Three battles later, Souji finds himself staring at a large X etched into the next platform and dreading the step forward that will lock them into a seventh battle. The haven't been battles particularly difficult, but neither that nor skipping Strength and Hermit isn't enough of a consolation prize when he's down six Personas and about to be stripped of one more.

He's tired and starting to feel upset and he knows he looks it by now, the strain of his glasses not working making it very hard not to drag his sword on the ground behind him as he walks. But he isn't ready to stop.

Rise seems to have picked up on this and she taps Teddie on the head. Teddie looks at her, then at Souji, still staring ahead of them without moving or speaking, and turns to stage whisper to Yousuke:

"Is it time now?"