Persona 7

Intro Song: Reflection

Artist: SimplyEma (OP 1 Lee)

Artist:Justyna Janik Jj (OP 2 Lola)

"This isn't the real world. It's just a shadow of the real one."

Section I

Look at me.

Prologue: The Card

After his parents dropped him off in front of his current home, Sandthorne Hall on University of St. Cyr, Missouri's campus, Lee hugged them goodbye and was glad to see them go because he finally felt he could get his new life started. He was headed back to his room, walking through the many students and their families going through the same partings, when someone tried to get his attention.

"Hey you," a voice called out.

Lee looked up and found a woman with flowing auburn hair tied in a short ponytail at its end wearing a long-sleeved white lace shirt, white pants fastened by a belt, and white mid heel shoes. She also wore a white mask with a three-dimensional-shaped black butterfly wing covering the right side of her face. The bottom left side of her mask bared her face. Her bluish-green eyes were visible through the mask's eyeholes.

"Yeah you," she said.

Lee took a step toward her until a short black gate only separated them. Behind her Lee noticed the small swimming pool. His dorm was the only one on campus that had one. It shimmered eerily. He refocused on her.

"You should come for a swim tonight?" She said and smiled. "I'm having a little get together. Meet me here at midnight. This will be your invitation." She held out a card, which she appeared to pull from out of nowhere.

Lee thought this was kind of cool. It was weird but cool. He grinned in return. The real question was: Should he flirt, or Go with it?

"Thanks for the invite," Lee said, taking the card. He decided to go with it. Express is gratitude. It was a tarot card, The Fool. "And you are?"

"You'll find out soon enough," she winked.

He turned away from her and went back to his room all the while looking over the tarot card.

The Mirror

Lee lived on the seventh floor of his dorm. He walked to his room after climbing the stairs for the exercise. He lived to the right of the elevator near the end of the hall. He passed a few people. His mind was on the tarot card, which he had put in his back pocket. He didn't know why the thought of it lingered, but he figured it was the mystery of it all. It was odd, and the oddity of it made him want to know what it was all about. He wanted to know about the woman too.

He took out his key from around his neck, unlocked his door, and entered. He had been gone for a little while. He and his family had gone out to eat before they parted ways. His roommate hadn't arrived earlier. He wondered if he'd actually get the room to himself. He didn't mind having a roommate, but he wouldn't mind not having one. After opening the door, he saw that his roommate had been there.

He left the door open in case anyone wanted to come and hangout or something. His dad had told him about the open-door policy. It was a good way to meet people. He noticed his roommate's bed had been made up. Whereas his side of the room looked like a disaster despite his mom's best efforts, his roommate's side of the room looked as if a professional had come in and taken care of everything for him.

Lee took out all his stuff from his pockets and placed it on the counter across from his bed, where the bathroom sink was located and the mirror above it. He moved all his junk from his bed to the floor. He plopped down on it when a head came from behind his roommate's desk. He got back up.

"You're here," Lee said, smiling. "What's going on man? I'm Lee, Lee Clarke." He walked over to his roommate and extended a hand.

"Hey," his roommate said. He took his headphones from his ears, stood, and gave him a brief smile. He took Lee's extended hand after a moment of hesitation and shook it after he pulled up his jacket sleeve. "I'm Elijah Hodge."

"Cool," Lee said.

From what Lee could see, EJ was about his height but not as built as he was. Lee had hazel eyes that were more brown than green while EJ's were a deep brown. For some reason, Lee felt and thought EJ's eyes gave way to an old soul within. Compared to his golden brown complexion EJ's was darker. Lee had short black hair that looked sort of rough and had some curl to it. EJ managed dreads, which he had tied in a ponytail, although Lee almost didn't notice them because EJ's hood covered them. EJ wore a hooded denim jacket, jeans, and a pair of boots. Lee wore his dad's old military fatigue jacket, a pair of old jeans cut at one of the knees, and untied brown leather boots. Lee felt comfortable, and he felt EJ looked uncomfortable, possibly even restless. EJ was covered almost head to toe.

"Do you care if I call you EJ?" Lee asked.

"Not at all," EJ said. "My friends called me that."

EJ seemed a little nervous to Lee. Lee kicked off his shoes and plopped back on his bed. He faced EJ, who sat back down and out of sight.

"You from St. Cyr or from out of state?" Lee asked, determined to let EJ know the two of them could do this new college life together.

"I'm from out of state," EJ said.

"Me too," Lee said. "I'm actually from all over. My family moved a lot. This was my mom's alma mater, so I decided to come here. What brought you here?"

"St. Cyr's Journalism program," EJ said. "They're supposedly the best school for it in the country, so I decided to give it a shot."

EJ didn't sound annoyed, and he continued with their conversation. He was a little hard to read to Lee, especially because he couldn't see him.

"You're going into Journalism," Lee said. "I'm going into Criminal Justice, and I'll be Pre-Law. I'm trying to become an FBI Agent, but I want a backup. You think we'll have fun here at the school?"

There was a silence for a minute or two.

EJ slowly came from behind his desk, bringing his chair along with him, this time to sit beside it.

Lee sat up and moved down his bed to get closer.

"I'll be honest with you," EJ said. "I don't know a lot about having fun. I spent a lot of time making sure I got here. I'm here on a full-ride scholarship." His gaze shifted to the floor before he looked back at Lee.

"I'll just have to show you the ropes," Lee said. "I've always been told I have a penchant for making things less boring. My parents would call it getting people into trouble, and they'd be right." He watched EJ's brief smile return and actually stick around.

"I don't mind a partner in crime," EJ said. "My life could probably use a little trouble." His gaze shifted to the floor for a moment. "Speaking of trouble, did you get one of these?" He reached into the inside of his jacket pocket. It was a tarot card, The Fool.

"I did," Lee said. "You get yours from that woman too?" Lee stuffed his feet back into his boots and reached for his card, which was on the counter.

"I got mine from the woman by the pool," EJ said. "She wore the butterfly mask."

"That's the one," Lee said, turning around holding the card up." He thought he heard something, but he ignored it.

EJ stared past him. His eyes were opened wide.

"What?" Lee questioned him.

"You didn't see that?" EJ asked. "Look at your card. It shattered in the mirror and changed."

"What," Lee said and immediately looked down at his card. It had changed. The image had changed, and no longer was it The Fool but The Fortune. "Did yours change?"

EJ held his card out to show Lee that it hadn't, but the moment he did he saw it shatter in the mirror and change. It went from The Fool to The Hermit. He returned the card back to his jacket pocket. He looked to Lee. He suddenly stood on his feet with his eyes still wide open, wider if that was possible, as something grabbed Lee's arm.

Lee looked down, saw that a hand had taken hold of him, and watched as it began to pull him inside of the mirror. He tried to hold himself back, pull himself free, but the hand had a firm grip. He looked to EJ, who stared breathing hard. He watched EJ shake his head as if coming back to whatever crazy reality this was.

"Sorry man," EJ said, grabbing a hold of Lee. He pulled, trying his best.

The two of them worked together. In the end, they were both pulled into the mirror. This was right after Lee looked toward the mirror and saw a familiar face that wasn't his own. This familiar face belonged to his triplet, one of his sisters.

~!~

"You were supposed to come alone," Lee heard his sister's voice as he opened his eyes. "You've caused trouble since the minute you were born." She sighed. "I shouldn't be surprised."

Lee raised his head. He didn't see EJ anywhere. His sister Lola stood with her back to him. He couldn't see her face, but the few seconds he had seen it he realized it hadn't changed much. Her complexion was paler like their mom's. She had their dad's dark brown eyes, blunt nose, and jaw. She managed to snag their mom's dimples though. She still had her wavy brown-black hair that reached to her shoulders. She clenched and unclenched her fists at her sides, wearing a navy blue leather jacket, a pair of brown denim jeans, and some black leather boots. He slowly rose to his feet.

"This can't be real," Lee said. "You're gone."

"I left," Lola said without facing him. "I didn't die."

Lee began to take in his surroundings, and they didn't make sense. He couldn't process what he was seeing. He stood on a long mirror with nothing underneath it but clouds and an orange sky. All around him were mirrors, clouds, and the orange sky. Each mirror seemed to be a window or door to somewhere else. He saw places, people, and things through them every now and then, but eventually they mostly reflected their surroundings, Lola, and himself. He looked around trying to see everything and understand it.

"Where are we?" He asked. He had to admit this was cool. His high school art teacher would've really appreciated this place. "How are you here?"

In a mirror that hovered just ahead and above Lola, Lee thought he saw a blue butterfly pass across it, from left to right.

"I wouldn't worry about where we are or worry about me," Lola said. "I'd worry about your friend."

Those words drew Lee's attention. He got serious.

"What do you mean?" He questioned her. "Where is he?"

Lola slowly turned around, and the expression on her face made Lee's heart beat faster. It unnerved him.

"I can't kill you while he's here," Lola said. "He's innocent. You'll have to find him and save him or die in the attempt." Her eyes flashed black. Then, they became red. As she sank into the mirror they stood on, blood seeped from them.

A moment later, Lola was gone. Lee saw nothing of her, and the only thing he saw was his own reflection staring back at him from underneath him.

"But first," Lola said, "I should at least give it a try, killing you I mean." Her voice came from every direction. "Because you brought a friend, I'll give one of my friends the first shot."

Something dropped onto the mirror behind him. He heard part of it crack and shatter. He ran forward before he turned back to see what friend might be getting the first shot. This had to be some kind of nightmare, but he had a strange feeling this wasn't, which is why he didn't bother to try and wake himself up. What he saw trailing after him had to be from a nightmare, but he wasn't exactly scared of it. A puddle of black goo sped after him. It had many arms and hands though. One of them carried its face, which was a teal mask, while the others carried knives. His heart beat faster.

Lola wasn't herself. EJ was in trouble. His own life was in danger. He didn't look back again, but he gathered it wouldn't take this abomination long to overtake him. He needed to fight it. He clenched his fists as he ran. The only reason he didn't fight it was because he wasn't sure he could. He didn't know what it was. He had to take a chance. He couldn't let this thing just kill him. He had too many questions spiraling around in his head now, and he had things he needed to do: Talk to Lola. Find EJ.

Lee stopped and faced the monster. It leapt at him and knocked him back. Lee heard the mirror underneath him crack and shatter. The creature raised three of its knives. Lee began to sink into the mirror. Time seemed to slow.

"I am thou..." Lee heard a deep, masculine voice speak. "Thou art I..." Lee felt as though he had begun to crack. He felt he had begun to shatter. "I represent the True Reflection of your soul..." A single, small, star-shaped mirror hovered over his left eye. It cracked. "The time has come...for thee...to release me, from thine prison."

Lee took a deep breath as the three knives came at him. Time caught up with him.

"Persona," Lee shouted.

Lee shattered and came apart, becoming a swirling mass of fragments. Were they mirror fragments? No. They were fragments of his soul. They came together.

"I am Horus, God of the Sky."

From the single, small, star-shaped mirror, Lee saw himself. He saw himself as Horus. He saw the Sun and Moon reflected in his eyes. Lee blinked and that image vanished. Horus was a tall, built, dark-skinned man with a pale blue lanner falcon's head, a red and white crown atop it, carrying a golden staff in one hand and a golden ankh in the other while dressed simply and adorned in gold armor pieces; around his chest, over his forearms and fists, above his biceps, at his front and back along with around his waist, and on his wrists. Large pale blue wings slowly flapped at his back.

Horus hung the ankh in the air, allowing it to hover, before he ran his staff through the creature, eradicating it. He brought himself to land and stand on the mirror.

"Wasn't even a challenge," Lee said.

Horus fell off Lee. He became himself. Lee fell to his knees. He looked around. The single, small, star-shaped mirror from before had disappeared. He was on the other side from where he started, looking down. He saw himself reflected once again in the mirror.

Lee became his other self. He gained the strength to accept the part of himself he chose to ignore. With his Persona Horus, he is now empowered to project his True Reflection.

A distant voice... Had he actually heard it...?

Lee stared, breathing heavily. He couldn't wrap his mind around what had just happened. He didn't have time to either.

"You have to keep moving," Lee heard a second familiar voice. "What you faced is called a Shadow. More Shadows will come."

Shadows? He could protect himself from them now if they did come. He had Horus... Somehow, he knew that was right. He had to save EJ from these...Shadows.

"Don't worry," Lee heard the familiar feminine voice speak again. "I'll get you to your friend. For the first time in your life, let me guide you." He definitely recognized that friendly, reassuring voice. It was his other triplet, his sister Ling.

"Run forward," Ling instructed, "and when I say so jump to your left."

Lee stood and ran as she said. He heard hear voice counting.

"1..."

"I knew you'd interfere," Lola screamed. "Wait until I find you!"

"2..."

"You can't protect Lee," Lola shouted. "You can't save him!"

"3! Jump!"

Lee jumped.

"You and your friend will die here Lee," Lola's voice whispered in his ear.

Lee watched as a full-length mirror moved in front of him. He saw EJ for a second before he saw himself and he passed through into the mirror.

The Shadow Self

Lee landed in what appeared to be a library. Bookshelves filled with books, stacks of books, and unlit candles were everywhere. He rose from bended knee. He found the single, small, star-shaped mirror reappeared, but now it had a gold and blue lining around it. It hovered close by him.

Lee noticed a full-length, intricately decorated mirror in the corner. He headed for it because the mirrors meant something here, wherever here was. Before he reached it, he heard a distorted voice that sounded disturbingly like EJ's. Lee crept toward the voice and found EJ sitting at a desk within a book while another EJ, this one whited out with purple eyes, stood over him saying crazy stuff. This other version of EJ was on EJ like...like a shadow.

"You're dead inside," Shadow EJ said. "That's why you don't feel. Read. Study. That way you can distract yourself from the nothingness and loneliness. It's sad you'll always be alone, dead inside, and cut off from everyone. You don't fit in the world. You might as well stay here and die. Nobody will miss you. You want to die. Then, you're insignificant life will end, and everybody can celebrate the waste of space you were, how nothing you did mattered, and how you would never had affected anyone or anything."

EJ stared into the book. He turned and turned the pages. They were blank. He tried not to cry. Lee saw that the book was actually a Bible.

"God won't save you," Shadow EJ said. "Jesus doesn't exist. You can keep turning the pages of that book, but you won't find answers there. He abandoned you remember. He made you this way. You're black, ugly, sexless, and worthless. Give up on him. Give up on this life. You'll be happier. You'll be free."

"Shut your ass up," Lee shouted. His heart started beating fast. He walked toward the EJs.

Shadow EJ turned on Lee swiftly. EJ slowly lifted his head and rested his eyes on Lee.

"I don't know what's happening here," Lee said, "but EJ I know you can't listen to you." He gestured to Shadow EJ. He realized how crazy he sounded but he powered through that. "He's dangerous to your health." This had to be what Lola meant endangered EJ's life.

"He won't listen to you," Shadow EJ said. "He knows I'm right about him. How could I not be right? I'm him." He turned and stared straight into EJ's eyes. "You're alone in this world. You're insignificant. You serve no purpose." White fumes began to emanate from it.

"EJ!" Lee shouted. "Focus on me." EJ slowly met Lee's eyes. Lee stood where he was. He wanted to keep a distance from the other EJ in case his movement triggered it to action. "You aren't alone, and you're not insignificant."

"Maybe I should die," EJ told him. "The world wouldn't lose anything losing me."

"Exactly," Shadow EJ said. A wicked grin began to spread across its face.

"If you died," Lee explained, "you wouldn't ever know or be able to see whether you had an affect on the world let alone anyone's life."

EJ shifted his gaze to the Bible. Lee saw that words began to appear on its pages. He also saw that the grin on Shadow EJ's face began to wane.

"I can't believe this for you," Lee said. "You have to believe this for yourself or you will die here. You have to fight, and I can fight with you." He didn't know that for sure, but that gold trimmed mirror hovered close by so he saw that as a good omen. "That I can do."

EJ closed the Bible and looked upon it.

Lee and Shadow EJ watched as some of the unlit candles around the room began to light themselves.

"God," Lee heard EJ say, "help me."

"He doesn't exist," Shadow EJ roared. "Listen to me! I am you!"

EJ breathed.

"You say you're me," EJ said. He looked from the Bible's cover to Shadow EJ. He stood. "I thought God made a mistake when he made me. I never got along with anyone. Then, I didn't know whether I was gay, straight, bi, or whatever. I just felt hollow and disconnected all the time. I believed, but I didn't think I had a reason to believe. I don't mind being alone, I'm not sexless I'm asexual, and I'm not insignificant. God doesn't make mistakes. You are me: my doubts, my fears, and my insecurities. You are a part of me, but you're not all of me."

The rest of the unlit candles lit themselves. From out of the last space of darkness, there was a flash of light. EJ, Shadow EJ, and Lee looked toward the direction of the flash of light.

Lee and EJ watched a single, small, triangle-shaped mirror appear from that flash of light lined in silver and red. After it hovered over EJ's right eye and EJ took a look into it, the mirror cracked and shattered, and then so did EJ.

"I am thou..." EJ heard a bold, masculine voice speak. "Thou art I..." EJ felt himself coming a part, but there was no pain as he cracked and shattered. "I am your True Reflection... The time has come...for thee...to release me, from thine prison."

"Persona," EJ whispered.

EJ became a swirling mass of fragments. These fragments were the fragments of his soul. They came together.

"I am Roland, the Christian Knight."

From the single, small, triangle-shaped mirror, EJ saw himself. He saw himself as Roland. He saw a large stone cross at his back. The left and right sides of the cross were club-shaped with a silver orb at their centers. At the top of the cross were a gargoyle's two clutching four-fingered paws underneath its head. The eyeholes of the gargoyle' head were lit by a flame that floated right above it. EJ blinked and took in the rest of him.

Roland had a silver spaulder across both his shoulders connected by crisscrossed chains over his pecs fastened to two black plates over his pecs that were emblazoned with red crosses. He had silver bracelet on his left wrist and carried a cream-colored and silver horn with a short silver chain attached to it in his left hand. He wore silver armor along his right arm. A red chain wrapped around his arm connected to his silver and red hilted sword.

Roland was a relatively tall, muscular but lean and defined, darker-skinned man with a silver helmet that covered his eyes. The helmet contained a blue-eyed gold piece at the front of it with long blue feathers stemming from the top of it that reached to the middle of his back. He had the face of an older man with a shapely black moustache and thick beard, along with dreads in ponytail. From his spaulders, a red cape with black interior came to meet the ends of his silver greaves. At their front, his greaves were lined in red and a cross outlines were visible. He had silver armor from his torso down, but the pieces at his front and around his waist were white. The large piece at his front had a large red cross emblazoned on it.

Roland fell off EJ. He became himself. EJ fell back onto the chair.

"What the..." These words escaped from EJ's lips.

Lee went to him, lifted him onto his feet, and turned him around.

"This isn't done yet," Lee said.

Lee's mirror was beside him.

EJ stood and gathered himself together.

"I can see that," EJ said.

EJ's mirror was beside him.

"No!" Shadow EJ yelled. It backed away from both of them. The white fumes that emanated from it grew and spiraled around it. "No, I am your Shadow. I am your True Self." It bowed its head before it grew and transformed.

Shadow EJ became a tall, muscular black figure with long dreads to its knees, wearing a brown robe. In its left hand, it carried a large white casket lid emblazoned with a black cross on it like a shield. In its right hand, it held a lantern made of scripture, equipped with white greaves, white gauntlets, and a white bandana that covered its eyes.

"I'll beat sense into you," Shadow EJ said. "I'll beat the truth of your existence into you."

A moment later, a curved table appeared behind EJ and Lee. It had an array of weapons on it: a Spear, Gloves, One-Handed Sword, Shield, Bow, and Battleaxe.

"Grab the one that calls out to you," Ling told them. "Hurry."

Lee recognized his sister's voice and ran for the table. EJ didn't recognize the voice, but he ran with Lee to the table.

"Depending on how you fight," Ling explained, "your weapon will grow and you along with it. Regardless if you rely on your weapon more, whether offensively or defensively, or rely on your Persona more, whether physically or magically, different aspects of your growth will be affected and the appearance of your weapon will reflect this."

"I'll take the spear," Lee said to EJ. "Keep a good thing going." He thought of Horus' staff. EJ didn't quite get this. "Besides, I don't mind going toe-to-toe with these things now." EJ got that. Lee stood at the ready.

"You've faced this kind of thing before?" EJ asked.

"Not quite like this," Lee said. "What I faced was much less dangerous..."

EJ nodded to Lee, agreeing even though he hadn't seen the Shadow from before. This Shadow was on a different level in terms of a monstrosity.

"I'll take the Bow," EJ said. Somehow, he knew the Arrows would come. "I'll watch your back from the back." He climbed over the table and up to a higher vantage point among the bookshelves and stacks of books.

"That works for me," Lee said and laughed.

Shadow EJ attacked, launching [Cold Heart] Ice from his unlit lantern. [Cold Heart] Ice penetrated bookshelves, books, and the table, causing it to disappear. Lee dove to the right before he got hit, and EJ managed to avoid getting hit by anything.

"Guys..." Ling said.

"Whose voice is that?" EJ asked.

"Later," Lee answered. "Follow my lead EJ. We're just trying not to shit ourselves out of fear Ling. We got this."

Battle Start

"Follow his lead," Ling said. "Adhere to my instructions. I've completed my Analysis. Its Weaknesses are Fire and Pierce Physical attacks. Your normal attacks will work. They both do Pierce damage. Lee, get in there and distract him. EJ, you can use Fire with your Persona. Concentrate, shatter your mirror, and your Persona will do the rest."

EJ glanced at all the flammable books in the room.

"All right Persona," EJ said. "Let's get out of here alive." He raised his bow and when he drew an arrow it came. The silver and red lined mirror appeared before him. [Agi] Fire, Roland. EJ released an arrow, shattered his mirror, and brought forth his Persona.

Lee felt the guiding hand of Horus as he attacked and defended himself against Shadow EJ. Shadow EJ had a good defense, knowing how to work his casket lid, so Lee couldn't get a good hit in. When Lee did manage to drive the spear into Shadow EJ's chest, he got a critical hit, which knocked Shadow EJ onto his back. Shadow EJ quickly got on his feet. The moment Roland's [Agi] Fire hit Shadow EJ it fell back into a pile of books, crushing a bookshelf or two beneath it. He recovered again.

Shadow EJ knocked Lee back [Bash], sending him into a bookshelf. Immediately afterward, he sent [Cold Heart] Ice at EJ, who managed to leap to another point to avoid the attack. EJ shot an arrow at Shadow EJ. Shadow EJ defended himself.

"You're going to have to do better than this," Shadow EJ taunted.

"Don't forget to defend," Ling told them.

Lee defended himself after he got on his feet just in time for Shadow EJ to bring his casket lid [Bash] on him.

"We'll survive," EJ said. "Persona!" He shattered his mirror and had Roland use [Marakukaja]. He raised both his and Lee's defense.

Shadow EJ attacked EJ with his casket [Bash], sending EJ from a bookshelf into a stack of books onto the floor.

"Take care of yourselves," Ling said.

"I'll send you to the grave," Shadow EJ said. "Give you what you want." Afterward, he used [Marakunda], lowering both Lee and EJ's defense.

"It's him or us," Lee said. "Persona!" He spun his spear with his left hand and stabbed it into his mirror, shattering it, at his feet and had Horus use [Sidewinder]. He hit for critical Pierce damage 3x.

"That's the way," Ling said.

EJ got off the floor and had Roland heal both him and Lee [Media].

Shadow EJ attacked [Bash] Lee, but Lee evaded it.

Lee has Horus heal him [Dia].

EJ had Rolando use [Agi] Fire again, which knocked Shadow EJ down.

"Attack together," Ling told them.

"All-Out Attack!" Lee shouted.

"All-Out Attack," EJ called back.

Lee drove his spear into Shadow EJ's arms and legs, and EJ let his arrows hit the same targets in succession. They hit its chest at the same time.

"Not bad," Shadow EJ said before it became its old self.

"Teamwork makes a dream work," EJ said.

Lee felt a surge after the battle. EJ felt a surge after the battle.

They felt a rush. They felt relieved. They felt stronger.

Something inside them had definitely changed.

Battle End

"I heard everything you had to say," EJ said. "I won't forget you, but I won't let you hold me back from living anymore."

Shadow EJ nodded, and then he disappeared.

EJ became his other self. He gained the strength to accept the part of himself he chose to ignore. With his Persona Roland, he is now empowered to project his True Reflection.

EJ had heard a distant voice. At least, he thought he had.

"I can't believe you saw all that," EJ said, turning toward Lee. "Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize man," Lee said. "We're roommates. We were bound to learn stuff about each other. We've all got our own stuff. Now, let's get out of here before my shadow self tries to kill us."

"I'm not sure it was trying to kill us," EJ said, glancing toward the direction Shadow EJ had disappeared while remembering Shadow EJ's last words: Not bad. EJ shook his head and returned his attention to Lee. "Get out of here? How?"

"I can help with that," Ling said.

"Before you do," EJ said, "can I ask who you are?"

"She's my sister Ling," Lee said. "I don't know how she's involved with this. I don't know how I'm involved with this. I'm a triplet, and both my sisters seem to know what's going with this and left me out of an explanation."

"It's complicated," Ling said. "On my part, it was sudden. Everything will be explained, but not there. Head through that full-length mirror. Then, you'll be on your way home."

Lee waited a minute. Then, he called for Ling. When she didn't respond, he figured she was probably waiting on them on the other side. He spoke with EJ because what EJ said earlier was on his mind.

"Why don't you think it was trying to kill us?" Lee questioned EJ before heading for the mirror.

"Because after we beat it," EJ said, "it seemed at peace. It didn't seem bothered by it. It went from being so angry to so calm."

"When I got pulled in here," Lee started, "wherever here is, mirrors were everywhere. Whatever is happening to us, I don't think it's about us. My sisters are involved, I'm involved, and so, you and I, we're involved. You don't have to be though."

"I'd like to be involved," EJ said. "I think I'd like to find out what this is all about."

"I'd be glad to have you," Lee said and smiled, "especially if I'll be fighting more Shadows."

"You're already getting me into trouble," EJ said and grinned. "I'll help you fight and figure out what you, your sisters, and I have been drawn into. We'll work together, but I'll do things my own way."

"Agreed," Lee said, holding up his fist.

"Sounds like a plan," EJ said, holding up his fist.

The two fist bumped.

I am thou... Thou art I... The chain of the heart establishes a new link. They both faintly feel it. They both hear that distant voice again. The chain rattles because of new growth. It spurs them forward on their path. They shall be blessed when they choose to create Personas of the Fortune and of the Hermit Arcana.

They feel power build in their hearts.

They can now help an ally onto their feet if downed.

"Let's go before we worry Ling," Lee said. "She'll lecture me for a month if I make her worry." He shook his head and EJ smiled as they made for the full-length mirror.

Lee saw the woman with the black butterfly mask again in the full-length corner mirror. She passed by it, from right to left.

"Did you-," EJ began.

"I saw her," Lee said.

Lee climbed into the mirror, and EJ climbed into it too.

The Red Velvet Room

Lee and EJ seem to stream toward their destination. They're in the night sky. They don't see a moon only stars. They come across a private jet in mid flight. They pass through and into the private jet. They arrive, sitting in comfortable seats. Lee is on the left of the jet. EJ is on the right of the jet. Their seats face the pilot's cabin. Across from them, they see two strangers about their age. Small round tables were in front of them. The strangers are facing them. There are empty sits beside EJ and the two strangers. In the center of the jet is a small round table with an older woman with short black hair, one eye and a black eye patch, and an abnormally large left ear. She sits at it with her hands folded, wearing black suede gloves.

The eyes of the two strangers moved from Lee and EJ to her. Then, they moved in their direction again but past them. A second later, someone just behind him spoke.

"Welcome to the Red Velvet Room," a young woman said.

Lee looked up and found the young woman with French-braided black hair pulled back and wrapped into a side bun wearing a red trench coat with white buttons that contained bronze accents and a bronze clasp, a red pants suit with a white blouse, along with red low-heeled shoes. A single red rose rested behind her left ear. Her purple eyes were alluring.

"The Red Velvet Room," Lee said, "huh." Everything was in red. Now, that he really took it in. The seats, the center table, and even the floor were in red, but the older woman at the table was dressed in gray: from her sweater jacket, pants, turtleneck, and heels.

"Relax," the young woman said. "Have some cake. It's red velvet." She showed Lee a small plate she held in her right hand.

"Uh," Lee said, trying to figure what he wanted to question first.

"I'll have some," EJ said.

Lee, the young woman, and the two strangers across from them all looked at EJ.

The young woman gave him the slice. The others declined.

Lee stared at EJ.

"I've decided this is a dream," EJ told him, taking a fork from the young woman, "and in my dream I'd like some cake."

Lee smiled. The young woman went and stood to the right of the older woman.

EJ prayed over the cake and then ate it.

"This is pretty good," EJ said.

The guy sitting across from Lee laughed.

"Welcome," the older woman finally spoke. "I'm so glad we could meet: Lee, EJ, Tess, and Axle. Fate has led you here. Let me introduce myself, Florence."

"I'm Julia," the young woman said. "I will be attending to you all during your flight."

From what Lee could see, Tess was shorter and thinner than he was. Based on her arms though, she worked out or something. Her eyes were a forest green. Lee saw her eyes seemed playful yet sharp behind her glasses. She had a light complexion, and her platinum blonde hair was braided on the sides to the back into a loose ponytail underneath a cabbie hat. Tess wore a tank top, leggings, and a pair of high top sneakers. Lee felt Tess looked a little rigid as if she would be ready to go at any moment if necessary.

From what Lee could see, Axle was taller than Tess but shorter than him. Axle was also bulkier than he was. His eyes were brown, and they were everywhere taking in everything. His complexion was a shade darker than Tess', and he had a head of slightly curly, shiny, chestnut brown hair. Axle wore a t-shirt, cargo shorts, and a pair of low top sneakers. Lee felt Axle looked way more at ease than everyone in the room.

"This room exists in the in between," Florence explained. "Between what, you might ask, dream and reality... mind and matter... Only those who accept the invitation are allowed here."

"Our paths will cross as long as you need us," Julia added.

"You're all here to hone your unique ability," Florence continued, "and you can only do it here. That ability is the power of The Chaos Card. It is tied to the power of the Persona." The group listened intently. The same questions were on their minds. Florence answered them. "The power of the Persona is to steer and to guide one's heart. That power attached to the heart is strengthened through the bond with yourself and the bonds with others. The growth of those bonds will provide new abilities and lay the foundation for the growth of your Personas."

"As of now only Lee and EJ," Julia gestured toward them, "have awakened to The Chaos Card and their Personas. However, Tess and Axle, you will be tested, and you'll all need each other."

"I need to find my sisters," Lee said. "Are you forcing us to help you, or do we get a choice?"

"Good question," Tess said.

"This is all about choices," Florence said. "Ling chose to abide by the rule. As long as you agree to take responsibility for your choices and actions, we will help you. Ling wanted to help you. We helped her. Now, she might require your help soon."

"We're in danger," Tess said.

"Yes," Julia said, "but you would be in danger whether you associate with us or not."

"If that's true," Axle said, "I'll take your help." He thought there was no reason to refuse their offer.

"I'm guessing this will eventually make sense," Tess said. "Besides, I want to try and help if someone else might be in danger." She thought of Lee's sisters.

"I already decided," EJ said, glancing at Lee. He thought of their talk and agreement. "I'm here."

"And Lola?" Lee questioned Florence.

"Unfortunately," Florence said, "she will need your help as soon as you are able to provide it. However, that won't be anytime soon in your current state."

"I'm in," Lee said. "I'm in for my sisters, but I'm also in for the bigger picture."

"Ling will have answers to your questions," Julia said.

"In service to you," Florence said, "we serve another. For this reason, our knowledge is limited."

"Lola's actions accelerated this meeting," Julia said. "If you can't find her or speak with her, Ling could be in danger. Keep an eye on Ling."

"If we're going to need each other," Axle said, "aren't we going to need to find each other when we get out of here? How will we do that?"

"Everything will happen in due time," Florence told him. "Don't worry."

"It's going to be hard not to worry with our lives in danger," Tess said.

"For now just live your life," Axle said, kicking back in his seat. "If this is a dream, you won't have anything to worry about."

"True," Tess said with a nod.

"Too bad it's not a dream," EJ said, finishing the last bite of his cake.

"You don't have to worry though," Lee said. "We don't have to. This might sound crazy, but I believe in us. We're going to face down whatever comes our way." In Lee's mind, no other option was available.

"Remember this," Julia told them.

"One's reflection is pure," Florence began, "except when it's tainted... You look and look closer still. What you see may be clear or distorted. The reflection can be formed and molded, changed and transformed... With your own hands... And the hands of others... This done, and one can project more than the reflection, for themselves and for those around them... The reflection becomes not only that which reflects but also that which impacts, changing destiny."

Everything began to become hazy. Everything began to fade away.

"Wait," Lee said. "What about that woman?"

"If Ling goes missing," Florence said, "meet at the pool any day at midnight."

Lee nodded. Satisfied with this answered for some reason.

Then, he closed his eyes.

~!~

~Morning 08/27 MON

Condition: Tired

"Lee," EJ called to him.

Lee woke up with the sun beaming into the room. EJ looked refreshed and dressed to go.

"I don't know if you have an eight o'clock class or not," EJ said. "I didn't want to wake you, but I didn't know if you were going. There's still plenty of time to get ready. Shower's free."

Lee watched EJ leave. He wondered if everything that happened was a dream. He was still in the same clothes as yesterday. He stood up and grabbed his phone. He texted Ling.

{Are you ok?} He asked.

{I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? I'm eating breakfast right now with friends. Then, I'm going to class. I hope you go. :D}

Lee guessed it was a dream. He looked in the mirror. It did all seem real though. He shrugged. Now, the real question was: Attend class, or Skip class?

He'd go. Be diligent. He should at least go the first day before he started skipping. He'd just be tired. He yawned. Maybe he'd go meet EJ for breakfast.

As he undressed, tossed his clothes in his closet, and grabbed his towel and toiletries before he headed into the shared shower, he couldn't help glance back at his phone on the counter. For some reason, he believed Ling might be in trouble. He decided he 'd make sure to text Ling throughout the day as he closed the bathroom door behind him, got in the shower stall, and proceeded to take a shower.