The Rise of the Emperor

The crimson door located in block ten would slowly open and reveal a familiar silver haired student. Tsurinai Naito, the self proclaimed Emperor himself, would appear upon the plains with scabbard in hand. After the troublesome defeat at the hands of three generic enemies, Naito had begun to despise where he currently was. There was on way he could call himself a leader if he couldn't protect his subjects. Whoever was abusing Limbo and tossing people in obviously knew what they were doing here, and probably had them all on monitor the moment they walked into that linear dungeon. This wasn't just a game of brawn, it was also a game of thrones. If Naito took out this person... this antagonist... he'd be able to have Limbo all for himself. A world he could control and a world he could warp in his image. He saw the power behind it, and the potential it held. It was a tool, just like a kitchen knife. On one hand it could be used as a fierce weapon, yet on the other it could be something that could help those involved with it. Naito had plenty of experience when dealing with tools. Only someone with the ambition and superior intellect like himself would have any hope of controlling such a supernatural place. Atleast that was what he told him.

Holding the scabbard in a firm grip, Naito would begin his assault upon the world, heading first towards the doorway that seemed to need to be unlocked by battle. Preparing himself for the worst, he'd hold his Okatana in his right hand, while reaching for the hilt with his left. "Hmph. Lets get this over with. I don't have all day." Flicking his head back, his silver hair would be forced back into a slick, as his eyes were finally clearly seen.

Naito Stats:

As the Persona User approached the doorway, two tar like puddles would form before him. Lifting up from the ground, the tar would begin to take form into a sphere. For a few seconds it would simply float in place. However, that wouldn't last long as the tar recognized the boy as a Persona User and became extremely hostile at that moment. In a split second, it would split apart to reveal a mouth and a long tongue, making it appear as though it was a face that lacked eyes or ears. With its red lips and long black tongue, the Shadow would focus upon the human before it. The second Shadow also had the same idea, as it mimicked the first and focused on the Persona-user. If Naito wished to proceed pass the locked door, he'd need to defeat them both. Since he initiated the combat, he had the first move.

Slipping Hablerie # 1:

Slipping Hablerie # 2:

Naito watched the two tar like substances taking form before him. The first few times this occurred, he was not only surprised but anxious. Now he had already seen it before, so it didn't even cause his neutral expression to change. Instead he would use his thumb to press against the hilt of his blade and slowly draw it out a quarter of the way. Fighting Shadows was a guessing game to him at the moment, simply because he had no way in telling what their weaknesses were. Sometime in the future he'd need to find a competent partner who could perhaps find out the information he craved. It was one of the only ways to traverse Limbo without a worry in the world. Well, more or less. Either way, Naito would do what he did best at the current moment. Multiple enemies before him, it was time to test the waters on a weakness. Picturing his tarot card in mind, it would slowly float down before him. The mark of the Emperor was plastered on the face of the card, and he narrowed his eyes behind the velvet lenses. "I won't lose to them." Giving a quick draw and slash with his blade, he'd cut through the card entirely and cause his Persona to erupt from his soul. "Give them something to chew on, Jinmu-tennō!" And like ordered, the massive Persona would point its blade towards the sky and call down moderate bursts of lightning upon both foes. Once its attack was complete, it would fade back within Naito's subconscious, and the silver haired student would spin and sheath his blade back within the scabbard. It was going to be a long day...

Naito Stats:

The moment both Shadows were hit by the bolt of lightning, they'd hit the ground with a thud while being staggered. This simply occurred because the Kizuna Academy Student had actually hit their weakness. So because of these, neither of the Shadows were able to attack this turn of combat, and would instead be recovering from the sudden attack.

Slipping Hablerie # 1:

Slipping Hablerie # 2:

When the silver haired student witnessed the Shadows hitting the ground in a stagger, his calm expression seemed to get some light behind it. They were exactly where they needed to be. Groveling at his feet before he put them down for the count. One would think Naito would simply use the same skill once again to finish them, but instead he chose to use his Persona a few more times to get as much experience as he could get. Knowing that he couldn't control his surroundings bothered him. Perhaps he was tricking himself into thinking if he got stronger, he could reclaim the control he believed he lost the moment he came to Ueitawa. Sadly, Naito was mistaken about everything. It wasn't the fact he couldn't control everything that made him so angry. It was the fact he couldn't control his own self that made him slightly irritated when it came to interacting with the others. On one hand he had made himself believe he was above the rest of his peers. This superiority complex began to define who he was. After facing his Shadow and having a shot at his pride, the Persona user started to see reality. That he wasn't going to always be above those around him. That sometimes there were others who were better than him at certain things. That, in itself, made him slightly sick. One day he'd need to come to a realization that would help him grow out of this complex of his. Perhaps then he could work with others for the greater good, instead of writing them off because they weighed him down.

Trying to reach a conclusion within himself, Naito would raise his hand up and reach out towards the tarot card that formed before him. With a crushing grip, his Persona would erupt from his soul and perform a kill rush into Shadow number two while it was down. Once the attack was complete, the Persona would vanish back within his subconscious. Hopefully after this attack there would be one left. With that one defeated, Naito would easily be able to press forward through the strange plains without worry... Atleast for the time being. There was one thing he was sure of though. Being alone in Limbo gave him alot of time to think to himself. Something he hadn't had in a long time.

Naito Stats:

Well that was one down. But with the linear attack, it allowed the remaining Shadow to recover its lost footing. Once regaining control and hovering back off the ground, it'd focus its attack on the Persona-User. Without wasting any amount of time, the Shadow would shoot forward in a spinning rotation. Towards the end of the spin it'd strike the Persona-User with the back end of its tongue for some damage. Once the attack hit, the Shadow would fall back towards its original spot and proceed to await the enemy's counter measure.

Shadow 1:

The complex king would take the hit with no problem, as he brushed his injury aside to stare down his final opponent. This was the feeling he missed. Of conquest and towering over those who opposed him. He had almost forgotten how it felt to be in such a monument of power. Perhaps this feeling would keep his mind off the bigger problem. Dealing with his complex, and attempting to eradicate entirely. The people who he had met, he honestly couldn't call friends as of yet. They were simple decorations in his world. No one knew the real Naito. All they saw was the rough exterior of a boy who wished to rule those around him. However, his Shadow knew his secrets and his vulnerabilities. Though he faced his Shadow and defeated it with the help of Justine, he still couldn't help but be plagued by his complex. Obviously it wouldn't be an over night process to regain his individuality without putting down those around him. Perhaps these moments alone weren't best for him to get over the complex. Perhaps he needed some interaction with others around him. Though forcing himself to that point was quite troublesome, if not annoying to being with.

The thoughts plagued his mind as he called forth his Persona once more to perform another Kill Rush into the remaining Shadow. With that done, the silver haired student would let out a sigh and close his eyes. Though his face was calm, if not completely emotionless, he was troubled. "This is a problem. I can't continue on like this can I?" The boy spoke to himself more than anyone around him. "Tsurinai, you have such a hard head. My pride is one thing I cannot be without." Naito gripped his scabbard and bit his lip with utter annoyance. Lifting a hand, he'd slam it into his side in an attempt at knocking the crap out of himself. "A King is nothing without his subjects! Pushing them away makes me no King. It simply puts me in the same position my Shadow was in. Sitting on an iron throne in an empty empire..." The false prince would lower his head and let his full head of hair fall over his face. All was quiet for a certain time before the feint sound of laughter came from beneath the silver locks. "Hahah.. I'm such a fool sometimes. But that's okay. I'll grow from this. That's what she always told me. Isn't that right.." Naito tilted his head back and looked up towards the blue sky above him. "..Mother.." Though it was the only moment in his current life where his words were not of contempt towards his mother, Naito would cut it short and continue his advance on the strange plains.

Stats:

The silver haired student would raise his free hand and fold his bang off to the side of his cheek. With the defeat of the Shadows he could proceed further in. Though he did sustain some injury in battle, it was nothing he couldn't handle. He'd simply need to call forth the power of Jinmu-tennō to heal him. And so like previously stated, the Persona-User would raise his hands and grasp the tarot card that formed before him. In a blue mist, the first Emperor of Japan would be called forth from the abyss of Naito's subconscious. Extending its hand out, it would cause a healing wave to come across Naito. This wave would heal his previous injuries and bring him back to full health. With this done, the Persona would subside back within Naito's subconscious. The superior student would let out a sigh of annoyance. He could feel himself getting stronger, but he most likely needed a few more battles to reach the next level. With a grunt, Naito would cross his arms across his chest, while keeping his blade firmly gripped in the palm of his right hand. "Three minutes... Three minutes is the amount of time I have left to deal with these scum." Naito would continue on in his advance, following the path before him. He had a chance to take a torn at a parting of the singular path he travelled down, but instead he chose to continue straight. Of course he knew sooner or later he'd come across the next Shadow, so he remained vigilant and alert. So far things were going well, but he knew the further he went into Limbo, the more dangerous it would become. With the gem he had in his possession, it was possibly for him to easily escape combat when death was the only option. Though it would hurt his pride, he couldn't die. Not yet.

Naito Stats:

The student foolishly chose to continue on, and would find himself in range of the next Shadow attack. Since he hadn't made it far enough within the dungeon to confront them first, the two Shadows would have the first opportunity to attack. The dual pair of Shadows would form before the one named Naito with the intent of impeding his progress deeper within Limbo. The tar like substance would take the form of two dancing hands, that danced wildly on their finger tips. Both of the Shadows would clap their hands together before flicking a finger and casting a medium amount of ice damage towards the wandering student in unison. If he wished to travel any further within the world of Limbo, he'd need to fight pass them both or retreat and find another way.

Dancing Hand:

Dancing Hand:

Naito would be caught off guard from the Shadows that attacked him so suddenly, and would slide back a few feet from their attack. Keeping his blade in one hand, he'd grasp his chest with the other. "I let my guard down. How shameless of me.." The student cursed to himself before taking his Iaido stance for combat. This would most likely be his last fight in Limbo, so he'd need to make it count. Extending a hand outward, his tarot card would slowly fall down to his palm. "Obey my command, Jinmu-tennō!" And on command, Naito would crush his card and cause an eruption of power to leave his body. Standing before him would be the first emperor of Japan, with his blade in the ready. Rushing towards the first dancing hand, the Emperor would bring his blade down with a heavy strike upon its head before turning and delivering a second strike into the hand's palm. Once the two attacks were complete, the Persona would vanish back within Naito's subconscious, where he'd regain his stance and keep a hand on the hilt of his blade. Hopefully this battle wouldn't waste too much time. There was things he needed to do back home. So with a nonchalant flick of the head, the silver haired student would glare at the two Shadows. "Come."

Naito Stats:

The Dancing hand slammed by the attack would hit the ground for a couple of seconds before raising itself back to its finger tips. Considering it was hardly dancing anymore, and was more like attempting to stay moving, it showed visible signs of being weakened. Even so, both the hands would perform their next attack. Clapping together once again, the two Shadows would attack with two more pillars of ice. Their plan was to work down the Persona user, and if he didn't make the right action he could find himself down for the count with the next attack. The Shadows simply continued to dance upon the path, blocking him from going anywhere further in. He could attempt to run from them at any time, as the only way to progress was to ultimately head back the way he came.

Dancing Hand 1:

Dancing Hand:

"You scum are lucky I don't have time for this nonsense!" The silver haired student barked at the Shadows still looking to block his way. Reaching into his pocket, he would remove a gem within his hand. This would be the Traeso gem given to him after defeating Reiguu Ejji's Shadow. With a swift crush of the hand, the gem would break and Naito would disappear from out of the dungeon in a flash of light.

[Exit - Traesto Gem used]