Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 191

One step into the library. They opened the door by shoving it open with both of their hands. Swan had pushed the metal door aside. The sight greeting the three of them was one which was a little difficult to take in however. A mess would not be unusual sight of a mess would not be the shocking thing here. No, that was probably the normal part. After all, their room was a mess, so was the Palace. If it was truly just a mess then it would be honestly no issue, nothing would seem amiss. However, it was more than just a mess. The sight was an utter disaster.

It was almost as if a storm had hit within the building itself. Books were on the ground, torn into shreds. Snippets of paper were on the ground, trampled over. Not just that but the book covers were also just all over the place destroyed, beyond uncanny. The shelves fell down, some having even broken apart which left splinters all over the place. There had been a rampage. It wasn’t even a question but a statement. It was all obvious, a little too obvious. Everything had just broken down, the life’s work may as well be burned, destroyed. 

Yet when looking for the two Shadows there was no sign of them. “Where are they hiding?” One could ask and at least O did ask that. And one was so close to say ‘I don’t know’. However, when taking a sharp turn with their heads they spotted someone. No sign of the other two Shadows yet one which had a bit of a different aura around it. It wasn’t red like there usually would be but some type of… Purple? Yeah, purple. Not red. Not even something black or white. No, it was purple, a rather dark purple.

The Shadow itself was also differently shaped than expected. They only saw the back of it yet judging from the arms its skin was green, pale green. Though it didn’t seem to have any hands, only something… Well, it was hard to say. Pieces were constantly falling out from the arms and disappearing into thin air midway through. The rest of the body was hard to tell as it was covered by a black rope. No one could tell if this Shadow had any legs to begin with. This rope was reaching down to the ground, as if trying to hide the rest of its body. The hair was brown, reaching up to the middle of the back. However, it looked burned down right at the end, somewhere around the half of the back up to the tips of the hair. And the dark pieces were floating around, also disappearing into thin air as they fell down. 

The Shadow let out a groan, painfully yet also distorted. No one could really make out what it sounded like, the voice being so absurdly changed that one may even question if it was even resembling a person. “Why…” It said first, slowly seeming to lift itself up, off the ground, shoulders pointed downwards. It then lifted its head upwards and then suddenly turned around… In a way where the neck may as well crack. It was just uncomfortable to look at yet they were forced to look at it, their face. The eyes glowed golden yet what should be white was black instead, something black seeming to pour down from them. The face was full of scars and scrapes, the forehead, around the eyes, the mouth and even the chin. Maybe the throat too if it was visible. The pupils were wide and that grin was just painful to look at. Desperate, full of pain, sad. There was nothing pleasant about this. 

It left them all speechless, not saying a word as the Shadow twisted around its entire body, standing up straight in front of them. And it continued to speak. No, scream. From the top of its lungs. All while facing one of them in particular – Swan.

“Are you an idiot!? You can have it all!” It yelled, voice cracking. “You have power beyond anyone’s comprehension! You know you want to kill! You can’t even trust anyone in this world!” 

“Ah, so you are them.” They only noted however. It was just difficult to look at. This was them, how they saw themself. Honestly, they weren’t really surprised. It was pretty much what they expected, what they were like. Or how they thought they were like… If they had the energy they would just laugh. A spitting image of what they believed, what they saw. Exactly what they had seen in their own reflection. 

Yet it ignored their words, only continuing to yell. “Isn't it better if everyone is just gone!? We’re both the same! I know you want this just as much!”

The words cut deep, hitting them yet again. They clutched onto their lance, unable to say a word, finding it impossible to counter. It was such a disgusting mindset but they had to admit that they were… Right. Hah, yeah… But they said to face it. They told themself to face it. Though they were shaking. This was it.

“Right!? RIGHT!? I’m right!” Their Shadow kept on yelling. Each time they only continued to grab onto their lance tighter, to the point it nearly strained their fingers. Once more they were about to just shut off. Hearing this over and over– 

Yet they came back to their senses. All it took was a quick grab on their shoulder, a firm hold. Yet nothing painful, not even close. It was reaffirming, trying to reassure them. And when they turned their head a little to the side and up, they saw Crow right next to them. His gaze went to the side, a little down to meet theirs. He didn't say anything and he didn't need to. Him looking at them was enough, the nod saying it all. Right… 

They nodded back, noticing the short moment of a slight smile on his lip. They responded in kind before turning back to the Shadow. The hand went downwards, off their shoulder. A quick glance over to O who also nodded, then the gaze back at the target in front of them.

Swan held it out, pointing right at it. “I can't deny it.” They admitted, yet only to add: “But I’m here to change that. And if I have to get past you for that, then so be it.”

The growl was audible, the Shadow not liking this answer. But of course it didn't. The eyes glowed, the aura bursting with energy. “Urgh! You've become so annoying!” It responded with a yell. “Fine! Then I’ll just kill us both!” 

There is no turning back now…