[Souji races forward to catch Nanako as she's freed from Namatame's grasp, catching her in his arms before she tumbles to the ground. Namatame rights himself, head snapping up in a murderous glare to Wanda and Souji; the blue mist swirling around him darkens, thickens, partially obscuring Namatame behind it. He growls, menacing:]
Give ... her ... back! I'm ... I'm going ... to save her!
[Souji picks Nanako up and retreats behind one of the pillars surrounding the staircase, leaning her up against it and out of harm's way.]
Hang in there, Nanako.
[Then he quickly returns to Wanda's side, watching Namatame as the thick, dark fog churns faster and faster around the other man, parts breaking off and attaching to him.]
He's merging with the Shadows ...
[The fog darkens and spreads, blacking out all light, then suddenly disperses, revealing a transformed Namatame hovering in front of them - white robe, red wings, a large gear circling around his head.]
I'm going to save her ... don't interfere!
[Souji looks to Wanda, gives her a quick nod, then turns back to Namatame in his new form. Blue light circles around Souji, and he reaches up to crush the card hovering above him with his free hand.]
Persona!
[A giant talon-limbed woman with a large snake wrapped around her appears, and with a flick of her wrist, she brings down a great bolt of lightning on Namatame, then disappears again.]
cw snake
Give ... her ... back! I'm ... I'm going ... to save her!
[Souji picks Nanako up and retreats behind one of the pillars surrounding the staircase, leaning her up against it and out of harm's way.]
Hang in there, Nanako.
[Then he quickly returns to Wanda's side, watching Namatame as the thick, dark fog churns faster and faster around the other man, parts breaking off and attaching to him.]
He's merging with the Shadows ...
[The fog darkens and spreads, blacking out all light, then suddenly disperses, revealing a transformed Namatame hovering in front of them - white robe, red wings, a large gear circling around his head.]
I'm going to save her ... don't interfere!
[Souji looks to Wanda, gives her a quick nod, then turns back to Namatame in his new form. Blue light circles around Souji, and he reaches up to crush the card hovering above him with his free hand.]
Persona!
[A giant talon-limbed woman with a large snake wrapped around her appears, and with a flick of her wrist, she brings down a great bolt of lightning on Namatame, then disappears again.]