It was all happening very quickly and Haruto's mind was still reluctant to register any of it beyond disbelieving horror. The approach of the emerging Shadows had send his gaze back to Junepei just in time to see the gun slipping out of the older student's grip, taking any potential deference for him with it as it spun and clattered against the ground. Eyes wide, he stepped back. Then there had been panic and voices and light in broken succession and now three more entities had manifested in the space around them, strange figures he couldn't hope to assign any cogent label to or--
Persona.
The word came into his mind with sudden certainty. And so did a name. He reached for the watch still tucked into his pocket, but before he could gather it in his fingers one of the remaining creatures lunged forward. It knocked him back with surprising force and sent him sprawling, skidding close to the edge of the enormous branch even as he managed to catch himself on unsteady feet and a stance that was so deep he was almost crouched and was able to press one steadying palm down against the rough bark. There was no time to appreciate this close call, however. The Shadow, invigorated with its victory, had followed and was all but upon him again.