Bornlucky

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ryoma looked relived when Ai stood up without his support and made to him with no issues. Anubis' healing spell is powerful. Ai looked at the Persona summoner with a worried expression asking if he was okay. Honestly? Not really. He's in pain, his soul is still recoiling from the trauma of summon a metaphysical representation of his mind, and his mind is still reeling from all the new information it had generated without a word due to the creation revolving around his new supernatural abilities, and not to mention the fact he still hurting physically due to the direct hit from the table just moments ago.

Ryoma looked at Ai with an exhausted but nevertheless hopeful expression. "Not by a long shot Ai-chan, but I will make those things feel a lot then me right now; And I can heal myself, fracturing my mind by forcibly confronting my whole social facade gave me a few pointers on how to fight... lucky me..." Ryoma grimly joked, he didn't want to filter his words anymore, he's tired of controlling his every word and action with nothing to get out of it but wariness in return. He wants to be free of the chains that chained him to a lonely adolescence.

Ai said the pair need to run away, Ryoma shakes his head, they need to stand their ground, at least for now, "I have to fight them, our backs are to the wall, or spikes in this case, and our only escape is closed off by that samurai and I can tell he won't let us run by... even if he's toying with us... especially because he's toying with us." Ryoma said with a clear voice, its hasn't been this clear in years.

Ryoma looked at Ai with a gentler expression compared to just moments. "We made a promise, we will both get out of here, let me help us keep it." Ryoma spoke hopefully, he can't remember the last time he was hopeful for anything, expect, maybe earlier today. Today really seems to want him to change, even before this whole mess started.

Ryoma expression steeled when he glared at the tables and samurai. His mind cleared. The number of XX appeared again. He shattered it with his mind's eye. Ryoma glared at the nearest table demon, "Come out! Anubis!" With his master's call Anubis appeared above Ryoma and pointed at the nearest Table demon and a black and red cloud surround it and if it hit it would proceed to rip it apart more violently compared to it's it earlier ally.

Ryoma felt a ting of pain shoot up his abdomen as he cast the spell, but he has to beat the tables first. If he heals it would give them enough time to attack him or Ai. Once its just them and the Demon samurai, he can heal himself enough to deal with it more conventionally.

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ryoma watched, no, Judged the strange mockery of a samurai. It pulled at the bow string slowly, in a mocking manner, as if bemused by his miracle. Ryoma glared at the table monsters as well, he knew he could kill each of them with a single blow, but the samurai is a problem, Ryoma knew he couldn't kill it one shot like the tables, even if he got off a direct hit. And they both knew it.

Suddenly, Ryoma was dragged by the great force of the samurai's arrow, and he found himself hanging off a wall by the ruff of his shirt, it was a mocking gesture, the thing could've killed him right there and then but it didn't. Ryoma let out a pained gasp as his body slammed against the wall and his insides rang out with pain again, causing him to let out a bloody cough. Ryoma glared at it with pained eyes but still determined expression.

It wants a game. It wants to show its power, and kill them like a cat with a mouse. Ryoma didn't have the time to waste on playing with this monster. Ryoma gathered his thoughts and replaced an arrow from his quiver and chipped away at the arrow as quickly as he could. Five solid strikes should break the ice.

Ryoma fell to the ground with a thud as he landed on his hands and knees. After catching his breath, Ryoma looked up and glared at the monsters with such intensity that was only seen with archery targets previously. Ryoma stood up, ignoring the pain coming from his gut and then looked at Ai, his expression soften at her, before he let out a breath and he unlocked the visual from within his mind's eye, the number XX. Then he shattered the thought.

"Anubis, give us strength! Diarama!" Ryoma yelled out as he lifted his arm forward towards Ai. Anubis appeared over Ryoma in a blue glow and lifted his arm up gently and a glowing light envelops Ai. The light would feel warm and comforting like the sun in a warm spring day, pain and injury are eased and healed extraordinarily. Ryoma with the help of Anubis had the power of life and healing, while also causing death with Curses.

Ryoma will not squander this gift.

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ryoma dug deep, he twisted the arrow inside the monster's skull, the arrow nicked the monster's eye in a nightmarish show display of violence. What could only be called green eye fluid came gushing out of the eye onto the floor in a small puddle. Some even got onto his pant legs. But it still wasn't enough. Ryoma felt the arrow snap in his hands before he could feel the extra force of resistance of digging an arrow though its skull. But the monster trashed like a bucking bull. One of its many legs snapped forward and hit him square in the stomach, it was a direct hit and he let out a pained gasp as he collapse down to one knee. The force of the hit must've caused some damage, even internal bleeding as he grab at his midsection and had to force his eyes to stay open though the searing pain. But it would seem his kneeling was fortuitous, as it prevented a further barrage of limbs to hit where his chest and face were just at moments ago. But he didn't think of it as good luck beyond that.

Ryoma could hear Ai struggle a distance away, and while gasping for air, Ryoma knew it was only a matter of time before the Table demon gets another direct hit on him and collapse his innards in a bloody mess or he get hit by that sucker and it drain him of his life like a giant mosquito. Ryoma couldn't think of a way to continue fighting as this thing was way to overpowering and too close for him to deal with it, as well he being unable to move though the pain. He needs something, or someone to save him.

"Ai-chan..." Ryoma weakly let out, his words strained and airy. "I-I wasn't strong enough... to protect you... to do... anything..." Ryoma let out weakly. Only a miracle could save them.

A simple test;; can you state your name?

Huh?

Is that a voice?

It wasn't his own.

Nor did it seem to come from anywhere.

It sounded like it came from within his own mind.

Rather this was his mind finally snapping from this whole insane game of cat and mouse, or not, Ryoma decided to humor the voice within his mind as a last sign of rebellion to the table demons.

His last words won't be of defeat, but him declaring his name for the monsters and the voice to remember till they're dead themselves. He will force them to remember.

"Ryoma Mikami."

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ryoma was almost taken aback by Ai's resolve to stay with him, even at the cost of her own safety. This further increase his own resolve to protect her. Ryoma's previous doubts about her melted away after seeing what the monsters really looked like. He could tell they weren't human enough to pretend, Ai was human. And Ryoma has to protect her, he cast doubt on her and he needs to apologize to her for that. And if it costs him his life, then so be it. He will keep his promise.

"...Okay." Ryoma said in response to Ai's words, it was simple but they didn't have to speak, he wanted to say lots of things to Ai.

The first arrow disgustingly pierced the leader of the table's head, it made Ryoma sick to his stomach to look at it, but he steeled himself and kept firing. The other arrows hit the leading table and it fell to the ground with an arrow hitting one of its back legs. But the two Tables behind the leading one didn't stop or hesitated, instead they sped up and leaped at Ryoma and Ai with a scream as it prepare to attack the two. Ryoma only had enough time to pull out a Bamboo arrow but he couldn't load it in time, instead, Ryoma used it as a makeshift knife and flung his armed hand forward in an attempt to dig the arrow into the nearest monster's skull. But it would lack much of the force it would have if fired, but Ryoma had no other choice. It's kill or be killed.

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ryoma nodded at her asking him to keep his promise, its all he can do right now. Ai squeezed his arm in a attempt to stay calm in the oppressive atmosphere of the classroom's hallway, which room being darkened and empty from a glance. It felt so lonely even with Ai as company.

Ryoma nodded at Ai's idea of keeping moving forward. Ai's voice was filled with worry and her expression was filled with dread. The two tried to pierce though the inky blackness and spot any other humans but it seems useless as the area seems to be devoid of life but the two of them. He wishes it would stay that way but it wouldn't be.

While Ryoma was peering into a classroom window, Ai said something before stopping mid-sentence and tugging at his sleeve and suddenly stepping back faster than Ryoma would think with her sprained ankle. When he looked at Ai then at the direction she was stepping away from, he would learn why she reacted the way she did.

Stalagmites suddenly raised from the floor making it impossible to go backwards, but before he could let out a question. A Bulbous mass emerge from the darkness up ahead. Ryoma could barely processed the monstrosity the only word that came to mind beside utter fear was, Eldritch Warrior. Ryoma could only call it a warrior with the weapons it has forcible equipped onto its body, a giant Yumi fused to one hand, while it had a sword in a sheathed onto what could tentatively called its torso. Ryoma's eyes ca barely focus on the monster's horrid appearance. It looked at him with an unreadable expression and then it suddenly started clapping for a few moments. Ryoma was paralyzed with fear.

Suddenly the Eldritch Warrior raised it arm and three monsters that could be only described as 'Fleshy Ikea furniture possessed by demons.' Ryoma wanted to wake up from this nightmare, but he knew he was wide awake. This was too deranged for his mind to make up. He only had one choice which the Eldritch Warrior seem to know he has as it seemed to egg him on to attack. He has to stand his ground and fight. He has to protect Ai. Even at the cost of his life.

"Ai... Let go of me... We only have one choice...If you see a chance... run." Ryoma grimly remarked to Ai, he felt sick at the idea of fighting such monstrosities, but he has no choice but to fight and maim what could be called tentatively living beings. But they give him little choice as they inched closer and closer.

Rather Ai Listened or not Ryoma pulled his bow off his shoulders and pulled out a bamboo arrow from his quiver. Ryoma focused with laser precision and let loose an arrow at the closest of the three 'Table Demons'. Rather it hit or not Ryoma pulled out another Bamboo Arrow after another and fired them away once more, Twice more, Thrice more. It would be a barrage of four arrows but each shot would be less accurate then the last. But Ryoma made sure each arrow had significant force behind to hopefully force them back.

Ryoma looked calm. But in actuality he was scared and on the verge of collapsing from utter fright but he was in fight mode, he wanted to fight these monsters no matter how much his body wants to run. He was fighting for Ai. And himself. Hopefully his reaction to fight instead of flight was right.

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

"I F-forgot my water bottle in the archery range..."

Even in this uncertainty it was nice for the atmosphere not to be as heavy as when he was alone. And the touching he was getting used too, somewhat. Ai's grip on his arm wasn't as tight as moments ago, and she was keeping up with him nicely, but that didn't mean he will walk faster, unless provoked.

Ai spoke about how it was okay for him to ramble, which Ryoma nodded slowly at before she told him she has a secret for him, which she leaned up to him with a strained mischievous smile before admitting she was scared as well, and surprisingly added that she's not everything well be okay, but she said he will end up okay. Ryoma couldn't help but be chocked up a bit, nobody ever console him before, even his parents, it was always him comforting his siblings and any measly amount of friends he had over the years, it felt nice. If Ai does end up as a youkai as he fears, she knows how to dig into him and make him falter. But for now he has to say something, or she might notice his surprise.

"I-I'll make sure you end up okay as well, Ai-Chan..."

Ai and Ryoma found themselves in the second floor of the classroom building. It was less windy and cold, not perfect, but much better compared to downstairs, Ai's breathes was stabilizing in the warmer but nevertheless oppressively heavy air.

The pair had a choice to go straight or right from their current locations. If they go straight they will arrive to the hallway of classrooms, which gives them a better chance at encountering follow students. While going right leads to a stairwell, while going higher would give them a better vantage point for the lower levels, but with Ai's hurt ankle it might take a bit of time to go up or down, so staying on the current level will save energy and time for now which they need. So to Ryoma it wasn't much of a choice.

They would go forward for now and if they don't find anyone... or anything they would go come back here and go for the stairwell to the right.

Ryoma took his first steps forward, slowly enough that Ai knew which direction he was walking towards. "L-let's check the classrooms up ahead, Ai-Chan..."

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ryoma silently listened to Ai talk, she seems to stumble over her words somewhat before assuring him his choice sounds reasonable.

Ryoma was getting colder and colder as the two stayed, the air was cold and sharp, and Ai's cold touch wasn't helping him warm up. Ryoma could tell that Ai's face was paler than normal, he couldn't tell if that was from fear or the cold, or even both at the same time. But she seemed assured with his company. But he wished her hands were warmer, at least enough so he couldn't feel the cold though his uniform.

Ai said to go left, saying they can find students in the classrooms, which he responded with a simple nod. Ai smiled up to Ryoma which he responded with a sheepish expression, he's not used to being talked to or looked at in a none judging manner, it made him squirm a little. Like an ant under a magnifying glass, but at least he doesn't have to worry about Ai setting him on fire with her eyes. He hopes she can't anyways.

Ai then asked Ryoma if she will protect her and not to shoot at another person. Ryoma blushed a little and moved his free hand behind his neck sheepishly. "I will do my best... umm...o-okay I won't..." Ryoma responded quietly with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

But before he could melt into a puddle of embarrassment, he carefully started to walk forward, he was considerate of Ai's ankle and moved slowly enough that she can keep up. It would take them a few moments to head left, so Ryoma's mind wander and he couldn't help but think of youkai's and if this place is the Yomi from legends, and with the cool air surrounding the pair, one Youkai came to mind in particular.

"T-this might sound silly... but I'm worried a-a Yuki-onna will appear out of nowhere and try to freeze us to death... w-with how c-cold it's getting in here..." Ryoma spoke honestly, but he decided to speak again. "S-sorry I'm rambling... i-its hard not to think a million things right now..."

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Other Class Room Building}
@Crimmy

Ai giggled at the honorific he used, Ryoma blushed a bit, as it was a little embarrassing to be called out for using such a formal honorific but its the one he called all his follow third years, it was a force of habit. But it was nice Ai was calming down, even if her skin was still cold to the touch. Ai looked up to Ryoma with a small smile which he caught for a second before looking away sheepishly, Ryoma's not used to people smiling at him, it felt strange, almost alien, but not too bad if he was honest. If this really was a ploy by a demon it's uprooting his caution quickly, but if she's not a demon disguise, then this is a side of a person he never seen before. People never shown their vulnerable side to him, which now that he thinks about it, is a rather sad thought.

Ai talked again, gently teasing him for his formality, which he blushed again at. She also called him Ryo-Kun, which he was taken aback by, most people called him Ryoma-San or even Ryoma-Sama. And she allowed him to call her Ai-Chan. "O-okay Ai-Chan..." he replied sheepishly, "I j-just thought you wouldn't want the guy who shot an arrow at you to be so c-causal..." He admitted with a guilty tone to his voice.

Ai added that she would lend Ryoma some DVD's so he can learn more about anime, Ryoma curtly nodded, "Sounds good Ai-Chan." he agreed, but he still had doubt about them being able to leave this place alive, but a promise is comforting even if it can't be kept is better than nothing. Ai shifted her weight off of Ryoma so she didn't need to rely on him so much, but she still held on enough to keep pressure off her ankle.

Ai told Ryoma she would help him look for others, he felt like he will be doing most of the work but he didn't have the guts to say that, so he just nodded.

Ryoma was silent for a moment contemplating which direction the two should head, if they go back the way he came it would waste time and energy since Ryoma still didn't trust going right in a demon's world, since going right is the statistical average for humans to go. And demons would understand that so going left would be a safer bet for the two of them, especially with Ai's hurt ankle as his reaction time is hampered greatly. But company will make the constant screaming less prevalent if only slightly. But Ryoma should let Ai pick the first direction they should head towards.

"W-which way should we go, A-Ai-chan...I-I think going left of the hall would be a good first direction..."

Persona - Academic Akrasia

@Crimmy I am so sorry that took so long! Life a has kept me busy but I will do better from here on out!

Persona - Academic Akrasia

^{Class Room Building?}
@Crimmy

Suddenly Ai and Ryoma almost fell to the ground, she barely gripped hard enough to keep herself from landing first first on the cold, hard ground yet again. Ryoma felt uncomfortable being used as a crutch but he can't say no to the person he almost skewered with an arrow just moments ago. So he has suffer from the girl's cold and clammy touch even more. Ryoma could hear a soft apology leave her mouth which he acknowledged with a simple nod of his head, and an even quieter, "No problem..."

Ai confirmed that she doesn't know how they got here as well, she also added she was with a student named Isami. Ryoma didn't know that person so he simple nodded his head again. The air in the hall cooled yet again, making Ryoma let out a shiver, and he sympathize with Ai as she has to wear a skirt in this messed up place as it kept cooler and cooler with each passing moment.

Ai forcibly laughed at his comment and her own joke, Ryoma shifted from foot to foot in discomfort, Ryoma didn't know how to respond to her ill timed joke. "... I-I don't really watch anime..." Ryoma added uncertainty, unable to relate to her anime comment, his parents only let him watch traditional style shows and maybe the odd child's anime that his siblings watch when their parents are at work. "B-but it can't be a coincidence... but life's pretty crazy so you never know..." Ryoma continued rambling.

Ryoma moved his arm a bit so Ai can get a better grip on it. "M-maybe we should look for other's Ai-Shi... w-we can't be the only ones here....hopefully..."

Ryoma hopes they's nothing else here but them and if they aren't, he hopes there's other humans at least.