04/10/2012, Kuoh Academy, Day
While Makoto faced the trials of terrible teen music, a different kind of tension permeated Kuoh Academy. A powerful, multi-layered magic barrier, invisible to human eyes but humming with potent energy, now encased the entire school grounds, woven with meticulous precision by Grayfia Lucifuge and Behemoth.
Inside the heavily secured conference room, the atmosphere was thick with gravitas. Sirzechs Lucifer, Serafall Leviathan, Ajuka Beelzebub—having arrived moments prior, his green eyes already alight with intense intellectual curiosity—and Falbium Asmodeus, looking slightly more awake than usual, though still leaning on his hand, sat around the large table. Grayfia stood impassively behind Sirzechs, Behemoth a silent mountain near the door.
Behemoth shifted his considerable bulk, his raspy voice breaking the focused silence. "Forgive my bluntness, my Lords, but the purpose of convening all Four Great Satans within a human high school escapes me. Surely the Underworld—"
Grayfia's elbow connected with Behemoth's ribs with a sharp, precise thud, hidden from the Satans' view by the table. "Focus on maintaining the perimeter silence barrier, Behemoth," she murmured, her voice low but carrying absolute authority. "Do not question."
Behemoth grunted, rubbing his side but falling silent, his attention returning to the complex wards he was reinforcing.
A firm knock echoed. Sona Sitri opened the door, her posture rigid with formality. "My Lords," she announced, her voice clear. "Our guest has arrived."
Elizabeth stepped into the room, her blue dress stark against the formal, modern decor. She surveyed the assembled rulers of the Underworld with the same serene composure she might show entering a quaint cafe. She took the vacant seat at the table.
"Good day, Devils," she greeted, her smile polite and utterly unperturbed by the immense power gathered before her. The game, it seemed, was entering a new, far more complex phase.
The air inside the magically sealed room hummed with restrained power as the four Great Satans of the Underworld settled around the polished mahogany table. The wards woven by Grayfia Lucifuge and Behemoth pulsed silently along the walls, ensuring absolute privacy from prying eyes—human, devil, or otherwise.
Sirzechs Lucifer, his crimson hair catching the dim light, straightened his posture as Elizabeth took her seat across from him. His usual playful demeanor was absent, replaced by the solemn authority of the Devil King presiding over a war council.
"Before we begin," Sirzechs said, his voice smooth but carrying undeniable weight, "proper introductions are in order." He gestured to his fellow rulers.
"I am Sirzechs Lucifer, current bearer of the title and overseer of the Underworld's internal affairs. These are my fellow Satans—Ajuka Beelzebub, Falbium Asmodeus, and Serafall Leviathan." His crimson eyes met Elizabeth's unflinching blue. "We thank you for agreeing to this meeting."
Elizabeth inclined her head slightly, her smile serene. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I am Elizabeth, a ruler of power."
Ajuka Beelzebub, the green-haired genius of the group, leaned forward, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His sharp eyes gleamed with the kind of voracious curiosity that had unraveled the secrets of Sacred Gears. "When Lucifer briefed us on the incident in Kuoh, I found myself... fascinated," he admitted. "You claim to originate from another world, correct?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Indeed. Both Makoto and I hail from the same reality as Nyarlathotep—the same entity responsible for the shadow you witnessed."
The name sent a ripple of unease through the room. Falbium Asmodeus, usually the most lethargic of the Satans, now sat straighter, his heavy-lidded eyes sharpening with rare focus.
"Nyarlathotep," Sirzechs repeated, testing the syllables. "Who—or what—exactly is he?"
Elizabeth's smile didn't waver, but something darker flickered in her gaze. "Nyarlathotep is the manifestation of mankind's collective evil. Their yearning for destruction, for chaos given form. He is a Shadow—but not like the one Makoto fought. That was the shadow of a single individual. Nyarlathotep is the shadow of all humanity."
She proceeded to explain the nature of Shadows, the Collective Unconscious, and the Sea of Souls—the metaphysical foundation of human thought and emotion given tangible existence. The Satans listened intently, their expressions ranging from intrigue to grim understanding to barely concealed alarm.
Falbium, the military strategist of the group, was the first to voice the critical question. "Then what can we do?" His deep voice cut through the tension. "If these Shadows are immune to conventional means, how do we fight them?"
Elizabeth folded her hands neatly on the table. "Nyarlathotep cannot rely solely on Shadows yet. The Collective Unconscious of this world is still forming. Until it fully manifests, he will need proxies—individuals or factions he can manipulate to further his goals."
Ajuka's eyes lit up, a spark of realization igniting. "That aligns disturbingly well with recent events." He turned to his fellow Satans. "Over the past weeks, the Old Satan Faction has resurged—more organized, more powerful than before. Our intelligence networks have suffered unprecedented losses. Their known bases have vanished. And there have been reports of... creatures prowling the Underworld's borders."
Serafall's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by icy calculation. "Are you suggesting the Old Satan Faction is working with Nyarlathotep?"
Ajuka nodded. "It may be coincidence, but I find that unlikely. Elizabeth's description of Nyarlathotep's methods fits too neatly. He would seek out those already predisposed to chaos and destruction."
Falbium exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Which brings us back to the original problem. How do we fight Shadows? If our soldiers can't harm them, we're sitting ducks."
Elizabeth's answer was blunt. "You cannot. Shadows are impervious to normal attacks. Only a Persona—a manifestation of one's inner self given power—can oppose them."
Sirzechs frowned. "Then how do we obtain Personas?"
"You don't," Elizabeth said simply. "In our world, Personas emerged from the Collective Unconscious of the primordial Earth—a defense mechanism against Nyx's influence. By the time this world's unconsciousness awakens enough to birth them, Nyarlathotep will already be unstoppable."
The weight of her words settled over the room like a suffocating fog. The Satans exchanged glances, the unspoken truth hanging between them: they were facing an enemy they couldn't directly combat.
Sirzechs broke the silence. "So we must rely on you and Makoto Yuki to face Nyarlathotep directly."
Ajuka, ever the pragmatist, nodded. "The shadow we witnessed was the first of its kind. The process isn't instantaneous. If we dismantle Nyarlathotep's allies—starting with the Old Satan Faction—we buy time for Yuki and Elizabeth to strike at the root."
Elizabeth smiled approvingly. "I agree with Ajuka's assessment."
Behemoth, who had been looming silently by the door, suddenly stepped forward, his massive frame radiating impatience. Grayfia shot him a warning glare, but the old Rook ignored her. "Then what are we waiting for?" he rumbled, cracking his knuckles. "If the Old Satan Faction's involved, we crush them now!"
Ajuka held up a hand. "Not so hastily, Behemoth. We lack concrete evidence. Rushing in blind risks playing right into Nyarlathotep's hands."
Serafall placed a placating hand on her Rook's arm. "Ajuka's right, Beh. We don't even know if the Old Satan Faction is Nyarlathotep's only pawn."
Behemoth grunted but relented under the combined stares of the Satans. "If the Satans say so," he muttered, retreating.
Grayfia promptly elbowed him in the ribs. "Apologize," she hissed.
Behemoth scowled but dipped his head. "Sorry."
Sirzechs stood, signaling the meeting's conclusion. "Elizabeth, we appreciate the information you've shared. As Beelzebub and Leviathan suggested, we'll gather intelligence and coordinate our next steps. I assume you'll remain in Kuoh?"
Elizabeth's smile returned, warmer now. "Of course. I've grown quite fond of this city. And I believe Makoto feels the same."
"Good," Sirzechs said. With a final nod, the Satans and their retainers departed, leaving Elizabeth alone in the silent room. The game was set. The pieces were moving. And somewhere, in the darkness between conscious and unconscious, Nyarlathotep smiled.