TARTARUS ● DARK HOUR ● NEW MOON ● FINALLY

Minako was fine with ghosts. Ghosts always sounded friendly whenever she heard of stories about them. She even reads horror when she feels like it. But this? This was on an entirely different level of spook that it would make even the lower shadows evacuate the whole floor and shrivel in fear.

Fifteen steps. It took Minako exactly fifteen steps to finally understand what she was about to face. Thanks to the oversized map in her head, she found it extremely hard navigating as she folded for West, away from the stairs. The first few corners she passed by were fine. It all looked the same, only that it always led to somewhere different. If it weren't for the map in her head, she'd probably be lost by now.

However, she might have not noticed her most recent footstep. A pulse of energy ran inside her almost like she stepped on a landmine then it exploded. Earlier, she wasn't able to sense any moving life form from the map, but what she felt was far more terrific than what she expected.

Not so far from where she stood, she heard a massive clanging sound as if chains were being dragged around. Furthermore, were sounds of gunshots being fired over and over again, with additional wailing every turn.

"Oh gods," She squeaked. Cold sweat running from her neck.

She didn't know what exactly happened during her realization period. She mentally blanked out but physically bolted to the direction of the ongoing battle. The next thing she knew, she was face to face with the monster Akira was referring to.

In front of her was the back of a 15-feet shadow dressed in black cloak with splotches of blood all over the trim. It had two large long guns, one on each hand, and had a line of chains hanging on its torso like a loose belt. It hovered two feet above ground and was staring down at something.

No. Not something―SOMEONE!

Before the rabid creature was a teenage boy with silver white hair wearing a red vest uniform and spikey fingerless gloves held up on both fists. The boy held a gun on his right hand, while slumped to the ground panting. He was down and defeated on one knee that was keeping him from doubling over to the floor.

Minako's heart sunk. As if fate was toying enough with her by sending her into the darkest pits of Tartarus, now this. Wounded and exhausted in front of her was her boyfriend, Akihiko Sanada.

The image was too painful that her mouth moved faster than she could think.

She let out a sharp cry, "Aki!!!!"

Akihiko and the Shadow froze from attacking. Akihiko's eyes fixed unto her, his face covered in bruises. Minako saw his face slack as he smiled at her mouthing something like: Thank god. But before she knew it, it was too late.

BANG!

Akihiko's body fell to the ground and she felt the life of her man slipping away.

"No.." She said, her face stunned and bleached. She waited for Akihiko to move, but he wasn't moving.

The Shadow began to move, and was about to pick up his lifeless body when Minako screamed in agony. Her screams reached even the lowest parts of Tartarus that the tower shook from her voice.

The monster turned to her, holding both guns that attacked her beloved.

"DEATH THE REAPER!" She cursed. "I WILL END YOU!"

Many times has she sensed Death before. Many times has she fled at the sight of its guns. But tonight, even Death as a whole sprung no fear in her gut, but only hatred.

She waited for no one. She waited for nothing. Even the howls of Death was useless. Minako lunged and somersaulted aiming for its neck. The Reaper swung several dodges back and side just to avoid her advances. The girl was too enraged to find sense in her actions. However, despite her charging relentlessly, Death was far too strong for physical attacks. The Reaper swatted her aside, slamming her body on the wall.

Her body ached. She felt like a tossed out ragdoll thrown in the dumpster. In all her might, she anchored her Naginata to the floor, rocking her body for balance. Despite the worked out endurance, Minako understood that her body was nearing its limit. Soon enough her energy will exhaust and Death would defeat her.

She tensed. The idea wasn't ideal. She wasn't going to let this stuck up Shadow defeat her. She is the wildcard, the retainer of Nyx. No measly Shadow was allowed to kill her. Not even Death.

Her eyes glowed in gold. Her aura changed. With all she got, she mustered the power of Tartarus, bending the will of the tower to hers.

"Lend me your strength." She said in a growling voice and the dungeon shook. Plume of white light surrounded her. The wounds on her thigh closed. The bruises on her cheek disappeared. Minako stood tall enveloped in glory, and the Reaper was about to die.

She took out her evoker, pointing the end next to her head and yelled: PERSONA!

A gust of wind erupted around her and Skadi howled materializing from her psyche.

Shards and blocks of ice fell upon Death, not even allowing a single moment for the Reaper to counter. Minako took out every bullet it aimed, gracefully dodging its blow.

She felt Death was about to summon a killing blow at her, but Minako was faster. She summoned Odin and electrocuted the demon down to its knees, just like what it did to Akihiko.

Death was too stunned to heal itself. Thunder call was far too powerful for an amateur magician. Death was no magician, it was simply a creature that enjoyed harvesting souls.

The Shadow staggered to its feet as she now towered above it.

"This. Ends. Now." She said in a cold stern tone.

She pulled the trigger to her head and Helel erupted behind her, carrying her off on his left arm. The six-winged horned angel towered over the crashed down Reaper on the floor as Minako commandeered the final blow.

Helel raised his right arm and beams of celestial light rained down from the ceiling, surrounding a ring of white and gold all over the Reaper.

"Goodbye Death. Let's meet again. Soon." She said in a distant gaze. "Morning Light!"

The instant she yelled for the spell, a massive nuclear ball of celestial power exploded from Death's core, disintegrating the Shadow to a plume of smoke. Minako watched the remains of her nemesis disappear into the cracks and crevices of the wall as Helel subsided and slept back into her unconscious.

* * * *

Once a killing machine, always a killing machine. Minako had always been scared of Death, and it felt really good for her to finally defeat her archenemy. Death may be reborn again, but this time, she won't flee and hide anymore. Death was merely a door for realization and betterment.

As soon as her rage relented, Minako's eyes returned to its usual senses. Her gaze fell to Akihiko's lifeless body lying cold on the floor. She tossed her Naginata aside and knelt down to find his pulse. If this was Minako before she met Tartarus, she would have panicked and sobbed. But no, she needed to find a way.

Her hand ran to his neck and wrist checking for a sign of life. There was no pulse on the wrist but a faint beat was still on his under jaw.

"Aki, stay with me." She demanded as she pulled her evoker out from her side.

She knew her body and mind was going to break if she summoned another Persona. The battle earlier required her to use high end ones with extremely taxing attacks. Not to mention Helel being an almighty being using celestial energy. Moreover, using a Persona to revive a person almost to the door of death will take a huge toll on the summoner. Yet that didn't matter to her.

"Not today death." She heaved under her breath.

She pulled the trigger and summoned Hariti―the Buddhist goddess―pouring every bit of energy needed for the spell. Once full gauged, she chanted: Samarecarm, and light flowed all over Akihiko's body, healing up every injury he obtained.

By the time Hariti disappeared, Akihiko gasped and his eyes fluttered open. He groaned and turned possibly feeling the strain of his recent adversary.

Minako sobbed in rough loads of breathing, "Thank gods." her voice cracked.

Akihiko turned to the crying girl and reached for her cheek, smiling weakly, "Hey there beautiful."

Minako grunted but helped him up to his bum, letting him lean against the wall. She crouched beside him, facing him forward and punched him hard on the gut.

"Ow!" Akihiko complained, rubbing the part where she hit, "What was―"

"You idiot!" She wailed. "You dare die before me?!" Tears fleeted down like waterfall and rain.

His gaze softened. "Sorry, I lured Death to save the kid."

"You bet you do!" She grunted. "That's the infuriating part! You did it to save the kid!"

Akihiko chuckled, "Did you meet her?"

"I did." She sniffed. "I sent her back. Also, you should've at least activated the portal before you left! Akira didn't know what to do!"

He wiped a dangling tear on her lower eyelash, "I knew you were alive and I knew you'd come back no matter what so I did what you told me and came back when Fuuka said Tartarus subsided."

She frowned and hit him again, "I hate you."

"What?"

"I said I hate you Akihiko! It pisses me off how you thought the Reaper was an easy match. You can't just think every opponent can be punched and they'll let you off! What if I was too late? What if―"

Her thoughts melted. Never has she thought that someone could interrupt her from talking by using the very means of talking.

He pulled away and her lips quivered.

"What if?" He urged her to continue as a smile crept up on his lips.

He was still too close for her to think. Heck, all she could even think about was how his breath smelled like cinnamon.

"That's a low blow Sanada!" She yelled, bringing with it a brilliantly red blush.

Akihiko cracked up, "Now you're beginning to sound like my coach."

Minako pouted, punching his chest.

"Hey!" He said catching her fist.

"Never do that again!"

"The what?" He sneered.

"The dying you idiot! And that's a command from your leader. Defy it and I will personally shove your ribs into your nose."

Threatening as it may sound, Akihiko found her declaration very cute. He brushed his thumb against her swollen eye and kissed her tears away. "Yes ma'am." He said and pulled her into his arms.

He expected her to fight knowing how stubborn she could get when she's mad, but surprisingly she eased down and burried her face to his chest.

"Don't think I'm done with you, Aki." She grumbled.

He chuckled, "And you're back to being my girlfriend."

She snorted, "You're such a dork."

Tartarus may be filled with uncertainties and Death might come back to kill them again, but one thing is for sure: It's refreshing to see the girl being the overprotective one while threatening the guy into taking care of himself. Nevertheless, their relationship proved that trust is necessary to accomplish anything.

"Aki..."

"Mhmm?"

"You know we have to go back, right?"

"...."

"Aki!!!"

"Hahahahahaha."

"Your silence means 「No」, isn't it?"