Embrace Your Isekai Fantasies // Locked to mountainfoggedlotus

[fogboundcrow]

This is it! Raven's chance to help the younger Ren experience his powers as a Persona user. They can fight together. Explore together. It's going to be great.

But the Metaverse is too unpredictable, and the Dark Hour fairly dangerous. So, naturally, the TV world is the best bet.

Thus, Raven leads his young compatriot to the Junes Electronics Department. How convenient that there's a little rack of glasses near the flatscreen TVs with a cute Teddie cutout nearby.

Raven glances at the selection. "You'll want to take one of these before we step inside. It'll help you see through the fog."

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

"Not if we face it together." Raven's Shadow... winks. Why is he winking? "By the way, you have a charming smile."

Okay, that's it. Raven grabs his Shadow by the shoulder. "Ren, would you like to keep moving? This first floor isn't an awful place to train, since the Shadows are fairly low level."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Of course! With you by my side, I'm sure there's nothing we can't face," Ren bounces in place a bit. "Let's go!"

[fogboundcrow]

O-Oh. Okay. That's... that's good. Raven titters a little, then lifts his chin in a show of false bravado and moves to hold the door. "After you."

His Shadow chuckles behind him. Well played.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Thank you, Grand High Wizard Nerd." Raven's confidence may be for show, but Ren's already fully recharged and ready to go. "Onwards!"

[fogboundcrow]

As they run through the hall, they'll find more twists and turns. Some scattered chests as well, with little goodies, like Snuff Souls and Peach Seeds for healing.

However, yet again, Shadows lurk in the corridors, and one's slinking about near one such chest.

"Ready for round two?"

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren keeps eyeing the Peach Seeds they've picked up. He's a big fan of peach, and these look so good..."Yeah! Let's go!"

[fogboundcrow]

Grinning, Raven opens fire on the unwitting Shadow blobs, disorienting them long enough for Ren to make his move, if he so chooses!

The blobs bubble and spasm, taking form as two Calm Pesce and one Lying Halberie, with its long, flapping tongue.

"The Pesce are weak to wind, while ice and lightning should down the Halberie!"

Wormwood may not be tailored to these, but it's worth calling out the weaknesses, so Ren can act accordingly.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Uh...thanks!" Ren adjusts his glasses. "Don't know what I'm supposed to do about that..." He closes his eyes and grabs the tarot card. "Wormwood!"

His shadow comes up through his chest, and this time, it exits cleanly and stands by his side. "Cleave!"

Wormwood casts out the attack, dealing physical damage to the Halberie.

[fogboundcrow]

The Halberie dives in for a counterattack, but Raven fires off some lasers to divert its attention and—

Oops. The lasers just obliterated the Shadow.

"Ah. I suppose I should have anticipated that."

But look out! The two Pesce are rushing in to avenge their fallen comrade!

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Killstealer! Ouch..." Ren tanks the hits -- he noticed them too late. "Wormwood! Eiha!"

[fogboundcrow]

The Pesce doubles back from the hit. It's not a weakness, but it still hurts. Its partner in crime retaliates with a Cleave attack. Stay sharp, Ren!

Raven clutches his Proof of Justice tight, but this is Ren's fight. He shouldn't overdo it.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Eugh..." hit again. It's not even a thought this time; he rips the card out of the air mid-stagger-back. "Eiha!"

[fogboundcrow]

Good news is, the first Pesce dissolves from the attack! When the second one makes its move, Raven intercepts again with more laser fire.

Once again, it eliminates the Shadow.

But, ooh, what's this? Cards swirling about? There may even be some Personas for Ren to grab.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Oooh!" Ren perks up at the swirling yellow cards. "How do I do this, again?"

[fogboundcrow]

"Pick a card. You can claim an additional Persona, which you can train up. You can get additional money, Skill Cards, or additional perks."

He looks over the cards, humming.

"Pixie might not be a terrible choice, if only so you have a healer."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Why heal when I can just kill things faster next time?"

It's a genuine question.

[fogboundcrow]

"Sometimes brute force won't be enough, or your Persona may struggle against certain enemy types. A diverse selection of Personas will also serve you well in fusions."

Not that he doesn't understand where Ren's coming from. Efficiency is convenient, after all.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren takes another look at the list of cards, and at Pixie.

Something inside him feels...hmm.

"I think I'm gonna--" Ren selects around the Persona. "Maybe next time."

[fogboundcrow]

"Pixie does wield electricity as well, but..." He can't push Ren. Perhaps he'd rather enjoy a Skill Card, or an upgrade to one of Wormwood's abilities instead. There's also an option for additional experience.

Raven sighs. "Just go with what feels best, I suppose. We can continue whenever you're ready."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren looks away at Goro's sigh, closing the Shuffle Time with an awkward wave of his hand. "So! Uh. Where to next?"

[fogboundcrow]

"We should probably continue through the dungeon, so you can hone your skills and acquire more Personas."

So, when Ren is ready, Raven will guide him through the corridors. The first set of stairs shouldn't be far.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Ok." Ren follows Goro deeper into the castle, looking down and watching his step very carefully.

[fogboundcrow]

The second floor of the castle is a straight shot with no enemies or treasures to speak of. Just a wide, open room.

As they enter it, Raven glances around. "Hm. Perhaps a battle once transpired here, but there's nothing of note now. I suppose we should proceed..."

Floor three is another labyrinthine hall with many rooms and halls scattered throughout. The Shadows that lurk here are more of the same. Lying Halberies and Calm Pesces, but it should give Ren an opportunity to practice more as they draw near to another goopy Shadow blob.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren follows his Goro, shuffling his feet a bit. He's...ugh! All these emotions are so messy and he-- he wants to reach out but he can't--

Ah, new shadow blobs.

Remember what I said to you? Pokes Wormwood in his mind. Back when you had your awakening?

Ren stops and concentrates on the voice in his head. Yeah. What are you...

The world's making you feel inadequate, Wormwood sums up. It shouldn't. Get even.

Oooohhh. Rip the mask...

Tear the card. Gnash your fear. Bite. Scratch. Claw!!

The knives almost appear in Ren's hands by themselves. Yeah--!

Destroy! DESTROY! DESTROY! DESTROY! DE--

"--STROY!"

With that as his battle cry, Ren leaps into the stupid fish and slashes it like he's the world's least-careful sushi chef.

[fogboundcrow]

Raven whistles at the display. Such power. Such ferocity. "Now, that's more like it!"

He holds his gun up at the Lying Halberie, with its stupid, floppy tongue, but doesn't take a shot yet. "Show me more of that ferocity. Hold nothing back!"