Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Tatsumi Port Island.
June 19, x788.
The exploration of Tartarus continued with little issue. Not only Alfonzo, but everyone in the party was able to kill the Shadows they came across in a single hit. And this fact made the Fairy Tail wizards wonder why this quest had gone uncompleted for so long. Until they remembered the harsh requirements to even see the tower, that is.
However, during their exploration, they did not kill all the Shadows preemptively. Instead, they would let themselves be discovered from time to time. And that was at Mitsuru's request. Apparently, on top of mapping, her Persona, Penthesilea, allowed her to record information about the Shadows encountered, as well.
{"This should be the last room before the stairs leading to the third floor."] Mitsuru said through the communication devices. {"But there's a pretty big Shadow in that room."]
"Oh, a big one?" Elicia asked with a smile. "I wonder if we'll see any new ones when this one spreads out."
"We'll just have to wait and see." Alfonzo replied. "Until now, we've only seen four types of Shadows. What were they called again?"
{"Cowardly Maya, Merciless Maya, Muttering Tiara, and Magic Hand."} Mitsuru replied.
"That… Persona… of yours is amazing." Alzack said in a genuinely impressed tone. "It can even tell you the name of each Shadow. Having something like that would be nice for the monsters in the rest of the world."
"Yeah, I kinda want one, too." Bisca added with a nod.
The four Shadows mentioned, the cowardly Maya, a black slime-like creature with a blue mask on top, the Merciless Maya, a black slime-like creature with crudely formed arms and a redeye mask on top, the Muttering Tiara, a strange, floating creature that somewhat resembled a crown, and the Magic hand, a creature that looked like a white glove with a green head protruding from where the wrist should be, were the only monsters the party faced. Despite that, they had various means of attack.
All the Shadows mentioned above would attack by slamming their bodies into their opponents. They also had Skills for attacking at a distance, as well. Though, they seemed more like the [Curses] used by [Etherious] than conventional magic.
For example, the Cowardly Maya used ice-based attacks from a distance, while the Merciless Maya used fire-based attacks. The Muttering Tiara also used fire-based attacks. On top of that, they had the ability to increase a target's defense. Though, that was not too apparent thanks to the Fairy Tail wizards' fire power. And finally, the Magic Hands had the ability to put their foes into a confused state. Though, that was rather ineffective, as well, thanks to the overwhelming difference in magic power.
"Well, let's see what we get this time." Alfonzo said as he boldly walked towards the Shadow crawling across the floor.
As soon as Alfonzo reached a certain distance, the Shadow noticed him. Then, it split into five, more distinct Shadows, a Merciless Maya and four Cowardly Mayas.
"Alright, we should already know their weaknesses by now." Alfonzo said after seeing the enemies. "Let's just get rid of them quickly.
With that, Alzack was the first to act, loading [Fire Ball] bullets into his pistols. Then, he fired a single shot at two of the Cowardly Mayas, obliterating them in one hit each. Following that, Bisca loaded an [Icicle] shell into her magic shotgun and targeted the Merciless maya, also finishing it off in one shot.
Meanwhile, Alfonzo and Elicia dashed into close range to deal with the remaining Cowardly Maya. Creating a short sword with his [Metal Magic], Alfonzo dashed past one of the Cowardly Maya, slashing through its mask effortlessly, causing it to disperse into a black fog. At the same time, Elicia lashed out at the other cowardly Maya with her threads, slicing it into pieces, just as easily.
"You know, when I found out we were accepting a Ten Years Quest, I thought it would be harder." Bisca said as she [Requipped] her magic shotgun back into her storage space.
"Well, if you had come here without us, you would have spent each night in a coffin." Elicia said playfully. "Then, you would have never even made it inside."
"You mean if she had come here without Alfonzo, right?" Alzack replied playfully. "You didn't really do anything, did you , Lici?"
In response, Elicia puffed out her chest shamelessly.
"Fonzie's accomplishments are my accomplishments." Elicia said without a hint of embarrassment. "Just like all my accomplishments are his, too."
While Bisca was slightly embarrassed at Elicia's point, she felt better when Alzack shot back on her behalf. However, after hearing just how shameless Elicia could be, the Connell couple could only shake their heads in defeat. Alfonzo, on the other hand, only watched everyone with a smile.
"Anyway, let's make our way up to the next floor." Alfonzo said, bringing this unproductive conversation to an end. "I'm not sure how much more time we have, but it feels like we've spent at least ten minutes on this floor. And if you add that to the fifteen minutes we spent admiring the tower, we should only have about thirty-five minutes until the Dark Hour ends."
Although Alfonzo thought that time flowed differently in the tower, he did not want to push his luck. Getting stuck in Tartarus until the next Dark Hour was not something he was looking forward to.
Receiving nods from the others, Alfonzo led the group into the next room and up the stairs. Like that, the team steamrolled through the next two floors. Spending about ten minutes on each floor. However, when they reached the fifth floor, things seemed different. Although the architectural style did not change, the first thing they saw was a long flight of stairs leading upwards. Then, after looking around for a bit, they noticed a circular platform with four short pillars surrounding it to the right of the stairs.
"This looks a lot like that thing we saw on the first floor." Bisca said as she approached the platform with curiosity. "I wonder if they're connected."
As soon as Bisca drew near enough to touch the strange construct, the platform at its center lit up in a soft glow, as if it had been activated. At the same time, back on the first floor, the platform to the right of the stairs also lit up.
{"I think it's a way for us to travel between floors."} Mitsuru said after seeing the platform on the first floor activate. {"But unlike the one on the second floor, this one might be able to send us both ways."]
As Mitsuru mentioned, the team found a similar platform on the second floor. However, it did not have any of the protruding pillars. And when they tested its function, meaning Alfonzo, who was both the strongest and the fastest member of the team, tested its function, he was sent back to the first floor. However, he was not capable of going back up. So, he had to run up the stairs and hurry back to the rest of the team.
"Well, I'll try it out again." Alfonzo said, already knowing the function of the device. "If it's still only one-way, it won't take me long to get back up here with Miss Kirijo guiding me along the way."
Elicia, Alzack, and Bisca nodded in agreement. However, Elicia also knew that would be unnecessary. So, Alfonzo stepped onto the platform alone and activated it.
Then, just as he expected, Alfonzo found himself back on the first floor. However, unlike last time, the platform was still lit up.
"So, can you go back up?" Mitsuru, who was waiting for Alfonzo to appear, asked in a curious tone.
"Yeah, it looks like it." Alfonzo replied with a nod. "but I can only go up to the fifth floor. If I wanted to go to the second, third, or fourth, I would have to run back up."
"I see." Mitsuru replied while raising her right hand to her chin in a pondering manner. "That will be useful when we start exploring the tower ourselves after finding more Persona Users."
In response, Alfonzo only shrugged his shoulders.
"Well then, I'll head back up." Alfonzo said. "I don't' think we'll be going any higher tonight, though. It would suck if we got stuck in here because there were no more transporter platforms on the next floor."
"That's probably for the best." Mitsuru replied with a nod. "We don't know what happens to people who don't leave before the Dark Hour ends. And I'd rather not find out."
Nodding in agreement, Alfonzo activated the platform once again. Then, he reappeared on the fifth floor. However, instead of reappearing at the platform, he appeared in the spot where he and the others appeared after climbing the stairs.
"Oh, you're back." Alzack said after turning back at the sound of footsteps and seeing Alfonzo approaching. "Did you have to run all the way up? No, that was too fast, even for you."
"Nah… I used the teleporter to come back up." Alfonzo replied nonchalantly.
"Oh, I thought you'd show up at the same place where you left." Bisca said in a surprised tone.
"Yeah, me, too." Alfonzo replied with a shrug. "Anyway, let's see what's up these stairs. After exploring this floor, we'll call it a night."
"Sounds good to me." Elicia said cheerfully as she took the lead in heading up the stairs.
With the other three following her, Elicia eventually reached the top of the stairs after about two minutes. When she did, the first thing she saw was a huge, black bird with a yellow mask on its head, a puffy collar like those worn by court jesters, and three-toed talons flapping its wings and flying around a large, square-shaped area that seemed like some kind of arena.
"That one is a lot stronger than everything we've fought until now." Alzack said as he drew his pistols.
{"Indeed."} Mitsuru replied. {"It's also the only Shadow I can feel on this floor. So, it must be a Guardian of some sort. From what Penthesilea is telling me, it's called, Venus Eagle."}
"Got it." Alfonzo replied. "Well, let's get rid of this thing and finish exploring the rest of the floor."
The others nodded in agreement. Then, they all stepped onto the arena-like square area.
*Screech!*
As soon as the Fairy Tail wizards stepped into the arena, the Venus Eagle noticed their presence. Then, it let out an ear-piercing screech before flapping its wings in their direction.
"Dodge!" Alfonzo shouted as he flashed to the side.
Not only Alfonzo, but Elicia, Alzack, and Bisca each reacted quickly, as well. In the next instant, the floor where they had just been standing was gouged out with a lot of force. On top of that, they could all feel that the air had been disturbed, as well.
"A [Wind Curse], huh?" Alzack asked rhetorically as he aimed his pistols at the Venus Eagle. "Well, let's see how you deal with fire."
*Bang!*
In the next instant, Alzack pulled the triggers of his pistols simultaneously, firing a pair of [Fire Ball Shots] at the Venus Eagle. To his surprise, however, it flapped its wings once again, sending [Wind Blades] at the fire balls and dispersing them.
"Seriously?" Alzack asked in a surprised tone.
At the same time, Alfonzo appeared beneath the Venus Eagle before leaping straight upwards with a pair of short swords in his hands. Then, he slashed its under belly in a cross-shape.
*Screech!*
The Venus eagle screeched in pain due to the wounds it received. Despite that, Alfonzo was unable to cut through it in one shot.
'What's going on?' Alfonzo thought to himself as he vanished from beneath the Venus Eagle in a flash of violet light. 'This thing wasn't that strong in the game. Or do these Guardians scale to the strength of the people challenging it in this world. Does that mean that even if we defeat it, S.E.E.S. will have to fight it when they start climbing in the future?'
Unfortunately, Alfonzo had no time to consider the answer to that question, as the Venus Eagle flapped its wings and dove at the point where Alfonzo reappeared.
"[Electromagnetism Magic: Spark Cannon]." Alfonzo chanted as he raised an arm in the Venus Eagle's direction.
*Zap!*
In the next instant, a violet orb of electricity was fired towards the Venus Eagle. And because it was so fast, the bird did not have the time to avoid. Despite that, the lightning based attack did little in the way of damage, as the Venus Eagle continued charging forward.
'Damn, what was this things weakness again?' Alfonzo wondered to himself as he once again flashed away from the Venus Eagle's attack. 'It's been so long since I played P3, I just can't remember."
*Bang!* *Bang!* *bang!* *Bang!*
*Screech~~~~~~!*
Luckily, Alfonzo did not need to think about that for too long. The moment after he dodged away from the Venus Eagle's dive, Bisca, with her automatic rifle in hand, sprayed a stream of bullets at it. As a result, it screeched much louder than it had when Alfonzo cut it, and fell to the floor.
Seeing that, Alfonzo's eyes lit up. Then, he turned to Alzack and shouted.
"Switch to regular bullets! It's weak to piercing attacks!"
Alzack did not really need Alfonzo to tell him that. However, he still nodded his head and switched to normal magic bullets. Then, like Bisca, he started unloading into the downed Venus Eagle.
At the same time, Elicia, who had been relatively quiet, connected her threads to the needles wrapped around her wrist. Then, she flung them all at the downed Venus Eagle, as well. And when they, along with all the bullets, pierced into the bird, it continued to screech in pain.
However, the Venus Eagle eventually got its wits about it once again. And despite all the wounds, it managed to fly into the air once again.
"Damn, how is that thing not dead yet?" Alzack grumbled.
"Oh, it won't be that way for long." Alfonzo said as he flashed to a point above the Venus Eagle. "Brace for impact."
"*Sigh* Not again…" Bisca muttered as she lowered her center of gravity.
At the same time, Alfonzo created a spinning circular saw on the back of his right hand. Then, he channeled a current of electricity around his arm. Finally, he swung his arm down at the Venus Eagle, shooting the saw at its neck.
"[Electromagnetism Magic: Supersonic Dismemberment]." Alfonzo chanted.
*Boom!*
In the next instant, after a deafening sonic boom, the Venus Eagle dispersed into black fog and Tartarus began to shake simultaneously.
"Do you have to make such a big mess every time?" Elicia asked with a smile as she approached Alfonzo, who had just landed on the floor. "There's got to be a way to kill things without making the whole tower shake like it's gonna collapse, right?"
"Probably." Alfonzo replied with a smile. "But what's the fun in that?"
In response, Elicia only rolled her eyes as she hugged Alfonzo's arm.
"Anyway, we don't' have much time left." Alzack said as he and Bisca approached. "Let's see what this floor has left to offer."
With that, the group walked past the arena area, which led to another long flight of stairs. They eventually reached a landing. Walking past the landing would lead to the next floor. However, if they went to the left, they would enter another room. And that's exactly what they did.
"Oh, there are more treasure chests." Bisca said. "And one of them is like those special ones we found earlier that we couldn't open."
As Bisca said, while climbing the lower floors, the group came across several treasure chests. However, they did not hold anything valuable. Most of them only had some low-level crafting materials or medicines. Though, there was a type of medicine among them that could replenish magic power. Alfonzo decided to take that back to Porlyusica for further study.
Then, there were a few chests that the group could not open. From what Penthesilea told Mitsuru, they would need items known as Twilight Fragments to open those particular chest. But since they did not have any, they just left them alone.
"If that's the case, then it looks like we're done for the night." Alzack said. "Just in time, too. I'm really starting to get tired."
"Yeah, me, too." Bisca added as she leaned into Alzack's arms. "I wanna get some sleep."
"Then, let's go." Alfonzo said with a smile. "We don't' have much time left, anyway."
With that, the group headed back down the long flights of stairs and gathered on the teleporter. Then, they reappeared on the first floor after activating it. After that, they took Mitsuru and left the tower. Then, after only a few minutes, the Dark Hour ended and Tartarus disappeared as if it never existed, replaced by Gekkokan High School.