IC || THE LAST CASE || VIDEO

[incriminating]

[From the moment the video feed rolls, the audio is distorted with static and a tinny, dual-toned laughter that lacks any real warmth or cheer. No, the sound is instead cold and cruel, cutting through the tranquil silence of night like a knife, as sharp as the smile that now twists its owner’s lips. Crowing, Tohru Adachi stares straight-on at the

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[heavyheels]

[since she'd hung up on adachi and headed out to hunt him down, chie had been running blindly through the unfamiliar terrain, searching for any sort of clue as to adachi's whereabouts. the wind had pushed her this way and that, and she'd ended up heading toward the well.

the song was an oddity, and oddities meant something was going on. chie followed the sound, hoping her gut instincts wouldn't fail her.

as she draws closer, the wind starts to subside, and chie squints to make out the view around her. she instantly recognizes the figure ahead, even from behind - adachi.

target acquired.

she doesn't stop, doesn't think - don't think, feel - only races ahead to close the gap between them. once within firing range, she leaps from the running pace into a spinning kick as a flash of blue flame encircles her, and she feels the familiar jolt of power summon her Persona with a commanding shout:]

Now! Suzuka Gongen!

[she tumbles to a crouch on the ground and watches as her black-clad persona casts god's hand at adachi from behind,

[incriminating]

[The corpse slides to the ground in a pool of blood at Magatsu Izanagi's feet. Fueled by Adachi's rising need for cruelty, it rolls Ange over with a boot and then kicks her, once, twice. By the well, the detective is seized by a bout of hysterical laughter, his pupils pinpricks now as he gazes giddily at the body of Seta's girlfriend. He almost picks up his communicator and makes another broadcast, just to announce it to the village, just to throw it in Seta's face, but decides against it. He'll surprise Seta with it later.

Satonaka's confession doesn't surprise him in the least - until, that is, she seems to overcome the effects of the fear. Still chuckling, he eyes her dismissively, half-smiling.]

Are you that dumb? You're going to try and fight me? After I just took four of you on at the same time? Geez, normally I'd say, "It sure is a good thing you've got those looks to balance out your stupidity," but I can't even say that to you in good conscience! You're like a prepubescent boy in a skirt!

[Magatsu Izanagi takes its place

[heavyheels]

[she needed to stall, just a little bit longer, just enough to buy her the time needed to completely recover her persona. chie went with the first thing that came to mind, a taunt in a childish mocking tone, full of disdain:]

I know what you are, but what am I?! Do you even know how stupid you sound?

[chie shifted into a defensive stance.]

Shut up and fight me, dumbass.

[chie knew this was probably a stupid idea, but it was all she had to go on at the moment. she guessed she was in better physical shape than he was, and had a chance at ducking or outrunning whatever he threw at her next. and maybe, the distraction would provide a window of opportunity for someone else to launch an attack from another angle.]

[tapferkeit]

[Link's eyes widen as Ange's blood splatters over them. His stomach lurches and the triforce blazing on his hand flickers momentarily. Courage is linked to life - Farore is the goddess of life - and with the aspect blazing so brightly on his hand, Link can almost, almost, feel the life as it slips out of her

[incriminating]

How stupid I sound!? Are you kidding me? You're the one who -

[He stumbles forward as Link slams into Magatsu Izanagi, vulnerable as pain splits through him. This time, a managed scream erupts from his throat, echoed by the shrieking from the dark god. Magatsu Izanagi, weakened by the holy sword - how is this possible, we resist light! - falls to a knee and loses hold of its glaive, which clatters to the ground by Adachi's feet.]

You. [It's a snarl. Struggling against the pain in his body, Adachi fumbles for his gun.]

[heavyheels]

No!

[chie sees adachi go for his gun, and there's no time to test if her persona's usable yet, she has to stop him, she can't let him hurt anyone else right in front of her eyes -

it only takes a fraction of a second for her to shift from her defensive stance into a full-tilt run toward adachi. she quickly closes the gap between them and launches herself into a spinning leap-kick with a guttural battlecry:]

Haaiiiiiyah!

[tapferkeit]

[As Magatsu Izanagi drops its Glaive, Link sheathes his weapon and drops his sheild. He withdraws the ocarina. Adachi is being handled by Chie - that's fine for now. If he's dangerous now, it only makes sense. They can apologise later, after the song.

He places the instrument to his lips and walks towards Magatsu Izanagi as he begins to play the Song of Healing.]

[incriminating]

[So off guard, Adachi is vulnerable to Chie's attack and is hit square in the chest by her foot, spit flying out of his mouth as he is knocked back into his persona. Gasping, he tremblingly touches his chest, feeling the Fae Queen's magic there, sealing his cracked rips (courtesy of Sheik).

The god, meanwhile, has snapped its head up, regarding Link with a seething rage, expressed only in the hardness of its eyes. When the song begins to play, it writhes where it kneels, claws clutching helm, and lets out a bloodcurdling scream. Though synchronized with his persona, Adachi does not feel whatever pain Magatsu Izanagi suffers, and watches in disbelief.]

Get up! You useless...get the hell up!

[Shuddering, the god shoots its host a murderous look and slowly obeys, rising to stand. Weakly, it stretches out a hand toward Link, palm out, and bows its head, as if to repel the song.]

No.

[Something snaps in the air, like a live wire, and then a mask drops to the ground, spinning in circles. It is Magatsu Izanagi.]

[tapferkeit]

[This is a scene Link is used to

[incriminating]

[With a hiss, Magatsu Izanagi straightens, studying Magatsu Link with dark approval. Confused, Adachi stares at the hero and goes to demand some answers from his persona, but with a sharp look, the god silences him.]

Command him and this one will obey. He will not be able to resist the call.

[Uncertainly, Adachi glances at Chie and then stammers:]

...k-kill her!

[Hell if he actually expects this to work. Magatsu Izanagi's glaive flies into its hand on an unspoken command and says to its host:]

There is little time.

1/2

[heavyheels]

[WHAT. WHAT. WHAT JUST HAPPENED.]

[heavyheels]

[no, chie, focus, focus! adachi is right there, right within punting distance. if she can just take him out -

she springs into action once again, feet flying.]

[tapferkeit]

[Link is buried there, deep under the consciousness of Magatsu Izanagi and Adachi. He tries to stop it, but his claws tighten around the hilt of his own glaive and he launches forwards, slashing it at Chie in a double-handed swing.]

[heavyheels]

[the weapon lands a glancing blow, knocking chie off her trajectory before she can connect with adachi.

chie hits the ground with a pained cry.]

[incriminating]

[Beautiful. Adachi watches ally attack ally with no small amount of pleasure. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the time to spare to enjoy this spectacle, and, with a nod to his persona, he quietly absconds to the inn.]

[tapferkeit]

[Not missing a beat between attacks, Link's back arches and he launches a burst of Ziodyne at the ground where Chie is. He is aware that Rock is nearby, but he reigns in the overriding urge to attack him too. If only it'd work on Chie too, but his stupid mistake was costing a lot...]