> [color=DC143C]133 Almighty Physical damage to Colossal Maya[/color]

That last assault managed to sever three of the shadow's arms; it also seems that the shadow is slumping over now when it's standing. Could it mean that the battle is nearing its end? In any case, it's Kazuo's turn now. Placing his hand over his face, he shouts, "Sigurd!" Appearing again, Sigurd sent a fireball (Agi) shooting towards the shadow.

> [color=DC143C]Kazuo's SP: 20 SP --> 16 SP[/color]
> [color=DC143C]Rolled 8[/color]
> [color=DC143C]84 Fire damage to Colossal Maya[/color]

The shadow is down. Kazuo looked at the others and told them that this next All-Out Attack could potentially decide the battle, urging them to give it their all. Kazuo charged at the shadow with his classmates and deliver their final assault. With each blow, parts of the massive shadow broke off and dissipated into static. Kazuo urged his classmates to keep at it. He delivered a hard strike to the shadow's mask, cracking it; as a result, the shadow's head disappears. After some time, the students have finally destroyed the gargantuan monster; saving their teacher in the process.

> [color=DC143C]133 Almighty Physical damage to Colossal Maya[/color]
> [color=DC143C]Colossal Maya is defeated[/color]
> [color=DC143C]Everyone receives ¥4,000[/color]

As the last of the shadow faded into static, Kazuo fastened his baton onto his belt and smiled in relief. The group then turned their attention onto Ms. Sasaki. Kazuo walked over to her and kneeled down to check on her. There doesn't seem to be any physical injuries on the visible parts of her body and she is still breathing so that's a relief. She seems to only be unconscious. One of the students should pick her up. Shiro walks over to the group. [color=000000]"You did it... You saved her..."[/color] Kazuo nodded in response and thanked Shiro for leading them here. [color=000000]"Oh, it's nothing. You're the ones that did all the rescuing. I..."[/color] Shiro's sentence trailed off. Kazuo asked him what was wrong. [color=000000]"Well... I hope I've earned a bit of your trusts now but I wouldn't hold it against any of you if you still find me suspicious."[/color] Kazuo replied bluntly, telling Shiro that he did earned a bit of his trust. But now the bigger question remains: how do they get out of here?

Suddenly, from behind the group, a door of blue velvet and ornament design appeared out of a bright light. [color=000000]"W-What is that...?"[/color] Shiro doesn't seem to know the origins of this beautiful yet unusual door. Kazuo, however, stepped forward and examined the front of the door; the back of the door is nothing but blue wood. Kazuo then looked back at the others and told them, rather surely, that this door is the exit. [color=000000]"Y-You're sure about this?"[/color] Kazuo nodded in affirmation at Shiro's question. [color=000000]"I see... I believe this means 'goodbye'..."[/color] When the others have gathered in front of the door, Kazuo turned to Shiro and ask what he would do from here on out. [color=000000]"Quite the question... I obviously can't go with you all. I don't know what I'll do now but... I hope I can figure it out. The shadows here have become more and more aggressive as time passes. I may have to lay low for a while. Ahh, but that's none of your concern. Goodbye— That's right. I've yet to learn any of your names. How rude of me to never ask, especially when you've given me one."[/color]

Kazuo introduced himself to Shiro with a polite smile. Once the others have introduced themselves and said their goodbyes, they turn to face the door. Kazuo nodded then opened the door and entered along with his classmates. As the door closes, Shiro perked up and rushed towards the door, hoping to grab it just in time. [color=000000]"W-Wait! I don't want to stay here in this forsaken world! Take me with y—"[/color] The door disappeared just as Shiro grabbed the handle and, as a result, he fell flat onto his face.

[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHxVo-WA9nA][i]A familiar sound...[/i][/url][/center]
The group is now inside a massive blue room with numerous shelves of books surrounding them. They were then greeted by the appearance of a bizarre-looking man with an impossibly long nose or, as Kazuo knows him as, Igor. [color=0000FF]"Welcome to the Velvet Room."[/color] Kazuo greeted Igor. [color=0000FF]"Welcome back..."[/color] Kazuo explained to the others that he had a dream about this place before but didn't actually know that it was real until now. Igor opened a book in front of him and flipped through the pages methodically; each page contained the image of an Arcana card. [color=0000FF]"It seems that fate has assembled you all here for a reason. Allow me to introduce myself... My name is Igor. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those who are bound by a 'contract' may enter. You've all signed that 'contract' when you awakened to your inner selves - your Persona."[/color]

Suddenly, Ms. Sasaki began to fade in the arms of whoever was carrying her. It only took seconds before she disappeared completely, much to everyone's surprise amongst other things. That's when a tall man with pale hair walked into view, removing blue leather gloves from his hands while he does so. "Do not be alarmed. Your teacher is safe. She cannot exist within the confines of this space therefore she had to be moved. When you leave this room, go to Nichibotsu Hospital if you wish to see her," the pale-haired man explained.

[color=0000FF]"This is my assistant. His name is Walton and he is a resident of this place, like myself."[/color]

"Pleasure," Walton impassively greeted.

[color=0000FF]"A great calamity approaches. The true nature of it, I cannot tell for certain. But, as you can see, all of you possess a great power. Perhaps great enough to stand against the encroaching danger... In this upcoming year, the calamity will slowly but surely reveal itself to you all. You must stop it with the power you've been given or I fear your world as you know it may be changed forever."[/color]

"I understand that this is a lot to take in and the responsibility has been thrust upon you without choice. However, the fact that you've awakened to your Persona is proof of your destiny," Walton explained.

[color=0000FF]"Persona - the inner self. Are you aware of the many and varied selves you harbor within you? The self suffused with divine love. The self capable of demonic cruelty. People live by wearing different masks. The Persona you possess now is but one of many masks that you may wear. My assistant and I will be here to aid you by unlocking the truths residing within your hearts: your other selves... The next time any of you come here, it will be of your own free will. By then, you may have unlocked another facet of yourself for which you may use to battle the calamity that lies ahead. But to come back to this room, you will each need one of this..."[/color] An ultramarine key appeared before each student; Kazuo caught his key when it fell down.

> Everyone receives the Velvet Key

[color=0000FF]"Until next time, farewell..."[/color]

A blinding light flashes before the students' eyes and, the next thing they knew, they were back at school; in the central building. Kazuo looked back and notices the Velvet Room's door behind them. Connecting the dots, could the Velvet Room be the second library that the rumors have been talking about? Outside, it looks to be almost evening time. Kazuo turned to the others and suggested they go to Nichibotsu Hospital to check up on Ms. Sasaki.