Who let the Dogs out?

We started moving through the forest, and Subaru began muttering to herself as the earthy scent of the woods grew thicker and thicker. Only for the smell to change into something I could barely recognize. Something . . . sandy?

“Can you smell the beasts?” her words were a bit coarse, and the sweat dripped down her brow. She continued forwards nonetheless.

“Faintly . . .” My words trailed off. It smelled like a rotting desert. Nothing like wherever we were. Yet still I could smell the hostile monsters somewhere around here. We burst from the bushes, and Subaru froze for a moment before pushing forward towards something just out of my view.

She started pushing forward, and reaching her hand down to something. Yet my mind froze as I processed the golden words gently flowing out of the young girl who weakly quivered on the ground.

Until they forced a phrase I could not ignore, even though it dramatically complicated the situtation.

Divine Protection of Mabeast Manipulation

On instinct I grabbed Subaru’s hand, pulling her away from the small child as my eyes widened in shock and mounting terror.

This little girl had the ability to control Mabeasts.The ability to control monsters. At least that was what I assumed. 

That could only present two possibilities. Either she was unaware of her power, and it was running wild without her control.

Or this little girl was a serial killer. 

What the fuck?

What the fuck.

“James-” She started to speak, but I silenced her instantly as the bushes around us began to stir.

“Subaru.” I didn’t take my eyes off the child for even a moment. I’d guessed these children could have been lured inside. If this girl was close to them, then . . .

“Subaru. Do you recognize this girl?”

“What? Yes! She’s one of the girls from the village! Now lets-”

I gently leaned down to the little girl, and that exact moment a Mabeast sprinted from the woods right at me. 

The scoring sands burned against my flesh, and I let out a weak breath as I reached downwards towards my weapon.

“. . . it was you.”

I could hear chaotic shouts of panic slowly slow to a crawl. No one was left, but I.

I drew a knife, and threw it directly into the brain of the approaching monster as my heart twisted.

Weak words flowing through my brain. As though an old man was muttering them as he cursed the heavens themselves.

The Mabeasts however did not stop at one. Seven more approached from the forest immediately, charging at me with rapid steps that crushed branches and fallen leaves beneath their feet. 

Tears flowed from my eyes as I screamed at the sky “It was you who killed the one who was precious to me!” My hand clenched the burning sands, and my hoarse voice screamed despite the ruin around me. My flesh turned to stone as I read the words on the pedestal again and again.

“You ripped Nefartari from me, you murdered Amun! You, it was all you-”

If my theory was correct, then this little girl murdered Subaru multiple times. She caused someone I dearly cared about immense pain and suffering. 

All for what purpose? As if any purpose needed to be derived from this monster.

My head pulsed with agony, my mind splintering between the present situation, and one that happened to someone else long ago.

“Brother.” My head whipped around on a swivel towards my brother. The brother who I did not free. The brother who tried to negotiate with me over the release of his people.

“Moses.” My tone was venom, as the serpent he once held in hand. I wanted to curse him, to rage at him, this was his fault. The blame also lied upon the one he served.

I turned on my heel and brought down my knife on the little girl, this little girl wasn’t just your average psychopath. While I never fully intended to stab her through the throat and would pivot at the last second if need be, a quick roll to the side allowed her to evade my incoming attack poised to aim just above her neck.

It was a bait of sorts. One that had clearly paid off. Though as my hand clutched the knife I could feel the desire to hurt someone making itself known.

If this was Persona trying to awaken itself, I wish it didn't fuck with my head so much.

A few surrounding Mabeasts immediately flanked her, preparing to shelter her from the knife thrown at her head. Unfortunately they did succeed. My heart slammed in my chest, a rage overtook me that was not fully my own. 

“What are you- What the hell are you doing?” Subaru panicked as she sent a spin kick into a Mabeast that was sent sideways. It’s momentum sending it through her, only managing to keep her ground as I pulled her out of the way.

“This girl can control Mabeasts. This was a setup.”

Subaru looked shocked, but before she could speak a little left the little girl’s mouth.

“Wow! You’re smarter than I thought! I seriously didn’t expect you to try and stab me through the throat though. You're a real psychopath!” Her laugh grew brighter, and suddenly I paused. I frowned deeply. 

I forced the frown upon my face, as a smile threatened to make itself present. 

Pride in my achievement of being correct.

Something was wrong with my head. Something was seriously wrong right now. More Mabeasts swarmed towards us, a massive howl echoing across the area as the ground tore itself apart, flying right towards myself and Subaru.

 If I rushed the girl, I could certainly kill her. I could slice right through her throat, and end this here and now.

But doing so would cause Subaru to die.

I wouldn’t make the same mistake as I did so long ago.

It was just like back then when I was a young boy.

However this time Pride would not be my downfall, no matter how hard this voice in my mind tried to tempt me.

His voice was weak, and he muttered the last thing my mortal ears would hear. The name I had crowned myself as, the name bearing the scar of my arrogance. The name that refused to ever back down, to ever admit its wrong doing.

I grabbed the wrist of someone I had grown to care deeply for, and pulled her into my arms. Then I whispered softly in her ear. Not a command, but a question. I took in the world around us analyzing our path, and she reacted just in time. She was pretty reliable after all.

She didn’t smile, the situation was far too chaotic for that. The trust in her voice however as she spoke that single word was enough for me to glean her intent however.

“Shamak.” A massive amount of shadow flooded around us. My senses went dead, and I found myself alone. Yet I knew Subaru was still with me. I moved, my body feeling featherlight as I did so, until we burst from the shadow and into the air. 

A massive rock however planned to shoot us out of the sky. My body rotated in the air, the stone acting as a board for me to jump off of, allowing me to shoot towards the ground and out of the chilling forest sky.

I nearly tumbled, managed to catch myself as Subaru screamed out in panic. Her weakened form was still hanging in my arms as we landed. 

Landed just a few feet from the girl. Her eyes widened slightly, the bald animal next to her growling with its glowing red eyes.

I had made a mistake. In my attempt to close the gap while also keeping Subaru safe I had left us surrounded on all ends. 

Luckily, someone had noticed the howling and dark clouds.

A massive flail flew towards the Mabeasts, turning them into paste in an instant. Yet many more still remained. The number of creatures kept building, the earth stirred, and a knife I once threw found itself flying right towards my eye.

My heart slammed in my chest.

This was death. I could see no other escape. My eyes flicked towards Subaru, whose expression however did not melt in despair. She was crying and sweating in a panic, her fist clenched desperately, but she too was prepared to fight. As was Rem.

Spikes extended outwards, the little girl giving a soft smile as I realized this wasn’t your run of the mill psycho child. She was a psycho child murderer, in more ways than one. 

The final sealant of my sarcophagi that would one day allow me to understand that I was no longer Ramses II. 

Instead I was-

“Ozymandias.”

Then I heard it. The cracking not of the earth beneath our feet, but of an old ancient stone that hadn’t been opened for a long, long time. I was never the greatest mythology buff. I had no idea who Ozymandias was, nor was I certain if it mattered.

That didn’t mean I was giving up though. I took a step forward, my eyes bloodshot and wide, the knife thrown towards the girl. Her knife grazed my temple as I gave a small side step. I grabbed it from the air, and spun on my heel, throwing it just over Subaru’s shoulder and into a Mabeast Rem couldn’t reach just yet.

The momentum carried me, and I realized something truly terrible. There were even more Mabeasts that had arrived. 

I couldn’t do this alone, even though I had intended to carry Subaru to the finish line, that just wasn’t possible. 

Despite asking others for help, despite allowing them to help me, I knew deep down a part of me still held arrogance, a deep pride not only in myself, but more importantly; one greater for myself than others around me I claimed to hold dear.

“You figured it out.” 

I blinked as time seemed to slow down. The world turned a stone grey, and the cold breath leaving my lips, my heart gently beating now as the man’s deep, and calm voice reached my ears.

It sounded like a father proud of his son for learning an important lesson.

“It’s not wrong to have some pride, but the world does not rest on your shoulders alone. Everyone carries a piece of it. To act as though you carry the weight of the world is spit on the faces of those who you claim to hold up. When it is them too, who hold a piece of the pyramid.”

Are you Ozymandias?

A cold chuckle left his lips, “That was a self given title, one that the world may know me as, but as one I refuse to bear. Please- call me by my name. Ramses . . . I must say it is quite amusing. You claimed to want to reduce the burdens of others, but in the end old habits couldn’t help but make themselves known?”

His invisible hand gently rested on my shoulder as I blushed. I’d claimed that I wanted to help Subaru, but a part of myself also wanted to not only help her out of compassion, but also out of obligation. 

I was a watcher in my previous life. I watched so many things happen, while making up fantasy about people I did not know. I tended not to step in, not after my initial pride in my youth crashing and burning. The stain of my humiliation still lingering in the air from the event.

When it came to Subaru however, that part of myself returned, and with it, so much more. This was the opportunity to help someone, and help them in such a way that success was all but guaranteed.

Did I even deserve to be here?

Laughter broke from his mouth. “Young man, didn’t I say that in the end old habits make themselves known? You’ve fought desperately for these people, you treat yourself as their ally and them the same. Is it wrong to have some Pride in both them and yourself? Old habits sometimes need not be broken, just . . . redirected in a healthy way.”

No. It wasn’t wrong.

His lips broke into a smile, his figure somehow still illusory, yet I could sense his presence all the same. 

“Very well then. Show me the extent of your pride, yet never allow it to consume you. Show me your control, show me your passion, show me the love you hold. Let us make our vows here and now young man.”

Then we spoke as one.

“I am thou, and thou art I. Thou who art willing to direct the Pride within ourselves as a sharpened blade and gentle hand. To control that weapon so that it never grows too sharp, or too dull. To value those who cherish, and to value the self we have cultivated. To always self reflect, and to reflect upon the world. Now then, as we invoke the name  

I let out a breath as the world returned to color.

“RAMSES!”

Sun like fire burst from my body bringing the battlefield to a sudden halt, and I could feel a presence behind me. I looked over my shoulder and spotted the massive figure resting softly on the ground. His form was of pure stone, a massive ornate stone staff held in hand, his well sculpted figures were slightly cracked, yet his golden eyes glew all the same.

“Magaru.” His staff slammed gently on the ground. A single thump echoing out as the words left my mouth. 

Then the wind howled. 

Countless explosions of blood flooded the area, I nearly dropped to a knee from the pure power of the spell which had performed far beyond what I’d expected. The earth was blown away, and I let out a weak breath as the dust settled.

My eyes darted around the area as Ramses gently held me up from falling, until he let out a small frown.

“I must go now, you can only handle this much at the moment.” Then he snorted lightly.  “That child has fled.” He began to fade away, however as I nearly collapsed on the ground someone caught me.

However it wasn’t one, but instead two people who held me in there arms with confused, concerned, and serious expressions all upon there faces.

Subaru was the first one to speak, her expression of terror had turned into one of intrigue rapidly as she attempted to ignore the massive amount of blood.

I was nervous, I was nervous she would be terrified of the power I presented.

However I’d forgotten one thing. Subaru wasn’t exactly the type of girl who was sheltered from blood.

“That . . . was amazing! You summoned that giant spirit, and they casted that giant wind spell that beat all of them in an instant!” She pumped a fist in the air, and the atmosphere seemed to relax for a moment, only to tense again. Her expression slightly shaky as she lowered her hand she turned to both Rem and I with a serious expression on her face.

“That girl . . . she was controlling the Mabeasts, but how did you know that?” 

I let out a small breath, too weak to even try to make something up.

“I can see the Divine Protection someone has.”

Rem’s eyes shot open like saucers, but Subura just looked impressed. The sheer weight of such an ability not fully setting in her mind, nor the importance and potential use of such a power that was honestly stupidly overpowered.

Adelheid truly was awesome. 

Though I had a feeling this fight wasn’t over just yet. I silently opened my system with the word Persona, and to my great shock a new guest had made itself known.

[Social Stats]

[Confidants]

-> [Personas]

-> [Ozymandias]

Ozymandias

Type: Demi-Divine (Sun)

• Slightly Reduced Manifestation Cost

• Gain Arcana benefits of the Sun Arcana

Arcana: Fool (Sun)

• Reduced Manifestation Cost

• Increases Strength of Positive effects on Allies

Technique: Fire, Wind, Buff (Attack/Evasion)

• Sands of Ruin, All Things to Dust: ??? (Use to reveal effects)

• Gaze Upon my Works Ye Mighty, and Despair: ??? (Use to reveal effects)

• Uneternal Desert, but a Moment More: ??? (Use to reveal effects)

Affinity: +Fire +Dark +Wind -Ice  -Poison 

Traits:

• King of Kings, Fool of Fools

Increases Resistance to Mental Alteration

Increases Resistance to Curses, increases Parameters while Cursed. Curses will slowly turn you to Stone instead of any other negative effects.

If manifested with the name (Ramses) dramatically decreases manifestation cost, and dramatically decreases Persona Parameters. 

While Ozymandias: Deactivate Ruler B, Activate Arrogance of the Sun King 

• Arrogance of the Sun King

Increases all Parameters while under Sunlight

Increases the power of all casted spells

Allows the usage of the spell: Gaze Upon my Works Ye Mighty, and Despair

• Ruler B

Increases Courtly Graces

Increases Resistance to Emotion Effects

Increases Parameters of allied subordinates under your Command

• Master of War and Peace A

Increases Parameters in Large Scale Battles

Increases Social Parameters during Negotiations

Increases Parameters of allied subordinates under your Command during Large Scale Battles

Huh. So that’s a Persona then?

That was . . . really goddamn cool!

AN: We are back, where James and gang take on some Mabeats, only for him to use Adelheid's bullshit powers to instantly spot the villain! He confronts his inner self, and awakens his persona as well! It’s quite the strong one as well.

I worked pretty hard on this Persona, as I do for all of them. Its quite fun to make them like this then in the standard way as this gives me more freedom with them and I’ve set up a system that works like this!

Type = Special bonus for species/origin of story. Could be Historical Fact/Fiction, could be Mortal, could be God etc. 

Arcana = Special bonus for Arcana type

Affinity = Defenses against incoming attacks

Technique = Magical affinities that allow you to use spells of this nature, in addition some extra strong moves that will be helpful later!

Traits = One unique trait (Ozzy is special because he has two identities kind of) and two common traits that are more general!

Feel free to drop some comments down below, I love to read them all!

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you fellows in the next one!