Traitor!

Outside the metaverse version of the school, Axel and the others all stood by as they checked their gear.

Akira and Ryuji went and bought alot of items like bandaids and drinks. There were a couple weird items that Ryuji bought but no one paid them any mind as anything might be useful in the metaverse.

Morgana explained that the metaverse was different from reality. What might be useless in real life might be the key to surviving a harsh situation in the metaverse.

It was weird but that was how it worked. Not everything was as it seemed in the metaverse.

Even though he didn't want her to, Ann insisted on following them into the palace. No matter how he felt, Axel knew he would just be a hypocrite if he didn't let Ann follow them when he allowed Ryuji to.

Axel knew he would feel much better if Ann unlocked her persona but it was hard to say when that would happen. Since he's made quite a few small changes, he doesn't know how badly he's messed up the timeline.

Sighing, Axel turned to Ann one last time as he said, "Make absolutely sure that you follow behind me. If a shadow attacks you, get behind either one of us."

Ann giggled as she light nudged Axel and said, "Come on, Axel. I'm not a damsel in distress, I can handle a little action."

Axel's hands softly trembled as he squeezed her gently and whispered, "I know… I know… I'm just a little worried… Ann, promise me that if things get too heated, you'll run back to the safe room."

Feeling the worry in Axel's trembling body, Ann sighed as she hugged him tightly, "Fine. I promise that of things get hairy, I'll get myself out of there."

No matter what anyone said, Axel was terrified for Ann's safety. He and his friends have almost died multiple times while exploring the palace, even with their personas.

Ann without a persona doesn't have the ability to fight against most shadows, let alone the scumbag king. Axel could see by the fierce light in her eyes that Ann had something planned for the scumbag king.

Shaking his head, Axel sighed as he put on a serious expression and said, "Alright boys… and girl, let's get a move on. Remember, we only need to find a fast and efficient way to get to where the treasure is being held."

Everyone nodded at Axel's words as they silently entered the palace. After entering the palace a couple times, Akira and Ryuji realised that stealth was crucial.

Whenever they came across a shadow, Akira and Ryuji became ruthless assassins. Under the cover of darkness, they would silently rush up behind a shadow before proceeding to repeatedly stab it from behind.

Obviously, some of the shadows tried to call for help but that was when Axel ran over and put the shadow into a choke hold. If that wasn't enough, Morgana always aimed for the vitals. The eyes, the throat, the groin, as long as it made the shadow die faster, Morgana always attacked them without hesitation.

Ann could only watch in speechless awe. The boys seemed far too proficient in the art of assassination. What she didn't know was that, when the boys gathered together after school, Axel would secretly teach them how to fight.

How to handle a dagger, how to properly string and use a bow, he taught them all he could. Akira seemed to be born to wield a dagger. He took to the Apollo clan's dagger arts like a fish to water.

Ryuji, on the other hand, was adept at the art of stealth. Even though he was the loudest person Axel has ever known, the boy was able to move while being completely silent.

Traversing the palace after they actually learnt some techniques made life alot easier. Obviously, the group randomly encountered traps and puzzles but they were so stupidly easy that Ryuji solved them all on his own.

The thing that held them up though, was when they discovered the "library". Axel curiously gave one of the books a short glance and almost exploded in rage.

Each book represented one of Kamoshida's conquests. Young, hopeful boys who's dreams were cruelly crushed. Beautiful maidens who's innocence Kamoshida sadistically tainted. Detailed reports of Kamoshida's many "exploits".

The more Axel read, the more he considered saying 'SCREW IT!'. He felt his rage build until 'something' started tugging in his mind. He could feel it. It wanted to be free. IT WANTED TO DESTROY!

However, Axel quickly calmed down when he saw the worry in Ann's eyes. A gentle warmth spread through his chest as he took a deep breath and calmed down.

The group easily solved the rooms puzzle and acquired the final piece of the map. Afterwards, some shadows tried to jump them but the current Akira and Ryuji were a force to be reckoned with.

Currently, the group was tracking down the last piece of the second puzzle, a crystal eye. The first one was held by a very dangerous shadow so everyone assumed that the last piece would also be in the hands of another shadow.

The puzzled required them to find two crystal eyes and insert them into the sockets of a laughing Kamoshida statue. Ryuji wanted to try, in his own words, 'smash the stupid statue's stupid grin off its stupid face' but Axel quickly calmed him down.

After a few minutes, the group finally came across a huge shadow. Ryuji and Akira nodded to each other as they moved through the shadows like a pair of phantoms.

Ryuji wasted no time and yanked the shadow's mask right off, exposing the shadow within. Once it fully formed, Akira used the hilt of the blade and smashed it against the shadows chin.

The shadow, however, seemed to be a single succubus. Axel had to admit the succubus was rather beautiful, in a demonic and bewitching sort of way.

Akira and Ryuji moved in tandem, using each other to confuse the shadow as Morgana sneakily appeared behind her. She couldn't even react as Morgana pulled out an oversized slingshot and shot 10 pellets at her back.

The succubus cried in pain as she collapsed to the ground. Axel actually felt bad for the shadow as she cried, "W-wait!"

Axel was surprised that the shadow asked them to stop but he didn't mind as he signalled them to wait. The succubus sniffled softly as she gave Axel a thankful nod.

Suddenly, a small frown appeared on Axel's face as he finally saw the succubus's face. She had a black eye and some serious bruising on her cheeks and neck. Her arms had dark bruises on them as she hugged her body close.

She was… scared. Not of them but of something else. Axel's expression softened as he gently smiled, "It's alright, we won't hurt you. We just need the crystal eye."

A bitter signed escaped the succubus's lips as she gave Axel a helpless smile, "I would give it to you if I could but… the other shadows will beat me again if I do…"

Axel took in a deep breath as he calmed his growing anger. Even some of the shadows in Kamoshida's palace were scumbags.

Suddenly, a light went off in his head as he said, "What if you come with us?"

The succubus was surprised but her expression quickly morphed back into fear as she stuttered, "N-no… I… I don't want to be a slave…"

Before Axel could speak up, Akira step forward. He stared at Axel as he silently asked if he could handle this.

Axel saw no reason to refuse and nodded. Akira happily started talking to the shadow. Sharing his likes and dislikes, his experiences. He was attempting to bond with the shadow.

And it was working. In the beginning, the succubus was reluctant to talk with him. But as time went by, the succubus suddenly found herself immersed in their conversation.

Without warning, the succubus ended up interrupting Akira as she smiled and said, "My name is Succubus. Should you ever need me, call my name and I shall appear to aid you."

She bowed slightly before walking over to Akira and, to the shock of everyone, kissed his cheek as she burst into motes of light. The specks of light quickly gathered together and transformed into a white and black mask.

Akira was too stunned to react as the mask slammed into his face, sending the young Phantom theif reeling backwards.

Before he could questioned what happen, Ryuji and Morgana hugged each other as they screamed, "Akira! You traitor!"

Akira and Axel could only sigh at their teammates while Ann was still trying to piece together what actually happened.