Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 41

Chapter 41: Death and the Hornet
April 6, 2029
"Um, I hate to keep, ugh...bugging you, but aren't those hornets really really dangerous?" Natalia asked. She sat out of sight, behind a tree.
"To normal peeps, maybe. But I've always had a good rapport with bugs. Suzy knows better." Miko replied, petting her hornet on the head with her finger.
"You're the Professor's friend. Shizuka's big sister. What are you doing here?"
"Is it that weird for a dead person to be down here?"
"Evil dead people, yeah. But I can't imagine the Professor being friends with an evil person."
Miko giggled. "Still with that sparkling reputation, my Rinnie. You're on the money though, I'm not here cuz I'm supposed to be. I popped in cuz I knew Rinnie was in trouble. The thing I want to know is...why are you here?"
"I got sent here by this crazy masked lady...me and my friends got separated...I don't even know if they're--"
"No, I know why you and your friends are here. But why are you here, in this part of Hell? That Kerberos chick dropped your friends off where they could be 'punished' in the worst way. This is the seventh circle, where violent people are punished. But from what I've seen, you're as threatening as a ladybug. This forest, though...it's the section reserved for people who attempted or committed suicide."
"....." Natalia averted her eyes.
"Sweetie, it's alright. It's not a nice thing to relive. Trust me. I've got some...experience with suicide forests. If you don't want to talk about--"
"I almost jumped off a building. The girls in my hometown took advantage of me and made fun of me for being quiet and loving sweets and so I...I wanted to end it. But then I chickened out because that's just all I'm good for. I'm just dumb and naive and I let people convince me that they like me when they just want favors and then they make fun of me behind my back and...and..."
Miko took notice of Natalia's pendant. "This is crazy cute, this. Someone special give this to you?"
"That's, uh...that's from my friend Carrie. She made it herself..."
"Made it? Wowie. That sounds like someone who genuinely wants to be your friend to me. How about your parents? They love you, don't they?"
"More than anything else in the world..."
"Lucky you. My parents, if you could even call them that, had me when they were young. I was a, and I'm not paraphrasing here, 'miscalculation'. I was only there for appearances. Until I met Rinnie and co., I thought that people were supposed to treat me like garbage. To me, that was normal. She found me in the suicide forest, you know. I'd broken out of that miserable place and decided, y'know, this ain't it. The only creatures that didn't act like I was a freak were bugs. So I figured, I'll just die out here surrounded by bugs. Maybe I'll be reborn as one. Then along came Rinnie. My life shifted after that. I went back home for a little while, but eventually I got tired of it and went to find Rinnie and Rosie."
"And things got better after that, right?"
"For a time, yeah. Then one day I couldn't keep my food down. Everything after that, it's all blended together. I just remember feeling numb. It took a while for it to sink in that I'd basically been sentenced to death. There was so much I wouldn't be able to do. I wouldn't finish school, travel around the world to find new kinds of bugs, go to cons with Rinnie to show off the costume we made...all of that just disappeared. I'd finally started to feel alive again, and now it's over? And you know how Rinnie responded?"
"How?"
"She took care of me. Rosie and the others, too. Even when I got really bad, they never complained. She even took me to my favorite spot on the mountain, one last time. There, surrounded by nature, I breathed my last. The only ones there were this little buzzer...and my hero. Rinnie did more for me in those four years than my own parents did in the first sixteen. And then to top it all of, she goes and adopts my baby sister. What kind of embodiment of love and goodwill did I end up meeting? Who even does that much for one person?"
Miko paused. "That's why I made my way down here. No matter how bad it was, I was gonna help the one that helped me so much. But it looks like that won't be happening."
"Why not? You're already here."
"It took a stupid amount of energy to come here. More than I thought it would. I don't have a physical body like you do. If I keep going and lose all of my energy, there's a good chance I'll be stuck down here. So if I can't repay her directly, I can at least do one thing for her. I can keep one of her charges safe. That much I can still do."
"So you're just gonna stand there and look out for me? It's not like I'm going anywhere..."
"Don't be so sure about that. Before I came here, I saw that your friends were coming through. They might even be here soon."
"They...they are?"
"Yep. You've got a good swarm behind you, girlie. Getting here might be tricky, though. This is one of the lower levels of Hell. The spirits here are a particular kind of nasty. But don't worry. Me and my little friends can hold the fort until they get here. Like I always told Rinnie, bugs might not be much by themselves. Strength comes from the swarm. Just sit tight, and your swarm'll be here in no time. Promise."
"Oh...okay. Hmm."
"What's up?"
"Oh, it's nothing. The Professor was right about you being, 'unique', I guess. If we're gonna be here a while, could you maybe tell me about your bugs?"
Miko's eyes lit up. "Sweet music to my ears!" she exclaimed.
---
"Oh...boy." Kitty muttered.
The group stood at the entrance of another river. Unlike the Styx, this one was colored a stark crimson. The surface of the "water" was bubbling, as Shadows trapped in it cried out in agony.
"The seventh circle, home to souls whose lives were colored by violence. Sinners here are submerged in a river of boiling blood, suffering the same degree of suffering and pain that they inflicted in life. The worst kinds of murderers and tyrants dwell here." Jin explained.
"Did...did you just say...boiling blood?" Sahir questioned.
"I, uh...I don't...I need a minute." Barbara began to look ill.
"Knew the old dude said things would get way worse down here but I didn't expect that to mean boiling river of blood." Max added.
"Are you all going to fall to pieces now? After all of that resolute bravado earlier? We could go back now if this is making you uncomfortable. Leave your friends to burn down here while that vindictive wallaby gets free reign to wreak havoc on the rest of the world. We might get a free day or two before she kills us all." Ryōma chastised.
"Shut up, Tsutsugo. They're children. I'd be concerned if this didn't faze them." Jin retorted.
"Weren't you and your band of giggles children when you killed the Titan? What difference does it make? You really want to coddle them when we're all that stands between the world and Armageddon? I'd thought you different from the rest of the Love Band, but you're just as soft. I wonder what kind of torture Kerberos has planned for your family? You and her have a special bond, after all. Maybe if you're lucky, she'll take mercy on an infant--"
The blade of Jin's chain was now pointed squarely at Ryōma's throat. "You really want to start something now? We can go a few rounds if you want. Just remember that while you're flailing around whining like a six-year-old, your six-year-old is sitting in Limbo. I mean, you suddenly feel like being a parent, so surely that means something?" Jin asserted.
Ryōma reached for his blade. Then, a voice echoed in his head. "Don't waste your life."
"Hmph. Have it your way, Mirai. I'll bite my tongue, if it makes you feel better."
"Best news I've heard all day." Jin replied.
"So are you ladies gonna come with, or are we gonna have to walk down the bloody river ourselves?" Kitty asked.
"We're coming. We'll behave ourselves. Right, Tsutsugo?" Jin asked.
"I'll be nice if you can be." Ryōma replied.
"Perfect. C'mon, guys. We've got devils to smack." Kitty said.
"You're seriously not freaked out by this? I mean...blood river." Sahir questioned.
"Freaked? Of course I'm freaked. I've been freaked since Mr. Chuckles said 'Welcome to Hell'. But I've gotta suck it up, cuz if I don't, the world's going bye-bye. You can't let someone like this know that you're afraid, cuz she'll pick at it and pick at it until you break. That's exactly what she wants. She wants us to be afraid. I'm not giving it to her."
Kibō stood pondering for a moment. "Okay. I think that's all I need to see." He removed the black armband from his right arm.
"Whoa, Keebie, you throwing out the leadership role now? Come on, don't go breaking on me too..." Kitty said.
"I'm not throwing it away. I'm giving it to the one that's earned it."
Kitty looked around at the others. She realized what he meant. "Oh. Oh no, nononononononono. You're not doing this to me, Keebie, I don't deserve it."
"I disagree. You've been in charge since we left for the moon. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to realize it. Take it."
"Nooooo, nope nope nope. I mean, no one else thinks I should get it, right?"
"Fine, we'll put it to a vote. Fair is fair. All those in favor, raise your hands."
Contrary to what Kitty was hoping for, the other students all raised their hands. "I DEMAND A RECOUNT!" she shouted.
"This belongs to you." Kibō held out the armband.
Kitty sighed. "Y'all are insane. Completely out of your minds. You're lucky I can't say a firm no to that face." Kitty grabbed the armband, putting it on and turning redder by the second. "You happy now? Let's get moving. That's a...ugh, leaderly order."
The group proceeded down the bank next to the river. "Why'd you have to do that to me, Keebie? No one should be looking to me for anything." Kitty grumbled.
"Everyone else clearly disagrees. But I don't think anyone would want you to gloat about it. I've been questioning my position for a while now. It was time to admit the truth. Admitting hard truths is part of growing up, right Kitty?" Kibō asked.
Kitty turned red. "Oh God, OH GOD! He heard me, he freaking heard me! Welp, guess I really am in Hell now!" she thought.
"Kitty, are you feeling alright? You look a little pale." Barbara asked.
"Oh, I'm fine...ahehe, all these temperature changes are messing with my complexion. Hehehehehehe..." Kitty laughed nervously.
Sakuya took notice of Kitty's reaction, but stayed quiet. Then, something caught her attention. "Is that...?"
"What in the world is happening there?" Kenji asked.
In the middle of the river, a group of Shadows wearing military-style garb were clawing up at a stone platform. On top of this platform, standing near the edge, was one individual.
"Is that...Carrie?" Barbara asked.
The Shadows yelled at Carrie in Arabic. "Join your parents!" "A bath of flame for the interloper!" "Death, DEATH!"
"How are we supposed to get to her?" Max asked.
"And what are those people shouting at her?" Kibō asked.
"Your survival was a mistake! Accept your punishment! The path to forgiveness lies in the flames!" the Shadows kept yelling.
"רוח ... מלח ... חול ...רוח ... מלח ... חול ..." Carrie repeated to herself.
"Peace will never be found in this life! Become one with the purifying flames, and know Lady Kerberos' favor! Death is the only escape!"
"Death...death is the only escape...the only way to see Mama and Papa again...no more struggling, no more pain...I should not have lived past that day...this is the only..." Carrie muttered. She stepped closer to the edge.
"Stop it, Care!" Kitty yelled out at her.
"Don't try to object...this is what needs to happen...all I need to do is take one more step..."
Jin suddenly appeared behind Carrie. "Not today, kid." He teleported her off the platform. The Shadows angrily turned towards the students. Before they could move closer, they were hit with every energy attack at the students' disposal, knocking them away.
"Put me back...please, put me back...I want to see my Mama...please just let me..." Carrie pleaded.
"I can't do that, Care. I'm sorry. I can't understand what you have to deal with, and I can't comprehend losing your family like that. But you have us now. You aren't alone. Hoodsie would break into tiny pieces if she lost you." Kitty replied.
"Natalia...she...needs me..."
"That's right, Care Bear. We still have to find her. Think about her. Think about everything you've lived through up to now. You're the strongest girl I know, and you don't deserve to die here. Your parents would want you to live. Don't let those people in the river take you. That's not how a queen should go out."
Carrie rubbed her eyes, and the crimson hue disappeared. "I...want to live. I want to live! I refuse to let those barbarians take me like they did to my family. I have reasons to stay alive. I am no coward. I am Caroline Hilda Blackthorne and I...want to live."
Kitty put an arm around her. "Welcome back, Your Highness." she winked.
---
"...and this handsome guy is Brutus the Stag Beetle. See that jawline there?" Miko held the insect in her hand. "If you hold him up like so...they look like the antlers on a deer. Hence, 'stag' beetle. His scientific name is Lucanus cervus; 'cervus' meaning deer."
"How did you keep finding these?" Natalia asked.
"Stags are actually pretty popular as pets in Japan. Wasn't really that tough to find him. Unlike Ditko-san..." The beetle disappeared from Miko's hand, and was replaced with a tarantula. "I had to jump through so many hoops to get him, then he turns out to be an American tarantula. The kind that can throw its hairs to defend itself. Rinnie's cat found that out the hard way."
"That...seems to be a running theme."
"Rosie would get so mad whenever I brought them out for a walk. Well, I say 'mad', but it was that kinda Rosie mad. Her face wouldn't change at all or show any kind of emotion, but those eyes..." Miko shuddered. "But it's not like they were all biters. Suzy never stung anyone. She was a good girl for those last few months while I..."
Miko shook her head. "Sorry, I need a minute."
"It's okay." Natalia gave her a hug.
"Awww, I thought you were the hugger. It's still so surreal. Here I am, chatting it up about my bugs, like nothing's wrong. Like it's normal for me to have all of them with me at once. Then I stop and think, 'oh wait, they're all dead. They're dead and so am I.' Sorry, you've got enough problems without me being a downer. I mean, I can't have problems when I'm already dead, right?"
"Don't say that your problems don't matter. I said that for a long time. It took me forever to get to a place where I felt alright speaking up for myself. It came with me thinking that I didn't deserve to be friends with Carrie and the girls."
"You've mentioned this Carrie girl a lot. She must be really special to you, huh?"
"Yeah...she was really interested in me from the day that we met. I thought she was just trying to get something out of me, like every other 'friend' I had. But she really did just want to be my friend. She looks and acts like a princess, but she's so strong too...she's almost died trying to protect me. And when she couldn't do anything, I finally found my courage. I would've done anything to make the one that hurt her pay for it. I love her so much...and I just want to see her and everyone again..."
Miko heard a noise. The sounds of several people approaching. "I don't think you'll be waiting for long."
Natalia looked out from behind the tree. There was the rest of the group. Carrie's eyes lit up once she caught sight of her. "N...Natalia..."
"This...this isn't that crazy jack-o-lantern lady messing with me, is it?" Natalia asked.
Carrie walked over and embraced her tightly. "It's not a trick. It could never be a trick..."
Natalia began tearing up. "I know...I know..."
She felt a pat on her head. "There's our heart and soul. Just in time, too. I think we could all use one of your hugs right about now." Kitty said.
"Ah...is it alright?" Natalia asked.
"Go on. I'm not greedy." Carrie assured.
Natalia promptly embraced Kitty. "Yep, there she is...missed having you around, Hoodsie."
"Kitty...is that the leadership armband?" Natalia asked.
"Ah, yeah, it is. I got voted into the role. Against my will, mind you. And with you and Care Bear not there for it. Not exactly a fair vote."
"Alright, a redo then. All those in favor?" Kibō asked.
Again, everyone raised their hands. Natalia and Carrie both joined in. "Y'ALL ARE IMPOSSIBLE!" Kitty griped. "Ugh. Well, anyway. The gang's finally back together. Everyone gets banished to Hell, and somehow you're all okay."
"Credit yourself for being so dogged. Snapping us out of our trances and forcing us through even when things became horrifying." Kenji replied.
"Speaking of trances, how did you avoid being overshadowed like the rest of us?" Carrie asked Natalia.
"I actually didn't. But someone came around to set me straight. She's been looking after me for a while." Natalia replied.
"'She'? Who's been looking after you?" Sakuya asked.
"Buzz buzz buzz. Your guardian angel is right here." Miko stepped out.
Jin was stunned by the sight of her. "That...that can't be...so you are here?"
"Oh me, oh my, is that Jinnie Mirai I spy?" Miko trotted over and gave Jin a hug. "Long time no see, Daddy-o. Still got that room full of plushies?"
"I, uh...yeah. So you're the spirit that came down here?"
"'The spirit'. You make everything sound so serious and dramatic. But hey, can't just rely on looks to get by, right?"
"Who is this chick? She kinda looks like..." Kitty pondered.
"Is your next line, perhaps, gonna be 'Shizuka'?" Miko asked.
"Well, yeah, it was gonna be."
"Then you've gotta be Kitty Kat. Which means you get the next hug!" Miko did so.
"Uhhhhh." Kitty muttered.
"Thanks for being so good with her. For being a big sister since I can't be there. That means a ton."
"Big sister...so then, you're--"
"Miko Sakaki. So you came down here to help out Rin, even knowing the risks?" Jin asked.
"If not now, then when? Outside of here or Paradise, I don't have a body of my own. I've gotta repay Rinnie somehow. But, looks like I've messed up that plan." Miko said. 
"How do you mean?" Kibō asked.
"Going from one world to the other takes up a lot of energy. If I use up all of my energy, I won't have any strength to go back. I'll be stuck down here. The only way I can keep going is if I borrow some life force from a living body. But I couldn't ask any of you to do it, not after everything you've already had to deal with."
"Tell me this. If you were to take our energy, would we die?" Ryōma asked.
"Oh no, I wouldn't take so much that you'd be in danger. But it'd definitely be a risk to keep going. Hence why I wouldn't want to do it."
"Take mine."
"Huh?"
"Tsutsugo, what are you trying to do?" Jin asked.
"Putting my life to good use. Your friend there traveled from much farther away to see the Kubo woman. I know how you and these children look at me. You said it yourself that I'm not to be trusted. You don't need to waste energy bickering with me. Let her take my energy. It'd be better spent elsewhere."
"Who is this guy, Jinnie? He's dressed kinda funny." Miko asked.
"I'm your way to the one you want to see. Let that be enough."
"I'm not going to leave you to rot here." Jin said.
"Don't patronize me. On the inside, you're happy to be rid of me. Don't you want your friend around you for at least a little while? I can defend myself, even without all of my power."
"...I'll admit that I might have misjudged you. Might have."
"You really sure about this, dude? You'd be a sitting duck waiting here." Miko asked.
Ryōma drew his sword. "I can handle myself."
"If you're really sure...then this is gonna sting a little."
Miko put her hand through Ryōma, phasing through as if nothing was there. The Elite was in apparent distress. Miko withdrew her hand. Ryōma fell to his knees.
"Ngh...'a little', huh..." he groaned.
Jin helped him up. "We'll come back for you. You have my word as a man."
"Oh, now I know you're serious...that's assuming I even survive that long..."
"Let me show the results of years of training. It's not just me that I can cast illusions over. Nothing that comes through will see you. Just sit here. I promise we won't leave you here." Energy began coming from Jin's hands.
"You had better not, Mirai...but at least if I do die, it'll be a short trip..."
"Damn fool. Don't start planning your funeral now."
The illusion was cast, and Ryōma disappeared from sight. "That should last him until we come back. Let's make sure that wasn't for nothing. I'm sure Rose and Rin won't know how to react to seeing you." Jin said.
"Probably gonna need some tissues. Let's not keep them waiting." The group began departing. "Thanks for the help, Robin Hood. I'll make sure you don't regret it." Miko walked off.
"...guess I'm the one going soft now. Hehe. You punks better win. Even if I'm destined for this place, I'd rather not start my sentence today." Ryōma responded.
---
"Soooo." Miko prodded.
"So...what?" Jin asked.
"Word on the street is you and Tennie have a Plus-1 now."
"Yeah, that's right. She's about three months old now. Her name's Rina. I don't think I need to explain where that came from."
"That is such a Tennie thing to do. You've already had the grizzled dad thing going for a while so you won't be changing a bit." Miko rubbed Jin's beard.
"Hey, knock it off!"
"Heehee, still as easy to rile up as always~."
"Boy, this Miko chick's a bit of a tease, isn't she?" Kitty asked.
"Remind you of anyone we know?" Kenji replied.
"Nope. No bells being rung."
"So JoJo really took his eye out to try to help Koko out? Wow. He's more of a romantic than I gave him credit for. And what about Jugo? He still...doing good?" Miko asked.
"Jugo's doing fine. Occupied by his work, of course. Never a dull moment in our city." Jin replied.
"No, I guess not..."
"...it really is good to see you again. Everyone misses having you around. Every time I see a bug, I think it's you."
"Oh, Jinnie..." Miko put her head on his shoulder. "Part of me wishes I didn't come down here. I want to see Rinnie and Rosie so badly, but...I know it's not forever. I'm gonna have to say goodbye again. I don't know if I can put them through that. I've seen what it's done to Rinnie. Her heart's been broken too many times before. I can't rip it up again."
"Miko...hm?"
The group stopped. They had reached a long stone bridge, built high over a putrifying waste. At the end of the bridge, was an enormous stone palace.
"That certainly qualifies as 'evil lair material'." Kitty said.
"HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!"
"Bah, there's that godawful laugh again..." Max griped.
"G'day, Team Drongo!" Kerberos appeared on the bridge. "Gotta admit, ya did good gettin' down here without a scratch. Most kiddies would've run on home after just one floor. But when you've got such a pretty kitty movin' you along..."
She took notice of Miko. "Ey, where'd that green grumpo run off to? And what's this buggy broad doin' down here?"
"Throwing a wrench into your plans, spooky." Miko replied.
"Enough with the games, Kerberos. You're not breaking us no matter what you try." Kibō said.
"We've taken the worst you can throw at us and flung it away. Are you just afraid of taking us all head-on?" Barbara questioned.
"HAAAAAAAAA! Me, afraid of you lot? You don't remember me flattenin' you and bringing you down here? And by the by, you ain't seen my worst, darlin'. That'd be waitin' for you in my humble den over there. You want Red and Blue back? Come and take 'em, if ya can. Don't keep me waiting." Kerberos vanished.
Everyone turned to each other, and gave a collective nod. They started across the bridge.
Inside the dimly lit palace, the faint sounds of laughter could be heard. "This is freaky...it sounds like kids laughing." Sahir said.
"Legends say that at the moment of your death, you experience every key moment of your lifetime at once." Sakuya replied.
"Are you saying that this is...us laughing?" Natalia nervously asked.
"Stay firm. This is just another of Kerberos' provocations." Jin affirmed.
The group made it into a dark room, with nothing save for a crimson throne. "A dead end...did we miss a pathway?" Kibō pondered.
"Over there!" Carrie pointed to an opening in the wall, with a staircase going down.
"Look, Kenny, your favorite." Kitty joked. Kenji grumbled.
"HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!"
"Not this again..." Miko groaned.
Kerberos appeared sitting on the throne. "Dear mates, welcome to Casa del Kirby! You'll have to excuse the plain deco. I don't have guests over often."
"Give it a rest, freakshow. Where's the Professor?" Kitty demanded.
"Your teach is right downstairs. Sittin' real pretty waitin' for ya. But ain't you forgettin' someone?" 
Kerberos snapped her fingers, and a large block of ice was brought down via chains. A single figure was suspended inside of the ice.
"Rosie!" Miko exclaimed.
"It's hotter than a nice summer day in the Great Australian Fuck All down here. I'm just helpin' our displaced maiden cool off. Even frozen in a little block, she's a 10 outta 10 babe, so why not put her on display?" Kerberos proceeded to lick the ice, a longing look on her face.
"Disgusting..." Sakuya muttered.
"Bastard! She's not your plaything! Let her go!" Jin demanded.
"Anythin' for you, Jinnie. But you gotta earn it first. This place is all about fightin' demons. I've got one here, just. For. You. Toodles!" Kerberos disappeared.
"Damn freak. We've gotta get her out of there!" Max exclaimed.
"Wait. Something isn't--" Jin began.
Someone appeared in Kerberos' place. He wore similar red robes, though with a brighter shade of red. His face was obscured, showing only a single, glowing eye. "Yo ho, spazzes!"
"What gives? You left for a change of wardrobe?" Kitty asked.
"Wait a minute. That's a male voice. That isn't Kerberos." Sakuya said.
"Mr. Mirai, who is that? Mr. Mirai?" Barbara asked.
Jin tensed up. His gaze intensified. "You...! I should've known you'd be at Kerberos' beck and call. How many times do we have to go over this?!"
"Whoa-ho, Jinnie! Your flapper's working again! Well, shoot. And here I thought I'd done a good enough job gutting your throat. Ah, well. Least I did enough to get Her Ladyship back to a flesh-and-blood body. How'd that feel getting ripped up from the inside?" the robed man asked.
"This is the guy that cut your throat? So then, that means he's..." Barbara began.
"Nobuhiro Yamatsu. The Reaper. Kerberos' old host and my old tormentor. I'd been wondering if it was Kerberos' influence that made you a hateful creature. But it looks like it was you being a twisted monstrosity that attracted her to you." Jin replied.
"You'd be breaking my heart if it was still beating, Jinnie. You've gotta catch me up on everyone. How's the family? Ten-Ten finally get fed up with having a mute loser for a boy toy?" the Reaper quipped.
"I'm not in the mood for your petty insults. I have bigger fish to fry than you. Namely your mistress. So move. Or be moved."
"Woooow, scary! Still as grim as ever, I see. Honestly, y'all can go ahead and walk away. Let Lady Kerberos have her way with you. All the same to me. I'll just stay here with Rosie. You wouldn't let me have Rinnie as a bride, so I'll just take the one she wants as compensation. Fair is fair, right?" The Reaper had his elbow on the ice block.
"Everyone. Go down the stairs. Leave this idiot to me." Jin insisted.
"Jinnie, are you nuts? That's the Reaper you're talking about! Didn't it take everyone just to take him out last time?" Miko asked.
"That was years ago. I've got more up my sleeve than I did back then. Hey, Kitty."
"Yeah?" Kitty responded.
"Take them to Rin. Put an end to the madness. You have the qualities to do it. You know what this is. A fight for me, and me alone. Go."
"...alright. Everyone, let's move. You'd better not die on us, man." The students ran for the stairs.
"Has anyone ever told you that you pick the most ridiculous times to play the hero?" Miko asked.
"More than you would think." Jin replied.
Miko hugged him. "If I don't see you again...tell Koko I miss her. Take care, Jinnie." She ran for the stairs.
"Heh. A one-on-one duel, Jinnie? Just like back then? How sentimental of you." the Reaper joked.
"Bite me. This has nothing to do with sentiment. If I could keep them around, I would. But what I'm about to do to you...it shouldn't be seen by human eyes. I know I can't kill you again. So I'll just settle for damning you further."
Jin took a battle stance. He took a deep breath. He opened his eyes, now yellow in coloration. Dark energy sparked around him.
"BAN-
-KAI."
An explosion of energy erupted out, forcing the Reaper back. "The hell is this...?!" 
Jin appeared from the center of the explosion. He was shrouded in shadow, the only visible parts of his face being glowing red eyes. A pair of small horns appeared on his head, and his hair had grown out into a wild state. He opened his mouth, and a cold smoke came out of it. His canines were now fangs.
"Tenshō Onimusha."
"...? What's with the cosplay act?"
"This isn't a costume. This is my power at its apex. I have become, in mind and body, a demon. Takes one to defeat one, after all."
"Ha! Well ya came to the right place for that, bud. Once I put you down for good, you'll be right at home with the rest of the trash. Maybe if you're lucky you'll be put in that swamp next to your old man. Wouldn't that be something?"
"You really are just a shell of empty contempt. I've heard enough of your bullshit. It's time for your punishment."
The Reaper drew his revolver and pointed it at Jin. "Took the words right outta my--huh?"
In the robed man's view, everything was becoming distorted. "Hey, what's the big idea? Why am I...so woozy...?"
"Feeling alright, Nobuhiro?" Jin began moving his arms around, leaving afterimages with his every move. His voice began to echo. "You're not feeling out of it already, are you?"
"Sh-shut it! Just let me get my...aim right..." 
Jin began shifting around the room every time the Reaper aimed at him. "Stand still and let me shoot you, freak! What the hell have you done to me?!"
"I've dulled your senses and shifted how you perceive reality. Isn't a nice feeling, is it? Having someone else inside your head, making you question whether anything you're experiencing is real?"
"Ugh, to hell with this! Maybe this'll learn ya!" A large hand comprised of light energy came crashing down towards the ice block. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! See what being a cocky SOB gets you--"
The hand rose up. No remnants of the ice block, or Rose, were present.
"Wha...there should've been a crash...what's going on?"
"Wow. That wasn't even close." Jin had the ice block right next to him.
"How did you--?!"
"I never moved her. You've just been flailing around like an idiot this whole time, hitting everything except what you're trying to hit. I haven't needed to lift a finger."
Jin began to motionlessly rotate around the Reaper, the afterimages themselves going around in different directions, circling the confused serial killer. "What's wrong, Nobuhiro? Feeling light-headed? Dontknowwhatshappening? Feellikeyouregonnathrowup?" Jin's voice echoed, seeming to ask several questions at once.
"You're already feeling the weight of every sin you've ever committed bearing down on you like a crumbling building. I'm about to increase that weight tenfold."
"Grrrr, quit fucking with MEEEEEEEE!" The Reaper pulled out a second revolver, and began firing madly at the images. The shots had no effect, and Jin began circling even closer and faster. "Bastard! Quit with the mindfreak BS and fight me for real!"
"You want a real bout? Fine. Have it your way."
The afterimages all returned to Jin, who stood menacingly in front of the Reaper. His eyes flared.
"SHUN GOKU SATSU! DIE ONE-THOUSAND DEATHS!"
Jin grabbed the Reaper, and everything went dark. All that could be seen was the red of his eyes, as he rapidly teleported around his foe, striking him in every vulnerable area of his body. Once the violent barrage was done, light returned to the room. The Reaper lay motionless in a smoldering heap. Jin stood over him with his back turned, the kanji '鬼' emblazoned on his back.
Jin kicked the unmoving Reaper. His beaten opponent slowly crumbled away into shadow particles. Certain the threat was over, he returned to his normal form. He walked to the ice block, stopping to catch his breath. "Ugh...that took too much. I'm not gonna be of any help to anyone like this. Gotta...get her out of there..." He brandished his chain, striking the ice. After a few strained hits, the ice shattered. Rose crumpled to the ground.
"Come on, Rose, wake up...you've slept through way worse than this. This isn't your place to die. You and Rin still need to have your happily ever after..."
Rose stirred awake. "Nngh...Jin...? Ah!" She prepared to attack.
"Hold on! I'm not under Kerberos' spell anymore! I'm back to normal."
"How many times have I heard that? Why should I believe you after you...you stabbed Rin. You killed her! I'll have you suffer for..."
"Rin isn't dead, Rose! Her students are heading to her right now! If I was still under that vile woman's control, why would I come all the way down here to free you? Look me in the eyes. I'm not her puppet anymore. Please, believe me."
"Ah, wait a moment...you're talking again. How is that possible?"
"Hiyoko healed me. Kerberos' cells were what was keeping me from recovering my voice. She's gone now. I'm sorry for what I did to Rin while that witch was in control. She can still be saved. But we need to hurry downstairs."
"Okay...oh, Jin. What a ridiculous few days we've been having."
"You can say that again. Let's hurry. They're going to need all the help they can get. If I'm right, then she'll only have one soul guarding her. But that soul..."
"...it can only be...him."
---
"Unreal. Everything you hear about Hell makes it sound like this burning wasteland. And here's the bottom, looking like it belongs in Frozen." Kitty said.
The group were at the entrance of an icy wasteland. In the far distance, a grouping of frozen pillars could be seen, resembling a building of some sort.
"That looks like where we need to go. Stay on guard, everyone. Kerberos wouldn't leave her most important prisoner unguarded." Kibō said.
"We're almost there. We're coming, Proffesor." Barbara said.
The group proceeded towards the pillars, across the frozen waste. Throughout, frozen Shadows were everywhere, on their knees and staring down.
"Not a hint of movement. They look more like ice sculptures than actual people." Carrie said.
"If this is the bottom of Hell, then whatever these people did must've been the worst thing you could imagine." Sahir added.
"Sakaki-san, what are these people guilty of?" Sakuya asked.
"Breaking trust. The ninth circle of Hell is for people guilty of treason. Against their homes, their friends...and their family." Miko answered.
"Shattering sacred bonds is a grave offense, indeed. So here they lie, so far from the light of the sun that they've frozen solid. A grim fate, to be sure." Kenji said.
"As long as they stay like that, I'm fine. The less trouble we get, the better!" Natalia added.
Max grabbed the back of his neck. He shuddered. 
"What's up with you? There aren't mosquitoes down here, are there?" Kitty asked.
"Hey, if it is a mosquito, could you try not killing it? I'd want one for...reasons." Miko asked.
"It's not a mosquito. I just got this...really weird feeling. One of those 'hair on the back of my neck standing up' moments." Max replied.
"I get what you mean, dude. Something about this place doesn't feel right. I mean, none of it's felt right, but down here especially." Sahir replied.
"A foreboding feeling. The closer we get to those pillars, the worse the feeling gets." Carrie added.
"It feels like...we're being watched. By something really, really bad." Barbara added.
"If it's down here, surely it's as close to pure evil as anything could be. This sensation of being watched...if something's following us, it'd be like a predator stalking its next meal. Or sizing us up, waiting for its chance to strike." Kibō said.
"Whoever or whatever it is needs to hurry up and show itself already! This bad feeling's ridiculous!" Natalia griped.
"Treason...against family. If he was gonna be anywhere, it would have to be..." Miko thought.
"Whatever this feeling is, we're almost there. There's an opening in the ice. That'd be where I'd hide my power source." Kitty said.
As they neared the pillar, the ominous feeling sharpened into a stunning jolt. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.
"Holy--!" Sahir exclaimed.
"Why does it feel like I'm being stabbed?!" Natalia questioned.
"Hehehehehe...hahahahahahaha..."
"More creepy laughing?!" Max griped.
"This is different from before...and it's close..." Sakuya uttered.
"Welcome to the Wastes of the Treacherous, lambs of the crimson shepherd. Fortune has brought you here...to your doom!"
The ill feelings only intensified.
"Gh...I feel like I'm gonna throw up...God, what is this power..." Barbara uttered.
"What is this? Hey, creep show! Get out here!" Kitty exclaimed.
Suddenly, a single, black feather fell close to her face. "A kitten who bears no real fangs has no business being here...you are just prey...for that which sits atop the world's hierarchy...but if you wish it, I will show myself."
A figure deftly leapt from above, landing in front of the frozen structure. He was a young man, wielding a pitch-black katana, with short, dark hair and wearing glasses. He wore a typical student's uniform, underneath a Naruki Academy blazer. He sneered, and adjusted his glasses.
"Greetings, lambs. I am the architect of your impending demise. You won't be reaching my dearest little sister anytime soon. I'm afraid your quest is about to have a tragic conclusion." Tohru stated.