[He doesn't have the time to stop and think, not with a message like that. He finds himself in Tartarus when Yukari did not answer his return text, alone, but ready for whatever the place threw at him.
Some things were more important, the lives of his teammates most of all.
And so he steps into Tartarus, sword at the ready, and searches.]
[ ... He's amused that he was stupid enough to come here ALONE. But then, were any of the Shadows in Tartarus really a match for them at this point?
They weren't.
And he knew that he cared so much for his team's lives. He flips a phone closed, pockets it, and quietly decides it's time for something to add to this.
It's Yukari's voice Minato would hear, coming from somewhere. And... she sounds pretty distressed. ]
I... I can't find the stairs!
[ There's a pause to it, the voice is definitely not on this floor. ]
[He doesn't have the chance to consider that this might be a trap--and really, why would he? Not even Strega has been this underhanded. And so he reacts without hesitation, finding the stairs, heading up--]
[ Oh, it was certainly underhanded, but what was wrong with that? Desperate times... and desperate measures. After all, how could he ever help them as much as he knew he wanted to if he wouldn't do it himself the right way?
Yukari's voice is faint, but it answers: ]
W-who's there? Minato-kun? Is... that you?
[ Too simple. Far too simple. It was almost laughable. Follow her voice further, Minato; it won't be long now.
[ ... Out of the darkness, around a wall's corner, steps his doppelganger, hands in his pockets, expression a frown.
The Shadows around them seem to be drawn to him, as if following out of the stronger power, instead of fleeing, like normal. His tone is a deadpan mocking, his yellow eyes staring boredly. ]
You are such an idiot. A simple, innocent idiot. I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am.
[ A glimpse at his hand, and he takes his Evoker out of his pocket-- ]
Well, there doesn't really need to be more than one of us when I'll do far better. Don't worry... I know your faults.
Messiah.
[ And he smiles as he pulls the trigger... not unlike that first night he'd summoned, and Orpheus had appeared.
Only this time, it's Messiah, but distinctly off. The colors are... completely Reversed. It's black instead of white, and its eyes are red, like Orpheus was in the beginning.
Have the full brunt of your own power used against you, Minato--Megidolaon. Of course, he knows he won't die because... it's him. He can take the hit, but it will probably knock him out. Shadows surround Minato as well at the very same time, ready to take him to wherever it is inside Tartarus that his doppelganger has deemed the right place.
The last words he'd hear? ]
Blood is purifying... the blood in Tartarus is all of humanity's sins...
But he can't do anything to that, not when he was entirely unprepared. It knocks him off his feet and he hits the ground hard and doesn't even have the chance to cry out before his head hits the floor and he slumps, utterly helpless to do anything against his doppelganger.]
[ ... He shakes his head, as if saddened, pocketing his Evoker.
As if pondering the question as though he hadn't thought it out, he turns to the massive swarm of Shadows. ]
What should we do? I really am quite weak and selfish. As 'strong' as I am...
[ No matter. ... There's a small pause, wherein he merely waves a hand, and the Shadows take his other self deep within Tartarus.
You see, there are many rooms if one knows how to utilize them. What Minato would eventually reawaken to would be what looks like one of the most indecisive decorating jobs in the world--it's his own subconscious; his psyche.
That was the reflection of this room. So many different pieces and somehow, it was still just one room... and there was a mirror on every wall, as if to reflect that, quite literally
( ... )
You really need to get yourself together. You won't be able to save anyone like that from Nyx, will you?
[ It's almost as if he cares sincerely enough, the way his tone so... calm. Reflecting what the situation would call for. ]
You're really a freak, and you can't even see it... it's kind of pathetic. At least the other members of SEES are redeemable, somehow... but I don't think anyone has use for such a shattered, selfish Messiah. You can't even see how much of a freak you are. You made me need to show you point blank.
[ He looks at the walls around them again, each one so different, and there are large cracks running through all of them... symbolism, certainly. How broken the room is, how darkness can be seen beyond these large, large cracks. ]
That's right. Because it's obvious I'm you, isn't it?
[ His smile remains, rather, but he sounds a little disappointed. In the adjacent mirrors, you can see it reflected around the room. ]
Use your head, now. Come on... it's not hard. What do you think--or, sorry maybe I should say what do I think...? Or maybe... you can't think at all.
[ A pause, and a quiet laugh. ] What am I saying? Of course you can't. The fearless leader can't see what's right in front of him to begin with.
[ He then turns from the mirror and walks in a circle, before stopping right behind the chair. Leaning in very close, almost in a hush whisper now, his blue hair falling nearby as he leans in to talk to himself. He looks expectant, like he's looking for something and he just isn't seeing it.
There's a bag in his other hand, now. ... It probably looks familiar, considering that it's Minato's school bag. But books definitely are not what's in it--which is... particularly obvious, when he pulls out a large knife. ]Come on... did you really think I would be
( ... )
[He isn't angry at all--it takes so much more than this to anger him, so much more. Instead he watches the other warily, testing the bonds tying him to that chair--
Ah they're too tight for him to break, and he's weaponless, Evoker-less.
But his eyes haven't left the other, uncannily alike to him.
Your normal face stares back...
Wasn't that what he noticed, every time he looking in the mirror in the morning?
...but the other is holding a knife.]
...What right do you have to decide?
[He takes a breath, but it does not shake. He is calm, steady. He will not let this bring him down.]
I am the leader of SEES, and I will protect them. You don't belong here.
[...another part of him. His...his shadow...? He didn't belong.]
Some things were more important, the lives of his teammates most of all.
And so he steps into Tartarus, sword at the ready, and searches.]
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They weren't.
And he knew that he cared so much for his team's lives. He flips a phone closed, pockets it, and quietly decides it's time for something to add to this.
It's Yukari's voice Minato would hear, coming from somewhere. And... she sounds pretty distressed. ]
I... I can't find the stairs!
[ There's a pause to it, the voice is definitely not on this floor. ]
Stupid... what if he didn't get it?
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Yukari-chan?
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Yukari's voice is faint, but it answers: ]
W-who's there? Minato-kun? Is... that you?
[ Too simple. Far too simple. It was almost laughable. Follow her voice further, Minato; it won't be long now.
Patience had always been something he had. ]
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But he doesn't have time so he sets off at a run. And he calls out, rounding a corner without thought--]
Can you hear me?
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The Shadows around them seem to be drawn to him, as if following out of the stronger power, instead of fleeing, like normal. His tone is a deadpan mocking, his yellow eyes staring boredly. ]
You are such an idiot. A simple, innocent idiot. I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am.
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[ He steps over the blood all over the floor, running a hand over the walls also coated in red. Naturally, his hand comes up the same color. ]
But you're too weak to do it properly, aren't you? Self-sacrificing, but entirely selfish...
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Well, there doesn't really need to be more than one of us when I'll do far better. Don't worry... I know your faults.
Messiah.
[ And he smiles as he pulls the trigger... not unlike that first night he'd summoned, and Orpheus had appeared.
Only this time, it's Messiah, but distinctly off. The colors are... completely Reversed. It's black instead of white, and its eyes are red, like Orpheus was in the beginning.
Have the full brunt of your own power used against you, Minato--Megidolaon. Of course, he knows he won't die because... it's him. He can take the hit, but it will probably knock him out. Shadows surround Minato as well at the very same time, ready to take him to wherever it is inside Tartarus that his doppelganger has deemed the right place.
The last words he'd hear? ]
Blood is purifying... the blood in Tartarus is all of humanity's sins...
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freezes
why is it--
Who--
It's him, isn't it?]
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Messiah--
But he can't do anything to that, not when he was entirely unprepared. It knocks him off his feet and he hits the ground hard and doesn't even have the chance to cry out before his head hits the floor and he slumps, utterly helpless to do anything against his doppelganger.]
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As if pondering the question as though he hadn't thought it out, he turns to the massive swarm of Shadows. ]
What should we do? I really am quite weak and selfish. As 'strong' as I am...
[ No matter. ... There's a small pause, wherein he merely waves a hand, and the Shadows take his other self deep within Tartarus.
You see, there are many rooms if one knows how to utilize them. What Minato would eventually reawaken to would be what looks like one of the most indecisive decorating jobs in the world--it's his own subconscious; his psyche.
That was the reflection of this room. So many different pieces and somehow, it was still just one room... and there was a mirror on every wall, as if to reflect that, quite literally ( ... )
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You really need to get yourself together. You won't be able to save anyone like that from Nyx, will you?
[ It's almost as if he cares sincerely enough, the way his tone so... calm. Reflecting what the situation would call for. ]
You're really a freak, and you can't even see it... it's kind of pathetic. At least the other members of SEES are redeemable, somehow... but I don't think anyone has use for such a shattered, selfish Messiah. You can't even see how much of a freak you are. You made me need to show you point blank.
[ He looks at the walls around them again, each one so different, and there are large cracks running through all of them... symbolism, certainly. How broken the room is, how darkness can be seen beyond these large, large cracks. ]
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Ah.
Messiah. He'd been hit by Messiah. That was what had happened. How...was still a little fuzzy, but as he blinks open his eyes...that is answered.
...ah. This is...]
...
[Himself?
A tightening of his jaw. 'Who are you?'? No. He...knows the answer to that question. Rather--]
What are you?
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[ His smile remains, rather, but he sounds a little disappointed. In the adjacent mirrors, you can see it reflected around the room. ]
Use your head, now. Come on... it's not hard. What do you think--or, sorry maybe I should say what do I think...? Or maybe... you can't think at all.
[ A pause, and a quiet laugh. ] What am I saying? Of course you can't. The fearless leader can't see what's right in front of him to begin with.
[ He then turns from the mirror and walks in a circle, before stopping right behind the chair. Leaning in very close, almost in a hush whisper now, his blue hair falling nearby as he leans in to talk to himself. He looks expectant, like he's looking for something and he just isn't seeing it.
There's a bag in his other hand, now. ... It probably looks familiar, considering that it's Minato's school bag. But books definitely are not what's in it--which is... particularly obvious, when he pulls out a large knife. ]Come on... did you really think I would be ( ... )
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Ah they're too tight for him to break, and he's weaponless, Evoker-less.
But his eyes haven't left the other, uncannily alike to him.
Your normal face stares back...
Wasn't that what he noticed, every time he looking in the mirror in the morning?
...but the other is holding a knife.]
...What right do you have to decide?
[He takes a breath, but it does not shake. He is calm, steady. He will not let this bring him down.]
I am the leader of SEES, and I will protect them. You don't belong here.
[...another part of him. His...his shadow...? He didn't belong.]
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[ His smile stays. Oddly, had Minato outright rejected him... he would have been less bothered.
But asking what right he had to decide... tsk. ]
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