Kimi was not going down. No matter how many times she was tossed around and thrown up, she kept fighting. Of course she was tired, but Suki was barely getting up from that heavy hit. She had to protect Suki.

She had to protect her.

I can't let her die....I can't....

She still kept fighting for me, even though I wanted to leave her here...

She's braver than I ever was...

I can't let her die!

"I....*pant*...don't...CARE!" Kimi shouted panting heavily.

Her shadow was getting frustrated. Kimi could see it in her eyes.

Good.

That way the shadow would be more focused on her than Suki. She stumbled around, throwing sloppy punches and real tired kicks.

Suki finally came to. She looked up and saw how exhausted Kimi was and how beaten she had become. She quickly stood up and summoned Hegemony.

"MANGNARA!" She shouted as Hegemony casted her attack, fatally injuring the shadow, knocking it to the ground.

Kimi breathed heavily and fell to her knees in exhaustion. Suki knelt down beside her.

"Kimi..."

"S-Suki...," Kimi breathed tearfully, "I'M SORRY!!" She then shouted, pounding her fists onto the ground.

"I didn't mean to think those things...I didn't mean it! I-I didn't mean to hurt you..."

Suki shook her head. "Kimi. It's okay. I know you didn't mean any of it..it was all out of your control..."

Kimi shook her head, fingers clawing into her head. "No, no, no! It's my fault! I did this...I'm sorry!"

"Kimi...look up."

"Wha...what?"

"Look up."

Kimi looked up in confusion when she saw her.

It was the goddess of adventure, . Her hand was extended out Kimi, waiting for her to take her hand.

Kimi nervously looked Suki.

"It's your choice, Kimi."

Kimi nodded. She turned her head back to Atalanta. She took her hand and stood up, a determined expression on her face.

"Let's do it. Together."

Atalanta nodded and finally became one with Kimi.

Suki smiled as Kimi turned back to her.

"You did it Kimi! You-"

Suki was cut off by Kimi's sudden hug.

"?!"

"I'M SORRY!!!"

"Kimi..?!"

Kimi sobbed. "I-I'm sorry Suki! I'm sorry I said such awful things! I did mean any of it! I really do care about you!"

Suki stroked Kimi's hair. "I understand Kimi...we all say and think things we don't really mean. You were just trying to look out for yourself...it's okay."

Kimi sniffed before standing up. "Well now, I'm gonna think about others! With my persona, I'm gonna be an amazing hero!" She declared, posing in a hero's stance.

Suki chuckled and joined her. "And so will I!"

"Hell yeah!"

They high fived, then suddenly feeling the ground beneath them began shaking.

"Hey, look over there." Kimi said, pointing to another floating isle.

In the distance, they could make out something being formed. A palace of some sort. And standing in front of it...was a familiar face.

"Is that... Kimi asked.

Before Suki could answer, she felt an extreme bout of dizziness and passed out on the ground floor, last hearing Kimi's panicked voice.

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Upon awakening again, Suki's eyes were met with a bright light. She could tell that she wasn't home, or in that other world. She was somewhere else.

Once her eyes adjusted to the light, she sat up and found herself in a hospital room that casted some kind of blueish hue.

Where am I...? Why am I here...?

"Glad to see our is awake and well." A disembodied voice said.

Suki jumped in fright until the short figure came into the light.

It was a young boy with cream colored hair, yellow eyes, and some kind of blue uniform. He was holding a wheelchair in his hands.

"I'm sorry. I did not intend to startle you. I'm here to lead you to my master." The boy said.

"Master?"

The boy placed the wheelchair next to the bed.

"Come now. We mustent keep Master waiting..."

He suddenly picked up Suki without any warning and placed her in the wheelchair, leading her out of the room and into a long corridor with only one room at the end of it.

Just like the one from my dreams! Suki thought.

"You know...it's been awhile since Master had another visitor. I think the last visitor was about...hmm...forty-nine years ago...or maybe it was the before them? It's my first time here! I-I hope I'm not talking too much..."

Suki shook her head. "No. It's fine. I'm actually interested as to what you're talking about...." She then sweat dropped, "mostly because I have no idea what you're talking about..heh."

The boy chuckled. "Don't worry. Master will explain everything to you soon. Ah! We've arrived."

The boy stopped her at the two large doors and opened one enough to fit them both. He lightly pushed her inside and then took his place next to a strange man with a long nose and seemingly blood shot eyes, sitting at a large desk in front of her.

"Ah, it seems we have a new guest joining us. It's been quite a while since we've had a guest here..." He said, a large grin on his face.

Suki leaned back in fear. "W-who are you?"

"I, my dear, am . And this here is my . This place exists between dream and reality. Mind and matter."

The Velvet Room. It was a fitting name. The walls were lined with blue velvet curtains. Against the walls were seven locked doors. The entire room seemed to be overcasted with blue.

Igor turned his attention to the boy in the corner. "And this here is my assistant, "

Lazuil stepped forward and bowed. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Ichika." He said.

"Since our time here is limited at the moment, I shall try to keep this brief."

Suki nodded as Igor began to speak.

"You, young patient, along with the world outside of this place, has become stricken with a "

Suki's eyes widened. Does he mean...everyone will die?!

"But you, young , withhold a power that is greater than any man. Your . This power was unlocked through a binding contract. This power can be strengthened through your bonds-your These will help you along your journey to recovery. This will prevent evil from bearing fruit....it is you, young fool, who must save your world from destruction."

Suki was silent. The gravity of her power was bigger than she had first anticipated.

Save the world? All by herself? Impossible! She couldn't do it!

The sound of a clock chiming loudly could be heard throughout the velvet room.

"Sir. The time." Lazuil said, turning to Igor.

Igor nodded. "Until we meet again..."

Lazuil walked over Suki and wheeled her back to the room, laying her back down in the bed.

"Don't worry about the whole "saving the world" thing. I'm sure you'll be just fine..," were the last things Suki heard before blacking out again.

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