didn’t say anything, perhaps also wanting to leave the conversation at that. Therefore Lukanja took the chance to add: “Although… I’m curious. Why is he doing this?”

“You’re asking the wrong person here.”

“Y… Yeah. But… Do you think the Palace might have an answer?”

He eyed them, a little shocked yet trying to remain calm it seemed. He didn’t seem to snap at them for that or anything nor was he trying to do so. “You want to run around there a little longer?”

“If that’s alright.”

“Hah, I see why not. After all, intel is important. And we don’t have any information on the treasure either.”

“Yeah, pretty much. So we’ll keep looking around then?”

“We don’t have a choice, do we?”

“Right. Let’s meet up later and find out what’s going on!”

After all… There has to be a reason for Sato–San to act like this deep down…