Monumental Drive [Mission/Tristan]

[Phoebe Minola]

Phoebe felt slightly underwhelmed at the job she had to do. It was just as well that her driving lessons had included trucks. Standing beside the truck she really wondered just what the hell kind of monument this was going to be.

I mean, who the fuck builds a monument to themselves? And then wants to transport it in the middle of a goddamn Shadow breeding zone? Has this perimeter business sent everyone off their onion?

Fortunately she wouldn't have to do this job alone. She was kind of glad it turned out that her partner would be Tristan. It'd be good to check up on the little helion, make sure he hadn't gone off the deep end just yet. After being present at his Persona's Awakening she really wasn't sure what was going on through his head. She hadn't seen him much since and truth be told... she was worried. Her own awakening had followed soon after and she finally understood what might've happened to Tristan.

It was true, she had felt like her self was being torn in two but from all that anguish and worry and fear something... good had emerged. Something sane and beautiful and strong and she wanted to believe that it'd come from a deep well in herself. Where Antiope had fallen with her convictions that she knew who was her enemy, Hypatia had risen. She had to rebuilt her world view one piece at a time and the philosopher was there to help her do just that.

Leaning with her back against the truck she let out a long, tired sigh. There was no such thing as 'normal' days in Mosaic anymore.

[Tristan Carter]

What. Is up. With this job?

When he heard about it, he actually laughed. Tristan just could not believe the arrogance of the rich. It was too amusing. With a sigh, he accepted the job. Just to see if the rich dude was being serious.

He found out that Phoebe was going to assist him. He had no problem with that, as he had yet to see her since the battle during the full moon. He wanted to make sure that she had done well. He had dealt with giant shadows like that before, but she hadn't. Besides, he was wanting to know details of how she met a shadow.

He approached her and waved. "So," he called out. "How you holding up?" He then acted like he had a sudden realization, then set his face grim. He was furious at Phoebe for her choice of friends, and he wanted her to know. "Better question. Made any new friends?"

[Phoebe Minola]

Phoebe stood straight from the truck when she saw Tristan approaching. He looked alright since the battle of the full moon (hell on earth, by her standards) but there was again something sharp and hard about him. She didn't like that - she didn't like seeing such looks on others.

"Hi Tristan," she said and managed a tired smile. "How's it hanging?"

She watched his expression change. Of course. Frankly, she was quite prepared for such reactions from people, ever since Gin gatecrashed the full moon battle. She really didn't know what to say to Tristan. It was awkward enough to try to fathom it herself.

She lost her smile and sighed, tired. "Tristan... listen. It's very complicated, what's going on with that Shadow - with Gin," she said calmly. "I spared him when I could've put an end to his life because... well, frankly because he looked as confused and scared as I felt. One moment there's a giant tiger Shadow and the next I'm holding my hammer over the head of one of my students."

Her look grew darker. "I couldn't do it. I knew what he was but I couldn't bring myself to do it. My Persona... shattered. Antiope was the warrior and I lost all my will to fight, then. You know what it's like to have your world collapse around you, Tristan? I did."

She breathed out. "Then I decided that wasn't right. A quality of mercy, you could say. I let him live. I told him he was my responsibility. If I found he'd stepped one inch out of line, I'd finish what I started. My Persona changed. From a warrior to a philosopher," she said bluntly. "So you see, yes, I did make new friends. A Persona, a journalist and I guess, a Shadow. And I... don't know how I feel about that."

She looked away and licked her lips absently. "Enough about that, though. Come on. Get in the passenger seat. I'll drive."

[ChromaticTruthsayer]

As you enter the truck, you take a look around. From the looks of it, you are inside a truck. Interesting. In back of you, the statue that you were sent to deliver is firmly connected to the truck via a chain and straps to a large cart holding the statue. With the key to the truck you were given, you turn on the engine causing a loud roar. Only, the roar wasn't the truck. Turning around, it would seem you managed to stir something from the shadows.

Fury Jotun x2

• Gigantic Fist
• Zionga
• Tetrakarn
• Agilao

Absorb: Repel: Null: Rs: Wk: Pierce, Slash

It would be wise to protect the statue at all costs, naturally. Make sure you do, okay?

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan entered the truck. Phoebe had explained what had happened, but that didn't exactly make him feel better. at least he could understand what happened now, though. With that, he listened as the truck roared to life. However, something else seemed to roar.

Jumping out of the truck, Tristan saw two large shadows. They were six-armed creatures that were chained to rocking horses. The shadows didn't seem all that threatening until it attacked him. It sent him flying, but he was able to stop himself using his scythe. This was nothing compared to what he had dealt with during his fights on the full moons, so he brushed himself off. He was in pain, but it was negligible.

One seemed to go towards Phoebe, which left Tristan with the one that had slammed into him. Perfectly fine with that arrangement, Tristan summoned Ifreet. "Burn it down, Ifreet." The djinn obeyed, attacking the shadow with fire. When it didn't disappear, Tristan became upset. How dare it survive? What does it think it is? This irritation fueling him, he summoned Ifreet once more. "Kill it with fire, djinn." He watched as the creature was consumed by flames. It tried to fire off a spell at him, but it was fire-based and blew over him. The shadow disappeared, and Tristan turned to watch if Phoebe would spare this shadow as well.

[Phoebe Minola]

Phoebe cursed audibly when she heard the Shadows. Just what they needed. She killed the engine quickly and rushed out of the truck, summoning Hypatia and drawing her warhammer just in time to catch the second gigantic Shadow rearing back on its almost comical rocking horse and quibbling something while a surge of red light gathered around it. She threw herself between the Shadow and the statue just as a blast of fire erupted on her.

"Tough luck," she growled and plowed through the flames like they were so much splashes of water. "Hypatia, Myriad Arrows!"

The philosopher dropped into a stance and threw her spear into the air. The shaft gathered energy as it flew upwards and then a barrage of energy shards came crashing down onto the Shadows. The one before Phoebe shuddered and thrashed from the multiple hits, skidding backwards from the impact. Aware that if the statue took damage they'd never get paid, Phoebe pushed forward after it, not intending to let it advance another inch. The Shadow swarmed forward, rearing back and then bringing its two bound fists down on her in an axe strike, followed by a surge of kinetic force. The hit impacted on Hypatia's shield with a resounding smash and Phoebe felt it go right through her.

"Keh!" she blurted and grit her teeth. That hurt.

She shook her head and willed another attack. Hypatia's spear flew like a swallow again and the next barrage of energy shards seemed to stagger the giant Shadow even more. It flailed back and Phoebe heard it utter a noise like a groan. Then a flash of light surrounded it and it rushed forward towards her again.

What's it done? Hypatia atta--

No, the philosopher said. Physical attacks will not work now.

Phoebe's eyes widened. A reflective attack, eh? "Maragion!"

Hypatia struck her shield with her spear and then thrust that forward. A barrage of fiery explosions rocked the area, one of them catching the Shadow in a blaze of fury. It appeared that the earlier hits had been deadly because the fire attack caused it to explode into nothingness, signaling Phoebe's victory. She put away her hammer and with Hypatia floating beside her effortlessly she returned to the truck.

"Tristan, we might get ambushed again. Do me a favor, get on the roof of the truck to act as a lookout. We're gonna be driving slowly anyway, the statue weighs a ton and a half," she said, surveying their surroundings. "Knock on the roof of the truck if you see anything suspicious and I'll stop."

[ChromaticTruthsayer]

You dispatch of the enemies and continue to drive a bit more. As expected, the truck doesn't move very fast when trying to drag this statue across the road. Regardless, you make a bit more progress without being interrupted by any shadows. However, this clearly doesn't last very long as you are attacked by a group of shadows blocking the road.

Detour Maya x2

• Viper Smash
• Zionga

Absorb: Repel: Null: Rs: Wk: Slash, Wind

Detour Hand

• Agilao
• Fatal End

Absorb: Repel: Null: Rs: Wk: Pierce, Ice

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan climbed onto the truck. He crouched low, so as to not fall off. However, he could see hat was approaching. Three shadows were coming, and they were coming in fast. He slammed down on the roof of the truck, then fired a powerful spell at them all- Megidola. It slammed into all three of them, but Tristan focused on the hand.

Leaving the other two to Feebs, Tristan summoned Ifreet and cast his signature spell. The hand burned away, but not completely. Firing again, the boy watched as the creature died this time. Good thing for it. It would have been more painful otherwise.

[Phoebe Minola]

Phoebe swore eloquently when the next batch of Shadows showed up. She slowed the truck to a halt, pulled the handbrake and jumped out before it had even stopped completely. She rushed around the side to intercept the two Mayas as they circled around the truck to flank them - they'd get straight to the statue if that happened.

Tristan's wide range spell had staggered the little blighters but they were still breathing. She summoned Hypatia and directed her. The philosopher in arms rushed forth from the azure light and swung her shield out to meet the gathering kinetic energy that one the Mayas directed at the truck. The force struck the Persona's shield and bounced back onto the Shadow, sending it reeling backwards. Phoebe smacked the other one with her hammer to push it back and called at Hypatia.

"Maragion!"

Explosions of fire rocked the area and the two shadows were staggered. Another hit of the hammer finished off the first one. The second attacked with a bolt of lightning which hit Phoebe. She took it like a champ, groaning lightly and then shaking it off. It was amazing how much she'd gotten used to pain under these circumstances. Not just pain, but the strain of fighting. Ha, maybe that was the Spartan thing from her mother's side.

"Hypatia, finish it," she commanded and the Persona obliged.

Her spear flew into the sky and a hailstorm of energy shards crashed down from the skies to assault the remaining Maya. It staggered and flailed in pain but it still wasn't dead. One fiery blast later though, it was.

"Goddamit, how much further do we have to go..." she muttered irritably and climbed back into the driver's seat to carry on.

[ChromaticTruthsayer]

After taking care of a few more nuisances, you get the truck moving once again. This time, to your destination. You drag the statue to the correct spot and detach from to the truck. Guess you're done?

Mission accomplished!

You received your reward: Level 1 Armor, 1250 FP