Chapter 54; Discharge release Pt:2

...05/09/2009 Saturday; Dark Hour...

...FULL MOON OPERATION...

The cables of the Hermit Arcana burrowed into the ground and walls around them, piercing through stores and spreading destruction throughout the mall.

Small bolts of lightning started crackling around the entity, intensifying the chaotic atmosphere.

Hiro grabbed Akihiko's arm firmly, his eyes locked on the Arcana ahead. "I hate to admit it, but you're gonna be our shield!"

Akihiko stared at him, dumbfounded. "What? Just because I'm immune to lightning attacks?"

Before he could protest further, Mitsuru was already ready to agree. "Hiro is right, Akihiko. You're our protection against it."

She drew her rapier, preparing for the battle that grew more intense by the second.

The Shadow Arcana let out a horrific roar, and massive cables were launched toward them. In a split second, Aigis leaped to protect Fuuka, carrying her away.

Hiro and Shinjiro positioned themselves back-to-back, surrounded by cables.

With a swift movement, Hiro raised his kukri, slashing through one of the cables with an upward strike.

Beside him, Shinjiro let out a grunt of effort, and with a powerful swing of his battle axe, he severed three cables at once, creating space around them.

Minato charged in with his sword, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Yukari! Aigis! Stay away from the Arcana! You're weak to lightning!"

With agility, he leaped and struck the creature's orange mask, eliciting a deep, pained groan from it before it started pulling in even more energy.

Mitsuru, realizing the gravity of the situation, shouted, "Yamagishi! Analyze the Shadow Arcana! Now!"

Fuuka clasped her hands together, summoning Lucia, who emerged around her. A pulse of light emanated from her Persona, like sonar scanning for every possible detail.

"It's going to take two minutes!" Fuuka yelled, drawing patterns in the air with her mind.

"But don't get close to the cables behind it! A shock like that could wipe us out!"

Without hesitation, Minato pulled out his Evoker, spinning it on his finger before aiming it at his own head.

"Daisoujou!" he called, pulling the trigger. The Evoker flashed, and his Persona emerged.

He wore traditional Japanese attire, a long yellow robe adorned with floral patterns.

Over it, he had a green jacket with detailed embellishments.

A high, conical yellow hat with floral designs rested on his head.

In one hand, he held a small bell; in the other, a pearl necklace—items typically associated with religious or spiritual rituals.

His skeletal figure contrasted sharply with his elegant attire.

The ghostly presence of Daisoujou appeared, shaking the bell in his hands.

A kanji of light formed above the Shadow Arcana, and a lance of light descended from the heavens like a missile, piercing the creature's back.

The Arcana let out another screech, and the cables embedded in the walls began to glow yellow, pulsing with electricity.

Akihiko, noticing one of the cables rushing toward him, grabbed it and, with his gauntlets, shattered it with a powerful punch.

His voice carried across the battlefield, weighted with concern. "Fuuka! What's it doing?"

Fuuka, clearly alarmed, quickly responded, "It's gathering energy for a massive electric discharge!"

Hiro, stepping back to gain momentum, made a split-second decision.

"I'm not letting that happen!" he shouted, sprinting toward the creature and pulling out his Evoker.

With decisive motion, he aimed it at his own head and shouted, "Persona!"

A burst of light accompanied the summoning, and Lucifer emerged with a chilling, deranged laugh, his wings beating powerfully.

Lucifer flew toward the Hermit Arcana's head, tearing into it with his razor-sharp claws.

Meanwhile, Ken, now fully determined, spun his spear, aiming for the Arcana's head.

But he didn't notice the growing yellow glow right above him—the Arcana's attack was about to be unleashed.

Akihiko, realizing the imminent danger, sprinted toward Ken and shoved him aside, knocking him to the ground.

A second later, the Hermit Arcana let out an ear-splitting screech, and a colossal bolt of lightning tore through the mall's ceiling, striking Akihiko directly on the head.

Everyone froze, stunned by what had just happened.

Akihiko dropped to his knees, trembling slightly as he struggled to recover.

He muttered, irritated, clutching his head, which was still throbbing from the impact. "Damn it… Even with immunity… that fucking hurt."

The Hermit Arcana let out an even more terrifying roar, and the lamps on its back glowed with renewed intensity.

A field of yellow lightning began forming across the mall's ceiling, creating an impending storm of destruction.

Mitsuru, realizing the danger, quickly pulled out her Evoker. "Everyone, get close to me! Now!" Her firm voice spurred everyone into action.

Shinjiro rushed over to Akihiko, still reeling from the previous attack, hoisting him onto his back and running toward Mitsuru.

At the same time, Hiro sprinted to grab Ken and Koromaru, holding them tightly.

Koromaru's warning bark made Hiro glance up just in time to see an electric cable speeding toward him.

Before he could react, an arrow fired by Yukari struck the cable, saving him at the last second.

Yukari shouted urgently, "Hiro, hurry up!"

Hiro, panting, responded as he ran, "I'm coming, damn it!"

Lightning began crashing down behind him, obliterating the floor where he had just been.

In a desperate sprint, Hiro slid across the ground, stopping beside Mitsuru while still carrying Ken and Koromaru.

Mitsuru wasted no time, aiming the Evoker at her head. "Penthesilea!"

She pulled the trigger, and her Persona appeared above the group with effortless grace.

Spinning her twin swords, Penthesilea summoned Diamond Dust, conjuring a sphere of ice that enveloped them all.

Lightning struck the icy barrier, but it held firm, protecting them from the Arcana's attacks.

Ken let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Mikoshi-senpai."

Hiro, however, looked at Mitsuru with concern. "Are you okay? You're getting pale!" He could see exhaustion taking over her.

Mitsuru took a deep breath and replied with difficulty, "I'm fine... but this magic drains me. I can only use it one more time."

Shinjiro, visibly tense, interrupted, "Enough with the chit-chat. What do we do about this thing? Just getting close gets us zapped! And Akihiko ain't a lightning rod!"

Akihiko shot him an ironic look. "You're just noticing that now?"

Yukari sighed. "Anyway, you all noticed we need to get those cables off the walls, right?"

Aigis, looking directly at Yukari, confirmed, "Yes. The Arcana is using the mall's energy to strengthen itself."

She then turned to Fuuka. "Fuuka-san, have you detected anything that could help us?"

Fuuka, with a determined look, answered, "Yes. Besides cutting the cables, if we manage to break the lights on the Arcana's back, we can weaken it."

She looked at Shinjiro. "Aragaki-senpai, your Theurgy is ready!"

Everyone turned their eyes to Shinjiro, who pressed the Gekkoukan High emblem on his armband, pulling out the Theurgy cartridge.

He inserted it into the Evoker with a firm click. "I'll summon my Persona when you guys cut the cables. Kastor can break some of the lights, but not all of them."

Minato, his voice steady, looked at the group. "Hiro and I can break one light. Someone else will need to handle the last one."

Aigis placed a hand over her chest. "I can do it. Please, allow me to assist you."

Mitsuru nodded, setting the final plan. "Good. Arisato, you, Hiro, and Aigis will take care of the lights. The rest focus on ripping out the cables. Aragaki, wait for my signal."

Yellow flashes illuminated the mall's ceiling as lightning relentlessly struck Mitsuru's ice barrier. But the ice was starting to crack.

Aigis wasted no time. She made an opening in the ice sphere and slid across the floor with precise movement.

Her arms rose, and her built-in machine guns unleashed a barrage of bullets at the Hermit Arcana.

The shots tore through its metallic carapace, and a pained shriek echoed. Seizing the moment, Aigis leaped high into the air and activated her Evoker.

"Palladion!"

Her voice resonated across the battlefield, and the massive mechanical figure emerged.

With overwhelming force, Palladion launched itself like a missile at the Arcana, its lance piercing the creature's abdomen.

A thick, black liquid gushed to the ground as the Arcana howled in agony.

Energy started to build up around it once again.

Suddenly, the ice sphere shielding the group shattered, shards flying in all directions.

Without hesitation, everyone rushed toward the cables scattered along the mall's walls.

Ken and Koromaru sprinted toward the security office, where one of the pulsating cables was connected to an energy box.

Ken eyed the cable, confused. "How do I cut this? My spear won't work..."

He glanced to the side, and Koromaru barked, his eyes fixed on the Evoker at Ken's waist.

Understanding hit him like a bolt of lightning. "Oh, right... Thanks, Koromaru."

With a determined motion, Ken pulled out his Evoker and pressed it against his head. "Come forth, Nemesis!"

He pulled the trigger, the familiar flash appearing on the other side of his head.

Nemesis emerged in its ominous form.

The saws in its structure began spinning rapidly, tearing through the cable like paper.

The cable finally snapped, and a shock surged through Ken's body, forcing him to his knees in pain.

Biting his lip, he muttered, "Damn... that hurt..."

Koromaru, worried, rushed to him and used his improvised medical kit.

A Media crystal was crushed between the dog's teeth, and its healing power enveloped Ken.

Ken patted Koromaru's head with a smile. "Thanks, buddy. Kirijo-senpai! One down!"

Hiro and Mitsuru moved in perfect sync, their weapons cutting through the surrounding cables.

Hiro extended his hand to Mitsuru, eyes locked on the cables still constricting them.

"Let's go!" His voice was firm but urgent.

Mitsuru grabbed Hiro's hand without hesitation.

With a swift movement, Hiro launched Mitsuru into the air.

Mitsuru spun midair with the grace of a dancer, her rapier slicing through the cables trying to ensnare her.

Her movements were quick, precise—a dance of blades.

Akihiko, pulling and ripping another cable with brute force, observed the scene.

His eyes widened, and he muttered in surprise, "Holy shit..."

As Mitsuru descended, Hiro, without missing a beat, twirled his kukri, slicing through another cable near his leg.

He then sprinted toward Mitsuru to catch her in midair.

However, a mass of cables surged from the floor, blocking his path.

Hiro scoffed in irritation, and in an instant, he pulled out his Evoker and aimed it at his own head.

"Take them down, Lucifer!" The gunshot rang metallically through the battlefield.

Lucifer emerged in the air, its black wings beating with overwhelming force.

With a powerful spin, the Persona unleashed a tempest of fire—Agilao.

Flames slashed through the air, consuming the cables and reducing them to ashes.

Without hesitation, Hiro charged through the flames, feeling the scorching heat around him.

His arms extended at the precise moment, catching Mitsuru in the air with impressive accuracy.

They landed smoothly on the ground, and Hiro carefully set Mitsuru down.

He looked at her, his smile laced with pride. "Not bad, huh? For a last-minute plan."

Mitsuru, regaining her balance, returned the smile, the exhaustion in her eyes now replaced with determination.

Pressing her back against his, she raised her rapier elegantly, her stance impeccable.

"I'd say the same. Now... shall we?" Her voice was soft but filled with challenge.

Without words, they exchanged a quick glance. Hiro twirled his kukri, ready to continue.

Mitsuru, at his side, raised her rapier. Together, they dashed forward like arrows, slashing every cable in their path.

Mitsuru, still running, pulled out her Evoker and aimed it at her head.

"Persona!" Her shout cut through the air as she summoned Penthesilea.

Her Persona emerged, and with a spin of its swords, cast Bufu.

A cold mist enveloped the cables, freezing them into crystalline ice.

Hiro surged forward, his kukri shattering the ice with precise strikes, clearing the path to the Hermit Arcana.

Finally, Hiro shouted, "Minato!"

Minato charged forward with agility, spinning his Evoker between his fingers.

With a smooth motion, he aimed it at his head and pulled the trigger.

"Loki!"

Loki materialized, his presence cold and menacing.

With a flick of his hand, he cast Garudyne, a cyclone forming around the Arcana's arm.

The impact was deafening, ripping one of the Arcana's arms off in a burst of wind.

A thick, black liquid gushed uncontrollably as the creature screamed in agony, its voice echoing through the ravaged mall.

The Arcana raised its remaining arm with brutal force, transforming a cable into a giant spear.

Electricity crackled along its surface as it hurled the weapon straight at Minato.

He tried to leap out of the way, but a loose cable—one Hiro had missed—snagged his foot, trapping him.

The impact was brutal. The spear pierced Minato's shoulder, blood splattering onto the floor.

"Minato!" Yukari screamed, her voice filled with panic.

Akihiko, finally tearing the last cable from the wall, looked up, panting. "Got it. Hiro, Aigis! It's your turn!"

Hiro sprinted toward the Arcana, determination blazing in his eyes, while Aigis rushed to assist Minato, who was staggering from the pain.

Without hesitation, Hiro advanced alone, leaping onto the monster's back and delivering a ferocious slash with his kukri, shattering one of the glowing bulbs.

The Arcana's scream was deafening—a mixture of pain and fury that reverberated through the mall.

But before he could strike the second bulb, a bolt of lightning crashed down on him.

Electricity surged through Hiro's body, and his vision blurred.

"Hiro!" Mitsuru's horrified voice rang out.

For a brief moment, everything went dark, but he clenched his teeth, forcing himself to stay conscious.

With one final push of strength, he slammed his fist into the second bulb, shattering it completely.

The Arcana let out an even more agonizing shriek as Hiro leapt away—but his coordination failed him.

He hit the ground, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop, visibly dazed.

Mitsuru, dropping her rapier, rushed to him, gripping his shoulders tightly. "Are you alright?!" Her voice was laced with concern.

Hiro, his head pounding violently, forced a strained smile. "No… not at all… I just got struck by lightning…"

"Shinjiro!" Akihiko's voice cut through the chaos. "Now! Use your Theurgy!"

Shinjiro took a deep breath, letting his battle axe drop to the ground.

His entire body tensed from the pain Kastor inflicted on him, but he pulled out his Evoker and pressed it firmly against his head.

For a moment, his eyes shut, and a bitter whisper escaped his lips. "I'm gonna kill this bastard."

With a raw, guttural cry, he pulled the trigger. "KASTOR!"

A crimson flash erupted from the other side of his head, and the effects were immediate.

Blood began streaming from Shinjiro's eyes, sending a ripple of fear through everyone around him.

Across the mall, Ken sprinted out of the security office—only to freeze the moment he saw Kastor manifest.

His memories surged back with an unbearable force.

His spear slipped from his hands, clattering onto the ground. Terror consumed his face.

"The monster of light… The monster that killed my mom…" Ken's voice trembled, his words drenched in despair and fear.

Kastor, his glowing red eyes burning with fury, let out an ear-piercing roar.

The sound was unbearable, shaking the entire mall.

With blood streaming down his face, Kastor turned and locked onto the Shadow Arcana of the Hermit.