Humans, and Demons, and Shadows - Oh My! (Invite)

[mugenginga]

(OOC: Rei no Kaado - Invite Only)

Something is approaching the complex,

Ryoji sighed. In truth he wanted to tell Nyx to fuck off. After the earlier encounter, he figured that was a bad idea. He still wasn't sure he wasn't going to until Nyx forced him to pick up on what she was. It wasn't a sense within his ability as a Shadow, either. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. It was something Nyx could pick up on because she was a goddess.

What is that...? Ryoji mumbled, even in his head.

Nyx sighed at how his conscious tendencies effected his mind speech, I believe it is a demon. Quite likely in both the western and eastern senses of the word.

Ryoji didn't say anything. There wasn't any reason to doubt Nyx. And there was still the chance she might attempt to wrench control from him again. He was too tired to fight that. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He looked at the shirt on the ground before shaking his head and reaching into Minato's drawers.

He hoped Minato wouldn't mind. He disconnected his suspenders, pausing for a brief moment over where they had left an imprint in his skin as he slept. He put them in the same pile as his shirt as he pulled the black sleeved t-shirt over his head. It was they type of shirt Minato tended to favor for casual wear, although he tended to prefer blue sleeves. He walked over and picked up his scarf off the floor, putting it around his neck. After the chaos of earlier, he had realized how damn used he was to the thing.

He pushed open the door of the bedroom, "Minato, are you still awake?"

He spoke quietly, so he wouldn't disturb the teenager if he wasn't. No need for them to both be disturbed by Nyx. That general thought reached Nyx and he felt a slight bit of annoyance from her. Well hell, she couldn't expect him to shield all his thoughts from her. And a monk he was not, so he couldn't focus enough to not have the thoughts.

----------

Cain remembered where Minato's apartment was well enough. He made a few motions to Kaido and Nyarlathotep. The demon flew closer to Cain, to allow access to his Chaos Wave ability. Kaido mumbled to himself, but the words weren't all that important. He was griping about being made to take the rear. He stepped back so the group could go ahead. Atem raised an eyebrow at the obvious tactical set up, but even more that Kaido and Seth had both reached into their pockets.

He knew about the COMPs, but it seemed the group were perhaps overly cautious. The interest faded quickly enough. If they constantly had to deal with infractions in their home world, it made sense they were a little jumpy. Cain headed into the complex first, and Atem possibly surprised Abel by turning to the group.

"We should let Kaido take the rear as Cain suggested," he said.

There was no reason to upset the obvious tactical set up. The other possible surprise would be that Atem had read the set up. Yuugi actually was pleased that Atem was letting things go like this. As for Atsuro, Cain had motioned for him to stay with Abel. They'd been together long enough Atsuro should know what he meant.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato had hardly heard Ryoji's voice when he opened the door. For the past hour or so, he'd been sitting on the couch listening to his headphones. It wasn't until Ryoji opened the door and Minato caught the movement down the hall out of the corner of his eye that he realized Ryoji was there. He pulled the headphones off of his ears and turned toward Ryoji.

"Yeah," Minato said. "What's up-- er, is that my shirt?"

He'd just now noticed that Ryoji was wearing one of his t-shirts. Not that Minato minded if Ryoji was wearing it, but it was just something he'd noticed.

------------------

Abel looked up as Atem made his comment. He shrugged.

"I had no intention of changing this set-up," Abel said. He started taking a few steps toward the stairs. Despite and because of the interactions earlier, there was still quite a bit of tension between Abel and Atem. It didn't help that Abel didn't really trust Atem too much now, what with what had happened before they left the island the first time.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji was about to say something when Minato mentioned the shirt. Well, it's not like he'd been trying to hide it. Not that he could have, either. Ryoji tended to stick to one style. To one outfit. Hell, the teen had never even gotten a uniform for Gekkoukan, although that was more from his sudden disappearance than anything else. It was probably better the thing had never come on, although Ryoji was sure he'd caused someone problems in the shipping department.

"It's okay, right? I mean, we're the exact same size," Ryoji might have chuckled at that in a better mood. With his memories he had a pretty good idea why they were the same size. He shooks his head, "It's Nyx. She says she senses what she thinks is a demon headed this way," that was fllowed by a sigh, "She made sure I picked up on it too, and I can't say I know the feeling."

If your former ho-

I dare you to finish that thought like that, Ryoji snarled in his mind. Minato would see a faint level of irritation despite Ryoji's attempts to hide it.

.....If Minato wishes to come along, he should keep his Persona ready.

Ryoji would have loved to argue with Nyx, but instead he relayed the message. She had a point, "If you want to come, you should keep your Persona ready."

The teenager had little doubt which Persona Minato would keep ready. Despite havingt access to quite a few, a Wild Card like Souji, he had his favored one. Just like Souji favored Izanagi-no-Okami despite the friction with the god he was the avatar of, Minato favored Messiah. Ryoji knew first hand how strong the thing was, it had been Minato's Persona of choice when S.E.E.S had fought his true form as Nyx's avatar. He didn't like the memories, they were more Death's than his. He tried to push them away as he awaited a response from Minato.

----------

Atem finally realized something with Abel's statement. He had to admit to himself, if he hadn't spent the time he had with Yuugi, he might not have realized it. Abel had reached the point where he was looking for a fight. Atem didn't plan to oblige him. Yuugi and he seemed to have a tense friendship still. Well, no one ever said he and Yuugi had to like the same people, especially now that they were split. Even when the former Pharaoh had resided in the Puzzle, Yuugi had seen Kaiba as a friend before anything else.

He stuck close to Yuugi, not making a comment or even bothering with a glare when Abel (and as a result, Seth and Atsuro) went ahead of him. It was humorous, but the group actually had a "marching order". Cain and Nyarlathotep were taking the front, then Abel, Seth, and Atsuro, then Atem and Yuugi, Naoto and Kanji, and finally Kaido. Really, the group was a bit ridiculous in size. It would be a bit cramped in Minato's apartment. At least they wouldn't all be piled into one room this time.

(OOC: Feel free to move them to the stairs or Minato's apartment. I figure Ryoji (possibly and Minato) will be leaving the apartment by the time they show up. Ryoji's a POWERFUL shadow and avatar. So Abel oughta LOVE him. XD.)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

A demon. Minato scowled at that. It was K1, no way around it. Maybe K1 was the demon Nyx was sensing, or maybe she just was sensing one he'd summoned, but either way, K1 had something to do with it. Yuugi had gone to see him, after all. Minato stood up.

"Yeah, I'll make sure I keep my Persona on hand," Minato said. "If they're getting close, we should hurry."

--------------------

Abel looked up as he heard a door close down at the end of the hallway. The group had been about to Minato's apartment when the door had closed and Minato and Ryoji had stepped out. Abel looked Minato in the eye, and Minato stepped back.

Minato hadn't been prepared for this group and he was suddenly glad he had his Persona's card on him. Because he was getting the feeling from "K1" that the teen was looking for a fight. But that wasn't the worst part to Minato. The cape, the sense that something was just off about Abel, the tension between Atem and Abel that Minato could see from here, none of that surprised Minato as much as the eyes. Those lifeless eyes reminded Minato of someone with Apathy Syndrome. Of when K1 had Apathy Syndrome.

Abel broke the gaze with Minato to look at Ryoji, though. And he scowled. He was getting a stronger feeling from Ryoji than he had been from Souji. A much more dangerous feeling. And Abel was getting the sense that there was something much more unstable about this Shadow. Abel looked back toward Minato.

"Hello Minato. And Ryoji," Abel said. "Nice to see you again."

Abel wasn't looking at Minato, though. He was glancing back. He was sensing Souji again. It looked like he'd caught up.

[mugenginga]

That's K1-ta-

That's the demon

Ryoji blinked as he and Nyx ran right over each other in this mind. He'd been identifying the group as K1-tachi. A bit annoyed at Nyx for making that kind of mistake. But Nyx had begun talking at the same time he did, and they'd said very different things. He recovered about the time Abel looked at him, and he finally noticed the eyes. It was perhaps a good thing that Abel could carry limited emotion thanks to facial expression. Ryoji couldn't help but think of the apathy that would destroy the world when The Fall came if he just looked at the eyes.

Nyx knew of K1 from Ryoji's memories. Ryoji had not known the teenager and his relations for long, but the memories were enough to know that what was before them was merely a shell. K2 was the same more or less, just a far more magnified version of the pessimistic depression he had worn when Ryoji had met him. Naoya also seemed to simply be a magnified version of the previous personality. She did not know two of the people in the group, but a blind man could see they carried loyalty towards K1. The obvious demon with the group was named Nyarlathotep, although she doubted Ryoji could have pulled that out of his own memories, it was among them.

If I were to take a guess, I would say I picked up on him from a distance because he is not merely a demon, Nyx informed Ryoji.

Ryoji was looking at Minato, deciding there was more wrong with K1 and his group than he could realize, Then what is he?

Their king.

Now was the time for Ryoji to be surprised. It was his turn to take a step back. The King of Demons? K1 had been bitter before, but no amount of guessing would have had Ryoji come up with that. The King of Demons. K1 didn't use an honorific when he addressed himself and Minato. He seemed to remember the teenager using them before. Was it really K1 at all, aside from appearance? There was something to be said for avatars there, but that didn't seem right. Nyx would have realized that if it was explainable by that.

And issues of confusion aside, "K1" didn't like him. He had looked at him, narrowed those empty eyes, and scowled. He'd spoken words that would be proper for a meeting, but no true emotion was behind them. Ryoji made a few deductive leaps and realized it was possible the teenager in front of him knew about Nyx. Shadows were not traditionally demons, aside from a comparison to inner demons in relation to their connection to the psyche. Still, it could be enough for "K1" to pick up on. He doubted it was likely the King of Demons would miss Nyx. She never made efforts to hide her presence.

"...Who are you?" Ryoji asked.

Cain had held out his hand to stop the group when he heard Abel's footsteps stop. He had caught Abel's acknowledgement of Minato and Ryoji out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't favorable, towards Ryoji especially. Cain had thought it odd they'd found an unexpected person in the TV World that day. One that Minato had feared, excuses notwithstanding. He didn't seem to fear him now. Ryoji was wearing a shirt that seemed more Minato's style, too.

Kaido had whirled around, his COMP features almost activated, when he realized it was Souji. He scowled and gave a dark glare towards the silver haired teenager. Did he think it was a good idea to sneak up on the current group? No, Kaido realized, he probably hadn't been aware of them. He lowered the COMP and kept his eye on Souji.

Seth looked pained as he noticed Ryoji regard him. More because of Abel's look towards him. So there was someting only Abel could sense from Ryoji as well. Or only a demon, in any case. He glanced back as he saw Abel do so, and saw Souji. He nodded in acknowledgement to the silver haired teenager.

Nyarlathotep manipulated the muscles of his face to give the impression of a raised eyebrow and a smirk at Ryoji. He had known about the teenager's status as a Shadow, and as the Avatar of Nyx as well. For various reasons. However, it seemed there was something different about the teenager, and it was then Nyarlathotep had the closest thing to surprise he was probably capable. He turned towards Souji. It was the same kind of thing, which implied the silver haired Wild Card was also an avatar. Wow, someone knew how to pick their Wild Cards, didn't they?

Yuugi tensed when Ryoji asked K1 who he was. Ryoji had acted like he remembered K1 when the message on the COMP had come in. So the only reason he could be asking now would be because he knew something was different. Atem had an unreadable expression. Since Abel could pick up on Souji, it would have been odd for him to not sense something from Ryoji. And Ryoji had somehow sensed something from K1. Perhaps from Nyx. He didn't answer the question. He'd leave it to Abel to explain things. Then again, it was like as not one of his priests (Atem had trouble not thinking of them as such. The group reminded him of his own priests back in Ancient Egypt) would be handling the inquiry.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji flinched as Nyarlathotep once again looked toward him. He still really didn't like that demon. At all. He crushed the paper cup that he'd been drinking coffee out of in his hand and stayed focused on the group in front of him. Looked like he'd made it just in time for the main party.

Abel's face didn't change expressions as he answered Ryoji. "Don't you remember me? My name was Keiichi Kimura, though I no longer go by that name. I prefer Abel now." The Shadow before him was not only strong, but there was a powerful presence latched onto him. One that felt like death. But even Minato himself had lingering bits of that feeling on him. "Yuugi said you two could explain things a little better. Considering the 'Pharaoh' wouldn't give me any answers, I would like it if you two could explain what's been going on."

Minato didn't like Abel. This didn't seem much like K1 at all. The contrast between Abel and K1 reminded him of the contrast between Izanagi and Souji. Apparently the same person, but still way different. His face fell as Abel brought up an explanation. "Let's go inside. I don't feel comfortable talking out here in the open about this."

Atsuro looked toward Souji after Abel had looked away from him. He hadn't even felt Souji sneak up on them. And there definitely seemed to be something Abel disliked about Souji. And judging by how Abel had reacted to Ryoji, Atsuro was getting the feeling Abel disliked Souji for the same reason he did Ryoji.

Izanagi was staring intently at Abel, and had started saying something to Souji when Abel glanced toward him. At the exact same moment he'd started talking.

What do you know, Abel can sense me too. Two people in one day, a new record, Izanagi said. It looks like you'll be having a hard time keeping the fact that I'm still here a secret. Especialy since Abel seems to hate you.

Souji didn't need Izanagi to tell him that.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji hung his head as Abel as he said he went by demanded an explanation. Was he going to have to say that again? He knew it was horrid to hear. It was just as horrid to tell. He sensed sympathy from Nyx, which only made him annoyed. He still just came across as depressed, though. He didn't want or need her sympathy. If she felt that bad, she needed to do something. He looked up, his eyebrows heavily slanted as Minato told the group to head into the apartment. It looked like he was going to have repeat himself after all.

Nyx knew Abel could sense her. Just like he could sense Izanagi. It was likely he was aware of the not quite human aspect of both of the avatars. Ryoji turned and walked back into the apartment before anyone else. Minato hadn't had a chance to close the door. Abel was worrisome, he doubted he would take the news well. Not that it was news one could take well, but Abel seemed the type to take it worse.

Yuugi looked sadly at Ryoji. The teenager probably didn't want to repeat himself. He looked even worse than when he said it the first time. Atem had a look of slight sympathy as well. However, Ryoji was the best one to inform the group of what was going on. He doubted his Partner had thought of that when he suggested it. The hall was rather crowded, Yuugi and Atem would go in when they could.

Kaido kept his eyes on Souji. If Abel didn't like him, it was reason enough to focus on him. Seth would be going with Abel, as usual. Cain had a narrow gaze at Ryoji as he vanished into the apartment. Nyarlathotep seemed as interested in Souji and Ryoji as Abel did, heavily implying it had something to do with demonic powers. He gestured for Minato to go in and would follow after.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato waited at the door for the others to enter once inside. Abel walked in after Minato and remained standing once he entered. He didn't see a need to sit down at the moment. Ryoji looked pained over what he was about to say. Which meant he would probably make it quick. Atsuro stayed next to Abel. Whatever the news was, it couldn't be good.

Naoto and Kanji headed in after Abel, Atsuro, and Seth. They'd already heard this before; they knew what to expect from this conversation.

On his way into the apartment, Souji glared at Nyarlathotep and Cain. Especially at the demon that unsettled him so much. Just the way it seemed so focused on him...

[mugenginga]

Cain had regarded Souji's glare flatly. It didn't particurlarly matter that Souji hated him. Abel was not fond of the group at large now, despite lingering possible friendship towards Yuugi. Cain had to give the short teenager that much. The fact that after three months as the King of Bel, Abel still had trace of that friendship said something for Yuugi's charisma. Nyarlathotep gave an obvious smirk at Souji's glare. He really had gotten under the Wild Card's skin. The level of hate he could feel coming off of both presences, Souji's especially, was nothing short of entertaining.

Despite there being room to do so, almost no one sat. Nylarlathotep hovered. Cain stood near the doorway, leaning against the wall. Kaido took a different wall for support. Seth stood with Abel, and of that group seemed to be the only one who even had interest in a seat. Yuugi stayed standing near Atem, who saw no need to sit either. Atem did glance towards the television, a little bit of worry over Teddie having come up. It was quick, but enough of the group was observant to catch it. He looked towards Ryoji.

Ryoji stayed standing as well. He adjusted his scarf and looked over the group. The only ones who didn't know where Abel and his group. Likely his court if he was really the King of Demons. He sighed and looked down, biting his lip hard to prevent his voice from wavering too much. Where should he start this time...?

"I guess you know the basics if you came to me and Minato... The world is coming to an end, a "Fall". It won't see Christmas..." He wasn't looking at the group as he spoke.

"What the hell did you just say!?" Kaido shot his head up. He glanced towards Abel, and the King didn't seem surprised. Wait, so this wasn't the words of some loon?

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji caught Atem's glance toward the TV. Souji hadn't seen Teddie since the previous day, but Souji really hadn't had a chance to check on the bear what with the continuing of the Week of Hell this morning.

Abel didn't show any surprise. In fact, it only proved what he'd heard from Minato over three months ago. It was something Minato had mentioned in passing as an explanation for his Death Clock, but Abel knew the term thanks to it. And now the Shadow who felt so strongly of Death had confirmed things. Strongly, hell, he felt exactly like Death. Abel found himself glancing at Cain at that thought.

"What?!" Atsuro asked, just about the same time Kaido had objected. "How?! Why?!"

[mugenginga]

Cain hadn't reacted to the announcement in the least. He returned Abel's glance, not quite sure what it was about. Abel was damn hard to read since getting the throne. There was something not pleasant about the look though. Cain had lived with the King of Bel long enough to know to break the gaze first. He'd put pieces together about that when they'd been on the Island last, and it was why he'd had Nyarlathotep check to see if the Island was still there. Atsuro and Kaido were annoying, though.

Ryoji winced at Atsuro's reaction. That was the normal reaction to an announcement like this. That was the reaction S.E.E.S had given him. He looked pained. He put his focus on Atsuro as he continued to speak.

"The how is by the summoning of the maternal being, an entity known as Nyx. The why... the why can be hard to define. In Minato and Souji-kun's home world, the president of an organization known as the Kirijo Group gathered the forces of the psyche man wishes to deny known as Shadows. Through various experiments he managed to incubate the Shadow of the forbidden 13th Arcana," Ryoji paused and looked down. He gestured towards himself after a few momens, "That's what I really am."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Atsuro paled as Ryoji revealed that last part. "A Shadow? You mean, like the things that attacked K-- er, Abel and Cain the last time they were on the island? Those things that sent them into a coma for a week straight?!"

"It's a bit more complicated than that. And it was our own faults, Atsuro; neither of us had our COMPs activated when it happened. We knew we were being targeted," Abel said. "But in any case. That certainly explains what I keep sensing from you, Ryoji. Or should I say Death?"

Souji went on guard as Abel said that. How did Abel know that?

To answer the question that Abel didn't even know Souji had mentally asked, Abel had died once before at the hands of someone in this room. He knew what Death felt like. And while it had taken him a bit of time to put his finger on it, he definitely recognized the feeling.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji looked away again as Atsuro asked his question. The question was laced with fear and something Ryoji couldn't help feel was unkind. He looked back up to nod, his face not looking like it could appear more pained, when Abel spoke. He turned his focus to the teenager as he said his name. And then his name. His eyes widened, startled, but it faded quickly.

He'd told the group he was the Shadow of the 13th Arcana. It was possible Abel knew of the Arcana from when he'd been on the Island the first time. Or even made a logical leap in regards to tarot. He did seem a bit hurt that Abel had called him Death, but his guilt heavily outweighed it.

Cain had realized within seconds what Ryoji had meant by 13th Arcana. He knew tarot from a few of his lives. He understood the look Abel had given him when he'd realized that. He knew the power of Death better than his brother did, but it seemed that in this form, Death was impossible for humans to truly pick up on. It perhaps explained some of Nyarlathotep's actions as well, at least towards Ryoji.

It proved Nyx's point. Ryoji found himself thinking that. Even fully aware of his true self and purpose, humans could not sense Death when he was in this form and in full control. The black demon had sensed it, and Abel had as well. He was probably able to put a name to the feeling because of the Arcana comment. He nodded solemnly towards Abel.

"I prefer to be called Ryoji when I'm like this, but that is correct. I am the 13th Arcana Shadow, and I represent that power. My purpose in existing is twofold. I am to summon Nyx to the world and usher the Fall. For those few that know the truth, I am also the proof that The Fall is inevitable. Merely be existing, by being here, it is proof that The Fall can not be stopped."

That wasn't the exact truth. Minato had stopped it once before. But it might as well have been. Minato couldn't do it again. He'd only been able to do it then for his connection to Death. Ten years with that power sealed within his body. To the more observant of the group, however, he hadn't clarified something just yet. He'd explained his origins in Minato's homeworld, but not this one.

What might be unsettling to Minato, however, was that while he still seemed to not like the situation he was in he had slipped into sounding more official. As if he had reached a halfway point between when he told S.E.E.S of The Fall after damaging Aigis and the just short of accepting his role when he'd returned on New Year's Eve. He'd been depressed that Minato had not killed him then, but he'd arguably accepted his purpose... and from his words it had been minutes before he changed from into "something unrecognizable".

"What kind of bullshit is that, can't be stopped?" Kaido growled after Ryoji made that comment.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato looked down. The way Ryoji was speaking... it was almost like a mix of how he'd spoken after he'd damaged Aigis and how he'd spoken on New Years Eve.

"It can't be stopped?" Atsuro fearfully asked. "But..."

"You say it can't be stopped, but yet these four--" Abel pointed to Minato, Kanji, Naoto, and Souji in turn. "--are still alive, and they are all from the same world you originated from. And fate can be changed. If it couldn't, I wouldn't even be alive. And neither would any of my 'court'. The fact that fate can be changed is a concept I know all too well."

Abel looked to the members of the group. None of them seemed to have Death Clocks, so the Fall had to be longer than a week away. Or maybe someone in the group had already averted it.

"How long do we have until the Fall?" Abel asked. "You said we wouldn't see Christmas."

[mugenginga]

Ryoji looked apologetic as Atsuro calmly freaked. An oxymoron, but it fit the fact he was sitting and his tone of voice. Abel cut him off before he could find more words to follow up the but. He sighed as Abel tried to make his point about fate being changed. He opened his mouth, but Abel continued on with his questions. He waited a few moments after Abel said his last sentence.

"That was because Minato sacrificed his soul to save his world. Something that he can't do again. And only Minato could do it," Ryoji glanced at Minato. There was an extra level of apology there compared to the rest of the group, but it would be best to mention it, "I was sealed within Minato for ten years, so he had an unnatural connection to Death. It was the only reason the world survived, and this world doesn't have that chance. He's only with us now because of a sacrifice a woman named Elizabeth made. You wouldn't know her."

Seth remained quiet. He didn't want Yuugi or the others to die when this world ended. But it would be more merciful than any offer to take them to their world given the events of the past three months. If worst came to worst, Abel and the others from his world would be safe. He seemed a bit pained, but his eyes were fairly distant. Rock and a hard place...

"Tch, you're full of crap," Kaido growled suddenly, "You're Death? For all we know you can stop it but just aren't willing."

Which would probably piss the group that knew Ryoji off. Ryoji had yet to answer Abel's question about how long. If he'd thought about it, he'd realize he was avoiding it. He couldn't give an exact date just yet, but it was becoming clearer in his head. He'd mentioned Elizabeth, not aware that Souji knew of her and was concerned about her thanks to Margaret.