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****** (POV Change: Nathan) ******

The five of us walked through the door slowly and examined the first floor carefully: Elizabeth herself said that Tartarus didn't have any enemies on the first floor, so students could use to train each other or regroup themselves. Once we knew we were okay, we began our journey to the stairs.

After a little bit, I heard Elizabeth giggle; we all looked to her.

"Why're you so giddy all-of-a-sudden?" I asked her, trying not to sound as annoyed as I was: not to say that I didn't like her being so positive, it didn't match the atmosphere and it wasn't making me feel calmer.

"I haven't had a chance to explore Tartarus myself in such a long time! It always changes every time you visit the floor so no one knows exactly what Tartarus will look like entirely!" Elizabeth said excitedly: obviously she didn't see the danger that we could face....to her, I guess it was all like a game.

That's all fine and dandy in some circumstances....but we need to be serious in here to: toying around too much could get us killed......then again, Elizabeth can probably handle anything that's thrown at her, so I don't need to be very worried: guess it's just a first reaction.

I gripped the rapier she gave me in my paw tightly, pausing for a bit and bringing out my Arcana card: luckily I could summon it with my left paw instead of my right.

'I just hope my courage holds out so I can summon Markolo....without him, I'm a goner....' I thought, shaking my head and continuing to walk.

"How far will we be going up?" Johnny asked; I sensed a hint of worry in his voice.

"Only to the 5th floor; if we were to go higher, we would me a block guardian." She explained.

"Block guardian?" Ryland asked.

"Shadows that appear in the block, or section of Tartarus, that keep lesser shadows from traversing higher up; they are much stronger than the average shadow...yet not the only one of its kind: higher up you may encounter the same shadow as a regular."

"So, the guardians, in a way, are a premonition of what to except higher up?" I asked.

"Precisely: the first guardian is on the 6th floor....I shall leave that to future Persona-users to fight; they shall respond after they have passed since we keep a record of how high each user goes....then we can just send them there if they so wish without having to deal with lesser shadows to fight and run out of energy before they make it back up to that height." Elizabeth explained.

'To put it simply, the guardians are checkpoints for other Persona-users that want to take a break and continue from there next time.' I thought, chuckling: this all sounded so weird....but, in a way, I liked it all.

We walked for a little longer and soon we made it to the stairs; at once the human female walked up them into the pitch black darkness......reluctantly we followed.

...................

After a few short seconds of darkness we looked to see Elizabeth standing in front of us with her arms crossed and a smile across her face; I looked back and saw that it was a dead end.

"The stairs acts as a one way road: can only go up until you reach a wayward device scattered randomly along the floors, one per floor." She said, motioning to a green device in the floor: it looked like a little portal "They are un-operational for the moment, but will be up and running by tomorrow."

"So if we need, per say, an 'emergency exit' of Tartarus, all we need to do is find one of these devices?" Jacob asked.

"Yes, unless your supporter has a skill or ability like 'Escape Route' then you can instantly be teleported back to the entrance of Tartarus: the Velvet Room."

After that she began walking over to what looked like a lump of oil: it was moving about eerily, almost like it was gonna do something unpredictable.

"This is a Shadow, a lesser form called a Maya.....Nathan, come here for a moment." Elizabeth gestured for me to come; I gulped and did so.....yet I immediately regretted it: the second I got closer it lunged at me.

Out of instinct I jabbed forward with the weapon in my hand: it burst into black mist and disappeared. At first I was happy since I was alive....then I was pissed since that could've killed me. At once I began snapping at her.

"What the hell?! Warning much?!" all she did was giggle.

"The Mayas, although weak, are quite fast.....though you were well off using your sword to destroy it....however, there is a better way to attacking Shadows." As she said this, Elizabeth motioned to a few more Shadows: I gulped unconsciously.

"Summon your Persona to attack them: it is much easier than just fighting hand-to-hand." I grumbled to myself as she said this.

"Next time, warn me will ya?" I asked her silently, stepping forward and raising my hand: the card swirled down and floated in front of me....then I brought my paw up and smashed it.

"Persona!"

Markolo appeared in front of me.....yet disappeared as soon as he materialized.

"You must think of a move to use if you wish to harness his power." I groaned; I wanted to fight using only him, like Elizabeth did with my Shadow....but I nodded and tried again: I began to think about what to use...then thought that I didn't even know what moves he knew......

'Okay, just think.....what did he use on me as a shadow?' I thought, stepping back: the Mayas stayed 'Okay....he used fire on Thanatos, which is Agi....Elizabeth said that much.......and he also slashed down on me....Cleave......' I didn't know if this was right...but I shrugged.

"Well, guess it's better than nothing!" I said to myself quietly, summoning my Persona once more.

At once things were different: Markolo, outstretching his hand, made a motion with it like something exploded...then a brief flash of fire appeared on the Shadow; it at once shrunk to nearly a pancake. I heard Elizabeth voice ring out.

"Now, again with the other! Fire in there weakness!" I smiled and was about to command Markolo to do it again, but he disappeared as soon as he finished; irritantly I summoned him a third time and used Agi again on the second one. Now they were all down.

"Alright, time to clean house!" I called, running in and slashing at one of them: it disappeared....yet the other got up and lunged at me; I felt its claws rake my back, making me yelp in pain.

"Agh! Why you little-!" I called out, attacking it and destroying it. I panted a bit, shaking my head and rubbing my back a bit: seemed okay.

"Nice job, Nathan!" called Ryland.

"Yay, Ottie!" Johnny cheered.

"Those things were nothing!" Jacob called. I felt a smile spread across my face: I couldn't help it, their cheering felt....good. Really good, like they truly were looking out for me.

"Very good work, Nathan." Elizabeth walked over to me, patting my shoulder "I think you have the basics of combat: let us resume with our exploration....I will join you in the fighting, so you are not overwhelmed."

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I would appreciate it." I said, nodding. With that, we were off again.

..................................

After about ten minutes I felt like I could take on any Shadows; with Elizabeth's help, I was able to know exactly what my Persona could do: she said that Markolo could use Slash attacks, attacks that dealt sword-like damage, like Cleave, Agi-skills, and one buff so far, that being Rakukaja which created a shield around me to lessen the force of any attack dealt to me....meaning a scratch would be diminished to almost nothing. Elizabeth also mentioned that a Persona-user back then, from Margaret's knowledge, had a Persona like that as well: the Persona was Izanagi, he was of the Fool Arcana....the name, she could never remember.

"Will I know more abilities the stronger I get?" I asked her as we all walked on through the 3rd floor: the second was almost a breeze.

"That is hard to say: you are.....special, unlike any other Persona-user that Master Igor and I have met and/or taught.....so we are merely observing your Potential: that also seems to be quite unique as well, since you never showed any of the 'usual' signs of having the Potential."

"'Usual' signs?" Like what?" Johnny asked, getting a little close to me and holding my paw: my rapier was in one of my belt loops, a make-shift scabbard.

"The most common are memory-loss and hearing the voices of Shadows.......if memory serves me well, both you and Johnny did not have those signs.....the only sign prominent to you was your ability to be conscious through the Dark Hour. You two were the only ones in your town that came, correct?"

Both me and Johnny nodded: were we really that special?

"But I don't even have a Persona yet.....could it be a fluke?"

"Hard to say." Elizabeth said.

"Hey, maybe you could just earn it instead of facing your Shadow in a fight like I had to....of course, Elizabeth stepped in at the last second before I was made into sushi." I said, shuddering at the look of my Shadow: the color, the blade, the eye staring at me, it made me shudder all over.

"Maybe.....it'd be great if that happened....." Johnny sighed, a serious look on his face; I looked over and squeezed his hand gently. He looked up and shook his head, smiling weakly.

"Sorry, guess I'm just a little tired."

"Yeah, me too....and I've been fighting." I pointed out. I looked behind me and saw Ryland and Jacob talking to each other: they seemed in perfect condition compared to the two of us....even Elizabeth was looking as healthy as ever. Maybe we just haven't adjusted to Tartarus yet.

****** (POV Change: Ryland) ******

****** (Flashback: Velvet Room, ten minutes 'till Midnight) ******

I walked back and forth quickly, looking at my watch: it was digital...and still working. That made me more anxious.

"Ryland, please don't fret: Nathan will arrive shortly........he merely ran into trouble with his mate Johnny.....I assure you he will be here."

I nodded, but that wasn't what I was anxious about: whenever I was afraid, I always pace around to make the time pass more quickly and to have the scary thing end faster.

'Dammit, why'd I ask for this?' I thought to myself, my paw going into my pocket and gripping the object inside and pulling it out: they were the glasses I got from this morning, light blue tinted round ones that hugged my face tightly yet fit easily.

I slipped the glasses back into my pocket and kept pacing a bit, wanting to just get this over with. My ears perked up to try and trace any sound that might be audible, but so far I could only hear the padded steps of myself.

Suddenly, without warning, the door behind me swung open; a loud voice called in, nearly making me faint from the scare.

"Hey, sorry I'm late!" called the voice; I jumped at the fright, growling a bit as I looked around......I regretted doing that: my eyes immediately laid themselves on the hottest husky I've ever seen.

He had short, dark brownish-red fur and a snow chest and muzzle; his hair was the color of fire yet his eyes were a gentle brown, a strange combination. His clothes seemed a little worn, the articles being a white tee and light grey tee jacket, brown khaki shorts, and greyish high top sneakers; it seemed pretty close for the style I wore myself.

I shook my head and looked away quickly form the husky, afraid he saw me staring at him for as long as I did; I guess I got lucky since he started talking to Elizabeth.

"It's quite alright; in fact, you're here a little early: Nathan and Johnny have not arrived yet."

"Nate and J are coming too?" he asked; apparently he knew them; me, I only saw them.

"Yes, since Nathan has his Persona....I was hoping that he would be given the chance to learn how to battle." The woman explained. I began to tone out their conversation, wanting to just focus on something away from the guy that just entered. I tried to think about all the trouble that I had a few years back before I met....him; I remembered all the amazing things we did together; but, most importantly, I remembered that fateful night when.....

'No, no......don't think that.....' I thought shaking my head and biting my lip hard; I felt a warm tear dribble down my cheek, my paw coming up and wiping it away quickly.

As soon as I stopped thinking about that bad memory, my mind strayed to the husky that entered; I groaned silently as I felt my mind race with thoughts: who is he? - What is his name? - Is he gay like me? - Is he taken?

I could barely stand the suspense as I turned around to walk over and talk to him when he disappeared again.

"Hey, where'd he go?" I asked Elizabeth.

"Oh, he said something about "changing into his gear" and said he would be back soon." Elizabeth explained, both a little curious and a little care-freely.

I sighed in relief, glad that he wasn't here anymore: out of sight, out of mind.....but there was something nagging at me a bit....

'He didn't even ask about me when he got here, not even acknowledging me......or, did he ask about me to Elizabeth when I was trying to tune them out?' I thought, going back to my pacing.

As I paced I began to regret wearing what I was wearing: it was a beater, shorts, and shoes.

'M-maybe I can run home and change......like the dog did...' I thought, walking to the door; I took one step and it opened up: walking in was an otter and an orca.

The otter was, probably, about a few years younger than I was: he was wearing a long sleeve shirt with a green tee, black stonewashed jeans, and dark green boots. He already had his glasses on, the glasses being a milk chocolate like his fur with the bottom of the frame being missing; their shape was rounded, yet still rectangular. As I looked him over quickly, I couldn't help but have that vision of his Shadow appear in my head: he didn't look close to having such a dark secret inside him.....but, I guess it's possible for that to happen.

The orca was different: he was taller than the otter and seemed to be about my age. He was wearing a dark blue tee with a grey jacket over it, dark blue jeans, and a pair of heavy grey shoes. He seemed to hover around the otter as he talked to Elizabeth, which instantly gave me the idea that they were a couple: we were like that in the past.

He looked towards me and smiled; it was warm and cheerful, like he was truly being friendly.....that made me even more nervous.

As he looked at me I waved....yet felt immediately humiliated: it was pathetic, I could barely hide my nervousness.

Nonetheless, he only chuckled and turned back to Elizabeth. Then the door busted open again, the same husky coming through again: this time he was wearing something similar to what I was! I felt embarrassed as soon as I noticed.

"Hey, I'm back. Sorry for the wait: had to change really quick," he said, a little out of breath; the otter looked at the husky and seemed to nearly be as surprised as I was when I first met him.

"Jake?! You're here?!" he exclaimed; 'Great, they know each other....' I thought, taking a deep breath as the husky explained his reason for being here.

"Yeah, ever since I saw you get your Persona I've wanted to explore more of Tartarus....who knows what's in that huge-ass tower!" He seemed confident enough....so I guess I should be too.

"H-hey," I started, the otter turning around to meet me face-to-face "I'm Ryland, Rye for short......I heard about you, Nathan.....I'm really impressed" I tried to keep myself calm as I spoke, not wanting to sound like I'm forcing out my words; I managed to give a smile "I'd love it if you were here with us in case we meet a Shadow or anything."

As Elizabeth cut in, I moved very slowly over to the husky; I touched his shoulder with my paw a little questionably, getting his attention: he looked my way and half-smiled.

"Hey." He started.

"Hi," I replied; I extended my paw slowly "I'm Ryland."

He met it quickly and shook it hard but in a friendly manner "Name's Jacob, call me Jake."

I couldn't help but smile a bit as we greeted each other: so far, so good.

"So, why did you want to come to Tartarus? You like danger?" he asked, folding his arms and chuckling: guess he was joking. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle too.

"N-not really.....I just," I thought for a moment, trying to gather my words.....being in front of a hot husky didn't help either "I was curious about the tower when I first went in.....and seeing Nathan face his Shadow.....well.....I know that I could never do that: I'm not strong enough, not even close...."

Jacob gave me a look, the one that says "what are to talking about?"

"Dude, why sell yourself short? I mean, yeah: most of us would never be able to do what Nate did; deep down, we all have a secret that we keep hidden......but that doesn't mean that it's impossible, right? You just gotta persist; keep fighting.....that's how you grow." He sighed, looking away a bit "Trust me, I know...."

"How can I fight when I don't know how to?" I asked him, the words tumbling out of my mouth: I couldn't get a grasp on them, couldn't stop them from taking form on my lips.....so I gave up and pushed them out.

He looked at me in a surprised look, but before he could say anything Nathan clapped and yelled out something.

"Alright then! Why don't we get started?"

'Damn!' I cursed in my head, wanting to continue talking to Jacob: so far, besides his looks, he seemed like a really great guy to know.......but, so far, I don't think he's gay or anything.

'Well you haven't asked him yet...' I thought, shaking my head slightly.

'I doubt I can ask him.' Pretty soon, I was having an argument in my own head.

'How can you be so sure? You never knew until some asked YOU....and you pursued that possibility and found out you WERE.....'

'Yeah, but that brought on some other troubles too! Remember with.....' I stopped dead in the argument, biting my lower lip hard again to fight back the tears.

As soon as I felt pain I stopped; I looked around and saw the others walking to the door and I quickly ran after them.

****** (Present time) ******

"So, you never answered me when I asked you that question....." I started, folding my arms and staying close to the group: Jacob was, in a way, close to me, walking just a little in front of me so I couldn't see his facial expressions.

"Really? What was the question?" he asked me; I could tell by the tone of his voice he was avoiding my question.

"How can you fight if you don't know how to?" I asked him again. He stopped, with me with him; he turned around and faced me.

"You learn.....through experience: you learn from good and bad experiences how to defend yourself to cope with the pain, find ways to keep you distracted from the suffering....yet, to be honest...." He trailed off, looking away towards the others: they were talking among themselves "that pain will never go away.....not unless you face it head on."

"But......how?" I asked.

"Only you know that...." He said; he began walking again and I ran to catch up to him.

"But, how?" I asked him again. I heard a sigh and that told me to not press on any more: he obviously didn't know the answer himself.....but, didn't he say he fought against himself too?

'Wait, if he fought against himself.....does that mean he has a Persona already?' I thought, but I quickly banished that thought: if he did, he'd be fighting with Nathan.

"We will be arriving near our destination," Elizabeth chanted happily; I looked to her and she was skipping -actually skipping! - down the corridor: what is up with that chick?!

"Wow...." Jacob muttered, chuckling "she is so....playful...."

"Is that a bad thing?" I asked.

"In my opinion, not at all: I like girls who like to have fun.....but, to be honest, it kinda doesn't fit with the situation here at the moment." He chuckled, shaking his head as if thinking 'oh brother....' while walking on. I merely laughed a bit.

...............................

After about 10 minutes, and a few battles against some Shadows (thank you kindly, Nathan and Elizabeth), he reached the stairs to the 6th block: the same block Elizabeth said would be a guardian on.

"Well then," she said, turning around and smiling "I do believe we are, as some guides would say, 'at the end of the tour!'" Her expression, like a knob that was left turned one way, was left on "Giddy". I rolled my eyes and walked off a bit: she began talking to us about something, but the only thing I heard was that we were going to rest here then backtrack to one of the devices on this floor so we could go back......the device, itself, was inoperable....yet Igor could transport us back to the Velvet Room by Elizabeth's request (not command, request).

I reclined against the wall and folded my arms, closing my eyes so I could try to think clearly.....yet immediately my thoughts went to Jacob: so far, I can't help but know I have a crush on him now....and I just met him! I can also tell, from what he told me, he's been through some hard times just like I have.....and Nathan.

"Hey, you okay?" I heard a voice ask me; I chuckled to myself: speak of the devil.....

It was Nathan...and he seemed a little concern for me.

"Oh, hey....." I said; I realized I blew off his question. He walked over beside me and leaned against the wall as well.

"You alright? You tired?" he asked me again; I shook my head.

"No, I'm fine....just....thinking a bit...." I trailed off, my thoughts drifting to Jacob again......then, more so, over to him.....

"You wanna talk about it?" he asked, looking over to me "You can tell me anything."

"No, it's fine.....it's nothing." I lied, shaking my head and looking to the other side; I felt a warm paw on my shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.

"Ryland.....you can tell me anything, alright? I'm here for ya.....I mean we're friends, right?" he asked; I looked over and he smiled.....it was infectious since I felt my lips curl up too.

"Yeah, I guess we are....." I said happily; I couldn't resist but wrap my arms around him and hug him.....yet I don't think he minded: I felt his arms wrap around me as well, hugging me back.

................................

After a few minutes of talking we began to trail our way back, surprisingly not running into any Shadows along the way......I don't know why, but I had this bad feeling it meant something wrong.

"Hey, Elizabeth.....is it bad for Shadows to not be on a floor?" Nathan asked.

"Yes, Shadows counterbalance power on the floor.....Persona user's disrupt that balance.....and when there are no Shadows on the floor anymore, then the Shadow Death appears, acting as a median to eliminate the overbalance.....but, strangely, I do not sense Death....." she speculated.

'I can think of a good reason why that's happening....' I thought, shaking my head as I folded my arms over my chest and huddled closer to the group. I felt and arm brush up against my own, making me shiver a bit; I looked over and saw it was Jacob. I looked away so I was left alone to my blushing.

'Go on, talk to him,' urged my thoughts 'it'll calm you down....'

Yet I couldn't think of anything to say.......not even my previous thoughts of Jacob and my crush on him were there....and, even if they WERE there, I couldn't say anything like that; the silence drove me crazy throughout the entire time.

And not just with the talking with Jacob.....it drove me crazy that I had no one to truly share my secrets or other things in, no one that I could just hang out with, and no one that really gets me or understands me. Like I'm.....alone....

"Not that it's any different than before....." I voice spoke; I felt a chill ran right down my spine, making me stop dead in my tracks...yet everyone else kept walking: did I only hear that?

I turned my back and looked around, taking a few steps forward and trying to find where the voice had come from.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" I called quietly; my brain was telling me to run, and my legs were ready to do that same....yet I was frozen in place from curiosity.

"You were always alone: even in that big house of yours, your family never helped you....." I twisted around, trying to find out where the voice was coming from: my heart began to pound against my chest, my breathing rate increasing every second.

"Where are you?!" I yelled; my bravado was short-lived though.

Walking out from the shadows was a dark figure, glowing a dark blue that seemed to bend and twist around its body like it had a mind of its own. The figure, itself, looked exactly like myself.....right down to the clothes; it was missing, however, the one thing that made me who I was: the sky blue, glass bead bracelet on my right paw.

He smirked, chuckling.

"Who are you?" I asked him in a big voice.

"Ooo, trying to act tough? Think you grew any over the past years?" he mocked me, laughing at me "Yeah right, you're still the same as before....."

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, my fright wiggling its way into my tone.

"You KNOW what I mean: you haven't changed ONE bit since you were a kid. You say that you want freedom, you say you want to make your own choices, you SAY you want to be like others, you say-you say-you say.....that's all you do....you never ACT."

"That's not true!" I yelled back; he merely scoffed.

"Yeah right! You keep wishing things will change, yet never do anything about it! You think that you can't, when you haven't even tried!" he snickered at me; I heard a feral growl erupt form my throat, the first one since I was a kid.

"Shut up! You don't know me!"

"Oh, yes...I do." He said simply, taking a few steps closer.

"How?!"

"I AM you.....I'm everything that you hold in your head and heart....every dark, twisted memory of your past...." He whispered to me; he raised his paw, showing the same glass bead bracelet I was wearing...yet it was deformed: the beads were like clay and had swirls of blackish-purple stuff inside; I took a step back.

"N-no way.....that's impossible....." I said to myself: I couldn't believe it.....I couldn't register that my Shadow was in front of me...... 'That must be why there aren't any Shadows on this floor now....'

"Oh, it's possible.....everyone has a dirty little secret, just itching to come out....and yours, oh boy, is a doozy...." He smiled widely, chuckling almost sadistically.

"N-no! No! I don't have any secrets!" I denied.

"Ryland!" I heard a voice call from behind me; I turned around and saw that it was the others: they must've found out I wasn't there and back-tracked to find me.

I saw the look on Elizabeth's face, it was of horror; Nathan, quickly, ran in front of me and drew his sword.

"Stay back, Rye....I got this..." he said confidently; I nodded and took a few steps back.....

"Ha, do your worst....Osworth......but it won't change the fact that he," my shadow pointed at me "has a little secret deep within his heart that he can't seem to tell anyone....but I can tell them."

I gasped and immediately got in front of Nathan.

"Don't you dare!" I taunted. He only chuckled.

"Alright, I won't....for now.....I'll just tell everyone here about you...." He said; I could barely contain my rage....yet instantly my rage turned into regret and soon fear; as childish as it was, I covered my ears and knelt down into a ball to try and drone him out.

"You see, our little Ryland has a reason to be so shy and timid.....he's never had an actual friend to talk to: he had his family, and that was nice....but never someone to really confide in......not only that, but he came from a rich family, so he had to hid that fact when he said he wanted to go to public school and be "normal"....but there's nothing normal about him!"

****** (POV Change: Nathan) ******

I growled at the Shadow in front of me, raising my rapier: I knew what he was going to do, I knew it too well since it happened to me......he's going to torment Ryland, push every mistake into his face like mine did to me.....

'No....I won't let that happen....' I thought, trying to stay calm, and slowly lowering my sword "what do you mean 'not normal?' He looks normal to me...."

"Yeah, but it's all a ruse....he's such a good actor too." The shadow taunted, pallidly commenting Ryland; I heard a growl erupt from his throat, the sound scaring me a bit "You see, ever since that ONE day.....he vowed he'd never find anyone else every again.....the poor boy....."

"Enough!" Jacob yelled, stepping forward with me; I was a little surprised when I heard him yell like that "Why torture him?! If he's had problems in his life, then shouldn't he have then addressed more gently....not shoved right into his face?!"

The shadow merely scoffed and laughed at him, making his seethe in anger.

"He's the one who refuses to acknowledge them....so I'm merely reminding him of the events....and you should here this one, it's REALLY juicy!" he said in faux excitement; Ryland looked up, as if begging him not to "You see, Ryland had a boyfriend when he was in 2nd grade and were together until a few years ago...when something happened between the two.....and it STILL haunts him to this day!"

"Stop it!" Ryland yelled....and I could tell he's on the verge of cracking. Of course, the shadow didn't care and continued on.

"You see, he and his boy Michael were going to meet at a restaurant on their anniversary when, as Ryland was pulling out of the school parking spot-"

"STOP IT!" Ryland yelled, standing up and soon getting right in his face.....the shadow merely smirked.

"-and hit him.....killing him...."

Everyone gasped, including myself: Ryland.......killed his own boyfriend on accident.

The fox couldn't take it anymore and he slugged the Shadow right in the face, throwing him away from; he landed on his back a few feet in front of Ryland...who was growling and panting hard.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" he yelled at the fallen shadow; as an instinct, I could tell what he was gonna say next.

"Rye, don't! Don't say it!" I warned him, drawing my rapier and getting to him as quickly as possible....yet when I got to him it was too late.

"YOU'RE NOT ME! YOU'RE NOTHING LIKE ME!"

At once the figure began chuckling as he got up, laughing almost like a madman.

"That's it, come on! Scream it at me!" he taunted; I saw Rye move and I grabbed him by an arm to keep him from charging at him.

"You and I, we're nothing alike! You don't know a THING about me!"

"Well, if you really think I don't know anything about you....then I guess you don't know yourself as well as I know you....." he grinned; a black blob began rushing to him, latching itself on the shadow fox and merging into him.....along with another, and another....until the shadows were building up higher.

Ryland began to cower in fear, backing up as I pushed myself in front of him.

"Elizabeth!" I called back to her "Keep them safe!"

"But, Nathan-" she started.

"Don't worry! I can handle this thing!" I said confidently, looking to see what the creature became: what I saw was a giant frog with a person attached to it like a centaur; the person had a black body and white gloves, a long blue scarf, and light blue shurikens for eyes; the frog was huge, just about as big as myself, and was camo....but the color scheme was off: it was black with blue stripes instead of green stripes. Also, he had a gnarly white smile with black headphones for eyes and whitish-blue pupils.

"I'd like to see you try!" it yelled at me; I raised the sword and got into position....