Chapter Text
To say the past few days for the Phaethon siblings have been hectic would be an understatement. What was supposed to be a normal commission alongside the Cunning Hares turned into a disaster turned conspiracy. While they managed to pull through, it wasn’t without consequences.
Now that situation has slowed down, Wise and Belle decided to take things slow while Nicole handles the Vision case. Meaning they could focus on the video store. Sure the siblings were mainly proxies but Random Play was just as important to them as their double life as Phaethon.
Little did one of them know, a certain secret they kept buried would resurface and start a chain of events that would change their lives forever.
Helios Academy | 11 Years Ago
…
…where am I? Why does it look like…?
What he saw was a blue sky and trees, the branches swaying with the wind. In the distance, a large building could be seen.
“….ng schedule? Hmph. Don’t expect me to go easy on you like last time in today’s test. Get ready to cry!” A voice from a long haired girl reached his ears.
“Hmph, you said that last time too - and we still won.” Another girl with short hair spoke.
“Oh? Then what about the time before that, and the one before that, and the one before that?!”
“Then what about the time before those, huh?!”
Those voices…am i…?...!
My head’s…it hurts!!
“Alright, alright, you two geniuses, the test hasn’t even started yet. Don’t get so worked up.” Now a voice from a boy with orange hair.
Is that…?
“I heard the test has to do with the new implants we just calibrated.”
Wait a test? Don’t tell me…?!
“Um…Have you guys noticed Miss Carole acting…strange lately?” The long-haired girl asked.
H-hold on..!
“Huh? What’s up, Wise?” The boy asked.
We…we shouldn’t do the test! I-if we do then…then…!
“Why are you so scared? Oh! I know!”
“Is it because…”
“You already know you’re going to KILL ME?”
!
The world around him began to distort. Sobs could be heard from the long haired girl. The orange haired boy’s face was now unreadable. But the malice emitting from him was unmistakable.
No! I didn’t want to…! It wasn’t…!
“But it WAS you. You CAN’T DENY IT can you?”
I-I…
He's right, you know.
!?
Don’t act all surprised.
S-stop…!
Don’t tell me you forgot what Carole told you.
Keep her name out your mouth!
My mouth? You mean YOUR mouth?
???
Two figures stand in a black void. One kneeling with a hand on his head while the other looks down at him. Both have the same appearance, the only difference between them being that one looking down bears golden eyes.
How long will you keep denying the truth? Pretend like it never happened?
…
Whether you want to accept it or not, you're partly to blame for what happened.
But Teacher told me…
Of course she told you it wasn’t your fault. WHY wouldn’t she tell you that? You’re smart enough to know the answer.
…I
Lest you want all that you cherish to be struck down, you’d best make up your mind…
My Other Self
Wise’s Room | Present Day
*Gasp* Wise shot up from his pillow covered in sweat. Looking around he breathes a sigh of relief thankful to be back to reality.
*Groan* (If it isn’t insomnia, it’s that…no we buried that years ago there’s no need to bring it back up.) Shaking his head, Wise tries to clear his mind to mentally prepare for the day.
…you’d best make up your mind…My Other Self
“…”
*Knock Knock* “Wise! Are you up yet? We gotta open up shop!” He heard Belle’s voice outside his room. Smiling to himself, he gets out of bed to start work.
“Coming!”
As he got up to greet his sister, a glowing blue butterfly, on the windowsill outside, was observing him. Excited to see a new story untold.
Random Play | Evening
The day went by like normal for the managers. The video store pulled its usual traffic numbers meaning they wouldn’t be scraped for cash. (For now.) The main problem was how they were going to build up their new interknott account. Starting from scratch meant it would be mostly low paying commissions and competition from other proxies. Even with their new Super AI Fairy filtering requests with the highest pay available, this was far from ideal.
More than anything, Phaethon needed to obtain data from hollows if they wanted to pursue their true goal. Which was to reach the ruins of the old capital and find clues as to where their teacher is.
With the help of a friendly (sleezy) broker, they were able to become investigators for Hollow Zero. Though they needed to remain cautious as they caught the attention of H.S.O. Section 6 by accident. The last thing they needed to be would be at the end of Hoshimi Miyabi’s blade.
As the day came to an end, Belle dealt with the last customer while Wise checked inventory. Once Belle flipped the sign to close she glanced at her brother with concern. While he tried to play if everything was normal, she knew better. When she saw him this morning, he looked like he had seen a ghost and she could hazard a guess as to WHO that ghost was.
“...Hey bro…” Belle called.
“Hm?” Wise responded with his back still turned.
“Is everything alright?”
“...Yeah, why do you ask?”
“It's just that…” She hesitated “You were sweating and looked pale this morning and I was wondering if you were…”
“...”
*Sigh* Wise sighed knowing full well he couldn’t hide anything from his sister. So he turned around to face her. “Yeah..you guessed it, I…I dreamt about that day.”
“...I knew it. Wise…you know it wasn’t your fault right? Teacher said it wa-”
“I know!” Her brother interrupted. “I know…it’s just…it’s been getting harder and harder to not think about that incident…”
“...”
Silence rang throughout the store with neither sibling saying anything else. Their bangboo looked with concern and even the newest member of their team hadn’t said anything to cut the tension as she didn’t have a clue as to what they were referring to.
“...Listen, this week has been crazy.” Wise broke the silence. “It’s probably just the stress of everything getting to me”
Liar
“...Yeah…you’re probably right…” Belle reluctantly agreed. She couldn’t argue against his reasoning. After the fall of the capital, their lives were far from ideal. The loss of their main interknot account dealt a hefty blow to their ability to do proxy work. Their new A.I. assistant Fairy was able to help them and the experience the siblings have gained over the years would help them get back on their feet. But it’s proving to be a slow burn.
Not wanting to keep seeing his sister upset, Wise walks up to her and rests a hand on her head.
“Hey, we’re getting new stock tomorrow. How about for lunch, we get some noodles? My treat.”
“...Promise?”
“Promise. Now go get some rest, I’ll finish up down here.”
“Alright, night Bro.” She smiles and starts heading up the stairs.
“Good night Belle” He smiles back as he watches her go to bed. Then noticing that his bangboos were still looking at him with concern. Wise gives them a look of assurance. “You three did good today. Go get charged up for tomorrow.”
While hesitant, the three bangboo started heading to their charging stations. Except for Eous, who walked up to Wise.
“(Are you going to okay Wise?)” Eous with his ear drooping with concern. Wise kneeled down and started petting the bangboo.
“I’m gonna be fine, Eous. C’mon, we might get a big commission soon. I’m gonna need you at 100%, alright?”
“(Okay!)” Eous nods and heads upstairs to Wise’s room.
Now standing alone, Wise puts a hand on his chest and looks down.
“...”
Wise’s Room
As Wise laid on his bed, he let the conversation with Belle linger in his mind. He couldn’t get upset at her bringing up what happened back then. Ever since that incident, he hasn’t been the same ever since. Anyone who’s gotten to know the siblings could immediately note their differences. Belle was extroverted, full of energy and optimism. In contrast, Wise was tired and much more reserved. The bags under his eyes were becoming a core part of his identity.
You could write that off as Wise just being more mature and responsible, being the older brother. Where Belle can be clumsy and a nervous wreck when things go into a panic, Wise is level headed and knows how to keep his cool in most situations. They weren’t shy to admit that they were orphans, even before they were students at Helios, so it would make sense why Wise is the way he is.
He feared that whatever was inside him would return and go berserk again, hurting those around him. But the truth was that Wise secretly yearned for more. To actually spend time with people. He never closed his heart off to the world. He considered people like the Cunning Hares and their neighbors on Sixth Streets as friends. However he kept most interactions transactional, keeping them at arm’s reach. Not wanting to repeat the past.
(Serpico…Truvia…do you guys…hate me…?) Wise asked. Bringing his hands into view, remembering how they looked that day.
Helios Academy | 11 Years ago
“Shit!”
“What the-”
“AAAAAAHH!”
“Kids! Kids! Answer me!”
“SERPICO! SERPICO!”
“...Huh…?” Confused by the screaming surrounding him, he tried to gather his bearings. He saw Helios staff and his teacher scrambling in panic. Belle was in a state of shock & fear at the scene in front of them. Following her line of sight, he saw an image that would be burned into his skull.
“...Ser…pico…?”
What he saw before him was his childhood friends on the ground. Serpico was lying in a pool of blood. Truvia was kneeling beside him calling his name in hopes of a response.
Then Wise noticed the blood lead to him. Where he saw that his hands were stained red with what looked to be gold veins running down his fingers and palms. Telling him what had happened.
…
As the memory lingered on that moment, everything slowly began to fade to black. Finally letting Wise in the present time drift into sleep.
???
[Persona OST: Aria of The Soul]
…
Wise opened his eyes to the sound of a soothing piano melody followed by a woman singing in the background. Looking around he noticed that he wasn’t in his room.
Instead he was in, what looked like, a movie theater. But it was very different from any other theater he’s been in. The first thing he noticed was that everything was primarily blue except for the wall in front of him. Where a blank screen was present waiting for a film to be shown. Next, all the recliner chairs were blue. Wise himself was sitting in the front row.
“My, my. It’s been quite a while since our last guest.”
Finally, Wise made note of the people before him. Standing was a woman, who looked to be the same age as him, dressed in what looked like a theater attendant’s outfit with long ash blond hair hanging off her right shoulder. Along with golden eyes, on top of her head she wore a beret hat. Her outfit, save for a pair of black stockings, shared the same color as the room they were in. Alongside a large brown book in hands.
Sitting in a blue leather chair next to her was an elderly man with an unusual appearance. He wore a black suit, a white shirt underneath, black tie, white gloves and white handkerchief in his chest pocket. But his most defining attribute was his facial features. Prominently was his nose, as it was several inches long. Eyes that were bloodshot and looked like they were going to pop out of his skull. Elf ears with white hair from his balding head tucked behind. Lastly he held a wide grin that reached halfway across his cheeks.
The strange man leaned forward, resting his arms on a blue wooden table with a stack of cards.
“Welcome to the Velvet Room.”
“Huh?” Despite what his appearance might have led Wise to believe, when the man spoke, he felt at ease. Making it clear that, whoever these people were, they had no malicious intent.
“This room exists between dreams and reality, mind and matter….” The elderly man explained.
“Between dreams…and reality?” Wise asked.
“Yes. The real you is currently resting. This room is shaped by the guests who are invited here and reflects the journey they will take.”
“A journey?” The man softly chuckled while the women next to him remained silent.
“Ah, forgive me. Allow me to introduce myself.” He apologized before continuing.
“My name is Igor.” He gestures to the women. “And this is Safie. She, like myself, is a resident of this place.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Phaethon.” Safie finally spoke, giving him a smile.
“?! How do you..?!” Wise asked in shock.
“There is no need to be concerned.” Igor reassured him “The moment you agreed to your contract we were informed of your presence. As only those bound by one are allowed to enter.”
“Contract? I don’t remember signing any contract!”
“You didn’t sign a traditional contract per say…” Safie explained. “You agreed to what I believe to be referred to as a license agreement.”
“License…? Wait! Do you mean Fairy?!” Recalling how the AI came to be.
“Yes. As for why we have summoned you here is to tell you that you possess a unique power that you will have to master.” Igor pulls out a tarot card, specifically of the Fool arcana. “And we will be here to assist you.”
“...”
“All will be explained in due time. Until we meet again Phaethon.”
The blank screen in the background began to show a classic movie countdown.
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
Wise’s Room | Morning
“...Okay…THAT was the weirdest dream I’ve ever had…” Now awake, Wise sat at the edge of his bed trying to make sense of what he dreamt. Mainly to what Igor was referring to.
(Unique power? Was he talking about my ocular implants?...No, I get the feeling it’s something else.) After thinking about it for a bit, he shook his head, deciding that it would be best to start the day.
Sixth Street | An Hour Later
Wise and Belle could be seen walking down the neighborhood with boxes in hand. Having returned from picking up some movies from different suppliers, as yesterday they were informed their usual supplier ran into some trouble. As they were walking down the street, Belle decided to check on how her brother was doing.
“So Wise, did you sleep well last night?” She asked, wanting to rip the bandage right away.
“...Yeah. I did, actually.” Her brother answered honestly.
“Really? Did you have a nice dream or something?”
“Hmm…more weird than nice truthfully.”
“Weird? Just how weird?” She pressed, her curiosity taking over.
“It had a man with a long nose.” Curious to see how she would react.
“A long nose?...Was he an ant eater thiren?”
“Nope. Just a man. (Though he didn’t seem human either.)”
“...Man. That is WERID." Causing Wise to laugh. Brightening Belle’s mood significantly. Since last night, she was worried that he would still be thinking about that incident but that didn’t seem to be the case. Changing the subject, she had another question to ask him.
“By the way, what’s up with these movies? Why are they all documentaries and artistic films?” Looking at the receipt from the suppliers.
“I just chose the movies that are the most popular right now.” He responded immediately. Almost like he knew she would ask.
“...You’re using the store’s inventory for your own purposes aren’t you?!” Remembering Wise’s taste for movies.
“...I have NO idea what you’re referring to.” Turning his head so as to not see the look on her face. Failing to notice that she grabbed the key to their car. “Tell you what, next time I’ll let you pick movies, alright?”
Finally reaching the video store, Wise went to open the door only to notice Belle wasn’t beside him. Turning around he saw her spinning the key in her finger.
“Actually, I have a better idea…” Shooting him a grin befitting of a gremlin, “You manage the store. While I get some movies that our customers ACTUALLY want. Kay?”
“Wha-?! You can’t just-”
“Later bro! I’ll be back for my noddles~” She took the chance to run to the car before he could grab her.
“BELLE! *sigh* That girl I swear…” Shaking his head, Wise couldn’t help but smile. Seeing his sister being her cheerful self was something he always cherished. Even before going to Helios, Belle always stayed by him. All the more reason to find their teacher/adopted mother.
(Teacher…I swear…we WILL find you!)
Random Play | Afternoon
A few hours flew by before Wise realized it. Belle being absent and dealing with the new stock and customers meant he wasn’t keeping track of time.
“Master, it is now 1pm. Second Assistant has yet to return. Most logical conclusions. She forgot to refuel the car. Or the more likely reason: she hit an ethereal that walked out of a hollow.” Fairy informed him. Causing him to sweatdrop, already used to the dynamic between his sister and the super AI. Though he didn’t deny the second possibility. Belle’s driving was something to behold.
“Huh…you’re right. She should’ve been back by now.” Checking his phone, it showed that she hadn’t contacted him. (Maybe she’s already at General Chop’s…wouldn’t put it past her if she was…)
Sixth Street
Stepping outside, he did see some customers eating noodles but no Belle. Starting to worry, he walked up to the General Chop.
“Ah, Wise, are you here for lunch?” The noodle shop owner asked.
“Oh umm…no, not yet. Have you seen Belle? She was supposed to be back with some new inventory by now.”
“Sorry, I haven’t seen her. Figured she was with you.”
“I see…” Worry turned to panic, though Wise kept a straight face. Just then a siren could be heard nearby. Confused by this he headed through the source. (Is that Public Security? Why are they on Sixth Street?)
Upon a closer look, he saw two officers in front of a crowd. One using the speaker on their patrol car.
“-I repeat. A Companion Hollow has appeared in a nearby neighborhood. All adjacent streets may be at risk. Please do not proceed any further-”
Panic morphed into dread…
Random Play
*SLAM* Wise rushed into the backroom and activated the HDD.
“Master. After surveying nearby traffic footage within the past few hours, I have confirmed that Second Assistant Belle is located in the recently formed Companion Hollow.” The AI explained, confirming what he feared most.
“Thanks Fairy, start scanning for biosignals and the fastest routes to them.”
“Aknowledged”
“Eous, grab your bombs and start making your way to the hollow. I’ll send help as soon as I can.” Grabbing his phone to call the Cunning Hares.
“(Roger!)” The bangboo was out the door not even a minute later.
He was certain that Belle could stay out of harm's way and find an exit on her own. But that wasn’t the reason he was scared. It was her ether aptitude that was the reason why. The HDD took a toll on both their bodies and any use of it affected any chance of staying in a hollow for a prolonged amount of time. While Wise was certain that a rescue team was deployed by Pub Sec, hollows tended to be unpredictable even in the best circumstances. He wasn’t willing to take that chance.
*Ring* *Ring* *Boop* “The number you are-” But things already weren’t looking good.
“Damnit Nicole! Where are you when I ACTUALLY need you?!” He yelled before scolding himself. He knew Nicole long enough to know that she wouldn’t ignore his calls on purpose. The fact that none of the other members were answering meant that they went off the grid. Likely to avoid debt collectors and gangs.
The proxies did have contacts in the Defense Force, but they’ve been occupied since they last spoke. Coupled that with the fact that Scott Output, where most members of the Defense Force are stationed, was hours away meant even by car it would be too late. Without any other choice, Wise synced up to Eous and entered the hollow alone.
Abandoned Metro
Almost an hour had gone by and there was no sign of Belle. He did find survivors and was able to guide them to the nearest exit all while avoiding any ethereals. Fortunately, one of the survivors said Belle went after a girl who went into a panic and ran from the group. Now with confirmation of Belle’s location, Wise went deeper into the hollow.
“Come on…Come on…There!” Finally, he spotted his sister up against a wall secluded from any enemies. She seemed to be confronting a high school girl, who was struggling to remain calm. Quickly he rushed over.
“Belle!”
“Wise! You made it!” Happy to see her brother was able to find them.
“Are you alright?! Are you hurt?!” Finally relieved to see his sister.
“I’m fine! I’m more worried about her.” Referring to the young girl.
“I-is that bangboo t-talking? I t-think I’ve finally lost it…” The high schooler said before promptly falling over. Startling both proxies.
“Hey! Hey! Are you okay?!” Belle called out.
“Don’t worry. She just passed out from exhaustion.” Wise informed after doing a quick diagnostic scan. “Quick, grab her and I’ll take us to the exit!”
“Right!” She wrapped the young girl’s arm around her shoulder and pulled her up. Eager to finally leave the hollow.
After a while they were halfway to the exit and haven’t run into any issues. Unknowingly letting their guard down. Failing to notice they had some uninvited guests…
“The exit over there! Just a litt-”
“WISE! LOOK OUT!”
*KABOOM*
Random Play
“GAH! Belle! Eous!” Wise yelled out in pain. Whatever happened severed his connection to Eous. Causing him to feel the damage it suffered. Quickly gathering his bearings he tried to reconnect to the bangboo. “Fairy! What happened?!”
“Ether level indicates explosions caused by: Blastcrawler-Energized Variant.” Fairy informed him. “My apologies Master, as I was calculating routes, I failed to pick up nearby ethereal readings.”
“Damnit! I was too careless! How are they doing?!”
“According to biosignals and ether level, Belle is likely fending off ethereals using Eous’ bombs.” The AI summerized. “However my calculations suggest Belle only has a less than 30% chance of escape without assistance.”
*BANG* “DAMNIT!!!” Wise slammed his fists on the desk. A million thoughts ran through his head at once. He was unable to reconnect to Eous. He was unable to get help. He was unable to protect his family. He was unable to do anything. He was just…useless…
Do you truly believe that?
…
Wise lifted his head. He looked at photos that the siblings kept by the HDD. Photos of when they opened the video store. Photos of the bangboo. Photos of them and their friends. Photos of Belle pranking him. Photos of them at Helios Academy. Photos of the family they no longer have. Photos to act as a reminder as to why they become the proxies known as Phaethon. A reminder as to why they NEEDED to keep going.
Then a memory flooded his head…
Helios Academy | 11 Years Ago
[Zenless Zone Zero OST: The Way Home]
It had been a week after the incident. Serpico was pronounced dead. The staff deemed it an accident and were ready to move on, much to Carole Arna’s fury. Leading to Truvia running away. Unable to look at anyone, Wise locked himself in the shared room he had with Belle. Fully blaming himself for what happened. If his sister and teacher abandoned him, he wouldn’t blame them…
But that never came to be.
“Wise…” Looking up he saw them at the door. Refusing to look at them, he turned his head.
“Big Bro…” Belle kneeled beside him and placed her hands on his arm to get him to look. Still he refused. Then his teacher walked up and kneeled in front of him.
“...Wise…please look at me.” Carole insisted. But to no avail. So she gently held his face in her hands and turned it to look him in the eyes. “Wise, listen it wasn’t your fault…NONE of it was.”
“But Miss Carole…I-I” He tried to reason.
“NO it wasn’t.” She insisted “I TOLD them that the test was too dangerous to do. That we needed more data. That we needed MORE TIME. But it wasn’t enough and now they are trying to brush everything under the rug.”
“Even so…Serpico and I wanted to do the test…we just wanted…to make you proud…” Tears began to fall down his face. Causing Belle to hug him, crying tears of her own.
“...” Carole looked at him before grabbing an injection pen. Then injecting whatever was in it in his neck. “That’s a suppression agent. It should deal with whatever is inside you.”
Now holding both sibling's faces, she closed eyes.
“I’ll never forgive those bastards for tearing our family apart. I’ll make sure they pay.” Opening her eyes and giving them a smile. “I know that you two will do great things in the future. So promise me, whatever happens to me…”
“...You’ll keep moving forward.”
Random Play | Present Day
“(Teacher…)” For years Wise and his sister tried to keep the promise they made that day. In the end they couldn’t move forward and acted like forgetting it would solve everything. “(...I’m sorry…even after all these years…we didn’t even try…)”
…
“(Even so…Belle, Eous and I made a promise to each other!)” Refusing to lose what remains of his family, a spark ignited a fire inside.“(WE will find you! And bring you home!)”
“Fairy.” Grabbing some of Eous’s extra bomb, Wise turned to the screen. “Send me the shortest route to their location.”
“Master, entering a hollow after prolonged use of HDD is not-”
“I know Fairy.” Seeing the resolve in his eyes, she had no choice but to do as he says.
“...Understood.”
With that Wise plunged head first into the hollow.
Abandoned Metro
*Huff* *Huff* “Okay…this is…the worst…day…of my life…” Exhausted, Belle tried to catch her breath after fending off ethereals. Thankfully none of them were showing signs of ether corruption. But they were running out of time. She looked at Eous and saw that he was rebooting. “That Blastcrawler did a number on you…I’m sorry Eous…”
*ROAR* She flinched at the sudden noise. Slowly looking from cover, Belle saw all three variants of Alpeca ethereals. They didn’t notice her but they had them trapped. Trying to see a way out, she couldn’t believe what she saw.
“Wise…?!” Her brother had barged in with a bangboo bomb in his hand. Any relief she felt quickly disappeared when she noticed he showed signs of corruption. His face looked pale and green crystals with black patches were forming on his skin.
“Belle!” *ACK!* Wise called out before hunching over in pain due to his condition. Drawing the notice of the Alpecas. Looking up, he glared at them and tossed his last bomb. “Stay away from MY FAMILY!!”
*BOOM* The blast hit one directly, killing the normal variant. But the other two were unscathed. Now agitated they charged and jumped at Wise.
“WIIISSSEEE!!!”
“Crap..!” Closing his eyes, he braced for impact.
…
But nothing happened…
Opening his eyes, Wise looked around confused.
“What…?” Everything around him stopped. The ethereals were floating in the air and Belle was frozen in time with a look of distress on her face reaching out to him. Even the corruption affecting him ceased. He couldn’t make heads or tails of this.
“Are you going to let it end like this?”
“Huh?”
In a burst of blue flames, his Other Self appeared in front of him. Golden eyes stared at him with a neutral expression.
“Is this how your story will end? Before it could ever begin?”
“...What…or rather WHO are you?”
“...”
“Are you the THING that killed Serpico or not?”
“...I was. But don’t get it twisted. You share part of the blame as well.”
Wise flinches.
“You WANTED to do the test. Naively thinking it would make your teacher proud. That hubris is what led to your friend’s death.”
“...What do you mean when you said you WERE that thing?”
“Now…I’m just your Shadow. Your suppressed thoughts and feelings given form. Which is why I know you don’t feel that you are innocent.”
“...”
“So…Do you still intend to deny me?”
[Zenless Zone Zero OST: The Way Home]
“...You’re right.” Wise looked at his Shadow. “You were always right. I was the one who killed Serpico. Accident or not, that doesn’t dissolve me from any guilt.”
“...”
“I promised our mother that I would keep moving forward, only to keep standing there, stuck in the past.”
“So will you take that step forward?”
“Yeah. Not just for my sake. But also Belle’s, Eous’, Teacher’s, Truvia’s…Serpico’s sake.”
Shadow Wise smiled. Finally content, hearing the words he wanted to hear.
“Well then Wise…” The Shadow extended his hand to him. A blue flame ignited in his palm.
“Will you seize the sun?”
Wise smiled back.
“I will!”
And grabbed his Other Self’s hand.
Warm blue flames engulfed him.
*WHOOSH*
As time returned to normal, the ethereals that were trying to attack Wise were blasted away. As the intense wind subsided, Belle looked where her brother stood.
“Wise!” Her eyes widened in awe.
[Persona 5 OST: Will Power]
Wise stood there, free from the corruption that plagued him earlier, with a figure floating behind. It looked like a knight. A black body, save for a blue left arm, with silver armor spread throughout it. A blue core in its chest. A helmet with three horns covering its face. Long black hair and a torn cape behind it. Finally, a long blue sword in its right hand.
I am Thou
Thou art I
I am Pyrois
Thou has vowed to take my reins
And SCORCH those who oppose your resolve!
The two Alpecas, unfazed, charge at Wise again. The male proxy looked at them without any fear in his eyes.
“Lend me your strength! Pyrois!” The knight flew charged forward. “Cleave!”
It slashed the Infested variant, shattering its body. Pyrois then disappeared in a puff of blue flames. Leaving one enemy. Thinking it had an opening, the Energized variant leaped at Wise one last time.
Only for the proxy to smirk. Eyes glowing blue, raising his hand with a blue flame and crushed it into his palm.
“PERSONA!” Pyrois reappeared behind. Ready to act on its command. “Agi!”
Launching a red fireball at it. Hitting its elemental weakness and incinerating to ash. Putting an end to the enemy encounter.
Finally letting adrenaline subside, Pyrois returned to its user, letting him catch his breath. Wise looked up to see Belle and a fully recovered Eous staring at him in shock.
(They’re okay…thank goodness…) This was his last thought before passing out.
…