Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 33

Chapter 33: The Fog of War
15XX
The Lunar Capital. A technological city far surpassing anything residing on Earth. Within the depths of its tallest skyscraper, a trial was taking place.
"Bring them in."
Armored guards brought three masked, hooded figures into the trial chamber, their hands binded behind their backs.
"On their knees."
The three were placed on their knees.
"Leave us."
The guards exited the room, leaving only the judge with the figures--a dark-haired woman in a red-and-white robe.
"Theban Units II., III. and IV. You will now be sentenced for the crimes of insurrection and inciting a rebellion amongst the people of the capital. Because you were so integral to the continued prosperity of the Odyssean people, I will give you one last opportunity to explain your actions."
"Master Sage Pittacus. Sacred Band Captain Haimon. Divine Architect Ismene. Speak now."
"How generous of you to hear us out now that we're in chains, witch." Haimon spoke up.
"Brother, don't." Ismene interjected.
"What do we have to lose, Sister? We're damned already. Why hold anything back?" 
"So. Even now you persist with your criticism of our way of governance. Whatever grievances you have, to destroy public order is not an equivalent action."
"What other choice did we have, 'Amaterasu'? Sit back and allow our city to fall to ruin while your single-minded consort toils away on our replacement? Wither away into nothingness while you cull worship from the humans?" Haimon yelled.
"Why do you disguise your true self from the humans? Do you fear that, somewhere within their collective consciousness, they remember what you did to the Old World? Or that they would not take kindly to the knowledge that their lives are merely part of an experiment they'll receive no benefit from? Do you truly see yourself as their god, Kaya?" Ismene questioned.
"This game you're playing with the humans will end exactly as it did once before. They'll consume and destroy each other, falling to the eternal rift through their own hatred and hubris. Kerberos saw them for what they really are, and it drove him mad. Even with all of your power, you can never change the core of humanity. They will remain selfish and ignorant no matter what actions you take. Why waste resources and attention on them when our home is falling to ruin?" Haimon demanded.
"What is this 'Galatea' going to accomplish? Is it your last attempt at changing humanity? Offering them an idol to worship in your stead? Were we just germs to be dealt with by you while you fondled over your true pets?" Ismene continued.
"Enough! Both of you." Pittacus objected. "There is no use to this besides prolonging the inevitable." His eyes lit up. "No matter what sentence you pass down upon us, one fact remains. The Odyssean race is in its twilight. If those who remain here do not die from squalor and neglect, then they will perish when Kerberos regenerates. And we will not be here to fend him off. Though I am inclined to believe that so long as Miyatsuko's new project survives, it will be no great loss to you. But those who follow us will remember."
"Whether it is by our hands or his...death's hand will reach for you. And you will be made to answer for every sin you have committed in this world and the last. So says I. That is all."
Amaterasu pondered for a moment. "That day will come eventually. For today, however, there is the matter of your sentencing. For your rebellious acts, the three of you and your co-conspirators will be stripped of your power and banished to Earth. Thank you for your eons of service to the capital. I am heartbroken that it has come to this. But for the peace of all, it must be done. Guards!"
The guards returned, lances pointed at the three Thebans. "Take them out of my sight. Prepare them for their exile."
"You'll live to regret this!" Haimon exclaimed. The three were led out of the room. A gleam remained in Pittacus' eye.
---
April 4, 2029
"*pant* *pant* Are we any closer to the center? It feels like we've been walking for days..." Kenji griped.
"I mean we can't be getting farther from it. But this is getting ridiculous..." Barbara replied.
"Can we just take a breather for a few minutes?" Natalia asked.
"Probably for the best. Won't be any good if we face the elites with no energy." Kibō replied.
The group stopped in the middle of the road. Sahir was far ahead of everyone else. "Dude, can you get over here? We should stay close to each other." Max shouted.
"Y'all need to stop skipping leg day. I ain't even tired!" Sahir exclaimed.
Carrie stared ponderously at a building across the street. "Something on your mind?" Natalia asked.
"That building over there...I can swear we passed an identical building a few minutes ago. Same damage and all." Carrie replied.
"You think?" Max wondered. "Don't tell me...we've been walking around in circles?"
"No, I'm positive we've been walking in a straight line. But there's something odd...we really should've gotten to the center building by now..." Barbara said.
Kenji looked at the street. "Speaking of structural oddities. The streets here look rather strange. They're more like..."
The train of thought was broken by the sound of machinery turning on. Before they could react, a steel barrier emerged from the ground and blocked off Sahir from the others. "What the--?!"
It was as if the city had come alive. The streets began to move like conveyor belts. The buildings became dislodged from the ground, hovering in the air and taking the students with them while others were shifted by the moving streets. The buildings switched around, fitting into new spots like puzzle pieces. Once the transformation was complete, it moreso resembled a large-scale maze.
High above the streets, Ismene hovered in place, eyes glowing. On her back she carried a large silver axe-like weapon. "After 500 years, the mechanisms are still functioning."
"A testament to your craftsmanship, Sister." Haimon replied over a communicator. He stood atop one tall building, carrying a weapon resembling a rifle on his back. He took it and armed it, peering through the sights.
"Shall we divide them equally? Or to the finder goes the spoils?"
"Doesn't matter." Carrie appeared in the crosshairs. "The outcome is the same. Seven naive teenagers to an early grave."
Kibō switched on his communicator. "Is everyone alright?"
"I'm okay...just a little dizzy. What just happened?" Barbara answered.
"The whole city floated up and started moving around. Can't make heads or tails about where I'm at." Max added.
"Ditto. Guess now we know why that main building's been so far off." Sahir added.
"Shifting architecture acting on some sort of jet propulsion system...fascinating. Ingenious way of keeping an invading force away from the main hub of the city." Kenji mused.
"Could you not give props to the bad guys? How do we get there now?" Natalia asked.
"Same way we already were. Head for the capitol building. And be on guard. Who knows what they've got prowling around." Kibō replied.
"Hey, Care, are you okay? You haven't said anything. Care?" Natalia asked.
Carrie didn't respond. She kept her hand on the communicator. "Something doesn't feel right. Something is--"
"The Magician. Act quickly. Death comes from above."
"...!"
"What were you saying, Carrie? Is something wrong?" Kibō asked.
"Defend yourself, Kibō! Something's coming from above you!"
The sound of a gun being fired echoed out.
"What...?" He looked up to see a glimmer of light in the sky. "That star is...wait, that's not--" The light quickly moved closer. His eyes grew wide. "Persona!" 
Galahad appeared before Kibō and took a blocking stance. The light came down and struck it with great force, sending Kibō flying back.
"Keeb! Are you alright?!" Barbara asked.
"Ugh..." Kibō got to his feet. "What was that? Carrie, do you know what that was?"
Carrie was frozen in place. "That noise..."
"The Star. Quickly, now."
She shook her head. "Get down, Barbara!"
Another shot rang out, and Carrie froze up again. For a few seconds her mind drifted back to that horrid day in Qatar. The sounds of gunfire from that day, long buried inside of her memory, came flooding back.
Barbara, meanwhile, had seconds to react. Nimue emerged from the ground, pulling her into a pool of water before another shot came crashing down.
"Quick reflexes, for mere younglings." Ismene commented.
"It helps when they have an oracle with them. My aim hasn't rusted so much that I can't hit such inexperienced targets." Haimon responded, putting his rifle on his back.
"Changing approaches?"
"Firing from this distance gives their seer time to warn them and allows them to prepare. Best to eliminate every advantage they could have. Starting with the seer."
"You always did prefer the personal approach. Shall I give you their locations?"
"No need. I have not had a proper hunt in centuries." He stepped forward. "This is what our existence has led to. From being mere research tools, to guarding and guiding an entire race...to hunting down children."
"The ebbs and flows of immortality, Brother. This is for the good of the remaining Odysseans. We cannot falter. Not now, not when the end is in sight."
"Yes. You are right. What is a burgeoning life to an immortal? Naught but a speck of dust in the wind. Best to leave it that way." Haimon teleported away.
"Indeed, Brother. Human life is temporary. Best to avoid any kind of sympathy." Ismene teleported.
Down in the city, Max walked about. "That last shot came from close by. Barb! Come in. Come on..." No response. "She's either still hiding, or..." He punched the wall next to him. "Damn it!"
"...the crowning achievement for the team screw-up. And I thought breaking the heart of the coolest girl on the planet was as bad as I'd mess up. Losing my lifelong partner would be..."
The sound of a rifle being cocked broke him from his thought.
"A word in your ear, Max O'Donnell." Haimon was perched on the wall behind Max, no clear mechanism keeping him there. His rifle, the longer barrel removed, was pointed at Max's head.
Nearby, Carrie sat against a building, calming herself.
"רוח ... מלח ... חול ...רוח ... מלח ... חול ..."
Her mind drifted back to a simpler time. On the beach in Monte Carlo, her mother suntanning while Carrie herself was with an older, bald man.
"Just repeat those words whenever you need to calm yourself, Ms. Caroline." the man said.
"Okay. But why?" Carrie asked.
"Come now, Boris. I always advocate for learning during down time, but isn't this an odd time for a combat exercise?" Mari asked.
"It's not your standard combat exercise, Madame. Hopefully she won't even need to use this outside of day-to-day life." Boris replied before returning his attention to Carrie. "Keep this in mind, little one. Life is a battlefield. And just as in battle, in life you will find times when you need to calm yourself down. All fights are best tackled with a clear head. So just think about the place where you are happiest. Let those feelings of peace replace any anxiety you may be experiencing. And remind yourself that no matter how bad it can get, there is a place for you to go to far away from the world's stresses. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"I know you do. You're a bright one for your age. Hopefully I'm just wasting my time instructing you in combat. Now go on back to your mother. I can feel her gaze burrowing into my skull."
Carrie exited her thoughts. "Oh, Boris...I wish it was just a waste of time. I wish I could go back to my happiest place, but the memories are too--"
Her mind drifted to the beach in Spain. Sitting on the shoreline, eating half-melted ice cream with Natalia. Laughing and hugging, watching the sun set.
"No." Carrie got to her feet. "There is a place for me to go back to. I can't lose myself here. I have to remain calm. Have to find the others."
Nearby, a bead of sweat dripped down Max's face as Haimon kept his rifle to his head.
"So nervous you can't even respond? Understandable. I suppose I should give you my name as a courtesy." Haimon said.
"Heh. Who would've guessed the murder cult man would be courteous." Max replied. He turned to look at his attacker. "Oh, jeez, you're a big one. You the main enforcer or something?"
"I suppose you can call me that. I am Theban Unit III., designated 'Haimon'. Former captain of the lunar capital's Sacred Band. But that will mean little to you, so you may simply know me as the second-in-command of Death's Hand."
"Second in--?! Oh, I'm dead. I'm deader than dead." Max thought. "What the heck do you mean 'unit'? So what, you people are robots now on top of being aliens?"
"I am both, yet at the same time, neither."
"You villain types just can't help but speak in vague riddles, can you?"
"A villain, am I? I can see why you would perceive me as such. Tell me, what is it that separates us from you? Was it not your goal to disrupt a system you saw as corrupt? To turn the public against those who misuse their power?"
"What's different? You forgetting about the criminals and murderers you gave power to?"
"A means to an end. You speak of Kagami and Hirano. Were it my decision, I would have disposed of those subhumans myself. The Master saw it differently. He saw their potential for highlighting humanity's folly. Those who receive power rarely deserve it."
"Oh, yeah. Easy for you to say now that they're off your payroll." Behind Max, Thor manifested, swinging its hammer at Haimon, who leapt back. "Quick reflexes for a big guy. You really trust this Master guy with everything? Even using criminals to attack a bunch of kids?"
"I have trusted his judgment for eons. I will not dispute him now, with our goal in sight."
"Wait a sec...eons? Just how old are you freaks?"
"For as long as this universe has expanded, we have watched as life came into being. Watched as civilizations arose...and crumbled. If you and your comrades continue on this path, know that those of us you take arms against have seen the dawn of your cursed species. I have seen things you would never believe."
"Attack ships on fire off the shoulders of Orion?"
Haimon prepared his rifle. "Time to die."
"Wait, you've seen Blade Ru--" 
Haimon began firing. Max dodged the shots. "Your lack of visible fear is to be admired. Is it bravado that drives you to move, or sheer ignorance?"
"It'd defeat the whole point of me being here if I just ran off at the first sight of danger. Even with that 'second-in-command' stuff, you jumped out of the way when I attacked you. Robot, alien, whatever you are...you ain't invincible. 'See bad guy, stop bad guy'. That's what a hero of justice does. Now eat lightning."
Thor appeared again, and swung an electrically charged hammer down upon Haimon. He moved his hand, and nothing but his hand, and stopped the strike. Max was dumbfounded.
"I respect your bravery and what the humans call 'American spirit'. What you fail to comprehend, however, is that we have lived long enough to have seen most of what creation has to offer. The Metaverse you draw power from, and the spirits you call 'Personas'...our purpose was to study them. To understand what makes the cognitive world what it is. That was our original directive. I have forgotten more about the cognitive world than any human scientist has ever unearthed. These Shadows that birth your manifestations are what I was born to combat."
"In short..." Haimon charged power in his hand. "Your chances of hitting me with something I've never seen...are slim to none." He fired a blue stream of energy out of his hand, destroying Thor. Max coughed up blood and fell to his knees.
Haimon walked over, and struck Max in the head with the butt of his rifle, knocking him over. He placed his boot on the young man's chest. "You spoke before of 'justice'. That one who embodies justice must stand and fight for their beliefs. What my comrades and I seek is our own justice. Observe this city. Once, it was beautiful. More advanced and prosperous than any to be found on your planet. But over time, it stagnated. Those whom we owed our lives to began to turn their gaze elsewhere. And when we tried to take our home from them, we were stripped of our status and banished. For five centuries we waited for this moment. In our absence, those we swore to guide and protect were slaughtered. They call out for vengeance. Would it not be justice to appease those calls?"
He cocked his rifle. "I take no pleasure in putting down lambs who have yet to truly live. But the ones who betrayed us must see those they abandoned us for suffer as we have. Only then, will there be true justice." He pointed his rifle down at Max. "May your next life...be more merciful than this one."
Before he could get a shot off, his focus elsewhere, a large object flew into him from the front, knocking him away. He landed on his feet. "A rock...how quaint."
Further up the street, Natalia had several pieces of rubble floating in the air. "More where that came from, jerk."
"G...get out of here, Nat!" Max let out, still on the ground. "This guy's the second-in-command, he's too--"
"No biggie. Take a look." Natalia replied. Haimon's rifle was sparking. "I just broke his toy."
"So you have." Haimon said, putting his weapon on his back. "And here I pride myself on keeping our weaponry in order. So, if my recollection is correct, you are the one who brought about Shōta Kagami's downfall, yes?" 
"I prefer 'kicking his tail in'. He tried to kill my best friend, so I shut him down permanently. More than a fair trade."
"Your rage would be understandable, then."
"'Understandable'? He sent us a bomb using my parents' names, scarred her for life, then had the nerve to show her to me in a maid dress. He's lucky to still have four functioning limbs!"
"I can assure you that I do not share his proclivities. If I knew about his full intentions, I would have intervened."
"I just walked up to you pointing a gun at my friend, and I'm supposed to believe that?! You're still trying to kill us all for no reason. Your word doesn't mean a thing. All I see..." More rubble began floating around her. "...is another monster in a mask."
The large rocks were flung towards Haimon. The masked man leapt atop one of the rocks, propelling himself onto the wall of an adjacent building. He continued to dodge as more rubble was lobbed his way. 
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Too small a rock won't do much to harm me, too large of one won't arrive quickly enough. Your power can't touch me." Haimon declared.
"Yeah, probably right there. This would be pointless if I was actually aiming for you." Natalia smirked.
The building beneath Haimon's feet began to shake. He looked down to see the foundations giving way, the rocks having left sizeable holes in the wall. "Tch. Clever. But all I need to do is--" Haimon tried to jump, but was kept on the wall by a wave of yellow energy.
Natalia's eyes emitted the same yellow energy. She smirked and waved at Haimon as the building came crashing down on top of him.
Natalia braced for the crash, and looked back up to see the road now littered with pieces of the fallen structure. She turned her attention to Max, who was now sitting up. "How you holding up, tough guy?" she asked.
He blinked a few times. "Who are you?" he asked in disbelief. 
"Just your resident tailor, stitching together some butt-whoop."
"That sounds like one of my one-liners."
"You should feel so flattered."
The joking mood was quickly broken.
A muscular arm forcefully rose up from the rubble, pulling its owner out. The screen covering Haimon's face crumbled away in pieces.
Max and Natalia looked stunned.
"What's the matter?" Haimon pulled off what remained of the visor. "Too similar for your liking? Or too different?"
The bottom half of Haimon's face resembled that of a dark-skinned man, with dark beard stubble. The upper half, however, was a dulled silver, metallic in nature, his pupil-less eyes glowing yellow.
"I have done you younglings a disservice by being so passive. That error will now be rectified."
"How..." Natalia muttered. "I dropped a five story building on top of you...and you're barely even injured!"
"Is it from a Persona...? I haven't seen him bring one out at all..." Max wondered.
"You speak of the spirits born of cognition. To answer your query, neither I nor my brethren possess them. And that is because the power we were bestowed with upon our creation makes them unnecessary. As for how I survived with minimal damage..."
Haimon lifted his arms, the sleeves covering them having been torn off by the building's collapse. What was visible on his arms stunned the two students: the veins on both arms were glowing a light blue.
"This is no mere cognitive trick. This technique is called 'Blut Vene'."
"Bloot...vane?" Max uttered in confusion.
"It means 'blood vein'. By redirecting my power directly into my veins, my skin becomes nigh-impenetrable. I will concede that the psionic ruse was clever. Were it not for my Blut, my millenia of existence could have very well ended beneath that rubble. But alas..." He held out his right hand. "It was not meant to be."
Energy crackled in his hand, as an object constructed entirely of blue spiritual energy appeared.
"A bow...?" Natalia muttered.
"Heilig Bogen. The instrument of divine punishment. You should feel honored. I haven't summoned my bow in nearly five centuries. It's been starved of a worthy target. Time to satiate that hunger."
Haimon pulled the draw back on the bow, and an arrow manifested onto it. "Farewell." He released the draw, firing the arrow.
Natalia held out her hands, trying to take control of the arrow. It continued unaffected. "Huh?!"
"Get the hell down!" Max got up and pushed Natalia out of the way, before being struck in the back by the arrow, the blast knocking him away. He landed facedown on the pavement, out cold.
"Max!" Natalia called out.
"Hm. Impressive. Few organisms can still breathe after being struck by my Heilig Pfeil. Either the uniforms you made are more durable than our intel suggests, or five centuries of inactivity has had its effect." Haimon said, towering over Natalia. "Perhaps it just needs some added practice. Would you mind picking up some rubble again? Shooting them down may do my bow some good."
"...are you kidding me? You expect me to help you with your target practice?! Just how detached from reality are you people?!"
"It should be me asking that question. I don't think you younglings fully grasp the dire nature of your present situation. You reside tens of thousands of miles from home, facing down enemies the likes of which you've never encountered. Yet you conduct yourselves as if this is another one of your heists. Let me make myself clear: you will not be changing anyone's hearts. This is a matter of life and death." 
Haimon picked her up by her neck, as she struggled to break free. "You face opponents with no qualms at all about taking your lives. I highly doubt that you children possess that same lack of mercy. Your professor taught you compassion. That will avail you nothing here. If you cannot bring yourselves to kill me..."
A smirk crossed Natalia's face.
"What is that look for? Finally succumb to madness? What are you--"
A pair of boots came crashing into Haimon's face, knocking him away and releasing Natalia from his grasp. He gazed up to see Carrie standing in a battle stance.
"Like moths to a flame..." he said.
Carrie helped Natalia to her feet. "Are you alright? Nothing broken?" Carrie asked.
"I'm fine, just a little sore. But Max..."
"Tend to him. Leave this one to me."
"A presumptuous one, aren't you, oracle?" Haimon interjected. "Do you really believe your foresight is enough to overcome me on your own?"
"Do you ever stop yapping?!" Natalia griped.
"Leave it be." Carrie embraced Natalia in a hug.
"Care?"
"Your policy on hugs is contagious. I wanted to feel you one more time. Thank you, my most precious friend. For everything."
"Why are you talking like that? This...this isn't a goodbye. You'd better not be..." Natalia began to shake.
"I still have somewhere to return to. But I wanted to let you hear it from me, in case..."
"Stop it, STOP IT! Stop talking like that! You've been through too much, you're not dying now! I..."
Carrie's eyes began glowing, as a barrier began forming around her and Haimon. "I love you." Natalia was shut out.
"Care! CARE! NO!" Natalia began banging on the barrier, to no avail. She dropped to her knees. "No...not like this...not like this..."
Inside the barrier, Haimon looked puzzled. "Saying your goodbyes? So certain that you will meet your end by my hands?"
"You were wrong before. About not having the fortitude to face you all." Carrie turned to him, an air of contentment about her. "I know what waits for me on the other side. I do not fear death. And I have no qualms taking your life. So what say you, soldier of the moon? Am I not your idea of a worthy opponent?"
"Such a bizarre girl. On the outside I would assume you were another spoiled heiress. Yet those eyes tell a story of trauma and grief. You have experienced much in your short life. In that case, I consider this to be not an act of malice...but one of mercy."
"You have an interesting idea of mercy. Don't mistake my lack of fear for a willingness. My life has not even begun. I do not want it to end now. If it were to, however, I know who waits for me. So whether I leave this barrier alive or not, I am content. But I do not offer myself up to you. You threatened my best friend's life. For that alone, I will show you no mercy."
He suddenly appeared next to her, bow and arrow pointed right at her. "That's the spirit." he said.
He fired, but she swiftly dodged, then kicked him squarely in the jaw. She continued to land body blows, but he stood firm. 
"No use. No matter how many times you strike, you won't be getting past my Blut. All you are doing is dulling your own hands."
"No wall is impenetrable. And I do not relent. Those are the principles my mentors have instilled within me. Whether directly or behind a computer screen, I will not be deterred."
Her eyes glowed once more. "My willpower is stronger than diamond. I have stared death in the eyes multiple times, and each time I told him to leave me be. If I cannot break you the first time..." Purple energy began to envelop her, forming an encompassing set of armor. "Then I just have to persist."
The barrage of strikes increased. "That is to be admired. But no amount of willpower can break through my--"
Areas where Haimon had been hit began to bleed. "What...?"
"The pain I am experiencing at this moment is nothing. My heart, my mind, my backside...all of that aching is what fuels me. It's a pain I never wish to experience again, yet every day I am forced to relive it. It is without end. And because it refuses to relent, I have developed a shell around me. This is the sum of my pain, and my will. And in the face of that...even your wall has no true defense."
One more swift kick sent the Theban flying into the barrier. "Your skill...that is not the flailing of an amateur. Who taught you to fight like that?"
"His name was Boris Gidonov. Former Israeli Special Forces. My protector. He taught me everything about battlefield survival. I owe him my life."
"Your ferocity and technique honor your master. It is only fair, then..." An image, that of a five-pointed star, lit up on his left hand. "To match that ferocity with my own."
Light surrounded Haimon. A pair of giant, glowing blue wings appeared on his back. The Death's Hand emblem on his robe was mirrored, and began glowing. A halo in the shape of a five-pointed star floated above his head.
"What is...that form?" Carrie questioned.
"This is Vollständig. I reserve this form for the ones whose lives I am honored to end. Now show me the extent of your willpower. Or take it with you to the silent beyond."
Orbs of energy began charging on the tips of his wings. He extended his right index finger. "Amethyst possesses the same durability as one of your cellular phones. Against my divine might, it will be akin to a sapling during a hurricane."
From his wings and his finger, arrows of light were fired at Carrie. The force of the arrows was such that the barrier surrounding them shattered like glass. Carrie came flying out. 
"Care!" Natalia called. Max was still unconscious next to her.
Haimon emerged from the shattered barrier. Carrie, bleeding from several orifices, got to her feet, breathing heavily. "Perhaps you should reconsider getting up." Haimon commented.
"I do not surrender." Carrie retorted.
"Let me rephrase that." Haimon's wings stretched out. Behind him, the remains of the barrier began to break away. The shards began to cover the wings like armor. "You shouldn't have gotten up."
"How did...?"
"The essence of my power is control of any surrounding spiritual energy. The Shadow particles that give you your powers are mine to bend and recompile as I see fit. My Vollständig is the full realization of that power: absolute dominion over surrounding spiritual matter. Allow me to demonstrate."
Pieces of nearby rubble began to vibrate, then rise up, then gather together. They formed a pair of walls on either side of Carrie. Haimon slowly started putting his hands together, causing the walls to close in around Carrie, who strained to keep them from closing in on her. Her injuries only made the pressure more excruciating.
"In the entirety of my existence, only four beings have laid eyes upon my true power. You would be the fifth. And the fifth to die by my hands. You have availed yourself admirably. Your master would be proud."
"Grrr...I would like to believe so...but I will not be...asking him myself yet..." Carrie strained.
"Headstrong to the last. Your death was made certain the moment you breached my Blut. As exhilarating as this has been, it pains me to prolong your anguish longer than need be."
A large piece of rubble flew towards Haimon, who motionlessly fired an arrow from one of his wings, destroying it. "Really, now?" he questioned.
"Leave her alone!" Natalia shouted.
Haimon shook his head. "That trick failed to hurt me in my base form. Do you really believe you could hurt me now?" He charged another arrow from his wing.
"No..." Carrie groaned.
"I tire of your meddling. To the eternal flames with you."
A rumbling echoed. A bolt of lightning crashed down upon Haimon's halo. This staggered him, breaking him from his attacks. Carrie broke free of the stone walls.
"Who dares...?!" Haimon questioned.
"Sorry...hope you don't mind me cutting in..." uttered an awakened Max. "Went for the...obvious weak spot...that big, pompous halo."
Haimon's halo fell to pieces. With it, his wings evaporated. "No matter. I still have more than enough strength to--"
Another bolt struck Haimon directly.
"Took a guess from how you leapt away from my hammer earlier...you weren't worried about the hammer. You were worried about the electricity behind it. Whatever's powering your robo bits doesn't have the same charge, does it? Not even your fancy Blut can do much against that." Max dictated.
Blood began sputtering out of Haimon's body as the mechanisms implanted in him all shorted out at once. "GRAAAAAAAGH!"
At once, his eyes dimmed, and Haimon ceased movement. He went limp, and fell to the ground, still sparking.
"Is he...is he dead?" Natalia asked.
"At the very least that'll shut him up for a while..." Max muttered.
Carrie was breathing heavily. "You're crazy!" Natalia yelled at her. "Why would you close yourself in with that guy?! It's almost like you want to die! What would I do without you here, huh?!"
"Natalia...I'm sorry..." Carrie put her arms around Natalia. "I needed to take you out of danger...I have a promise to uphold..."
"No promise is worth killing yourself over! I need you here, alive! I'll never find someone like you again if you die! Stop trying to throw your life away over me!"
"Hey, uh, not to interrupt..." Max, who had gotten up, but was clutching his side, spoke up. "But we're on a tight schedule here. We have to find the others."
"Let's find somewhere secure first...somewhere to sit and rest..." Carrie uttered.
The three turned to leave. Then, the pressure came. A strong aura erupted behind them as their eyes grew wide in disbelief.
"You've got to be shitting me." Max uttered.
Haimon had risen to his feet. Above him, blue energy had coalesced, and from it, strings of spiritual energy connected to his limbs. His eyes glowed in a menacing manner.
"Not...yet..." he groaned.
"No way, man. No way. I fried you. How are you still moving?!" Max demanded.
"My last resort...Ransōtengai. You may have paralyzed my body, but my spiritual control remains. These strands are controlling my limbs, forcing them to move. This was instilled within my body for this exact scenario. Even when my body has given out, I will fight to the bitter end. For my Master, for the capital and what remains of her people, I cannot fail." Haimon declared. He formed his bow.
"Here we go again." Natalia sighed.
"Hold." Carrie stopped her companions. She approached the rattled Theban.
"I have come to understand that you are, at your core, a soldier. Your objective takes precedent over all else, even your own beliefs. There are things you must see through, even at the risk of losing your entire being. I, too, have something I would willingly sacrifice myself for. Cliche as it is to say...you and I are not so different. So I have a proposal I believe you will find fitting."
Haimon lowered his weapon. "Very well. Elaborate."
"Our bodies have reached their limit. Another show of power would only end in both of us dying. But words are of little use in this situation. So I propose one final duel. One-on-one, using nothing but our bare hands. Whoever has the willpower to keep standing will walk away."
"Care, don't be crazy..." Natalia protested. 
"I have made up my mind. I must continue to stand for as long as my legs will allow. If I turn and run...I can never face the ones I've lost. Boris taught me everything he knew. I won't allow his legacy to end with me dying in vain." Carrie reaffirmed.
"Let her go. This is what she needs to do. She's a tough rock. Just let her do her thing." Max said.
Natalia bit her lip. She looked straight at Carrie. "I love you. Don't you dare die on me!"
Carrie nodded. "I will do my best."
Haimon dispersed his bow. "Your body is in shambles, as is mine. This will hardly be a true test of strength. But I cannot turn down a battle of wills." He raised his fists. "In my Master's name...I will shatter you." 
Carrie took her stance. "My will is as diamonds. I will never break."
The two began to trade blows. In their weakened states, the force was lessened. "I do not understand." Haimon thought. "Her body was scarred, her form is bleeding, her strength sapped. Yet she persists. I have seen countless men break from far less. Could all of the loss she has experienced have hardened her this much?"
His reactions slowed. Carrie never slowed. Not even his Blut provided as much protection.
"I am a soldier. I have known nothing but combat for the duration of my existence. To be overwhelmed in this manner...is not natural. I cannot fail here. I cannot. I can--"
Haimon was staggered. With the last ounce of strength left in her, Carrie landed one more blow in his center, powered by her Persona. Haimon's stance broke. The energy that had kept him moving dissipates. Bereft of any remaining strength, Haimon collapsed onto his back. His body twitched.
Carrie took a breath, and started to fall back. Natalia caught her before she hit the ground. "That's enough, Care. You don't need to keep fighting. It's done."
"...younglings." Haimon weakly uttered.
"Not another round, asshole! Don't you know when you're done?!" Max griped.
"So I am. I severely miscalculated. You are to be commended. Your unity as a group is clear. To have comrades you can trust so much that you would willingly die for them...is a truly special thing."
"Tell us something. What happened here? Why are you all so bent on killing us? Just what are you?" Max demanded.
"We were research tools...built by this universe's architects to survive and explore the cognitive world. If humanity's core could be properly studied...perhaps humanity's inner darkness could be expunged. As time went on, life came into being here. We were tasked with overseeing the life that grew here. My purpose shifted, to that of a protector. I had my own platoon, meant to deal with any threats that emerged from cognitive space. For many years...it was prosperous."
"So what happened?" Natalia asked.
"Our creator's gaze shifted. He became more and more obsessed with understanding mankind. To that end, he began work on another being that would live amongst and understand humans on a fundamental level. Our society stagnated. Pittacus...the man you know as the Master...led us in a revolt. We were stopped, stripped of our power, and banished. For five hundred years we waited for our power to return, while gathering allies amongst the humans who held similar resentment towards the state of the world. Not long after we were banished, the capital was razed. Our group is all that is left of this place."
"What does this have to do with us?" Max asked.
"The beings that created this place...were named Miyatsuko and Kaya. To the humans they loved, they took the guises of Tsukiyomi and Amaterasu. Your professor's benefactors.
"So because we follow the Professor...we are your targets." Carrie weakly surmised.
"Indeed."
"Why didn't you tell us all this before? If you just talked it over with the Professor and Ms. Rose, we might've found a way to fix this without it ending like this..." Natalia said.
"Revenge clouds the mind, young one. Five centuries of vengeful thoughts has changed Pittacus. He thinks only of destroying the ones he holds responsible for the capital's ruin. Kaya, Miyatsuko...and Galatea."
"Galatea...is this the being you mentioned earlier?" Carrie asked.
"Galatea was our replacement. A blank slate who could process and understand humanity better than any of us could. Miyatsuko devoted centuries to making her absolutely perfect. About a decade ago, she was completed and awoken."
"So where's this girl now?" Max asked.
"Heh. You haven't worked it out yet? Galatea is the reason why your Professor would never see things our way. How could you ever listen to someone whose prime directive...is destroying the woman you love?"
The students were stunned. "Hang on...you mean..." Max muttered.
"The woman you know as Rose...is Galatea."
The three were speechless. "I always thought there was something off about her, but this..." Max uttered.
The silence was broken by Haimon's body beginning to dissipate. "I am afraid my time in this realm has ended. For my long existence to be over...it is surreal, and yet, somewhat comforting. If you are willing to hear out a fool's dying words, then let me say this. You have my gratitude for allowing me one last bout of combat, and to be able to die in my home. I have no regrets. I believe in Pittacus' vision for the world...and I know he will never waver. But with willpower such as yours...his vengeful mind may yet be soothed. I do not bet on it...but I never bet on me falling here, either."
"Farewell, younglings. My long war is finally over. Now...to rest..."
Haimon dissipated.
"He's gone...I can't believe this." Max said.
"I can't forgive them for what they've done to us, but...I can't say that they're wrong to be angry." Natalia added.
Carrie staggered, and Natalia sat her down. "I'm sorry...I'm out of..." Carrie passed out.
"She messed herself up bad. We've gotta fill everyone else in, but we're out of juice." Max said.
"Go find them. I'll stay here with Care." Natalia replied.
"No way. I'm not exactly in good shape myself. And I can't just leave you both high and dry."
"Guess that's the hero of justice talking. We can all use a breather."
"Y'all earned it."
Elsewhere in the city, Ismene sat atop a building.
"Brother...rest now. I will carry on for us both." She vanished.