The Battle for Everyones Souls

For the speedpainting:
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The SEES walked up the last steps of Tartarus, and a pale full moon was waiting for them.

- We finally reached the top... - said Mitsuru.

- Hey! Look at the sky! - Yukari pointed out to the heavens.

- Something's coming!

- Is it Nyx?!

- I can sense it even without my persona... - said Fuuka. - This is the first time that's ever happened.

A dark figure appeared between them and the moon. It had black wings, and her face reminded... Ryoji.

- You are... - Aigis said.

- Ryoji-kun?!

- That was my name for a time... - the figure said. - I didn't mind it.

- What's going on? Wait, are you... ? - said Mitsuru, but she was interrupted.

- I am merely a harbinger of the Fall... Although, Nyx and myself are now one the same.

- Is that so...? - said Akihiko. - Well, regardless, I don't regret my decision. I'll defeat you no matter what you are!

- I see... - Nyx's avatar replied. - Then, you must already know. What people fear most... What they try to ignore... That is what I am.

- We know that already! - said Ken.

- Yeah... Everyone does.

- You are what awaits all living things from the moment they are born...

- Then, you also understand that it's pointless to resist... So, why do you? There must be fear in your hearts.

- Yeah. - Junpei said. - Of course I'm scared... But, it's no use carrying on about it! I wanna live!

- ... I'm tired of running! - said Yukari. - Living means looking death square in the face... So, I won't back down... not even from you!

- I will stop you, even if it costs me my life. - said Aigis. - That is my own decision!

- ... I see. - Nyx's Avatar spread it's wings, and prepared an attack.

- Wait! I'm sensing Shadows coming up!

- Quick! - said Minato. - Everyone who's not fighting Nyx should keep these Shadows at bay. Let's go!

They devided themselves in two groups, Minato was at the helm of Nyx's Annihilation Team, while everyone reversed roles in defeating the Shadows, and beating Nyx, while protecting each other. They certainly grew from the last year. Whoever protected the Team from the Shadows also buffed them up.

But it was yet difficult. Somehow, not matter how they attacked, Nyx's Avatar had a arrogant smile... And after many hits, it said...

- The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yes, the arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Attaining one's dream requires a stern will and unfailing determination.

After saying these words, a blue light came out of it, just like when Minato shifted Personas in battle... Something changed.

- Fuuka! Analyze! - Minato yelled.

- It's... It's Arcana shifted... You need to adjust your strategy!

- It's no use! - Nyx's Avatar said. - All shall perish! - She pointed at Ken, whom was keeping the shadows at bay, and a strong flare came out.

- Ken! - Akihiko yelled, and pushed him aside taking the mortal damage for him.

- Artemesia! - Mitsuru pointed her Evoker towards her head and shot. Her Persona came flying to Akihiko and healed him right away. He came back in action and threw a Ziodyne at Nyx's Avatar.

- The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed! The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom. - the Arcana shifted to Priestess.

- We won't lose to you! - Fuuka yelled. Their thoughts all converged.

- Celebrate life's grandeur... it's brilliance... it's magnificence... - the Arcana shifted again.

It used Magarudyne this time, but Yukari evoked a barrier to protect the whole party from Nyx's attacks.

- Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer... - The Emperor Arcana was on.

She used Null Elec on Akihiko and Maziodyne on the entire party. This time they got hurt pretty bad.

- Healing! - Minato yelled. Yukari came rushing through.

- MEDIARHAN! - a shot, everyone's energy came back.

The battle was getting more and more intense. There were so many shots for evoking a Persona the tactics instroctuins were barely able to get through.

- It is indeed a precious gift to understand the forces that guide oneself... - She cast rebellion, and used Fatal End in Minato, got it pretty critical.

Yukari was showing signs that her stamina was being depleeted, but she still healed him. They all needed Minato's potential to defeat this foe. The battle raged on.

- There is both joy and wonder in coming to understand another... - the Lovers Arcana was activated.

They relied on physical attacks this time, as if trying to knock her down.

- One of life's greatest blessings is the freedom to pursue one's goals.

She kept changing her Arcana constantly... As if it was insinuating on Minato's bounds with the people he met in town through the course of last year. He began to sense a pattern, yes. It was getting clearer on his mind. The one whom could fulfill these bonds...

After an hour of battling, they were completely exhausted, but Nyx's Avatar didn't seem to be even hurt. However, her arrogant smile was no longer there. She enveloped herself in her wings, and got out with a big explosion, making everyone fall.

- N-no! - said Minato. He summoned Messiah again. - SALVATION! - Everyone was back on their feet. - MEGIODALAN! - one last time, he shot his evoker, Messiah came through his head rushing to Nyx and... She fell.

A silence filled the air. No one said a word. Nyx's Avatar was getting up.

- ...Did we do it? - Mitsuru asked.

But her body started levitating. And then she turned her face back at them.

- Such a pity... - said. - You understand fate, yet you still fight against it with all of your will... If more people were like you, then perhaps the Fall could have been prevented... But it's too late now...

The shadowy figure kept rising. A strange scarlet light came out of the moon. It was like the moon itself was opening, and a giant red eye was gazing on them.

- Wh-what is that?!

A beam came out of Nyx Avatar, and entered the moon's eye.

- This... This can't be real...

- Soon... - Aigis said. - Soon it will descend uppon us... Uppon us all...