The thing about Death being near was that Death had always been near.

He'd spent months knowing his death was certain. A day knowing it was imminent. Over a year knowing it could come at any time.

Years facing it, day after day, planning for its eventuality.

At his lowest moments, craving it.

Whatever Ken was doing, it was helping them, and some part of his soul sat up and snarled and spat in the eye of that closing oblivion.

The music surged, Oumitsunu raised his arms- and caught the blade on the back of its arm, sending it skittering to the side, throwing up azure sparks as the Personas clashed. It stung, but it was hardly a killing blow.

And the demon smiled.

♫ Just how deep do you believe?
Will you bite the hand that feeds? 𝅘𝅥𝅮

Oumitsunu vanished, and Robert replaced him, countering the swap to Loki.

♫ Will you chew until it bleeds?
Can you get up off your knees? 𝅘𝅥𝅮

Robert gestured with one arm, firing a blast of light with a Kougaon.

♫ Are you brave enough to see?
Do you wanna change it?! 𝅘𝅥𝅮